F.U. Board Updates http://fraternalunion.com/index.php Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:40:04 -0400 10 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13945

Serving Brisket, Chicken and Sausage and all the trimmings. Donation of $9.50 at the door.


Date:


Saturday, 9 October 2010 - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm




View the full article]]> Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:57:09 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13945 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13801


Homer Lodge 254 = Brother Joe Noel wants to remind everyone that this is the 10th year for The Take Time To Read Program In Huntington Elementary School. We will start a new year September 2nd at 10 AM. The schedule will be for the 1st Thursday of each month at 10:00 A.M. Everyone is encouraged to come and participate. No Masonic or O.E.S. affiliation is required.=== Doyle Thornton, Secretary

Angelina Lodge 1263 on September 2, the DDGM will make his official visit with a message from our Grand Master. === Bill Richardson, Sec.

Snow River Lodge # 385 in Spurger; will have an open 50 & 60 year pin presentation on Friday, September 3rd. Refreshments at 6:30 PM and ceremony will begin at 7:00 PM. === Robert Ramer Jr., Treasurer

Lufkin Lodge 669 = Saturday September 4th we will begin the Adopt the Highway cleanup at 9 AM. (This holiday weekend is the only vacant Saturday our Lodge and Building is not busy.) Friday September 17 we will host a Forum by R.:W.: Jimmy Henley from 7 PM to 9 PM. All Master Masons are invited to attend and learn the correct way to do the work. Saturday September 18 the Forum will continue at 8 AM with a 10 AM Certificate Exam. Each Thursday night at 6 PM we have a study night group preparing for the October 9 Outdoor Robed Degree as well as other study groups. Saturday November 6 will be another Adopt the Highway cleanup at 9 AM. Saturday November 13th will be the Annual Widows Banquet at 10 AM with R.:W.: Thomas F. Griffin the speaker.

Wells Lodge #915 is very pleased to announce that R.:W.: Duane Anthony will be the guest speaker at our stated meeting, Tuesday, September 7th at 7:30 PM. (Meal at 7:00 PM). We will be opening an EA lodge so that all may attend. Please plan to attend, and spread the word! === Bob Martin

Joe Werner 553 in Trinity will have a little of it all next Tuesday September 7th. We will have a MM proficiency, an EA exam and a FC Degree. We will eat at 6 PM and start the work shortly there after. Please make an effort to be there to show your support for these new Masons. === Ed Egbert, Secretary

Sexton Lodge #251 in Milam, will be celebrating it's 150 year anniversary on September 10, 2010. Most Worshipful Grand Master O'Neill will be with us to join in the celebration. Lodge will open at 5:00 PM to receive the Grand Master. We will adjourn to Hemphill High School Cafetorum for the ceremony beginning at 6:30 PM. On Saturday Morning September 11, we will host the annual Open Air Masters Degree beginning with breakfast served at 7:30 AM. Grand Master O'Neill be be joining us for this event as well. Any Brethren wishing to attend, please contact WM John Dickson at 409 625 0275, Country Smith at 409 787 4540 or myself at 409 625 4211. We need a head count for the meal on both days. === R.:W.: Gene Nethery DDGM 19

Grand Secretary School at the Lufkin Masonic Building = Saturday September 11 from 9:00 AM to noon == All Lodge Secretaries should plan on attending, and all Lodge Line Officers and Treasurers are encouraged to attend. (Lodge administration takes more than one member). This is for Masonic Districts 15,16,19, 20, 25 and 26. === R.:W.: Tommy D. Guest, Grand Secretary


Lufkin OES on Monday, September 13th will host the official visit of our Deputy Grand Matron, Sister Jane Clabaugh. Salads and desserts at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:30 PM. Lufkin Chapter OES will host a Fraternal Visit of the Worthy Grand Matron of Texas on Saturday September 25 at 10 AM. This will be followed by a salad and dessert luncheon. All area OES members are welcomed and invited to come. === Rosemary T. Swetland, Secretary

Burke Lodge #833 will be having a MM Degree Saturday, September 28, at 4:00 PM. All Master Masons are invited to attend. And at 7:00 PM, at our Stated Meeting we will be receiving out DDGM R.:W.: Greg Sowell. === Robert Small and Shon Laird

Grapeland Lodge 473 - This past year Augusta Lodge 93 consolidated with Grapeland Lodge. If a lodge needs any the lodge has some nice padded pews for sale and a few heavy wood chairs also padded. For details contact David Starek 936 687 9700 === David Starek

Second Official Visits of District 20 by R.:W.: Greg Sowell
Thursday September 2, Angelina # 1263, 7 PM
Saturday September 18 Burke # 833, 7 PM
Tuesday September 21, Garrison # 670, 7 PM




Fraternally,

Dwight David Thrash and Dwight A. Thrash
Members of Lufkin 669 etexmasonic [at] consolidated [dot] net

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View the full article]]> Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:31:34 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13801 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13764

5th Annual Knox-Corinthian Golf Tournament will take place on Monday, 27 September at Frisco Lakes Golf Club in Frisco Texas.





<h2 class="rtecenter">View the Flyer and Registration Form</h2>




































Date:


Monday, 27 September 2010 - 11:00 am - 7:00 pm




View the full article]]> Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:33:20 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13764 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13756
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View the full article]]> Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:47:03 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13756 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13733
Our daughter, Heather, was born on December 30, 1975. She was immediately diagnosed with a birth defect called spina bifida. The words “spina bifida” are Latin for “split spine”. It is a developmental birth defect caused by vertebrae not fusing properly, resulting in an opening in the spine. This allows a portion of the spinal cord to protrude through the opening in the bones. The most common form of this birth defect is called myelomeningocele.

In babies with myelomeningocele there is a fluid-filled sac protruding outside the spinal column containing nerve tissue that is damaged or not properly developed. As a result, there is usually some degree of paralysis and loss of sensation below the level of the spinal cord defect.

In 90% of the cases, children with myelomeningocele develop hydrocephalus (sometimes referred to incorrectly but descriptively as “water on the brain”). This requires the surgical installation of a permanent shunt to provide a drain from inside the skull to the abdominal cavity for fluid removal.

Heather was a classic spina bifida patient. Within 12 hours of her birth at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, she had been transferred to Dallas. In less than 24 hours from birth, doctors had performed the surgery to put the spinal cord and nerve roots back inside the spine and close the opening on the back. Then when she was 8 days old a shunt was surgicaly installed.

Heather's birth marked the beginning of an 18-year personal relationship with the TSRH in Dallas. For the first three of the 18 years we made visits at least once per month followed by 15 years of scheduled visits once every 2-3 months. There were also the occasional “special” visits for things like shunt revision surgeries. Heather really hated those special visits because every time a surgical procedure was performed on the shunt they had to shave her head. That was not fun for a young girl!!!

During those 18 years she had surgeries for the spine closure, shunt installation, shunt revisions to allow for growth, bladder suspensions, and rerouting of leg muscles to lessen the effects of paralysis. During all those years the TSRH provided immeasurable amounts of medical care for Heather as well as psychological support and encouragement for our family.

In 18 years, we never paid a penny for the care TSRH provided. They would not even accept donations in the early years of Heather being a patient because they knew we would face enough financial challenges as it was. Their website states:

“TSRH provides exceptional care to thousands of Texas children every year without charge to patient families. TSRH is not a United Way agency and does not receive state or federal funding. The hospital relies solely on the generosity of individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations to continue its mission.”

OK, if you are still reading this e-mail then I thank you very much. I know it is lengthy. However, this background gives you some insight into why I am making this request. I am trying to help a good friend of mine raise money for the TSRH. My friend is sponsoring a special fund-raising event for TSRH in October. I would like to help him make this a successful fund-raiser. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation (TSRH is a Section 501©(3) corporation) then you can make your check payable to "Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children".

You can mail your check to either of the two addresses shown below:

David Counts Classic benefiting TSRH
PO Box 97
Snyder, TX 79550

OR

James Ray
1012 Chateau Court
Longview, TX 75604

Thank you very much and I appreciate your considering a donation to the TSRH.

PS - FYI, Heather is now a beautiful 35-year old Christian young lady. She has been a public school teacher for 13 years and is currently teaching special education in the Hallsville ISD. I cannot imagine how different her life would be today had it not been for TSRH 35 years ago.

James Ray

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View the full article]]> Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:17:37 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13733 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13683 Hey Kev, how about a friendly bet, if the Niner's win in the regular season against the Raiders, you need to post that your a proud niner fan, if the Raiders win, i will post I am a proud Raiders fan, but since I know the niner's will dominate, I\'ll look for good images for you.

]]> Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:18:05 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13683 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13734

Date:


Sunday, 26 September 2010 - 11:00 am - 2:00 pm


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View the full article]]> Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:09:48 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13734 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13656 Springfield Lodge #4 Springfield IL, will hold a dual second degree (two candidates at once) Monday August 30th, lodge opens at 6:30 PM Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:43:02 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13656 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13645 2010 Committee on Work Schedule for avilable exam dates.



View the full article]]> Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:41:53 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13645 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13619 What do you guys think, and do you have any good supernatural stories to tell?

I have a few, one happened when I met my mother-in-law (Vickie) for the first time. We stayed at her house in Alturas, CA, where my wife's dad and mom lived. My father-in-law (James), was hit by a drunk driver and was a paraplegic, and had a canine helper (Thomas) I never got to meet James, since he passed away 5 years before I met Jill. While I was visiting, we turned in and Thomas came in and laid next to us, which was unusual for him, since he always slept in Vickie's and Jame's room. We then saw a light orb in the room and it hoovered and went to see all of us, Thomas (the dog) wagged his tail, and watched it, the orb left the room, and we heard a hand held small bell. When we asked Vickie about the bell, she said she did not ring any, we were miles from another house, no TV or radio on. The next morning after we told Vickie what happened, she remembered that when James got weak towards the end, he would ring a bell for help.
This was very strange, but comforting to both Jill and I, we also found out the next day, Jill was pregnant with Pea.
The orb still visits us, especially in pictures with the kids.]]> Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:05:41 -0400 http://fraternalunion.com/index.php?showtopic=13619