Lodge Clean up 5-28-11

Brothers, we had another great Lodge clean up on 5.28.11.   The turn out was better hen the last clean up, but we would have still loved to see others come out and help.  There are Masons who will talk, and there are Masons who will do.  Saturday Brothers John Connors, Darin Porter, Adam Semel, Don Venedam, James Mayo, Richard Sikes, W. Br. Ray Vance and myself proved we are ones that do.

A special thanks goes out to Brothers John Connors and Darin Porter for providing refreshments for everyone, including donuts, and Br. Richard Sikes for the pizza lunch. I know Brother John Connors bought the donuts out of his own pocket.

Today all lights inside the building that were needing replacement was actually replaced.  W. Br. Ray Vance fixed the exit signs and fixed one of the doors so it will open now.  The roof was fixed up.  Also the fence line along the back was cleaned up.  Hopefully the fence line will help cut down on some of the vandalism the property has faced.  We did find where some people where striping stolen wires for copper, and some other possible questionable activities.  The stumps that where left from the last clean up along the front was also grind down and mulch put in the flower bed.  Brothers Porter and John Connors also fixed up the light for the flag, so it will be better lit at night.

Brothers, there is still more work to do be done.  The fence line still needs some fine touching up, the building is in need of paint and I’m sure our property committee has other things in mind.  I’m sure after the fire marshals visit, the list has grown.  We can do this, and it would be nice to see more then just the familiar faces there.  We can make it a Lodge to be proud of.

And now for the pictures, which everyone loves to see.

Fixing one of the many burnt out lights.

A/C work in progress.

Brother Porter on the stump grinder.

Brother Jason Connors on the chainsaw.

Brother John Connors on the electric for the flag pole light.

I wonder if they are in business still.  This sign was covered up from overgrowth.

Brother Venedam’s trailer loaded with brush.

Brother Connors Trailer filled.  This was the first of two, the second was the most put on from the lodge including the bed of the truck being filled.

You can see the fence!

More of our fence.  On the grounded you can see the brush line and just how much was removed.

One of three the Brush Piles.  I was asked to include this picture.  Some people may see the work that was done, and think, that was it.  Many do not see the time and effort that was put into the work.  Three Brothers did not finish until well after 2pm, and were at the Lodge as early as 7 or 8 am.  They gave their Saturday on a Holiday weekend to improve the Lodge.  They used their own tools, gas to run the tools, and the hours it will take after the work is done to burn the brush.  It could have easily cost the Lodge in the triple digits to get this work done, and the brush to be hauled away.  It is going to easily take two days to burn the brush alone.  This is a side of the work that is not seen, and some just do not care.  And that is why I was asked to include this.