NOVEMBER 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 November 13, 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 open on FC Degree

- Program: Brother Carey Einhaus on Punctuation in the Ritual and Rhetoric

Saturday November 15: Open 9:00am Grand Lodge morning session, LOI afternoon session

!! Sunday November 16: Breakfast at Star in the East. 9:AM!!

Thursday November 20: Hot Dog/Fellowship Night 6:00pm!!

Thursday November 27: thanksgiving Enjoy the Holiday with Family and Friends

Friday December 5: Lodge Holiday Gathering with Members Families and Special Ladies invited

Saturday December 6: Exeter Christmas Parade and Lodge Bake Sale 5:00-7:00pm

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FROM THE EAST

Greetings Brethren!

I hope that you have had a chance to enjoy the great Fall weather we have been having along with the nice foliage colors in our seacoast area.

I want to start by thanking the officers and all who have attended our Degrees and meetings over the last 2 months. I know we have had a busy schedule, and the support has been great from our officers and members. It has been a pleasure greeting all of you in our Lodge.

Also, congratulations to our newest Master Mason Tom Flocco who was raised on October 4, 2025. We tried something new having this Degree on a Saturday and it well thanks to all those involved.

I am excited to have our own Sr. Deacon presenting the program at our November meeting. It will cover one of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences in the Fellowcraft Degree. I want to do each one of these individually and tie them into how they fit into today’s Masonry.

You will notice that at Grand Lodge in November there will be the morning business session and this year the LOI will be in the afternoon. This is different than years past instead of doing 6 or 8 different programs over the course of the Fall. It is something new and let’s give it a try.

I have gone into December with a couple of dates to put out early. On Friday December 5, 2025 will be our Annual Lodge Holiday gathering for our members and our Special Ladies are invited. I will ask if you are planning on attending please let me know so we have a number to work with. This has been a fun night so I hope you can come and enjoy the festivities. It will go from 6-8pm. The end time is not set in stone or those who might like to stay and visit.

December 6, 2025 our Sr. Deacon is organizing a fund-raising bake sale to be held in conjunction with the Exeter Christmas Parade. There is information further in this Trestleboard if you are interested. Also, the First District float will be in the parade and if anyone is interested, they can let me know to be able to ride on the float in the parade. The float will be in Hampton on their parade earlier in the day and Exeter in the evening.

Finally, I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and can enjoy time with your family and friends. Please have a safe holiday if you are traveling to see family and friends over Thanksgiving.

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

What a great month of Masonic fellowship we have enjoyed. We started with a great Stated meeting at the Pitt Tavern. Worshipful Staples facilitated a great discussion on leadership and its Masonic implications.

This was followed up with a great “Master’s Class” led by MW Aronson. The Brethren at Saint James, offered a great fellowship gathering.

RW Cole and I, are enjoying working with our candidate - preparing him for next degree.

I hope that you come join us at Star in the East, to experience all that is good in Masonry.

Fraternally,

Michael W. Frost, SW

“Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.”

Tennyson

From the South

Fraternal greetings Brethren

As with everything in our world, the cost of goods is on the rise; therefore, we are increasing the meal cost to $15.00.

The meal for the November Stated meeting is Turkey Pot Pie and a Chef’s choice for dessert.

PLEASE reply directly back to the text-em all with your Dinner reservation! If you prefer, you can email me at: joe@atlanticautotruck.com or call or text at: 603-702-3480.

“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 November 16, 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!