January 2000 Newsletter

Lodge Position	Name	Telephone #	Lodge Position	Name	Telephone #
Worshipful Master	Gordon Bane	(612)447-2585	Trustee	Don Case	(612)445-8325
Senior Warden	Steve Scheffert	(612)707-0135	Trustee	Tom Hone	(612)448-2074
Junior Warden	Don Rieck	(612)492-2558	Trustee	Charles Marston	(612)492-6148
Treasurer	Robert Davis Jr	(612)466-2461	Trustee	Marc Peterson	(507)364-5539
Secretary	Randy Maluchnik	(612)368-4460	Trustee	Ned Pilling	(507)248-3544

This is the coldest time of the winter and with all the colds/flu that is going around I have talked to many brothers that have been sick. With that I know it's hard to get to lodge or to committee meetings. We have many things going on and much work to still accomplish. So to those who are down please get well soon, we need you.

I've been going thru the Scottish degrees and have had many comments from brothers, both from the Grand Lodge and other blue lodges, on how well we are doing in the first year of our merger. I tell people that it's due to the dedication, hard work, and love of Masonry that is in this lodge that has made all things possible. We have our sweethearts day coming up on Feb.12th with a total of 80 reservations made. Also the flower sale that needs work in the planning stages. And we have started

the process to acquire a new lodge in the Jordan area. With all this happening there will be some very important lodge meetings that need a good attendance with your input.

It this is a great time to get involved. Meetings are on the first Tue.@ 7:30 and the third Sat. with breakfast @ 7a.m.

Oh, yes, we are all Craftsmen and very proud to be,
We wear our pins and rings for everyone to see.

But let us pose the question, even though the thought may sting.
Would you know me to be a Mason, if you did not see the ring?

True we show tenets of our ancient hallowed creed,
Not just on coat and finger, but by words and deeds.

There's one thing to remember, if I've learned my lesson well.
My deeds do more convincing, than my finger or lapel.

(anonymous)
Dick Friend, LEO

The financial committee met in Belle Plaine at the home of Brother Bob Davis SR. Present were Ned Pilling, Marc Peterson, Charles Richter,Bob Davis JR. Bill Boyle,and Bob Davis JR. We had received budget request from all committees after close examination we found several expense items which must be addressed in open lodge. The operating budget for year 2000 will be presented for review at the next meeting.

The committee met very briefly on January 4, 2000 to discuss the donation of $20.00 to the Masonic Home in memory of Brother Orson Hahn, who passed away last month. We also discussed about a donation to Alida Bican for $200 to help with her travels. Both items were brought forward in lodge and the Brothers voted in favor of each item.

The lodge has also received a copier through Gordy Bane. This is up in lodge as of January 15. This will help us greatly in producing the newsletter and cut our costs (Thanks, Gordy).

The responses for the "Sweethearts Day" event have been great. A total of 80 people are planning for the event. I will be receiving the tickets this week and will be handing them out at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. I will try to be next to the door to the dinning area. I will arrive around 10:00 to start passing the tickets out. The event is on February 12, 2000 and starts at 11:00 am with lunch and the show will start at 1:00.

Also, in February MN River Valley Lodge #6 will be hosting a school of instructions on February 22, 2000. We will start at 7:30. The degree that was chosen was that of EA. I have contacted many Brothers from our lodge and have assigned parts to them. I will be sending out a note in a week or two reminding them of their parts and of the date. Thanks to all whom have volunteered.

Don’t forget all articles for the February Newsletter must be in by February 22, 2000. Anything not received by then will be held until the next newsletter. I also would like to encourage everyone who hasn’t turned in their questionnaire yet. Please try to finish them up and mail them into me. Thanks, to those that have.

The main item for this month is the First Degree School of Instruction scheduled for Tuesday February 22. It will be held at 7:30 p.m. and is hosted by Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6. This is right at home so it should be easy for everyone to attend. The majority of the parts will be filled by members of our own lodge, so come out and see how they do.

You should also be making reservations for Grand Lodge to be held in Saint Cloud on April 7 and 8. If you haven’t been to Grand Lodge for a few years you will notice a lot of changes. I hope to see many of you there.