VOLUME 1 - January, 2008

To the officers and members of Balfour Lodge #188,

       Greetings from the east.  I would like to thank all the officers and members of Balfour #188 for all
their hard work in 2007.  It’s been a pleasure to work with these brothers every week.  We
accomplished a lot in 2007.  We put in chair lifts, a security system, new AC and heat, and installed
new kitchen equipment.  We had several successful events, including our Memorial Day program with
guest speaker Brother Jim Allred, our Past Masters night, and auction.  We have contributed to the
Masonic charities as well as to the Rising Sons DeMolay chapter, and been fortunate to be able to
offer assistance to a distressed brother in his time of need.  We have gotten involved in the community
with the Randolph County young Marines, and participated in the Veterans Day parade in Asheboro.  
We have been fortunate to bring several new Master Masons into our fold, and they have proven their
worth time and time again by stepping up and getting the job done, and we still have some new
candidates waiting in the wings.  All this would not be possible without the contributions of our
officers and members.
        In November of 2006, we resolved to meet on every Tuesday, the first and third being our stated
meeting, and the others being to practice.  This has been a great success, aside from improving our
ritual work; it has proved to be an excellent chance to get to know these brothers and fellowship with
each other.  It is a pleasure to come together in Lodge as Brothers, but to be able to meet outside the
constraints of stated meetings and joke around and have a good time has been a truly rewarding
experience and I look forward to the “Gong Show” at Balfour on our off Tuesdays.  All in all, it was a
pleasure serving you as Senior Warden last year, and it’s an Honor to have the chance to serve you as
Master this year.
        As successful as we were last year, I believe we still have a few tricks up our sleeve for this year.
If I had to pick a theme for this year, it would be “think outside the box.”  I want to see us do things
that have never been done.  I would like to see us team up with other “civic organizations” and increase
our visibility in the community.  I want to think outside the box when it comes to raising money for
our charities; the auction was a welcome break from the normal “dinner and a speaker,” and we hope to
make it an annual event.  Let’s look at doing a car show, or something different, and whatever we do,
let’s do it together, and have a good time doing it.  At our first stated meeting on January 15, I set the
ambitious goal of doubling our average attendance by the end of the year.  I have appointed Brother
Bobby Thompson to Chair a membership committee with whatever assistance that he may deem
necessary to increase our attendance.  This is our top priority for 2008.  The future of our Lodge rests
solely with its ACTIVE members.  We have also set a goal to commit time every month to renovating
our Temple. Brother Bobby Thompson has once again stepped up and agreed to donate materials for
the renovation, but we need manpower.  To contribute money to the renovation, or to volunteer to
help, just contact myself, or Brother Bobby Thompson.
        One thing I want to see improve in our fraternity is Family involvement.  We need to involve our
families every chance we get.  You can’t ask a brother to take time away from his family to commit
himself to being at the lodge every week and not do something to involve his family.  Our stated
meeting night diners are, and will always be, open to our members, their families, and any prospective
candidates. I encourage each of you to bring your families out to the lodge for a good meal.
Once again, thank you for the vote of confidence, and I look forward to serving each of you in 2008.


Fraternally,




Jason D. Strucinski
Master, Balfour #188
(336) 824-2552
jstrucinski@uniquetool.net

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VOL. 3 (JUNE, 2008) EDITION

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VOL. 2 (APRIL, 2008) EDITION
From the East - A Message from Wor.: Jason Strucinski
Balfour Lodge #188 AF & AM
Chartered December 2, 1856 - Grand Lodge of North Carolina
Balfour Masonic Temple
632 Sunset Ave.
Asheboro, NC  27203
(336) 625-5363
info@balfourlodge.com
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