Brother Monson is resting comfortably, surgery tomorrow morning at 9AM.  Going to be 5 hours on the table.  Keep him in your prayers.  Updates when there is new information.

Brother Jim Monson PM/WM

We received word this morning that Brother Jim Monson PM/WM suffered a heart attack late last night, and is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Vincent's Hospital in Erie.  Bypass surgery is being scheduled, but there are no further details at this time.  Brother Monson and the family have asked for no phone calls at this time, but cards may be sent to:

St. Vincent Hospital
Room 3116 - Jim Monson
232 West 25 St
Erie, PA 16544

We all wish Brother Monson a speedy recovery, and offer our help and assistance should he need it in the coming days and weeks.

Petrolia Lodge is to serve desert to the ladies of Eastern Star this Thursday, February 2nd at about 8:30 to 9:30 PM.  Brother Monson and Palm will be attending an official Visit in Sharpsville that evening and will not be able to serve.  Need three volunteers to help serve.   If you are able, please contact Rich Palm at 677-5146.  Thank you.

At 2 PM, Sunday, at the Oil City Masonic Hall, the Girl Scouts of the area will be meeting to discuss what may be done to save Singing Hills Girl Scout Camp.  The public is invited to attend.  The camp has been in operation since 1949 and has served many girls in our area.  If you have any ideas that may help, please attend this important meeting.

HELP!

DeMolay needs your help.  We are near setting up a local chapter but we need more Board Members.  Simple task, about an hour on the computer taking the training course.  Usually one meeting a month in casual dress.  Last count we had 6 signed up.  We need 10.  If you can help, please contact Sandy Lewis at 814-758-6495.  Please leave your name and number, she will call you back very soon.  She will tell you the particulars and where to find the training course that you can take at your leisure.  Thanks for your your help.

As of Thursday evening, we now have two new Masons and one new Fellow Craft Mason.  Most of the floor officers were new and did an outstanding job.  Its been a while since we have done much degree work in the traditional way.  A few mistakes were made but that was to be expected.

Special thanks to Brother Harvey Long for stepping in at the last minute to confer the Second degree.  Two of our officers, Lloyd Welch and Todd Anthony, had to leave the minute the lodge was closed for work.  Hope you made it in time.  Brother Jesse Hanna stepped in at the last second to be Junior Deacon.  One very fast lesson and he did it perfectly.  Thank you all for a great evening.

We hope to begin training session at lodge to learn the floor work for opening and closing the lodge and the degree work.  We would like to have backups as we may be doing more and more degree work in the future.  Would like to have some men to cycle through the chairs to keep from burning out the ones there now.  All Master Masons will be invited.  We will let you know when this is set up.

Four events coming up this week.  First is Tuesday evening, the District 53 School of Instruction at Lake Lodge in Sandy Lake beginning at 7 PM.  The second is Wednesday evening, the Scottish Rite in New Castle Consistory stated meeting beginning at 7:30 PM.  Third is the Acacia Grotto meets at the lodge at 7:30 PM on Thursday.  Fourth is the conferral of 2 First degrees and 1 Second Degree also on Thursday evening at 7 PM, in Petrolia Lodge.

Masonic Funeral Service

For Brother Robert J. Reed, a 50+ year member of Petrolia Lodge #363, who traveled on to meet the Great Architect of the Universe on Friday.  A Masonic Funeral Service will take place Monday, 6:45 PM at Morrison Funeral Home.  Try to arrive by 6:30 PM.  All Brothers are asked to come and bid a fair well to our Brother.  Coat and tie are dress for the event.  If you have never attended a Masonic Funeral, we meet in a designated room and enter as a body.  You will be told where we meet when you enter the funeral home.

Morrison Funeral Home

110 Petroleum St.

Oil City, PA  16301

The Rainbow Girls of Franklin, Assembly #19

invites you to their first Friends of Rainbow Fun Day.  They are taking a trip to the National Aviary Allegheny Commons West, located at 700 Arch St., Pittsburgh, PA    15212, and everyone is invited.

Sunday January 22, 23017, meet behind the Franklin Masonic Hall at Noon.  After the visit to the Aviary they will be stopping on the way home to have dinner.  All expenses are on your own.  RSVP Sandy Lewis at 814-758-6495.