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Masonic News & Views -- "What's ah-loor mean?" September 06, 2011 |
| Greetings Brother, Life at the CowChows is moving pretty slowly these days. There was a hint of autumn in the air this morning and it stirred two conflicting yet normal desires. On the one hand the end of summer and the crispness in the air makes one want to get out and get things done. On the other hand it brings on the drowsy desire to roll over and sleep a while longer, which is exactly what I was doing when it began. At first it was a far off buzzing noise that surged and waned like a confused bumble bee with a cough. It penetrated my peaceful drowse and I squeezed my eyes shut against the intrusion. Gradually, it grew louder until it seemed it was right outside my window, and then it turned and faded slowly away. I breathed a deep sigh and settled back into the covers to regain my nap. But, before I could find that point of peaceful slumber it turned again and the angry buzzing noise began growing louder and louder. Finally, I threw off the covers and went to the window. As I watched, Mason, the little brother of the little blond haired girl next door, came into view riding a miniature chopper motorcycle. I continued to watch for a while as he rode up the hill and down the hill, up the hill and down the hill, the angry buzz of the tiny motor growling like a mean junkyard dog. I dressed and went outside and eventually flagged him down. He roared to a stop at the base of the drive and after several moments of pantomime and hand signals he finally shut down the engine. 
"Hi," he said. "What’s all that mean," he asked as he imitated me by squirming and twisting and waving his arms about. "It means turn it off," I said. "It is off," he said looking proudly at the tiny big-boy-bike. "Do they make a silencer for that thing," I asked. "I dunno. What's a silencer." "Something to go on the exhaust pipe to make it quieter," I told him. "Oh, no, they don't," he said with a shrug. "Well, can I ask you something," I said as I settled onto the retaining wall next to the driveway. "Sure," he chirped. Okay, I understand the allure of taking to the open road on a big bad bike with nothing between you and the world but leather and a sheen of sweat, but can you please explain to me what you get from riding up and down the hill over and over and over again?" "Okay," he said, "but can I ask a question first?" "Sure," I told him. "What is it?" "What's 'ah-loor' mean?" "It means attraction," I told him. "So, how about it? What's the deal with riding up and down all day on the same track?" He shrugged his little shoulders and said, "It's fun." "But, how much fun can it be," I asked, "going back and forth to and from the same place over and over?" "I dunno," he said, "wanna try it?" And so I did. And, I have to admit it was fun. I rode his little chopper motorcycle down the hill, and up the hill, and right past a grinning Mason, and through the open garage doorway of the CowChows. The last thing I heard as the garage door growled to a close was the slap of tennis shoes on concrete and a high-pitched voice yelling, "Hey?!" Fraternally yours, Tim Couch Now, on with the news........................ Tuesday, September 6, 2011: Monett Lodge No. 129 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Dinner will be served at 6:00 and Lodge be duly Opened at 6:30 PM. All Freemasons are invited to attend.
Saturday, September 10, 2011: The Region 7 York Rite Conference will be held today at the Masonic-York Rite Temple located at 1930 West Catalpa Street in Springfield, MO. Saturday, September 10, 2011: Charity Shoot for Kids sponsored by Solomon Lodge No. 271. Proceeds from this Sporting Clays Shoot will support McGregor and Bowerman Elementary Schools in Springfield, MO. The event will be held at Ozark Shooters Sports Complex in Branson, MO. Click here to open and print a registration form for this event. For more information contact Brother J.W. Gibbs at (417) 350-2700. Sunday, September 11, 2011: Friend Lodge No. 352 will hold their annual installation of Officers ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 PM and there will be refreshments following. Sunday, September 11, 2011: Bolivar Lodge No. 195 will hold their annual installation of Officers ceremony beginning at 3:00 PM. Tuesday, September 13, 2011: Bolivar Lodge No. 195 will have work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry in conjunction with their Stated Business meeting. Dinner at 6:30 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:30 PM. Thomas Nutter, who has been duly elected, will be presented for initiation into the mysteries of Freemasonry. Tuesday, September 13, 2011: It's once again time for the ever popular Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Corn Roast. It will be held at the usual place at Pat Jones River Park. Gates open at 4:00 PM. This event is free to ABA Nobles and there will be corn, BBQ and Camels Milk. This is a stag event for the members of Abou Ben Adhem and dues cards will be checked at the gate. Wednesday, September 14, 2011: Solomon Lodge No. 271 will hold their annual Installation of Officers ceremony beginning at 7:00 PM. This will be an open event. Family and friends are invited and welcome to attend. Thursday, September 15, 2011: Monett Lodge No. 129 will hold their annual Installation of Officers ceremony. Dinner will be served at 6:30 with the Installation ceremony to begin afterwards. RWB Kevin Sligar, District Deputy Grand Master of the 44th Masonic District will be the Installing Master. This event is open to family and friends. The Tri-County Scottish Rite Club cordially invites all Scottish Rite Masons and their family and friends to enjoy fun and fellowship at their regular meetings held on the third Thursday of each month. Tri-County meets at the Elks Lodge in Bolivar , MO. Social time at 6:30 PM; Dinner and meeting at 7:00. Yearly dues are just $5. Saturday, September 24, 2011: The Valley of Joplin KCCH Club will host the annual Rite Care Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit Joplin Scottish Rite Care. The tournament will be held at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Joplin, MO. This will be a 4-Person Scramble with a shotgun start at 8:00 AM. Entry fee is $85 per player and includes:
Saturday, October 1, 2011: Sparta Lodge No. 296 in Sparta, MO will host a Concealed Carry Firearms class. The classroom portion will begin at 8:30 AM, and then a trip to the shooting range after lunch. The class should be finished around 4:00 PM. Guns will be available or you may bring your own. You'll need about 100 rounds of ammunition, .22 long rifle if borrowing a gun. For more details call 417-880-0074. The Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin needs your help in preserving our beautiful Scottish Rite Cathedral. 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 building please go to WWW.WIN-CAMARO.COM. or visit and "LIKE" the page at Facebook.com/Win-a-new-Camaro. While you're at it be sure and tell your friends. 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 help locating a lodge building visit the Missouri Masonic Lodge Map page on Masonsmart.com
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