Newsletter

["B.·. Owen Lorion"]

Newsletter #10
Dec. 21, 2008

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Seven weeks have come around again, and not enough to call this a full issue for the Proceedings, so this is just an interim newsletter until the next seven weeks are up. My 'puter has been down most of the past month, and is still not working well, so I've had no time to work on the website. And the only poems are a couple of Christmas poems I've received in the past few days. Submitters are listed, but whether those are the authors or just passing them along I don't know. ~okl.

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Robert Pinkerton
We revived a website devoted to this outstanding Masonic poet a couple years back, and have recently received a couple messages from the original creators of the site:

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Dear Mr. Lorion,
 
Wow, what a WONDERFUL surprise to find my father's website of poetry resurrected and out where others can enjoy his personality and humor, his passion and intellegence and all of the grand thought he applied to his writings!  He was a remarkable man and a very loving father.  I miss him terribly!  However my husband, Mike, and I sure are pleased that you have done this wonderful deed of kindness for him!  I'm sure he would be so very proud!
 
We wanted to send you the one (of many) quotes he so often referred to in his time with us.  We have attached the quote you were needing that is missing from the top of the intro page.  The other graphic on that page was actually an hour glass (where you have placed my father's picture).  We are also sending that graphic to you so that you can restore it to it's original format if you wish.
 
Please feel free to contact us at this e-mail address anytime!  Thank you so much!!
 
God Bless,
Mike & Sandi Copeland <sandicopeland@noS...@hotmail.com>

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If you meet a man who knows not, and who knows not that he knows not, ignore him;
If you meet a man who knows not. and who knows that he knows not, teach him;
If you meet a man who knows, and who knows not that he knows, encourage him;
If you meet a man who knows, and who knows that he knows, follow him. 

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Dear Sandi & Mike;

How wonderful to finally hear from you! I'd searched for you on the net, and inquired of Masons in the Toledo and Ohio areas, but finally decided maybe something dire like an auto accident had befallen you, and gave up. I'm glad you're pleased with the site, as I had to rebuild it a bit, but I tried to keep it close to your original plan, since I felt it was exceptionally well-constructed. Robert was an excellent poet, and I'm proud to have his work on our site. A couple of his poems show up fairly frequently on websites or in newsletters, but usually listed as "anonymous", a designation I hate to see when a man's work and creativity should be acknowledged.

Thanks also for the two missing photos. I know there were a few others with individual poems missing also, but I don't have a listing of which ones, nor recall how many. The quotation you sent was probably the only really important one, anyway. I've been having a lot of computer problems recently, so it will be a while before I can get these added to the site (I haven't been able to access it since July!), but I'll place them in my own archives, and take care to add them when I get the chance.

I am curious how you happened to finally find the site when you did. And, if there's is any interesting story to it, how the original site lapsed.

Sincerely,
Owen Lorion.

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Hello Mr. Lorion:

 

I happened to find your site recently by doing a Google search on "Sandi Copeland".  Sandiis currently looking for new career opportunities, and I thought it would be a good idea todo a quick Google search to see what turned up.  Apparently there are some prominent Sandi Copeland's in San Diego and Texas, but I was surprised to see your site listed 5th or 6th on the first page of search results.  That led to our pleasant surprise to see the work youhad done on Bob's behalf.

 

Like a lot of people, we started our Internet experience in the late 90's using AOL as our service provider.  The original page was set up as an "AOL Homepage" site.  But as cheaper, faster, (better) ISP's became available, we switched services, and "The Feast of Life" lost it's home (and we lost our AOL email address).  Even though we were no longer members of AOL, the site "coasted" for a couple years -- still available at it's original address.  I don't know why they didn't "pull the plug" on it immediately, but they didn't.  I kept meaning to re-build it (the guest book page was using AOL-specific program modules) and find a knew home, but just never found the time.

 

Isn't it odd that the "one undone thing" became "undone" again -- until you resurrected the site yourself.

 

After seeing your work, I located most of the original site files on a hard drive from my old Pentium III machine, which is how we were able to forward the missing graphics.

 

Last night I found a Masonic site that had issued its November 2008 Newsletter which included Bob's poem "Remember You're A Mason".  It was published as "Author Unknown".  I was happy to be able to send them a short, pleasant email identifying the author, and including a link to your site.  Your resurrected "The Feast of Life" gives great credibility to the claim, and should help tremendously in correcting similar omissions.

 

Thanks again for all you've done, and please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

 

Best regards,

Mike Copeland <wb_copeland@noS...@swoca.net>

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Christmas Message
                                                 Submitted by Brad Koehler

To all my Masonic brethren on this special Christmas eve,
May you give glorious thanks for everything that you receive.
May Santa fulfill the wishes of each and every girl and boy.
And may God fill your heart with everlasting love and joy.

A new year is on the horizon, and merely just a week away.
Tis’ time to seek new brethren, to show them the Masonic way.
May the coming year be fruitful for everyone who reads this.
From your mouth to God’s ear, may he grant your every wish.

Fraternally,
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

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Freemasons Christmas
                                                  Submitted by William T. Beckett

It is the time of year when the Brethren rejoice,
    and sing carols of praise in resounding voice.
Days of merriment and long nights of cheer,
    as we all await the "Happy New Year!"
It is a time of family and life long friends,
    a time of happiness and to make amends.
Roast turkey and baubles and the Nutcracker Suite,
    we each have our own way to make Christmas complete.

As we stroll through this happy month of December
    find time to pause and take time to remember
That distinguishing sign of a Freemason's heart -
    those acts of Charity, how great they are.
As your family gathers 'round your Christmas tree,
    and the children play with giggles of glee,
Spare a thought for the poor, the man with no shoes,
    whose daily meal is less than your dues.

Remember also the Grand Lodge above,
    and the Supreme Great Architect's act of love.
And practice those virtues we hold so true.
    Have some fun! But let Temperance chasten you.
And during this season of peace and joy
    look well to our future - the girl and boy.
Then wonder what lessons you may them teach,
    and with your guidance what heights they may reach.

So, to all of my Brethren from far and wide,
    whether your Christmas be snow, or hot and dry,
May the Grand Architect grant his celestial boon
    and keep your good health 'til we meet again soon.
Take care of yourself and those you find dear.
    Keep this festive spirit throughout the next year.
Look toward your next date with our happy band.
    'Til our next merry meeting, apron, heart, and hand.

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As we part on the checkered pavement, let me leave one final image with you;