May 2015 Trestleboard

    Brethren: The UK Ritual Demonstration Team is arriving!!!! They will arrive on Thursday evening April 30th and depart on Saturday, May 9th.  They are making Manassas their home base and will be visiting the Manassas, Gettysburg and Yorktown Battlefield; putting on degrees at the Spurmont, Williamsburg and Manasseh Lodges. They will also visit the House of the Temple, the George Washington Masonic Memorial and Luray Caverns. A busy trip… A full itinerary is on the “Dates To Remember”. All are welcome and encouraged to see the British Ritual. They will demonstrate the opening and closing of all thee lodges at our May Stated and perform a Master Masons Degree on May 8th. Grand Master Reese Edward Carroll, Jr., will be attending events where he is able. W Bill Edwards will be putting on his famous Shrimp Boil at noon on Saturday, May 2nd ------ Ya’ll Come!!!!
 

    Thanks to Brother Craig Brady, our Junior Warden, for the GREAT Ladies Night held at Madigan’s in Occoquon!!!! Joan McNoldy and Lois Cross were our guests and all had a wonderful time!! Great food - Great Conversation – Great View!!!
 

    Manasseh Lodge Raised two new Master Masons in April. Congratulations to Brother Tom Costis and Brother Corey Gates!!!! Brother Tom was raised by his father, RW Bill Costis - the second father son combination this year – doesn’t happen very often!!! Brother Corey was raised by SW Chris Swihart and everyone moved up. Well done to the teams!!!! We will do two more Master Masons in May. Great!!!

    In addition, CONGRATULATIONS to the Ritual Team headed by SW Chris Swihart at the C.A. Sinclair, Jr. Area School!!! The team exemplified the first part of the Fellowcraft Degree and did such a great job, they won the RW C.H. Rowell Ritual Excellence Award. The Lodge received a plaque and Brother Chris a special apron. Great job by the team!!! Brother Chris still thinks the “Left Handed Gavel” Award would be better. Well, have to wait until September…

    The Rainbow Girls are planning the Second Annual Frank Sinatra Dinner – Dance.  It will be held at a completely refurbished Lodge and we are expecting a SUPER time again!! Save the Date!!! Saturday, May 16th !!! 

    Finally, STRAWBERRY NIGHT!!!  This year we will hold Strawberry Night on Saturday, May 30th!!! Our Guest of Honor will be Most Worshipful Reese Edward Carroll, Jr., “Together We Can Make a Difference”. There will be other special guests according to SW Chris Swihart – so plan to attend!!! Also, the Grand Master will also lay a wreath at the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” at Arlington, Cemetery on the 30th. Our DDGM, RW Allen Wade will be attending with him. It looks as if it will be at noon. If it changes, we will get the word out.

    To all those with college age children or relatives, the Masonic Scholarships Applications are now available online. Besides Manasseh Lodge’s, Manassas Royal Arch Chapter has one and so does the Scottish Rite. Make sure those applications are fully filled out and turned in on time.

    We received news that Brother Norman “Pete” Karrer passed to the Celestial Lodge Above on March 12th in Placerville, California, after a short bout with cancer. Brother “Pete” was born October 12, 1932 and raised on August 30th, 1985, and had been extremely active DeMolay in his early years. He served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War as a Navy Corpsman.

    If anyone knows of a Brother that is “Ill or in Distress,” please let me know or contact RW Linwood Lee Holbrook, Jr.

    Those who wish to have flags flown, please see the Lodge Secretary or myself.  The cost is $200.00 for three months.