Welcome back Brothers from the winter holiday break. I hope you all had a safe and Happy Holiday.

We are starting a new Masonic year with new members and a complete line of officers. Some of the new members have decided taking seats in the officers' line. We welcome such enthusiasm from our new members and I wish them to continue in the great work that countless generations have done before us. I would like to congratulate them in taking the first step on the path to become Masters of this lodge and thus continue on the Masonic path.

It is my first time in the East and as Master elect I accepted the task to lead this lodge in the coming year.  We are fortunate in our lodge in that we able to rely on the knowledge and experience of our lodge's Past Masters when so required, and to have new members that are full of enthusiasm and energy. I have received input from some of our members in creating the trestle board. Our intent is to have a program for the next 6 months that entices our membership to come to lodge and participate in our activities.

We begin our new Masonic year with the official installation of officers of the lodge on January 9th. There are also two movies nights, National Treasure 2 and Angels and Demons.  We also have two nights dedicated to seldom heard lectures that reflect work from our first three degrees.  In addition, we dedicated one day to an open house event that requires our participation and our effort to ensure it is a success. We need to raise our profile in our community and attract new members in the process. At the end of June we will have two picnics: the FC held as usual at Camp Happy Hill and a family picnic for all members of our lodge and our families.  It is our intention that this family picnic becomes a new tradition in our lodge and allows our families to meet and know each other. Let's not forget that our families support our endeavors and the time we dedicate to the labors of our lodge.  In the tradition of our lodge we present the three degrees, andwe have an Awards night dedicated not only to the new members that receive awards but also to the families that support their work.

I would like to welcome you all to a new and rewarding year in our lodge.

Fraternally, George