March Message - 2014

Post date: Mar 19, 2014 11:40:07 PM

In these days of our troubled world when some nations and individuals alike are threatening the very

existence of one another, it is timely and appropriate that we should all reflect on one of the basic precepts

of Freemasonry - the Brotherhood of Man. “Service to others without expectation of reward,” is embodied

as one of the great teachings of Freemasonry. As Masons, we are taught that we cannot live solely for

ourselves, and we are obligated to give thought for the welfare and well-being of others. It is not enough

to do well by one’s self; to be successful in one’s job or profession; to be a good father and husband; to

lead a good faith life. That’s all very well and good, but you must do something more. You must give some

time to your fellow man. Even if it’s only a little thing, do something for those who have need of your help,

something for which you get no pay but the PRIVILEGE of doing it. It is the act done of one’s own free will

and accord that brings the greatest pleasure to the doer.

As Masons, we should always seek to do some good, somewhere, for every may has to find in his own way

to make his own self more noble and to realize his own true worth.

Brethren, these words were penned more than 50 years ago by W.: B.: Robert Korn in our June 1960

McKinley Temple Topics. As I reflect upon his words, I can’t help but to think about the terrific group of

men we have in the Lodge today. Each and every meeting I’m seeing what W.: B.: Korn described in his

Master’s Message...brethren giving of their time to help one another...to serve the Lodge. It is a great

encouragement to me and I want each and every one of you to know that I truly appreciate your efforts.

We may not be the biggest Lodge in the state or have the largest coffers, but we make up for it in Brotherly

Love and a genuine zeal for the Fraternity. Brethren, I urge you to keep up the good work and we will

undoubtedly have a year to remember!

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Ryan Mayrand, P.: M.:

Worshipful Master

Fundraising Committee Report

We are currently working on the selling of “scrips.” For those of you who are not familiar with scrips,

it is a popular fundraising program used by many schools and non-profits. The way it works is that the

Lodge purchases a quantity of gift cards to re-sell. The gift cards range from gas stations to grocery stores,

restaurants to sporting goods stores. There’s no mark-up (the Lodge buys a $25 gift card for $25, sells it

for $25, and the person redeeming it gets $25 of merchandise), but the Lodge receives a percentage of

the sale. Once we get the program set up, you can buy gift cards for things you’re already planning to

spend money on (gas, groceries, etc.) and by doing so, support the Lodge! We’re very excited about this

program.

The Fundraising Committee has also set some dates that we would like all of you to add to your calendars:

• We will only be holding one Fish Fry this year - targeted for the season of Lent. We’ll announce the

date once plans have been finalized with W.: B.: Chris Engel.

• We’re going to try something a little new this year and have two Spaghetti Dinner fundraisers - one on

Friday, October 3rd and another on Friday, November 14th.

• Right on the heels of the November Spaghetti Dinner is the return of the Winter Bazaar (November

15th).

• Our next Fundraising Committee meeting will take place on March 3rd at the Buffalo Wild Wings

restaurant, on Bluemound Rd. at 7:00pm. All are welcome.

Fraternally,

Jim Stone

Fundraising Committee Chairman

Social Committee Report

The 2014 Social Committee started the year off with a successful first event, brunch at Maxim’s on January

19th. We had a respectable turnout of just under than 20 people. Immediately after, our attention turned

to our next event, the wine, cheese, chocolate, and game night. This even required quite a bit more

planning from the committee. I would like to give special thanks to brother Andrew Meyers who took the

lead on getting most of the supplies. We are looking forward to our next event in March, the dinner theater

at the Majestic on 3/9/2014. Contact Zach Fleischmann for details.

At our last committee meeting, the Worshipful Master made it clear that one of our biggest tasks for the

year will be to plan the re-dedication Ceremony. We compiled quite a long list of tasks that need to be

completed before the event but given the commitment already demonstrated by the members of the Social

Committee, we should have no problem pulling together a worthy centennial celebration.

Fraternally,

Zachary Fleischmann

Social Committee Chairman