Ionic Lodge #31 A.F. & A.M.

This website has been published on behalf of Ionic Lodge #31 A.F. & A.M., and is intended to inform all Masons and non-Masons via the Internet about Freemasonry and the activities of our Lodge.

We proudly announce that this website meets the rules established by the
Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Delaware for content of Masonic websites!

Our Stated, or Regular Communications are held at 7:30 PM on the first Thursday of each month, except July and August.

Brethren,

On May 1st, Ionic Lodge will hold its 3rd Annual Table Lodge, honoring Past Masters of our Lodge. I'd like to encourage ALL Past Masters who are able to attend. We are looking forward to greeting you. We will open Lodge at 5:30pm, to conduct any necessary business. At 6:30pm, we will retire to the banquet room and open a Table Lodge on the Entered Apprentice Degree, with dinner and the customary 7 toasts. The cost is $20 each, which includes your dinner, souvenir cannon and program, and wine.

On June 5th, we will conduct our annual Memorial Night and Election of Officers. We will have dinner at 6:30pm, followed by opening Lodge and presentation of the Memorial Night Program. Special entertainment is planned during dinner, and special desserts and tea/coffee will be servedfollowing the closing of Lodge. Since it will be a busy night, our guests and Ladies will be entertained in the banquet hall, following the Memorial Night Program, until we complete the Lodge's necesdsary business.

While writing this month's message, I can't help but look back on the last 6 years of my time as an Officer of our Lodge. Where has the time gone? This has been a busy year, with good attendance by the brethren at our meetings and activities. I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to all who have made this a special and prosperous yeart.

On April 9th, Bro. SD Ray Gurnee did a fine job in his check out on the Entered Apprentice Degree and passed his proficiency. Congratulations Brother Ray!

As we go to press with this issue of the Masonic Trestelboard, we are looking forward to Bro. SW Bob Noble checking out on the Master Mason Degree on April 23rd. Good Luck Brother Bob!

The future looks bright, my brethren!

May Stated Communication

May 1st - Table Lodge. Cost is $20, and you need to contact the Lodge Secretary by 4/28/2008 to make your reservations.

Upcoming Events

Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup: Sat April 26th. Meet either at Mary's @ 9am, and Lodge @ 10am. Contact Bro. Adam Guinn.

June Stated Meeting: Thu June 5th. Memorial Service and Election of Officers.

Grand Lodge Day: Sat June 7th. At Highfield Masonic Home.

Installation of Officers: Wed June 25th.

Recent Activities

April Communication: At our April 3rd meeting, we had special entertainment in the form of Bro. Teddy Roosevelt. The meeting was well attended and the meeting was well received.

New Ballot Box: Also at our April 3rd meeting, Bro. Bill Precht, a frequent visitor in our Lodge presented a hand-made ballot box to the Worshipful Master. Brother Bill spent many hours working on this beautiful work of art. A special plate has been ordered to be affixed to the box to recognize his contribution. Thanks Brother Bill!

Degree Work: On April 16th, we conferred the Fellowcraft Degree upon 2 Entered Apprentices: Brothers Shawn Robinson and Michael McDaniel.

Special Notation

Our Lodge of Instruction has been working with candidates from several other Delaware Lodges On Monday, May 12th, one of the Fellow Crafts they have been instructing will be raised in Brandywine Lodge #33, on Foulk Road in North Wilminton, starting at 7:30pm.

A Message From Our Secretary

Any member with an email address is requested to advise the Secretary so he can update his records and add you to the Lodge's "Buddy List".

A Message From Our Assistant Secretary

Dues notices for the 2008 calendar year were mailed out a while ago. Please remit if you have not yet done so.

Lodge of Instruction

With all of the candidates we have at this time, our Lodge of Instruction has expanded its hours of operation, as follows:

monday 7pm Bryan Irwin and John Kline.

tuesday 7pm Mike Matteo and Chuck Porter,

wednesday reserved for Degree's/degree practice and officer assistance with instruction.

thursday 7pm Adam Guinn and Sean Croaker.

The new chairman for the LoI is Mike Matteo (remove "NO_SPAM" from the address).

Special Request

The Lodge received a call from one of our Lodge Widows not too long ago, and she informed us that she was in need of a minivan that could have a wheelchair lift installed in it so that she would be able to transport her son. Her funds are limited, and her existing van is limping along. If anyone has a resource that could help in this situation, please contact the Worshipful Master.

Your Help is Still Needed

The MSA needs your help at the Veterans Hospital in Elsmere, DE on Sunday mornings. Contact a Lodge Officer if you can volunteer an hour or so on a Sunday morning.

Called From Labor on August 25, 2007 Bert A. Henson May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Called From Labor on October 5, 2007 Ronald J. Casalvera May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Called From Labor on November 16, 2007 Marion C. Cannon May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Called From Labor on December 24, 2007 Edward P. Laskaris May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Called From Labor on December 27, 2007 Harold C. Stevens May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Called From Labor on February 17, 2008 Wilcox (Bill) W. Held Sr. May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Called From Labor (date unknown) James E. Abbott May he rest in peace in the celestrial lodge above.

Here is a complete listing of our Past Masters.

July 4th Parades

In an effort to get ourselves more noticed by the community (in a good way of course!), Ionic Lodge #31 has fielded a car in the Hockessin July 4th Parade since 2001. Piloted by brother Bill Held, Jr. and his family, they threw candy out to the crowd. Although the pictures aren't the greatest, they do show Ionic getting out in the community.

Cemetery Plots For Sale

Blanche Picken recently lost her husband - our good brother Chopper. He was buried at the Veterans Cemetery, and Blanche now is looking to sell their remaining two plots in Silverbrook Cemetery, which is located at Lancaster Pike and DuPont Road. Contact the webmaster (remove "NO_SPAM_" from the link) if you are interested, or would like more details.

Masonic Tags

As many of you know, the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicle is issuing Masonic license plates. "MM tags" are available at a one-time cost of only $20 ($10 goes to Grand Lodge and $10 to DMV). This is an excellent opportunity to show you are proud to be a Mason. And did you know that a Freemason can have more than one tag? - one each for as many vehicles as he owns. From a personal perspective, I have found that my driving habits have improved knowing that I have a "MM tag" on the back of my cars. If you are a Delaware Freemason (or a PA, NJ, or MD Freemason living in DE) and would like information about getting a "MM tag", please email the Secretary (remove "NO_SPAM_" from the link), and he will provide you with the contact person's name and number. This is an excellent opportunity to show you are proud to be a Mason.

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All information and opinions expressed in this web site are the sole responsibility of the writer. Nothing in this web site should be construed as an official statement of Freemasonry, the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Delaware, Ionic Lodge #31 A.F. & A.M., or any other concordant or appendant body.

Last updated April 21, 2008.

This website is maintained by Bill Held, Jr. (remove "NO_SPAM_" for link to work), who welcomes any questions, comments and suggestions about this website.

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The Silent Summons

A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master's visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.

In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I'll be back in our Lodge next meeting."

- Author Unknown

copyright © 2008 Ionic Lodge #31 A.F. & A.M., Newport, Delaware USA