Lodge Letter

March, 2008

The lodge is on track to have another stellar year. So far, we have already had a 1st degree as well as a 3rd degree and we have a 2nd degree scheduled for this month. Behind that, we have more candidates ready to be initiated which means another 1st degree is in the works. These are exciting times my brothers! We would like to ask if there are any volunteers to help coach these new brothers. If anyone is interested, please contact any of the officers.

Busy Busy

On the Calendar

We have a new sign at Catawba Lodge 56. The sign came in under the expected cost and looks terrific. The lodge would like to thank Brothers Eric Price, Britt Helms and Wyatt Smith for all the hard work they put in to seeing the sign project through to resolution. The sign should be installed over the next couple of weeks so be sure to stop by and have a look.

New Sign!

We Care

Catawba Lodge has been one of the annual contributors to the Fort Mill Care Center since it was created more than 20 years ago. The crisis ministry organization provides invaluable help to people in this community who are in need.

We recently donated $379 to the center, which is housed on Banks Street in the former Fort Mill Middle School building. Of the amount, $179 were proceeds from the awards banquet in November. John Tsoulos of John’s Family Restaurant, who cratered the meal, asked that any profit from the event go to a local charity.

2008 List of Officers

Worshipful Master

Gary Welch Sr. - (803)-547-4510

Senior Warden

Michael Troutman - (803)-547-1996

Junior Warden

Josh Welch - (704) 400-1878

Treasurer

Bill West - (803) 547-6848

Secretary

Jerry McGuire - (803) 547-5471

Senior Deacon

Ian Edwards- (803) 981-4302

Junior Deacon

Eric Price - (803) 985-1350

Stewards

Chris Dalton - (803) 242-5642

Kevin Amos - (803) 547-4653

Chaplain

Sid Scales (PM)  - (803) 327-5486

Tiler

John Maye (PM) - (803) 802-5931

Lecturers

Steve St. Clair - (803) 547-6497

Masonic Service

Bob Carter
(803) 547-1164 - Home
(803) 431-4079 - Cell

Next Regular Communication

March 13th, 2008

Master’s Message—Gary Welch Sr., WM

Now that my nerves have calmed a bit from my first time sitting in the Master’s chair, let me convey my appreciation to all those who attended the most recent 1st degree. This was a particularly special degree for me personally and the level of membership that attended from our lodge as well as lodges from both North and South Carolina made this a great success. I would also like to personally thank the stewards, Kevin Amos and Chris Dalton for their support so far this year.

By the Plumb—Josh Welch, JW

Greetings from the West:  This is the 2nd edition of the Lodge Letter, and we trust that each of you are enjoying the letter and find it useful and informative. January and February have been giving us a very busy time. We have conferred a Master Mason degree and an Entered Apprentice degree in February, and we have more petitions out on investigation. We are on pace for another good year of growth to our membership.

Again, I encourage all of those who have been so faithful and supportive to continue that for the coming year. For those of you that have not recently attended your lodge, please come and enjoy the fellowship.   

 For Catawba Lodge No. 56 to be successful, it takes the support of all members.

From the West—Michael Troutman, SW

Our regular communications operate efficiently when the committees do their assigned tasks and return with reports at the business meetings. The master has appointed chairmen of the various committees.

One of the most important of these is the Audit Committee.  Consisting of three members, this panel makes an annual review of the lodge records and, as required, makes a report to Grand Lodge.  The following members have been appointed for this year: Wor. Bro. Benny Patterson, P.M., and Bros. James Hammond and Darrell Kissiah.

Another is the Sick Committee, which tried to stay abreast of those who are sick.  The master said he will serve as head of this committee, but he needs assistance from all of us in keeping him informed.

Each member is essentially a member of this committee.  When you hear about someone being sick, contact the Master.

Wor. Bro. John Maye, P.M./ Tiler is chairman of the Building and Grounds committees.  Let him know if you Can serve with him.

Wor. Bro. Jerry McGuire, P.M./ Secretary heads the Charity Committee.  Other members are Wor. Bro Patterson and Bro. Hammond.  Contact them regarding the work of this committee.

Secretary’s Corner—Jerry McGuire, PM/Sec

Gary Welch Sr., Worshipful Master

This has been an extremely busy first couple of months. I would personally like to express my appreciation to all that attended the degrees and to all that helped out with the Winter Stew. In addition, I would like to thank all the Past Masters and brothers who made our most recent 3rd degree and 1st degree such successes. With that type of fellowship and the continuing support from our lodge members, this year will surely continue to produce good work.

I would also like to take this moment to single out those brothers who aided in getting our new sign ready. Thank you.

March 13th         — Regular stated communication

March 20th         — 2nd Degree

 

Regular Communication
2nd Thursday Of Each Month
Eat @ 6:45 ~ Work @ 7:30

March 25th         — Master & Wardens Club

April 24 & 25      — Annual Grand Lodge Meets—Greenville SC

May 3rd              — Spring Fest

For other events, please call the lodge at (803) 802-5656 or visit the lodge website at www.catawbalodge56.com.

Looking Ahead

Stated Communication
3rd Thursday Of Each Month
Eat @ 6:45 ~ Work @ 7:30

Check website or call for details

Last newsletter discussed an electronic version of the monthly newsletter. That  has happened and many of you are now receiving the electronic version in lieu of the more expensive mail version. For those brothers who have email addresses and still received a mailed version, please be sure to forward those addresses to the lodge. This will help keep the lines of communication open with little cost to the lodge.

Email Addresses