Master’s Message – April, 2008
To the Brethren of No. 15,
I am not certain if anyone other than Past Masters actually ever reads these newsletters because they seem to be the only ones to ever offer me any feedback. Last month, Worshipful Brother Mitch Diamond called me to complain about something I wrote … and I loved it! Those who complain are often the ones who care most. My attempt to use "reverse psychology" in an effort to encourage the older members to start coming back to Lodge apparently worked in his case. After being absent for three years (due to health reasons), WB Diamond returned to No. 15 and was greeted with a standing ovation. Please be sure to wish him a happy 90th birthday on April 23.
Others celebrating a birthday in April include:
Le Roy H. Hartly – 4/2, Lester A. Foster, Jr., PM – 4/4, Robert B. Bussler, PM – 4/7, H. Wayne Root, PM – 4/7, Jose R. Cabrera – 4/8, Brian John Hooper – 4/9, Elio E. Grandi – 4/9, Daniel H. Thornton – 4/11, Edward B. Scrimger – 4/14, William J. Heil – 4/17, William L. Dawson – 4/18, Roger A. Branch, PM – 4/18, Jerry W. Carter, III – 4/19, Charles L. Zakaib – 4/20, Christian Y. Gonzalez – 4/21, Unal Bener – 4/22, David L. Moubray – 4/25, Ali Nihat Arkan – 4/26, Toufic Baaklini – 4/27, Vinton G. Dove – 4/29, Richard E. Price – 4/30
For those of you who missed it last month, our Senior Deacon, Bro. Donnie Hachey, absolutely nailed the Middle Chamber lecture during the Fellowcraft Degree. It was the first time Bro. Hachey had delivered it and it was letter perfect. Benjamin B. French Lodge No. 15 has the unique distinction of having its last three sitting Senior Deacons all deliver the Middle Chamber lecture. You would be challenged to find another Lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction that even have three members which know it. Be very proud of your Lodge.
On April 2nd, the Junior Warden of St. John’s No. 1 came all the way down to our Lodge from New York City and delivered a presentation entitled: "The Jungian Hero Myth As It Applies to the Three Degrees of Masonry”, which was very well received. Also, on April 16th, Bro. Andre Kesteloot, the Grand Lodge Orator, gave a very inspiring lecture on "The Concept of Charity: as it relates to Islam, Judaism and Christianity". It was so inspiring that many brethren began to inquire as to what the Lodge will be doing this year with respect to our charity projects. Therefore, I have included a few of our upcoming Charity Projects in calendar section of this newsletter …. and as we learned the other night in our Lodge discussion, if you are unable to give time, then money helps too (for those who would like to contribute to Project Life this year, please make all checks payable to "Benjamin B. French Lodge No. 15").
Sunday, May 4th: Visit to the Veteran’s Administration hospital
Thursday, May 8th: Visit to the NIH Children’s Hospital
August 3rd – 10th: Project Life
Sunday, Nov. 2nd: Visit to the Veteran’s Administration hospital
Thursday, Nov. 6th: Congressional Cemetery event
Please be sure to contact me if you would like to assist with any of our Lodge Charity Projects … or, if you have an even better one in mind for us to do in addition.
Finally, be sure to check out the website at bbflodge.org and make certain that Bro. Secretary has your current email address to be included in Lodge emails/evites.
If you do not have an email address, then you should get one – they are not a fad.
Best fraternal regards,
Ken Insley
Worshipful Master, 2008
