Thunderbird Lodge No. 15 Free and Accepted Masons

Temple Talk

552 North 40^th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85008-6441

Vol. 15, No. 1 www.thunderbird15.org January 2008

From the East:

Greetings brothers, I am sincerely hoping all brothers of Thunderbird # 15 and their families had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a happy New Year. Our Lodge already has plenty to look forward to in this New Year. First I would like to close out 2007 by congratulating our newest EA, J. David, who was passed on December 11, and congratulating Jon Logan for making his proficiency in the lecture on the Master Mason Degree on December 20. Bryan Mack has also made his Third Degree proficiency. And Clint Molodow’s daughter, Chauncy, was initiated into the Rainbow Girls on Dec. 17 at Chandler Lodge #34.

At the stated meeting we were pleased to have as a visitor Dave Dugupta, a Master Mason from India who was visiting relatives here in Chandler. Brother Dugupta was wearing the regalia typical of lodges in India and addressed the lodge about the Masonic history of India, the regalia he wears and about some of the programs his lodge in Mumbai, India, is involved in. While the Blue Lodges in the United States are focused on reading and literacy improvement programs, the lodges in Mumbai place their efforts into assisting widows, orphans and children. It was quite an inspirational talk.

First on the schedule for 2008 are elections at our stated meeting on January 10. A roster of recommendations for officers can be seen in the minutes from the December stated meeting. Next, on January 19 we are having a private showing of National Treasure: Book Of Secrets, to benefit Charles Boles. On Monday, January 21, we will be conducting an official visit to Gila Valley Lodge # 9 in Florence. Particulars on time and place will be given at the stated meeting, or you can call me if you wish to participate. Gila Valley is a Full Moon Lodge. On Saturday, February 23, at 1:00 pm in the Fiesta Room of the Shrine Auditorium, we will have our Installation of Officers, which will also be a Banquet Dinner including a program for Ladies and Widows. The Cena y Serenata (Supper Serenade), a fund raising event for the Stepping Stone Foundation, an education organization, will be held in the Shrine Auditorium on April 18. Our lodge has donated funds toward the rental of the auditorium and has offered to help set up the auditorium to help reduce costs.

In closing, I would like to thank the brothers who have taken up the mantle of responsibility and are giving their time and experience to improve the lodge. It is a good beginning for 2008, but if we want to make this a good, solid lodge with a strong foundation, there is much which has to be done and we need the participation of the lodge brethren to do it, and I look forward to working with you all in 2008.

Jim Drake PM, Worshipful Master

Benefit For Charles Boles

Charles Boles is the son of Past Master Ray Boles, and is the current owner of Ray’s Barber Shop, which, at 60 years old, is Tempe’s oldest barbershop and practically a Tempe Institution. Charles is suffering from intestinal cancer and is currently undergoing treatment, but his prognosis is good. He has already had surgery to remove the cancer and is beginning chemotherapy treatments. Although there is some health insurance to cover medical costs, there is still a fairly heavy burden of co-pays and costs not covered by insurance. The barbershop is also suffering, but not only from the long absence of the owner. For many years, Ray’s Barber Shop was located in downtown Tempe. As the downtown area was redeveloped and ASU expanded, the shop had to relocate to Rural Rd. and Lemon St., behind the Circle K. Then Light Rail construction began and the construction tore up all the roads in the area, making the barbershop all but inaccessible. The shop went from employing about a half dozen barbers to only two. When our lodge found about this, we decided something needed to be done to lend a helping hand to Charles, his family and employees. So we have rented a theater for a private showing of National Treasure: Book of Secrets, on Saturday, January 19. The challenge is for the brothers of the lodge to fill all 270 seats and all proceeds will go the Charles Boles Fund. This event is not open to lodge members only – bring your family or friends or a perspective member and enjoy the movie, support a friend and learn about Masonry. Seating is by pre-paid reservation only and hopefully we will fill all seats prior to the show date. If you want to help out the family, you can also go to Ray’s and see Lloyd and Jesse, the two remaining barbers for your next cut of that shaggy mane or donate to the Charles Boles Fund, account # 457006889784 at any Bank of America Branch.

Change to By-Laws

At the stated meeting held on December 13, a ballot to change our stated meeting date from the second Thursday of the month to the first Thursday of the month was cast by the members present. Notice of this ballot was sent to all members with their dues notices. Those present approved the change of meeting days and the proposed change has been sent to the Grand Secretary for approval of the by-laws committee and the Grand Master. The change is not in effect until signed by the Grand Master, but likely will be in effect by the February stated meeting. Notice of the change will be sent out to all brothers of the lodge as soon as Grand Lodge notifies us.

Dues Notices

This a reminder that dues notices were sent to all lodge members in November, and you will have to have a current dues card to attend tyled meetings after January 1. We still have some dues notices that have not been returned, so please return them by mail or in person. If you did not receive a notice or need assistance, please contact the Secretary or Master.

From the Secretary:

We really appreciate your continued membership in Thunderbird #15. If you have any problems or issues that I can help resolve, please give me a call at 480-759-0253 or send an e-mail to beattyw@msn.com .

Bill Beatty, Secretary

Masonic Birthdays for December, 2007 and January, 2008:

Ali Farrokh, 12/28/02 Daniel Shank, 12/15/88

Francis Tucker, 12/10/87 Warren Walker, 12/21/72

Don Wilcox, 12/13/01

Ralph Blanton, 1/16/57 Kent Fults, 1/31/85

Robert Hill, Sr., 1/21/99 Nicky Lowery, 1/26/78

Shah Maroufkhani, 1/3/90 Clint Molodow, 1/18/99

Jeff Nelson, 1/25/89 Wilbur Robertson, 1/17/69

Irvine Schmidt, 1/24/68 Karl Ungar, 1/31/79

Kenneth Webster, 1/19/89

Calendar:

January

10 – Stated Meeting

19 – National Treasure: Book of Secrets private showing

21 – Visit to Gila Valley #9, Florence

26 – Leadership Conference, Sun City

February

7 – Stated Meeting, if approved by the Grand Master. Otherwise it will be on Feb. 14.

23 – Installation and Banquet

Temple Talk is Published by Thunderbird Lodge No. 15, F.&A.M.

Submit information for the next publication by the 15^th of each month to:

William D. Beatty, Editor

13409 South 40^th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85044-4503

or by E-Mail to: beattyw@msn.com

Direct questions or comments to me at 480-759-0253

Contact List

Master: Jim Drake PM: 480-756-1105 Home, jandvdrake@aol.com

Secretary: Bill Beatty PM: 480-759-0253 Home, beattyw@msn.com

El Zaribah Shrine Center: 602-231-0300

Website: www.thunderbird15.org

Thunderbird Lodge No. 15, F.&A.M.

W.M. * Jim Drake PM Trustee 2007 Stan Wood PM

S.W. * Chuck Bent PM Trustee 2008 Clint Molodow

J.W. * Stan Wood PM Trustee 2009 Bill Beatty PM #

Treasurer Bob Bell PM $ Trustee 2010 Reza Farrokh PM

Secretary Bill Beatty PM

Chaplain David Beacco * Also Trustees Ex-Officio

Marshal Available $ Also Treasurer of Trustees

S.D. Gustavo Rodriguez # Also Secretary of Trustees

J.D. Michael Gattorna

S.S. Available

J.S. Don Wilcox

Tyler Clint Molodow

Thunderbird Lodge No. 15 F&AM

552 North 40^th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85008-6441