New Officer Slate by Don Rieck

According to the bylaws of our lodge, the election of officers must be held at the first stated communication on May.  The installation of officers must be on or before the next stated communication. I have assembled a list, in alphabetical order of brothers willing to serve as officers, with the exception of those of secretary and treasurer.  For these two offices I have put together  a pair of teams because they have to work so closely together.

Bill Allen – Bill is a new but active member of our Lodge. He came through the one day program and want s to lean the ritual and serve as an officer.

Gordon Bane – Gordy came from King Solomon #44 where he served through Senior Warden.  He is a past master of MRV Lodge #6 and is now serving as Chaplain and Deputy Master.

Mike Pierce- Mike came from King Solomon#44 where he served as Tyler.  He has served as chaplain and Junior Steward in MRV Lodge #6.  Mike is active in Lodge and Jobs Daughters.  He wants to move through all the chairs in order of respective ranks, so prefers appointment as Senior Steward.

Don Rieck – Don is past master who came from King Hiram Lodge #31 and Alma Lodge #184.

James Rieck – James came from Alma Lodge #184 where he worked through the chairs to the office of Senior Deacon.

Keith Rieck – Keith came from Alma Lodge #184 where he worked through the chairs to the office of Junior Warden.

Paul Tuttle – Paul is a third generation Mason who engered our lodge throught eh Mentor program.  He will begin doing the newsletter with the next edition and will willing to learn the ritual and serve as an officer.

Larry Wegfield- Larry is a Past Master who came from Carver and Chaska Lodges.  He is willing to serve as Junior Warden.

Secretary and Treasurer

Don Conn and David Scheffert- both brothers served as Master of King Hiram

Robert Davis, Jr. and Ned Pilling – both of these brothers served as Masters of Rough Ashler.

Report from the Membership
Activities committee

The membership committee has had a busy month and it looks like it could get busier.

Table lodge – Toasts, food, and Fun was the order of the evening.  The table lodge and 50 year certificate presentations was huge success. Brothers Robert Bolz, Frank Lindholm and Marvin Peterson were given the recognition they so richly deserved.  Special thanks to Mike Pierce, Don Conn., George miller and Marc Peterson or the time spent in organizing this event.  DuWayne  Strehlow  will  be presented his certificate at his home in Shakopee.

Lodge Fishing Trip

The next event planned is a lodge fishing trip.  Brothers Jim Heyda and Gary Eagan have volunteered to plan this event. Stay tuned for further developments and information.

Kolacky days in Montgomery – July 27-28-29^th

Pork burgers and corn on the cob will again be featured at the Masons booth at K-days. Brother Bill Boyle is this years project chairperson along with Lyndon Jelinik, last year’s chair.  This project takes a lot of man (Mason) power so mark these dates on your calendar.

SHAKOPEE SHOWCASE

April 24, 2001 at Canterbury Park 6 - 8 PM, we got the equipment setup and we were busy taking pictures and finger printing after the vital info was installed on a disk. It was transferred to another computer to finish the process. The disk and picture, along with the sheet that the parents
completed, was given to the parents. The program was well accepted and for the 2 hours we were busy.

The attendance was great, thanks to Dick Friend, Mike Pierce, Jim Eshleman,
Marc Peterson, Don Conn and Don Case.

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something good in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and  press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Dick Friend, LEO

Treasurers Information

From – Ask Dow Jones/ Star Tribune

It was nice getting a big tax-refund check in the mail, but it was so bid that I wonder if it was smart.  Should I adjust my paycheck? And how do I figure out how much to have withheld?

Yes – you should make some as  quickly as possible.  I know it seems terrific to get  big refund check. But keep in mind that the Treasury did not pay you any interest.  That means you -  and millions of other people, gave the government  a hefty interest free loan.  To figure out how much to have withheld  from your paycheck, visit the IRS  website (www.irs.gov), scroll to the bottom and click on “Tax Information for You.”  Then look in the left hand column for the “W-4 Calculator". Missing out on significant amounts of interest.  Make sure you do not go overboard and pay too little because you may get hit by a stiff penalty if you owe more that $1000 when you file.  One other suggestion: Instead of waiting for a refund check to arrive in the mail, choose the “direct deposit” system and have your refund zapped directly into your bank account electronically.  It is much faster and safer.

MN River Valley Lodge #6

110 ½ 1^st Street

Shakopee MN 55379