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2013 Masters Messages
December Message - 2013
Greeting Brothers and friends, I would like to dedicate this edition of the Temple Topics to my Lady, Connie Jaremko. Connie passed away after Ladies At The Table on Sunday morning, November 3rd. She was a remarkable woman who was involved with many community activities as well as a loving mom to her two sons, three grandchildren, and four nieces. While I was progressing through the line she worked numerous hours on Fish Fry advertising and organizing the other ladies with the dessert table. When I became Master she helped organize every event. She began working on Ladies At The table this September and it was a beautiful event. Connie was the love of my life and I am fortunate to have many memories to give me comfort through this difficult time. I would like to remind everyone of the Master’s carpet with the all devouring scythe of time. I would recommend everyone to tell their loved ones how much they mean to you. At the same time, if there is an event one wants to see or a place one wants to visit, I would say “DO IT NOW” not later. Even though Connie and I traveled frequently, there were still places on our “what’s next” list. Here are the results of elections at the first stated meeting: Ryan Mayrand, WM; Chris Goodwin, SW, Andy Meyers, JW; Brian Breitzmann, Secretary; Kevin Breitzmann, Treasurer. Zach Flieschmann and James Lovett were elected as Trustees. They will be joining Jim Stone, Andy Meyers, Ricardo Vieria, and Dan Richardson. Ryan’s Installation is going to be Saturday, January 4th 2:00 pm. I would like to go business casual for the remainder of my term unless we have a degree. In that case it will be “Thursday Tux Night.” The Temple Topics needs a volunteer starting in January to label, seal and deliver to the downtown Milwaukee Post Office. Contact Todd Jaremko for more information on how you can help the lodge continue to communicate with the nearly 400 temple topic addressees. Dinner with Santa is December 5th We are asking for the names and ages of the children coming to dinner. Santa will be providing a gift to children 12 and under. Fraternally, Todd Jaremko Nov 21 THU - 2nd Stated Meeting Nov 30 SAT - Decorate tree 10:00 am Dec 5 THU - Dinner with Santa, Jan 4 SAT - Installation. |
November Message - 2013
Greeting Brothers and friends, I am sad to report that Arleen Haas passed away. Please keep Don Haas, PM. and her family in your prayers. Worshipful Brothers Kevin and Brian Breitzmann have commissioned a local artist to create a kneeler and candelabra in memory of their father Rick Breitzmann, PM. The past masters performed a degree on our newest Master Mason, Zach Fleischmann. Please welcome Zach to the sideline on your next meeting in Lodge. I would like to thank all of those that participated in the degree. I realize all the hard work and dedication that it takes to put a degree together. I want to thank everyone that helped with Fish Fry. It is great to see the lodge come together for this great event. Ladies at the Table is the first Saturday in November. We are going to need help in the Kitchen as well as setting up the dining room Saturday Morning. If you can assist in the kitchen, please contact Ken Gorgen. PM. Elections will be held at our first stated Meeting, November 7th. The Ladies of McKinley will be making dinner. Please plan on attending and elect the new officers for the year. The Temple Topics needs a volunteer starting in January to label, seal and deliver to the Milwaukee Post Office. Contact Todd or Connie Jaremko for more information on how you can help the lodge continue to communicate with the nearly 400 temple topic addresses. Dinner with Santa is December 5th. We are asking for the names and ages of the children coming to dinner. Santa will be providing a gift to children 12 and under. Please send them to either Todd or Connie Jaremko. Fraternally, Todd. Nov 2 SAT Ladies at the table 7 THU Dinner, 1st Stated Election NIght 21 THU 2nd Stated 30 SAT Decorate tree 10:00 am Dec 5 THU Dinner with Santa, Jan 4 SAT Installation |
October Message - 2013
Greeting Brothers and friends, We started the fall season with our annual corn and brat night. I was delighted to see all the families that came out. A big thank you to Mike Gorgen, PM, for organizing, husking the corn and grilling the brats. There has been some chatter on the new altar in the main lodge room being too high. At the same time many people have come up and began kneeling on it to show us that it was too high. The new Altar is about 2 inches higher than the old Altar. The issue is that the kneeler is too low. The lodge will look into getting a higher kneeler. In the meantime I would suggest that we use the white padding and white kneeler from the old altar until we get a higher kneeler. Fish Fry will be October 18th beginning at 5:00pm. As always we need volunteers to make this event a success. The homemade desserts are a great touch to this fish fry. At the same time the desserts help reduce the cost of the meal and allow the lodge to make a greater profit. Please consider bringing a dessert, contact Connie Jaremko at 262-796-0782 for more information and coordination. Ladies at the Table is Saturday November 2nd . This is the first Saturday in November and will be here right after the fish fry. Tickets are available from any officer or by calling Todd Jaremko at 262-796-0782. Do you have a favorite pie recipe? If so, we want to talk with you. The lodge is trying to start a pie fund raiser. This is where the lodge takes orders for pies, prepares them and freezes them. The customer than takes the pies home to be baked . Tom Hill and Andrew Meyers are looking for recipes and would be glad to review yours. The Temple Topics needs a volunteer starting in January to label, seal and deliver to the Milwaukee Post Office. Contact Todd or Connie Jaremko for more information on how you can help the lodge continue to communicate with the nearly 400 temple topic addresses. Dinner with Santa is December 5th . We are asking for the names and ages of the children coming to dinner. Santa will be providing a gift to children 12 and under. Please send them to either Todd or Connie Jaremko. See you all soon at our September meeting and get ready to head into a very active Fall at McKinley Lodge. Fraternally, Todd Jaremko Oct 3 THU Dinner and Past Masters Night Oct 17 THU 2nd Stated Meeting Oct18 FRI Fish Fry Nov 2 SAT Ladies at the table Nov 7 THU Dinner, 1st Stated Meeting - Election Night Nov 21 THU 2nd Stated Meeting Nov 30 SAT Decorate tree 10:00 am Dec 5 THU Dinner with Santa, |
September Message - 2013
Greeting Brothers and friends, It is hard to believe it has been two months since I wished everyone a safe and happy summer. I hope that all enjoyed the great weather we experienced this season The cornerstone plague donated by Bob Kappel, PM is installed. Take a look at the bronze plague as you enter the building and thank Bob for this generous gift. The new altar donated by the Acadia Chapter of the Eastern Star,was delivered in July. Don Haas, PM brought the new altar into the lodge room. It looks beautiful. The Altar is in memory of Marion Redding. Prior to going dark the lodge initiated Keith Egelston as an Entered Apprentice. Josh Young was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft. Be prepared for a Master Mason degree and Fellow Craft degree in October As we come out of the summer recess, there is work and enjoyment to be had in the lodge. As you know we start off with our famous Corn and Brat night, remember that the dress code for that night is Hawaiian shirt and slacks. The awards ceremony is at our second stated meeting September 19, 2013. Some will be looking at the blue calendar and wondering what is the fund raising dinner on Friday October 18th. At the time, there was discussion of having a fish fry or spaghetti dinner. There were some good arguments made for the spaghetti dinner but in the end the fish fry won out. So Friday October 18th will be our “World Famous Fish Fry.” Ladies at the Table is right behind the Fish Fry on November 2nd. I will then end my second term as Master with Dinner with Santa, December 5. See you all soon at our September meeting and get ready to head into a very active Fall at McKinley Lodge. Fraternally, Todd. Sept 5th THU Corn and Brat Night 1st Stated Meeting 19th THU Awards Night 2nd Stated Meeting Oct 3 THU Dinner and Past Masters Night 17 THU 2nd Stated Meeting 18 FRI Fish Fry Nov 2 SAT Ladies at the table 7 THU Dinner, 1st Stated Election NIght 21 THU 2nd Stated 30 SAT Decorate tree 10:00 am Dec 5 THU Dinner with Santa, |
June Message - 2013
Greeting Brothers and friends, Our degree team took first place at this year’s degree competition. The competition was on the Entered Apprentice Degree. The team consisted of Chris Goodwin, Master; Andrew Meyers, Senior Warden; Brian Carter, Junior Warden; Ryan Mayrand, Senior Deacon; Dan Richardson, Junior Deacon; Scott Carter, Secretary; Bob Kappel, Chaplain; Jim Stone, Senior Steward; Todd Jaremko, Junior Steward. Congratulations to the team. The dedication and practice certainly paid off. Thanks to Ken Gorgen for coaching at the degree team practices. Bob Kappel, PM. walked past the faded cornerstone of McKinley Lodge one too many times. Instead of complaining to the trustee about the issue, he walked into the meeting and told the trustees to buy a new corner stone and send him the bill. The new cornerstone is a bronze plague with the original inscription on it. It should be installed this summer. This is another exciting development leading up to our centennial year.
Please thank WB Bob, the next time you see him.
Brother Ken Gorgen, PM, is busy getting the kitchen ready for table lodge set up. Table lodge will be held Friday June 21st. Dan Slavick, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master has accepted our offer and is attending. This will be one of Mr. Slavick’s first public events as the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the state of Wisconsin. Our Senior Warden, Chris Goodwin will be running the front of the house. Ken needs assistance in the kitchen and Chris will need help with servers and wine stewards. Please assist these two brothers in making this year’s table lodge, “the best one yet”.
I want to wish everyone a safe and happy summer.
Jun TBD Altar and Candle Opera dedication Jun 6th THU First Stated Meeting Jun 20th THU Second Stated Meeting Jun 21st FRI Table Lodge Sep 5th THU Corn and Brat Night 1st stated meeting |
May Message - 2013
Greeting Brothers and friends, Brother Gerald Fryda passed on March 20th. I was grateful that the lodge brothers were able to get out and present him with his 50th. The family sent us several photographs and their thanks. Brothers Ken Gorgen, PM. Brian Carter, and Tom Hill visited Brother Jack Heinemann. They presented him with his sixty year pin. I am trying to organize another trip up so that we can present him with the lodge pin. Jack remembers flying so if there are any brothers with aviation knowledge it would be great for a visit. This stimulation of memories is very helpful. Brother Chris Goodwin and his wife Sherri are planning the May dinner. The first Thursday in May will be the 2nd... Currently it is going to be a taco bar. With Sherri in the kitchen I know that it will be good. On Saturday May 18th, we will be having our lodge clean up and BBQ. Please come out and join us at 9:00 am as we tackle the trustee’s “to do list” Pulled Pork and slaw will be served at noon. The Acadia Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star is presenting McKinley Lodge with a new altar. This lovely gift is in memory of Marion Reddig. We are planning on dedicating the altar this summer as a kick off to our Centennial year. Please join me in thanking the members of Acadia Chapter on this beautiful gift. The Breitzmann family announced that their family will be presenting a new candle opera in memory of Rick Breitzmann, PM. It is nice to know that Brother Rick will continue to be a shining light in the years to come. Brother Ken Gorgen, PM, is busy getting the kitchen ready for table lodge set up. Table lodge will be held Friday June 21st. Dan Slavick, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master has accepted our offer and is attending. This will be one of Mr. Slavick’s first public events as the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the state of Wisconsin. Our Senior Warden, Chris Goodwin will be running the front of the house. Ken needs assistance in the kitchen and Chris will need help with servers and wine stewards. Please assist these two brothers in making this year’s table lodge, “the best one yet”. Fraternally, Todd. May 2nd THU - Taco Bar Dinner and first stated meeting May 16th THU - 2nd Stated Meeting May 18th SAT - Lodge Clean Up and BBQ Jun TBD - Altar and Candle Opera dedication Jun 6th THU - First Stated Meeting Jun 20th THU - Second Stated Meeting Jun 21st FRI - Table Lodge Sep 5th THU - Corn and Brat Night 1st stated meeting |
April Message - 2013
Greeting Brothers and friends, The lodge lost two active members. Emerson Kolda passed on February 25th. Emerson was our organist and brightened our meetings and degrees with joyful music. Emerson was active in Scottish Rite and Eastern Star. He was an organist for many churches for fifty years. Rick Breitzmann, PM passed on March 8th. Rick presided over the lodge twice as Worshipful Master. He was active in the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. At lodge Rick worked with the Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts to post so they could further their Masonic Education. The brothers also received word that Gerald Fryda was in a hospice reaching the end of his journey. His 50 year anniversary was on January 24th. Our Secretary contacted Grand Lodge and had them issue the 50th certificate. Rick Breitzmann, PM, went to Dousman and met several brothers that night to present Gerald Fryda with the certificate and 50 year pin. Currently Brother Jack Heinemann is facing Alzheimers. His wife is asking for any brother to come visit him. Please contact me or Brother Brian Carter for further information. I want to thank everyone that came out and participated at our Fish Fry. The Food Pantry also appreciates the food donations that they received. We had some trouble with last month’s temple topics. The USPS changed the format required for mailings. That is why this message is cut in half between the address pane. We are also required to put two tabs to seal the topics. Last month our supplier supplied Connie with white tabs instead of the regular clear tabs. Connie put tabs on the mailing so that they would not cover up our return address or the mailing permit (both on the right and left). Unfortunately, the postal service did not catch this mistake until after the Post Office closed. Fortunately, Sherri Goodwin was not working the next morning and was able to go the post office and reseal them with tape so they could be mailed. I want to thank Sherri for her quick response. At the same time, I want to thank Connie. It takes about 7 hours each month to put the tabs and labels on them in order that they can be mailed before the first of the month for everyone to know what is going on in Lodge. It takes another hour to group them so they can be accepted at the Postal Service. I have received several complaints about the events at lodge being cancelled. After each cancellation everybody quickly responds with “just ask for help”. So here it is. I need help for the following meals: April, May, June, October. Mike Gorgen will be grilling for our Brat and Corn night in September. The Ladies of McKinley will be providing the dinner for our past master dinner. Spring is my favorite season. Mother Nature states “we are going to give it one more shot”. The flowers start to bloom and leaves return to the trees. I would ask that the members “give it one more chance” as well. COME TAKE A SEAT ON THE SIDELINE. Become part of visiting care and reach out to your fellow brothers. In June, Ken Gorgen, PM. will be leading a kitchen crew for table lodge. A German Feast will pursue and Ken, Andy and Jon (EA), will be brewing their beer. Please see an officer for tickets Please keep the families in distress in your prayers and toughts. Fraternally, Todd. April 4 Thu 1st stated meeting 18 Thu 2nd stated meeting 21 Fri Table Lodge More Information coming |
March Message - 2013
Greeting Brothers and friends, There were ten of us that braved the weather for the Chili dinner before the first stated meeting in February. There was a lot of good comrade that night. Getting out of the lodge parking lot proved to be challenge for some of us, but the brothers pitched in and made sure everyone was able to get out of the parking lot and back on to Pilgrim Parkway. I just finished filling out the Lodge Excellence Award for last year. The highlight of filling the form out was realizing that we raised five new master masons. That is great tribute to the diligence of the lodge members. I would like to thank you for your dedication and making “Thursday Tux Night” a huge success. We had to cancel the dinner for March. We still plan on having a dinner in April. If you are interested in helping out on a dinner, please let me know. The World Famous McKinley Lodge Fish Fry is on Friday March 22nd. There was a minor price increase over last year. We are still accepting food donations to the Waukesha Food Pantry. As always we need assistance with ticket sellers, servers, clean up, and of course dish washers. The fish fry goes from 5-7 and then it usually takes about two hours to clean up. The ticket sales and servers will run in two shifts 5-6 and 6-7. This year we are going to try a drive thru!! It actually will be a drive around with one person station under the canopy and another brother delivering food to the kitchen door behind the lodge. Please come out and support the lodge. THANK YOU Fraternally, Todd Jaremko March 7 Thu - 1st stated meeting 21 Thu - 2nd stated meeting 22 Fri - Fish Fry 5-7pm |
February Message - 2013
Greeting Brothers and friends, Fraternally, Todd Jaremko February 7. Thu. Chili dinner and 1st stated meeting. Dinner at 6:00 pm February 16. Sat.Movie night.7:00 pm. Bring camping chairs February 21.Thu. 2nd stated meeting |
January Message - 2013
Greetings Brethren and guest, The lodge officer’s decorated the Christmas Tree prior to our installation practice and it looked great Our dinner with Santa had excellent attendance. We believe we had sixty at lodge to enjoy the My goal for the New Year is to have committees working in the lodge. The lodge needs the Visiting Care: This group will check in on our brethren that have not been in lodge and report back Fund Raising: The lodge needs to raise funds for projects. The kitchen equipment needs to be Centennial Year: That is correct, in twelve short months McKinley will celebrate its Centennial. Kitchen Crew: Rest assured the Gorgen’s are still in the kitchen. However we need a crew to Please continue to support the Waukesa Food Pantry by bringing a non-perishable item to Lodge It is an honor to preside over the lodge for the coming year. I would like to thank the brethren for Fraternally, Todd Jaremko Jan Feb |
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