Hi and welcome to a New Year. Last year went by so fast that it is hard to believe it is 2004 already. I am very excited about this year and hope that you are also. I think the programs that are scheduled for this year are going to be fun and entertaining. I hope you will all plan on joining us at the Stated Meeting Dinners and staying for the entertainment. Please, if you have any ideas for meetings feel free to call me. We still have a few months later in the year that we still could use a little help.

February is going to be great. Besides honoring our Sweethearts as we do every February, we are going to kick off the theme for the year by honoring a Mason from our past, Irving Berlin.

Chelli Smith will be our hostess for the evening and if you haven't met this lovely lady, please come and meet her. She and her husband Marvin are fairly new members of Hollywood-West Valley Lodge. Chelli has gotten us some GREAT entertainment that I'm sure you will enjoy.

A project that I would like to start this year is a canned food drive. There will be a bin in the social hall at every meeting. I hope you will remember when you come to the meetings to bring a can or two. We will be delivering them to a food pantry in the area. Everyday in some way I am reminded how lucky I am to have a roof over my head, a wonderful husband, three healthy children, and enough of everything I need to make my life a good one. If I can help others have a better life I feel it is my obligation to do it. I hope you will help.