Hello Brethren, spring has finally arrived! I hope this greeting finds you all well and in good spirits. If you haven't noticed the Robins are out looking for worms and the Tulips are out of the ground and ready to bloom. Now, if we can only get those Detroit Tigers to win some ball games.

It has been a busy year so far at your Lodge as we are bringing in new candidates. It is our hope that by the end of June we will have raised seven new Master Masons into Center Line Lodge #550. If you know of a person desirous of being initiated into Masonry and is someone who will bring honor to the Craft, do not be afraid to recommend him.

The Palm Sunday Breakfast is our main fundraiser for the year and I would like to thank you for all your support in making this a huge success. If you haven't attended one of our Pot Luck Dinners on the 4th Wednesday of every month you don't know what you are missing. We had 112 people show up at last months Pot Luck Dinner, good food and camaraderie was enjoyed by all.

The month of May looks to be a rather busy month as we will have a Bike Blessing at the Lodge on May 18th, from 8 am to 1 pm. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. We will also be having our Garage Sale at the Lodge on May 23rd and 24th to benefit our scholarship program. If you have any items that you would like to donate or would like to assist at the Event we would appreciate your contribution. On May 30th and 31st the Grand lodge of Michigan will hold their annual communication at the Detroit Masonic Temple. This is the largest Masonic Temple in the world so if you haven't visited this facility now may be an excellent time to do so.

By the time that this article goes to press we will already have done our part to keep the highways clean under the direction of Brother Vaden King. If you missed this opportunity to volunteer, no need to fret as we have two other dates scheduled from July 12th through the 20th and from September 13th to the 21st. On June 25th we will also be participating in a Charity Golf Outing. We need golfers and hole sponsors to make this a success. Call Brother Bruce Johnson our Junior Warden for further details. On June 25th during our Pot Luck Dinner, we will also be having our Awards Presentations.

In July the Michigan Masonic Motorcycle Assn. will be hosting the Clinton River Boat Cruise on July 12th. See or call W.B. Henry Fair 586.746.0708 or W.B. Dale Black at 586.791.3298 for reservations. These tickets go fast, so don't be left standing on the dock this year.

Once again we will be having our Annual Lodge Picnic at Halmich Park in Warren on Sunday, July 27th.

Center Line Lodge under the direction of Brother Jim DeCoste and Brother Wayne Hare is promoting a gun raffle. Tickets are $5.00 each and can be purchased from one of the Brethren of the Lodge. We will be raffling four long rifles and the drawing will be held at our Fourth Sunday Breakfast at the Lodge on September 21st at 1:00 pm. We will need to sell 1200 tickets so we need people to sell these tickets to the public and people to purchase them.

I know that we can count on your support to make these Events a huge success.

George Wale, Worshipful Master 2008

As you can see Brothers, I have been working on updating our web site but I still need more information.

What I would like to do next is post the history of Center Line Lodge. How was it formed? Who were the Charter Members? Any interesting stories? Any old pictures? Etc.

I would also like to do a Pictures page showing us Brothers having fun at our different activities and fundraisers. I will try and make a conscious effort  to get pictures at our future events, you Brothers can do the same.

Hard copies of the above items can be mailed to the lodge in c/o Gary Knowles. I will make copies and return the originals back to you. Anything in electronic form can be e-mailed to me at: garyknowles594@comcast.net Thanks.

Gary Knowles, Senior Warden

Who would have thought in the middle of all the snow storms we would end up with a beautiful sunny day for the Palm Sunday Breakfast? Thank you all for your support, donations and hard work — It took everyone's effort to make this years Breakfast a huge success.

There are more exciting events planned—so your help will be needed once again.

May 18 —"Blessing of the Bikes" — We will be serving breakfast from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and Brother Thompson from the Roseville Lodge will be conducting the Blessing at 1:00 pm.

June 21 — 16th Annual Charity Golf Outing — Hey, How about it, all you golfers out there. Here's another great opportunity for you guys and gals to get together for a little exercise, great camaraderie and excellent food while supporting an excellent cause. This is the second year Center Line Lodge will be involved in the outing. Last year everyone had a great time. We couldn't ask for a better day. That was the first time I ever saw a golf cart have a flat tire changed on the golf course, interesting. The outing is again at Cedar Glen Golf Club - 36860 25 Mile New Baltimore, Saturday, June 12th. Proceeds to benefit the William H. Sibley/ Butch Welch Scholarship and Community Fund. This is the 16th Annual Outing and guess who set it up? That's right W.B. Leon Richardson. He does so many good things to benefit others, we are fortunate indeed to have him as a member of Center Line Lodge. For more info on golfing or sponsoring a hole, contact: Committee Chairman Brother Bruce Johnson at: 586.757.6452 or Brother Greg Lozon at: 586.556.0549

Thanks again for your continued support and participation.

Bruce Johnson, Junior Warden

Greetings Brothers, We have 25 members who have not remitted their dues for 2008. That equates to $1,800.00. The Lodge has already paid our per-capita in March to the Grand Lodge. Please Brothers; if you have any problems remitting your dues or if I can be of any service, get in touch with me!

The 2008 dues were due January 1st and anyone who has not remitted their dues by May of 2008 will be turned over to the delinquent dues committee and if we do not hear from you; a certified letter will be sent out in June right after the business meeting (6/4/2008). If your dues are not paid by the September Regular Communication meeting 9/3/2008) you will be suspended for non payment of dues. We all know that if we do not keep our dues current in our Mother Lodge that we will be dropped from ALL the Masonic Bodies. There have been three notices sent out so far; if you have not received one or misplaced it, please contact me. We have also been up-dating addresses. If you have moved, not received the Informer, your dues card, dues notices or changed your phone number; please contact me so we can up-date your contact information. It's also nice to know if you have an e-mail address.

We have raised two Master Masons, passed three to the Fellow Craft Degree and have two petitions. We had one transfer out and one transfer in pending from Florida.

We have had six deaths reported so far for 2008. Please remember our dear departed Brothers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Our Palm Sunday Country Breakfast was a huge success. There were 320 ticket stubs turned in at the serving window and after expenses, we netted about $2,500! Everyone seemed to enjoy the fellowship and great food. Thanks to all who volunteered their time and work. Thanks also to all that supported the breakfast. Worshipful Master Wale has scheduled the Awards Dinner in conjunction with our June pot luck dinner On June 25th, 2008 at 6:30 pm. I will be getting in contact with you to make arraignments to receive your Awards. That is why it is very important to keep your contact information up to date.

Please do not forget about our Lodge Picnic Sunday, July 27th at Halmich Park in the south pavilion. Halmich Park is located at 3001 Thirteen Mile Road in Warren. It is on the north side of Thirteen Mile between Ryan and Dequindre Roads. A special thanks to the Carr family for making arraignments and donating the fees for the picnics each year!

What about the "Blue Coats". Still need one of those fine, attractive and ever stylish Blue Sport Coats as worn by the members of Center Line 550? Contact W.B. Bruce Blondo at 585.754.4830 or email: bruce@blondoroofing.com and he will fix you up.

Ernest 0. Osterlund, P.M. Secretary

In the last issue we had some extra space and used it to thank a few deserving members for their commitment and dedication to the Lodge. Well, there is always space available to mention Brother Vaden King. Brother Vaden is a great friend to all. He has always supported the Lodge in all its functions and is there to help in any way he can. He is Chairman extraordinaire of the Center Line Lodge Highway Clean Up Committee.

Everyone who helps on the clean up always has an enjoyable and rewarding time doing their part to keep the community free from debris. Last year the clean up was featured hi the local paper acknowledging Center Line 550, under the leadership and direction of Brother Vaden, for a job well done.

Brother Vaden was "Mason of the Year" at Center Line Lodge 2006-2007 and is also a lifetime member, 41 plus years. Thank you Brother Vaden King for taking charge and for being an outstanding, dedicated Mason.

Henry Fair, Junior Past Master

Have you noticed how many exciting, enjoyable activities we have at Center Line 550 and how much interest we're getting from the Masonic community? Center Line Lodge has a multitude of extremely talented members and we seem to be taking advantage of that opportunity for the betterment of the Lodge and Masonry as a whole. Everyone seems to be very motivated and are all doing their part to keep us moving forward in a positive direction. There sure are a lot of exciting events planned for this year. The attendance and support has been spectacular, it seems everyone is getting involved. You should be very proud of yourselves indeed, for making Center Line 550 a driving force in our Masonic Community and a great Lodge to be a part of.

Our web site, www.thebluecoats.org is truly a work of art, thanks to the efforts of our Senior Warden, Brother Gary Knowles. If you haven't seen it yet, please take a few minutes to check it out. It will be well worth your time and efforts.
Henry Fair PM, Editor

Henry Fair P.M

Hello Brethren and friends, where has the time gone? I'm always pleased to pass on to everyone that we are still well received at the Peck Elementary School. They are so pleased that we keep lending a hand where needed and when we can. Brethren and friends "If you stay ready, you won't have to get ready", keep your calendars open to lend a hand. I would like to pass along the following;

On January 15, 2008 our Lodge assisted at the Peck Elementary School by monitoring the safekeeping of the children during the Primary Presidential Election. Special thanks was sent by the office staff of Peck elementary to myself, WB Tom Beard, WB John MacCallum, Brothers Vaden King, Dallas Craighead, Jacob Fast and Tom Bushon.

On March 10, 2008, the Center Line Public School Board recognized our lodge for our continued dedication, by volunteering our time at the Peck Elementary School. I was supported at the board meeting with the attendance of WB Tom Beard, JW Bruce Johnson and Brother Jacob fast.

We've been asked once again (8th year) to help assist Peck Elementary with their end of the year "Fun Day" which will be held on May 21. (approx. 8 am to 3 pm) If it rains, makeup will be on June 4. We've gotten so much enjoyment by running the activities. Volunteers will be needed and they don't have to be all Lodge members. A sign up list will be posted and any questions can be directed to Brother Larry Gibson. (See below) Thank you for all your support. If I missed someone, I deeply apologize.

Our last news letters have mentioned that the school started a new program, "Reading Mentoring", which concentrates on students who need someone to assist in listening to their reading.

I would also like to thank WB Tom Beard and his wife Joyce for lending a hand and Brother Keith Taylor and his wife Nicole. Volunteers are still needed. It's a wonderful feeling volunteering; this is what the Beacon Project is all about. Don't hesitate to volunteer, make the commitment. It is rewarding and enjoyable to lend a hand where needed, it is not stressful, pick up the phone and volunteer now. This invitation is open to all Lodge members, loved ones, family members and friends to sign up and volunteer. So if you have a little time to spare, "volunteer".

I want to extend my thanks once again from the school, for the soup labels, labels in general and box tops for education. They were able to purchase much needed supplies and necessary items for their school assemblies.

If you have any questions, feel free to call me, Larry Gibson at 586.758.6665 or e-mail me at larrygibson042@yahoo.com

Brother Larry Gibson, Chairman of the Beacon Project. Center Line Lodge 550 "District 56 Mason of the Year, 2008"

Please, visit our Web Site At; www.michiganmma.com,

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. M.M.M.A. Chapter One was at the Mt. Clemens Gibraltar Trade Center Custom Bike Show March 15th and 16th. We sure had a good time. I would like to thank everyone who came out to work our booth and/or show their support. We gave out eight Masonic Lodge Petitions, three new members in MMMA Chapter One, three petitions for Moslem Shrine and three new members in the Moslem Shriners Cycle Patrol.

Yes, the M.M.M.A One will be at the Second Annual Center Line 550 "Blessing of the Rides". This year Center Line Lodge will also offer a fine inexpensive breakfast available for your eating pleasure. Worshipful Master George Wale, the Center Line Lodge members, family and friends along with M.M.M.A. Chapter One members, all worked very hard to get this event started last year and we had a great time. We are looking forward to having it again this year. Good job, W.M. George. — Bikes enter the lot off Automobile Street, just East of the Lodge. By the way, the Clinton River Boat Cruise is Saturday, July 12th and is being promoted by the M.M.M A. Chapter One this year. We still have tickets available but are going fast. We always have an exciting time on the Cruise and are looking forward to our largest turn out yet. Great food, great music and great friends, what could be better?

Last year the First Annual Kyle Healey Commemorative Ride from Center Line 550 to Trish Hills was a great success, that's right, the First Annual means the Ride has become an annual event.

Our Second Annual Ride will be in August, the date to be determined. Chapter One promoted last years Ride and ail proceeds were presented to Kyle Healey's Grandfather, Road Captain and M.M.M.A. Charter Member W.B. Leon Richardson, to do with it as he pleased. W.B. Leon and his family decided to donate the money to the Moslem Shrine Child Care in January, 2008 to "Help the Kids". What an honor and privilege for us to be involved in such a worthy endeavor. Our sincere gratitude to W.B. Leon and family for all your generosity, kindness and compassion in helping others in need.

How do I join and/or find out more on the exciting events planned by the Michigan Masonic Motorcycle Association? If you are a Master Mason in good standing with your Lodge, have a motorcycle 650 cc's and above and are looking for a great group to ride with, please consider the M.M.M.A. You are invited to visit our Web Site; www.michiganmma.com for additional information.

Henry Fair P.M. President and Membership Chairman, M.M.M.A. Chapter One

In Loving Memory

Claude Anderson - 4/21/2008