While the District Deputy is taking a much deserved rest;

 A Message from the Southeast Corner of the lodge

Greetings Brethren;

The District Deputy has been kind enough to let me use this format to express my observations of the past Masonic year. This past season has been an extremely busy and exciting one in the 6^th district. It is difficult for me to express my gratitude to all of you. You have opened up your lodges and your homes to us and extended every courtesy not only to us but to every member of the District Deputy's suite. I am grateful for the generosity and support of so many of you. We have been present for Installations, widow’s nights, presentations of Lewis Jewels, veteran’s metals and sadly, Masonic Funeral Services. So many of the events that are the highlight of a brother’s Masonic career, we were privileged to be able to share these occasions with them. Many of these were truly moving and memorable experiences. On more than one occasion, as I looked around the Lodge room, I could not find a dry eye in the house. Truly, a testimonial to the love and respect we have for so many of our brothers. It has been said many times about Masonry that you get out of it what you put in. If that’s true, then I am deeply in debt, for I have received much more than I can possibly return.                                                                            I have been told by some brothers that for them Masonry does not exist past the doors of their Blue Lodge. This is simply not true. Just look at all that has gone on this past year. Next season you should plan to take the time to attend the District Deputy's Visits, go to LOI, and participate in functions outside your lodge. You have many new friends and brothers waiting to meet you -you will not be disappointed.                                              As we prepare to go dark for the summer, I would ask a few simple things from you. Take time to contemplate why you joined the fraternity. Have you met this goal? Are you so caught up in the politics or business of the lodge that you have lost sight of why you are here? Are personal conflicts and differences making it difficult for you? As we look forward to a new Masonic season it may be time to cast aside many of those differences and start anew. Take a quiet afternoon at home or on the beach and reflect on the obligation you took as a Master Mason. Are these just words to you, or are they a goal, a way of life to strive for? Start fresh by participating in your lodge and District next season. Volunteer for a Chip event, donate to the many collections going on in the District, or better yet adopt one of these causes in your lodge. Remember, enthusiasm is contagious. Through these efforts you can go a long way to meeting those goals you set for yourself as a new Master Mason. I can guarantee that you will be a better Mason and a better Man for it. In the end, we should all strive to practice the tenets of our profession in our daily lives: Relief, Truth and Brotherly love. If we do, so many of those lofty goals we aspire to, will just fall into place.   I look forward to seeing all of you again in the fall as we start a new Masonic year. I hope your summer is a safe and enjoyable one. May the Supreme Architect of the Universe look after you and your families until we meet again.

Sincerely and Fraternally:

Worshipful Mike Slyman

District Deputy Grand Marshall for the 6^th Masonic District.