Greetings Brothers and welcome to the May newsletter! I hope you are all enjoying the much warmer weather. The garden is planted and growing nicely and it’s time to fire up the smoker for some good eats!
Well, we are past our annual Grand Lodge Session. As I am writing this a bit early to make our publication date, if all goes according to tradition, RW Steve Hames will now be our new Grand Master,
RW Tommy Watson our Deputy Grand Master and RW Acy Flora has been elected as Senior Grand Warden. Not sure who will be our new Junior Grand Warden yet, but Ebbie Hodges has been offered this position. We have a good, strong lineup in our Grand Lodge, and I look forward to working with them. RW Steve Hames has asked me to continue to serve on the Grand Lodge By-laws Committee as well as the Grand Lodge Finance Committee. I served on these two committees under MW Ron Mitchum, and it is a pleasure to continue to serve our Grand Lodge! I hope that some of you were able to attend our annual session. It is good to see the Grand Lodge in Session and everything that goes on behind the scenes. This is an experience I hope we will all take advantage of as time and careers permit. Many thanks to the planning committee and all that they do behind the scenes to make these meetings a success.
Brothers, I ask that we all continue to keep our Steward, Brother Jeff Benson in our prayers. As you may have heard, he spilled some nasty chemicals on his foot at work last month and has undergone a few surgeries to repair the skin damage. I know he has had a lot of uncomfortable days and nights and has a way to go before he is back up to full speed. He has been released from the hospital in Charleston and is staying with his in-laws down there while he undergoes continuing doctor visits, recovery, and rehab.
Please keep him in your prayers. If you have a minute, give him a call and let him know that we are thinking of him. He enjoys the phone calls, and it certainly lifts his spirits.
We are about 6 weeks away from our annual fish fry fundraiser. The tickets have been printed and will be available at the May Business Meeting. Please pick up a handful and sell or purchase it for friends and family. This is our only fundraiser, and I am looking for a good turnout. We will start on June 24th at about 8am prepping and setting up. We will run from 11am until about 2 or 3. Hopefully, we will sell out like we did last year. Please mark your calendars and come out and support our fundraiser. The fellowship is great, and the help is appreciated.
Please keep our newsletter editor in your thoughts and prayers as well. WB Smitty is constantly on the road, in the air or in a hotel somewhere in the world. His job keeps him hopping for sure, yet he continues to keep up with Lodge events and is always on the mark with our newsletter. When you run into him, let him know how much we appreciate all of his efforts to keep us up to date! Many Thanks Worshipful!
Brothers, thank you for your support of the Lodge and all you do for Freemasonry! We struggle at times, but we are still alive and kicking. I have had several requests for dual membership. I am amazed at the dedication of Brothers to help keep us thriving.
Mark your calendars for our fish fry and I hope to see more of you attend our meetings. Your attendance is needed, and your support is greatly appreciated.
Have a great month ahead and I look forward to seeing you all around the altar!
Fraternally,
Jeff Hall WM