Every Tuesday is an important night for DeSoto Lodge.   Beginning at 7:00 P.M. we have the meeting of Craftsman Club.   Your regular attendance is encouraged and greatly appreciated.   Through these meetings we are able to pass our knowledge, as well as help the younger brethren.   This year we are hoping to increase the number of proficiency cardholders in the lodge and this is the best way to reach that goal.   In order to help accomplish this goal, it would be nice to have enough brothers get involved to fill all the chairs to practice the degree work.

Happy Birthday to the following members: Jack E. Downs, Jon C. Stoddard, Donald W. Martz, Clinton M. Davis, Wallace L. Adams, George W. Gravette, Michael L. Young, Robert W, DeShields, Jr.; Harold R. Horner, William L. Singletary and Victor E. Rothe.   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.

Brother Swayne Merrell reported the wife of Brother Aubrey Stoddard, Diane, is in Methodist Hospital with pneumonia.   Brother Stoddard's Grandson Jonathan is still in critical condition.   Our prayers are extended to Brother Stoddard and his family.   Brother Byron Wilkinson and the Sick and Visitation Committee would like you, a family member or a friend to notify them of anyone that is sick, homebound or in the hospital so they can check on them.   You can reach Brother Byron at 386-9914.
 

Nancy Merrell will be cooking home made chili for the February stated meeting.   Bring a dish and come join us for fellowship.   If you have an idea for the March stated meeting contact our Junior Warden, Gene Major at 725-7190.

I would like to thank all of the brothers who have paid their dues for the Year of 2003 and urge the rest of the brothers to pay their dues and help save the lodge the postage of sending second notices.   We have several brothers that we have not been able to locate.   If you see a brother that you know is a member, please ask them if we have their correct address.   I also want to remind everyone of the Valentine's Dinner on February 15, 2003 at 7:00 P.M.
 

The winner of the $50.00 gift certificate to Home Depot for the January Stated Meeting was Brother Dennis Pope.   The winner of the $50.00 cash prize was Brother Sterling Wood Haverfield.   Brother Haverfield was not present to win.   The $50.00 will carry over to the February Stated Meeting making the cash prize worth $100.00.   The winners of the consolation prizes were Ms. Katherine Perkins and Aubrey Stoddard.   The February Stated Meeting Door Prize will be a $50.00 Visa gift certificate.

The Masonic Relief Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. at Oakville Lodge No. 715 located at 4733 Winchester Road.   Dinner will be served at 6:00 P.M. All interested parties are invited.
 

Observance of St. John The Evangelist was observed by Memphis Lodge No. 118, Angerona Lodge No. 168 and DeSoto Lodge No. 299 on December 30, 2002.   Dinner was served at 6:30 P.M.   Brother Donald E. Brooks, P.M. of Berlin Lodge No. 170 was the speaker.   Brother Brooks gave a very nice talk on the observance of St. John the Evangelist.