This is not the usual message, so please bear with me.

On Mon., 15-Sep-2025, my mother passed away. Last year in April of 2024, my biological father passed away. These are the people that brought me into this world, ultimately making it possible for me to be of service to our lodge. Though sometimes fraught, my relationship with my parents nevertheless had a lasting impression on my life and helped shape me into the man I am today.

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their summer as we called off from labor for the months of July and August. First and foremost: Bro. Muraldy Gustave, and soon-to-be Bro. Justin A. Rodriguez will soon depart for my alma mater, Fort Benning, to serve our country in active duty service in the United States Army. All the best to them…and beware of that Georgia red clay.

A few updates as we are called off from labor. Unfortunately, we lost a pillar within Masonic District D, Bro. Norman Walsh, P.M. Norm was the epitome of what our Fraternity is and should be; he will be missed by many.

As the lights of our Lodge will dim briefly for the summer, I hope each of you will enjoy and take advantage of the time away from each other. It has been a pleasure to serve you over the past 18 months…there is still much more labor in the quarry to accomplish.

At our May Stated Meeting, we will be hosting Bro. David Canterbury from Ohio. Please RSVP as soon as possible as there is a growing interest from brethren outside of our Lodge to attend and space is limited. There will not be Extra Meetings scheduled for the months of May or June, and starting in September, our Extra Meeting dinners will be held at Iron Hill Brewery.

I do not like to start messages with sad news, however, I regret to inform you about the passing of our Organist Bro. Eugene Frohlich. For those that do not know, Gene had a great sense of humor, and I could always count on a smile from him with my bad dad jokes. His favorite song was “Strawberry Fields Forever” by the Beatles, and I will now think of Gene whenever I hear this song.

As a firm believer in the principle stated in Brian Tracy’s book “Eat That Frog,” I am first addressing what needs to be addressed that will affect our Lodge moving forward. From a higher power above my pay grade, beginning December 2025, any member that has not paid their annual dues on or before Sat., 27-Dec-2025 will be suspended at Lodge No. 2’s Stated Meeting on Tues., 06-Jan-2026.