I would like to take this opportunity to thank those brothers who regularly attend the Craftsman Club.   It was recently learned at Grand Lodge there is going to be a change regarding the Grand Lecturers positions.   There will be a Lecturer for each District.   This will difinitely bring healthy competition for Brothers wanting to gain one og those positions   Personally, I have made up my mind as to whether I would like to compete for one of those positions.   I do know that if I do, the Craftsman Club is the best place to continue to learn, not only for my benefit, but for the benefit of Masonry as a whole.   The Craftsman Club meets every Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. and I believe this is a good learning experience for all the Brothers, especially those wanting to obtain a proficiency or Lecturer card.
                                                                                                    Ryan Carver, SW

Happy Birthday to the following members:   Gerald W. Bursi 04/01, William A. Crossno 04/03, Larry R. Young 04/06, James D. Jackson 04/06, Irion W. Pursell 04/07, Franklin L. Pierce 04/08, David H. Taylor 04/11, Michael E. Clement 04/12, John P. Kay 04/13, Larry G. Wilkes 04/14, Dennis S. Pope 04/14, William J. Buff 04/14, Michael W. Majors 04/15, William E. Elkins 04/16, Robert E. Byrd 04/17, Robert Montgomery Jr. 04/18, David McGehee 04/19, Sterling W. Haverfield 04/20, Jack l. Roberts 04/21, Danny W. Kail 04/27, Donald W. Martz, PM 04/27 and Thomas Dale McCoy 04/29.

If it's your birthday and it is not listed here we would like to wish you a Happy Birthday also, and urge you to send us your information card completed with your current information for our new database.

Our prayers are extended to Mrs Bobbie Ricketts, she is at home suffering from a serious illness; Mrs June Hubbard starts treatment for cancer and Brother Curtis Phillipy, who is having a heart cat. We wish all of them a speedy and full recovery.   If you know of anyone sick or any deaths please contact our Chaplin, Brother Byron Wilkinson at 386-9914.
 

The winner of the $50.00 gift certificate to Home Depot was won by Brother Dennis Pope.   The name of Brother Sam Wright Johnson, Jr was drawn for the $200.00 cash prize.   Brother Johnson was not present to claim the $200.00 therefore the money will carry over to the May Stated Meeting which will be valued at $250.   The winners of the consolation prizes were Brother Joe Martz, Mrs Terri Major and Mrs Nancy Merrell.

Our next stated meeting will be May 1, 2003.   Bring a dish and come join us for a nice dinner and great fellowship.

Dues Increase!!!!   The per capita tax was increased by $3.00; therefore your 2004 Dues will be increased from $20.00 to $23.00 for the Year 2004!!

As you know we just returned from the Grand Lodge and one of the things voted on was an increase in the per capita tax.   The outcome was as I stated above.

I want to take this time to thank Brother Sean Hamilton, Richland Lodge 748 for his assistance in obtaining the support of several Lodges for the Masonic sword we presented the Most Worshipful Grand Master Joe Harrison at Grand Lodge.

It was announced by the Grand Master that this will be the last year for the Grand Lecturers as we know them now.   Next year there will be one Deputy Grand Lecturer for each District. They will be appointed by the Grand Master and will not be paid.

Second Notices for 2003 will be mailed soon.   If you have not paid your dues for 2003 please mail them and save the Lodge the cost of mailing a second notice.

Don't forget to make your reservations for the dinner honoring our Fifty Year Members and Past Masters on April 26, 2003 at 7:00 pm.   Contact me at (901) 837-4579.   If you are a Fifty Year Member or a Past Master and do not drive at night, let me know and we will make arrangements for you and your lady.
 

The parking lot located on the southeast corner of Jefferson and Fourth Street will be open for the Past Master and Fifty Year Member Dinner.   You must enter this lot from Jefferson and walk through the gate onto Fourth Street.

Please keep all of our men and women serving our Great Nation in your prayers.   As the war continues and the fighting intensifies they are facing more difficult tasks.   We pray they all come home from Iraq safely.   The Grand Lodge honored them by playing the theme song of each branch of the service.