I am please to be your new Master here at Arcana Lodge. I would like to thank everyone for a smooth and successful installation. I am looking forward to a busy year. The Lodge has received one petition already this term and degrees will be underway very soon.
I hope everyone has had a good and enjoyable holiday season. As part of the new years events it was my pleasure to attend the open installation of Jobs Daughters Bethel #19, and I and all the member of Arcana Lodge wish Stephanie Hall a fun and successful term as the Bethel’s new Honored Queen.
On Sunday, January 7th, 2001 Lincoln Chapter DeMolay and Jobs Bethel #19, along with their chaperons and myself, went to Green Acers Recreational Park in St. Michel, MN for a fun day of snow inner-tubing.
Arcana Chapter #38 Order of Eastern Star is having their Valentine Brunch on Sunday, February 11th, 2001 on the second floor of the lodge. The Chapter is also having their March Madness Cancer Dance on Saturday, March 3rd, 2001 at St. Johns VFW in Spring Lake Park. Please feel free to contact any of the Chapter officers, or myself if you would like to purchase tickets for either of these wonderful events.
The annual Arcana Lodge Ides of March Spaghetti Dinner is just around the corner on Saturday, March 24th. Due to a breakdown, and very costly repair, of the lodge buildings heating ventaling and air-conditioning system a few months ago, the Lodge needs everyone's support for this fabulous event. Tickets and more details about the Ides of March Spaghetti Dinner will be mailed to all the members of the Lodge in the next few weeks, and I’m sure we can count on every member in the Lodges time of need.
In closing I’d like to share with you one of my favorite Masonic poems “The Trowel.”
Fraternally yours,
John Fosdick, Master
The Trowel
As speculative Masons we adore;
The precepts taught by this most honored tool;
And if we minded well its gentle rule;
Our hearts and Minds would even Heavenwards soar.
In olden days our Brethren firmly bound;
The stones and lime together by its aid;
Until the edifice, compact and sound;
Was in all points and parts completely made.
But now we use it as an emblem great;
Which firmly binds each links that nought can part;
A mystic tie which craftsmen consecrate;
To deeds which ever will their souls enshrine;
With love for the Great Architect Devine.
Brethren, those of you present at our annual meeting in December heard the bad news about the expense the Lodge endured to replace both pumps for our heating ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system last year. The total cost to the Lodge was more than $5000, and only a small portion of that will be reimbursed by our boiler insurance policy coverage. At the annual meeting you also heard about the large property tax increase we’ve incurred (more than 20% above last year.) These two events, combined with the number of members who are late in paying their lodge membership dues has put the lodge in a bad situation financially.
At the time this newsletter went to press there were 29 members in arrears on their dues for years 2000 and 2001, which totals $3,538. There are an additional 99 brothers who have yet to pay their 2001 lodge obligation that was due by the end of the year totaling $6,039. That makes the grand total of uncollected Lodge dues $9,577. Brothers, I implore each and every one of you to check your wallet right now, and if the dues card found therein does not say “dues are paid for the year 2001”, please fulfill your Lodge obligation by paying your dues today.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about the dues that you own. If you have fallen unto financial hard times, like several other brothers in our lodge, and are unable to make your dues payment, please contact me, the Master of the Lodge, or any member of the Brotherhood fund committee, to inform us of your situation, because as Master Masons we are sworn to fly to the relieve of a brother in need, and seek not to burden you further.
If you would like to have the peace of mind that you will never have to pay lodge dues again, then the Perpetual Life Membership Plan may be just for you. This is an investment for life membership in the Masonic fraternity. By investing in this plan you are guaranteed that your dues will be paid regardless of life circumstances or changes. This plan also acts as an insurance policy against future dues increases, and as an endowment for support of the lodge even after you have answered the Roll Call of the Grand Architect of the Universe. The cost for the Perpetual Life Membership Plan is determined by multiplying an age/factor times the current Arcana Lodge dues. Find your current age in the table below, then multiply the associated factor by the current Arcana Lodge dues of $61. For example: if you are 60 years old, multiply the factor 16.1 x $61 = $982.10 which is your cost for Perpetual Life Membership.
|
Age |
Factor |
Age |
Factor |
Age |
Factor |
||
|
18 - 50 |
18.7 |
60 |
16.1 |
70 |
12.4 |
||
|
51 |
18.5 |
61 |
15.7 |
71 |
12.0 |
||
|
52 |
18.3 |
62 |
15.4 |
72 |
11.5 |
||
|
53 |
18.1 |
63 |
15.1 |
73 |
11.1 |
||
|
54 |
17.8 |
64 |
14.8 |
74 |
10.7 |
||
|
55 |
17.6 |
65 |
14.5 |
75 |
10.3 |
||
|
56 |
17.3 |
66 |
14.1 |
76 |
9.8 |
||
|
57 |
17.0 |
67 |
13.6 |
77 |
9.2 |
||
|
58 |
16.7 |
68 |
13.2 |
78 |
8.7 |
||
|
59 |
16.4 |
69 |
12.6 |
79 |
8.2 |
||
|
80 & Up |
7.7 |
Note after July 1 of any year the factor increases by 1, and there are special discounts available for new members (if the plan is activated within 1 year of the date you were raised.) Additionally, you must be a member in good standing before joining the Perpetual Life Membership Program (i.e. you must have paid your current dues.) Please feel free to contact me, or the Grand Lodge if you would like further information or a Perpetual Life Membership Program application form.
Fraternally yours,
Douglas R. Roswold, PM
Secretary, Arcana Lodge #187 AF & AM
