The last couple of months have had some trying times and I hope the FELLOWSHIP which is Masonry was a help to the members and their families who were affected during this period.

In March we lost Worshipful Bob Ricci and at the end of April, we lost Brother Marshall Jacobson, both of whom were active members in the Lodge. I have often written about the informal golf club that Hollywood-West Valley Lodge has at the Van Nuys Golf Course on Tuesday mornings. Bob and Marshall were regulars on these mornings. I played with Marshall in March - no, he did not score well - but we enjoyed our outing together anyway.

The problems the Sindelars are having reminds us that not all people are kind to each other. Worshipful Rudy Bauer did his heart thing at 2 am in Palm Springs. Worshipful Bob Gross's son-in-law passed away quite suddenly in April and Bob and Barbara are helping their daughter and her two young children cope.

In the month of April there were some bright spots if you were able to attend Lodge and watch the Officers work and meet some of our great new members. Ken Kolchier, our Senior Steward did an outstanding job on the informal walk around after the First Degree, and again on the last Thursday of April when we had four Second Degrees, he was the Chaplain for the first time. James Bayhylle, our Senior Deacon did all four degrees that Thursday and did an excellent job of "herding" them around in the second section.

The young men serving as Officers in your Lodge are doing great ritual work. You should try to come to Lodge on degree nights and see the work being done. Some of the young candidates are doing excellent proficiency. So come on out to Lodge and support them all.

The esoteric part of Masonry has always been what intrigued me. During the last few years it appeared that we were drifting away from that in order to create a broader appeal for new membership. Listening to our Officers and the programs that they are interested in, makes me believe that we are returning to what I consider are the roots of Masonry.

Fraternally,

Stanley Higgins, PM

Senior Warden