Arcana Lodge #187
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons 

News From the East - Harvest Time

It’s that time of year when we harvest the fruits of our labor. We also give thanks for all that we’ve received. Arcana would like to show our thanks to the NE community by inviting all to partake in the annual pumpkin give-away and open house on Saturday morning, October 25^th.

This years annual All-Temple Pot Luck POW-WOW at Kordiak Park was represented by viturally every orginzation from Arcana. And, the weather cooperated for the first time so that a good time was had by all in attendance.

Until next time, may the blessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regular Masons.

Fraternally yours,
Richard Hunt, Wor. Master

News From the West - 'Good night, and God bless'

They say that deaths of important people come in groups of three. We’ve lost a princess, a saint and a clown. Brother Richard "Red" Bernard Skelton was born on July 18, 1913, and answered the roll call of the Grand Architect of the Universe on September 17, 1997.

He dedicated his life to comedy and helping others, as he put it "God’s children and their happiness are my reasons for being." "I don’t want to be called ‘the greatest,’" he once said. "Let other guys claim to be the best. I just want to be known as a clown because to me, that’s the height of my profession. It means you can do everything - sing, dance and, above all, make people laugh."

The honors Red has received are numerous, and not the least of which include: being a guest and entertainer of eight US Presidents - Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Reagan; a command performance before the Queen at Royal Albert Hall; and private performances for three Popes - Pope Pius XXII, Pope John, and Pope Paul (not bad for a thirty-third degree Mason.)

Last year Worshipful Brother Joe Macko recited Red’s ‘Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance’ at a stated meeting. The same work has won Red forty-two awards, was twice read into the Congressional Record, and is printed below.

The two trademarks of Red Skelton that we will always remember are his cigar, which was always either in his mouth or hand, but never lit, and his closing words for the twenty-year running Red Skelton Show: "Good night, and God bless."

As Senior Warden it’s my duty and pleasure to host this years Widows Dinner. The dinner will be held at the lodge on Sunday, November 2^nd at 2:00 PM. I will again be serving a full turkey dinner, and like last year, entertainment will follow the dinner. This year I would like to invite all of the members of Arcana to join with our widows in this celebration. Of course there will be no charge for our widows. However, we will ask our members and their significant others for a $6.00 donation. Please make your reservations on the sign up sheet at the lodge, or call me at 773-2017 by October 28^th.

The menu for the October dinner meeting will be wild rice stuffed chicken breast. I would like to thank the brothers who have helped with serving and clean-up, and the companies and individuals who have contributed to the financial support of the Arcana Trestleboard.

Fraternally yours,
Doug Roswold, Sr. Warden

Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance

by Red Skelton

As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It is followed by an observation of his own.

I - Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance - - My love and my devotion.

To the Flag - Our standard; Old Glory; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

United - That means that we have all come together.

States - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic - Republic--a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation - One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible - Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All - For All--which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?

Outstanding Mason of the Month

Ed Theisen

Arcana Lodge is proud to acknowledge the outstanding Mason of the month for October, Ed Theisen. He has been a member of Arcana Lodge for 48 years. He is the Senior Past Master of the Lodge having been the Master in 1955. His attendance at Lodge meetings, functions and participation in Arcana’s Coffee Club, with his fabulous ability to entertain with his never ending humorous stories and witticism, is something to always look forward to.

Arcana Lodge Committees

Sunshine Visitation Committee for the Ill or Homebound

Attention all graduates of Minneapolis Edison Senior High School:

Edison 75 Year All Class Reunion
will be on October 9 - 12, 1997

For more information contact Dick Anderson, Chairman, at 788-9771

Pumpkin Give-Away and Open House Saturday, October 25, 1997 8:00 AM to Noon

The Astronomy Corner

by Bruce Anderson, eugene@visi.com

There will be two annual meteor showers in October. The first one will be visible from October 20-25th and will peak on October 21st. The Earth will be facing the right way at 4:00 AM, to see the most meteors per hour.

The second one will be visible from October 20th - November 30th and will peak on November 3rd. It has fewer meteors per hour than the first one but, the Earth will be facing the right way at Midnight to see the most meteors per hour.

Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
Give them curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.

Arcana Trestleboard Sponsors

	Best wishes from James R. Higgins James F. Higgins Darlene K. Higgins 2214 Central Avenue NE Minneapolis, MN 55418 789-7231

This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M of Minnesota.

Send stories, ideas or comments to:
Doug Roswold, Editor at dougr@spacestar.net

This page was updated on February 05, 2000 by Doug Roswold