On October 30, 2007 the Brethren assembled to confer upon Brother Joe Lucchessi, the second degree of Masonry.  As we are near year end, most of the Brethren were at advanced stations.  Our Worshipful Master, however, was temporarily demoted to Senior Deacon, in which chair he did a fine job.  The first section of the degree was completed with only minor glitches, but when the newly obligated brother sought admission back into the Lodge, Mother Nature answered his knock with one of here own.  She politely replied with a M5.6 earthquake, centered approximately 30 miles from our location.  As we were on the second floor of the building, the earthquake seemed more pronounced and somewhat long lasting.  No columns were felled during the quake, and the degree was completed  without further incident.