Hello readers! I am back from my vacation, and I have some good news. My new wife and I got back from our honeymoon, where we visited wineries and vineyards around McMinneville and stayed at a beautiful bed and breakfast called the Wine Country Farm. While in the area, we stopped by an antique store in Lafayette, where I found an ancient Masonic apron. It's an ornate Past High Priest apron from Monroe Chapter No. 1 in Detroit, Michigan. The inscription under the apron's flap dates the owner's term as High Priest as 1889-1890, so I am assuming the apron was probably presented in 1890 or '91.

I also helped my friend finish up his petition during my vacation, and I believe it was read at the lodge's stated meeting last Thursday. In addition, I met another brother-to-be at the lodge coffee morning, and he looks to be not much older than myself. It's very good to see this new infusion of "young blood" in the lodge. We need it! I also learned that I will be raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on Saturday, the 25th of November. I will be the third of three brethren being raised that weekend, and the ritual will be held at the Medford Masonic Center by a team consisting of Masons from Ashland Lodge No. 23 and Medford Lodge No. 103. If any readers are interested in attending, please e-mail me and I will give you more details.