May 2004

With the summer months quickly approaching, let me take this opportunity to thank all of you who braved the slightly cooler than normal temperatures in the Lodge. The old boiler is beyond repair, and a new high tech unit is in the process of installation. With the installation of our new windows complete, we should find ourselves cozy and warm in our Masonic home next winter.

Welcome to our new brothers, members of the Grand Master’s Class, who upon completion of their proficiencies will sign the By-laws of Harmony Lodge at our June meeting, which will be Past Master’s Night and our annual steak fry prepared by your officers. The new brothers are Nick Fregeau, Steve Harnois, Dave Hobday, John Lombardi, Bill McColl, Dino Soscia, and James Whiteley. Reservations for the steak fry are an absolute must. No reservation, no steak. Please bring your own utensils that evening.

Please plan on joining Team Harmony as we walk for the benefit of Muscular Dystrophy on the 16^th. Our golf tournament is on June 19^th and we are still accepting golfers as well as sponsors. Last year we raised over $2,300.00 at these two events and I would like to see us hit $5,000.00 this year.

If you haven’t already done so, you may still have a little time after you receive this notice to make your reservation for our Ladies Luncheon on the 8^th.

Our Master Masons Degree is on the 11^th. Please note that the Lodge opens at 5:00 P.M.. We will break for dinner at about 6:30 with the remainder of our work after that. Again, dinner reservations must be made.

Every month, I hop on the dinner reservations, but due to the increased attendance at our meetings, it is absolutely necessary that you make reservations with brother Henry Rossi at 781-4472. If you are planning on being a regular for dinner, ask him about going on the regular list, then you would only need to call if you are not going to be in attendance. Henry has asked me to request that you try to bring exact change for dinner if possible.

The Grand Lodge Annual meeting is on the 17^th at 9:00 A.M., with the banquet that evening.

Some events are in the planning stages, and I hope you will support them. Our family picnic is on July 18^th, a Newport brunch cruise on the Bay Queen is tentatively scheduled for August 15^th, and a mini-golf tournament to benefit one of our brothers whose son has a very rare illness is being planned for August 21^st.

My messages get longer each month as we continue to plan new events for you and your family, and as we continue to upgrade this fine old building.

I know that there are a number of reasons why a brother would chose to remain a member and not be active, but if you are able, and haven’t been around in awhile, we would love to see you at a meeting or an event.

If you are an old Harmony member who remembers the good old days at The Castle, or a new member as a result of the merger, this is your Lodge. We are doing everything that we can to provide a well rounded program that you may be proud of. We can’t bring The Castle back. We are blessed to have a new home; a place where we may put down roots, and a place to make a new start. We also cannot bring Doric Lodge back. If you are a former Doric member who may feel a bit uneasy; don’t.

Again, I repeat, this is your Lodge. Please do your part. Come around and give us a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised by the greeting you receive.

As always, I welcome your comments, ideas, suggestion, or complaints. I can be reached at 942-9883 (Lodge office), 663-4279 (cell), 647-5649 (home), or by e-mail at papabear224@cox.net, of through the Harmony Lodge website at www.harmony9.org.  Your officers are here to serve you, and we will do all that we can to address any issue that you may have, be it positive or negative. We can only address those things that we are aware of.

On the level

John