Hello Everyone,

December is almost gone, man times flies! Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas this year. I have been been extremely busy these last few months of the year. Being laid off from work , I found out what most retirees find out “where does the time go — I can’t get done what is needed to do”. I’m doing the best I can to stay in the sprit of the season, and have the same issues as most of you at special days [Birthdays and Holidays] “I just can’t think of anything to get anybody”.

I and the Lodge had a very good year and I’m truly blessed to have the fine officers this past year and the support of friends. We raised a few good brothers; the fish fry was a hit again, due to the dedication of our workers behind the scenes as well as those who worked the day of the event — I didn’t hear of any problems or complaints. We made sausage a couple of times and that was really good!! I think we will make some more soon? The crowning point of my year was the raising of my youngest son a Master Mason with his older brother and my father there – we are all Master Masons together!!

A time for a change for our Lodge, Br, David Belcher is retiring as our Lodge Secretary this year after 12 years of dedicated service to our Lodge [he tried last year but because of circumstances he got to serve an extra year].

During his term as secretary and his desire to see the Lodge’s image as a leader in southwestern Indiana and at Grand Lodge, he helped our Masters and Beulah to receive its first of many “Grand Master’s Awards with High Distinction”. His desire to do his job to the best of his ability has earned Beulah Lodge consistently among the highest scores in the state year after year at Lodge of Instruction. He drew national attention to Beulah an Mt. Vernon for working with the U.S. Army and the “Military Blood Drives” [Believed to be the only non-government site in the country to do so] -- raising over $100,000 worth of need blood for our service men and women in harms way. He is “The Beulah Lodge Bugle”, which Grand Lodge repeatedly says, “It is the best lodge newsletter in the
state.” I hope that him well and wish him the best in whatever he chooses to do.

I truly have enjoyed being Master again this year and wish the new Master as mach success as I have had. I will be willing to help in anyway that I can!! As you see from the front page your newly elected officers for the ensuing year, they need — we need to see new faces and old faces in the Lodge. Come on in and have some fun and fellowship with us!! We would love to have you. Thanks to all the brethren that helped me and the Lodge this year!!

Fraternally yours,
Marty O’Neil