Brethren:

I would llike to thank Gayle and Marty Honig for hosting the May Stated Meeting Dinner and a big thanks to Aaron Shubb for donating the ring that allowed us to donate $270.00 to the Masonic Homes. Star and Marco were again on hand to help decorate the Dining Room on Wednesday evening. Ethel and I thank you, and also thanks to Jean Marie for the ideas on the table decorations. In my opinion, the Stated Meeting Dinners are getting better and better... thanks to Aaron Shubb.

The April event was the Car Rally, with the Foo Family being the big winners. It certainly pays to have smart kids. The one thing I can say about the way David and James put together a Car Rally is that you find yourself talking about it for days afterwards, or maybe mumbling to yourself. I still wonder how I figured out "warm and fuzzy tomb raider" and missed so called easy clues. Thank you David Sylvester and James Bayhylle, let's do it again soon while our brains are still engaged in high gear.

One of the May social events had to be canceled; that was the Medieval Times on May 14th. In order to put an attractive package together, you have to guarantee minimums. In this case it was 30 people, which we did not achieve. It seems strange with a Lodge membership of almost 600 members you can't get 30.

The May Movie Night on Sunday, May 22nd at the Winnetka Theater, followed by a no host dinner at the Lamplighter Restaurant had an interesting twist. The Chairman selected three or four movies you could choose from that start about the same time, then we joined together for dinner. I am interested in hearing the results of this innovation in our Movie Night Program.

At the May Stated Meeting, the Brethren elected Bryan Allen to the Boulevard Masonic Association and I wish you well. Also, we explained the new rules for the candidate's proficiencies required by Grand Lodge. We will require more help by the Brethren to the candidates so I will be looking for qualified volunteers.

Brother Ken Kolchier, Chaplain, gave an interesting Masonic Information talk that was expanded on at the Wednesday night Symbolic Discussion.

At the June Stated Meeting we will be discussing ways of getting the "CHIPS" (Lodge's Monthly Bulletin) into your hands earlier with all the current and up-to-date news, so that you can enjoy the events we have each month.

The attendance at the Stated Meeting Dinner has been sporatic and hard to predict. We buy too much food or one month we might end up with not enough food. At the June Stated Meeting we would like to discuss with the members, ways of resolving that situation. The result of discussion may require a vote by the Brethren.

Fraternally yours,

Stanley J. Higgins, PM
Master