The holidays are behind us and, as always, they passed quickly. Hopefully we each had time and cause to reflect on what and who is important in our lives. It is too easy to set priorities aside when the alarm clock goes off and we begin yet another week of work, meetings and commitments. I know that I am guilty sometimes on that count.

January returns us to our masonic schedule. We were to have a EA on January 9, 2003 for Mr. Jeffrey Baer. Unfortunately Jeff's father had surgery rescheduled to that very afternoon. Fortunately the surgery went well - very well from what Jeff described. We have rescheduled his EA to January 23^rd. We substituted a pro tem that evening to give our officers the work. Brothers, I believe that you will again be pleased with the work that Linwood does and is known for throughout the district.

We had an officers meeting on January 2nd to discuss the responsibilities of the different chairs, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing Linwood this year. One of the keys this year is for the officers to work together and to enjoy the friendships that our lodge and the fraternity provide. There is a lot of work to go around: the lodge inspections begin this month; the Grand Master will be visiting Cincinnati on January 20th; there are monthly First District meetings; we want to stay in contact with our distant brothers and those who can no longer attend lodge; we want to visit those who are sick or distressed. No one man can do all this. Some would say that no group of men can. There may be truth to the second; it certainly is true for the first. By working together and by allowing each to shoulder a part of the load, however, we can accomplish more. It is my hope that - by the end of the year - our officers are the better for having worked together and relied on each other. May we make you proud - proud to be a mason and proud to be a member of Linwood Lodge.

One of the challenges facing us are the utility bills. These old windows are translating into sizable CG&E bills. We are not in a position to replace the windows now, but we are discussing a multi-year plan to replace them. Here is where you may be able to help - and no, it is not by writing a check. We are looking at fundraisers - hopefully to repeat every year - for these expenses. We had a good effort last year, with the Kids Fest and the Halloween Dance, which we translated into the new chairs for our banquet room. We have begun discussions with another lodge to work together should the fundraiser require more manpower than either individual lodge can provide. We are course thinking that the larger the fundraiser the larger the funds raised. Working an Oktoberfest booth, for example, could require a lot of manpower but could pay-off very well. Should you know of an opportunity, please let me or the someone in the lodge know. It may require several years to update our lodge building, but so what? The lodge has been here a long time and it will still be here for a long time to come.

We are talking with several men and are optimistic that they will soon be starting their masonic journey with us here at Linwood. We will be voting on one man's application at our stated meeting on January 16^th. I will keep you informed on this matter.

Until next month, my brother. Remember to stop by and visit if you have a chance.

 And may God bless,