Greetings Brothers,
I hope this message finds you all well. As I sit down to write this, my first Master’s message; still recovering from the incredibly long and emotional day that is the annual, I cannot help but reflect upon, and feel slightly overwhelmed by, all I have experienced in the last 24 hours. It all seems so surreal and inconceivable.
I would like to begin by congratulating WB Fred Pierce on a great year. You have shown us the very definition of what a successful year is, I only hope I can measure up. And to WB Fred’s Lovely Wife Angela Pierce who has certainly gone above and beyond the call of “First Lady” this past year, and whom has been a personal friend to me and my wife. Congratulations to both of you on your “retirement”!
I would like to thank all those Brothers who braved the cold weather and attended the annual yesterday. In talking with some of the Brothers after, we all agreed that is was one of the smokiest in recent history. Hopefully this means we will be varmint and pest free for the ensuing year. I would like to congratulate and thank RW Peter Rinaudo, and WB Rob Eubanks for an expertly performed installation of officers. Your dedication and commitment to the craft is unending, which certainly did not go without notice.
I would also like to congratulate the following elected/appointed officers to their respective chairs:
Senior Warden: WB Chris Mayhew, Junior Warden: WB Sterling Viets, Treasurer: WB Barry Shead, Secretary: RW John Rhoads, Senior Deacon: WB Carey Bentley, Junior Deacon: WB Gary Watson, Senior Stewart: Brother Evan Perry, Junior Stewart: Brother Richie Huyhn, Chaplin: RW Peter Rinaudo, Marshall: Brother Chris Bowen, Tiler: Arthur Richardson
I look forward to a great and productive year with all of you. As Master, I will do my best to rule in a way that brings honor and respect to our lodge, and the district as a whole.
I would also like to thank the great and wonderful kitchen crew without whom yesterday would have not been possible. Brother Dave O, Brother D. John Watkins, WB Micheal Gibeault, Lady’s Angela Pierce, Karen Mayhew and Maria Rinaudo. As the old adage goes, “many hands make light work” and yesterday was certainly the example of that.
Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank my Mother, my wonderful wife Chandra and all of our kids: Gracie, Thomas, Makenna, Sophia, Hadleigh, Jovie, Grayden, and Miakoda for the continual love and support they show me. I would like to especially thank my wife Chandra, and Gracie for their help in preparing, serving, and cleaning up the meal, as well as my daughter Gracie’s friend…who is a boy… Jordyn, for his help in serving and helping to clean up. When I arrived home after the long day I was informed he thought the event was “one of the greatest and most interesting things he’s ever seen”.
For those of you who could not stay for the afternoon meeting we discussed 2 upcoming events. The first of which is the annual soup dinner which will be on January 18th from 4-6pm at a cost is $10 . I already have 6 Brothers who have volunteered to make soups, however, I will be looking for additional volunteers to assist with the grilled cheese station, as well as help clean up.
The second event we discussed was our Lady’s at the Table event which looks like it will be held on February 1st at Grill 37. Additional details will be forthcoming, so stay tuned.
Putnam Reminders:
Career Closet donation box for business attire. More Info Here!
*Citizen of the Week school supplies donations for Woodstock Middle School. More Info Here!
*You can pay your dues or make a donation online at: https://lodge046.ctfreemasons.net/payments/
Masters Traveling Schedule:
12/11/2019 Moriah Lodge #15 Annual Communication 6:30 dinner 7:30 meeting
12/13/2019 Cornerstone-Quinebaug Lodge #122 Annual Communication 7:30 meeting
District Events
12/12/2019 Family style steak dinner with Santa 6-8 pm adults $15 12 and under $10
12/15/2019 Moosup Lodge 113 Breakfast with Santa 8-11 am $8 (1 dollar discount with canned food donation)
This week at Putnam Lodge:
12/12 Thursday night fellowship
Upcoming events:
1/4/2020 January Stated Communication
1/18/2020 Soup dinner 4-6pm $10
“Freemasonry is founded on the immutable laws of truth and justice and its grand object is to promote the happiness of the human race” – George Washington
Fraternally yours,
WM Matthew Cunningham