We’re going visiting on March 2^nd instead of meeting at the Shakopee Lodge Hall the brothers will be headed for LeSueur, home of the Union Lodge. The arrangements have been made and they are expecting us. It will be a great time to renew some friendships and make some new ones. Plan on arriving at the Shakopee Lodge by 6:45 so we can car-pool down there. In the spirit of brotherly competition, it is our goal to have more brothers present than they do.

Half of my year is over as Master of the Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6. I sincerely hope you are having a good time, because I know I am. It has been my privilege to watch several new brothers introduced to Masonry and welcomed into our lodge. Every bit as exciting this year has been the opportunity to watch the brothers initiate, plan and participate in the established, and many new activities during the first part of the year. What’s exciting is that the second half looks like it’s going to be even more exciting. "We’re rollin’ now!"

It was great! That’s the only way I can describe the recent Table Lodge. There were 86 Brothers and guests present for the festivities and I know for sure no one went away hungry. For the benefit of those of you that could not make it, you will find a copy of the program in this month’s newsletter. It’s going to be tough to top this one, but I bet the next one will be even better!

A special thanks to Grand Master Neil Neddemeyer for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend this event. As usual our guest Master for the evening, Brother Steve Johnson from Winthrop, did an outstanding job and I want to add him on to the list of special "thank-yous."

Welcome to new Brother Victor Lueders, who was passed through the three degrees of Masonry at the recent "One Day to Masonry" class, held on January 21^st. Please take a moment to become familiar with Brother Lueders by looking over his short biography in this newsletter.

…and a great time was had by all in attendance. The Minnesota River Valley (MRV) Masonic Lodge #6, located in Shakopee and serving the communities of Chaska, Prior Lake, Savage, Jordan, Belle Plaine, New Prague, and Montgomery (and all points in between), held another Table Lodge feast on January 16, 2004. We had 87 Lodge Brothers, family, Brothers from other Lodges, five recipients of the 50 year pin (celebrating 50 years of Masonry), and three potential candidates, sharing our feast.

From time immemorial, Freemasons have enjoyed meeting about a "FESTIVE board." The Table Lodge is no mere banquet or dinner – it is a special ceremony that carries out a custom in Masonry that was old when the pyramids were built. From the idea of the feast and the desire to promote a greater degree of fellowship and kinship in Masonry, was born the Table Lodge. It is complete with a ritual which incorporates terminology of centuries ago. It includes toasts, Masonic songs, and a good Masonic speaker. We emphasize "good Masonic Speaker" because no other kind will do.

Marc Peterson, our Lodge Master, opened the MRV Lodge in "due form", and introduced our guests. Steve Johnson, a member of the Minnesota Grand Lodge and in line to be Grand Master in 2006, acted as Master of Ceremony. He explained the history of the table lodge ceremony, and described the procedures. Essentially, this ceremony is a fun-filled evening patterned after English and French military banquets of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Accompanying a seven-course meal, Steve led us in the traditional seven toasts which included toasts to our country, our flag, the office of president of the United States, to our craft, the Memory of our departed Brethren, and to all Freemasons wherever they may be.

The speaker for the evening was our current Grand Master, Neal Neddermeyer, discussing Masonry principles, fraternity, and Brotherhood, as well as all the good we do for each other and our communities.

Victor is from Henderson, MN. He was born on August 21, 1936 in Green Isle, MN. He graduated from LeSueur High School, joined the U.S. Army in 1955, was stationed in France for 26 months, and was discharged in 1958.

Victor married Shelby Reinhardt of LeSueur on November 1, 1958. They were blessed with 4 children.

Victor farmed and ran a backhoe until the early 80’s when he went into the insurance and investment business. He retired in 2003.

Some of Victor’s hobbies are: Music (trap drums), cross-country skiing, photography and woodworking.

Victor took his 3 degrees on January 17^th, 2004 at the Scottish Rite Temple in Minneapolis in a ceremony put on by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota as a One-Day to Masonry. Signers for Victor were Ned Pilling and Charles Richter.

Four spaces in the Masonic Section of Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in Crystal, MN. Specifically Lot 266-C, spaces 1-4. A bargain at $100 for all four lots. There may also be a transfer fee of up to $20. Please contact Brother Bill Tuttle for further information at 507/364-8820.

Upcoming Events! Mark your Calendars

March 2^nd – Visitation to Union Lodge in LeSueur, MN – start time: 7:00 p.m.

March 26-27 – 151^st Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Minnesota will be held at the St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud, MN. We should all try to attend this communication.

April 13^th – The Lynnhurst Lodge Turkey Dinner. Watch for further info.

May 8^th – The Annual Chanhassen Dinner Theater outing. This year we will be seeing the musical "Cats", an outstanding musical that has been sold out for months. We will be sending out a special letter with more information about reservations. The Lodge will only have 80 tickets available for this event

Any Brother that wishes to contribute any article to the newsletter is encouraged to do so. Simply contact Dave Scheffert and they will see that your contribution gets published.

Brother Dave Scheffert

802 E. Circle Drive, Montgomery 56069-1304

(metro) 507-364-5177

April Newsletter Articles are due to Brother Dave Scheffert by March 23, 2004.