Guilt can do strange things to the mind, especially if the mind is a little strange to begin with. It began this morning. The Lady BG and I were lingering over breakfast, sipping coffee and chatting about this and that. Suddenly, she shrieked and pointed out the window; "Get 'em!" she cried.

I turned and there wandering about the yard were two of the neighborhood dogs, a Beagle and a black puppy with white stocking feet. It's not that we don't like dogs. In fact, we're both dog lovers. It's just that we don't appreciate the gifts they leave in the yard when they come to visit. If we wanted to clean up dog crap we'd have our own dogs.

And so, I bolted for the door and stormed out onto the back porch and did my best impression of "the mean guy." I stomped my feet and clapped my hands and spoke to them in a most harsh tone. The Beagle waddled off down the hill and the puppy followed, stopping every few steps to look back and wag his stub of a tail as if it must all be a game.

I continued my rant until they disappeared around the corner of the house, and then I went back inside feeling as if I'd just yelled at an innocent puppy. I imagined him years from now lying on a little doggie therapist's couch saying, "I have this recurring nightmare of a guy yelling and stomping his feet and I don't know why, and I wake up trembling with fear."

A couple of hours later there was a ruckus out front of the CowChows and I stepped outside to see what was going on. The ruckus was just ordinary noisy neighbor stuff, and as I turned to return to the house I heard it, "Roor, Roor, Roor."

The Beagle and the puppy were in the yard of the little blond haired girl's house next door. The Beagle dog was looking directly at me and barking that plaintive, accusing bark that only a Beagle can. The little black puppy stood a few feet behind the Beagle still wagging his stub and wanting to be friends. Maybe I imagined what the Beagle did next, but I could swear he sat up on his haunches and started clapping his front paws together as he continued to bark. Suddenly, I could clearly understand canine-speak and I knew exactly what the Beagle dog was saying, and it wasn't very nice. I only hope that my impression of "the mean guy" wasn't as convincing as his of "the mean dog."

I tucked my tail between my legs and went inside.

Fraternally yours,

Tim Couch

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

Monday, November 7, 2011: Branson Lodge No. 587 will have work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry in conjunction with their regular business meeting. One duly elected candidate will be presented for the degree of Entered Apprentice. Dinner at 6:00 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011: Mansfield Lodge No. 543, as a courtesy to Ava Lodge No. 26, will have work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Two candidates will be presented for advancement to the degree of Fellow Craft. Lodge will by duly Opened at 7:30 PM.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011: Henderson Lodge No. 477 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 2nd and 3rd Degrees of Freemasonry. Brother Mark A. Sterling will be presented for advancement to the degree of Fellow Craft, and Brother Roger Cowan will be presented for advancement to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Dinner at 6:00 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:30 PM. The Henderson Lodge building is located at 127 East Center Street in Rogersville, MO.

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 12, 2011: Friend Lodge No. 352 cordially invite you to dinner from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the American Legion Post building located at 2160 South Scenic in Springfield, MO. Dinner will feature Hamburgers or Brats with Chips and Drink, and your $5 donation will be greatly appreciated. All are welcome. Please stop by for good food and great fellowship.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011: Bolivar Lodge No. 195 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry. Two candidates will be presented for advancement to the sublime degree of Master Mason. One of the degrees is courtesy work for a lodge under the Masonic jurisdiction of Nevada. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:30 PM.

Thursday, November 17, 2011: Henderson Lodge No. 477 will have the privilege of honoring a Brother with 67 years of Masonic service. Dinner will be ready at 6:30 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:30 PM.
Henderson Lodge No. 477 meets at 127 East Center Street in Rogersville, MO.

Friday, November 18, 2011: Forsyth Lodge No. 453 will hold its annual Stew & Chili Fundraising Dinner. The proceeds from this event will assist those in the area who have needs during the Holiday Season and throughout the year.

• Dinner will be served from 4:30 to 7:30 PM.
• Cost is $6 for all you can eat.
• Children under 6 years eat free.

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.

Saturday, November 19, 2011: You are cordially invited to a Fish Fry Dinner hosted by Springfield Chapter No. 15 Royal Arch Masons.

• Fish, French Fries, Cole Slaw, Drink and Dessert
• Dinner will be served from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
• Everyone is Welcome
• A $6 donation is appreciated.
• 1930 West Catalpa Street, Springfield, MO

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.

Monday, December 12, 2011: Date Change - The December meeting of Springfield Chapter No. 15 Royal Arch Masons, Zabud Council No. 25 Cryptic Masons, and St. John's Commandery No. 20 Knights Templar has been moved to December 12 to avoid any conflicts with Christmas and Holiday plans. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM.
In January the schedule will return to 7:00 PM on the 4th Monday of each month at the Masonic-York Rite building located at 1930 West Catalpa Street in Springfield, MO. All York Rite Masons are encouraged to attend.

Sunday, December 18, 2011 @ Noon: Masons' Day at the Edward Jones Dome. The St. Louis Rams would like to invite Masonic members, friends and family to watch the Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals!
$40 includes:

• Savings of $10/ticket
• Upper Terrace Level Ticket
• $10 Food and Beverage Voucher
• Portion of the proceeds will benefit Missouri Child Identification Program

• Savings of $10/ticket
• Sideline Terrace Level Ticket
• $10 Food and Beverage Voucher
• Portion of the proceeds will benefit Missouri Child Identification Program

• Phone: Eric Simonis at (314) 425-0522
• e-mail: esimonis"at"rams.nfl.com
• Mail: 901 N Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63101

Monday, January 30, 2012: Webb City Lodge No. 512 will host a Region 'F' School of Ritual Instruction. Dinner at 6:00 and instruction will begin at 6:30 PM. The Webb City Lodge building is located at 401 West Broadway Street in Webb City, MO.

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.

Save the Date! Saturday, February 18, 2012: Webb City Lodge No. 512 will host the 98th Annual Washington's Birthday Celebration with Masonic Degree work by three different States. The 1st Degree will be performed by Grove Lodge No. 187 of Oklahoma; the 2nd Degree by Pittsburg Lodge No. 187 of Kansas, and the 3rd Degree by Webb City Chapter No. 119 Royal Arch Masons of Missouri. The 3rd Degree will be done in full costume and promises to be most impressive.
Webb City Lodge building is located at 401 West Broadway in Webb City, MO. and the event will start at Noon.

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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