Yucca Valley Lodge #802

Yucca Valley California Trestleboard

March 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;
that on which the Worshipful Master lays out his designs for the workmen; a Lodge’s newsletter and calendar of events.

Special Interest
Articles: From the East
Bro. Joseph Romero, PM, Worshipful Master
• From the East. 1
BRETHERN, Hope you all had who sang some of the Oldies.
• From the W est. 4 good time this past month of Again, thank you Elaine and
February! Our Stated Meeting Joseph.
was well attended; unfortunately
Individual On President‟s Day, February
we had more attendees than we
Highlights: 15th, “three Joseph‟s and a
had food prepared! On the good
Friend” placed the flags along have a great Editor, T.C.
side, Tina Bergamin was able to
Editor’s Corner 2 the Highway. We learned we Dowden, who has the Lodge
add quite a few names to her
need to purchase more flags and ahead of the game and I
News 2 phone calling list.
also learned that need a few recommend that you all again
Coming Hom e 3 We did have a good “Coming more volunteers to help out next read the February Trestleboard
A Story 4
Home” meeting on Thursday the time. Please contact Joseph pages 2-8 and 3-8 “Mission,
11th of February; we served Pennington, Chairman. Vision, and Guiding
Quiz 5 Prime Rib and Salad. OK, so the
Joseph Pennington has offered Principles” for Yucca Valley
Fam ous Mason 5 potatoes did not quite get Lodge 802.
his Popeye‟s Handyman
cooked, but we had some good
New W eb Site 6 Services to Masonic Widows at We are still in the process of
conversation, fellowship and
no charge for minor repairs. His making the arrangements for
B2B Section 6 good comments by all. We will
number is 760-362-2785. our 50th Anniversary May 16th
again have a fellowship meeting
Calendar 7 th at 2:00pm.
on St. Patrick‟s Day Wednesday On Tuesday, February 16 ,
Officers 8 March 17th at 6:30 p.m. Please Mark Clark made Clipper Ship Thanks are also in order to
call 228-2515, 365-5764 or 367- Chile and yours truly baked corn Joseph Dupont and Gary
Follow us on Facebook, 4373 if you plan on attending. bread. Unfortunately, the Fair in Mason for their effort and time
where you can upload Indio conflicted with this event
stories, photos and news This month, the roster for the to locate the electrical
events! And check out the
and drew off some attendees. problems in the Lodge
Lodge was divided amongst the
new web site! However, we did enjoy the meal building that occurred on
Officers and we called all of the
and then again on Thursday the Super Bowl Sunday. Brother
members to update our records.
18th we had Chile, Salad and Dupont took time off work to
Please send stories, photos, In doing so, we discovered we
corn bread at 6:30 p.m. and then assist Gary. Come to find-out
comments or corrections to lost a member that made his
the editor at: opened the Lodge to confer a the problem was with SoCal
transition to the Celestial Lodge
TCDowden@roadrunner.com First Degree on Joseph Edward Edison Electric. Thanks
in May, we found some that
Jaynes. Congratulations to the Again.
have changed residences, and
newest Joseph! I am pleased to
Do you want to get
found a few that we were unable
report that we had 18 members Here‟s another reminder to
the Trestleboard
to communicate with. please pay your Lodge dues!
present!
sooner? Sign up for On Saturday the 13th the Lodge I want to thank you all for your
email delivery and
Brother Mark N. Gibson,
held its annual Widows support!
you’ll get it before Trustee for the Grand Lodge of
Luncheon, which was prepared
the 1st and in color! F&AM of California came by on Fraternally, Joseph Romero,
by Elaine and Joseph Johnson,
Send an email to the same evening to talk about WM, PM
with entertainment by Marin,
the editor to sign our Lodge Goals, fortunately we
up.

Our 50th Year in Yucca Valley

 Yucca Valley Trestleboard Page 2 of 8
The Editor’s Corner
Bro. T.C. Dowden 32°

Last month, I included a small Learning about Free-

“Each member of this Lodge
needs to step up and do his
part, in whatever way he
can, to make Yucca Valley
Lodge be the best it can
be.”
essay on a brother that does
not return to the Lodge when
he felt like no one cared
whether he was there or not.
The difference between
growing a Lodge and having
that same lodge atrophying
may well come down to an
active, involved mentorship
program for young (or new)
Masons.
Masonic retention doesn't just Soon, the new member feels
"happen". It is the duty of the that he has attained the
Master of the Lodge to fill any knowledge so that he, too, can
voids in the members'
Masonic education. An active the lodge.
Masonic Mentor Program is
the key to Masonic retention.
Masonic education is one of
the most valuable assets that a
lodge can possess. Teach and
be taught. Help and be
helped. Share information.
Print an appropriate lesson and
hand it to a new member ... be
they an Entered Apprentice, a
Fellow Craft or a newly raised
Master Mason.
masonry's history, its
symbolism and its spiritual
light is necessary for their
ongoing progress.
All Lodge Members (not just
the Master) should also be
encouraged to think about
their new members and ask
those new members if they
have any questions they might
be able to help him with.
become a valued member of
The future of our Lodge is
entirely dependent upon new
members finding, joining, and
assimilating into the Lodge.
New men come to the
fraternity with a set of
expectations, gleaned from
what they‟ve read, seen on the
History Channel, or learned
from their fathers or
grandfathers. We need to
learn what those expectations
are help the new brother with
them.
Masonic Working Group
Something I have wanted to
do for some time, and have
received approval from the
WM, is to establish a
Masonic Education Working
Group. This group would get
together to learn, explore, and
share Masonic information
and thereby help each other
learn those things that
separate our fraternity from
social clubs. There will not
be a restriction on the level of
mason who may attend. We
will meet the third Thursday
of the Month at the Lodge.
The WM plans on serving a
light dinner as well to round
out the experience. If you
wish to join in, come to the
Lodge at 6:30 on the third
Thursday!

Our Newest Entered Apprentices

In the past month, we‟ve welcomed two new
Entered Apprentices to our Lodge. On the left is
D.J. Ross and on the right is Joe Jaynes. These two
young men have sought us out, petitioned, been
investigated, voted on by the Brethren, and been
obligated. Young men like them are the life-blood
of our fraternity.

Welcome them, assist them, and keep them

interested in finding what they have joined us to
find. Do you know who the other EA‟s and Fellow
Crafts are and how they‟re doing?

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

 Page 3 of 8 Yucca Valley Trestleboard
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please take the time to fill out and return this request for updated contact information. Many members of the lodge have
moved or changed their phone numbers and our records have gotten out of date. Please take a few minutes to assist us in
updating our records.

Name Preferred Street Address

City State Zip

(if Different)
Address City State Zip

Home Phone Cellular Phone

Work Phone Fax Phone

Email address Spouse Name __________________________

Choose and check one:

Please include my contact information on a social roster for members of the lodge, should one be made available to
the membership of the lodge only.

Please keep my contact information private. Use only as necessary for official Lodge use.

Send this to the Lodge via email to one of secretary@masons802.org or garymason32@aol.com, or Senior Warden
jdupont1@gmail.com; or call one of the officers listed on page 8; or mail it to Yucca Valley Masonic Lodge, PO Box 686,
Yucca Valley, CA 92286

Coming Home 2010

The Brethren of Yucca Valley Masonic
Lodge got together for the Grand Master‟s
“Coming Home” celebration on Thursday,
February 11th. The turnout was good, and
we had 18 members show up at the Lodge
for food, fellowship, and friendship.

Many thanks to Worshipful Master Joseph

Romero for putting together a fine prime
rib dinner. For those who did not attend,
you missed a good time!

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

 Yucca Valley Trestleboard
THE MASONIC LODGE
DUES CARD
I hold in my hand a little scrap of paper
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches in size. It is of no
intrinsic worth, not a bond, not a check
or receipt for valuables, yet it is my
most priceless possession. It is my
membership card in a Masonic Lodge.
It tells me that I have entered into a
spiritual kinship with my fellow
Masons to practice charity in word and
deed; to forgive and forget the faults of
my brethren; to hush the tongues of
scandal and innuendo; to care for the
crippled, the hungry and the sick, and to
be fair and just to all mankind.
It tells me that no matter where I may
travel in the world, I am welcome to
visit a place where good fellowship
prevails among brothers and friends.
It tells me that my loved ones, my
home, and my household are under the
protection of every member of this
Page 4 of 8
great Fraternity, who has sworn to
defend and protect mine as I have sworn
to defend and protect theirs.
It tells me that should I ever be
overtaken by adversity or misfortune
through no fault of my own, the hands
of every Mason on the face of the earth
will be stretched forth to assist me in my
necessities.
And finally, it tells me that when my
final exit from the stage of life has been
made, there will be gathered around my
lifeless body, friends and brothers who
will recall to mind my virtues, though
they be but few, and will forget my
faults, though they may be many.
It tells me that, and a great deal more,
this little card, and makes me proud yet
humble, that I can possess this passport
into a Society of Friends and brothers
that are numbered in the millions.
SO MOTE IT BE!!

From the West: Bro. Joe DuPont, Senior Warden

When I was informed that the
theme for this month‟s
Trestleboard is mentoring,
and was asked for any
anecdotes, articles or ideas,
the first thing that came to
mind was a podcast I‟d
listened to several months ago
entitled “Kinds of Masons”.
It‟s something of an
„enthusiasm of youth‟ meets
„wisdom of experience‟ story;
it‟s not about history,
Masonic symbols, or regalia -
but about people. It‟s also
something of a humorous tale
that sticks with you.
This month‟s theme also fits
in very well with something I
would like to get started
within the lodge: a mentoring
program for new Masons,
which takes the current
candidate training we do
beyond just teaching them
their proficiency. There‟s a
program for it already
developed but to make this
happen it takes mentors,
Master Masons willing to
commit to the task, and able
to spend at least one night
(perhaps day) every week
working with candidates for
degrees and those seeking
further light. If you are
interested in becoming part
of the Mentors program,
seek me out and make sure I
add your name to the list of
mentors for Yucca Valley
Masonic Lodge.
If you are willing to work
but “Don‟t think you know
enough to be a mentor?”,
then add your name to the
list. We can learn together.

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

 Page 5 of 8 Yucca Valley Trestleboard
Famous Mason: Did You Know? Masonic Symbol Quiz (cont.)
Three future Commandants of the U. S. Marine Corps 11. What does the “Lambskin Apron” represent?
became Freemasons in Overseas Lodge No. 40 during its a. Cleanliness
short existence: General John A. Lejeune, probably the b. Neatness
most outstanding Marine of the Twentieth Century for c. Innocence
whom Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune NC, and John A d. Honor
Lejeune Lodge No. 350, Quantico, VA, were named;
General Wendell C. Neville; and General Lemuel C. 12. What does the "Mosaic Pavement" symbolize?
Shepherd. a. Love and Hope
b. Peace and Harmony
General Shepherd tells this story of General Lejeune‟s
c. Good and Evil
initiation as it originated with fellow U S. Army officers in
d. Charity and Forgiveness
the second Army Division when General Lejeune
commanded it:
13. What does the "Tessellated Edging" of the Mosaic
“General Lejeune is reported to have called his driver and Pavement represent?
told him he was going to Coblenz. When he named the a. The blessings and comforts that surround us
hour of departure, the driver‟s face fell. „I was going to ask b. The trials and tribulations of life
if I could get off this afternoon, sir,‟ he said. „No, you had c. The evils of life
better come along,‟ the General replied, „You will have d. The continual circle of life
plenty of time to yourself in Coblenz.‟ „Yes sir,‟ said the
driver, although he was not wholly cheerful. „Where to, 14. What does the "Blazing Star" symbolize?
sir?‟ he asked as he was entering Coblenz about three a. The North Star
o‟clock that afternoon. The driver gave his chief a peculiar b. An aid to guide your travels at night
look as he nodded that he understood. “At the gate in front c. Reliance on the divine providence
of the Temple, General Lejeune tarried a moment to tell the d. One of heaven's wonders
driver to be back promptly at seven o‟clock. „But, sir,‟ was
the smiling reply, „I also have been notified to report here 15. What does "The All Seeing Eye" represent?
this afternoon,‟ and together they entered the Temple to a. Sanctum Sanctorum
take their First Degrees.” Generals Lejeune and Shepherd b. Holy of Holies
were raised in this same Lodge on the same night. c. Lodge of Master Masons
When General Shepherd, then a company commander, d. Deity
submitted his petition, he was sponsored and coached by Answers: 11-c 12-c 13-a 14-c 15-d
the company gunnery sergeant of his company. He
elaborated and evaluated much later saying, “Thus did
Overseas Lodge develop and strengthen a fellowship
between men of all ranks in the Army and the Marine
Corps.”

Our WM preparing potatoes for Coming Home 2010!

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

 Yucca Valley Trestleboard
New and Improved Yucca Valley Lodge Web Site!
Brethren,
I am pleased to announce that the
new lodge website is up and
running at
http://www.Masons802.org.
Although it is not complete, it is
entirely functional. I envision
this site to be a living breathing
representation of our lodge. It
will provide a format for our
lodge, as a whole, to both keep
the membership of the lodge
informed and engaged but also
provide a way of interacting with
the public. By allowing the
brethren to post articles and
papers that they have written, post
e-books and papers by other
authors on Masonry as well as
maintain an archived collection of
the Trestleboard, we can ensure
that the lodge membership and
the public can have a better, more
informed idea of what we, as a
lodge, are doing.
Brothers who perhaps can not
make it to lodge due to health or
transportation issues can still
actively engage with our lodge
“B2B” – Brother to Brother Section
A beautiful system of Morality, veiled in Allegory, illustrated by Symbols
through the site. I also hope that
this website will begin to serve
as a recruiting tool. Bro.
Dowden has already set up and
begun maintaining a Facebook
page for the Lodge. Along with
ongoing social networking and
the maintaining of an active
website we should be able to
inspire more men without
masonic affiliation to request
information and hopefully
petition.
Through some basic research I
have found that very few lodges
are taking steps like these to
become more technologically
savvy and relevant. I hope that
we, as a Lodge, through
proactive efforts will be able to
expand Freemasonry to our
community, state and country.
Additionally, I would like to
extend an offer to any brother
who is an affiliate member of
Yucca Valley Lodge #802 or
may hold an affiliation with
another lodge. I will design and
develop a website for any
Page 6 of 8
Masonic lodge, free of charge. I
would just ask that the
respective lodge pay for hosting
which would be no more than
$70 per year. I also will need
support from the Secretary of
the respective Lodge to set up
the site and would then ask that
the lodge elect a "webmaster" to
regularly update it. I would
make myself available for
updates and technical support
but could quickly find myself
overwhelmed without help.
You can make these requests or
offer suggestions to me via
phone at 760-343-8175 or via
email at
marquis.joshua@gmail.com
Fraternally,
Bro. Joshua Marquis
 Page 7 of 8 Yucca Valley Trestleboard
Lodge Calendar Our 50th Year in Yucca Valley
Yucca Valley Masonic Center

March 2010
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6
Oasis of Mara Hall Association Stated Mtg 6 PM Breakfast
Stated Meeting Building Board Dinner 6:30 8-10 AM
29 Palms Mtg. 6 PM Open Mtg 7:30 Yucca Valley

7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Eastern Star 6 PM Daughters of the Degree Proficiency Breakfast
Yucca Valley Nile 11:00 Work – 6:30 pm 8-10 AM
Yucca Valley Oasis of Mara
Officer’s Practice

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Men’s Fellowship Masonic Shrine Club Officer’s School
Meeting 6:30 PM Education 11:00 AM of Instruction at
Working Group Yucca Valley Yucca Valley
YV Lodge Lodge 8:30 AM
6:30 PM

21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Eastern Star 6 PM Scottish Rite in Degree Proficiency
Yucca Valley Palm Springs Work – 6:30 pm

Officer’s Practice

28 29 30 31
Pisces Aries

Great Web Sites for Masonic Education:

http://www.themasonictrowel.com/index.htm
http://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/index.html
http://www.freemason.org/
http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/
http://www.whatsamason.org/

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

 Yucca Valley Trestleboard Page 8 of 8

Lodge Officers 2010

Yucca Valley Masonic Lodge Grand Master of the State of

Most Worshipful Larry L. Adamson
PO Box 686 California
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Worshipful Master Joe Romero, P.M. 365-5764
PHONE: Senior Warden Joseph DuPont 367-4373
(760) 820-4499
Junior Warden Vacant
FAX: Treasurer Mark Clark 367-7246
(760) 820-4499
Secretary Oscar Rodriguez
E-MAIL: Chaplain Wayne J. Stuart 364-4586
secretary@masons802.org Senior Deacon Michael Brooks 457-5654
Junior Deacon Joseph Pennington 362-2785
Trestleboard Editor:
T. C. Dowden 418-5236 Marshal David Glenn 660-5736
TCDowden@roadrunner.com Senior. Steward James N. Henley 366-2527
Junior Steward Brian L. Slack 365-6245
We’re on the Web! Tyler Vacant
See us at: Officer‟s Coach Vacant
www.masons802.org
Inspector 830th Masonic Dist Mert Gayler
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—Id e ntific a tio n Sta tem ent ‖

Trestleb o a rd - Pub lished m o nthly b y
Yuc c a Va lley Lo d g e #802 F& AM
PO Bo x 686, Yuc c a Va lley C A 92284
A beautiful system of Morality, veiled in Allegory, illustrated by Symbols