Building Blocks Newsletter from Feb. 2007

Wow, where do I start? Over the past few years, we have been attempting to repair and bring out the best in our old building. It is coming along, slow but surely. Trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear is not impossible, but it does lighten the load of the purse. My favorite saying during this endeavor has been “Paint and putty is my best buddy!” But you know it goes deeper than that.

Let’s take a look at the general overview of repairs and updates over the past 10 years. First, mid to late 90’s, insulation was placed and blown in several places in the area over the lodge room, however, due to a leaking roof, this had gotten damp . In 1999 a new membrane roof was installed and the old roof taken off. It stopped the roof leak, but not the seepage through the walls, abutments and chimneys. In the past few years, one whole inside plaster wall collapsed in the back bathroom, the hallway walls and ceiling were crumbling and ceiling plaster was falling in the drop ceiling in the upstairs hallway, and the texture wall behind the chair of the Worshipful Master, has become water soaked and rotted, growing a smelly mold in the process. Adding to this, a dirty chipped floor, and dirty walls and woodwork trim made the appearance entering the Lodge, a dreary experience. And, it this was not enough, the kitchen pipes started leaking and water was running down onto the drop ceiling above the stairs and to make matters worse, the gas valve on the Hot water heater was found faulty and would not shut off the gas flow should the pilot light go out. Our building is suffering from the saying I am hearing a lot now…” Its getting old.”

But, we have taken steps to correct these problems and do something about it. I had a new roof put on in 1999 when I was Worshipful Master. It cost us $12,000 and stopped the “roof” leaks, but later found that leaking trim and brick joints were causing even more interior damage not yet seen.

On New Year’s Day of 2003, the service entrance breaker box for Clarke Hardware was replaced with a new safer approved panel box. The old one was found to be an outdated brand that had caused many fires due to faulty breaker performance, and due to the high insurance claims, the company (Federal Pacific) is no longer in business and these boxes are being replaced all across the country

Talk to make needed repairs was made for several years and when Worshipful Brother Ed Reeves was Worshipful Master three years ago, he had studies made for the re-pointing of the brick work and sealing and painting of the outside. The lodge approved these repairs at a cost of almost $40,000 on his last day in office, and Worshipful Brother Ron Hamilton, has seen this through during his past two years as Worshipful Master, adding the needed interior upgrades as well. 

To improve the appearance of the interior and repair this damage, the walls in the hall way were covered with sheetrock and screwed to the studs to retain the old plaster walls, refinished and painted. A new carpet placed at the bottom of the stairway, new lighting and ceiling put in and the stairs and chair lift painted. Both bathrooms were “gutted” and rebuilt with new sinks, updated higher commodes for easier usage, new ceilings, wiring, lights and walls. The back bath had to have the window re-framed due to excessive rot and the walls studded and sealed on the south wall. The old “coat closet” was taken out and a new “coat room” was added for privacy when changing clothes was necessary. This was donated to the lodge building by the York Rite Bodies that meet there, Fairfax Royal Arch Chapter #13 and Fairfax Commandery #25.

The outside globe lights have been repainted, rewired and reinstalled. The outside ceiling light was dusted off and rewired. The old outdated sign depicting who meets in the building and when, was updated and repainted with easy to view lettering. New planters and cement stones were placed along the entrance way to make a separation from the area used by Clarke Hardware, giving easier access into the Lodge doors.

When the kitchen was found to be in need of work, it was also “gutted” and all cabinets, base and wall, removed, the old tile floor torn out, the gas hot water heater taken out, and all the old plumbing removed. In 2006, the local chapter of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows sold their building, and are now renting space and meeting in our building. It is a very pleasant relationship, and they are adding greatly to our endeavors. For a while, the Culpeper Ruritan Club was meeting there as well, but have since moved to a local restaurant so they do not have to do their own cooking. A new kitchen has been installed, including new Oak Cabinets on three walls, a horseshoe style counter on three walls, two gas stoves (the “good ole stove” we had, and an newer one to replace the old electric range), complete with vent hoods and lights. The plaster walls were totally crumbled beyond repair and plywood had to be fastened to the old studs and then covered with a washable white fiberglass panel on all walls. This provides a wipe down wall that needs very little maintaining and no painting. A new electric hot water heater was installed, new plumbing, new wiring circuits run from a new sub panel installed for this purpose and greater lighting and an exhaust fan. The Odd Fellows Lodge donated a new under counter ice maker and another refrigerator. Brother Leon Fincher donated a new automatic dishwasher and new floor for the kitchen. This update alone, has made the preparation of meals for all bodies that meet there, a much easier, safer and sanitary task. It provides well for a meal prior to every meeting, which we have been doing for the past several years.

The last improvement was to the ante-room at the lodge door. This used to be the old coat hook room and sign in area….some changes. The coat room is moved to the area of the bathrooms with wooden coat hangers provided on rods. The room has been repainted with lighter colors and a new light, and window curtains installed. Also, two glass display cabinets are now in place where our old artifacts, aprons, jewels, etc may be displayed and protected. The doors to this room and the lodge, have been dressed with “new” antique solid brass door knobs with the Square and Compasses cast on them. These were found from old temples across the country that were being torn down or renovated.

We still have some work to do, and it is being done as we go. The upstairs hall needs to be finished with painting the walls and another coat on the floor. The area behind the “East” needs to be replaced, but that is also underway and will be taken care of. We have the paint and are always looking for “elbow grease”. Our lodge building is taking shape, and becoming much more attractive for new members and guest. Let’s keep up the drive and strive.

There is a matter that needs to be addressed. It is a task that every member can assist with and leave a memory of them or a loved one in the lodge. The old theatre seats are getting worn and unsightly. Some are dangerously wobbly and most are hard to get into to and very uncomfortable to sit in through meetings. These can be replaced with nice comfortable leather and mahogany chairs. They would be a great addition to the lodge room and we can remove the old fold down theatre chairs that have served us well for many years, but like many of us, time and usage have made them less functional than they used to be.

This endeavor can be easily and quickly accomplished. If each member will “donate” a chair, either in his name or that of a friend, past member or loved one, we could have this completed in a month. To do this, a donation of only $100.00 per chair would needed. You are not limited to how many chairs you may “donate”. And for each one, please let us know whose name it is donated in and a brass plaque will be placed on the chair with that person’s name engraved. Think of how nice this would look when Past Master’s night comes and we have new, beautiful and comfortable chairs for all to sit in! Our Secretary, Steve Hicks, is swamped with his tax business at this time of the year, so please send your replies to me and I will see the Treasurer receives the funds and the chairs are purchased. To make this easier, enclosed is a stamped return envelope and short form so we will know exactly how you wish to have your donation designated. If we receive your donation by the last week in March, it is possible we could have this completed by the second Thursday in April!

Please consider this request very seriously. We have spent a great deal of time and money to bring your building up to its present condition, and your assistance in this new effort would be greatly appreciated and a great asset to add a much needed upgrade. I look forward to your anticipated reply and participation in this team effort. Please don’t forget, that you may donate a chair in anyone’s name; in memory of a deceased Brother, family member, supportive company or just a friend of the lodge.

Fraternally and Sincerely,
“Brother Dave”
RW David B. Carter, PDDGM
Chairman FFX Lodge Building Committee