Tidings from June

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Greetings Brethren & Ladies of Palmer!

The days of summer are nigh! This is the time we take from our duties and sharpen the chisel before progressing on. We all have different ways to make a clean edge: some of us will camp, fish, play or work in other endeavors; many of us will travel both literally and spiritually. We have had our second MM degree of the year and it went well, again a humble thank you to all those brothers who helped out this unity among men is the foundation of all masonry. Please join me in welcoming brother Daymean to our lodge. We have another MM for June scheduled on the 11^th and we will again need the assistance of our lodge members. As we discuss June our Annual Communication begins on the 4^th and your Elected Officers will again be in attendance representing Henry L. Palmer lodge as best as we can. Remember our last stated meeting before going dark is on the 25^th at 7:30 pm.

As spring nears an end we revisited our annual Spaghetti Dinner which went great as usual even though we changed the venue to Sunday to accommodate others who rent our lodge building. Most in attendance liked the change and as usual comments were praiseworthy on the food and service. Great thanks are sent out to those brothers and ladies who helped out this year with a special thanks to PM John Unz who gave of his time to make sure everything was hot and tasty. As well as a humble thank you to Lady Judy Wright who stepped in our late PM George’s shoes to keep up traditions as well as to keep our kitchen volunteers in line. And if anyone were to look into my garden spring is also the time of new discoveries and adventures bounded by old traditions: as well as in our lodge -- this year we had our first combined Ladies at the Table lodge with West Allis and Wauwatosa lodges. This too was a grand event and all who attended had a wonderful and even enlightening time. All the more to look forward to for next year.

Our annual scholarship dinner will be held on June 6^th at 5 pm. Also, this summer the lodge has opted to attend the Scottish Rite - Valley of Milwaukee’s summer picnic at the Zoo on July 11^th. We will have our own area to picnic in in conjunction with other Masonic lodges. Cost members and friends of Henry L. Palmer lodge will be $10 for adults, our children will be free. Please contact me for further information no later than June 30^th so that I can provide a headcount.

Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances our lodge was unable to attend the degree competition – we can only look towards the future and hope we have the opportunity again. As we move forward we most always keep present that idea of sincerity which we so solemnly pledged our oaths with. Too often we forego that sincere part in our everyday lives whether it be that rhetorical “Hi, how are you?” or the handshake we provide out of necessity instead of brotherly affection. In our everyday lives we give “lip service” to all kinds of exchanges without thinking about the perceptions or ramifications. As was brought to me earlier this week people have to see Masons outside of the lodge; perhaps to the extent where we should wear shirts emblazoned with the words “Hi I’m a Mason: how can I help you?” However we do have this opportunity every time we speak to someone or shake their hand. We have at that moment to impress the tenets of freemasonry most sincerely and solemnly, with friendship, morality and brotherly affection. So instead of giving lip service to the ritualistic “Hi, how are you?” ask with sincere and vivid interest as to how people are doing, take an interest in their hopes and ideas, dreams and concerns, take their hand in a gesture of sincere warmth and demonstrate the tenets of freemasonry in your everyday lives -- save the ritualistic behaviors for our degree nights.

In Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty

Khristian E. Kay, WM