February 2016 Trestleboard

    January has been an exciting and busy month. We attended four official visits of Right Worshipful Paul F. Barry, Sr., Grand Lodge Division Leadership Conference; and two appendant bodies' installation of officers. February will be almost, but not quite as busy. I have planned a family fun activity this month to bond the Lodge closer with its families and friends.

    Right worshipful Paul F. Barry, Sr., finishes his last three District Deputy Grand Master Official Visits this month. We host Right Worshipful Barry at Manasseh Lodge No. 182 on February 5th followed by Hay Market Lodge No. 313, then Herndon Lodge No. 264. See the lodge calendar for each of Right Worshipful Barry's official visits. Due to the official visits, we will not have practice on the 8th or the 15th. If it is within the length of your cable tow, come out to meet our other Master masons within the district and support our District Deputy Grand Master.

    February's Stated Dinner will be prepared and served by our own Manassas Royal Arch Chapter No. 81. This will be a steak dinner as a fund raiser to support the Masonic Home of Virginia Memory Support Unit. The suggested donation this month will be $15. Right Excellent Lockhart has set a respectable goal to raise $25,000 for Alzheimer's research and support for the Masonic Home of Virginia Memory Support Unit. Each year, more and more people are diagnosed with this disease so all the help we can should go to help our families at the Masonic Home and Alzheimer's research. Contact Excellent Robert McDaniel on how you can help.

    As a means to add family fun this year, I am hosting a Mardi Gras Party of February 10th with the support of all the appendant bodies. This event will be colorful and vibrant keeping in step with food, flavor and music of Mardi Gras. I have asked for each of our appendant bodies to contribute to the party, but most important to come out to share our friendship as a family.

    Right Worshipful Barry instituted the 4th Masonic District Trowel Award. This award recognizes each month one of our outstanding Masons that displays Masonic characteristics. January's Award went to Brother Thomas W. Costis. Since Brother Costis has been raised, he has learned the role of and performed as Chaplain during stated communications and conferral of degrees. Brother Tom has also completed two of the correspondence courses and is in the process of learning one of the degree lectures. Tom now serves as Junior Deacon. Brother Costis will be hard to follow, but each month we will give out this award during our Stated Communication.

    Brother Wyatt P. Hamrick received his Master Mason's Certificate for delivering all of his catechisms. This certificate is what all Master Mason's desire to display their Masonic proficiency. Ensure to congratulate him on his proficiency. Brother Phil Sommers presented him with a Masonic Marshal Badge to go with his position as this year's Marshal in line.

    On January 22nd, we brought a new member into the family. Brother Jeffrey Curtis Lee was initiated as an Entered Apprentice. We look forward to working with Brother Lee as he progresses in Masonry.

    Congratulations to Sidney Braden and Priscilla Costis of the Manassas Rainbow Girls Assembly No. 13. Sidney was installed as Worth Advisor and Priscilla Costis as Mother Advisor on January 16th. Sidney has been a long time member of the Assembly and has been with our Masonic family as a contributor and supporter of our activities. Priscilla is a very active member of the Rainbow Board and Assembly as well as in Eastern Star, Amaranth and contributes to the Lodge. I thank the Manassas Rainbow Assembly No. 14 for cooking and serving the dinner at our January Stated. Sidney, along with Gigi Costis, Vanessa Hamrick, Katie Dawson, and Sammi Dawson did an outstanding job.

    Miranda Sanderson-Callard and John Callard were also installed as Royal Matron and Royal Patron of Destiny Court No. 14 on January 23rd. Both Miranda and John will add o the long list of Matrons and Patrons of the court and be another integral part of the family.

    Excellent Robert McDaniel and Manassas Royal Arch Chapter No. 81 received Right Excellent Paul Lockhart on his Official Visit January 14th. Right Excellent Lockhart is another one of District 4's hard working Masons. He has the passion and fire for Masonry, so if you are near him, you definitely should talk to him about expanding your knowledge of the craft.

    As each month passes, I hope that I can spread the light of Masonry as well as bring yours and my family together. With all of us working together as a family, we can achieve anything, make a difference, and set a good example. Solidify your foundations and build a tight knit family. God bless you all and have a safe and happy February!