Submissions from the Brethren of South Pasadena #290
If you would like to submit something for this page, send it to southpas290@hotmail.com
Some Job's Daughters information.
Bethel 97, Burbank Job's Daughters will be having an Initiation this Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 10:00AM.
Also a Jobie 2B ceremony.
They have invited Master Masons (& their wives) from our lodge to attend. This is a great opportunity for those who have never been to a Job's Daughter meeting or ceremony, especially for those who are excited for the return of our own Bethel, 101 South Pasadena. They have offered their support and assistance to us in our endeavor to get our Bethel going again.
Burbank Lodge is at the corner of Glenoaks and Irving, of course in Burbank.
(Please let me know if you are going to attend so they can be sure to have enough refreshments, Wally Nieber)
My Masonic Adventure
by Bro. Armin Schulhof, PM
On my recent trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, I found out the meaning of Masonic Brotherly love and fellowship. We were in New Zealand which Masonically is divided into North Island and South Island with each Island having its own Grand Lodge and, of course its own Grand Master.
While in a city by the Name of Christchurch, we had a free day, so the night before I got the local phone book and looked up Masonic Lodges and found one fairly close to the hotel where we were staying. I made some calls and was given the name of a Brother who I was told would help me see the Lodge near our hotel. I called this Brother and he picked us up at our hotel. He turned out to be the Grand Master of South Island and showed us around the city. Then he drove us up into the hills and took us through a beautiful Lodge after which we all stopped for coffee and sandwiches at a beautiful medieval type restaurant near the Lodge, and then back to our hotel. Later that day, we met him and his wife at a restaurant for dinner. This brother was delightful to be with and made our vacation that much more enjoyable and interesting and I plan to correspond with him as he might come to California next year. This was an example of one of the joys and benefits of being a Mason and I strongly recommend that if you travel either in this country or overseas that you prepare ahead and try to have a Masonic adventure such as I had.
The Magic of Masonry
by Brother R Dana Moser
During the devastating fires of ‘03 in Lake Arrowhead there were 90 homes  lost in that community. Two of those homes belonged to a Brother Mason, Richard "Dick" Pritzinger, another to his son Rick, who lived right next door with his beautiful Bride of 21 years, Cammie, and three sons. Fortunately Brother Pritzinger was prepared and he and his son were eventually able to rebuild. Among the family memorabilia lost in the fire, was Bro. Pritzingers Masonic Apron. Dick contacted the Lodge and requested a replacement. This is how that simple request affected the lives of myself, and 9 other people. This, my Brethren is Masonry at its finest! This, I had to share with you all. Wor. Mike Diaz and I were informed of Bro. Pritzingers request and Wor. Diaz asked me to look into this matter. I contacted Dick to make plans for us to replace the apron. I told him that we wanted to bring him the apron rather than simply having it delivered, and that we would take him and his family to lunch. We ended our first phone conversation laughing like old Friends, and I gave dick my word he would have his Apron replaced. This was in Dec ember of ‘07, I attempted to contact Dick for the next five months to no avail. Finally I left a message for anyone who might be picking up Dicks messages to contact me as I was now becoming worried. In May of this year dicks daughter in law contacted me and said Dick had been in the hospital all this time but was expected to be released in a few days. I told her of Dicks request and that we wanted to bring the apron up and take them all to lunch. She informed me that due to his C.O.P.D., severe Emphysema, and diabetes, he was, at this point housebound. Within the next few days, just as she told me, I received a call from Dick, and for a guy just released from four months in the hospital, and now homebound due to his illnesses, Dick’s attitude was incredible. I told Dick if we couldn't bring him to lunch, then we'd bring lunch to him! Upon reporting the details of Dick's situation to Wor. Mike, he told me that we would be taking his apron up to Lake Arrowhead to present to him in person, along with a compliment of Brethren from the Lodge. When I told this to Dick, he was so very ha ppy to hear of our upcoming visit. His home nurse Cathleen even called me back to tell me all he had been talking about was the fact that his "Masonic Brethren were coming up to see him." The date set, myself, Wor. Diaz, Bro. Jim "Doc" Coad, and Gabrielle Diaz (Wor. Diaz’ brother and a candidate) were on our way to Lake Arrowhead for a day none of us will ever forget. It was a beautiful sunny Saturday, as we left the Lodge and drove to Lake Arrowhead, with lots of laughs and fellowship on the drive. We arrived at Arrowhead Village and picked up some steaks, corn on the co b, sodas and of a few apple pies, which dicks Nurse told me were his favorite, and proceeded to dicks house. When we arrived we were greeted by Cathleen, Dick’s nurse, a wonderfully happy lady full of smiles and energy. As we entered this beautiful home there sat Dick in his wheelchair, an oxygen mask over his mouth, looking more like a pilot who belonged in the cockpit of a B-52, than the dining room table where he sat. Dick had a smile that could light up a football field, and he welcomed us as if we were family. As we all introduced each other and began getting to know who was who, Dick's daughter-In-law Cammie arrived with one of her sons. Next, Dick’s son Rick with yet another grandson in tow, and eventually the third grandson trickled in the front door. So, there we all were. Four complete strangers and this wonderful family. The only thread connecting us? Masonry. As we all sat like a big family reunion of sorts, getting acquainted on this beautiful day in Lake Arrowhead, telling stories of Masonic history, tales and Jokes. The three young men tha t are Dick’s grandsons talking about their love of Grandpa Dick, and of their high school football team, on which they all play. The three grandsons joking and kidding each other, with never once a sign of competition or the like that usually comes from teenage Brothers attending the same high school. Rather they seemed to have a sincere affection toward each other so rare in families these days. All three young men were very well mannered and closely bonded with each other. There was the oldest Ricky, 20, who had been the "football star." He now was coaching the team, and bragged endlessly about his younger siblings’ football careers. His hand in a cast from a football injury he is eager to get the cast off so he can get hired on to the local fire dept. Then there was the middle grandson David, 18, who is the brain in the trio, studying physics, physiology, trigonometry, and the like because he thinks "it's fun," and is also a fullback on the team. He was the quiet one. The youngest of the bunch was Dillon, 16, he was the "ladies man," a real charmer, taller than the other two and the obvious jokester of them, had an air of mischievousness and yet in such clear admiration of his two older brothers. He is described as marching to his own drum. Dillon, is also a running back, safety, and quarterback on the high school team. The Grandsons being interested in Masonry, listened attentively a s Grandpa and his Brethren talked joked and laughed together. David, studied the Masonic Information we brought like it was a science test. So there we all were on this beautiful sunny day in Lake Arrowhead, talking of fires, Masonry, football, Family, community, and future. Gabrielle Diaz, our new candidate, and Brother of Wor. Mike Diaz, who just happens to be a professional Chef, was cooking up possibly the biggest steaks any of us had ever seen...to perfection. Then came the feast! And feast we did! This day couldn't have been mor e perfect and truly enjoyable in any way. I think we all agreed it had to be the handy work of the Supreme Architect of the Universe. As the day grew later and our departure time arrived we all parted company. Happy, our stomachs full, our minds filled with the joy of new found Friends, yet we parted more like Family. As we drove away from Brother Richard "Dick" Pritzingers home, waving our goodbyes, we all felt we had been truly blessed that beautiful day. We reminisced about our visit, our Brother, his Family, and the profound impact it had on each of us. The Magic of Masonry? this day we all agreed was truly Masonic, and Magical and the memory will go with each of us to our graves! Thank you Brother Pritzinger, for your hospitality, your kindness, the sharing of your wonderful Family, and of yourself. Oh, and Dick? Thanks for setting this all in motion by asking for a replacement Apron, as none of this would have happened if you hadn't made the call!
Brotherhood is a Dream
Submitted by Junior Warden, Brother Dana Moser. Written by Karsten M. Nilson PM
Brotherhood in the world is a dream yet to be realized. In Masonry it is a fact. The link between each Brother is an eternal bond wherein lies our strength. In the world of Masonry there is a common ground of unity no matter what a mans position, state or status may be. Brotherhood is a treasure and in order to always have it, we dare not take it for granted. Let us cultivate the highest and best in our Brotherly relations. Let us never allow anything to cause a Brother or the Brotherhood to suffer. Let us share the best of life as well as the worst. Let our obligations be steadfast and let Love prevail. Let us always consider one another in our responsibilities and functions. Let us share in each others sorrow, misfortune, weakness, strengths and triumphs. Let us laugh and weep with each other. Let us accept and understand each other in the spirit of peace and unity. Let not our strength turn into arrogance for in doing so we will destroy not only ourselves but everyone else. Let us never forget our sense of destiny as Brothers. The world about us and within us is one. Masonry shall not die. The Brotherhood is born for a destiny far exceeding men, nations, and events. In a world of fear, suspicion, distrust. and lack of credibility, our Masonic Brotherhood has much to offer. If each of us begins with the highest and best for each other as Brothers the "Light" will never dim. The fruits of our labors shall not be in vain if we practice what we preach and teach as truth.
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From the desk of the Secretary
Submitted by our Secretary, Wor. Mimo Akkari
It is hard to believe that we are into March & Spring just around the corner. I was reading this story & I started to think about our members who do not attend lodge as often, or those members who have not attended at all in last 10 years or so. For those of you who think you are too busy to stop by once a month, I hope the following story will help you find the time. When  things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar  represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--God, You, your health, your family, your children, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else--the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will  never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend." Mimo Akkari
Secretary
Keep Playing those Mind Games
Submitted by Brother Don Johansen on the night of the reception of his 50 year pin. Brother Johansen is an accomplished musician as well as the Lodge's Chaplain. Written by Anonymous author.
If you don't use your mind regularly, you risk losing some of your cognitive abilities as you age, according to a new study appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City asked 469 people over the age of 75 what leisure activities they participated in and how often. The researchers asked about a variety of "cognitive-stimulating" activities, including playing board or card games, reading, writing, playing a musical instrument, working crossword puzzles, dancing, doing housework, walking, swimming and babysitting.
The five year study showed that the risk for developing dementia was lower among those who participated in mind-stimulating activities more than one day a week. Activities showing the greatest reduction in the risk included reading, board games or cards, and playing a musical instrument.
My Stormy Afternoon with John
by Bro. Dallas D Munger
Some people would call me crazy for braving the elements on a day when we had possibly the worst weather that we have had for the last two years. I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth and many would decide to spend their  day off at home when we have thunderstorms, high winds and very little free time. If that wasn't enough, when I saw the eighteen wheeler that ran off the road into a gulch, I should have thought that maybe the elements were a little too much to drive another 90 miles to visit someone that I have never met before. What would possibly drive me to go through all of this?
I received an e-mail from someone who saw the newsletter and requested that we send representatives to visit an elder Brother. All I knew was that a 97 year old brother would be comforted by a visit from me. I took the initiative to learn a few things about this Brother before going to visit him. Getting a little background on him proved to be easier than I thought. I simply called our illustrious inspector who, through the power of the internet and the LodgeiCAL system put in place by our wonderful Grand Lodge, I was able to get a little picture in my mind of the person that I was going to spend my day off driving to see.
The rainstorm ruined most of the plans that I had made for that day. A motorcycle ride with a friend and the barbecu e that I had been preparing for were off. Most of what turned out to be a 2 hour drive was spent wondering what I was in for. I am new to this Fraternity and this was the first visit of this sort that I was doing. I am a very outgoing person and I love learning about people. In Maryland, I used to do a local TV show in which I would interview people from the community, so I was not too nervous about how it would go, but it still was a mystery.
I had been told that this brother was stricken with Alzheimer's which is an affliction that is very much in the forefront of my mind as it runs in my wife's family and may very well be something that I have to deal with personally in the  future. On the way down, I spoke with a Brother that had called this elder Brother and it sounded like the dementia was fairly advanced based on the conversation that they had. The directions that I printed off the internet led me to the right house with no problems. I parked in the driveway, put on my hat, stepped out into the rain and walked up to the door. The Master Mason had arrived.
I was greeted by a small Philippino lady that I assumed was the infamous Sunshine that I had been told was Brother Mihld's caretaker. Once she got over her shock at the crazy, large man in the rain with the "Indiana Jones" hat on, she lit up in a way apropos of her common name.
"Oh, you are from the Masonic," she exclaimed with an excitement that made me feel that my visit had been eagerly anticipated. She proceeded to tell me that her son was the master of a Lodge in the Philippines and I was pleased to find out that he was also what she explained was like a Mayor o f his town. For a moment I thought that I was going to spend the time talking to Sunshine and not get the chance to visit my lonely Brother. As I walked into the living room, there he was sitting on his chair where he would stay for the duration of our visit. He is 97 after all, although he looks better than many 70 year olds that I know!
We started talking as I tried to use the interview skills that I have acquired over the years with very little success. It became evident to me at that time that this was not going to go how I had been prepared for it to go. "Masonry was a large part of my life," was all of the information that I could get out of him. It seeme d that even though he could not find any specific memories of actual events, he knew in his heart that Masonry and all of its different incarnations were very important to him...but he didn't know why.
I spent the next couple of hours investigating who this brother was and what he had been through. It was a learning experience for both of us. Sunshine showed me his Hiram Award and he could t ell me that he was married to a lovely lady named Katherine whom had passed away several years ago. He said that he had no interest in living in a Masonic home. This was the house that they had shared and where he wants to finish the rest of his stay on this planet.
In a partially hidden shelf, that from the looks of the dust on the books and magazines had been forgotten for many years, I found several picture albums. We spent our time together learning about his family and friends and some of the special events that were recorded with film throughout his life. I learned that, like any good Scandinavian, John enjoyed fishing. He used to take camping trips with lots of friends and he and his wife loved to play canasta and bridge. He has a very nice family consisting of children, grand and great grandchildren. He kept asking, "where did all of these come from?" I simply replied that the Grand Architect had left them there for me to find so that we could share this experience.
We had some cookies and discovered his past until it was time for me to go and beat traffic. I told him that I would stop back in on my way down to the stated meeting since it is only a few miles out of my way. I said goodbye and asked if he would remember me the next time I came around. He didn't say anything, but I think I know the answer.
Brothers, I know that our lives are busy and there are many reasons that we can come up with to justify why we can't do things like home visits, but I hope that I might give you some things t o think about as reasons why you CAN do a home visit. All the memorization and education you work on are important and I do not want to downplay their importance. However, if you ask me, experiences like this are what make us Master Masons. Next time you get a chance, take some time out of your day for a Brother in need. You'll be glad that you did.
Brother Mihld passed away March 18, 2008, 2 months after this visit. He will be missed. |
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