Old Colony Lodge A.F. & A.M.

"The BeeHive" - Summer 2007

The "BeeHive" team has announced the first phase of our reconstruction plan to begin as soon as your Lodge goes dark this June 23rd.  This first phase will include a new heating system, expansion and updating of Wirkala Hall as well as extensive landscaping and build-out of a parking area in the back lot.  All of this is being done with funds, intellect and labor generously provided by your Brothers.  Once phase one is completed we will reassess our capital base and hopefully commence with phase two which includes a much needed elevator!  It is our hope that by making the Lodge more accessible to our Brothers (and Sisters of Eastern Star), that attendance will be further enhanced.  Additionally, by updating our facility, we hope to be able to 'rent-out' the building too other organizations in the community.  This will of course improve Old Colony's balance sheet!

A great big 'Thanks' to all who helped out Saturday, June 16th!  The General Contractor, Bro. Fred Alexander had everything under control as the Brothers cleared out the lower back apartments in preparation for construction.  On Saturday, June 23rd we again gathered to remove the ceiling in Wirkala Hall and move the furniture in the upper apartments.  Thank you to R.W. Brian, R.W. Dick, Wor. Lane, Wor. Dave, Wor. Ron and Wor. Harold.  Lending hands were Brothers Bruce, Richard, Dave Holbrook and our newest Brother Steve Tower!  A huge 'Thank You' to Brother Ken Morgan and his sons Kenny Jr. and 'Little' Joe, without Kens knowledge, equipment and the assistance of his sons (DeMolay?) we would have been there all day.  If I missed your name my apologies - I was eating a donut. Our appreciation goes out to Brother Galens son, who loaned us the use of a dump truck, so we might keep the backyard as 'neat' as possible. 

Thursday June 28th is set aside for professionals only!  A licensed crew will be removing all asbestos so that we can get back to work!

The asbestos team came early...beginning and completing their work on Wednesday. Additionally, Russ Allison and his crew began installation of the new furnace and valve system to more efficiently heat the Lodge (yeah, they picked the HOTTEST day of the year).  In another development, it was concluded that we will be using 'European' style radiation rather than the copper and fin type normally found here in the States.  This will reduce the lineal footage required in the main hall from 114 feet to 36!  Labor costs are thus reduced and we'll have a much better looking product.  Please take this weekend off from your 'labors' at the Lodge...enjoy your time with family.

Ken Sr. and Ken Jr. were at it again!  They took a day away from their family and cut-out all the cast iron pipe in the lower apartments as well as all the old radiators.  This was a tough AND dirty job!  Glad they are there to help us out, because of Brothers like this Old Colony is a superb Lodge that we can all be proud of.  The paneling, woodwork and steam pipes have also been cut-out of the Lodge room.  Wor. Ron...we need some pictures taken for our scrapbook! 

On Saturday, July 7th, the call went out to all able bodied men to haul this junk out of here.  We started at 8AM: Brothers Galen, Harvey and Bruce joined Wor. Lane and Bro. Dave Margetts with his heavy equipment to get the job done right!  Thanks Dave, without your help and guidance we could never even attempt this ambitious task.  The scrap was hauled off to Brockton by 11AM in one of Daves BIG Trucks, driven expertly by our own R.W. Paul Wouori, welcome home R.W., we're all glad to see you at your Lodge.  Meanwhile, under the hot summer sun, R.W. Dick was weeding and cleaning out the beds in front of the Temple ( I think I heard him say he should probably be doing THAT job at home!).  Well the neighbors should be pleased with all that was accomplished.  While you're at rest, the 'Team Allison' is running new pipe, the lodge room will start to come back together and electrical work will be started.

'Night Calls' have been made by a few 'Well Qualified Men' who were 'duly and truly prepared' to get the job done over the course of the last couple of weeks.  Additional demolition was done removing old copper & brass pipe along with some antiquated wiring.  This surplus metal will help partially offset the cost of new construction.  We collected $750 from the work of July 7th...every dollar helps! The bill for asbestos removal came in at $4.500!  But it had to be done.

See the new 'Photo Section' of our progress!

Saturday, July 21st, found a number of 'worthy and well qualified' Brothers 'in and about the various apartments of the Temple'.  We were 'duly organized' thought the casual observer might have thought otherwise.  Masters work began early as we toppled the cinder block walls comprising the 'old' boiler room.  Assisting in this endeavor were; Bro. Bruce, Wor. Ron, Big Joe and our newest Master Mason Bro. Ben!  You would all be proud of the way your Brothers dug in and though their 'hands were stained with blood' by 'high twelve', they persevered throughout their labors.  'The ravages of time' certainly have not impeded these hearty men and it was great to have young Ben too carry more than his share of the weight.  While this was going on, Wor. Lane, Bro. Fred and Bro. Harvey were tearing out the old duct work in the bowels of the lodge.  This took a lot of extra time that we had not anticipated due to the new heating requirements.  This weeks 'bearer of burden' was Wor. Rod, who made four dump truck trips back and fourth to the landfill with the 'rubbish of the Temple', Thanks Worshipful!  We also had 'guests' from the Fire Department stop by as the alarm was tripped at one point, did someone give them an application?  Finally, Wor. Jamie stopped by to measure the risers around the Lodge room, Past Masters and Preparation rooms all for new carpeting. 

 

The last week of July saw the Pro's from Service Master come in and clean the walls of our Hall, this was $500 well spent as we prepare to pull things all together. On Friday the 27th, another 'load of scrap metal' was hauled off netting $521!  But we went right down to the lumber yard and spent $650 to trim-out the Temple ;)  Spackeling and sanding finished this long and dirty day.  Saturday the 28th a 'light crew' pulled-up the carpeting around the outside of the Lodge room and thanks to Bro. Galen and Bro. Doug Brander it was all carted off to the landfill.  New carpet was ordered (Thanks Wor Jamie!) and should arrive by Friday.  But prior to that new paint and trim will be installed.  'Big' Joe began 'laying out his work on the tressel board' (to bad he has no idea what that phrase means) and will start the 'assembling of wooden instruments' that he has 'prepared for that purpose'.  In the back yard, Wor. Rod & Bro. Fred assisted Bro. Galen load his truck and clean things up.  Galens trip to the scrap yard brought us another $150...and every penny counts!  This next week will see some night-time activity as more prep work is done; more spackling, sanding and priming of the lower walls of the Lodge room.

 

Bro. Fred (the GC on this job) will be calling this week, we need 10 STRONG MEN for Saturday, August 4th to get the last of the demolition outa' here.  Please answer the phone when Fred calls...we only need 3 or 4 hours of work from you.  If you have not been able to help out yet, this would be a great week.  See you at 8:30 AM.

 

August 4th and 5th were two of the hottest days of the Summer...but that didn't stop the team from doing their job.  Wor. Alec and his son Zack assisted Wor. Bob cleaning-up the 'rubbish of the temple' as Bro. Galen took saw in hand and removed the last of the plaster wall.  It is amazing how much bigger Wirkala Hall looks now!  Also on hand were R.W. Brian and Bro. Fred, they broke their backs for you...please 'Thank' them for all they have accomplished during this project.  The last load of masonry was hauled off to the dump around noon, the last of the heavy lifting in this endeavor.  Now the heating, plumbing (Bro. Ken, are you back from vacation?) and electrical work can be installed by the Pros.  We'll need to do some light cleaning in preparation for painting, but the end is near.  A little plaster work is required, we might not have that done in time for our first meeting...does anybody have an expert in the family for this trade?  During the week, there were a couple of visits at night to do some priming,scraping and sanding...thank you Bro. Bruce for helping with the paint brush.  In the Lodge, walls have been primed and trim is being installed.  This will be completed by next weekend so that painters can get in there and radiation can be installed.  While we were working, a couple of Brothers from Phoenix Lodge stopped by to see what all the fuss is about...good to see you Bro. Jonah & Bro. Don!  Another Big Thanks to Bro. John Dallas; who's great team down at Fabricare Cleaners did a super job on the drapes above the Master and Wardens stations.

 

 

Russ Allison hard at work

 

The week of August 7th was a busy one for the Allison Brothers, hanging all the new radiation and beginning the plumbing to connect it all together.  A meeting of the 'minds' was held with Bro. Dave Bennett in attendance, Dave will be getting the lights back-up and all the electrical work wrapped-up downstairs - Many thanks David. 'Master Carpenter' Big Joe, put in some time during the week - as well as a LONG Saturday the 11th.  We still need a couple of hours to finish off the Lodge room but that will come soon.  Brothers Richard McKinnon and Phil Garrett where on hand to move all the furniture out of the Hall and into the lobby.  This was a tough job, good thing they're both strong, young men (right Richard!).  Rich and Phil also cleaned out the Masters & Preparation rooms in anticipation of a fresh coat of paint.  A chair rail was installed and carpet pulled-up and hauled away.  Wor. Ron and R.W. Brian will be cleaning things-up on Monday(?) in these 'apartment's, give 'em a call if you can help.  Wor. Bill Fredericks stopped by to see what all the commotion was about, Bill will be cleaning the chandeliers in the Lodge for us.  Finally, our last letter requesting aid brought an 'anonymous benefactor' who will be contributing liberally to the relief of worthy brothers' by picking up the bulk of the painting costs.  A very nice gesture, the timing of which could not have been better. Thank you Brother!  Work moves down to Wirkala Hall next week as we start to bring things to a close?

 

Well, if you haven't visited the Lodge in the last week... you haven't visited the Lodge!  Mid-August sees everything starting to come together.  As promised, an 'anonymous benefactor' sent our new best friend Doug Hans and his team of painters to Old Colony.  Doug and his crew of Artisans did a wonderful job in the main room getting the walls and ceiling done.  'Thank You' to our Brother who made this possible and 'Thank You' to Doug!  A couple of evening visits this week saw the carpentry finished in the Lodge and Brother Kenny beginning the re-plumbing of the water system.  Coordination of the electrical and ceiling contractors was also the order of the week.  Bro. Dave Margetts stopped over to offer assistance in fixing the floor downstairs.  R.W. Brian and Wor. Ron took time out on Monday and Tuesday to clean-out the Masters & Candidates rooms, this allowed for some prepping and priming for the painters next week.  Bro. Harvey weeded the front yard again and pitched in with painting on Saturday.  While Wor. Bob and Wor. Lane commenced the arduous task of cleaning-up Wirkala Hall. This week will see new capeting installed on Friday/Saturday?  We will need a few strong Brothers to move furniture back in the Lodge, bring a can of Pledge with you.  A Special Call to the Stewards...Bro. Harvey will be calling, you are requested to assist in cleaning the kitchen Saturday September 1st. We will 'probably' be painting Wirkala Hall that day too...so please help if you can, time is short.

 

A Special Note: On Friday while alone in the Lodge room painting, I was startled by a voice behind me.  It was a Genleman who I later learned to be a Brother.  He had driven by the Lodge many times and had wanted to stop in, my car outside gave him the excuse to do so.  A member of the Craft in New Hampshire, he missed the Fellowship as he had moved to Hingham five years ago.  His wife had told him he should seek us out!  He did...and he filled out papers for affiliation on the spot.  He even offered to help in rebuilding Your Lodge!  So does this mean, "If you build it they will come"?

 

The third week of August saw high temperatures and much work at your Lodge.  Wor. Bill Fredericks did a wonderful job cleaning and polishing the chandeliers, please say "Thanks Brother" when you see him this September.  We re-wired the PA and 'buzzer' systems in the East and painted the trim in the Lodge room.  The Masters and Candidates rooms trim will be painted by the time you read this. The ceilings at the Tyled and untyled doors have been spruced-up as well.  Downstairs, all the holes in the walls have been plastered and primed awaiting a top coat of paint.  Bro. Kenny hooked the H2O back-up and removed the old air conditioning system from the organ loft, that was a tough job - we almost lost him!  Saturday, Bro. Dave Margetts showed young Bro. Phil how a Jack-Hammer works...that was fun right Phil?  Bro. Bob Sr. and Bro. Bruce were on hand again cleaning-up downstairs.  All the carpentry tools are out of the building, a little more cleaning and we're ready for paint.  Wor. Lane, are the painters lined-up?  Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning brought the carpeting team into the Hall.  Thank you Wor. Jamie for the beautiful new blue carpet in the East, West and sidelines.  Additionally, we put matching carpet in the PM and Candidates rooms!  Brothers, we know it is a Holiday weekend coming up...but if you have not had a chance to help out this summer, this next Saturday would be a great time to do so.  Please answer the call.

 

 

Masters Room

 

The last week of Summer (what!) saw activity at Your Lodge every day.  Monday we started painting Wirkala Hall, the dark blue requires two coats on top of the primer...so it is a long job (who picked that color?).  Bro. Ken showed up with his 'team' on Tuesday night - his wonderful wife Kris cleaned-up the kitchen!  Assisting her were sons Ken Jr. and 'little' Joe, thank you all so much!  Upstairs Wor. Ron and Ken moved the furniture back to the proper locations (note to self - when we do this again in 35 years, write down what goes where!).  Wednesday: Wor. Lane started in on the trim paint downstairs... Thursday: Bro. Dave Bennett and his son Dave began the electrical, hooking-up the hot water heater and laying-out the grid for the new ceiling lights.  Also, the Allison's were on the job finishing their duties, 'Thanks Guys!'.  Friday: we cleaned-up here and there, put-up new lighting in the Preparation room, did a little trim work in the reorganized Masters room and laid-out our Trestle Board for Saturday.  The First of September saw Wor. Lane directing a team of painters downstairs; R.W. Brian and Wor. Ron (both of whom have gone above and beyond this Summer) were ably assisted by Wor. Barry and his son!  Also helping out was Bro. Ray Shaw, it's always good to have your steady hand.  In the kitchen, Bro. Harvey and Bro. Joe Palmieri were getting things ready for our first meal together on September.  Upstairs; Wor. Andrew Palmer and Bro. Bruce vacuumed and dusted their way around the Lodge in anticipation of the carpet cleaners that are expected soon.  Door knockers and artwork were reinstalled, the PA system was finalized, chairs reupholstered in the Masters room and the drapes hung back in their proper places.  A short visit on Sunday found the new ceiling in Wirkala Hall being installed! 

 

As you know from your September Communication, the 'rehearsal' on Tuesday 9/4 will be dedicated to Floorwork, Windex and Pledge.  Please dress accordingly - see you at 7:00 PM!

 

It is one week before we return from 'refreshment to labor again', but some Brothers have continued to labor at the Lodge. The push is on as Sunday 9/2 found a 'friend' hanging the new ceiling in Wirkala Hall, this is a multi-step process that will be completed by weeks-end. Bro. Galan returned from his daughters wedding (congratulations Dad!) and took charge…fixing windows, painting and preparation. Even on 'Labor' day, Brothers could be found 'in and about the various apartments of the Temple' - that's dedication! Tuesday evening saw R.W. Brian and Wor. Ron putting the 'Masters Room' back together, photo's were dusted, cleaned and back-up on the walls. Assistant decorators, hanging new drapes in the masters and Preparation room were 'Big' Joe and Christine DeNicola (Thanks Dad & Chris). In the Hallway we found Wor. Andrew, cleaning woodwork washing windows and wiping down the walls. Downstairs, Bro. Ray was helping Wor. Lane again as they began finishing-up the painting. Bro. Galen was cleaning-up some loose ends from Bro. Dave Bennett (and his Sons) work from the day installing new lighting. Also on hand was our new best friend, Joe DeCola (no, not that Joe) who plastered the corner were the old boiler stood…it was fascinating watching him work, great job! Bro. Galen spent the night (?) and was up early on Wednesday replacing windows, Bro. Dave installed lighting and continued the wiring process. Upstairs, Wor. Jamie brought the Carpet Cleaning crew to dry clean the "Masters Carpet" and clean the Main Hall and stairway. These fine men will also be refinishing the floor in Wirkala Hall which certanly needs a good going over.  After painting the new 'Blue Wall', Old Colony Lodge was closed 'in form' at 8:300 PM!  Bro. Galen & Dave B. continued their labor down in the 'dungeon' on Thursday while Brothers Fred, Bruce & Ken (along with Ken Jr.) moved the furniture back in place in the Main room and foyer.  On Friday; Bro's Galen and Dave Bennett were joined by friends to help clarify building code requirements - we have to do things right!  This backed us up a couple of days but we we'll get through it.  The JOB has to be done right.  Good News!  The Organ works...after a few fits and starts, a 'friend' came by to get us up and running again.  Music will fill the Halls of Old Colony this Fall.  On Saturday: Wor. Lane, Wor. Dave, Bro. Bruce, Bro. Ken & 'Big' Joe were cleaning and spackling.  More Captains chairs had been dropped-off upstairs and were cleaned-up by Bruce.  At noon, 'refreshment' was brought in by Wor. Jamie who has been and will continue to be so helpful with our flooring needs.  Just as your Brothers were leaving for the day, our ceiling contractor showed-up to begin placing ceiling tiles.  It's almost time to open the doors, we'll be close to ready?