November 5, 2007 Stated Meeting Chicken Marcella & London Broil Feast

A wonderful aroma was wafting through the Lodge as Brothers began arriving. David Bolshazy told me he wasn’t feeling all that well and was going to go home. Just then his Dad, Frank emerged into our Lobby area carrying a large aluminum chaffing pan obviously loaded with food. Frank just had room to place the tin down next to where Dan Newman was sorting through some medallions. Frank quickly disappeared to return shortly thereafter with another tray. He repeated this hauling operation until he had four or five of the large trays of food placed on the marble serving table.

David Bolshazy uncovering dinner as Jim Orr looks on in awe

We had Chicken Marcella, London Broil, Dirty Rice, Special Dressing, and the mixed vegetables. I know you won’t believe this but I actually saw Alan Murphy smacking the vegetables with a serving spoon as he muttered over and over, “suffering succotash”. Frank had brought two sticks of real butter and there was a huge bag of fresh rolls laid out. This was a feast and no doubt about it. There wasn’t even a lot of conversation going on as the Brothers got down to serious consumption. Everything was particularly delicious. Two gallons of Ice Cream and a brand new container of Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup were nearby. There were even cookies to be had.

Serious Feast

I think David did intend to leave early. However Frank kept appearing with more and more food. David pitched in to help the serving get underway by removing the tin foil from the serving platters. Then I noticed David was loading up a plate of his own. I reckon there’s no sense on facing an ailment on an empty stomach. Frank had all the food out and I had a full plate by 6:05 PM. That’s ten minutes before scheduled eating time.

Lodge got underway right about 7:00 PM. We had our Past Grand Master Ovid A. Moore present. In addition, inside Lodge there were eight Past Masters who introduced themselves. Master Beggs noted that there were four more Past Masters outside conducting proficiencies.

An Alarm was sounded at the Outer Door. Six Brothers properly clothed and vouched for desired admittance. That was: PM Richard Gross, Honorary PM Peter Davidson, Arie Marancenbaum, Curtiss Britt, Adam Roberts and PM Ken Keil. PM Richard Gross announced that Brothers Arie and Curtiss had passed suitable proficiencies in the second degree. We all applauded.

November 10, 2007 TABLE LODGE

The evening of Saturday November 10, 2007 found the Brothers of Oasis 41 gathering together for our annual Table Lodge.

The Lines are drawn

Dan Newman and Buck Hogan were out back prepping the grill and Junior Warden Frank Bolshazy was busy getting everything set up for a most memorable evening.

Chef Extraordinary Dan Newman & a grill full of Ribeye Steaks

Frank Bolshazy & Buck Hogan prepare for the onslaught

Seven Toasts

Steaks cooked to perfection

The line up for dinner

Thirty two large steaks and one chicken was the menu. Alan Murphy was seen muttering over the vegetables and referring to them as “sufferin’ succotash”. A few gallons of wine were left over. Frank wanted $12.00 for a bottle. I offered $10.00 and took home a gallon of Carlo Rossi Pisano.

November 12, 2007 Lodge is Dark for Grand Lodge

Our long sought and much coveted Silver State Award

November 19, 2007 Entered Apprentice

Our Las Vegas weather was still holding at above average temperatures. Days have been in the high 70’s to low 80 degrees. Nights have been in the mid 60’s.

I arrived at Lodge around 6:00 PM. I had driven straight from home and was already almost dressed for Lodge. Junior Warden Frank Bolshazy had another huge Hero Sandwich or two displayed out on our side table. I helped myself to three pieces and was quite content.

A delegation of Rainbow Girls was over at the next table. They had items available for donation. I ended up with a Rainbow Girl emblem, a bag of peanut brittle and a small banana nut bread loaf.

As we were about to open Lodge PM Bruce Nelson conducted an auction of baked goods. I was a bit busy studying the lines of the Senior Steward for the Entered Apprentice Degree and didn’t pay a lot of attention to the auction. Then when it seemed as if not too many items remained for auction it occurred to me that one of the Pineapple Upside-down cakes might be a welcome addition to my cache of bakery items. I barged forward waving a $10.00 bill and was declared the successful bidder. A few minutes remained before 7:00 PM opening time. I was rushing out to put my newly purchased cake in the car when I ran into Patrick Price in the Lobby.

Patrick was all dressed in his Tuxedo and ready to be the Senior Steward. I was really happy to see him and much relieved I would no longer have to torture my poor brain trying too get the Steward lines right. Patrick went to instruct the candidate. I went to my car. Upon returning to Lodge I got ready at the Junior Steward station. Master Beggs was not present. Frank was sitting in as Master for the evening. Brother Secretary made a remark that Frank looked like Judge Roy Bean with the Top Hat on.

It was announced under sickness and distress that Brother Bill Cook had lost his Mom. We all felt bad and many individuals rose to express condolences. Bill had arrived about the same time I had and was atop a brand new beautiful motorcycle. I don’t know what kind of a bike it was but it was sure something to behold. Many of the brothers were gathered around the machine admiring it.

Frank as Master and proud New Brother, Dominic Enfante

This night we had candidate Dominic Enfante to be entered into the First Degree. I only got to meet Dominic in the preparation room. I was almost immediately impressed with his desire to become a Mason. He told me he has been a student of History for many years and continually noted the Masonic references. I told him that was my reason for joining also.

We had a pretty routine degree ceremony. Everything went quite smoothly.

After our break and during the second section of the Degree Ceremony Brother Steve Kunda twisted around in his chair to hit the light switch and immediately become ill. Apparently something in his back popped or snapped causing him a great deal of pain. I noticed there was something amiss as Master of Ceremonies Jesse Heki swung around to help lift Steve out of his chair. Steve slowly ambled out of Lodge with a Brother supporting him on either side. Brother Arie Marancenbaum rushed forward to give aid but returned very quickly to his seat. Arie is a doctor and if he couldn’t be of assistance then none of the rest of us could help either. I was very glad Arie was there.

November 26, 2007 Two Master Mason Degrees

I arrived at Lodge a little before 6:00 PM. My camera battery had died on me and I was waiting for it to come off the charger at work or I would have arrived earlier. I was hungry and looking forward to one of Frank’s sandwiches. Alas no sandwich tonight. I did rummage around inside two boxes of doughnuts and found two that would help tide me over.

Two Master Masons

Arcangelo Cocco of Nellis Lodge was present and serving as the Chaperone at the Scottish Rite Clinic. We are acquainted through the York Rite and Scottish Rite. Arcangelo is a painting contractor. His company has been painting the Lodge. I remarked to him how nice everything was looking. He insisted I accompany him outside to look at the work. I know he had to paint the upright columns twice because someone said the first color was too red. Now the uprights are brown. He was quite enthusiastic about the outside lighting. He had one of his guys purchase about a dozen light bulbs to replace the burnt out ones under the eve of the building. He had replaced most of the bulbs on the east side of the building and it really made a big difference. He does intend to replace all of the bulbs along the front of the Building.

Arcangelo also told me he went to purchase a new American Flag for the front of the building because the existing flag was quite tattered and it was not the right size. He said he was in the Flag Store and talking on his cellular phone and happened to mention that the flag was for the Lodge. The owner of the store wanted to know what Lodge. Arcangelo said it was for the MMT Building. The owner proudly proclaimed that that was his Lodge Building also because he was a member of Daylight Lodge. Arcangelo was quite shocked the owner did not offer any discount on the price of the flag that was going to adorn his very own Lodge. I fear Arcangelo is furnishing most of these items out of his own pocket. He was quite incredulous he had to pay $80.00 for a four foot by six foot flag.

Curtiss Britt awaits as Adam Roberts signs in.

I wandered out to my car to drop off my work clothes and retrieve the camera and by the time I got back the Lodge had opened. I forgot we were going to get an early start because of the two Master Mason Degrees to be conferred this evening. Trapped outside with Acting Tyler, Buck Hogan, was myself, Michael Creason and Adam Roberts, a guest. We three Master Masons suitably dressed and vouched for were just about to cause an alarm at the Outer Door when Lodge was suspended for refreshment.

Lodge reconvened at 7:00 PM with one sitting Master, our James H. Beggs of Oasis 41 introduced on the sidelines. Senior Warden Mike Duncan would be conferring the Degrees.

Tonight Arie Marancenbaum and Curtiss Britt would become Master Masons. I noticed one of the Bibles on the Altar had another book on top of it. Brother Secretary, PM Mike Rinehardt announced that Arie was of the Jewish Faith and would involve his own Bible, the Tanuch.

New Master Masons with Master James H. Beggs

Master Mason Arie Marancenbaum & Past Grand Master Ovid Moore

The two Degrees having been completed in fine fashion things were winding down. It was announced by Master Beggs who had somehow gotten into the Junior Warden seat behind me that he would like to retrieve our Golden Bull Trophy. Mr. Beggs said the Trophy now resides in Goldfield and it would take five of our officers and other Lodge members to travel to Goldfield to get it back. I can tell you everyone did not jump up all at once to get involved in that venture. When it really appeared as if no one else was going to volunteer to go along I tentatively raised my hand to indicate I would attempt to participate. We will be departing from Lodge at 6:00 AM on Saturday to have Breakfast and lunch in Goldfield and return around 4:00 PM. God Help Me. I usually sleep until 9:00 AM on Saturday and then I take a nap.