Greetings from the East

We will have to change the method of handling our bills to meet the requirements of our Bylaws. All bills will have to be voted on in open Lodge and stamped by the W.M. or Deputy Master before presentation to the Treasure for payment, with the exception of our fixed expenses that are budgeted with a yearly maximum of; Rent = $4,080, Cleaning = $770, Insurance = $400 and newsletter/website = $3,000.

We will dispose of the Financial Committee and turn everything presently held (over) to the Trustees. With the exception of their checking account which is to be turned over to the Treasure who will deposit this in a separate account designated “Building Fund Account”. It shall be the duty of the Trustees to manage, oversee and invest monies in this account. Provided however, no monies from this account may be spent except by the order of the W.M. and the consent of the Lodge.

The Trustees, W.M. and Treasure will meet Saturday, September 8t^h at 8:00 a.m. at the Lodge Hall to set up a program to manage our assets per our Bylaws. The Board of Trustees has never been active so I will appoint temporary officers until they elect their own. President: Gordan Bane, Vice President: Tom Hone, Recording Secretary: Don Case, Financial Secretary: Richard Friend.

The first meeting in October will be held in Richter’s Woods at 5:30 p.m.. You can get to Richter’s Woods by going south on Hwy 13 to Montgomery, turn west at Skluzaceks Amaco and car wash to the first road on the left (south). A sign saying “Richter’s Woods” pointing south will direct you to the park. Food will be provided at the Park.

Don Rieck W.M.

Lodge Trustee’s Report

The Board of Trustee’s, at the direction of the Worshipful Master, held a meeting on Sept.8, 2001 for the purpose of discussing the recent decision of the W.M. to dissolve the Financial Committee. In order to comply with a strict interpretation of the present Bylaws there was to be no non-trustee members of the Lodge involved the decisions regarding the assets of the Lodge.  

We, the Trustee’s, would like to acknowledge the great contribution of such fine and noble Brothers who have led us through the first two years of our merged Lodges and also ask for the [Financial Committee] members that are not on the board for their continued support as financial advisors to the Trustees.

The only financial change the Trustees made at this meeting was the decision to close the money market portion of our investment portfolio.  Initially these assets were in place to keep a portion of our funds readily accessible, at a better than passbook rates, should the lodge need money quickly. At this time with the continuous roll over of CD's at staggered intervals this is no longer regarded as necessary.

Also at this meeting Bro.Tom Hone resigned and Brother Jim Eshleman was appointed by the W.M. to replace him.

The Trustee’s ask for your continued support and input during this time of change in our internal structure. It should be noted that the Trustee’s of the Lodge did not originate the dissolution of the Financial Committee.

Fraternally – Trustee’s

The Mother Lodge

By Rudyard Kipling

There was Rundle, Station Master,

An’ Beazley of the Rail,

An’ Ackman, Commissariat,

An’ Donkin o’ the Jail;

An’ Blake, Conductor-Sargent,

Our Master twice was ‘e,

With ‘im that kept the Europe shop,

Old Framjee Eduljee.

Outside—“Sergeant!  Sir!  Salaam!”

Inside—“Brother,” an’ it doesn’t do no ‘arm.

We met upon the Level an’ we parted on the Square,

An’ I was Junior Deacon in my Mother Lodge out there!

We’d Bola Nath, Accountant,

An’ Saul the Aden Jew,

An’ Din Mohammed, draughtsman

Of  the Survey Office, too;

There was Babu Chuckkerbutty,

An’ Amir Singh the Sikh

An’ Castro from the fittin’-sheds,

The Roman Catholick!

We ‘and’t good regalia,

An’ our Lodge was old an’ bare,

But we knew the Ancient Landmarks,

An’ we kep’ ‘em to a hair;

And lookin’ on it backwards

It often strikes me thus,

There ain’t such a thing as infidels,

Except, per’aps, it’s us.

For monthly, after Labour,

We’d all sit down and smoke

(We dursn’t give no banquits,

Lest a Brother’s caste were broke),

An’ man on man got talkin’

Religion an’ the rest,

An’ every man comparin’

Of the God ‘e knew the best.

So man on man got talkin’,

An’ not a Brother stirred

Till mornin’ waked the parrots

An’ that dam’ brain-fever-bird;

We’d say ‘twas ‘ighly curious,

An’ we’d all ride ‘ome to bed,

With Mo’ammed, God an’ Shiva

Changin’ pickets in our ‘ead.

Full oft on Guv’ment service

This rovin’ foot ‘ath pressed,

An’ bore fraternal greetin’s

To the Lodges east an’ west,

Accordin’ as commanded

From Kohat to Singapore,

But I wish that I might see them

In my Mother Lodge once more!

I wish that I might see them,

My Brethren, black an’ brown,

With the  trichies smellin’ pleasant

An’ the hog-darn passin’ down;

An’ the old Khansamah snorin’

On the bottle-khana floor,

Like a Master in good standing

With my Mother Lodge once more!

Outside—“Sergeant!  Sir!  Salute!  Salaam!”

Inside—“Brother,” an’ it doesn’t do no ‘arm.

We met upon the Level an’ we parted on the Square,

An’ I was Junior Deacon in my Mother Lodge out there!

Kolacky Day’s Food Stand a Big Success.

The newly constructed food stand worked great at this years Montgomery Kolacky Days celebration. The new stand, which was engineered and built by Brother Dallas Horejsi, took much of the work out of setting up and taking down the stand. Not only that it really looked sharp and made the Mn. River Valley Lodge look like a class organization. 

Chairman Bill Boyle did an excellent job of organizing the event this year. Last year’s chairperson, Lyndon Jelinek, along with Brothers Marvin Jakes and Dave Scheffert, worked with Bill to make this one of the most successful events of the year. They would like to thank all the Brothers that came to work long and hard to make this the big success that it turned out to be. In all, 600 lbs. of pork burgers and over 2000 cobs of corn were sold.

When the pork burger smoke cleared and every thing was added up, the profit for the weekend was approximately  $3000.00, Super job everyone.

Now that we have an outstanding portable food stand all the Brothers should be on the lookout for events at which it could be used.

Article contributed by Brother Marc Peterson

Please Note!

All mail directed to the Lodge Secretary should now be addressed to Brother Dave Scheffert whom has taken over such duties from Kermit.

Dave Scheffert is also the Sweet Heart Day event Chairman, so keep this in mind in making your plans for this coming February if you need any assistance. Oh Brother Dave, you sure have your share of things to keep you going!!

DID?
Did I help or hurt today Lord,
is anyone happier that I passed this way,

Will anyone remember that I spoke to them today

And when the day is over and toiling time is through

Will someone say a kindly word,

for me- for you.

I wonder can I say in parting from a day that is slipping fast,

Did I help a single brother from the many that I
passed,

Is a single heart rejoicing over what I did or said,

Does someone whose hopes were fading,

now with New Hope look ahead.

Did I win this day or lose it, was it well or poorly
spent,

Did I leave a trail of kindness,
or a scar of discontent.

As I close my eyes in slumber,

to the Architect above I pray,

That I've earned one more tomorrow,
by the Good I Did Today.

Article contributed by Brother Richard Friend

Joint Picnic

The GRAND LODGE of MINNESOTA and the GRAND CHAPTER of MN, O.E.S. is sponsoring a joint picnic for our Minnesota Masonic Family. Fraternal Lodge #92 & Kedron Chapter #120 of Princeton, in conjunction with North Star Lodge #23 & Granite Chapter #5 of Saint Cloud are the hosts for this event.

The date and place are Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001 from 9:30 AM to 3:00PM at Riverside Park in St. Cloud which is at 18th St. S.E. & Kilian Blvd. Directions are Hwy. 10 North to Reformatory exit at Co. Rd. #301. West onto
301 (also called Minnesota Blvd.) to the second stop sign (18th St. S.E.). Riverside Park is on the left. There will be a Church Service at 11:00 AM. Lunch will be at 12:30.

Cost is only $3.00 for adults, children 6-12 only $2.00, and under 6, free. Reservations are requested to Keith Kennedy by Sept. 10th. Keith's address is:
821 - 11th St. S.E. St. Cloud, MN 56304-1628
(320) 253-1680

Meat (brats, hotdogs, hamburgers) buns, and drinks (coffee, lemonade and iced tea) will be furnished. Bring snacks, salads or something to pass (fruit, beans, veggies).

This is a great opportunity to get our Masonic family together and renew old friendships, but even a better opportunity to meet new Brothers and Sisters.
I hope to see you there.

GEORGE MILLER

MRVL # 6

c/o Paul Tuttle

34771 270^th Street

Henderson, MN 56044