Wausau Trestleboard
August 2018
Download a .pdf Version of the TrestleBoard here.
Greetings again from the East, Brethren. I hope this message finds each and every one of you well and in good spirits. As I get older and more entrenched in both work and family activities, days and weeks are hardly recognizable anymore as they roll into one another much faster than I would prefer. On that note, the sale of our lodge building is progressing quickly with a currently-scheduled close date of October 1st. Of course, anything can happen between now and then but to this point we have not hit any “snags.” The party accepting our offer has plans to turn the building into a music hall, brew pub, and coffee house to serve the greater Wausau area. I’m excited about the transition and hopefully you all are as well. It pains me to see our building as underutilized as it is given the amount of effort our Masonic brothers put into building the unique structure. At the same time, I look forward to assisting our lodge in establishing our new home for Forest Lodge #130. We will need ALL brothers to assist with our eventual move in the months to come. Allow me to offer a heartfelt “Thank you” to Brother Thom Passow for his tireless efforts to see that our new Masonic Temple meets our needs, is readily visible and attractive to the community, and places our lodge in a sound financial condition for decades to come. Thom has worked many hours on this project and deserves our gratitude for his efforts.
This past stated meeting, Brother Peter Rotter was kind enough to address the lodge with a brief Masonic education lecture. As Brother Rotter is an attorney, he compared the solemn oath we take as Masons to that of a binding contract in the eyes of the law. It was interesting, and I wanted to share a few points with you all. (Peter, please excuse any formalities I may not have exactly correct.)
A binding contract requires an offer and acceptance; between competent parties; for a legal purpose; with mutual acceptance or a “meeting of the minds”; and some form of consideration (value) of the contract. Binding contracts are completed all the time by many people, formally or otherwise, and sometimes the parties do not even know they have entered into a legal obligation. Well, when we stand in front of our lodge and make a solemn and sincere promise in the presence of our almighty God, we are also making a binding obligation. Further, this is a life-long obligation. It of course is not one that should be taken lightly, and I for one find myself at times referencing that obligation or contract as I consider an action that I am thinking of taking or one that I may have already taken. The penalties of violating our obligation are symbolic in nature during our natural lives, but we all must account for our actions when called upon by our creator to do so. A unique and very true comparison between contractual law and the obligation we make to our brothers, ourselves, and our creator. Enjoy the balance of Summer my brothers.
WM Brother Jesse Furrer
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.” Brother Samuel Clemens aka “Mark Twain”
Calendar:
Note the electronic Trestleboard is published monthly. Changes in dates and or times are reflected on our Calendar Page, which is updated as needed.
Forest Lodge No. 130, F & A.M.
August 1st — 7:00 PM Stated Communication/ EA / South at 6:30 PM
August 15th – 7:00 PM Stated Communication/ EA / South at 6:30 PM
August 26th — Mosinee Car Show
September 15th — Lodge Picnic
September 19th —Past Master’s Night and presentation of Opening & Closing in an Australian Lodge
Wisconsin Valley Shrine Club
Wisconsin Valley Shrine Club meets every Friday for a noon luncheon at the Wausau Elks Club.
Wausau York Rite
August 9th — 7:00 PM. Stated Commandery.
August 21st — 7:00 PM. Stated Meeting, Chapter and Council.
Scottish Rite Club
Meets for breakfast at 7:00 AM 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays at Perkins.
