As promised in the June Tresleboard, we processed two candidates in July and will have two more eligible candidates in August. So far this year, we have approved 10 petitions, initiated 7 candidates (with 3 more now awaiting their degrees) and 5 Affiliations for a mid-year total of 15 new members for Shiloh Lodge. Based on a total membership of approximately 145 members, this represents an increase of 10.3% in only six months. At this pace, we can easily reach a 15 to 20% increase by the end of the year.

Great work on the part of our dedicated brethren!

Larry Jacobsen has again scheduled a very interesting program kicking off at 7:00 p.m. preceding the August regular business meeting. If you want to increase your Masonic knowledge and enjoy some good fellowship, plan on being there on time for the show.

We will have the first reading of changes to the Templecraft By-laws at the August business meeting. It should be of interest to all members to know what our Templecraft Board is doing in handling the important task of maintaining our building for our joint interests.

For other programs scheduled in August, check the listing of events and put them on your calendar.

We will join the boys for dinner at 6:00 p.m. sharp. After which there will be a short (hear that, Todd?) presentation by our own Todd Simpson on the Home and also time for socializing.

Please bring your family and your appetite and enjoy this "indoor picnic". Dinner will be provided by OHB and a free will offering will be collected for the meal. There is playground equipment adjacent to the dining hall for the kids to enjoy.

The town of Joppa was a seaport town that supplied Jerusalem during the construction of King Solomon's Temple. By 1870 it was called Joffa, and today it is a suburb of the modern Israeli town of Tel Aviv.

Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business, courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the unfortunate, resistance toward the wicked, help for the weak, trust in the strong, forgiveness for the penitent, love for one another, and reverence for God.

Freemasonry is an order whose leading star is philanthropy, and whose principles inculcate an unceasing devotion to the cause of virtue and morality. - Lafayette.

"Si Opus Quadratum vis, angulos praecidere noli..." (If you want Square Work, you don't cut corners...)

Col. W.F. Cody "Buffalo Bill" petitioned Platte Valley Lodge No. 32 of North Platte, Nebraska. He was raised a Master Mason on January 10, 1871. He died January 10, 1917 and was buried with his lambskin apron. Buffalo Bill was awarded the Medal of Honor for his reputation for bravery and skill as a guide in the 1872 Campaign while scouting for the 3rd Cavalry. This award was taken away from him by Congress in 1916 when it was determined that he was a civilian when awarded the medal and not an officer or soldier.

The above items are reprinted from "Cinosam", an informal and sometimes biweekly electronic newsletter produced by the Grandmaster of Minnesota which almost always contains some interesting tidbits. Those interested may subscribe by sending a request to Cinosam1@juno.com.