Brethren:

I am not sure that just saying "thanks" is enough to those who braved the rain on Saturday, January 8th, 2005 to attend the 102nd Installation of Officers. Though I don't have an exact count, I think there were about a hundred in attendance and I and the other officers would really like to thank you.

As always, these events just don't happen, many people in the Lodge get together and make it work. The planning started on the first of December with a germ of an idea, then later my Lady Ethel, Marco's Lady Star and Barbara Gross met in the Lodge's Dining Room for the first "on" scene meeting, then the first sewing meet at my home with Star, Barbara, Eadie Fayle and Ethel, then the second sewing meeting. The first set up meeting at the Lodge on Friday, followed by "super Saturday" where there was a dinner room set up crew and a Lodge set up crew and what appeared to be a cast of thousands. To all of you, I say thank you very much.

Saturday evening, one of the installing team didn't make it and that was Worshipful Bruce Carmitchel and his Lady Ruth who were coming from Santa Maria. I talked to Bruce on Sunday and he and Ruth are fine but the time line the Highway Patrol gave them to get through the Gaviota Pass was 4 to 5 hours which would put them at the Lodge in time for dessert.

The January Stated Meeting is normally a house keeping meeting where the outgoing Master gets ready for the incoming Master, but Worshipful Burt decided to jazz up his last meeting by giving a 50 Year Veteran's Pin to Ernest Borgnine. I was impressed with the man who is not just a good actor but a BROTHER who takes his Masonry to heart. In his acceptance talk he expressed his feelings about Masonry so very eloquently. Now my only regret about the January Stated Meeting is that more of our members didn't get a chance to meet this fine Brother.

The February social event is bowling under the chairmanship of Worshipful Rudy Bauer who has done a great job in the two previous times. Again it is at the Canoga Bowl, but what I want to emphasize is to bring a friend or acquaintance to these events because action speak louder than words. I really think our membership put on great events and you can show people what we do in Hollywood-West Valley Lodge by having them attend one or more.

Fraternally,

Stanley J. Higgins , PM
Master