Brethren:

The next stated communication of Ideal Lodge No. 367, will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2004.  Meetings are held at Andrew Jackson Lodge Hall, 1105 LeBeau Avenue, Arabi, LA.  Regular business at this meeting.  Refreshments will follow all meetings, so come and enjoy the activities. 

 Master’s Message:

Well this year sure went quickly.  We had a lot of energy expelled this year to try to make some money for the Lodge.  W.B. Skip Perez teamed up with W.M. Leonard A. Johnson, Worshipful Master of Etoile Polaire Lodge No. 1 who is a Certified Hypnotherapist.  Together they were able to run about five Stop Smoking Clinics and were able to bring in a little over $200 into the Lodge.  If Skip Perez had the help that he should have gotten, we would have made a lot more money.  Hopefully next year, W.B. Skip will have more help and the Lodge will prosper greater.  Thanks Brothers Perez and Johnson for your time and effort in this endeavor. 

Be advised that the November 10^th meeting will be “Step Up Night”, so every officer will step up to the next chair for that night!  By this time, you should know the next chair for the ensuing year!!  No excuses please.  ^

REPORT ON LAST MONTH’S MEETINGS

On October 13^th Ideal Lodge was opened with 11 members of the Lodge present and 8 visitors.

The visitors for the OPEN HOUSE was allowed to enter the Lodge Room and the Worshipful Master gave a brief address to the visitors.  WB Nick Koutroulis, PM was escorted West of the Altar and WM Skip Perez, Sec., DGL presented WB Koutroulis with his 50 Year Certificate and Lapel Pin.  Photographs were taken of the two Brothers West of the Altar.  Afterward, WB Koutroulis gave a short talk on Ideal Lodge and how active he was during his years in the New Orleans area.  He stated that he was transferred to Texas where he retired and still resides.  He was grateful for all the excitement the Lodge has shown to him, as he became a Fifty Year Member on the exact same date (October 13^th), 50 years ago!  He was especially excited to see some of his old Brethren present, WB Herman Robin, WB Zach Stanborough and Capt. Ralph A. McDonald, PM.  Also the Secretary presented WB Koutroulis with his first FREE Dues Card for the ensuing year 2005!

Click Icon Photo or click here for larger photo!

There were 9 Past Masters Present:

Zach T. Stanborough – 1959                                        Herman Robin – 1961 & 1962

Nicholas G. Koutroulis – 1965                                     Armando "Skip" Perez – 1984 & 1985

Capt. Ralph A. McDonald – 1993 & 1994                   George J. Lupo, Jr. – 1997, 2001 & 2002

Samuel "Wayne" Lee – 1999 & 2004                           Rudolph W. Mayer – 2000

Ronald I. Milliet, Sr. – 2003

All above Past Masters took a turn and stated a little about the Lodge and/or his year as Master of the Lodge. 

Refreshments served after the meeting was: Barbeque Brisket, Baked Beans & Cole Slaw, supplied by the Worshipful Master, the brisket cooked by Darlene Perez; string bean rolls supplied by Ronald “Gator” Milliet, PM; bread supplied by WB Rudy Mayer and banana pudding supplied by Rt. W. George Lupo, DDGM; with soft drinks to wash down the meal.

On October 27^th Ideal Lodge met with 7 members present.  Regular business was conducted and the Worshipful Master announced that the November 10^th meeting will be “Step Up Night”, so every officer will step up to the next chair for that night!  Refreshments were served at Arabi Diner, Chalmette, with the Worshipful Master picking up the tab! 

 RELIEF:

• Bro. Sal Tortorich, Sr. Warden had a back & neck operation on September 8, 2004 and is at home recuperating.  He stated at the October 27^th meeting that he was going back to work on November 1^st and that he was still sore, but able to get around enough to return to work.  He also stated that his headaches were minimal now and that warm showers help with the pain and healing process. 

Brothers, please remember the above-mentioned Brother in your prayers!

 Secretary’s Message:

Brothers, the 2005 Dues Cards are in my office.  Please remit your dues to IDEAL LODGE # 367, c/o: Armando Perez, 3620 Chalona Drive, Chalmette, LA 70043-1510.  Do not mail anything to the Lodge Hall on LeBeau Avenue.  Please send all mail to the Chalona Drive address, or I might not receive it!  Also, due to the Resolution to raise the per capita assessment, another $5, the dues are now $45.50 per year.  Please remember to add your optional 2¢ worth a day for an additional $7.30.  Please make check in the amount of $52.80.   

We still have one member that owes two (2) years dues!  Brethren, your dues are due at the first of the year, not the end of the year!  How do you expect us to operate with the same members each year holding back until after September of each year.  The Lodge has voted to suspend everyone that is only one year behind in his dues!  Therefore from this point on, you will be suspended for Non-Payment of Dues at the end of the current year!  

ALSO, PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS LETTER IS SENT BY E-MAIL TO THIRTEEN (13) MASONS AND THEY WILL NOT GET THE MAILED VERSION.  THIS HELPS KEEP THE COST OF THE POSTAGE DOWN AND ALSO PROVIDES THE NEWSLETTER TO THEM, TWO DAYS EARLIER!!  IF YOU HAVE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS, PLEASE PROVIDE IT TO:  "skipperez@aol.com".  THANKS!! 

COMING EVENTS:

Wednesday, November 24th - This is Thanksgiving Week and we usually DO NOT have a quorum, therefore we will not meet on this night!

Monday, November 29^th - Lee E. Thomas Lodge 421 will Host the 18^th Masonic District Lodge Meeting.  Dinner at 6:30 p.m., Meeting at 7:30 p.m., 619 Carondelet St., New Orleans, LA.  Program Presenting Lodges: Author Retif Lodge No. 473 and Osiris-Trowel-Fidelity Lodge No. 300.  Program: Masonic Memorial Service and Election & Installation of Officers of the 18^th Masonic District Lodge!!  Anyone who would like to have an office in the District Lodge should be there and make it known to the Membership of the 18^th Masonic District Lodge.   

Wednesday, December 8^th, - Election of officers for Ideal Lodge No. 367.  Brethren, we all need to be there to vote for the ensuing year and place capable officers into the Leadership of Ideal Lodge.  All members of the Lodge living in the New Orleans area should make every effort to attend this Lodge Meeting and vote for the incoming officers of the Lodge. 

Wednesday, December 22nd - This is Christmas Week and we usually DO NOT have a quorum, therefore we will not meet on this night!

Please mark your calendars with the above dates!!

If any brother would like to author into this communication, or have a tidbit of information to relate, please contact me or one of the officers.  I will alert the Master of the Lodge for approval and it will be included in the next correspondence.  (

Any brother who knows of a member not attending Lodge meetings, due to no transportation, please inform one of the officers and we will attempt to have a brother from their area of the city, provide transportation to and from the meetings.