A Message from The East

Brethren:

I express my thanks to the Brethren for electing me as your Worshipful Master for the coming year; we are entering this Masonic year with powerful momentum, and we have much to accomplish as we journey together through the challenges ahead.

Local artist Lee Harless has completed the new watercolor image of Helion Lodge for the officers' installation, and if you are interested in obtaining a copy, please e-mail me or contact our Senior Warden, Ray Tanner.  We may be using this image in several fundraising ideas this year

The Deputy Grand Master of Tennessee has invited Helion Lodge to confer an Alabama Master Mason Degree on one of our candidates in a rock quarry in middle Tennessee on Saturday, 24 August.  We have received dispensation to do this, and your officers are practicing this ritual in preparation for the event. We need more brethren to participate.  Please come to practice on most Thursdays and learn a part.  I have heard that hundreds of masons attend this event in Tennessee, and we do not want to disappoint our hosts. At present, we are planning to charter a bus for participants.  Come to Lodge and find out more!

I have appointed an Eastern Star Liaison Committee in order to facilitate even better relations between the Eastern Star and our Lodge.  Other committees have been set, but if you desire an appointment to one of our Lodge's committees, or if you have a special talent which you are willing to contribute, please contact us, and we will make arrangements so that your gift may be shared with the Lodge.

Fraternally,

David Edward Milam

Worshipful Master

New Officer Installation

Helion Lodge celebrated its new officer induction in style Saturday, June 29.  In attendance were over one hundred special guests, dignitaries and civic leaders of the community.

Highlights of the evening included an address by former WM John Pavlick who said goodbye after enjoying a successful term as the WM.  Newly elected Worshipful Master, David Edward Milam, spoke of the great tradition Helion Lodge and offered these positive words for the fraternity; “I want for us to perfect our benevolence as well as our ritual this year.”

Past Master, Brother Clarence Landrum, honorary Marshall conducted each incoming officer to the East accompanied by bagpiper Michael McNutt’s stirring fanfares. Brother Ken McVay, the Installing Officer officiated the ceremony for the incoming team of officers and lead the activities.  Brother Dick Kitchens provided piano accompaniment for the event. 

     After the installation, a special dinner was held for all the attendees.  

Among the special guests for the evening were Ruth Henson Milam, David’s Mother, his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. And Mrs. Carter Pope, friends Laurie Woodall, Ranee’ Pruitt and Margaret Anne Goldsmith.  

  Special thanks go out to Peggy Smith, Sylvia Blanteno and Janice Gilliss, who saw to it that the lodge was properly decorated for the event.  

The following officers were duly installed June 29, 2002:

David E. Milam,  WM

Raymond L. Tanner,  SW

Dan Brown,  JW

Malcolm Carter,  Treasurer

Garry Smith,  Secretary

Hugh Michaels,  Chaplin

Steve McGlocklin,  Marshal

Rick Storey,  Historian

James Henley,  SD

Dennis Peterson,  JD

Larry Gilliss,  SS

Andy Thomas,  JS

Chad Rodriguez,  Tiler

5th Saturday Dinner

Helion lodge will have a 5th Saturday dinner this month.  Bring a covered dish Saturday, August 31.  Dinner, fellowship, and fun starting at 6:00 pm.  Music starts at 6:30.  

Tennessee Rock

Quarry Degree

Helion Lodge has been invited to perform a Master Mason Program for the Tennessee District 6, Annual Rock Quarry Degree August 24. Located in Pleasantville, Tennessee (approximately 45 miled from Huntsville), the rock quarry is a tunnel back in a hill and makes an ideal scene for the conferral of the Master Mason's degree.  The event will start at 1:00 p.m.  The Grinders Switch Skillet Lickers will provide some musical entertainment at 11:00 a.m.  A barbecue lunch will be served at 11:30.  Bring a lawn chair for seating.  Hope you can attend this 6th annual event.  For additional information contact Ron Coates

Costas B. Cordonis

Jerimae W. Sledge

The following brethren have dropped forever the working tools of life and now reside with the Supreme Grand Master. We shall forever hold them in our memories and will truly miss them at our gatherings.