Doric #342

Welcome to GRMASON.ORG
Greetings from Worshipful Master Benjamin Woolley 122nd Master of Doric Lodge #342 F.&A.M.

Brothers,

I hope this finds you all well. January got us of to a great start for 2010. Our January Regular was well attended, and we saw a great presentation from Bro. Michael Clark regarding plans for moving all of the lodges to a renovated 3rd floor lodge room. His presentation was quite comprehensive, and well received by the brothers in attendance. We will be voting at the February 4 Regular on whether Doric Lodge will commit funds to the renovation project. Brother Willis Crothers also spoke to us about organizing a multi-lodge Charity Golf Outing for this summer. He was looking for Brothers to step up and volunteer to help with the planning, and as of his last report to me, he is still short on help. Please Brothers, this is a great opportunity for us to raise some funds. Get with Bill if you can help.

We visited with Grand River Lodge No. 34 on Tuesday, January 14 to start our lodge visitation program. It is interesting to see the subtle differences in how other lodges perform their work. For example, they are pretty adamant about rising and giving a salute to the Master any time they speak in lodge, be it to the Master, through the Master to another brother in the lodge, or when making and supporting motions. It definitely looks sharp. Like any first meeting of the year, there were some jumbled lines and confusion in ritual, but all told it was an impressive night.

Worshipful Master Brian James has several interesting events on his trestleboard for the year, and has extended an invitation to the members of Doric to participate in any of them. They include a couple of texas hold ‘em tournaments, a salmon fishing charter, a color tour and wine tasting in Traverse City, and a two night camping, canoeing, and pig roast weekend. The first is a Superbowl party on the 4th floor. I hope you all can make it.

If anyone is interested in these events, let me know. I am thinking about attending several of them.

I had the distinct honor of representing Doric Lodge at the Boy Scouts of America – Order of the Arrow – Nacha Tindey Lodge #25 – Winter Banquet on January 16th. The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society. It is a service organization that is formed with scouts that have been selected by their peers. The Nacha Tindey Lodge #25 is a branch of that organization. This lodge is associated with the Gerald R. Ford Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Doric Lodge has several Arrowmen amongst its membership, two of whom joined me at the celebration last night; our Tiler, Brother Eric Russel and our Senior Deacon, Brother Andrew McNay. If my memory serves me correctly, Brother Rick Williams is also a member of this prestigious group.

Doric Lodge has sponsored Nacha Tindy for several years now by providing the third floor ballroom and amphitheater for this event. This year drew a record number of of Arrowmen from all over West Michigan. I would estimate there were at least 200 there last night.

I was very impressed by these young men, many of who approached and thanked me personally. I am proud that Doric Lodge has associated with this group and hope that we continue to support them in the future.

On January 21, Doric Lodge had its first Entered Apprentice Degree of the year. I would like to officially welcome Brother Christopher Gregg, Brother Martin Rivera-Salas, Brother Randal Heys, and Brother Ryan Stefens to Doric Lodge No. 342. I was proud of the work that the degree team performed that night, and look forward to more exemplary work in the future.

The presentation on Estate Planning on January 28th was well attended and very informative. If anyone would like more information on the presentation, or on the importance of getting your plan in place before it is too late, let me know and I will get you in contact with Bill.

February’s work starts of on Tuesday the 2nd with a visitation to Lodge Visitation Star of the Lake No. 158 (South Haven). Their 7:30 meeting is preceded by a meal at 6:30, so I will plan on leaving from the Temple parking lot at 5:30, if you would like to join me.

Our February regular will see some important progress for Doric, including the vote on the 3rd floor move, and a report from our Finance and Investment Committee regarding its recommendations to the trustees regarding our investments and spending policy. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Saturday February 13th will be our St. Valentines Day Dinner. You should have already received an e-vite for the event, but if you have not, please contact Brother Rob Mirque.

We also have a Fellowcraft Degree Practice and the degree itself in February, so if you would like to participate, please let Brother Joshua Woodwyk know very soon.

Take care and stay warm!!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Benjamin Woolley
Worshipful Master