Brethren: Greetings for October: I hope your fall season is going well for you.

1. First of all, our DGM JIM WOODWARD sends his thanks for all of your thoughts and good wishes during his medical “tune up”. He’s getting stronger every day and will be up to full-speed very soon.
2. GRAND LODGE NUT SALE: Sponsored again by the Grand Lodge ladies, we are offering holiday nuts and candy for the upcoming season. This annual charity event has raised $1000’s for various charitable causes over the last 10-15 years. Order forms are available from Grand Lodge officers and their wives, the GL office as well as from your own secretary.
3. THE MASONIC MODEL STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM has been postponed from October to next February at the request of the educational community. It was pointed out that attendance would increase dramatically and, indeed it appears that we will have a full class. If you have a connection to your local schools, please let them know about this great educational tool to help at-risk kids and let them know that the costs for the program are sponsored by the Utah Masonic Community through the Utah Masonic Foundation for Children. Donations directly to this fund are greatly appreciated and needed.
4. The MASTER BUILDER AWARD application is due by December 1 in the GL office. If your lodge wants to participate, keep this date in mind.
5. The annual HALL OF FAME AWARD applications will be due in the Grand Lodge office by December 20, 2005, and we hope your lodge will participate. This award is given by the Grand Lodge of Utah to someone, though NOT A MEMBER OF A MASONIC ORGANIZATION, contributes to his community and society in such a way as exemplifies a true Masonic spirit. Each lodge may nominate someone from their community who has given of themselves to the greater good. The proposed candidate should not be aware that he has been nominated.
6. The FREEMASON’S UNIVERSAL TARTAN project is doing well – both as a fundraiser for the GL of Utah as well as for spreading the concept of Masonic Unity among Masons, Blue Lodges, appendant and concordant bodies, youth groups and Masonic jurisdictions around the world. We have a good selection of ties, scarves, cummerbunds, cloth, etc. so if you’ve been wandering through the blooming heather in the Highlands of Scotland looking for the Freemason’s Universal tartan, you are in luck. Contact the Grand Treasurer Richard Loomis or our Grand Lodge office to obtain that which you have so long sought.
7. The MASONIC FOUNDATION LUNCHEON is taking place this year on Wednesday, November 9, 2005. This luncheon is where the Foundation distributes approximately one quarter of a million dollars to qualified charitable organizations and scholarship recipients. Masons of this jurisdiction are certainly invited and encouraged to attend this luncheon to see first-hand the great works accomplished by your Masonic Foundation of Utah. Call R.W. Brother Blaine Simons in the Grand Lodge office for details.

Brethren, many of you do know, and all of you should know, that living life as a Mason, or being a member of our extended Masonic Family, is not as easy as the alternative. Presumably, the rewards you all receive for service to the Craft are worth the extra efforts you have to exert in order to follow your obligations and keep your passions within due bounds towards all mankind, more especially a brother Mason. It breaks my heart to hear about quarrels and arguments between members of our Masonic Family. Knock it off – by order of the Grand Master.

Fraternally,

Ridgely H. Gilmour
Grand Master