Text Box: THE MARK MASTER DEGREE The Mark Master Degree is believed to have originated as a ceremony of registering a craftsman's mark in those years distinguished by operative craft masons and their temple building. It was later developed into a full-fledged degree by the Masonic fraternity as we know it today, Some scholars say it was the earliest degree and may predate all others by many years. It is highly regarded by students in all Masonry, teaching lessons that have proven of value in all walks of life. Some Grand Lodges place so high an eminence on the Mark Master Degree, that they confine it to the jurisdiction of a separate grand body, the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters. Text Box: Information is requested regarding the current address for Brother Jospeh E. Earnhart, whose last known address was PO Box 94 % J.B. Express Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 and Companion Christopher L. Dickerson whose last known address was 528 Third Street Waverly, Ohio 45690. The Office of the Secretary has received a call requesting that a widow, who passed away, be removed from the Lodge database. While we maintain a mailing list of our widows, there is no convenient method of maintaining direct contact with the families, so we rely on being notified when a Masonic widow passes away. This can be an awkward situation so our apologies are extended if mailings continue well after the fact. Thank you— William Bennett, Secretary Text Box: Page # Text Box: The Trestle Board Text Box: Address Information Requested Text Box: Brother Steve Steele has assumed the position of Building Manager for the Chillicothe Masonic Temple Association. Brother Steele was hired due to the retirement of Worshipful Brother Harley Thomas who has been in that position for a number of years. Brother Steele is employed by the City of Chillicothe and is with the Fire Department. The Brethren, Companions and Sir Knight of the Chillicothe Masonic Bodies have all been the beneficiary of the efforts of Worshipful Brother Harley Thomas in all that he has undertaken to ensure the cleanliness and readiness of the Chillicothe Masonic Temple to serve as a showplace for Masonry in Chillicothe and the Seventh Masonic District. Text Box: Ross and Pike Counties members of Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus will be assembling at the Chillicothe Masonic Temple Wednesday, April 4, 2007 for it quarterly meeting. Worshipful Brother William E. Landrum is the Director and Worshipful Brother Jack H. Case is the President. Members will be served a dinner of prime rib with all the trimmings. Notices were mailed to all Ross and Pike County members with the reservation deadline details. Recognition of Essay Contest winners will be featured. First place winner in Ross County is Zebulin Cottrill from Huntington School. Zebulin is a student in the class of Ms. Patty Blesedell. Runner up is Amber Ginter from Zane Trace where she is a student in the class of Ms. Cheryl McCloy. Pike County winners are Kayla Miller first place and second place winner is Hannah Bradson. Both are students at Waverly Intermediate where they are student in the class of Ms. Ronda Henry. Text Box: Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus Quarterly Meeting Text Box: THE PAST MASTERS DEGREE The Past Master Degree came into being because originally the degree of Royal Arch was conferred by the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge only on actual Past Masters. This degree was instituted to make it possible for all worthy Brethren to receive the Royal Arch degree. The first record of its conferral is found in 1768 in England. THE MOST EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE The Most Excellent Master Degree is a product of American innovation. It was conferred in a Royal Arch Chapter as early as 1783 in Middletown, Conn. It is by far the most spectacular degree in all Freemasonry. It is the only degree that brings forcibly to our attention the completion and dedication of King Solomon's Temple.