Brethren –
September brought us a lot of rain. So much so that the Lodge picnic was moved indoors. That did not deter our spirits as a great time was had by all. Special thanks to Bro Wayne Murphy for manning the grill and Bros Tom Morrison, Joe Tamres, Bennett Corrado, and Mauricio Carrasco for all the help with setup and clean up in support of the picnic.
For the first stated of the month, the Brethren were the program. RW Michael Pobat set the stage with a round of Masonic Wheel of Fortune followed by a session of game playing and fellowship after the meeting. At the second stated RW Ed Ray discussed the origins of the ballot box – why it is a secret ballot and the significance of the ballots being black and white. The Lodge finished the month by supplying used bicycles to the Friends Meeting House annual Used Bike Drive (thank you to Bros Marc Schultze and Adi Karisik for your assistance) and by conferring a Fellowcraft degree during a called communication.
The Herndon Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star has donated funds to the Lodge to obtain new tables for the Fellowship Hall. We hope to have these in place soon and I thank the OES for their support this year.
October looks to be another active month for the Lodge. At the first stated we will be honoring our Past Masters. MW Alan Adkins will present RW WO Harrison with his 60 year service pin. It will also be chili night. Make your best chili and bring it in to share with the Brethren. The next night we’ll look to have a fraternal visit to Fervency Lodge in Point of Rocks Maryland. There is just a seat or two remaining for the winery tour, but there are lots of slots available for the Blood Drive (see dates for each below). Please make your reservations today for both! Towards the end of the month there are two more opportunities for you to be active in demonstrating the Lodge’s commitment to community involvement. The Hillbilly and Klown units from Kena will be joining the DeMolay in the Herndon Homecoming Parade. The Brethren of Herndon Lodge are encouraged to join these groups and participate in the parade. Halloween falls on the 5th Monday of the month this year. We’ll look to decorate the Fellowship Hall and treat the local neighborhood children. We are in need of help to decorate and pass out candy.
Administrative notes… Should you move or change your contact information, please do update the Secretary with your new data. This will help us to keep postage costs down as USPS charges us for each returned piece of mail. Also, please do expect your 2012 dues notices soon. There are still a few that have not yet paid their 2011 dues. Please bring yourself current today. The best method would be to bring your dues to a Lodge meeting. Failing that, PayPal is available from our website or mail a check to the Secretary. Now is a good time to consider a LMIP – before the 2012 dues hike goes into effect. Grand Lodge will be conducted November 10-12 this year. Make your reservations now to assure yourself a room.
Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
– Mark Twain
