From the East: My Brothers, October is here and the time change is upon us, each of us feels the days growing shorter and hopefully, cooler weather is around the corner. As I pause to look back at the year so far, I only see Orlando 69 being the leader in the District. Degrees, Travel, Fellowship, and many more things make our Lodge a great place to be a member. Let's keep up the good work as we see the end of the year in sight.

District Picnic at the Shrine, adults $5 children under 12 no additional cost. Date, 23 October 2010, time from 10 AM to 4 PM. Bouncy houses and clowns, and other entertainment, a time for family, please join us, tickets available from Brother Ricks.

Start making your plans for the Orlando 69 Christmas party in December at the "Red Fez".

On the Square, Greg

From the West: As we come out of the summer and head into the home stretch of the year we look to our annual dinner honoring our Past Masters and Widows. October 2, 2010 is this year’s night to break bread with those who have led our Lodge in previous times. It is times like this that we can have time to share in the lessons learned and enjoy those who laid the ground work for us to come behind them. Beyond just our Past Masters we also have an opportunity to reach out those we promised to help, aid and assist – the widows of our own Brothers. These ladies shared in our Lodge by supporting their husbands who have go on the great reward and now we can help stand in the gap for a brief moment and enjoy a great meal. Last year our Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, Brother Fred Kidwell prepared some of the finest prime rib I have ever eaten; and he promises to it again. This is our time to genuinely share in the joy of Brotherhood and I encourage each of you to come join us. There will be a special surprise in the way of entertainment. Saxist Steve Eunice will perform his special style of jazz in a live performance throughout and after dinner. You love his special touch to the evening. It will be a great night for those we honor. See you there.

On the Level, Rickey

From the South: I’m writing this segment on September 11^th, the ninth anniversary of the attack on the US. I still remember hearing about the attack at work and then watching in disbelief. It is easy to go through the motions, take that moment of silence when asked, and then move on with the rest of your day thinking that you did your bit. It’s important to remember all the service personnel that, while people were running away from the danger, they were racing towards it. Fire, police and other emergency services did what they knew needed to be done, not because they were told to, but because they knew it was the right thing to do! It’s the perfect example for all of us to have the courage to do what is right, not what is popular. I have lived in the US for 13 years and some of the most humbling moments in my life have been helping soldiers from the US, Canada and the UK try to return to their lives after an amputation. In most cases our company simply supplied products, or manufactured prosthesis, but in some cases I have had the honor of meeting and helping these heroes personally. In one case I stood next to the bed of a 22-year-old soldier at Walter Reid Army Medical that had lost both legs above the knee and his right hand just below the elbow in Iraq and tried to explain how his new prosthesis would work. When I finished, he looked at me and said, “Thank you”, somehow I managed to hold back my tears and say, “no, thank you”. Regardless of our politics, we need to thank all the people who keep us safe and protect our right to live in a free country.

By the Plumb, Craig

From the Scribe: Wanted, one or more Brothers to assume the responsibility of gathering the information for, producing, printing, folding, addressing and mailing the Trestleboard. The Trestleboard is the official communication arm of this Lodge. You will assume the responsibility for badgering those responsible to provide you information necessary for the monthly completion of the Trestleboard. All interested parties please contact the Worshipful Master. Fraternally, Bob

Petitions: Mr. Hector Colon, for the three degrees., Mr. James Smith for the three degrees. Mr. Walter Hnot III, for the three degrees

Upcoming events

02 Oct 2010 Masters and Wardens @ Eola Lodge No. 207 breakfast at 8 AM, meeting at 9 AM.

02 Oct 2010 Widows and Past Masters night at the lodge, 5:30 registration, 6:30 dinner and entertainment.

09 Oct 2010 Lodge Breakfast 8 Am to 10 AM

09 Oct 2010 Scottish Rite Center fall reunion

10 Oct 2010 Scottish Rite Center fall reunion

12 Oct 2010 Stated communication, Official Visit of DDGM Cunningham, fellowship at 6:30 PM

14 Oct 2010 Mizpah 190 OES 7:30 PM

23 Oct 2010 17^th District picnic at the Shrine pavilion, 10 AM to 4 PM; Brother Ricks has tickets.

26 Oct 2010 Stated communication, fellowship at 6:30 PM, Lodge meeting at 7:30 PM

28 October Mizpah 190 OES 7:30 PM

06 Nov 2010 Masters and Wardens @ Composite Lodge No. 207 breakfast at 8 AM, meeting at 9 AM.

09 Nov 2010 Stated communication, fellowship at 6:30 PM, Lodge meeting at 7:30 PM

11 Nov 2010 Mizpah 190 OES 7:30 PM

13 Nov 2010 Lodge Breakfast 8 Am to 10 AM

23 Nov 2010 Stated communication, fellowship at 6:30 PM, Lodge meeting at 7:30 PM

25 Nov 2010 Thanksgiving (Mizpah 190 Dark)