Dear Brothers:
It has been a privilege being East Lansing No. 480’s Master for the year 2004. My hopes were to increase communications to all brothers of this lodge.
With the support of the secretary and active brothers working hard, we made some remarkable strides in reconnecting with members we haven’t seen in lodge for some time. A birthday party and 60 year pin for Jack Patriarche, 50 year pin for Phil Patriarche, and an honorary membership to their real brother Mercer Patriarche who drove up from Ann Arbor for the festivities. Many more received 25, 40, 50 & 60 year pins this year, with Grand Lodges from other States helping us find the nearest Lodge where some of our brothers have moved to. I even surprised Gipson Butler with his 60 year pin by showing up at his Commandry dinner with Most Worshipful Grand Master Robert Helmic presenting his friend, Gip with his pin. Gip was so surprised, he showed up for a Lodge meeting a few months afterwards. What a nice surprise.
We have also increased our Charities by giving generously to the new Hawk Island Park. Plus, with the joint effort of 4 Lodges and 3 Eastern Star Chapters, we made a dream come true for a 12 year old girl who we sponsored to travel 21 days into Europe as a Student Ambassador. The Lodges all came together in presenting our donations to Leslie Runyon before her trip, and again, with Leslie presenting us her trip pictures by power point projector. With her Grandfather being a 50 year Mason, we touched this girl and her family like the Angel that tapped us on the shoulder to guide our help in their time of need. Her Grandfather said he feels 20 years younger after his heart surgery.
And, with the guidance of Master Carpenter, Samuel Mogg,P.M., our Lodge built a handicap double ramp for the home of our Tyler, Terry Conlin with no cost to his family. The Lodge was there for Terry, because he has always been there for his Lodge. Terry will be joining us again soon, as he is out of rehabilitation and will be our Tyler as long as he wants it. Please keep Terry and his family in your prayers.
Several Lodges are joining forces, as our newest member went through his Master Mason degree with two Grand Jurisdictions and several recognised Lodges participating in his raising at Okemos Lodge No 252.
We have work to do in pre-organizing Lodge Charities and acquiring more candidates. We need your help, and if you can, please make it back to your Lodge meetings. Working together is important, and I am very confident that this Lodge will move forward with the 5 year Renewal Program Grand Lodge has unveiled, and as L. Scott Towsley sits in the East in 2005.
Daniel G. Wilson
Worshipful Master, 2004
East Lansing No. 480
Presenting friend Gip Butler his 60 year pin
