Union Village Lodge No. 545 F&AM
Providence, IN
Larry Torrance, P.M., Web
Master
George Fetterman, P.M.,
Newsletter Editor
Volume #2
Newsletter #1
June 2005 A.D.
A.L. 6005
Officers for 2005
Worshipful
Master......Robert Torrance
Senior
Warden............Scott Parkhurst
Junior
Warden.....................Cliff Beck
Treasurer............Eddy
O. Smith, P.M.
Secretary.......George
Fetterman, P.M.
Senior
Deacon..........Nathan Rhinehart
Junior
Deacon..............Bruce Oldham
Chaplain..........................Earl
Eldridge
Senior
Steward...................Tim Miller
Junior
Steward............Robert Murphy
Tyler..............................Ted
McElyea
GREETINGS FROM THE EAST
Brothers, greetings from your Worshipful Master and Officers of Union Village Lodge #545. We have
started off a little slow but we have a candidate to start his work. By the time you receive this letter the E.A. will
have happened. The F.C. is scheduled for
June 30th. We also have
another petition out for investigation with a report at the next meeting on
June 9. We hope to see all of you there.
The
main topic for the June meeting is dues.
Because of higher utility bills and higher assessments from Grand Lodge,
we are in the red on our budget. This
cannot go on if we expect to stay in existence.
We have some of the lowest dues in the state, if not the lowest. Our budget issues must change in order to
keep up with the rest of the country and stay in the black.
Grand
Lodge communication was the past week and we have a new Grand Master. Most Worshipful Dennis T. Harrell will be
presiding over our state for the rest of 2005 & 2006.
PUSH WHEELCHAIRS AT
MASONIC HOME
May 29
July 17
September 4
FROM
THE 
AND TRAVELING TO THE 
Brethren,
First, it has been a great year and
learning experience for me in the west so far.
The lodge has been working hard to move forward. There have been wonderful presentations on
Masonic Education at stated meetings, and building improvements this past
year. WM Torrance, as well as the rest
of the craft, has been a great support for me learning my new office and I know
that will continue. This is what Masonry
is about. Thank you for the help and
support that I have received in the past five years.
As I look toward the East and next
year, Brother Cliff Beck, JW, and I attended a Wardens conference a month ago
in Spencer. It opened my ewes to many
issues and possible improvements that we can bring into this already great
lodge. We were able to talk about issues
such as The Ultimate Lodge Experience, and have some honest discussion on the
things that we will be facing as masters in the coming years.
As we sat and discussed what we
would like to do and where our lodge is currently at in the scheme of things,
we were able to come up with some ideas that, if it be the will and pleasure of
the lodge, I would like to try to do in the coming year when I will be
master. So there are no feelings that I
am getting ahead of myself, it was explained that it is OK and necessary to
assume, barring a major problem, next year I will be master, and Bro. Beck the
following. It allows us to look ahead
and see what we would like to try to accomplish when we reach that position in
the lodge.
With this in mind, I would like to discuss some of
the items that I would like to see us do next year. If it be the will and pleasure of the lodge,
we will continue having all the wonderful activities that we currently do. I
have also been thinking about having a Past Master's dinner to honor them for
their work in the past as well as the future. We can discuss this at a later
date. Since we are getting some younger members into the lodge and most of us
have families, as well as the members who enjoy fellowship and family outings,
I would also like to bring back the Christmas party in early December. I remember when I was a kid there would be a
pitch in dinner in December, and the brothers would bring their families. Santa
would show up and have gifts for the kids, and everyone had a wonderful time. I
have very fond memories of those dinners. I would like for us to bring that
back to the lodge. Also, the Father and Son banquet would be nice as well some
time in the early fall. I realize that not all of the plans that have been
suggested can be done, but I feel these events, could increase attendance at
meetings and potentially increase our membership. If you have any suggestion or
additions, please call or come to meeting.
Participation in lodge, like the classroom, is
essential in growing in Masonic knowledge. There are many great ritualists in
our ranks that could really help us all on this. I know that this has been suggested in the
past, but I would like to restart a craft club to help all of us be better
ritualists. I do not profess any great amount of knowledge, nor am I a perfect
ritualist, so this is to help me as well.
This is needed to continue the good floor work that we are known for.
Our officers should all be able to give the vast majority of the work. The
officers should do their parts in the degree work unless an immediate family
member wants to do it, and then only with the consent of the officer occupying
that chair and the Master. It is part of
being an officer; your duties and obligations become more extended. I would
like to see our Stewards do the memory lecture for all three degrees. The
Craft, Ruffians, not just #3, the Apron, the Bible, are short and less time
consuming to learn. Don't be afraid to jump in. If you can assist in this,
please make contact with our secretary George
Fetterman or myself. This
opportunity will allow us to converse with well informed brothers and provide
an opportunity to learn.
In the past years we; have made some real big
one-time improvements such as a new roof, new water heater, new doors, and the
bathrooms have been redone, as well as other things. Our building is still in
need of aesthetic and internal improvements. The wall in the front room needs
to be tuck-pointed. We need to do something with the floor in the fellowship
hall, and the electrical wiring, needs to be checked out. The door casings in
the basement have been harmed by termites, and the ceiling in the lodge room
needs fixed. This is not a comprehensive list.
But it gives us an idea of what needs to be done keep that old building
in top notch order. So to help raise money for these endeavors, I am going to
ask for donations and also suggest that we do a supper every other month, or a
special even a couple of times a year. This would be for our building fund, or
general fund to continue the wonderful improvements that the lodge has been
able to do. I know that there are some fantastic cooks in our ranks that have special
dishes or soups and chili that they like to prepare. So I am calling on the
craft to volunteer to assist us in making these a success. I feel this can be a
success with the proper advertising, planning, and help from all the brethren
who can. I am asking for your aid in
this matter. Thank you to the Star for your past contributions as well.
The fund raising efforts and any donations that can
be made either in money or skill and material, may also stave off a dues
increase that may have to be put into place if the financial shortage in the
lodge is not reconciled. If you have
questions about this contact Brother Secretary Fetterman. He can explain it
better than I can. We need those who can best work and best agree when it comes
to these situations.
I hope to see you soon and if you have any input on
these matters, please come to meeting on the second
Thursday of every month at 7:30pm, except July and August and join in on the discussions and the fellowship
that is Masonry. We would love to see you all there!
With Brotherly Love and Friendship, Scott A.
Parkhurst, Sr. Warden (Phone # omitted
from web page) please no calls after 10pm.
Union Village
OES Chapter #584
Sisters
and Brothers
I
Love my
PHAmily
In this old world today, there are two kinds of people. There are “airtakers,” and there
are “Caretakers.” You
entrusted the well being of Union Village Chapter to us this past year, and,
for that, we are grateful. We did our
very best to be good caretakers. Know
that we have enjoyed our journey and will be close by serving in other offices
of the Chapter for the ensuing year.
It is that time of the year when the torch must be passed to
the new Officers. We pray you will show
them the same interest and respect you have shown us. We, hereby, pledge our total support to Edna
and Earl Eldridge and wish them well in their every endeavor. We are excited in the fact that they have a
brand new Line of Officers that have never served before. So, we know there will be new and fresh
ideas. It is imperative that we support and
nurture these new Officers and let them know we appreciate the commitment they
are making to our Chapter and to the Order of the Eastern Star.
We thank each and every one of you who made our Year so
special and we thank all those who served on Committees as well as our
Officers. We salute you on jobs well
done.
We end this year with a special invitation to all members of
the Masonic family that are not members of the OES, to JOIN US. This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance
your Masonic experience, with a truly wonderful activity, which Husbands and
Wives can enjoy and grow with together.
Patty Knox, Worthy Matron
George L. Fetterman, Worthy Patron