One of the best ways to give back to the Masonry is for more knowledgeable brethren to instruct younger Masons.   The Craftsman Club is a valuable tool for DeSoto Lodge, because it is a place for the younger Masons to learn.   With the multitude of work to be done in the coming months, it is important to have more knowledgeable brethren to help younger Masons learn the degree work.   It is always refreshing to see a young Mason step up and take part in the degree work for without them Masonry can not continue.   I am especially grateful for each brother that regularly attends and would like to encourage anyone who is able to come.   The Craftsman Club meets every Thuesday Night at 7:00 PM and I believe it to vital to the future of Masonry.
                                                                                                            Ryan Carver, SW

Happy Birthday to the following members:   Steven Ray Cole 7/3, Sam Wright Johnson Jr. 7/5, James Word Ennis 7/8, Aubrey Kenneth Stoddard 7/8, James Hardy Jacobs Jr. 7/9, Thomas Walter Murrah 7/9, Russell Wayne Taylor 7/10, Dickie Claude Ballard, PM 7/11; John Malcolm Swaffer Jr. 7/13, Cleo McCarty 7/15, Carl Fleming Rose 7/15, Colby Shannon Morgan Jr., PM 7/15; Michael David Carter 7/16, Harry Clay Berry 7/17, Harry Joseph Sorce 7/17, Richard Earl Martz, PM 7/19; Calvin Lee Brown Sr., PM 7/19; Kenneth Owen Whitworth 7/20, Jack Bowman 7/20; David Allen Gregory 7/23, David Phillip Johnson 7/23, Sabe Edward Lewellyn 7/25, Curtis Ralph Phillipy 7/25, William Bruer Sims 7/25, John Joseph Strauser 7/26, James Carlos Ginn 7/27, Emmett Blake Jarrell 7/27, Gary B. Roten 7/28, Robert Christopher Little 7/28 and Harold Samuel Lewis 7/31.

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.

We regret to report the death of brother Kermit L. Blanton.   We offer our sympathy and prayers to his wife and family.

Mrs Bobbie Ricketts is still at home suffering from a serious illnes.   We were pleased to see Mrs June Hubbard at the Stated Meeting and at the Picnic.   We continue to extend our prayers to both of them and we wish them a speedy recovery.

We also, want to keep Brother Bob DeShields in our thoughts and prayers.   Brother DeShields is in a nursing home in Cordova

If you know of anyone sick or any deaths please contact our Chaplin, Brother Byron Wilkinson, P.M. at 386-9914.   Brother Wilkinson has been very good about visiting our sick Brothers and their families, and reporting back to the Lodge.
 

Brother Sam Wright Johnson, Jr.'s name was drawn for the $350.00 door prize.   Brother Johnson was not present to receive the money, therefore it will carry over to August 7, 2003 Stated Meeting and will be valued at $400.00.

Brother Dickie Ballard won the $50.00 gift certificate to Sears and Brother Amel Peterson and Ms. Carolyn Armstrong won the consolation prizes.

Brethren, the names of the members that have not paid their dues for 2003 will be read out at the August Stated Meeting.   If the dues are not paid by the September Stated Meeting a Statement of Charges will be issued and suspension to follow.   Please pay your dues or let us know if you are unable and arrangements will be made to have them remitted by the Lodge.

We had a great time at the Picnic.   The weather was great and the fish, hamburgers and hot dogs were good.   The kids really had a good time in the moon walk and fishing.

I want to thank the ladies and members that worked so hard to make this event a success.
 

Brother Swayne Merrell cooking fish at the annual Picnic, while Brother Rick Perkins looks on or is he helping?

Children playing in the Moon Walk at the annual Picnic.   They sure had a great time.