Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6

Hello My Brothers,

I am happy to report that the first of six Area-wide conferences for Masonic leaders held at Fraternity Lodge No. 101 in Worthington was very successful. The next one will be held at Bemidji Lodge No. 233 on August 20th from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM for our leaders from the North West Area.
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The Masonic Motorcycle Club International Annual Convention begins this coming Thursday, August 4 and runs through Sunday, August 7. The convention will be held at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs. All are welcome to attend.
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On Sunday, August 7th I will be attending "Operation Welcome Home" at the St. Cloud V.A. Medical Center. This is a community-wide welcome home event for the Army Reservists and other central Minnesota veterans who have recently returned from active duty. Several events are planned all day long for the soldiers and their families culminating with an open celebratory festival from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This celebratory festival is open to the public and would be a great time to come out and show your appreciation to our troops for their sacrifices. If you are in the St. Cloud area on Sunday, I hope to see you there.
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We have postponed the Cornerstone Ceremony previously scheduled for Beaver Bay on August 13the due to a scheduling conflict at the new Beaver Bay Community Center. When a new date is worked out we will try to let you know. Taconite Lodge No. 342 in Silver Bay had also scheduled two other events around the Cornerstone Ceremony and these two events will still take place. Taconite Lodge will still have the boat ride on the Grandpa Woo with some of the patients from the Silver Bay Vet’s Hospital and the informational meeting with the local ministers is also still on. Featured speaker for the meeting with the local ministers is M. W. Brother Terry L. Tilton. Taconite Lodge Brothers will appreciate your attendance at these two remaining functions if you are planning to be in Silver Bay or elsewhere along the North Shore of Lake Superior on August 13th.
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Our largest KidsID event will kickoff on August 24 with the opening of the State Fair. Tickets and information packets are going in the mail by the end of this week to the coordinator for those lodges and other groups that have signed up. Thanks to all who have volunteered and to those loyal Brothers who have helped to plan this great event.
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The summer will soon be running down. It is time to start calling and dropping notes to remind all of our Brothers to attend Lodge in September. This would also be a great time to bring in new petitions for degree work this fall.
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As Lodges open for labour in September look for an exciting update from the Minnesota Masonic Cancer Fund.


Have a great summer my Brothers.
Fraternally,
Andy Rice,
Grand Master