Waukegan Lodge #78 AF&AM December, 2015

The Master’s Message Brothers,

Here we are in December, another year gone by and a new one approaching. As we get ready to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends it only makes sense to reflect on this past year.

Waukegan # 78 has had an exciting and extremely busy year. We started immediately by implementing more education at our meetings and bringing in multiple guest speakers. We revived the trestle board by creating the Trowel along with updating our overall communications. We conferred numerous degrees, welcomed many new brothers as well as having many old brothers rejoin us once again.

The lodge officers and brothers made several visits to lodges within our district. The events committee created some new events such as movie nights, fellowship dinners, a Chicago Bulls game and an evening of fun at Dave and Busters.

www.waukegan78.com �1

THE TROWEL News | Education | Schedule

Did you know?

MASONIC-COIN AS LEGAL TENDER

In 1794 a Masonic token was minted in honor of the Prince of Wales in England. A son of George III, he later became George the IV. From 1790 to 1813 he served the Grand Lodge of England (Moderns) as Grand Master. The ordinator of the coin was Brother James Sketchley of Birmingham who created the coin to commemorate the election of the Prince as Grand Master.

These coins were so superior in their copper content that they readily became tender. In 1817 they were withdrawn from circulation by government order. Brother Judson L. Parker, editor of Masonic Temple Topics, Chicago, has been collecting these coins and presenting them to distinguished Brethren. More than 350 have been distributed.

Waukegan Lodge #78 AF&AM December, 2015

I believe by doing different things together as a group both in as well as out of lodge, only cements us together as brothers and as a lodge.We also worked extremely hard at cleaning and repairing the lodge building. We added many new items such as display cases to showcase the long history of Waukegan #78, wifi, presentation tools and much more.

The lodge also got its fiscal house in order by updating and cleaning up our bylaws. Our lodge was instrumental in working with Grand Lodge for the rededication of the old Lake County Courthouse Cornerstone this past summer.

I want to thank the Past Masters, officers, brothers and their families who have worked so hard in this past year to move our lodge forward and made us successful in all our endeavors. I look at this coming year with great anticipation, optimism and excitement for our lodge to continue to grow, advance and to be the cornerstone of Lake County Masonry.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear!!!

Worshipful Master

Erik Solomon

 Dave & Busters Fellowship Night

This year marked the first time the lodge Brothers ever got together in an arcade. On december 14th, 2015 a large group of Waukegan 78 members gathered at Dave and Busters to have some fellowship, have fun and talk. A great time was had. Many thanks to Sr. Warden Carlos Duran for putting together the event. It is sure to be a repeated event!

Secretaries Note*

With the new email service in effect, if you want to stay on the forfront of what is happening with Waukegan 78, please make sure you get your email address and phone number to the Secretary. He can be reached at Secretary@waukegan78.com

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Lodge Education

Bro. Sr. Warden (Luis Albarracin) is your new Lodge Education Chairman and will be building on the success of previous years. He will be continuing the education segments at stated meetings as well as additional meetings where we will have speakers and other events. A key goal will be to put together a Table Lodge this upcoming year which will present a unique opportunity for the Education and Events Committee to work in unison. Stay tuned for more!

Waukegan Lodge #78 AF&AM December, 2015

Annual Children's Christmas Party

This years Christmas party was another to go down in the books. Brother Luis Albarracin and his Lady Keely put on a great party with the help of numerous other Brothers. Lodge members brought their Grandkids, kids and other family members for an afternoon of food, fun, caroling, presents and of course, Santa Claus! Many thanks to Brother Luis and his Lady for their dedication to making this years event a giant success!

The local Girl Scouts troop showed up as well to help out, which was much appreciated. There is a long standing tradition of The Masonic Fraternity supporting the Scouting groups and we were happy to have them come out.

The Secretary's Masonic Cipher

Rules - Open to any member of Waukegan 78 or Anchor and Ark 1027. Although the cipher is mainly taught in the York Rite, many jurisdictions around the world and especially the United States use and teach this to Master Masons. This cipher is the same although variations do exist. If one way doesn't work, try another. Be the first person to email the secretary with your answer. Include the subject line "Secretary Cipher Answer", your name and lodge number. Good luck!

In May of 1725 the First record of this happened...

R.H. Johnson, PM

Secretary, W78

secretary@waukegan78.com

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Waukegan Lodge #78 AF&AM December, 2015

Lodge Happenings

Waukegan #78 December 21st -Stated Meeting

December 28th -Lake County School of Instruction - at A.O.Fay in Highland Park -3rd Degree Second Section Practice

January 4th - Lodge Maintenance Night

January 11th - Reception of the DDGM Practice

January 18th -Stated Meeting and Reception of DDGM (Official Visit)

January 25th - 3rd Degree Practice

February 1st - 3rd Degree (Coleman)

February 8th - 1st Degree

February 15th - Stated Meeting and Annual George Washington Presentation / Celebration

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*Just a note, the schedule is dependent on the return of

catechisms. We will post updates to the schedule as needed on our website as well as weekly announcements through our

call ’em all phone system and Facebook page.

www.waukegan78.com - Waukegan Lodge #78

www.1stneil.com - 1st NE District Calendar

www.masonicinstruction.blogspot.com - Instruction Club