March reflected this Lodge at its best, with an outstanding stated meeting. It included good debate on our future endowment fund planning, and a call down to EA with 12 new members of our lodge sitting in on Governor Dreyfus’ DVD about the Craft and thereafter really fine fellowship in the Pub. We stood ourselves well.

On the 25th four more brothers entered the Lodge, Steven and Daniel Bruckner, under the watchful eye of their brother Brian, and new Brothers Anthony Gagliano and Michael Geiger, the later stepping into our ways at the ripe old age of 18. Welcome to a place of personal growth for yourselves and our fraternal commitment to you.

April is now upon us, with the stated meeting under our belts. It was a good night, with a special visit by Brother Chuck Wallens who educated us all about the Masonic Services Association and the great work they do, especially at the Zablocki Veteran’s Center here in Milwaukee. Brother Dave Miracle, the Lodge Chaplain, signed up on the spot to do volunteer work. God bless you brother. Thereafter we partied well at Joey Bono’s over on Water and Clybourn, and had one excellent Italian dinner feast.

We have four more EAs to welcome into the Lodge on the 23d of the month, and we would be pleased to see any and all EAs who would like to join us, help with set up and otherwise learn from the EA lessons. All EAs and FC should know that they will all be welcomed back to the Lodge for the June Stated Meeting for more fellowship and good works.

But the pièce de résistance for the month will be the Freemason’s Lodge 363 stag Table Lodge Dinner on 30 April in the main dining room of the Scottish Rite temple. With JW Tom Curtis as Master of Ceremonies and at a very reasonable price of $37.00 per person, it will be a rousing night to remember. “Cannon’s to the North, Cannon’s to the South! It doesn’t get better. Seating is limited so sign up with the JW as noted in the full information summary in this Trestle Board. Note that guests are welcome, but they must be Masons, and all are welcome, whether EA, FC or MM. For those that are new to the Craft, this is really an evening full of fun, history, great fellowship and good cheer. Do come!

The Lodge will continue to begin the journey for candidates in the EA degree in May. We plan to schedule Fellowcraft or Master Mason degrees on an evening in late June and into July, then most likely on a Saturday, given all that needs the work done. We will have more detailed information about all of this towards the end of May The likely Saturday we are planning to use will be 12 Jul 08. Please mark your calendars, and accept my apologies in advance for tying up a weekend day. It just doesn’t look like we can avoid it, given all the brothers that need work done for them.

Please note also that if you are an MM in the Lodge and get tabbed for sponsorship duty, please take the little time it will involve to reach out to the new Mason in your charge and help him learn our ways. We’ve got a great group doing really fine work, blended with fellowship and real care. The sponsorship piece is just one of the tools we use to stay that way. Thanks to all of you who are getting involved. It is truly a privilege to be the Master of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, especially of this one.

Bob Roth
Worshipful Master
FML #363

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