The last two years have been a whirl wind of activity.  The sesquicentennial of Petrolia Lodge has been a success far beyond any of our imaginations.  We never dreamed it possible to have a 20% increase in membership.  38 new Masons and 2 duel memberships.  In addition, last night we read 5 more new petitions that will count for 2017 rolls.  More importantly, several of our new Brothers have show a serious interest in the true meaning of Free Masonry.  Brother Berry Myers is the only appointed officer who has served in our lodge before.  All others serving in 2017 have never served as an officer in our lodge before.  Several have already shown interest in advancing through the elected chairs in the future. Most important - we have 38 new Brothers - friends. 

We are still in the process of creating several web pages to include all Masonic Bodies in and around the Venango County area.  It will be named "Masonic Families of Allegheny Valley."  I hope to have it changed over to that name by the beginning of the year.  There will be a calendar that will promote all Masonic Body events in the area.

We have started a "Family Night" currently held on the 4th Wednesday evening of the month.  All Master Masons, (regardless of which lodge you are a member of) their families, neighbors, friends, relatives, and children are invited.  Bring some food and at 6 PM we will sit down and have supper together.  After supper, there are two pool tables, game room for table games, TV room with several movies available.  Ritule work if you are interest, in the lodge room.  Or just enjoy each others company.  In addition, several field trips are being planned.  We will add any wholesome events the group would like to consider.

And more to come.  This is not the work of one person.  While all these events took place on my watch, it was an effort of many.  Brother James Monson, PM takes a lot of the credit for the creative ideas.  Dennis Butler, PM, many details for those ideas and a lot of creative ways to implement them.  Larry Shaffer, Jr. and James Monson, and Dennis Butler where first line signers on at least 20 petitions.  Neighboring Lodges supplied officers in the degree teams so our members could be mentors to the new candidates in two One Day Class's.  The ladies of Eastern Star who co-ordinated and served food, and many others who helped in the various events of the year.  Thank you all for making this a success.  Now our work really begins.  Showing our new brothers what Free Masonry really is.

Our ritual is very old and historic and must be preserved.  Out side of the lodge room, WE MUST CHANGE.  All seasoned Master Masons are needed to help with both.  Family Night is a good place to bring your ideas and begin this process.

Last, thank you all for making this some of the most memorable years of my life.

Richard Palm, Worshipful Master, 2015, 2016.