Brethren, despite the bad weather, 2010 is off to a good start. We have several candidates seeking admission to our order. When the dates have been set for their Entered Apprentice degrees, we will post them on the website at http://www.pk149.org.

We will be having our annual Sweethearts Dinner on February 13 at 6:30 PM. We will be serving our famous Prime Rib. The cost is $15 for the men, and their Sweethearts are free. We really need an accurate count on who would like to attend. There is a signup sheet in the lodge, you can email pk149@kconline.com, or leave a message at 574-936-2664 to make your reservation.

We represent a fraternity which believes in justice and truth and honorable action in your community… men who are endeavoring to be better citizens…[and] to make a great country greater. This is the only institution in the world where we can meet on the level all sorts of people who want to live rightly.”
Harry S. Truman
President of the United States

~ Micheal Marshall, W.M.

From the West

Brethren, greetings from the West: may the February meeting be the right opportunity this year for many of you to join your fellow bothers for an evening of fellowship. As we look forward to each and every lodge event as the time and place to inquire about how many of our brothers and their families are doing. Speak to all potential members seeking to be a part of something great. Open the door for those wanting to do more for our society. Next time someone asks if you are a Mason proudly tell them you are a member of this fraternal brotherhood, share with them the contributions our fraternity provides the community and explain where they can obtain a petition if you already handed out your last one.

~ Skip Humphrey, S.W.

From the South

Greetings from the South. A brother who is dear to many masons in Indiana was born on July 18, 1913 in Vincennes, Indiana. Following in his father’s foot steps as a circus clown, at age 10 he traveled throughout the Midwest with a medicine show and by age 15 joined the vaudeville circuit. Yes, I am talking about Bro. Richard “Red” Skelton.
Bro. Red was a pioneer in early television variety shows. The “Red Skelton Show” ran for 21
years, three years short of the longest in history which was the Ed Sullivan Show. He created
memorable characters such as Clem Kidittlehopper and Freddy the Freeloader. Inspired by a
mason at a young age, who gave Red $5.00 to buy his mother a gift, Red knew he would be a
mason one day. Raised in Vincennes Lodge #1 on Sept. 20, 1939 he began his Masonic journey. Also joining the York and Scottish Rites, along with being a shriner at Al Malaikah Shrine in Los Angeles, CA. Bro. Red was a man of morals. Pressured to add some vulgarity into his acts he insisted: “Personally, I don’t think anyone should have to pay money at the box office for what they can read for nothing on public bathroom walls.” He wrote an explanation for the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 for children to understand freedom in this country. The Grand Lodge of Indiana gave Bro. Red his Award of Gold in 1993. His famous signoff line at every show was “Good night, and may God bless.” Bro. Red Skelton was laid to rest in Vincennes in 1997.

~ Dennis Wenzel, JW