Greetings from the East

The highway 212 road (project) cleanup didn’t work out due to a communications mix-up. We will have to reschedule it. Kolacky Days is scheduled for July 27, 28 and 29 in Montgomery. At the same time we are scheduled to work on the Kid’s I.D. Program. We can work with the Sheriff’s Department at the Scott County Fair. The Summer Picnic in Shakopee with the Eastern Star Chapters is scheduled for July 19^th.

On June 2^nd, Gordy Bane, Keith Rieck and I attended a meeting with RWB Terry Tilton, Deputy Grand Master of Minnesota, to address some interests of the future. As we hurdle head long into the twenty-first century, some methods of doing business must be re-evaluated as to their effectiveness and efficiency.

The Grand Lodge is vitally interested in the future of every individual Lodge in the state. To this end, it may become necessary to pool our resources and share a building with a group of Lodges forming a Regional Masonic Center.

Our Southwest metro area is composed of Cataract Loge #2, Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6, Lake Harriet Lodge #277, Lynnhurst Lodge #317, Bloomington Lodge #340 and Lebonon Lodge #346.

It is my opinion that if we want to have some influence over the way things develop, we are going to have to take a proactive part in the planning.

Don Reick W.M.

My Brothers,

The Grand Master has introduced an opportunity to be of service to a group of people who not only need some assistance, but who worthily deserve to be given some help. Every city, county, rural area, or urban center knows the pain of having citizens whom are victims of abuse. There are no age limits, no gender specific victims, and all those who are abused persons generally feel lost and alone. Thank God (literally) there are places
for them to turn for help.

Generally speaking, the facts are that most of these victims are female, and many are children with no particular distinction between males or females.
Males who are abused OFTEN become abusers, and female victims OFTEN become involved with abusers.

There is a group in Belle Plaine, Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women, that really needs help and the Grand Master, with his wife and I, met with their Board of Directors to attempt to find how we can be of service as, " Masons who care." I was very moved by the needs this group has and, sincerely believe we can make a positive difference.

We asked for a wish list from the people we met with and received an invitation to be of service in many, many ways. The list is long, and I don't expect we can answer all needs, but some of them are very much within our
abilities. We have, with the help of our own WM, set up a committee of four brothers to start this activity of service. We are going to need help to make it happen. Can we count on you? We're going to be asking for physical help
and perhaps for a few dollars, but we invite you to be a part of this effort to prove Masons do care. Watch for your chance to assist in this meaningful Grand Lodge project.

George Miller;

(952) 403-9322

Fishing Trip to Mille Lac

The date now set for the Lake Mille Lac fishing trip is September 7. The exact time for the outing that day will be determined by your input. Please contact Gary E. at 758-3810 or Jim H. by August 1 to participate. The phone number for Eddy’s Resort is 1 800-657-4704.

Kolacky Days

Brother Dave Scheffert has put out a staffing schedule for working the booth at Kolacky Days. Some time slots are yet understaffed so please give Dave a call to help out. This is an important event for all of us. Thanks to the engineering talent of Brother Dallas Horejsi and his team, the new booth will be ready to be used at the event.

Have an Address Change?

If your are planning a move of residence or have already moved, please ensure that your new address is sent to me, or the Lodge address, so that your Newsletter gets to you on time. If you would like to forward an article for the Newsletter, e-mail it to: news@mn-rivervalley.org  or mail it to the return address on this Newsletter.

Early Lessons

Last fall on my way to the Lodge for my very first time, my Father, a friend and I were a little unsure of exactly where the entrance of the Lodge was located. I was a bit anxious as most of you could imagine of what awaited me. Time seemed to be running short so we asked directions of the first person we saw on First Street. I heard the words “He won’t know where it is” come out of my mouth as I parked at the curb. We asked anyway. He stared at us with an unknowing look and replied “You ask WHERE is it. WHAT is it?!”  We thanked him anyway and proceeded around the block again until I spotted anther gentleman crossing the street. I told my riders that “He will know.” He indeed did and we continued around the corner to park near the Lodge.

As we left our car the first man appeared again and seemed agitated at us for not knowing our way. He cursed and received no response from us as I felt a flush of anger come over me. My companions were unaffected and calm.

After my Degree work and on our way home, I was curious of my Father’s reserve with the man on the street. “What was that all about?” I asked, “What’s his problem?” Asking questions faster than he could respond. He simply said, “People fear what they don’t understand and what they don’t fear is that they may never understand.”

Paul Tuttle

MRVL # 6

c/o Paul Tuttle

34771 270^th Street

Henderson, MN 56044