Prince Albert Lodge Freemasons Newsletter - January 2012
PROMISING NEW YEAR
Goodness! Another year has opened and we're already well into January. Let's hope 2012 is going to be a year of happiness, satisfaction and achievement for you, your family, and your lodge. Prince Albert Lodge wishes you every success as we face the opportunities and the challenges of the forthcoming year.
ANOTHER ENTERED APPRENTICE
You can beat a rug, you can beat an egg, but you can't beat a First Degree. This month, Prince Albert Lodge will work a First Degree on Mr Paul Johnson. If it pleases you to see an upstanding young man initiated into the Craft, be sure to witness this event as, once again, Prince Albert Lodge does what it does best.
TEAM EFFORT
You never know what to expect as you enter the supper room on the night Prince Albert meets. The festive board invariably reveals a theme, a menu and decor that show imagination and artful planning. This month's celebrations in the South ill reflect the team work of Ben Bold, Eric Evers, Aaron Oliver and David Rodrigo.
POWER BOOST
Hey, you don't need a high-energy drink to feel good. Just go to lodge! A lodge visit can energise and refresh you like nothing else. You can feel the benefit on the following day and maybe even longer. Your mental faculties are stimulated, your spirit is given a lift, and your friendship circle is enhanced. And you experience a sense of renewal and belonging. Prince Albert is your ever-ready source of this high-energy pick-me-up.
FEEL GOOD
A quick reminder: Please favour your lodge with a raffle prize this month. It helps to defray the catering costs of Prince Albert's festive board. A bottle of vino, a box of chocolates, a packet of fine bikkies or some similarly acceptable gift will be thankfully received. And you'll get that "feel good" sensation in so doing.
HUMAN SHIELD
Those who saw the film The Young Victoria will know how gallant a man Prince Albert was. The royal couple were riding in a open carriage when a would-be assassin fired at the Queen. The ever-watchful Prince Albert saw the pointed gun and threw himself in front of Victoria to protect her. He was severely wounded by the bullet. Fortunately, he recovered... and went on to father nine children. Prince Albert Lodge bears its name in honour of a courageous man and a loving father.
NORTHERN TRAVELLERS
Nice people, those Nambour brethren. They welcomed a contingent from Prince Albert Lodge to their meeting last month. Our Master, Milan Pavasovic, led a team including Bob Allen, Ross Fraser, Marko Pavasovic, Bruce Powell and Bill Sondergeld. As usual, the PAL members entertained the gathering with a skit that gained hearty applause. Nambour and Rosslyn lodges stage a dual meeting and combined festive board every year as a "welcome-to-Christmas" activity. Prince Albert Lodge and Nambour Lodge have fostered a friendly fraternal alliance for some 65 years. If you want to know how it started, ask one of our more senior members.
TOUCH OF CLASS
How's your memory? Do you recall Prince Albert's last meeting for 2011? It was a Third Degree for Julio Nunez. Nearly fifty Freemasons witnessed a ceremony that had a touch of class. Julio answered his questions like a pro, albeit with a lovely Spanish accent. Our Master, Milan Pavasovic, fondly congratulated Julio on his newly acquired status and presented him with a Ritual and other appropriate Masonic literature. Personnel participating in the degree work are listed below.
WHO DID WHAT
Prince Albert's Master, Milan Pavasovic, asked the necessary questions of the Candidate, Julio Nunez, and administered the Obligation. Under the watchful eye of D.C. Graeme Ewin, the I.P.M., Dennis Johnson, gave the Retrospect charge. Bruce Powell conveyed the Secrets. Kev Shaw gave the "Apron" charge. Bill Sondergeld stood in as Inner Guard and Don McAlister undertook the important task of Tyler. David Taylor explained the Working Tools. Doug Beatton acted as Chaplain. As Junior Deacon, Aaron Oliver accompanied John Clegg who kindly deputised as Senior Deacon and who also presented the Traditional History (or Tracing Board). Ross Fraser gave the Charge After Raising.
HO HO HO!
Oh boy! Wasn't Prince Albert's November festive board a beauty? It marked the advent of Christmas. Appropriately, the fun, food, table settings and room decor had a Yuletide ambience. Bruce Powell and Dennis Johnson, excelled themselves in providing a celebratory setting that delighted members and visitors alike. The highlight of the evening was the arrival of Santa Claus, who distributed gifts to all present. Strangely, Santa's voice and belly laugh sounded just like those of Prince Albert's genial Secretary, Eric Evers.
LITTLE ELVES
The success of Prince Albert's last festive board was largely due to the assistance of several of our ladies. They helped set up the supper room and laboured in the kitchen to make sure that no one went away unsatisfied. Our grateful thanks are extended to Denise Johnson, Glenys Powell, Marie Simpson and Mavis Shaw. Their kind-hearted involvement was greatly appreciated.
HOT AIR
What on earth went wrong with the air conditioning at Prince Albert's last meeting? It was switched on in plenty of time, but for some mysterious reason it refused to cool the room, but somehow managed to heat it. Stones Corner Centre may claim to be a comfortable venue, but -- let's face it -- a lodge room full hot, sweating tenants feels anything but comfortable.
GIVING PLEASURE
Santa's sack was bulging with presents for Prince Albert's many visitors at our pre-Christmas meeting. Our grateful thanks are extended to every member who became a Secret Santa by providing a wrapped gift for distribution. The smiles on our visitors' faces made it all worth while. Nice work, fellas! Incidentally, we've noticed some other lodges are now following our tradition of including a gift-giving segment in their festive board.
DEMONSTRATE HOSPITALITY
What sort of a host are you? Make sure you extend the right hand of fellowship to every visitor in the lodge ante-room. Don't miss one! A cheery word of welcome should also be given. Prince Albert is known as "the little lodge with the big welcome! Make it your business, as host, to warmly greet each guest who has honoured your lodge by choosing to spend his evening in your company.
PLEASED AS PUNCH
Being a "dry" lodge, Prince Albert serves up a concoction known as fruit punch at its festive board. It's a secret combination of unsweetened pineapple juice and a special make of ginger ale. As the Stones Corner Centre doesn't carry these exact ingredients, the lodge provides its own. It can be difficult to secure the "makings" so our Treasurer, Graham Simpson, has thoughtfully taken on the task of buying them every month. Many thanks, Graham. We're all as pleased as Punch.
REITERATION
Wot? Again? Yes, once more you're being asked to give serious thought to the importance of visiting. Prince Albert's Master, Milan Pavasovic, is promoting the lodge on each and every visit he makes. A lone Master on a visit gives the impression that his lodge is stagnating. But when he's accompanied by three or four brethren, the impact is one of a vibrant, enthusiastic lodge ... and one well worth a return visit.
THINK AHEAD
In six short months Prince Albert will elect the officers who'll carry the lodge forward into yet another year of achievement. Before that time arrives, put on your thinking cap. Consider whether you'd be willing to occupy an office in the lodge that would suit your talents. Your service will bring its own rewards. The important office of Secretary is definitely up for grabs and a volunteer to come forward, in the next months' would not only be appreciated, but essential.
