March's Message

Brethren and Friends of Palmer,

The last couple of months have been a whirlwind of activity at Palmer Lodge with preparations for the Centennial events being finalized, lodge visitations, degree work and the new officers settling in to their duties. We are definitely making progress in all these areas.

The Centennial Committee is currently concentrating on the May 22, 2011, rededication program. Most Worshipful Grand Master Joseph B. Harker will be officiating, and complimenting the formal rededication ceremony, Brother Wilhelm Doos will be presenting a power-point presentation focusing on the early history of Henry L. Palmer and Palmer Lodge. In Brother Doos’ trial presentation to the Centennial Committee it was apparent that many are unfamiliar with the rich history of Palmer Lodge, and it was suggested that this program be included as part of an orientation session to new members.

A dedicated group of brethren have also made visitations to other lodges including Lafayette, Wisconsin 13, and Myron Reed in the last few weeks. These visitations not only garner points for the Lodge Excellence Award, but expose Palmer members to the Masonic diversity in observing how different lodges operate. These intra-lodge forays have fostered new Masonic friendships as well as being very instructive and informative.

On February 4^th ,Brother Greg Helgeson was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft, and on March 4^th Palmer Lodge will be conferring the Master Mason degree on Dominic LoCicero. In addition, an Entered Apprentice degree is scheduled for March 18^th. This is certainly a tribute to our new officers, having participated in conferring all three degrees and having had only one Stated Meeting thus far. Their level of participation and dedication is commendable.

Finally, the H.L. Palmer Masonic Angel Fund, in conjunction with the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin Masonic Medical Fund, presented a defibulator to the Milwaukee Prepatory School on February 16^th. The Palmer Masonic Angel Fund has received kudos from the parent Masonic Angel Foundation for its level of activity and innovative charitable donations, particularly the novel idea of hygiene kits which have been donated to needy groups from Milwaukee to Green Bay. Brothers Lee Wackman and Bryan Johnson are commended for demonstrating the charitable spirit of Freemasonry and making a statement that our activities need not be confined to the lodge room.

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Fraternally,

John F. Wackman, WM