January 2020 Trestle Board

     First off, let me again thank you all for electing me as Master of the Lodge for 2020.   I am especially proud of the officers who you have elected to serve by my side.  These are great men and brothers who are excited to make this year one for the record books.  

     I have plenty of plans for this year.  In fact, some might call these plans aggressive or overly optimistic.  But I believe in the members of this Lodge.  And I believe that with your help, my officers and I can make a real difference both in our community and our Masonic family.

     Second, we have the Foot-to-Foot fund getting off the ground right now.   For those who don’t know, we are providing shoes to the P.E. department at the Caroline Middle School.  For years, P.E. teachers have kept a bin of used sneakers to give to kids who can’t afford proper shoes.  Well, we’re filling that bin with brand new shoes.  We have an initial $500 budget.  We have the sizes required.  Now, we just have to buy the shoes.  Email me at master@carolinemasons.org if you would like to buy shoes with me. 

     Third, the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia is visiting District 8 this Saturday, January 4th, at 6:00 PM at the Bowling Green Town Hall.   That’s right — this is happening one block away from our Lodge.  I would love to see you and your lady out for this event representing our Lodge.   Please contact me for tickets. 

    Fourth, some of your officers and I are participating in the 2020 Caroline Polar Bear Plunge on February 2nd.   We’re raising money for our Lodge Charity Fund.   So if you want to support your Lodge and get a good laugh at us turning blue, please contact either me or the Secretary for more information on how to contribute. 

    Finally, our next meeting is Monday, January 13th.  Dinner at 6:30.  Meeting at 7:30.   We’ll have a special guest speaker, Thorton Holt.  He is the Past Potentate and current Chaplain of ACCA Shriners and one of the special folks I’ve met on my Masonic journey.   And while he’ll certainly mention the Shrine, his talk is about prioritizing your life and making time for what’s important.  As he’s told Michelle and I multiple times, you’re not as busy as you think you are.  

    Once again, thank you for entrusting me with this Lodge.