FROM THE EAST Brethren, The November 5 open meeting will feature discussions about foreign Masonry by our new affiliated Brother, Michael Kastle, who recently returned from a tour of duty in Germany and England. He has several short videos as well. Before Brother Kastle begins his presentation, we have a 50 year pin to present to Brother Robert W. Storm as a courtesy to Lee Lodge in Vermont. I encourage our nine new Master Masons who attended the Grand Master's class to attend this open meeting. On Saturday, November 9, at 1 PM, we will welcome brothers from Concord Lodge (PA) and will confer the Master Mason Degree on one brother who attended the first two degrees of the GM's class and will be raised in due form. All those who attended the October 19 class are requested to attend in order to refresh themselves on the lessons of the Master Mason's degree. Dinner will follow. I would remind all chairman to prepare their committee reports for presentation at the Nov. 19 communication. I thank you for serving your respective committees. Brethren, Concord has been the leader in blood contributions to the District Blood Bank for 1996. Our thanks to Bro. Frost for his diligence in maintaining this lead. The blood supply is still low. Your attendance at the Dec. 14 Blood drive is encouraged. FYI: Research has proven that older persons who give blood are less likely to have a heart attack. Your Servant, Preston From the West: October was an exciting month in Concord Lodge with many special events. We not only conferred an EA degree but also had 9 candidates become Master Masons during the Grand Master's 1-Day Class in Alexandria. Like our Master Masons from the previous 1-day class in Richmond, these men all demonstrate a great deal of enthusiasm to learn and a zeal to get started working with the Craft. The 54th Masonic District was invited to put on a Child Identification at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department's Open House and several members of Concord, Sharon, and Columbia Lodges helped fingerprint and photograph 238 kids. Thank you for making this a big success. Please remember: "Kindness is the inability to remain at ease in the presence of another person who is ill at ease, the inability to remain comfortable in the presence of another who is uncomfortable, the inability to have peace of mind when one's neighbor is troubled." FROM THE JOBIES: Brothers, did you know that Concord Lodge sponsors a chapter of Job's Daughters? Please come out and visit us sometime, the girls would love to show you their ritual work and ceremony. We have an exceptionally vibrant group of girls (ages 11 to 20) and they truly enjoy it when the Masons come to visit. Masonic youth in action is a wonderful thing to behold. Bethel 38's Grand Visitation will be at Henry Lodge on Sunday, October 27 at 2 PM. COME OUT AND BE A PART OF IT! For more information contact Brother Bob Burleson, 255-0989 (Home) or 917-7124 (Work). Respectfully, Brother Bob Burleson, Associate Guardian CONCORD #307 TRESTLEBOARD November 2 Scottish Rite Reunion Second day at Alexandria 7:30 AM 5 Masonic Education-- Discussions concerning Foreign Lodges Introduction and Instruction for our new Master Masons 7:30 PM 9 Called MMų for ALL new MMs & Visit of Concord Lodge (PA) 1 PM 10 - 11 Grand Lodge, Richmond, VA 13 Grand Lodge sponsored Breakfast at MAHOVA 19 Concord Stated Our Committee Reports for 1996 7:30 PM Report on results of Grand Lodge Five minutes of Masonry 27 DIW School at 307 December 3 Concord Stated: Audit, 50 year pin presentation, Election of Officers & Closing Lodge of Sorrow 7:30 PM 14 Blood Drive 8 AM 14 Open Installation of Concord's 1997 Officers 2 PM 15 Concord Lodge Family's Annual Christmas Party 1 PM 17 Called for Entered Apprentice Degree 7:30 PM Every Thursday at Concord: Catechism and Ritual instruction by our LIW All EAs & FCs are encouraged to attend Masonic Birthdays for November Paul Harris Shelton Martin Harold Schindler Jacob Schindler Melvin Lewis Staff Dean L. Stewart Terry George Sandman Aghajan Tufeckgian Richard L. Lyons William C. Glascock, Sr. Lewis Franklin Fritter Curtis McFarlane Daniel Dudley Daniels Jerar Nishanian Harrell L. Shoun, Jr. Robert E. McCormick III Gustave T. Karalow William Oscar Wheeler Marion Wayne Jones THIS BLOOD'S FOR YOU! Tragedy struck a young family of four when their little girl was struck by a car and rushed to the hospital. The doctors said she had a rare blood type and that none was available in the hospital. She needed a transfusion immediately. The doctors told the parents that the most likely source of blood would be one of them. The parents blood type was checked and found to be the wrong type. The only chance left was their 5 year old boy. At first they told the little boy that they were only going to prick his finger to test his blood. They proceeded and found out he had the needed blood type. The parents then started to explain to the little boy that his sister was hurt and that her life depended on someone giving her some of their blood. The mother, with tears in her eyes, explained to him that he was the only one that could help her. The little boy hesitated, but then in a slightly fearful voice said, "OK Mommy, I'll give my blood to my sister, but will you and Daddy stay with me?" "Of course we will," said the mother. The parents hugged and kissed their brave little son and brought him into the room where the transfusion would take place. The boy laid down on the bed and said, "I love you Mommy and Daddy" and then closed his eyes. He held on tightly to his Mommy and Daddy's hands while the nurses attached the tubes and needles. When the transfusion was over, the little boy opened his eyes with a very puzzled look on his face. The mother asked him what was troubling him and he said, "If they took my blood and gave it to my sister, why am I still alive?" You see, the parents never explained to the little boy they only needed some of his blood. He thought he was giving up his life to save his sister! Fraternally Yours in Christ, Bill (A message on Internet)