Autumn is such a beautiful time of year here at the CowChows that it's tempting to just sit on the back porch and watch the seasons change. And, since I've never known a temptation I couldn't give in to that is exactly what I was doing late this afternoon.

I'd just finished supper and while the Lady BG was cleaning up I slipped out onto the back porch. I eased down into my familiar old rocking chair, propped up my feet and nestled the old work hat that I keep out there for special occasions lightly down over my eyes. I'm not sure how long I'd been dozing when I heard the thud of footfalls on the back steps. I wasn't sure who it was but I was sure they weren't expected, and so I imagined I was dreaming until a timid small voice said, "Whatchya doin?"

"I'm dreaming," I said without moving, or coming out from under my hat, "and in my dream you're not here."

"Oh," came the voice followed by several seconds of silence. His little feet shuffled back and forth on the porch floor boards; he cleared his throat; he sniffled. I smelled little boy sweat as he hovered next to me. Finally, he leaned in close and whispered, "Are you awake yet?"

"No."

"Okay," he said, "but in your dream do you see yourself buying some cookies?"

I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and emerged from under my hat. I looked up and there stood Mason, little brother of the little blond haired girl next door. Blond curls framed his angelic face and he smiled brightly through a ring of chocolate around his lips. "Hello Mason," I said as I sat up in my chair, "what are you up to on this beautiful day?"

"I'm sellin' cookies. Wanna buy some," he asked as he held out a bag of Oreos.

"Did your sister put you up to this?"

"Up to whut," he asked innocently.

"Never mind," I said. "How much are the cookies this year?"

"A dollar."

Surprised, I said, "A dollar for a whole bag of cookies? That's a pretty good deal."

"No," he said snatching the bag away, "not for the whole bag. For one cookie."

"A dollar for one cookie. Are you nuts?"

"No," he said, suddenly turning pouty. "That's just how much they cost."

"Okay," I said. "Who are you selling them for?"

"For me," he said simply.

"Yes, but what organization is sponsoring the fundraiser? Who do you give the money to?"

He looked at me with a puzzled expression. Finally, he shook his head and said, "No organzashun. Just for me."

"Do you mean to tell me you just decided to go out and make fifty bucks on a bag of cookies?"

He studied the bag for while and then said, "Nuh-uh, thirty-six. I got hungry."

"I see," I said. "Well, how many have you sold so far?

"That depends," he said.

"On what?"

He planted one hand on his hip in frustration and sighed, "On how many you want to buy."

As Mason skipped down the back porch steps of the CowChows I called after him, "And tell your sister she's going to have to step up her game with you around."

And then, I turned to take the Lady BG her cookie.

Fraternally yours,

Tim Couch

Now, on with the news........................

Wednesday, October 12, 2011: Clintonville Lodge No. 482 will honor four 50 Year Masons tonight in conjunction with their stated business meeting. Clintonville lodge building is located at 117 North Main Street in El Dorado Springs, MO.

Thursday, October 13, 2011: Pleasant Hope Lodge No. 467 will honor our late Brother Bart Tucker, Past Master, Past DDGM, Illustrious 33rd Degree, Noble of the Mystic Shrine. During the Stated Communication RWB Tucker will be honored and the awards he earned as Master of the Lodge this year will be presented to a loved one.
All Freemasons are invited in.

Friday, October 14, 2011: Hazelwood Lodge No. 459 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry. RWB Dean Rowe's grandson will be presented for advancement to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
The Valley of Joplin 33° Ritual Team will confer the degree. This team of ritualists is made up exclusively of 33° Scottish Rite Masons and this will be an evening to remember. Dinner at 6:00 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM. All Master Masons are invited to attend.
Hazelwood Lodge building is located at 731 East Clinton Avenue in Seymour, MO.

Friday & Saturday, October 21 & 22, 2011: The Fall Reunion of the Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin will take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral located at 505 South Byers in Joplin, MO.
The K.C.C.H. (Knight Commander Court of Honor) Investiture will be held Friday evening. There will be a banquet at 6:30 PM followed by the Investiture at 7:30 PM. Please call 417-623-3219 for details or questions.

Monday, October 24, 2011: Springfield Chapter No. 15 RAM will vote on changes to the By-Laws during the Regular Convocation.
This meeting will also be the Official Visit of Steven C. Monrotus, Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Missouri.
Dinner will be hosted by the Social Order of the Beauceant Ladies to recognize the Past Commanders of St. John's Commandery No. 20. All members are encouraged to attend.
Dinner at 6:00 and Regular Convocation at 7:00 PM.

Friday & Saturday, November 4 & 5, 2011: The Fall York Rite Festival takes place this weekend. Friday night sign-in from 5:30 PM. Degrees start at 6:30 PM until approximately 10:30 PM. There will be a break in the work for light refreshments.
Saturday sign-in and breakfast at 7:00 AM. Degrees start at 8:00 AM until Noon. Lunch will be served by the ladies of the Social Order of the Beauceant (as a fundraiser for the Ladies.) Work will resume at 1:00 PM until approximately 3:30 PM.
All York Rite Masons are encouraged to attend. Contact any York Rite Mason for information and a petition to join the York Rite Bodies.

Friday, November 11, 2011: MWB John Hess, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri will hold an Area/Town Hall Meeting at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 505 South Byers in Joplin, MO at 7:00 PM. All Missouri Freemasons are encouraged to attend.

Saturday, November 12, 2011: MWB John Hess, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri will hold an Area/Town Hall Meeting at the Gate of the Temple Lodge building, 1700 North Boonville in Springfield, MO, beginning with breakfast at 8:00. All Missouri Freemasons are encouraged to attend.

Saturday, November 19, 2011: There will be a C2A (Chance-to-Advance) one-day class at the Gate of the Temple Lodge building, 1700 North Boonville in Springfield, MO. Breakfast will be ready by 7:00; Registration will begin at 7:00 AM and Lodge will be duly Opened at 8:00 AM. This C2A will be hosted by Solomon Lodge No. 271, A.F.& A.M.

Monday, November 28, 2011: York Rite Bodies Years of Service Recognition Dinner will be hosted by the ladies of the Social Order of the Beauceant. Dinner will be served at 6:00 and all members are invited.
The Regular meeting of all York Rite Bodies will begin at 7:00 PM.

Saturday, February 4, 2012: RWB Robert C. Floyd, Grand Lecturer of Missouri Masons will conduct a School of Ritual Instruction and Regional Round Robin Ritual Competition at Monett Lodge No. 129. Lunch will be available at 11:30 AM and instruction will begin at 1:00 PM. All Missouri Master Masons are encouraged to attend.
The Monett Lodge building is located at 501 13th Street in Monett, MO.

Please Note: Due to acts of God and Government this year the date for the drawing for the new Chevy Camaro has been changed to March 17, 2012. Please help the Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin in their efforts to preserve and repair the beautiful Scottish Rite Cathedral in Joplin, MO. And, in helping preserve this piece of American history you could win a brand new Chevy Camaro. Tickets are just $50 each and only two thousand tickets will be offered. There will be cash prizes awarded, as well. For all the details on how you can help us preserve this beautiful and unique building please go to WWW.WIN-CAMARO.COM. or find us on Facebook and "LIKE" the page at Facebook.com/WinANewCamaro. We're a long way from our goal so please help spread the word. We truly appreciate your assistance. Thank you very much.

As you can see there's lots of Masonry going on in Missouri. See the links below to keep up with the latest or to submit information for your upcoming meeting.

For more news of upcoming events and special communications visit the Upcoming Masonic Events page on Masonsmart.com

For a calendar of Stated meetings for many of the Lodges and Masonic bodies visit the Masonic Calendar page on Masonsmart.com

For help locating a lodge building visit the Missouri Masonic Lodge Map page on Masonsmart.com

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