The Trestle-Board

Ecumenical Breakfast Feb. 26th

Meridian Lodge #33 (Prince Hall), Century Lodge #764 and the Knights of Columbus are co-sponsoring an ecumenical breakfast on Saturday, February 26th. The breakfast will be held at the Primo Club, located east of Lawrence, Indiana at 5649 Lee Road.

The keynote speaker will be Marvin Bardo on the topic of "Saving Today's Youth."

The price is $12, and the event runs from 8AM until 10AM. This is the 7th year for this outstanding event, and is an great opportunity for men of these three organizations to meet together on a common platform.

Valentine's Dinner small but mighty

A group of 13 brethren and their ladies gathered on February 10 at 8:00 PM at the Hollyhock Hill restaurant for a fantastic 3-way family dinner (steak, chicken, and shrimp) arranged by the Worshipful Master. Roses were presented to the ladies and an evening of good fellowship, conversation and fun ensued.

Oh, and eating. Lots of eating. Can't forget that.

Pictures will be posted as soon as they are made available to your editors.

Lodge moves to formalize Building Fund

As many of you already know, the Lodge has been collecting seed money to create a Building Fund for the last two years. To date we have collected about $835 for this purpose.

In order to create the actual fund in which the money collected will be deposited, a bylaws change is required. The following amendment to the Bylaws of Broad Ripple Lodge was presented at the February Stated Meeting and was laid over for discussion and a vote at the March Stated Meeting. Per the requirements of our bylaws, this notification will be published in the paper Trestle-Board and distributed to all members of the lodge by US Mail.

Change: Add a new Article 13, to read:

Article 13

The Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643 Building Fund

The Lodge shall create and maintain The Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643 Building Fund, to be administered by the Trustees at the will and pleasure of the Worshipful Master and with the consent of the Lodge, which may be used for the following purposes:

1. Purchase or construction of a new Lodge building with the approval of the Supervisory Committee of the Grand Lodge of Indiana.
2. Renovation or improvement to the existing Lodge building.
3. Necessity deemed worthy or urgent.

Message from the Worshipful Master

I have a request for much needed help for three jobs in the next several weeks, one of which is on a Friday.

We are preparing the lodge for our OES Chapter's 100th Anniversary and other special events.

On Saturday, February 12th at 9:00 am., the downstairs floor tile will be stripped and waxed. We are going to need several volunteers on Friday, February 11th at 6:00 pm., to help relocate tables, chairs, sofa's and other furniture from the downstairs to the upstairs. As the kitchen, pantry and back hallway are not being cleaned, we can utilize these area's for the heavier items. Also, a couple of strong arms will be greatly appreciated to help move the Coke Machine from the building to the bed of my truck for it's trip to the vending machine grave yard in the sky. On the 17th, we will work together to bring everything back down and set up. Probably then, one of the sofa's will be carried to my truck to be taken to it's resting spot as well.

On Thursday, February 24th also at 6:00 pm., we again will need help moving furniture from the upstairs to other rooms so that the carpet can be cleaned the following morning, Friday 25th at 9:00 am.

Also, at this months Stated Meeting we plan on Opening Lodge at 6:00 pm so that we can have time to conduct our stated meeting, adjourn by 7:30 pm and make our way to Holly Hock Hills for our annual valentines dinner. If you have not already done so, please contact our secretary today and let him know you and your lady plan to attend.

In March, I will be looking for a clear, sunny and dry Saturday morning for our members to make the annual visit to the Mustards Grave and give respect and reflecting on their generosity to us at Broad Ripple. That date will be announced in March.

Todd Ebbert, WM
Broad Ripple Lodge #643

Valentine's Dinner February 10th

Make a date with to be with your special lady! Join us for our Stated Meeting on Thursday, February 10th. Lodge will open at 6:00PM. We will then close and meet our ladies at Hollyhock Hill at 8:00PM for a special Valentine’s Day dinner. Make your dinner reservations now by contacting our Secretary, Wbro. Nathan Brindle at 876-2147, or by e-mail at secretary@brlodge.org

Please make your reservations RIGHT NOW, while you’re thinking about it! We must have a final count by Monday, February 7th!

Cost of the dinner will be $20 per person. Come out and treat your lady to a great evening!

[Bumped up on 2/1/2005, ncb]

Indianapolis Arts Chorale at Freemason's Hall

The Indianapolis Arts Chorale presents "Vocal Jazz: A Tribute To Women", featuring special guest Jennie DeVoe, on Saturday, March 5, 2005, 8:00 PM.

The concert will be held in Freemason's Hall of the Indianapolis Masonic Temple, 525 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis.

Featuring the music of Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Billie Holiday, and others.

For tickets, call 317-847-9673.

ADDED LATER: Costs are as follows: $20.00 regular, $15.00 senior (55), and $10.00 for students. Benefits the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Arts in Indiana, Indiana Arts Commission

Masters and Wardens to hold Valentines Dinner

Your secretary has received a notice from WBro. Ken Ruckersfeldt, secretary of the Marion County Actual Masters and Wardens Association, informing us that all Master Masons and their Ladies are invited to the Association's February 12th meeting, hosted by Indianapolis Lodge No. 669, to be held at Lynhurst Lodge No. 723, 1239 S. Lynhurst Ave., Indianapolis.

Dinner will be served at 6:30 PM ($5 each), and the meeting with entertainment will begin immediately after dinner.

Reservations are required. Please RSVP no later than noon, Wednesday, February 9, to

Ken Ruckersfeldt, PM
888-6289 or krucks@chilitech.com

Late Reservations to:
James E. Sinders, WM
856-5832

EA Degree Thursday Feb. 3rd

Broad Ripple Lodge #643 will confer the Entered Apprentice degree on a worthy candidate on Thursday, February 3rd. An outstanding meal will be served by our always excellent Knife & Fork Committee at 6:00PM, and the degree will begin at 7:00PM.

All brethren are always welcome. Come see us soon at Broad Ripple Lodge!