New Officers Installed

Installation of Officers for 2004 was conducted at the Stated Communication of Prudence Lodge on January 15. Outgoing Master Bob O’Connor conducted the ceremony, assisted by WB Marv Titus acting as Marshal.

Elected officers are listed at the end of this newsletter. Appointed officers include: Duane Pingeon, Lodge Education Officer; Steven Clark, Senior Deacon; Ronald Richards, Junior Deacon; Tracy Nitch, Senior Steward; A Wiggins Turner, Junior Steward; Robert O’Connor, Marshal; Robert Turner, Tyler.

Lodge to Conduct KidsID

The Lodge will embark on a new program this year. KidsID will be conducted at the upcoming Farm and Home shows in both Windom and Jackson. If all goes well, we will also conduct the program at next summer’s county fairs in both communities. Parents will receive a digital photo, plus a form with fingerprints and personal information about their children which will be available for law enforcement personnel in the event their children are missing. Dates are March 13 in Windom and March 20 in Jackson.

Titus to Receive Hiram Award

W B Marvin Titus will receive the prestigious Hiram Award. An award dinner has been planned for 6:00 p.m. on April 1 at the Hi Lo Club in Lakefield. Titus was selected by 2003 W M Bob O’Connor for his many years of service and dedication to The Craft. This is a public event, so friends and family are welcome. We would like to have an idea of how many will be in attendance, so please call one of the elected officers to let us know how many will attend.

Hospital Foundation Breakfast

Members of Prudence Lodge #97 will assist the Windom Area Hospital Foundation with a breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, March 21, 2004. The pancake breakfast will be held at the Eagles Club in Windom from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to sell advance tickets and to help bus tables on the day of the event. Please call W B Kjell Turner if you can assist.

Fraternal News

Brethren passing to the Celestial Lodge since the last newsletter were: Warren Sontag of Heron Lake on November 19, Oswald T. “Ozzie” Olson of Windom on December 30; Marvin “Bud” Hedges of Clear Lake, Iowa on January 13; Perry Graybill of Heron Lake on January 26; Max Hoelscher in Minneapolis on February 7;Truman Jacobson of Windom on February 9; and Calvin Miller of Minneapolis on February 18.

Alyce Peterson, wife of B Maylen Peterson of Westbrook, passed away in January. And word was received belatedly of the passing of Bro Raymond Palmby of Redwood Falls last year on September 30, 2002.

50 Year Pins to be Presented and Spring Picnic to be Held

Arrangements are being made to present 50 year pins to a number of our Brethren at this year’s Spring Picnic. The picnic is planned as a pot luck event at the Bingham Lake Senior Center on Friday, April 30.

Recipients include Dr. Ken Nelson, Lloyd Hawks, Robert Marcy and Ken Gudmestad. Arrangements will be made to get pins to those who cannot attend the picnic.

The picnic will begin at 5:00 with a social hour followed by dinner at 6:00. The Windom Shrine Club will once again provide the Oasis.

Coming Events

March 13 – KidsID at the Farm & Home Show in Windom.

March 18 – Stated Communication. Supper will be prepared and served at 6:30 followed by the Communication.

March 20 – KidsID at the Farm & Home Show in Jackson.

March 21 – Hospital Foundation Breakfast.

March 26 & 27 – Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, AF & AM

April 1 – Hiram Award Dinner @ Hi Lo Club in Lakefield honoring Marv Titus.

April 15 -- Stated Communication. Supper will be prepared and served at 6:30 followed by the Communication.

April 30 – Spring Picnic at Bingham Lake Senior Center with 50 year pin presentation.

2004 Elected Officers

Worshipful Master - Rodney Deuel 847-5706

Senior Warden – Frederick Benson 853-4779

Junior Warden – James Nesseth 831-3094

Secretary - Allen Peterson 831-0212

Treasurer – Kjell Turner 831-0136