Category Archives: TheTrestleboard

March 2021 Lodge Happenings

After a fun and successful night at our March Stated meeting, we have some great things coming this month for the brothers of #145!

There are projects within the lodge building that the Trustees and Officers are working on to make the experience of the members, as well as the candidates for Masonry, comfortable and engaged in our activities.  These project currently include some repairs and reorganization to the preparation room and converting the lighting in the lodge room to dimmable LED lights.  This will allow us to lower our energy bills as well as create a certain atmosphere for degrees.

We have also finished removing the old theatre seats from the lodge room (special thanks to Senior Warden Perry Harris in getting this finished up) and we re-arranged the pews in the lodge room to allow for comfortable seating everywhere.  This project is ongoing and may include additional pews for more seating and finding a home for the antique theatre seats.

We will be performing a Fellowcraft Degree on April 1st for some of our current EAs.  The Lodge will open at 6:30 and there will be a meal in-between sections.  Please consider joining us that evening and experience the FC Degree with your fellow brothers of #145.

Also this month at the lodge, we will continue to participate and watch the Scottish Rite presentation of Thursday Night at the Rite.  Thursday the 4th and Thursday the 18th we will gather at the lodge with other Scottish Rite brothers at 8:00 pm to watch the 13th and the 22nd Degree.  If you are a Scottish Rite member and need these degrees for your passports, please feel free to join us!  If you want to join the Scottish Rite, now is a great time.  Contact a member and we can get you a petition.

I also want to encourage those of you that have not paid your 2021 dues to please send us a check in now.  Do not let your membership lapse!  If you are in need of assistance paying your dues, please let someone at the lodge know and we will help you out. 

Also, if you do not have a Masonic License plate on your vehicle, I would strongly encourage you to consider doing that this year when you go to renew your plates.  Masonic Plate forms are available on the Grand Lodge Website, the Member Portal, or available at the lodge. 

Brothers, thank you for being a part of Bluffton #145.  You are all such a vital part of this lodge and we cannot continue to be successful without all of your support.  I hope to see you all at Lodge at one of our events, or at our next stated meeting on April 6th.

Nick Miller
Worshipful Master
Bluffton #145

February 2021 Lodge Happenings

Greetings Brother!

I wanted to send out a quick update with the happenings at last night’s stated meetings, as well as the upcoming events for February at Bluffton #145.

Besides the regular committee reports and information, all of which you can check the minutes that are available at the lodge with our secretary for all the details, February’s meeting was a mixture of celebration and mourning. 

We mourned the loss of Past Grand Master Robert Stevens (’83-’84) and Past Grand Master of DeMolay Keith Klein.  Locally, we mourned for Phyllis Ulmer (wife of Mick Ulmer), Ron Harruff, and Jimmy Huffman.  All of these fine people laid down the working tools of life in January and they will be missed by the craft, as well as their friends and family.

In terms of celebration, we honored recently “retired” secretary Larry Tschannen after more than 22 years of service to the craft.  During those years, Larry has served as Secretary of Markle Lodge and Bluffton Lodge, as well as serving terms of Worshipful Master at both lodges as well.  His dedication to the lodge has ensured a bright future for the brothers of #145. 

We also had two brothers that were brought before the lodge to receive an Honorary Membership at Bluffton #145 and they were both unanimously elected to receive this honor.  For the sake of secrecy and surprise, I will not include their names at this time, but they will be honored soon upon their next visit to the lodge. 

Upcoming events at Bluffton #145 include some degree work and some social gatherings.  On February 11th, we are planning on an Entered Apprentice Degree for the one brother that wasn’t able to be at the degree day in January.  This degree will open  at 6:30 and there will be a light meal in between sections.

Thursday Febuary 18th, the Lodge will be hosting a Scottish Rite Thursday Night at the Rite Degree.  The 27th Degree will be presented digitally beginning at 8pm.  Any Scottish Rite brother is welcome to come and view the degree and receive passport credit.  If you are not a member of the Scottish Rite, this is a great time to join as the NMJ is allowing members to join and receive the 4th degree digitally, along with any other digital degrees presented, allowing a person to receive the necessary qualifications to receive the 32nd Degree, which will be presented in May.  Talk to anyone at the lodge and we can get a petition for membership in your hands!

If you haven’t had a chance to pay your dues yet, please get those payments to the lodge as soon as possible.  There are also forms available at the lodge to get a Masonic License Plate.  The form is also at the member portal here.

There is a lot of activity and business happening at the lodge.  Lots of work is being put in by brothers in all aspects of Masonry.  If you haven’t been to the lodge in a while, please consider joining us for any of the events mentioned here, or for the March Stated Meeting on March 2nd

Thank you for being a part of Bluffton Lodge #145!

Pastor Nick Miller
Huntington Bethel UMC
Huntington, IN

January 2021 Lodge Happenings

Brother,

I wanted to send out a note covering our last stated meeting, as well as let you know what activities are planned at the lodge for this month.

In January the lodge received several year-end committee reports and new committees for 2021 were announced.  If you would like to know if you are on a committee, or if you would like to volunteer to be on a committee, please let someone in lodge leadership know and we can get you that information.

The ballot was passed and two men were elected to receive their degrees in masonry and to be welcomed into Bluffton #145.  Those two men join the man elected in December as candidates for Masonry. 

On Saturday, January 30th, we are tentatively scheduling the Entered Apprentice Degree for all three of our candidates.  Lodge will Open at 9am and there will be coffee and donuts available beforehand.  After we have moved all of our brothers through the degree, and they have received their lectures, a small meal will be served for lunch.  All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

This Saturday, January 9th beginning at 9am, we will be showing Virtual Founder’s Day.  This is a Grand Lodge of Indiana event that is traditionally held in person in Indianapolis.  It is a great day in which we get to celebrate the past year, hear plans for the coming year, and connect with the Grand Lodge and its officers.  This year, because of COVID restrictions, it is being offered virtually for anyone to view.  We will be having a watch party at the lodge beginning at 9am and concluding around noon.  Coffee and donuts will be provided.  This is a casual event that we can get together, watch the broadcast, and share in fellowship as brothers, all in the comfort of our own lodge.

There will also be two nights this month in which members of the Scottish Rite will gather at Bluffton #145 to view Rite on the Road, a virtual degree program put on by the NMJ Scottish Rite.  The first date is this Thursday, the 7th.  Viewing will begin at 8pm at the lodge and this is a casual event in which we will view the 10th Degree.  Later this month, on Thursday the 21st at 8pm,  the 27th Degree will be shown.  If you are a Scottish Rite member, this is a great opportunity to get some degrees that you may not have the opportunity to view otherwise.  Lodge will be open to all Scottish Rite members that night.

Finally, our February Stated Meeting will be held on Feb 2nd and I am encouraging everyone to dress in Red/Pink in celebration of Valentine’s Day.  This is just a fun thing to do in order to break up the look of the Stated Meeting and create a fun environment, while we do business.  A small prize will be awarded for the “Best Dressed” brother in Red/Pink. 

If you have any questions or needs that the lodge can help with, please let myself, or one of the officers know.  You are a vital member of this brotherhood and are appreciated.  I look forward to all of the Lodge events this month, and seeing as many of you there as possible. 

The Trestleboard September 2018

Bluffton Lodge # 145

The Trestleboard

September 2018

……From Darkness To Light!

Brothers,

Yet again we find ourselves emerging from the from the wonderfully spent months of summer into the fall season.  The kids and grand kids are back to school, the hallowed lights glow on Friday evenings in the longstanding tradition of Friday night High School Football games, and we once again dust of our suits and aprons to join our Brothers back at Lodge on the first Tuesday of the month.  The Worshipful Master and Officers would like to invite everyone back on September 4th for dinner at 630 pm and Stated Meeting at 730.

Silent Auction

The Summer/Fall Silent auction is being held in the Dining Hall, and there is a great selection of items that have been donated by Brothers for you to bid on.  Due to multitude of donations over the Summer the bidding will continue into the Fall with an final bid date to be announced at a later date.

Travelers Journey Workshops and Ritual Instruction

Three of our very own Brothers have been selected by The Grand Lodge of Indiana to aid in two vital information and instructional programs.  Brothers Fred Lucabaugh and Jan Henline will be Ritualist Instructors for District 1 and 4 and Brother Nate Moyer will be the part of the Masonic Education and Traveler’s Journey Program as the Coordinator for District 4.  Please wish them well on their Masonic travels and keep up with them as there will be opportunities to travel to other Lodges in the area.

A Note From the East

As Fall is upon us the Lodge again opens its doors wide for its Brothers.  We will have a busy Stated Meeting in September, so if there are any topics that you would like to see on the agenda please email the Secretary so that we can add them to the agenda and address topics in a expeditious fashion.  Additions and comments are earnestly welcomed at the meeting, but we are trying different ideas and approaches to help make our Stated Meetings more time conscious for our brother and allow more time to socialize. Due to a large number of additional items in the Silent Auction we will extend the bidding and announce a date to end bidding at a later date.  Please take a moment to visit the tables in the Dining Hall downstairs and see the amazing items that are up for auction. As we move forward further into the Fall and into Winter please keep in mind that we several important events. We will be announcing dates for degree work, Lodge of Instruction, as well as a Breakfast With Santa in December! Also we will be having our customary Secretary’s Fish Fry in October and Officer Elections in November at our Stated Meetings. See you in September for an exciting Fall in Indiana Freemasonry and at Bluffton Lodge 145!

The Tresleboard April 2018

A big big WELCOME to spring……..well sort of!

Brothers – it is that wonderful time of the year where Mother Nature shows us the beauty of Spring, you know, all 4 seasons in a 24 hour period! Even though Mother Nature has problems making up her mind, your Brothers at Bluffton Lodge are charging ahead with a “Snow or Shine” list of great events for you to be involved in the next few weeks. We have multiple degrees, programs, events, and just social times that are here for you. It has been a long cold winter, and the Lodge is only a couple of clicks on the thermostat away from a great evening with brothers. Take a moment – call a brother that you have not seen for a while. Meet up at lodge and enjoy the Media Room, the pool or ping pong tables, or just pull up a chair and shoot the much warmer breeze than that which is blowing outside. The Lodge is all of ours to enjoy.

As we watch the temps warm and the days lengthen there will be many opportunities to help out as we will be scheduling clean up days to help open the Lodge up for the warmer months. We will post updates via email and Facebook as the dates are set.

Degree Work………….INCOMING!!!!!!!!

We have several young EA’s and Candidates that are in the process of starting or continuing their journey in Freemasonry. As these dates are scheduled, please watch your email for the announcements. If you are interested in joining in helping with the degrees – please respond back to this email or call the Lodge and we would be happy to get you in touch with the right Brothers.

Silent Auction

This is the last month for the silent auction that is being held in the Dining Hall, and there is a great selection of items that have been donated by Brothers for you to bid on. The last bids will be tallied at the end of dinner for the May 1st Stated Meeting. Results will be announced during the Stated Meeting that evening.

Travelers Journey Workshop

Bluffton Lodge will be hosting the Grand Lodge of Indiana’s Travelers Journey Workshop on April 19th at 7 PM. There will be light snacks and drinks provided as many local Lodges will join us in exploring a few new programs and enlightening ideas – Come join us for a evening of Masonic fellowship and education!

_____________________________________________
Brothers mailing list
Brothers@lists.blufftonlodge145.com
http://lists.blufftonlodge145.com/listinfo.cgi/brothers-blufftonlodge145.com

The Trestleboard

Is that your ship yonder?

No, just a big thank you to the Brothers who worked diligently over the last several month practicing and fine tuning their ritual for the Grand Master’s One Day Class.  Their performance of both the first and second sections with such precision and decorum showed that Bluffton Lodge is on the top of their game.  A hearty thanks to our Brothers for representing Bluffton Lodge  in such a fashion!

Speaking of degree work, Bluffton Lodge will be conferring the Entered Apprentice Degree Wednesday, October 25th at 6:30 P.M.  Please come out and enjoy great degree work and help another young man start his journey into the Fraternity.  A light meal of soup and sandwiches will be served after the degree.

November Stated Meeting and Annual Elections

Please note that the November Stated Meeting will be on November 7th.  We will be holding our annual elections so please make a note on your calendar to attend.  Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the Stated Meeting will be at 7:30p.m.  Menu for Dinner will be roasted Pork Loin, potato and vegetables, salad, and dessert.   Please join us for an interactive evening with brothers.

From the East

I want to congratulate the brothers who participated in the 3rd degree at the shrine building in Ft Wayne on Saturday the 14th of October. They did an outstanding job! They not only performed the degree with precision but also with a professional approach which would have caused any lodge to stumble. From stepping in to fill spots on a moment’s notice , even while the degree was being performed, to continuing without hesitation when technical difficulties had the lights turning off and on without notice. No one let the confusion effect their work and performance throughout the entire degree. My hats off to everyone who represented Bluffton 145. Coming up on Wednesday October 25 is an EA Degree and a reminder that we are participating in the boo in Bluffton on Tuesday October 31 at Bluffton city gym from 5:00 to 6:00 handing out candy to everyone who comes through.

From the Secretary

Just a reminder that the 2018 dues notices will be arriving in the next few weeks – please keep an eye out.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the Lodge and we will do our best to address them promptly.

Upcoming Events

October 25th – E.A. Degree @ Bluffton Lodge

October 31st – Boo in Bluffton @ City Gym @ 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

November 7th – Stated Meeting and Annual Election @ Bluffton Lodge

November 11th – Scottish Rite Fall Convocation @ Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne, IN.

November 11th – Chili & Soup Dinner @ Bluffton Lodge 4pm

November 14th – Fort Wayne Valley Scottish Rite Stated Meeting @ Mizpah Shrine Center

November 18th – Mizpah Shrine Ceremonial

December 5th – Stated Meeting @ Bluffton Lodge

December 9th – Lodge Breakfast @ Bluffton Lodge

December 14th – Past Masters and Widows Dinner

Please RSVP with the Secretary

The Trestleboard – The Fall Edition

From the East

Brothers,

It has been an extremely busy and expensive year here at 145, we have had a rededication that had brothers painting, cleaning, reorganizing rooms. Plumbing was repaired, bathrooms( the ladies) were reminded, water heater replaced, landscaping redone, and are now going to seal and stripe the parking! A lot of needed improvements have taken care of so the lodge can continue to serve our brothers far into the future! So much has been done that I do not see a need for any further expense for years to come. Now we are looking to the fall and holidays just around the corner. So many things fast approaching that will seem like a blur. Lodge of instruction, one day class, a breakfast maybe 2 which might even include a visit from Santa- a possible supper and more are in the near future! It is wonderful to see so much care and pride being taken in the lodge along with good stewardship regarding our finances as well. It will be with great pleasure to see our brothers as they enjoy all the benefits of the hard work put forth this year.

I am sadden to inform those who may not have heard that we lost our pillar participant Helen this fall, but I have been informed that we will be on the board to get another participant before long. It is also of note that the lodge has added a new feature in the building and will have available for purchase Masonic memorabilia and hats and ties and accessories this fall.

Again it has been a busy year and I think it will end with a flurry of exciting times for everyone. I sincerely hope to see everyone at our stated meetings and or the functions that will be taking place this fall.

Respectfully,

WM. Tim Simpson
145

From The Trustees

This summer and fall have been incredibly busy for the trustees and many members who have graciously donated their time and talents to give the lodge a fresh look.  Before Street Fair, the trustees, Worshipful Master Tim Simpson, and many brothers took a Saturday to beautify the Lodge by updating the landscaping on all sides of the Lodge, and also around the sign.  The trustees would like to offer a hearty thank you to all who came and gave of their time.

Also during the summer, trampoline was donated by the Lodge to a local family who home and ravaged by a fire.  The young lady and her family were ecstatic by the donation and even where kind enough to write a moving article on Facebook about the Lodge.

Looking Ahead

September 26:  Annual Lodge of Instruction @ Van Buren Lodge in Van Buren, IN.  Dinner @ 6:00 pm with Lodge of Instruction afterwards.  Officers and Brothers please make sure that your calendars as we will make the trip to Van Buren, IN for out annual Lodge of Instruction.  Please RSVP with the secretary if you plan to attend for dinner.

October 3:  Stated Meeting at Bluffton Lodge at 7:30 p.m.

October 4:  Practice for Grand Master’s One Day Class  6:30 p.m.

October 11: Practice for Grand Master’s One Day Class 6:30 p.m.

October 14:  Grand Master’s One Day Class @ Mizpah Shrine Center in Fort Wayne, IN

Bluffton 145 will be presenting the Master Mason Degree.  Please come out and support Bluffton #145’s Degree Team as confer the MM Degree.

October 24:  Scottish Rite Bean Dinner @ Fort Wayne Downtown Temple 630 p.m.

November 7:  Stated Meeting at Bluffton Masonic Lodge at 7:30 p.m

Fresh Start for the Fall

A big big thank you!

After a summer of great degree work, an expertly put together rededication, and fantastic fellowship with other Brothers, we now find ourselves getting ready to start off the second half of 2017.  The Officers and Brothers of Bluffton Lodge # 145 would like to offer a hearty Thank You to all of the Brothers from our lodge and visiting lodges who assisted in the degree work this summer.  The fantastic work that was performed for our candidates would not have been possible without the generous donation of time and talent.

September Stated Meeting

Just a reminder that on the evening of September 5th we will hold our first State Meeting after our summer break.   There will be a magnificent meal to be served @ 6:30 pm, and followed by the Stated Meeting @ 7:30 pm.  Please keep in mind that there will be a lot of business, and we will attempt to move the meeting along an efficiently as possible.

Upcoming events:

August 30:  One Day Class Practice @ Bluffton Lodge 630 pm

If you have a part, or are interested in learning a part in the MM degree, please come out and enjoy a great learning experience.

September 5:  Stated Meeting @ Bluffton Lodge #145

September 9:  Masonic Home Festival @ Compass Park in Franklin, IN.

There is a group that will be leaving the lodge and riding their motorcycles down. Please email the lodge or PM Fred Lucabaugh if you are interested. Details to follow at a later date.

September 12:  Fort Wayne Valley Scottish Rite Stated Meeting

If you are interested in joining the Scottish Rite please reach out to any of the Officers and they will put you in contact with a local brother.

September 26:  Annual Lodge of Instruction @ Van Buren Lodge in Van Buren, IN 630 pm

Officers and Brothers please make sure that your calendars as we will make the trip to Van Buren, IN for out annual Lodge of Instruction.  Please RSVP with the secretary if you plan to attend for dinner.

October 3:  Stated Meeting

October 14:  Grand Master’s One Day Class @ Mizpah Shrine Center in Fort Wayne, IN

Bluffton 145 will be presenting the Master Mason Degree.  Please come out and support Bluffton #145’s Degree Team as confer the MM Degree.

October 24:  Scottish Rite Bean Dinner @ Fort Wayne Downtown Temple 630 pm

Thank you,

Nate Moyer