Blue Glow

From the Worshipful Master

Thad M. Olive

Happy August Brothers! 

As I look forward to this Masonic Year, my thoughts are focused on the goals we want to accomplish and the resources we have on hand to get things done. With this being said, I also looked at what we do well and areas we need to strengthen to do even better. 

Since the beginning of time (or at least as long as I can remember), fundraising for the lodge has been a challenge.

In days of old, the Lodge had an Annual Wild Game Cookoff held at the city’s community center that proved to be successful. From my childhood memories of this event, I recall seeing a room packed with Brother Masons and their significant others working hard while serving the members of our community. It was always very well attended. 

I remember the days and weeks leading to the event where my dad, my grandfather, and countless other Masons would spend their time spreading the word about the event with everyone they talked to while gathering donations of meat, money, and willing hands. 

The day and evening just prior to the party was an all-hands-on deck type of situation. The place was crazy with activity with wood smokers blazing, tables and chairs being set up, and most importantly, tickets being sold!   It was always a great time and a tradition that carried on for years. 

When asked, some of the old-timers would tell me the event was fun, it raised money for the Lodge, and it was a lot of work. When asked why things stopped, the common response was as the Lodge members grew older, the level of member participation dwindled with no one willing to step up and fill the void. It just got to be too much for the few willing to actually do the work. 

Over the years I have become involved with numerous charitable organizations and have assisted in the planning and hosting aspects of these types of events. In doing so, I have observed the very issues with these organizations that our older Brothers observed with ours. There is a lot of work to do and very few are getting involved to do it. 

I would like each of you to think about our Lodge, its members, and yourself for a moment. I would like to ask what it is that you are able and/or willing to contribute to ensure the continued success of our Lodge... in all areas, but for the purpose of this message, the area of fundraising. 

Our initial idea for a fundraising event this year is having a Crawfish Boil Cook Off. Who doesn’t like that?!  The committee will start on the planning aspects very soon and I would encourage each of you to ask how you can help. Many hands make light work. Let’s have too many hands involved be an issue and create an event we can all get behind for a very long time to come... and make fundraising problems for the lodge a memory.

From the Secretary

Past Master David C. Berndt

Brethren,

I am excited about the beginning of the 2026–2027 Masonic year and the opportunities ahead for Sugar Land Masonic Lodge. I hope each Brother will make plans to attend our Lodge meetings and events, participate in our activities, and remain actively engaged with the Lodge. Our strength comes from the fellowship, service, and shared commitment of our members.

I also hope many of our Brothers will be able to attend the following upcoming events:

• Committee on Work Forum and Exam — August 1, 2026, at Anson Jones Lodge

• Graded Master Mason’s Degree — August 10, 2026, at Waller Lodge

• Morton Lodge Golden Trowel Award for Brother Mark Brandt — August 12, 2026, at Morton Lodge

• Cornerstone Leveling Ceremony for Richmond City Hall — August 13, 2026, at Morton Lodge

• Sugar Land Lodge Stated Meeting — August 17, 2026, at Sugar Land Lodge

• Committee on Work Forum and Exam — August 29, 2026, at Conroe Lodge

Please remember to record any charitable work or community service you perform in the Charity Log form below. Every act of service helps demonstrate the positive impact our Lodge and its members have within the community, as well as helps with our property tax exemption.

I look forward to an outstanding year and hope to see everyone very soon.