Greetings from the East

Brothers of the Lodge,

Life is truly a wonderful thing. As you receive this newsletter the weather is changing and the leaves are turning. I hope you are maximizing time with friends and family. Chris (my 11 year old son) and I have made a few trips into the woods using the excuse that we were going hunting. Even if we never fire a shot the time is always well worth the effort.

There are many activities coming up to keep us busy as a lodge. I am planning to travel to Winthrop on November 19 to pass on the traveling trophy. For those of you who are not familiar with this trophy, it is a very large gavel that is to be used to promote friendships among the lodges and travel with-in the state of Minnesota. My goal for us is to have 15 men travel to Winthrop to deliver that Gavel. I hope you can make it. I know it will be a fun night!

I would like to update you on our newest entered apprentices. They are: Alan T. Greene (mentor John Loutzenhizer), Bob Benjamin (mentor Bob DeLoach), and Michael Sullivan (mentor Mike Kotwitz). Make it a point to welcome our new Brothers next time you are in lodge and share some of your excitement for Masonry. We will be holding a practice for 2^nd Degree on November 12^th and the Degree will be held on November 20 (the night after we travel with the gavel.) The Master Mason Degree will be held on December 7, 2002. We also have a petition that will have to be voted on and if approved will require another round of Degree work starting in January. Spread the Masonic light!

I would like to personally invite you to the Jobs Daughters Parent/Masonic dinner. This event is one that the Bethel looks forward to because it is their chance to honor their parents and the Masons from which they derive their heritage. It will be an afternoon of visiting and having fun. I know it will be a good time. Please mark your calendars to attend this event on November 17, 2002.

The Lodge has voted to purchase a chair for the north of the Lodge room, in honor of Doc Mauralt. I would like to find a chair that would be appropriate for this place of honor. If anyone has seen a chair that would be up to this assignment please let me know.

I hope you are all doing well.

Fraternally,

Master

-Sr. Warden Marc Peterson

On behalf of the membership committee, we would like to welcome the THREE newest entered apprentices to Minnesota River Valley #6. Along with these new candidates, we would like to congratulate the Brothers that took the initiative to make sure these men received the encouragement to follow through with this commitment. These brothers are Robert DeLoach, Mike Pierce, George Miller, Mike Kottwitz and John Loutzenhizer. Thank you, Brothers, for setting a fine example for the rest of us.

Brothers ask yourself if there is someone you know who would benefit from the life long Masonic experience? There are individuals right now that are looking for what Masonry offers. It is our job to let them know that the opportunity exists.

The Second Degree for the new candidates will be held on Wed., Nov. 20^th, 7:00 PM at the Shakopee lodge hall. Again it will be conducted in conjunction with Lebanon lodge #346. I encourage all the brothers to attend. Brothers Don Conn and Dave Scheffert worked with the Lebanon lodge degree team and produced an excellent 1^st degree for the new candidates.

Start planning now to attend the 3^rd degree, which will be on Sat., Dec 7 at 8:30 AM at the Shakopee lodge hall. Brothers, you all know what an inspiring ceremony this degree provides. Mark it down on your calendar so you can welcome these new brothers into the lodge. If any brother would like to be involved in this ceremony please let call or e-mail any of the lodge officers.

Christmas Party / Table Lodge - with the degree work taking precedent, the steering committee decided to in incorporate a Lodge Christmas celebration with the Open Table Lodge, which had been planned for the end of the year. Can you imagine the festive nature of a Christmas event combined with the revelry and ceremony of a Table Lodge? Brothers, you don’t want to miss this. In the near future you will be receiving an invitation and reservation form with the exact time and place for this event.

Christmas Baskets – It has become a tradition with the lodge to make and distribute Christmas Baskets to some of the Brothers and widows of the lodge. The lodge has set aside funds for this project, but we are looking for donations of fruit, candy, or anything else the Brothers may have access to that we could add to the basket. This is what our " Fraternity for Life" is all about. We will be finalizing the list of those that will be receiving baskets by the 1^st week in Dec.

Sweethearts Dinner at the Chanhassen - On February 15, 2003 we will be having dinner and enjoying the timeless classic "Camelot" at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Brother Dave Scheffert and his wife Dorothy are once again organizing this event. David has made reservations for 80 Brothers and their Sweethearts. Remember, in appreciation for the support your sweetheart gives you in Masonry, they are the guests of the Lodge at this event. Lodge Brothers only have to pay for their own ticket. Remember there are a limited number of tickets and they are available on a first come, first served basis, so contact brother Scheffert now.

Membership Committee Members

Brothers - Mike Kottwitz, Jim Heyda, Don Conn, Bill Boyle, Gary Eagan, Mike Pierce, Bob Davis, Marc Peterson

- Submitted by Brother George Miller

November brings us the OPPORTUNITY to remember how thankful we should be.

LORD, THANK YOU…

Thank you for these dirty dishes, we have food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky clothes, we have clothes to wear.

Thank you for these beds to make, we were warm & comfortable last night.

Thank you for this messy bathroom to clean, it’s so convenient and comforting.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator with enough food for 2 or 3 meals.

Thank you for this dirty oven that needs cleaning, it has cooked many wonderful meals.

Thank you for that screen door that keeps slamming from healthy kids who go to play.

Thank you Lord, for the alarm that wakens me; I can hear.

Thank you Lord, for the morning light that greets me; I can see.

Thank you Lord, for the ability to arise from my bed; many cannot.

Thank you Lord, for the comfort of family and friends; many are lonely.

Thank you Lord, for whatever food we have; many are hungry.

Thank you Lord, for the routine of going to work; there are many that have no job.

Thank you Lord, for life.

And, if by chance, there ever becomes a time when one or more of these are missing from my life; THANK YOU, LORD, FOR ALL THAT I HAVE, AND FORGIVE ME FOR EVEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT I DON’T HAVE.

I LIVE IN AMERICA, AND I KNOW YOU LOVE ME!! THAT ALONE IS ENOUGH.

October 12^th: 3 girls went to the St. Paul Masonic Center for MN Reception which honored all the adult Grand Officers and Grand Bethel Officer Girls. Ashley Bican was one of the MC’s for the day. After the ceremony a promotional film was done and all the girls were able to participate.

October 13^th: Spaghetti dinner for the Sr. Princess Project at the Chaska American Legion. The girls did a great job!

October 19^th: Mankato Friendship Hayride meeting.

October 21^st: Regular Meeting

October 25^th & 26^th: 3 girls & 2 prospects went to Bethel #41’s prospect party.

November 1-3: Craguns in Brainerd for Ritual Competion and the Miss MN Job’s Daughter Pageant where Amy Bican gave up her crown.

November 4^th: Regular meeting

November 14^th: Council Meeting (Date could possibly change to the 18^th or 25^th.)

November 17^th: Parent Masonic Dinner and meeting starting at 1:00 p.m. All are welcome to come for a feast and see the girls do their work.

November 21^st: Official Thanksgiving meeting with all Masonic Bodies – 7:00 p.m.

 MRVL # 6