Master's Message for Feb '12
29/01/12 13:20
Brethren,
In years past, the Spaghetti Feed has always happened in the last part of February or the first part of March. However, you will have notice that there hasn't been any word sent around yet for this year. The spaghetti feed will be held this year after we come back from going dark. There are multiple reasons for this decision. Some include trying to devote more time to being prepared for the feed. In years past, much time is dedicated in the last part of the calendar year to elections of officers, getting all of the final paperwork done for the audit due to the Grand Lodge in March, the Christmas Party, time spent with family, etc. In order to help dedicated the time needed to pull of the spaghetti feed, we are going to try to move it to the later part of the year so we can get the planning done during the late summer months when many peoples' schedules start to clear up. In addition to revamping when the feed is, we are also going to be trying to come up with a new way in which to prepare all of the food needed. In years past, Brothers have dedicated their morning hours to cooking. However, with the addition of many new men to the lodge who wish to help out but are unable to take the time off of work in the morning, we are going to try to move the preparation hours into the late afternoon, early evening when brothers don't have to take time off of work.
Also beginning this year, we will be holding ritual practice on all of the off Monday nights. Practice will begin at 7. This practice is very laid back and we have been having a great time. If you want to, or have been, an officer and want to learn/remember the parts, please attend. All members are cordially encouraged to show and participate. We won't be "opening" a lodge or "closing" the lodge so if you have forgotten some of the due guards, signs, and words, now is a great time to get back. Also, for those brothers who are doing their catechism work, this is a great way to see what exactly happened during your degree so it will help to cement all of the work that your are learning during catechism class.
Speaking of degree practice, the School of Instruction is still alive and well. It is held at Mediary Lodge on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at 7:30. This is another great way to get active in lodge and to have a few of the refresher courses that some of you may want. We are always looking for people to fill the odd jobs that come along with doing degree work. For instance, I would love to have a brother dedicated to running the music from the sound system for each degree. Also, I would love a brother dedicated to being the lodge historian and taking pictures and video of some of the lodge events. Any brother want to be the Lodge publicist? I have some ideas for you!
The lodge auditorium is being used more and more every month. We are renting it out to other people on a very frequent basis. That being said, we will be having a Lodge Clean up day on February 25th. Breakfast will be served. We need ALL BROTHERS to attend and help get the lodge cleaned up. We have the ceiling tiles that need to be replaced, walls to be stripped and painted, pipes that need to be laid on the outside of the temple, wood paneling to be hung back up, etc. It is time that the lodge look just as beautiful as the precepts in which she teaches in her three degrees! Please send Bro. Smith an email or message that you are attending so we know how much food to prepare. We will begin at with breakfast at 7 and start working at 8. Let the rebuilding begin!
In years past, the Spaghetti Feed has always happened in the last part of February or the first part of March. However, you will have notice that there hasn't been any word sent around yet for this year. The spaghetti feed will be held this year after we come back from going dark. There are multiple reasons for this decision. Some include trying to devote more time to being prepared for the feed. In years past, much time is dedicated in the last part of the calendar year to elections of officers, getting all of the final paperwork done for the audit due to the Grand Lodge in March, the Christmas Party, time spent with family, etc. In order to help dedicated the time needed to pull of the spaghetti feed, we are going to try to move it to the later part of the year so we can get the planning done during the late summer months when many peoples' schedules start to clear up. In addition to revamping when the feed is, we are also going to be trying to come up with a new way in which to prepare all of the food needed. In years past, Brothers have dedicated their morning hours to cooking. However, with the addition of many new men to the lodge who wish to help out but are unable to take the time off of work in the morning, we are going to try to move the preparation hours into the late afternoon, early evening when brothers don't have to take time off of work.
Also beginning this year, we will be holding ritual practice on all of the off Monday nights. Practice will begin at 7. This practice is very laid back and we have been having a great time. If you want to, or have been, an officer and want to learn/remember the parts, please attend. All members are cordially encouraged to show and participate. We won't be "opening" a lodge or "closing" the lodge so if you have forgotten some of the due guards, signs, and words, now is a great time to get back. Also, for those brothers who are doing their catechism work, this is a great way to see what exactly happened during your degree so it will help to cement all of the work that your are learning during catechism class.
Speaking of degree practice, the School of Instruction is still alive and well. It is held at Mediary Lodge on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at 7:30. This is another great way to get active in lodge and to have a few of the refresher courses that some of you may want. We are always looking for people to fill the odd jobs that come along with doing degree work. For instance, I would love to have a brother dedicated to running the music from the sound system for each degree. Also, I would love a brother dedicated to being the lodge historian and taking pictures and video of some of the lodge events. Any brother want to be the Lodge publicist? I have some ideas for you!
The lodge auditorium is being used more and more every month. We are renting it out to other people on a very frequent basis. That being said, we will be having a Lodge Clean up day on February 25th. Breakfast will be served. We need ALL BROTHERS to attend and help get the lodge cleaned up. We have the ceiling tiles that need to be replaced, walls to be stripped and painted, pipes that need to be laid on the outside of the temple, wood paneling to be hung back up, etc. It is time that the lodge look just as beautiful as the precepts in which she teaches in her three degrees! Please send Bro. Smith an email or message that you are attending so we know how much food to prepare. We will begin at with breakfast at 7 and start working at 8. Let the rebuilding begin!
Ritual Practice
24/01/12 08:06
Brethren,
For the next few months, the officers will be having practice every Monday on which we do not have meeting. We will be starting at 7:00 and be done around 8. This is a perfect time for all brethren who have been gone a while or who want to start learning ritual to enjoy a nice and relaxed evening while working to be the best ritual lodge in Washington County! I hope to see you all there.
For the next few months, the officers will be having practice every Monday on which we do not have meeting. We will be starting at 7:00 and be done around 8. This is a perfect time for all brethren who have been gone a while or who want to start learning ritual to enjoy a nice and relaxed evening while working to be the best ritual lodge in Washington County! I hope to see you all there.
New Year
15/01/12 09:42
Brethren,
Welcome to a new year at Friendship Lodge. I am honored that you have selected me to serve as your Worshipful Master for an additional year. The Officer Line is full of motivated men who are seeking to make the Lodge a better place. This year is going to be fantastic. Get in, sit down, strap up, and hold on for a awesome year!
Welcome to a new year at Friendship Lodge. I am honored that you have selected me to serve as your Worshipful Master for an additional year. The Officer Line is full of motivated men who are seeking to make the Lodge a better place. This year is going to be fantastic. Get in, sit down, strap up, and hold on for a awesome year!
Time to Man Up!
26/11/11 13:15
Elections are on December 12th. Are you coming to the lodge to vote?
Do you like the direction the lodge has taken? If not, are you willing to take over an officer’s chair to help steer it this coming year?
If you do like the direction, are you willing to take a chair and help maintain its course?
Are you just going to sit by and let everyone else do the work and then complain that it’s not going the way you think it should?
Even if you don’t want to be an officer, are you willing to cast your vote in favor of someone who you will support for the next year?
You have two choices. Sit by, do nothing, and keep quiet or step up, get your game face on, and swing for the fences. What are you going to do?
Do you like the direction the lodge has taken? If not, are you willing to take over an officer’s chair to help steer it this coming year?
If you do like the direction, are you willing to take a chair and help maintain its course?
Are you just going to sit by and let everyone else do the work and then complain that it’s not going the way you think it should?
Even if you don’t want to be an officer, are you willing to cast your vote in favor of someone who you will support for the next year?
You have two choices. Sit by, do nothing, and keep quiet or step up, get your game face on, and swing for the fences. What are you going to do?
Festive Board Recap…..
11/11/11 16:51
If you missed the festive board, you missed out BIG TIME. The food was fantastic. Thanks to Bro. Mark Rice and Paige for cooking. You did a wonderful job.
The Mead - Excellent. In fact, I think there are still a couple of bottles left. If you wanted to take a bottle home, drop $10 to Bro. Smith and enjoy. It’s a great drink for family get-together. Don’t need food to go with it. Or sit by the fire with your lady and enjoy it.
The Speaker - MWGM Bro. Stephen J. Ponzillo, III. Great lecture on toasting.
The brothers there were from WV, Iowa, PA, and Prince Hall. The ladies that joined us were exquisite. I can’t wait for next year. I hope you can’t either.
The Mead - Excellent. In fact, I think there are still a couple of bottles left. If you wanted to take a bottle home, drop $10 to Bro. Smith and enjoy. It’s a great drink for family get-together. Don’t need food to go with it. Or sit by the fire with your lady and enjoy it.
The Speaker - MWGM Bro. Stephen J. Ponzillo, III. Great lecture on toasting.
The brothers there were from WV, Iowa, PA, and Prince Hall. The ladies that joined us were exquisite. I can’t wait for next year. I hope you can’t either.