224 West William Street

Decatur, IL 62522

217-422-1217

Email: hiram979@yahoo.com

As we see in the new year, we begin to plan for the year to come. Think about Masonry as you plan your resolutions for 2006. There are a great many benefits that you can derive from your membership by participating in our activities. As you read through this letter, don’t forget to mark your calendars.

Plan to take your sweet heart to dinner for Valentines Day on Friday February 8^th. A delicious Rib Eye Steak dinner with all the trimmings will be served. We are arranging an entertaining program during and after the meal. Doors will open at 6:00 PM and dinner will be served promptly at 6:30. Tickets will be available from the Temple office. Please call for reservations.

Mark your calendars for Sunday January 27, 2008. On this evening our Lodges will recognize all of our Brothers who have been members for 50 years or more. Invitation letters are being sent to all 50 + year members. The Most Worshipful Grand Master Daniel C. Yandel will be present to help us Honor these distinguished men. All Lodge members, family and friends are welcome to attend. Doors will open at 4:00 PM and dinner will be served at approximately 4:30.

Everyone is welcome to attend but reservations are required by January 18^th. The meal will feature chicken cordon bleu, twice baked potato, vegetable, salad and dessert. Tickets are $10.00 per person for general membership and the letters to 50+ year members will explain how the honored members can get their tickets. To make your reservation, call John Campbell at the Temple Office, 217-422-1217.

Watch for degree work notices in the Masonic Section of the Herald & Review classified ads. Both Lodges have candidates in progress and will publish degree dates in this section.

Don’t forget that Ionic meets on the second Monday of the month and Stephen Decatur meets on the second Wednesday, both at 7:00 PM. If you haven’t attended Lodge for awhile, take the opportunity to join us on these nights.

We have petitions for all the Masonic Bodies displayed in the Temple Lobby. We also have some interesting brochures on the Blue Lodge and the Masonic Bodies.

Join us for our monthly lunch! We hope you have enjoyed our delicious meals and an entertaining speakers. If you haven’t attended yet mark your calendars for the 3^rd Tuesday of every month and see what you have been missing.

The next lunch will be on January 15^th. The meal will feature our special Spaghetti & Meatballs The Speaker will be Gloria Davis, Superintendent of Decatur Public Schools.

Our February lunch will be held on February 19^th. The program will speaker will be Decatur City Manager Steve Garman. Don’t forget to bring a guest. Call 422-1217.

If you know of an interesting speaker for our lunch programs or have a menu request, just give us a call.

Bethel #49, Job’s Daughters and Decatur Chapter #111, Order of the Eastern Star have published a cook book as a joint fund raiser. The cost is only $10.00. The book features 118 pages of local recipes and can be purchased from any Star member, Jobbie or by stopping in the Temple office.

Annual Meeting

We invite you to attend the Annual meeting of the Decatur Masonic Temple Association at 7:30 pm, Monday February 18. You will be receiving a notice and proxy at the end of January detailing the election of Trustees and Officers. If you cannot attend in person, please return your proxy.

Stephen Decatur Lodge, Ionic Lodge, Macon Chapter, Decatur Council, Beaumanoir Commandery, Decatur Chapter 111 - Order of the Eastern Star and Bethel #49 - Job’s Daughters offer you many opportunities to grow in Masonic Fellowship. A list of meeting times is published in this letter.