Catching Up With The Holidays

We seem to have fallen behind with current events in our Lodge; one of the resolutions for 2011 is to try to keep this site more current and useful.

The Holiday Dinner was held on December 16th. A large number of York Rite members were in attendance as well as members of other appendant bodies. As usual there were a number of wonderful main dishes and hot apple crisp with ice cream for dessert. Following the meal, holiday messages were read and many toasts given.

The next most recent event was the installation of officers on December 15th, 2010. At this time I'm not going to publish a roster of those installed until this is discussed and cleared in the regular Lodge meeting on January 5th, 2011. I want to make sure that publishing names on this website is acceptable to all involved. The installation was well attended, considering the weather. There was a delicious lunch served after.

On a personal note, as the incoming Worshipful Master, I was glad that we could use my Uncle's Masonic Bible on the alter. He gave it to me last year, as I'm the only other family member who is a Mason. I know it will mean a great deal to him when he receives Christmas greetings with the news and photos of the installation!

We will have a practice for new officers on Monday, December 27th. at 6:30. Just basic opening and closing, but try to make it.

Future events coming up after the Holidays include a School of Instruction on Wednesday, December 29, 2011 at 7:00pm at the La Crosse Masonic Center. We will be working on floor and rod work for the second section of the Master Mason Degree. As the host Lodge, we will be providing a meal. School of Instruction is for all Master Masons, not just officers. The ritual of Freemasonry is unequalled when done with confidence and grace. Please plan on attending!

Looking into January, I would also like to have a practice for new officers and anyone else who could help out on Monday, January 3rd. at 6:30pm. This should give everyone a chance to recover from New Years!

Our first regularly scheduled Lodge meeting of the new year is Wednesday, January 5th. and I'd like to start things off as smoothly as possible. This will be a"business for the year ahead" type of meeting and I'm open to any ideas or sugestions. I believe that we will soon have a fairly steady amount of Degree work to plan for.

On Sunday, January 9th. The UTA will be hosting a potluck in conjunction with our Methodist Church neighbors. We will join for a "bring-a desert-to pass" meal at the Masonic Center at 11:00am, following their Church service. The hope is that representatives from all of the UTA bodies can give a short example of what they are about, to our guests. Please contact UTA Secretary Todd with who and how many will be representing your organization. This is a nice opportunity to outreach!

We will have our second, January regular Lodge meeting on Wednesday the 19th. I'm hoping to have something Degree oriented scheduled.

Finally, the month winds up with the Annual UTA Meeting, January 26th. at the La Crosse Masonic Center, at 7:00pm. All adult Masonic body members of the UTA are entitled to attend and vote for necessary members of the Board of Directors. Please attend.

Have a joyous and meaningful Christmas season and a safe New Years celebration.

Yours in Masonry, Bruce Klubertanz, Worshipful Master, La Crosse Lodge 190