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FROM THE EAST
We kicked off our regular
communications on 7 October – a
great discussion on several
Lodge business items. Br Rick
Ivey and I met with Aberdeen
Mayor Patrick McGrady to explore
the City’s interests and ideas
regarding our building – they
are eager to move forward with a
plan. We will hold several
votes on this and other
Bylaws-related topics at our 18
November meeting.
Work yet again has me writing
this Trestle board while
cruising the Jet stream toward
Ft Sill, Oklahoma for meetings.
I hope you and your family are
enjoying the return to cooler
weather and the changing
leaves. This rings familiar for
some of our discussions as of
late: shifting from business as
usual into some times of change
so that we may flourish yet
again. We’ve now had several
opportunities to discuss our
collective ideas, priorities,
and concerns for some structural
changes at Aberdeen #187. I’m
looking forward to formalizing
these so we can progress
further.
Before I get into that, I do want
to highlight some Brotherly
developments. Brothers Logan
Radish and Michael Charles are
working on their EA catechisms,
and Brother Marcus Webster is
close to resolving his FC. I
had neglected to congratulate
Brother Charles Lockerman for
completing his MM catechism
through GLMD’s “portals” option
over the summer – he did a great
job! I also want to thank the
several brothers who represented
#187 at Harvest Home Day, a
beautifully crisp Saturday
morning. Finally, we’re gaining
some momentum with our weekly
Tuesday breakfasts – it would be
great to see you there at 7am at
Aberdeen Diner on Route 40! And
we have some new men knocking at
our West Gate for admission!
For our 21 October and 4 November
meetings, I will be out of town
– I’d like to thank PM Greg
Gelder and other Brothers for
stepping up to run the show.
Both will be opportunities to
enjoy an evening out and
continue discussion of Lodge
happenings. A fast-approaching
activity is a request from Mayor
McGrady: to have an entry in the
City’s Christmas Parade on 7
December… let’s pull some ideas
together for a float or marching
entry (and loop in our broader
Masonic family)! I’d also like
to talk about how to partner
with the American Legion for
Veteran’s Day.
Now, back to business. At our 18
November meeting, I’d like our
brothers to come out to discuss
and vote on the following items
that have been in open review
these past three months:
-
Should we proceed in selling
our building to the City of
Aberdeen (or an alternate
buyer), noting this will
likely be a yearlong
process?
-
Should we drop to one
meeting per month rather
than two? If we hold one
meeting per month, should we
shift it to a Saturday
morning to enhance
attendance?
-
Should we adjust our Dues to
be computed annually and
voted upon by the brethren?
As you can see, these are
impactful topics that
necessitate your input. The
results will trigger follow-on
actions, including the
preparation of Bylaws changes
and a likely purchase contract
for our building. The details
for each of these will be voted
upon once available and before
any final changes are enacted –
but we need your vote to ensure
we’re on the right path.
I appreciate everyone’s positive
outlooks for our humble Lodge
amid these “out of the box”
concepts for juicing our
membership and community
engagement. We have some great
chances to attract more
upstanding men into the Craft
through these changes, and I
hope you’re available to
participate in these
activities.
From one traveling man to his
supportive Brothers,
Sincerely and fraternally,
Michael
J. Bowen,
PM
Worshipful Master
"When you visit Please bring one can of food to
help the needy in our community"
FROM
THE SECRETARY
According
to the By-Laws dues shall be
paid to the Secretary, annually
in advance of the first regular
communication in January. Dues
cards for 2025
$76.00.
Pay
Pal is also available for 2025
Dues. https://www.paypal.me/Aberdeen187
If you use Pay Pal be sure to
update your payment amount to
$76.00 and include $2.50 for
fee.
If you would like to receive the
trestle board by e-mail, send
your e-mail address to the
secretary at the lodge e-mail
address.
TRESTLE
BOARD
Stated communication of
Aberdeen Lodge No. 187 will be
held, Mon November 4, 2024 at 7:30
p.m.
Regular Order of Business
Stated communication of
Aberdeen Lodge No. 187will be
held, Mon November 18, 2024 at
7:30 p.m.
Regular Order of Business
Discussion and Vote on Lodge
Items that have been in review.
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| 5th |
Felipe A.
Mirando |
| 5th |
Vincent F.
Yale |
| 7th |
Arthur M.
Gordon |
| 7th |
Orion T.
Reynolds |
| 19th |
William T.
Ivey |
| 20th |
Dave L.
Thomas |
| 22nd |
David L.
Whittington |
| 24th |
Richard L.
McClain |
| 26th |
James A.
Steiner |
| 28th |
Charles J.
White, Jr. |
| 29th |
William D.
Gunn |
| 30th |
Christopher
M. Holzer |
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GRAND LODGE ACTIVITIES
************************************************************************************
****************************************
Annual Communication
November 16, 2024
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
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For
information about any of the
Grand Lodge activities contact
the Grand Secretary’s Office
(410) 527-0600.
Grand
Lodge of Maryland e-mail:
office@glmd.org
Grand
Lodge of Maryland Website:
http://www.mdmasons.org/
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