News

April 2021 Trestleboard

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Hopefully, everyone’s backs are healed up from shoveling snow after that last storm! Even though it doesn’t quite feel like it yet, Spring is here! 

We have had a productive March.  Bros. Joshua Fraedrich and Connor Gould were passed to the degree of Fellowcraft.  We’re proud of you Brothers!

April looks to also be busy.  Our first meeting of the month is on April 1st.  We will be opening early before dinner to tend to some business, then after dinner, we will be initiating three candidates into the Fraternity.  Make sure you attend this meeting and as always, RSVPs are required for dinner.  You can make your reservation at this link

On April 10th, we will be attending the Boulder Polar Plunge.  This event is being held at the Boulder Reservoir again this year.  If you signed up for this event and haven’t received an email about it from the organizer, please reach out to WB Tom Shotts at tomshotts@comcast.net.  We have printed new t-shirts for the event as well.  

Our second meeting on April 15th will consist of hearing two proficiencies and then cutting out early to enjoy a beer after Lodge.  We did this after the last meeting and it was a great opportunity for fellowship.

The deadline is closely approaching to submit applications for our Annual Scholarship Night.  The applications and essays are due to the Lodge by April 15th.  If you know of anyone who is attending college or a trade school in the Fall, please make sure they turn in an application.  Scholarship Night will be on May 20th.  

Stephen Carlson

Meet Stephen

Pablo Colomban Meet Denver 5 Tagged

This is another installment in a series where we will introduce some of our members. These are the up-and-coming leaders of our Fraternity. These are men from all walks of life. Fathers, sons, husbands… and we all call each other Brothers. These are just some of the stories behind Denver Lodge No.5.

Meet Stephen Carlson.

Stephen is a Colorado native who was initiated as a Mason at Denver Lodge No. 5 in November of 2018. His favorite things to do are going to lakes and reservoirs with his stand-up paddleboard, and spending time with friends and loved ones. He has two dogs, one of them is a former racing greyhound.

Stephen had been a great addition to D5 and we’re always happy to see him. Say hi to him at our next meeting.

March 2021 Trestleboard

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Greetings from the East!

Brothers,

February has been a great month for Denver Lodge No. 5.  We were able to meet in-person for the first time in 2021 and it felt great to be back in the Lodge room with all of you!  We have been taking precautions to make it a safe environment.  We are still taking temperatures at the door, spacing out in the dining room and the Lodge room.  You are welcome to wear a mask during the meeting as well.  We still ask that you MUST MAKE A RESERVATION.

We had two proficiencies at the last meeting.  Bro. Connor Gould did a great job on his EA proficiency and Bro. Joshua Ruegsegger, J.D. dazzled us with an excellent MM long-form proficiency.  I’m very proud of you both!

Coming up in March things are not slowing down.  We will be opening Lodge early on March 4th at 5:30 pm to hear another EA proficiency and handle some business.  Then after dinner, we will be doing two FC Degrees.  This will be our first time doing degree work this year and we are excited to get back to work.

On March 18th, we will be hearing a presentation from Pablo Colomban, P.M. titled “That Other American Revolution Led by Masons”.  Dinner will be at 6:30 pm and Lodge will open at 7:30.

A couple of reminders:

The scholarship application due date has changed.  The new date is April 15, 2021.  If you know any students that are going to college or trade school in the Fall, please encourage them to apply for the scholarship.  The link to the application can be found online here.

This is a second reminder about paying your dues.  If you have not yet sent a check or paid via Paypal on our website, please do so as soon as possible!

The Boulder Plunge is taking place on April 10th from 8:00 am – 1:30 pm. This is always a fun family activity so bring out the kids and loved ones. This event is also open to any prospective candidates. And if you don’t want to brave the cold waters, they will also be holding a 5k that you can participate in. If you are interested in participating, please contact WB Tom Shotts.

I look forward to seeing you all in March!

Michael Rotert, W.M.

February 2021 Trestleboard

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Greetings from the East!

I hope this message finds everyone happy and healthy!

Denver Lodge No. 5 has a lot going on this month.

We have a large number of prospects that have been attending our meetings, both in-person on online.  A number of them have put in petitions so we will be looking forward to doing a lot of degree work in the coming weeks.  If you are interested in being involved with putting on these degrees, we would love to have you.  Please reach out to me if you want to be involved.

Our first meeting is on February 4th via Zoom.  We will again open the meeting at 6:30 pm for prospects and then at 7:00 pm, the meeting will be opened to Masons only.  I am going to present a lecture I have been working on called “Truths in your Toolbox”.  If you haven’t already, please contact WB Pablo Colomban to be added to the Zoom list. He will send out a link to the meeting via email a couple of days before the meeting.

We are going to open back up to an in-person Lodge meeting for our second meeting on February 18th.  This is going to be a busy meeting.  We have a lot of proficiency work that has been delayed and a lot of business to take care of.  We want to make sure the building is a safe place to meet.  We will be taking temperatures at the door and will be allowing for social distancing in the dining room.  It is also very possible to spread out in our Lodge room.  You are welcome to wear a mask during Lodge if this makes you feel more comfortable.  As always, there will be hand sanitizer available.  I also want to reiterate that if you are not feeling well, please do not come to Lodge.  We miss seeing everyone in Lodge and want everyone to feel comfortable in attending our meetings! Due to Covid restrictions, your RSVP is required with the Junior Warden so that we can make proper arrangements.

A few last notes…if you have not yet paid your dues, they are now late.  Please use the PayPal tab on our website or send a check to the secretary.  Let’s help save Bro. Secretary from having to send you a late notice.  Also, the scholarship applications are now available to download on our site.  If you know of someone who is interested in applying for the scholarships, we are accepting them now until May 15th.

Hope you all have a great month and I hope to see you soon!

Michael Rotert WM

 

 

tim-mcdowell

Meet Tim

Pablo Colomban Meet Denver 5 Tagged Tags: , , , ,

This is another installment in a series where we will introduce some of our members. These are the up-and-coming leaders of our Fraternity. These are men from all walks of life. Fathers, sons, husbands… and we all call each other Brothers. These are just some of the stories behind Denver Lodge No.5.

Meet Tim McDowell.

Tim grew up in Pennsylvania, went to culinary school in New England, and arrived in Colorado on July 4th, 1999. The mountains were calling and he’s never looked back! He is an avid cyclist, snowboarder, cinephile, and cook. He has degrees in the Culinary Arts, Film Studies, and Business Management. Tim is an entrepreneur at heart and has worked for himself for over a decade. Tim, his wife Lisa, and son Sylvan live in Denver, CO. He became a Freemason in April of 2018 at Denver Lodge No.5. Both of his Grandfathers were Freemasons in Pennsylvania. The tenets of Freemasonry have helped him become a better husband, father and to find the balance of work/life.

D5 is lucky to have Tim as Junior Warden this year. Say hi to him at our next meeting.

January 2021 trestleboard

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Brothers,

I hope this message finds you well! We are in the midst of the lost week between the holidays and the New Year. I’m really not sure what day it is, but I do know that I have been eating plenty. I hope you find yourself in the same situation!

Like almost everything that has happened in 2020, we have had to get creative in how we approached installation this year. Normally, on a Saturday after our last December meeting and before the holidays, we would all gather for a nice meal with our families and friends and then do our annual installation of officers. This wasn’t possible this year, so instead of trying to do an installation on a Zoom meeting, we took the opportunity to bring the installation to you in the form of a movie. I am no Scorsese, so we are using the term “movie” lightly, but I invite you to join us on January 7th at 7:00 pm via Zoom to watch the installation. I will be opening the Zoom call at 6:30 to give the opportunity for prospects to ask any questions and so I can find out what Santa brought you.

To RSVP and receive the Zoom meeting link please contact WB Pablo Colomban

For our second “meeting” in January, Right Worshipful Brother Ray Dunn, who is currently the Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge is going to join us virtually to give us a talk on leadership. The details for this meeting will also be sent out at a later date.

The current status of things in our Country and State are not very conducive to having our normal meetings, but hopefully, things will continue to improve. In the meantime, I will be working to try to create opportunities for us to enjoy fellowship. Whether virtually or being together in person. This is definitely not the way I wanted to start my year in the East, but we’ll be working to make the best of it.

As always, I greatly appreciate all of you and look forward to seeing you soon!

WM Michael Rotert

November 2020 Trestleboard

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Revised October 30th, 2020

October has been a great month for Denver Freemasonry!  At our first stated communication, we initiated three new brothers in our fraternity.  Many thanks go out to the brethren that participated in the degree work that made the evening a success!  On October 10th we held a charity 5K Run/Walk and Food Drive at Sloan’s Lake in the beautiful fall weather.  Almost 20 brethren, prospects, and family participated and we collected 430 pounds of non-perishable food that we donated to Soldier’s Angels, a non-profit organization that distributes food to needy veterans.  The bulk of Soldier’s Angels work comes around the holidays, so stay tuned for another volunteer opportunity for us to donate our time to help this worthy cause.  I want to recognize Brother Tim McDowell for his efforts putting together the event and finding the veterans charities for us to support this year!  At our second stated communication, we voted on amendments to the Denver #5 by-laws.  Five amendments passed and one was withdrawn so that the Scholarship and Education Committee could refine the amendment and resubmit it to the lodge.

We continue to have an average of 10 prospective members at each of our dinners, which means we’ll have several more initiations to perform over the next 6 months.  That also means we have a great need for brethren to volunteer additional time to be mentors for these new members as they journey through the degrees.  Our posting program continues to be one of the best Denver; however, it takes a lot of time to teach and mentor and the more seasoned Masons we have that can volunteer some time on Wednesday nights, or even to do phone posting, the more we can take off the shoulders of the Posting Committee.  Please contact James Bechtel if you’re interested in helping out with posting.

Due to the increased Covid-19 restrictions, we must wistfully transition our meetings to virtual format for the month of November. We will continue to monitor the situation and transition back to in-person meetings as soon as possible.

Our next virtual communication is on November 5, 2020 at 7:30 pm via Zoom.  This lodge meeting is our annual Heritage Night celebrating the first lodge meeting held in Denver on November 3, 1858.  We will have a guest speaker, WB Patrick Dey, who will be giving a presentation on MW Lawrence N. Greenleaf who was Worshipful Master of Denver #5 in 1866, 1868, and 1869, and Grand Master of Colorado in 1880.  Please RSVP to receive the Zoom meeting information.

Our second virtual communication is on November 19, 2020 at 7:30 pm via Zoom.  Stay tuned for more information.  Please RSVP to receive the Zoom meeting information.

Posting in person will be on a limited basis in order to comply with current restrictions.  Please contact James Bechtel for scheduling.

I pray the Grand Architect of the Universe will guide us through these uncertain times and return us to normal in the near future.

Fraternally,

Kevin Trabert
Worshipful Master
Denver Lodge #5 A.F. & A.M

September 2020 Trestleboard

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Greetings from the East,

I continue to be amazed by the quantity of prospective members showing interest in our fraternity.  At our last stated communication, we had 11 prospects join us for dinner (3 of whom have been elected to receive the degrees of masonry).  This proves that even with all of the madness in our society today, there are still men of high caliber that are seeking knowledge and truth and posses a desire to be part of something bigger than themselves.  Although, I shouldn’t be surprised since Freemasonry has thrived for centuries, surviving pandemics, revolutions, world wars, political movements, etc.  I encourage each of you to spend some time with our prospective members sharing about your masonic journey.

During the business meeting at our last stated communication, we caught up on minutes, voted on one petition for membership, and received an update from the Library, Archives & Antiquities committee about our project to digitize our archives.  For education, MWB Claud Dutro gave a presentation on the National Sojourners after which the lodge voted to donate funds to the National Sojourners’ program to send high school students to attend the Youth Leadership Conference at Valley Forge.  The lodge additionally voted to donate funds to Vet Expeditions, a non-profit organization that enables veterans to overcome challenges from their military service through outdoor leadership and community.  Our donation will enable as many as 30 veterans to attend a weekend expedition in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  The lodge also voted to support the Colorado Veterans Project virtual 5K race and food drive.  More details will be published soon, but the 5K walk/run will be open to all lodge members, family, prospects and friends on October 10, 2020.  The lodge will cover the cost of the race; however, we encourage each participant to donate non-perishable food, which we will deliver as a group to a local food bank.

At our next stated communication on September 3, 2020, we will have a discussion on the Landmarks of Freemasonry, hear proficiencies, and discuss more about the Colorado Veterans Project virtual 5K.  Please RSVP for dinner to Brother Michael Rotert, SW.  I hope for a good turn-out for the discussion on the Landmarks as each of us will have different ideas and opinions on the subject.  Additionally, this will be the last meeting for members to submit proposed changes to our bylaws so that we can have 30-day written notice prior to the vote on October 15, 2020.

On September 17, 2020 we will be conducting an Entered Apprentice Degree for three new members.  We would love to have a great turn-out for the degree!  Please RSVP for dinner to Brother Michael Rotert, SW.  If you would like to participate in the degree, please email Brother Michael Rotert, SW.  We will have a practice for the degree on Wednesday, September 9 at 6:30 PM at the lodge.

On September 26, 2020, Kiowa Lodge #116 will be holding their annual Outdoor Master Mason degree.  I’ve challenged two of our newest Fellowcrafts to become proficient in time to be raised during this unique opportunity.  More details will follow.

I look forward to seeing everyone in lodge!

 

Fraternally,

Kevin Trabert

Worshipful Master

Denver Lodge #5 A.F. & A.M

 

 

 

Upcoming Events:

  • September 3, 2020: Stated Communication. Education on the Landmarks of Freemasonry.  Dinner at 6:30 PM followed by lodge at 7:30 PM.
  • September 9, 2020: EA degree practice and posting at 6:30 PM.
  • September 17, 2020: Entered Apprentice Degree.  Dinner at 6:30 PM and degree work to follow at 7:30 PM.
  • September 26, 2020: Kiowa Lodge #116 Outdoor Master Mason Degree.  More details to follow.
  • October 1, 2020: Stated Communication.  Education on the Masonic Symbolism of the Forget-me-not Flower.  Dinner at 6:30 PM followed by lodge at 7:30 PM.
  • October 10, 2020: 5K walk/run supporting Colorado Veterans Project.  More details to follow.
  • October 15, 2020: Stated Communication.  Voting on proposed changes to the Denver Lodge #5 bylaws.  Dinner at 6:30 PM followed by lodge at 7:30 PM.

August 2020 Trestleboard

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Greetings from the East,

It was great to see several of you in person at our last stated communication!  After several months of being closed, Denver #5 met at the lodge for a stated communication on 7/16.  During the meeting we voted on reinstating one brother, elected a candidate to receive the degrees of masonry, and received two new petitions for membership.  Additionally, we voted to proceed with the first phase of scanning our historical records, heard a Master Mason proficiency, and received three proposed changes to our bylaws.

We will be voting on proposed changes to our bylaws at the stated communication on October 15, 2020.  If there are other proposed changes to the bylaws, they must be presented to the lodge at a stated communication no later than the stated communication on September 3, 2020.  This will allow for the required 30-day written notice before we conduct the vote on October 15, 2020.

At our next stated communication on August 6, 2020, we will be conducting a Fellowcraft Degree for three of our proficient Entered Apprentices.  We would love to have a great turn-out for the degree!  Please RSVP for dinner to Brother Sean Murphy, JW.  If you would like to participate in the degree, please email Brother Michael Rotert, SW.  We will have a practice for the degree on Wednesday, July 29 at 6:30 PM at the lodge.

I look forward to seeing everyone in lodge!

Fraternally,

Kevin Trabert

Worshipful Master

Denver Lodge #5 A.F. & A.M

 

Upcoming Events:

June 2020 Trestleboard

Pablo Colomban Uncategorized Tagged

Greetings from the East,

Wow!  What a crazy year this has been so far!  I hope everyone has emerged from the pandemic with good health and are returning to normalcy in your lives.  I know I have missed everyone and I can’t wait to return to Lodge for fellowship and brotherly love.

Denver Lodge No.5 will hold a Zoom meeting on June 18, 2020, at 7:30 PM to discuss the plan for reopening the Lodge and the schedule of Lodge activities for the summer.  I highly encourage everyone to attend this Zoom meeting to provide input.  Discussion topics will include:

  • Timeframe and concerns of resuming in-person meetings
  • When to conduct degree work over the summer
  • Fun lodge & family activity
  • Committee reports from:  Membership & Posting, Visitation, and Community Outreach

No lodge meeting on July 2, 2020.  Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July celebration!

Denver Lodge No.5 will begin meeting in person on July 16, 2020, with dinner at 6:30 PM and lodge to follow at 7:30 PM.  Please RSVP to Brother Sean Murphy, JW to ensure we are able to meet the necessary COVID guidelines.  As we return to lodge, we will adopt the current safety protocols of social distancing, limiting physical touch, and wearing masks while not able to maintain physical distance.  Please note that the lodge building has been thoroughly cleaned while we’ve been away and will continue to be cleaned on a routine basis.  All Freemasons are encouraged to determine whether to attend lodge based on your individual health and risk factors and those of your family.  We’d love to see you in lodge, but at no time should you feel compelled to attend lodge against the best interests of your health and welfare.  Please remain flexible as we adapt to changes in the COVID guidance and as the protest situation around downtown changes.

Typically, the lodge will “go dark” during the summer months.  Historically, this was because the miners would return to the mountains in search of precious metals.  Contemporarily, the reason is to allow for family vacations and relaxation.  Since we have a lot of masonic work left to be done, I plan on holding stated and special communications during the summer.  I understand that some of you may miss lodge activities due to vacations or other summer events.  Stay tuned to the trestle board and website for upcoming meetings and degree work.

I hope everyone had the chance during the pandemic to contemplate on the glorious works of creation and reflect on our masonic teachings.  Patience, temperance, fortitude, immortality, and perseverance were just a few of our virtues that I found myself contemplating over the past few months.  And just as I thought we were emerging from the darkness, society found itself in the middle of protests and riots.  These recent events reminded me of our duties that are given to us in the Entered Apprentice Charge; please refresh yourselves on these duties.  We, as Freemasons, are the bedrock of our nation.  Now more than ever in our lifetimes we must be there to support, encourage, and assist as our nation rebuilds.  Let’s celebrate the diversity of Denver Lodge as we dwell together in unity and use it to our advantage as we spread light throughout society.

Fraternally,

Kevin Trabert
Worshipful Master
Denver Lodge #5 A.F. & A.M