Brethren:
First of all, many thanks to those of you who attended the Installation of Officers last month. We had a good time and the fellowship afterwards was excellent. Congratulations to Bro. John Smith who is the inaugural recipient of the Wor. Brian Wells Galusha Memorial Cabletow Award. Bro. John was presented with the award at the January stated meeting in recognition of his outstanding dedication and distinguished service to our Lodge in 2009.

Our District Deputy Grand Master, RW Brian A. Block, begins his official visits this month. Let’s support the Worthy Brother we chose for DDGM by accompanying him on these visits. We need at least five ACGL Brethren at these meetings to get credit for a fraternal visit, so let's represent our lodge with a good turnout. ACGL recorded a fraternal visit last month to Sharon Lodge. The Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, MW William E. Rorer, Jr., was in attendance. All but one lodge in our district was well represented. RW Bro. Block’s official visit to ACGL will be at our stated meeting on March 22nd. It will be his final official visit as District Deputy Grand Master for the 54th Masonic District. On March 15th there will be a mandatory ritual practice for all officers to prepare for this visit. Please put this date on your calendars now.

Speaking of turnouts, I would like to see a better turnout at our ritual school. We meet every Monday at the lodge at 7:30 PM. RW Andy Anderson has graciously volunteered his time to teach us the Catechisms. We had only four students, including myself, at the first school. I know we can do better. If you are interested in this important ritual, now is your chance to learn the Catechisms in a group setting. We must reinstitute the Catechisms in our Lodge. We must utilize our attentive ears while there are still brethren with instructive tongues able to teach us. You aren't required to become an instructor by learning the Catechisms. But unless we do something soon the "alternate method" will be the only method. I am trying to arrange the exemplification of the Master Mason’s Catechism as a program for an upcoming meeting. For those of you who have never seen a Catechism preformed, come find out what you’re missing. For those of you who have knowledge of the Catechism, please follow RW Bro. Andy’s example and lend a hand at the ritual schools. I would like to see at least 10 to 15 brethren at the next school on Monday, Feb. 15th at 7:30pm.

The Secretary informs me that there are several brethren who are 2-4 years behind in their dues. If this applies to you, please bring your dues up to date. We will be issuing final notices and considering suspensions in March There is no excuse for being that far in the rears. We have some of the least expensive dues in the area. You can pay by cash, check or credit card. You can pay in person, by mail or on www.ACGL81.com. I have had only one person contact me with a request to defer their dues. I am assuming that it not for reasons of financial hardship that we have so many errant brothers. Please take care of this obligation or contact me if you are in need of assistance.

Brother Dan Tuma is putting together a team to begin the digital archiving of the lodge records. This effort will be an ongoing project for some time. If you have a scanner, some free time and are interested in assisting with this effort please contact Bro. Dan, you won't be sorry. We are going to start with the oldest records and try to capture them before they fully deteriorate. I am excited about this project and hope that you share my enthusiasm. These records are an invaluable part of our history and we must make the effort to preserve them now. The Masonic Service Association of North America is collecting funds for Haiti. We have brothers in the Grand Orient d'Haiti who are in need of assistance. We will be passing the hat at the stated with all proceeds going to this effort. Try to come with a little extra. If ever there was a situation in need of our charity, this is it. I look forward to seeing you at the February Stated.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Edwin D Morman
Master ACGLNo.81