MASTER’S GREETINGS

Thanks to each you for the privilege of serving as your Master for the year 2008!

This year has been one of progress. We have built upon the past actions and successes of Willis Stewart Lodge.

•   This year we have set a goal of working to achieve the Grand Masters Excellence Award. We achieved our goal! That is quite an achievement this year due to the more stringent requirements. Only a select few Lodges were able to make the Excellency award this year. This makes Willis Stewart record 10 awards out of the last 12 years. Congratulations to all Officers and Brothers who made this happen.

•   Willis Stewart widow project has been a success! Each Officer has chosen one or two widows to contact and follow up. As a group, we have and will sent Valentine Cards, Mother Day Appreciation, Thanksgiving and Holiday cards to each of the 14 Willis Stewart Widows. The personal telephone conversations were rewarding for the widow as well as the Brother.

•   For 2008, we are on target for 12 candidates to reach the sublime degree of Master Mason. That is quite an accomplishment!

•   In February, all of our Willis Stewart Officers attended LEADERSHIP TRAINING CONFERENCES. It was a great learning experience about Masonry.

•   In March, we acknowledged Middletown Fire Dept-Thanks to the efforts of Mark Cissell.

•   In April, we held our Lodge meeting with District 14 at Scottish Rite. Willis Stewart was honored by receiving the attendance award. Also, Bob Gardner was called forth by Keith Dreier, Grand Master to be recognized as a new Master Mason attending a District meeting within the first two weeks of receiving his Master Mason degree.

•   In April, most of our Officers and other Masons participated in the Great Day of Service, Masonic Homes.

•   In July, we had an American Red Cross Blood Drive with other Lodges.  Big thanks to Jim Pinotti for organizing this multi-lodge Blood drive.

•   In August, we had very successful Fund Raiser for Upton Foundation Scholarships for high school seniors going to Kentucky Colleges.  We raised over $4 thousand dollars net for high school scholarships.  Since 1991, we have awarded over $36,000 in scholarships for college education.  Big THANKS to Brother Jerry Ward for all his time and efforts on this event.