Catching Up With The Holidays

We seem to have fallen behind with current events in our Lodge; one of the resolutions for 2011 is to try to keep this site more current and useful.

The Holiday Dinner was held on December 16th. A large number of York Rite members were in attendance as well as members of other appendant bodies. As usual there were a number of wonderful main dishes and hot apple crisp with ice cream for dessert. Following the meal, holiday messages were read and many toasts given.

The next most recent event was the installation of officers on December 15th, 2010. At this time I'm not going to publish a roster of those installed until this is discussed and cleared in the regular Lodge meeting on January 5th, 2011. I want to make sure that publishing names on this website is acceptable to all involved. The installation was well attended, considering the weather. There was a delicious lunch served after.

On a personal note, as the incoming Worshipful Master, I was glad that we could use my Uncle's Masonic Bible on the alter. He gave it to me last year, as I'm the only other family member who is a Mason. I know it will mean a great deal to him when he receives Christmas greetings with the news and photos of the installation!

We will have a practice for new officers on Monday, December 27th. at 6:30. Just basic opening and closing, but try to make it.

Future events coming up after the Holidays include a School of Instruction on Wednesday, December 29, 2011 at 7:00pm at the La Crosse Masonic Center. We will be working on floor and rod work for the second section of the Master Mason Degree. As the host Lodge, we will be providing a meal. School of Instruction is for all Master Masons, not just officers. The ritual of Freemasonry is unequalled when done with confidence and grace. Please plan on attending!

Looking into January, I would also like to have a practice for new officers and anyone else who could help out on Monday, January 3rd. at 6:30pm. This should give everyone a chance to recover from New Years!

Our first regularly scheduled Lodge meeting of the new year is Wednesday, January 5th. and I'd like to start things off as smoothly as possible. This will be a"business for the year ahead" type of meeting and I'm open to any ideas or sugestions. I believe that we will soon have a fairly steady amount of Degree work to plan for.

On Sunday, January 9th. The UTA will be hosting a potluck in conjunction with our Methodist Church neighbors. We will join for a "bring-a desert-to pass" meal at the Masonic Center at 11:00am, following their Church service. The hope is that representatives from all of the UTA bodies can give a short example of what they are about, to our guests. Please contact UTA Secretary Todd with who and how many will be representing your organization. This is a nice opportunity to outreach!

We will have our second, January regular Lodge meeting on Wednesday the 19th. I'm hoping to have something Degree oriented scheduled.

Finally, the month winds up with the Annual UTA Meeting, January 26th. at the La Crosse Masonic Center, at 7:00pm. All adult Masonic body members of the UTA are entitled to attend and vote for necessary members of the Board of Directors. Please attend.

Have a joyous and meaningful Christmas season and a safe New Years celebration.

Yours in Masonry, Bruce Klubertanz, Worshipful Master, La Crosse Lodge 190

Double MM Degree

This Saturday, LaBelle Lodge in Viroqua will host a double MM Degree. The first will commence at 10:00 am and the second will follow a lunch. They need craftsmen, side-liners and some oarts filled. please let WM Sean know if you can assist. Call him at 606-2300.

Upcoming Events

Here are some upcoming dates to take note of that came up in Lodge on Wednesday night. By the way that was our annual steak night and they were excellent!

The Firehouse Jesters will be having a brat sale at the La Crosse Festival Foods on Saturday and Sunday, July 24 & 25.

Galesville Lodge will Be having a pancake dinner this weekend.

There will be an E.A. degree at La Crosse 190, for Erik Seavey, on Wednesday, August 4; commencing at 7:00 pm.

The Annual Picnic wil be held at Copeland Park Shelter on Tuesday, August 12th. As usual, Red will supply the fish filets, but the rest is bring-a-dish-to-pass.

The Scotish Rite Picnic will be held on August 10th. at the park in Onalaska, next to the High School. All members of the Masonic family are welcome. I believe this is a pot-luck event with brats provided.

Onalaska Lodge will be having Movie Night on August 12th. The DVD is a History Channel analysis of the newest Dan Brown novel (lots of Masonic references in the plot).

Finally, The Prairie La Crosse Longrifles will host their 12th. Annual Barron Island Rendezvous at Pettibone Park this weeekend (July 24th & 25th). The three principles officers of Lacrosse 190 also participate with this group and if there is a worthy candidate, we can bestow the Order of the Beaver Degree during the event. This a legitimate " fun" degree, for Master Masons who are Buckskinners (or we can dress you up like one!).

Hope to see one and all at these events!

Guest Author/Speaker

Author Scott Walker will speak about his book, "The Hooked X: Key to the Secret History of America" at 7:00pm on Friday May 7th. at the Masonic Center, 118 South Eighth Street, La Crosse. His presentation concerns evidence such as the Kensington Runestone, found in Minnesota, that suggests there is evidence for European exploration of North America that pre-dates Columbus. One possible explanation for the archaeologic evidence involves the unexplained disapearance of a Knights Templar fleet from the coast of France, following persecution in medieval times. This topic was recently presented in a two-hour program on the History Channel in conjunction with Mr. Walker's work.

The public is invited and welcomed to attend! This presentation is free; there is no admission charge

Chili and Pie Supper Ladies Night Dinner

Tuesday, April 13 there will be an Order of the Eastern Star Chili and Pie Supper at the La Crosse Masonic Center, 118 Eight Street, South. The time is from 4:00pm to 6:30pm. $6.00 donation per person, kids 8 and under eat free!

The annual Ladies Night Dinner will be held on Wednesday, May 5th. at Huck Finn's On the Water, located at 127 Marina Drive on French Island. Social hour starts at 6:00pm with dinner to follow at 6:45pm. Menu choices consist of Whiskey Steak, Smothered Chicken, or Pan Fried Walleye. Choice of soup or salad with carrot cake for dessert. Please confirm with Scott or Keith if you will be attending. I've included a map for those not familiar with the French Island area, just click on it to enlarge.

Master Mason Degree

Here's a new calendar item not to miss! Wednesday, March 17th. La Crosse 190 will confir a Master Mason Degree at the La Crosse Masonic Center. Also, because it is St. Patricks Day, the meal will consist of mouth-watering corned beef and cabbage, boiled potatoes and a surprise "green" desert. Social Hour from 6:00pm to 7:00pm; Lodge opens at 7:00. All Brothers are welcome to attend!

Shrine Circus

I thought someone might like a Circus poster! I'm not sure if it can be downloaded, but I think you could do a copy and paste. I don't think there would be a problem with distributing copies to promote this fine event. At least it has all of the information about the upcoming Shrine Circus in La Crosse.

I made up a number of business card sized "rememberers" for Todd to distribute to any computer users, with the address for this website. I hope they make it a little easier to find this site when you want to. We had a good practice for the F.C. degree scheduled for this Wednesday in West Salem.
There isn't much else to report except that March 2nd & 3rd. are the dates for the Shrine Circus at the La Crosse Center

Welcome

Greetings Brothers;

This is the initial entry for our new Blogsite. Hopefully we can keep good communication of events. As of now, only Lodge Officers will be able to post notices. Followers of this site will be able to add their comments or suggestions to posted communications and are encouraged to do so. We will start this off by posting the Trestleboard for the year. It will enlarge if you click on it. There has been one recent change: because of the Shrine Circus, there will be no Lodge on Wed., March 3rd. The next scheduled La Crosse 190 meeting will be held on Wed. March 17th.

There will be a Shrine Luncheon at the La Crosse Masonic Center on Fri., Feb., 19th. at 12:00 noon; soup and sandwich-$6:00. All are welcome, Shriner's or not.

There will be a short Fellowcraft practice at the La Crosse Masonic Center on Mon., March 8th. at 6:00pm followed at 7:00pm by a meeting of the Firehouse Jesters to discuss participation in the Shrine Circus.

There will be a Fellowcraft Degree conferred at the West Salem Lodge on Wed., March 10th. Lodge opens at 7:30pm.

As more information becomes available, we hope to constantly keep this site up-to-date and accurate. Please visit it regularly to stay informed.