Yucca Valley Lodge #802

Yucca Valley California Trestleboard

August 2010 A newsletter serving the Masonic and affiliated bodies of the high desert

Trestleboard - a draftsman’s designing board; that on which a Mason draws his designs for his character and spiritual growth;
Special Interest that on which the Worshipful Master lays out his designs for the workmen; a Lodge’s newsletter and calendar of events.
Articles:

• From the East. 1

From the East
Bro. Joseph Romero, Worshipful Master
• From the West. 2
Brethren:
I sure hope the month of July Officers for the year 2010,
Individual
was a good for each and every proficiency must be completed
Highlights:
one of you, and you all have before Installation.
Editor’s Corner 2 taken the month to travel. On Thursday 15th July, we had during the last remaining days
Hiram Award 3 Billie and I traveled to the state an excellent Dinner prepared by by the Japanese during World
of Washington and the our Treasurer, Mark Clark, we War II.
Poem/Humor 4 province of Victoria, Canada; had a lively discussion on There was only one lifeboat
Hiram List 4 and then to Acapulco, Mexico, various adventures and and more survivors than the
Education 5
to visit family. happenings we have all had boat could hold, so they took
Famous Mason 6 I am pleased to announce that during our travels. All pitched turns in the ocean until they
on August 5th, 2010, Bro. in and clean-up was done in got sleepy and tired. A search
Calendar 7 short order.
Joseph G. Johnson PM, will be plane spotted them floating at
Officers 8 receiving the Hiram Award for th
Sunday July 18 , Billie and I sea, and they were rescued by
the meritorious work he has went to visit Brother Ken a “Tin Can”, a Destroyer.
performed over the past Squires, at the Maravilla Care Quite an episode for Brother
several years outside and away Home for his 92 Birthday, we Ken Squires!
nd

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Please send stories,
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corrections to the editor
at:
TCDowden@roadrunner.com
from the Lodge. This award is
the highest that can be
awarded to a Mason. Please
call and make reservations for
Dinner as this will be catered
affair. Contact Tina Bergamin,
365-5523 or 228-2515 to RSVP.
Mr. J. Brault will receive the
First Degree on August 12,
2010, dinner at 6:30pm. Also
the month of August we will
begin qualifying for incoming
presented him with a Polo Shirt Joseph Romero, Worshipful
with Lodge Logo and Birthday Master
Cake which he shared with the
residents.
His Social Worker also called
about an article I wrote in the
November 2007, Trestleboard.
“He told me about being in the
Pacific Ocean floating for five
days. It seems he was a sailor
on the U.S.S. Indianapolis,
which was torpedoed and sunk USS Indianapolis CA-35

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Our 50th Year in Yucca Valley


“Many men will pay the fee,
receive the degrees, and
then disappear. Why? Did
we choose their role for
them, or did they opt for
one that made them most
comfortable.”
Choose wisely…
Yucca Valley Trestleboard
The Editor’s Corner
Bro. T.C. Dowden
We all play many roles in life:
father, son, brother, teacher,
friend, leader, follower, writer,
reader, and so forth. Every day
we play multiple roles. The roles
we play quite often conflict. Just
as often, the roles complement
each other. What is your role in
the Lodge; which one do you play?
Often, the roles we play were
selected for us rather than being
of our own choosing. When that
occurs, we seek fulfillment
elsewhere and allow the first to
suffer. It can be very
disconnecting when others choose With the recent rise in Masonic
for you, its better you choose it. awareness that has begun with
Within the Lodge, each brother
has a role to play as well. The
question is: are you playing the
correct role?
The Short Talk I included on page the Lodge than in previous
five was about investigating
candidates and choosing them
wisely. Choosing them? Really?
Can we do that? The Craft had
seen decades of dwindling
membership and we (as an
institution) reacted by accepting
any man who knocked at the
door. We made entry easier
and did less memory Work than
our predecessors did. We
emphasized the social aspects
of being in the Lodge over the
moral and spiritual teachings,
perhaps for fear of scaring off
the few new members we
made. What were the results?
We made new members, but
not necessarily new Masons.
The DaVinci Code and National
Treasure, then continued with
multiple History Channel
specials and The Lost Symbol,
we find many more aspirants to
years. Which, of course, will
bring members to the Lodge…
Page 2 of 8
but will they be Brothers?
Many men will pay the fee,
receive the degrees, and then
disappear. Why? Did we
choose their role for them, or
did they opt for one that made
them most comfortable.
Sometimes, their role is to be
on the sidelines supporting the
Lodge… and that’s OK. Others
see themselves as moving
through the chairs rapidly and
becoming Master of the Lodge,
and that’s OK too.
It is best when we choose our
role and work the best we can
to fulfill it. Are you good with
numbers? Are you good at
memory work? Whatever your
skill and comfort level is what
you should be doing to help the
Lodge, but get involved!

day stay in Washington to visit and Masonic connection. Today these

From the West conduct our business there. Our numbers also adorn the uniforms of
Bro. Joseph DuPont, Sr. Warden return travels took us through State troopers and the Montana Air
Montana where we stopped by to National Guard.
As the heat and humidity of July visit Bannack Lodge (3-7-77), the
Next stop Salt Lake City Utah and a
(never thought I'd comment on that first state Historic Lodge. Bannack
visit to the Grand Lodge of Utah.
out here) roll into August, I have was founded in 1862 and
We were met by an Officer of the
began looking forward to cooler flourished until the 1950s and
Grand Lodge and staff member and
weather again, we aren't quite there served briefly as the territorial
after they determined that our
yet though. It's not as much that the capitol of Montana and has a
presence wouldn't interfere with
heat bothers me as it is that I look somewhat colorful history, which
other activities (there was a film
forward to the lodge returning to an the Masonic Lodge plays a role in.
crew shooting part of a movie,
active schedule. for me July was The lodge occupied the upstairs
apparently this happens quite
active with a good deal of travel and while the downstairs was the town
often) that day we were given a
an opportunity to visit two Masonic school. The lodge number not the
tour of just about every room in the
Lodges. I accompanied Brother Gary original number of the lodge is
building, kitchens, dining rooms,
Mason on a trip he had planned to interesting. The origins of the
sitting rooms, meeting rooms,
visit a friend of his, probably for the number 3-7-77 are a mystery often
theater, and lodge rooms, 3 hours
last time. Our travels covered eight with Vigilantes during the Wild
later we were back on the road
states over seven days with a two West days, and possibly some

A beautiful system of Morality, veiled in Allegory, illustrated by Symbols

 Page 3 of 8 Yucca Valley Trestleboard
headed south. I'm not even going to
attempt describing everything other
than to say it was truly quite
impressive and I have pictures to prove
it.

I hope that everyone has been having

a good summer break, I'm sure that
many members of the lodge would
enjoy hearing of travels you may have
had. The recommendation of friends
has sent me to places I never even
thought about visiting on my own.

The Hiram Award 2010: Brother Joseph Johnson, PM

The Hiram Award was designed to be granting a Hiram Award.
presented to the “unsung hero” of
The Brother who has been selected as a
every Lodge such as the volunteer who
Hiram Award recipient is being singled
makes the coffee at each meeting, the
out as the Lodge’s choice. This is the
one who sets the tables or arranges
highest honor which can be bestowed
the furniture and ornaments in the
upon a member that has unselfishly
Lodge room, the painter, the gardener,
given his time, talents and energy for
the handyman, the organist, the
the betterment of his Lodge and
program chairman or any number of
Freemasonry. The real warmth and
outstanding Brethren who consistently
pleasure of being chosen for this special
donate their time and talents to our
honor is most satisfying, because it
beloved Fraternity or who have
comes directly from the Brethren and
brought credit to the Craft by their
friends he has accumulated within his Joseph Johnson, PM
community activities.
community.
The Hiram Award was launched in
Please join with us at the Lodge on
February of 1977 at Galt Lodge No.
August 5, where Brother Joseph
267. That first year only one Hiram
Johnson, PM will have the honor
Award was presented. But it quickly
bestowed upon him for his years of
caught on and in 1978 forty were
dedicated service to Yucca Valley Lodge.
presented and in 1979 two hundred
This is a great honor for Brother
and fifty were presented. By 1980,
Johnson, so please attend!
nearly all Lodges participated in

A beautiful system of Morality, veiled in Allegory, illustrated by Symbols

 Yucca Valley Trestleboard Page 4 of 8

WHAT MAKES A MAN A MASON? Hiram Award Recipients @ YV Lodge #802

By George M. Free
Robert W. Fisher 1983 La Jolla #518
What makes a man a Mason, O brother of mine? Raymond E. Chitwood 1984
It isn’t the due guard, nor is it the sign, Robert E. Goosen 1986 Lakewood #728
It isn’t the jewel which hangs on your breast Clinton J. Meadway 1987 Torrance #447
It isn’t the apron in which you are dressed
John H. Robinson 1990
Gary E. Mason 1990 Van Nuys #450
It isn’t the step, nor the token, nor the grip,
Nor lectures that fluently flow from the lip, Lonnie G. Neal 1991
Nor yet the possession of that mystic word John V. Neal 1992
On five points of fellowship duly conferred. Alfred M. Shinn, Jr. 1993
Walter M. Marsh 1994
Though these are essential, desirable, fine, Evert J. Bergamin 1995
They don’t make a Mason, O brother of mine. Ernest A. Reichardt 1996
That you to your sworn obligation are true Von R. Brown 1997
'Tis that, brother mine, makes a Mason of you. James V. Clark 1999 Irvine Valley #671
Howard H. Short 1999
Secure in your heart you must safeguard and trust,
Kenneth L Squires 2000
With lodge and with brother be honest and just,
Bobby G. Cox 2001
Assist the deserving who cry in their need,
Be chaste in your thought, in your word and your deed. Harry Tanzer 2002
V. F. Rayser 2003
Support he who falters, with hope banish fear, Warren E. Thomforde 2004
And whisper advice in an erring one’s ear. Sean C. Clay 2007
Then will the Great Lights on your path brightly shine,
And you’ll be a Mason, O brother of mine.
Humor
Your use of life’s hours by the gauge you must try, Some few years back, just after the introduction of Random
The gavel of vices with courage apply; Breath Testing, the Police officers of a small country
Your walk must be upright, as shown by the plumb, township had to show the community that the RBT was
On the level, to bourn whence no travelers come, working. They decided to stake out the local Masonic Hall,
then as the night wore on, eventually a mason slowly came
The Book of your faith be the rule and the guide, down the stairs and got into his car.
The compass your passions shut safely inside; The moment he started the engine the two officers
The stone which the Architect placed in your care approached him and asked him to "blow into the bag". He
Must pass the strict test of His unerring square. did of course but to the amazement of the officers proved
negative. Fearing a faulty bag tried again, with the same
And then you will meet results. Sure of a possible conviction they then escorted him
with approval divine, to the Police station to do a blood test, with it also proving
And you’ll be a Mason, negative.
O brother of mine. Being upset with this they then asked him what had gone
on and what he had done that evening, to which he
answered, "The Grand Master was there, the Grand
Secretary was there, the Grand Stewards were there and we
all had a great time; as to my job … I was the Grand Decoy".

A beautiful system of Morality, veiled in Allegory, illustrated by Symbols

 Page 5 of 8 Yucca Valley Trestleboard
Masonic Education: The Investigation
"DILIGENT INQUIRY"
The object of this paper is to remind
the members of this lodge that the
investigators' moral liability is great
and superficial investigation conducive
to evil. By the exercise of common
sense, fearlessness, and above all,
thoroughness, no man need pass our
portals to cause us subsequent regret.
Members should ever be on the alert,
and at all times co-operate with the
officers and members of the
investigating committees. The
difficulties that surround a lodge in the
selection of the candidates are
numerous. Do not add to them by
carelessly proposing men whose
fitness can be questioned. In
conducting these investigations you
should be as rigid as you would were
the applicant seeking admission to
your home, instead of to your lodge.
Masonry is no reformatory, neither can
we build stately and superb structures
out of tissue paper and on quick-sand
foundations. The applicant is a
petitioner; he is asking something of
Masonry. Masonry, therefore, has an
absolute right to know all about him
before it shall extend to him its
privileges. Do not be timid; do not fear
to tread upon his corns; but get the
information and thus discharge
honorably, as a Mason, the duty which
you have assumed through which your
Lodge will be enabled to extend the
glad hand of fellowship to clean,
upright men and avoid marring the
beauty of the Temple with soiled,
morally leprous material. Remember
also, that when once admitted within
our tiled recesses you cannot avoid this
applicant and draw your cloak about
you. You must be as ready and willing
to treat him as a Brother, as you are the
brother related to you by blood ties,
residing beneath your home roof.
For this reason it is within your
A beautiful system of Morality, veiled in Allegory, illustrated by Symbols
province to ask information which might
otherwise be considered very personal, to
propound questions which in any other
connection would be termed impertinent.
Of the applicant you should also
ascertain: How long has he been
acquainted personally with his proposer?
How long has he resided within the
Jurisdiction of this Lodge? Why does he
desire to become a Freemason? What is
his conception of the Masonic
institution? What does he think it is, and
why, in his opinion do Masons
congregate and what do they endeavor to
accomplish by their associations one with
the other?
Does he understand that Masonry is not a
financial institution and that no financial
re-turns are to be expected by either the
applicant or his family?
Is he of a charitable disposition? Does he
contribute financially to charitable causes
as far as his ability permits? Is he
charitable in thought and action toward
his fellowmen or is he bigoted and
prejudiced, considering all men in error
who do not view life through his
particular line of vision?
What is his financial standing? Is he
prompt in meeting his bills; is he
considered an A-l man to have business
dealings with? Does he understand that
there are certain yearly dues required
from each member, and will he promptly
meet them and any other obligations of a
similar nature?
Do his appearance and surroundings
indicate that he can financially afford the
degrees of Masonry? No man should
deprive himself or his family of
necessities that he may enjoy the degrees
of Masonry. We desire to add to our
working force; do not handicap us with
an added burden.
What provisions has he made for his
family and himself in event of disability
or death? Does his family concur in his
desire to become a Freemason? Do
you consider him a man who will
attend with reasonable regularity
upon the communications of the
Lodge, and a man who will endeavor
to educate and better himself by a
more extensive study of Masonry
than that contained in the lectures of
The Three Degrees?
Does he impress you as being one
who will LIVE Masonry, who will
endeavor to bring into actual practice
the tenets of our profession?
Is his desire to become a Freemason
based on the fact that some of his
relatives have been, or are, Masons?
Does he consider Masonry merely as
a social organization and does he
wish to become connected with it
merely that he may have the social
fellowship connected with it, or has
he a sincere desire to become a
Mason that he may help himself and
help others?
Does the applicant sincerely
reverence the Supreme Being and
accord Him the glory of the Divine
Truths?
This line of questioning, my
Brethren, is merely suggestive and is
very general. Circumstances alter
cases and while each question might
be appropriate on many occasions,
they might likewise be unwise in
other instances. They are suggested
merely to impress upon you the
necessity of thoroughness in your
work.
No set of questions can be compiled
which can be followed literally in
every case. You will probably not be
called upon to perform this service
more than once in a Masonic year;
surely it is not asking too much in
that one case each year you expend
some real energy and thought and
give liberally of your time, not only
for the protection of Masonry, and
yourself, but also for the preparing
and protection of the applicant.
The applicant can doubtless refer
you to men of standing who can
furnish reliable information
 Yucca Valley Trestleboard
Famous Mason: Colonel Harlan Sanders, Entrepreneur, Freemason
Harland David Sanders, better
known as Colonel Sanders
(September 9, 1890 – December
16, 1980) was an American
entrepreneur who founded
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). His
image is omnipresent in the
chain's advertising and packaging,
and his name is sometimes used
as a synonym for the KFC product
or restaurant itself.
During his early years, Sanders
worked many jobs, including
steamboat pilot, insurance
salesman, railroad fireman,
farmer, and enlisted in the Army
as a private when he was only 16
years old (by lying about his age),
spending his entire service
commitment in Cuba.
At the age of 40, Sanders cooked
chicken dishes and other meals for
people who stopped at his service
station in Corbin, Kentucky. Since
he did not have a restaurant, he
served customers in his living
quarters in the service station. His
local popularity grew, and Sanders
moved to a motel and restaurant
that seated 142 people and
A beautiful system of Morality, veiled in Allegory, illustrated by Symbols
worked as the chef. Over the
next nine years, he developed
his method of cooking chicken.
Furthermore, he made use of a
pressure fryer that allowed the
chicken to be cooked much
faster than by pan frying.
He was given the honorary title
"Kentucky Colonel" in 1935 by
Governor Ruby Laffoon. He was
re-commissioned in 1950 by
Governor Lawrence Wetherby.
Although he had been a
Kentucky Colonel for nearly two
decades, it wasn’t until after
1950 that Sanders began to
look the part, growing his
trademark mustache and
goatee and donning his white
suit and string tie.
After the construction of
Interstate 75 reduced his
restaurant's customer traffic,
Sanders took to franchising
Kentucky Fried Chicken
restaurants, starting at age 65,
using $105 from his first Social
Security check to fund visits to
potential franchisees.
Brother Dave Thomas, founder
of Wendy's Old Fashioned
Burgers and a brother Mason
was offered a chance to turn
around a failing Kentucky Fried
Chicken restaurant. He helped
save the restaurant and
Page 6 of 8
revolutionized the fast food
industry, by simplifying the
menu. At the time, there was an
excessive number of items on
the menu (possibly more than
one hundred). Working with
Sanders, Thomas stripped the
menu down to just the basic
fried chicken and salads.
Sanders died in Louisville,
Kentucky, of pneumonia on
December 16, 1980. He had
been diagnosed with acute
leukemia the previous June. His
body lay in state in the rotunda
of the Kentucky State Capitol;
after a funeral service at the
Southern Baptist Seminary
Chapel attended by more than
1,000 people, he was buried in
his characteristic white suit and
black western string tie in Cave
Hill Cemetery in Louisville.
He had a son, Harland, Jr., who
died at a young age, and two
daughters, Margaret Sanders
and Mildred Ruggles.
Initiated: April 6, 1917
Demitted: February 27, 1920
Lodge No. 651 (Indiana),
Henryville, Indiana
Passed: 1919
Raised: 1919
Courtesy to 651 (Indiana) by Clark
40 (Indiana)
Affiliated: October 27, 1953
Demitted: April 13, 1976
Hugh Harris Lodge No. 938,
Corbin, Whitley County, Kentucky
 Page 7 of 8 Yucca Valley Trestleboard
Lodge Calendar Our 50th Year in Yucca Valley
Yucca Valley Masonic Center

August 2010
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Leo Virgo

Think Cool!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Oasis of Mara Hall Association Stated Mtg 6 PM No Breakfast
Stated Meeting Building Board Hiram Award
29 Palms 7:30 pm Mtg. 6 PM Dinner 6:30
Open Mtg 7:30

8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Eastern Star Entered Apprentice
Dark until Degree - Brault
September Dinner at 6:30 PM

15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Masonic Shrine Club Officer’s School
Education Dark until of Instruction
Working Group September Dark until
Dinner 6:30 PM September

22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Eastern Star Scottish Rite in
Dark until Palm Springs
September Dark until
September

29 30 31
Special thanks for excellent service and color prints to:

A beautiful system of Morality, veiled in Allegory, illustrated by Symbols

 Yucca Valley Trestleboard Page 8 of 8
Lodge Officers 2010

Grand Master of the State of

Most Worshipful Kenneth G. Nagel
Yucca Valley Masonic Lodge California
PO Box 686 Worshipful Master Joe Romero, P.M. 228-2515
Yucca Valley, CA 92286
Senior Warden Joseph DuPont 367-4373
PHONE: Junior Warden Vacant
(760) 820-4499
Treasurer Mark Clark 367-7246
FAX: Secretary Oscar Rodriguez 449-0147
(760) 820-4499
Chaplain David Glenn 660-5736
E-MAIL:
Senior Deacon Joseph Johnson PM 365-5764
secretary@masons802.org
Junior Deacon Joseph Pennington 362-2785
Trestleboard Editor: Marshal Wayne J. Stuart 364-4586
T. C. Dowden 418-5236 Senior. Steward James N. Henley 366-2527
TCDowden@roadrunner.com Junior Steward Brian L. Slack 365-6245
Tyler Vacant
We’re on the Web! Officer’s Coach Vacant
See us at:
Inspector 830th Masonic Dist Mert Gayler
www.masons802.org
Telephone Chair
facebook Adriana C. (Tina) Bergamin 365-5523

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/pages/Yucca-Valley-CA/Yucca-Valley-Masonic-Lodge-802/387646035017?ref=sgm

YUCCA VALLEY
MASONIC LODGE
PO Box 686
Yucca Valley, CA 92286
City, ST 78269

“USPS—Identification Statement”
Trestleboard - Published monthly by
Yucca Valley Lodge #802 F&AM
PO Box 686, Yucca Valley CA 92284

A beautiful system of Morality, veiled in Allegory, illustrated by Symbols