DECEMBER 2025 trestleboard

Star in the East Lodge #59

Exeter, New Hampshire

Wor. Dwane Staples, Master

TRESTLEBOARD

Stated Meeting of Star in the East Lodge #59, F. & A. M.

Thursday December 11, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. (Dinner at 6 P.M. and Collation after meeting)

- To conduct all business that may regularly come before the Lodge

- Program: “ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTION OF OFFICERS”

Friday December 5: Holiday Party at Lodge, Family welcome, Casual Dress 6pm

Saturday December 6: Christmas Parade and Bake Sale at Lodge 5pm-pm see Message from Brother Einhaus

!! Sunday December 14: Breakfast at Star in the East. 9:AM!!

Thursday December 18: Hot Dog/Fellowship Night 6:00pm we will be having pizza and Fellowship

Thursday December 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Thursday January 1: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Saturday January 3: Installation of 2026 Officers 2pm

Thursday January 8: 1st Stated Meeting of 2026

Saturday January 24, 2026 MM Degree 9am

===================================================================================================

FROM THE EAST

Greetings Brethren!

I hope this Trestleboard finds all of our Brethren well. As you can see we have another busy month ahead of us. We start with our Christmas Party on Friday December 5. Please bring your family and enjoy the evening starting at 6pm.

We then move onto Saturday December 6, which is the Annual Exeter Christmas parade. The First District will be having a float in this year’s parade. If any Brothers are available to help set it up at the staging area or want to ride or walk in the parade please contact me. This float will also be in the Hampton parade earlier in the day. We are also trying something new this year, our Sr. Deacon is having a fund-raising bake sale. There is more information on this further in this document and we would love to have as many participate in this event as can.

Then on December 11, our Stated and annual meeting I hope to see many of you at this meeting and our Jr. Warden has a special meal planned.

Brethren I want to thank you for all of your participation over this past year. I have enjoyed being your Worshipful Master again. I hope you have enjoyed what has been going on at your Lodge. I have recently been told that Star in the East is old school in how we do some things. I guess that is because I am an old Master but I have, along with the other officers have tried different things over the year. I hope you have liked some of them and would welcome any feedback.

Brethren at this time of year we are all busy with planning and visiting friends. Please don’t forget your Brethren, family, friends and people who might need some help during the holidays. More importantly throughout the year.

Brethren I want to wish you all a Happy Holiday season!

I look forward to seeing those who can make it to a Lodge meeting and join us in good Fellowship.

Fraternally,

Dwane Staples, WM (DDSL@comcast.net) 603.682.5205

Final Thought:

“The secret of making progress is to get started.” - Walt Disney

Special Notes:

- There is no warmth more comforting than surrounding yourself with good people who care.

- Star in the East is committed to being a Lodge that practices inclusion. Please, Brethren, if you would like to present a program, take part in Ritual, serve on a committee, or help with our dinners, we’d love to hear from you.

- Remember, our Lodge room is a sanctuary, free from the worries and tribulations of the outside world, where we all meet on the Level.

- You are someone’s impression of the Fraternity. Please dress appropriately for our meetings.

From the West

Greetings from the West

This coming Saturday, December 6th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm during the Exeter Holiday Parade, we’ll be holding a bake sale on the steps outside the lodge, as a fundraiser for the lodge.

We’re still looking for bakers to donate goods! If you’re coming to the lodge’s annual Holiday Party on Friday evening, December 5th, you can drop off your treats at that time. You can also drop items off at the lodge that Saturday morning from 10:30am until 12:30pm.

Sign up for items to bring here at: https://tinyurl.com/SITEBakesale, or reach out to Cary Einhaus (ceinhaus@exeter.edu) if you have any questions.

Please note: New Hampshire state law requires that each package of cookies includes the ingredients and potential allergens. Please send Cary the recipe you’ve used to bake, so he can create the label with ingredients/allergens in advance.

Happy baking!

Fraternally,

Michael W. Frost, SW

“Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.”

Tennyson

From the South

Fraternal Greetings Brethren

We are looking forward to our December stated Meeting!

As we transition into the Holiday season, it is a time to give thanks for many things. I am thankful to our WM for his help in making progress in Masonry, as well as the ability to gain experience in all aspects of life. I am thankful to Mike Daley Jr. and Danielle for the Best Sunday breakfast experience.

On to Meal’s – As with everything in our world, cost of goods is on the rise.

We have the meal cost at $15.00.

Please keep an eye out for Text-Em all coming to your cell phone the end of August. PLEASE reply directly back to the text-em all with your dinner reservation!

The menu for December stated:

MAIN COURSE:

Chicken Parmesan with pasta sides

DESSERT:

Chef’s Choice (Surprise!)

COLLATION:

Assorted Cookies and Pastries

NOTE: RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST FOR THIS MEAL.

The cost of this meal will be $15.00
If you will be joining us for dinner, you are requested to email or call Brother Joe Elliott, Junior Warden; cell: (603) 702-3480 – joe@atlanticautotruck.com
. “Active Candidates & “Special Ladies” are not charged for the meals

Please reserve no later the Monday preceding the stated Meeting!

Fraternally,

Joe Elliott, JW

SUNDAY IS FUNDAY!!

Just a reminder – our next breakfast will be December 14, at 9:00 am and go until we run out of food or conversation. Bring your family and friends for breakfast. There is no charge. All we ask is that you bring some food item to contribute to the meal. If you could please let the Junior Warden or me know if you’re attending it would be appreciated.

– Wor. Mike Daley Jr., PM

From the Historian

During my working life, I frequently had the opportunity to visit Lodges in different jurisdictions. In most instances, I did not know anyone who was a member of the Lodge, so I was usually required to go through the process of proving myself to be a Mason by being examined. This examination is the process most of us would expect from a regular and well-governed Lodge in such circumstances. However, it is not the only process available within the Fraternity to ensure a visitor who cannot be vouched for by a member of the Lodge is duly and truly qualified to attend a Masonic meeting. In addition to demonstrating the signs, words and tokens of the degrees

One Masonic practice that has fallen out of use in many/most Lodges is the Tyler’s Oath. There are numerous versions of the oath, but the basic language is similar enough to address the purpose for which it was written. It is not ritual. I used it once to get into a Lodge, and what I said met with the Master’s approval. Here is the Oath as we have it in New Hampshire:

“I, ….. do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely swear that I have been regularly Initiated, Passed and Raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in a just and legally constituted Lodge of such, that I do not now stand suspended or expelled, and know of no reason why I should not hold Masonic communication with my Brethren."

The Senior Deacon who did the examination had a small Bible he held while I recited the Oath, then he reported to the Master. I was admitted and warmly welcomed by the Brethren present.

I encourage anyone traveling to take advantage of visiting other jurisdictions whenever the opportunity lends itself. The Southern Lodge I visited accepted this Northerner with open arms and true Masonic friendship.

RW Richard F. Cole, Historian

From Our Sr. Deacon

Everyone loves cookies during the winter holidays – and what better way to combine delicious treats with a worthwhile Masonic cause!

During the Exeter holiday parade on Saturday, December 6th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, Star in the East will be holding a bake sale on the steps outside the Lodge, as a fundraiser for the Lodge.

Please consider baking – or asking your spouse/partner to bake your favorite holiday treats for the bake sale. Aim for between 2-4 dozen cookies, brownies, cupcakes, or dessert bars. Larger items like pies or pumpkin bread are also welcome.

If you’re coming to the Lodge’s annual Holiday Party on Friday evening, December 5th, you can drop off your treats at that time. You’re also welcome to drop items off at the Lodge that Saturday morning from 10:30am until 12:30pm.

Sign up for items to bring here at: https://tinyurl.com/SITEBakesale. And please reach out to Cary Einhaus (ceinhaus@exeter.edu) if you have any questions.

Happy baking!

Fraternally,

Cary