Letter of Thanks

On the 20^th of January, many of you took out of your own valuable time to attend my 3^rd degree at the MN Masonic Home in Bloomington. It was quite an exciting evening and one that I shall never forget. I cannot remember any such other event in my life where so many good people had come together to see me succeed. You have my deepest gratitude.

Without a point of comparison but only the chatter of my Brothers, it seems that the Zuhrah Legion of Honor Degree Team’s presentation was nothing short of exceptional. I must whole-heartedly agree that they were certainly convincing in their performance from where I was standing! Through this newsletter, my heartfelt thanks to each and every member of that team.

As well as learning more about Masonry that evening, there was more to learn about my Father (William Tuttle) and my Grandfather (Earl Tuttle), whom were both present at the event. I feel incredibly gifted that they were both able to attend and allowing me the honor to stand alongside them.

So many of my Brothers from Minnesota Valley Lodge #6 participated in, and prior to, that special evenings events for which I am truly grateful. I feel some special thanks are in order:  to Gordy, Larry and Dick for taking the time over the interview process, to Ned Pilling for getting me through with his excellent mentoring skills, to Don Case and Don Reick for their impressive examples in Masonry, to W.M. Steven Scheffert for bringing it all together every single time it was required and finally, to my most trusted guide Dave Scheffert whom led me the way safely

.

Paul Tuttle

Membership committee

The committee met on Feb 12^th.  Members present were John Luetzenhieser,  Donn Conn, Gary Eagan, Mike Pierce and Marc Peterson.

Guest speaker at the next regular meeting.  After hearing Bro. Steve Johnson, of the Winthrop Lodge speak at the state Masonic meeting in St Cloud, Bro. Marvin Peterson thought it would be great if he could give his presentation at one of our lodge meetings. To our good fortune everything has fallen into place and Bro. Johnson will be at our next meeting on Mar 6^th.  The committee is inviting other area lodges to attend our meeting if they would like to hear what Bro. Johnson has to say about Membership.

The next event on the calendar is a Cribbage Tournament.  This event will be held after the regular Sat. meeting on Mar 17^th.  Brother Bill Boyle who has been part of this activity at the Hopkins Lodge is helping the committee set it up. The event will conclude at 12:00 with lunch at the lodge. You can sign up for this at the March 6^th meeting or just show up. Everyone playing should bring a bag of snacks to share! Beverages provided.

Should be a lot of fun.

An Open Table Lodge is planned for April 20th. The presentation of several 50 year pins, along with other Lodge awards, will be the highlight of this event.   Watch for registration information in a special mailing.

The May and June activity will be a Lodge Fishing Extravaganza. Bro.’s  Gary Eagan and  Jim Heyda are planning something very special.. More details will follow.

Secretary’s Report

By Kermit Bischoff

We have just filed the year end report to Grand Lodge for 2000.  Following is information the Brothers should know about:

            3 Brothers became duel members

            2 Brothers restored

            1 Brother withdrawn

            6 Brothers deceased    

            6 Brothers stricken

Total members  168

  Down from 176

As of now 44 Brothers have not paid their dues for 2001.  Several Brothers are in arrears and should be stricken by 31 Dec01 if they fail to pay the dues owed the River Valley Lodge #6.

I am sorry to see W/B Steve Scheffert leave before he has finished his term.  Thank you Steve for the many labels and address changes you made and the other things needed from the Worshipful Master to make the Secretary’s job easier.  I’ll miss your efficiency in keeping the lodge going since 1999.

The Masonic Lodge Structure

WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Leaps tall buildings in a single bound
Is more powerful than an Intercity Express
Is faster than a speeding bullet
Walks on Water
Gives policy to God

SENIOR WARDEN
Leaps short buildings with a single bound
Is more powerful than a goods train
Is just as fast as a speeding bullet
Walks on the water if the sea is calm
Talks with God

JUNIOR WARDEN
Leaps short buildings with a running start and a
favorable wind
Is almost as powerful as a goods train
Is faster than a speeding airgun pellet
Walks on water of a swimming pool
Talks with God if special dispensation is given

SENIOR DEACON
Barely clears a garden hut
Loses a tug-of-war with a train
Can fire a speeding bullet
Swims well
Is occasionally addressed by God

JUNIOR DEACON
Makes high marks on the wall when trying to leap
buildings
Is run over by trains
Can sometimes handle a gun without inflicting
self-injury
Doggie paddles
Talks with the animals

TILER
Runs into buildings
Recognizes trains two out of three times
Is not issued ammunition
Can stay afloat with a life vest
Talks to walls

STEWARD
Falls over doorsteps when trying to enter buildings
Says "Look at the choo choo's"
Wets himself with a water pistol
Plays in mud puddles
Mumbles to himself

SECRETARY
Lifts buildings and walks under them
Kicks trains off the track
Catches speeding bullets in his mouth and eats them
Freezes water with a single glance
HE IS GOD !

Dedicated to our beloved Secretary, Kerm Bischoff.

Dick Friend, LEO

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Treasurer’s Notes of Wisdom

By Charles Richter

7 Ways to Boost Your Savings

1.      When you finish paying off the car loan, keep writing the monthly check, but send it to a mutual fund instead.

2.      Save all windfalls, such as money from tax refunds, second jobs, year end bonuses, inheritances and medical insurance reimbursements.

3.      Add a few dollars to the monthly mortgage check, so that you pay off the loan more quickly.

4.      Settle on a weekly budget, make a cash machine withdrawal for that amount and then spend only this money.

5.      Sing up for your employer’s 401(k) plan and set up automatic investment programs, where money is yanked out of your bank account each month and plunked directly into some mutual funds.

6.      Go to the store with a shopping list, and buy only items that are on the list.

7.      If you have spare cash, get it out  of your checking account and into a certificate of deposit, money-market fund or some other account where the money is less  likely to get spent.