Burbank Masonic Lodge No. 406

Trestleboard Messages for January 2004 From the East  Brethren:       This year has come and gone quite quickly. It seems as though it was only yesterday that I was installed as Master of this great Lodge.       It has been an honor to serve such a fine group of Officers and Masons. As I have progressed through the chairs over the last four years I have made many friends, both older and young. When I joined Masonry, just shy of (6) years ago, I never imagined the impact that it would have on my life. Both Holly and I have grown very close to many of you, and I am happy to say that my best friends are Masons in this Lodge.       When I became Master of Burbank 406,1 had many ideas. There have been some that I have got around to doing and implementing, and those that I have not. It did not take long to realize that it was a tricky balance between God, Family, Career and Lodge. At times all of the above have taken a backseat to each other, but unfortunately Lodge has had to take the biggest hits. Although I am proud of what I have done, I do not pretend that it could not have been done better, more efficiently or more fun.       The last year has seen approximately fourteen Entered Apprentice Degrees, five Fellowcraft Degrees and eight Master Mason Degrees. In addition, we managed to hang onto the Chevron property for another 15 months and are now well into exploring options for the future of this property.       I feel as though I have left the business of the Lodge at a high, while at times neglecting a little bit of the fun of the Lodge. Unfortunately, the last year has been a crucial time for the Lodge from a business stand point. My hope is that as we pick up through December and January, that Master-Elect Jason Cunningham will continue in that direction of fun and family. I am confident that he will. Brother Jason is a fine Mason and a good man and is the perfect fit to guide Burbank 406 into and throughout 2004. I hope that everyone will rally around him as they did me to help make his time as Master the best it can be.       I am honored to be able to stay on as an officer for the ensuing Masonic year as Chaplain. It will be a lot of fun for me to sit in the East with Brother Jason and Worshipful Bill.       Throughout my time in Masonry, I have been on the side of "old fashioned" and have resisted most opportunities for change. I realize that this might not have been the best course of action for our Lodge and/or craft. It is time for Masonry to evolve and change along with its membership. Recently Masonry hit a milestone statistic in which over 50% of our membership is now older than 70 years of age. Yet Masonry continues to cater to that specific group with its lack of change. I have been guilty of this myself. If Masonry is going to survive, the senior members of our Lodge are going to have to give in a little to the younger generation. I ask all of them for their understanding during this time.       To our upcoming officers I wish the best. The rise to Worshipful Master is a quick one that can catch you by surprise. Take the time to learn the ritual, our law and most importantly, the individual Brothers that make up our Lodge.       Finally to all the Brethren, I say thank-you. Serving as your Master has truly been one of my greatest honors. Fraternally, Greg  Return to Top From the West Brethren!       Happy New Year to you all!       This being the last article I will write from the West, I would first like to start out by thanking our outgoing Master. Worshipful Bragg has been a great leader of this Lodge and we are all indebted to him for his dedication and commitment to the Lodge. His guidance and friendship have been extremely important to me, and I am honored to have him serve as Chaplain during my year in the East.       I would also like to thank the Brethren once again for electing me to serve as Master of this Lodge. It is not only an honor to me, but also to my family. My father and I will be the first father-son Masters to serve Burbank Lodge and I am very proud to be a part of the Lodge's history. I want to thank my father for serving with me this year as Treasurer. It is going to be nice knowing that he is sitting on my right. This year will be an exciting challenge that I am looking forward to. I would also like to thank the officers who have been elected and appointed to serve with me this year. You are a great group of men that I am truly proud to call my brothers.       The month of January will be another busy one in the Lodge. We have a few degrees and also our annual installation of officers. Please let our Junior Warden know if you plan to attend the festivities for both the degrees and the installation as it help with the planning. Keep your eyes peeled for the events in the months to come. We will be having some great things taking place in the Lodge and I hope you all enjoy them. Fraternally, Jason  Return to Top From the South Brethren:       HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!       I hope everyone had a Great Holiday season. As we celebrate the beginning of 2004 we look forward to the beginning of the new Masonic year as well.       Installation is 5:00 PM, Saturday, January 17th. It promises to be a Grand Event for Burbank Lodge. Worshipful Master Elect Jason Cunningham has some great stuff planned for this year and I, for one, am very excited.       I would like to express my thanks to all who have helped me fulfill my duties as Junior Warden. It has been a lot of fun! One of the best aspects of this year had to be the opportunity to meet and get to know so many of the spouses and friends of Burbank Lodge. I really enjoyed talking to so many of you at each of the dinners and look forward to seeing you at future events.       Our retiring Worshipful Master Greg Bragg is having a "Master's Last Dinner" on Thursday, January 15th, which will tentatively be a Steak dinner. Please call the Lodge to leave a reservation!!! (818) 848-3750.       Thank You to everyone for being so great about making reservations this year. It has been so helpful! I look forward to turning over the keys to our Junior Warden Elect, Ken Barnes. Please take as good care of him, as you have me.       THANK YOU and See you in the West!!! Fraternally, Timothy J. Halm  Return to Top From the Secretary's Desk Brethren:       All members should have received their dues statement (envelope) for 2004 dues. If you have not received your dues envelope, the dues remain at $48.00 and remit your dues to the Secretary as soon as you can. Some of you have already paid your dues, and thank you for being so prompt. If you can't remember when you paid your dues last, check your dues card and remit your dues payment for those years past as well as for 2004.       To all, A Happy Holidays and A Happy New Year. Fraternally, Norm Furman, Secretary       P.S. Remember those at the Masonic Homes, and if you can give, Give what you can to the Homes. e-mail: burbanklodge406@att.net Return to Top  Burbank Masonic Center Youth Groups Job’s Daughters            Job’s Daughters Bethel 97                        Bethel 208 Trish Vossper                  Amanda Price 818 846-3042                  818 500-8202 1st Friday & 3rd Saturday      1st Saturday & 3rd Friday DeMolay L.C. Kelley Chapter Steve Jordan 818 729-0913 2nd & 4th Tuesday  Return to table of Contents for web pages, including Archived Trestleboards Return to Top  JANUARY 2004 CALENDAR  Thursday January 1st Happy New Year Dark        Thursday January 8th Social Hour Stated Meeting       Coat and Tie 7:00 PM 8:00 PM        Thursday January 15 Master's Last Dinner, All Welcome Entree -Steak-$10.00 Installation Practice 6:00 PM   7:30 PM        Saturday January 17th   Installation of Officers 5:00 PM  Installing Officers William A. Cunningham, P.M. Richard B. Carter, P.M. Marian A. Proctor Jr., P.M. Gregory F. Bragg Donald L. Griffiths, P.M. Officers to be Installed Jason W. Cunningham Timothy J. Halm Kenneth L. Barnes William A. Cunningham, P.M. Norman A. Furman, P.M. Gregory F. Bragg, P.M. Marc S. Canterbury C. Mark Steiger Steven J. Harris Thomas H. Oldham, P.M.   Installing Officer Master of Ceremonies Installing Chaplain Retiring Master Inspector 326th Masonic District     Worshipful Master Senior Warden Junior Warden Treasurer Secretary Chaplain Senior Deacon Junior Deacon Marshall Tiler Reception Following === All Welcome        Sunday January 18th Masonic Service Bureau Pasadena Scottish Rite 9:15 AM        Thursday January 22nd Fellowcraft Degree Refreshments Following 7:30 PM        Thursday January 29th Master Mason Degree Steak Dinner preceeding 7:30 PM 6:00 PM        Thursday February 5th Stated Meeting 8:00 PM Return to Top  Return to table of Contents FREEMASONRY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE THIRD MILLENNIUM