Brethren,

It is with great honor and privilege, I have been elected to serve you for the upcoming year. For one hundred and forty three years our lodge has made good men into better men through the tenets of Freemasonry. To occupy the oriental chair, held by so many great leaders of our fraternity, fills me with incredible pride. I intend on a most uplifting and trans-formative year. I have surrounded myself with a corps of officers that I believe will perform a dedicated service for our lodge and Freemasonry in Norwalk.

For the past two years, a number circumstances have not afforded our lodge the opportunity to create a sustainable progressive line to carry on, that what we as Freemasons should be doing. I would like to thank WB Dave Kohn, sitting Master of St. John's #6, for his diligent effort in helping build a stronger bond among the members of St. John's # 6 and Old Well Lodge. I would also like to thank WB Steve Protz for sitting as WM for a forth term this past year and commend him for all that he continues to do for our lodge.

Throughout my time at Old Well, I’ve noticed that there have been some brethren who, for one reason or another, have been raised as Master Masons, yet have not attended lodge for years. I would like for these brothers to never loose sight, that although you may fit into this category,Freemasonry is still here for you. To fully realize the true benefit of the craft however, one simply must participate in some capacity. You can walk into your lodge at any time after an an extended absence and I can promise one thing. By the end of the evening, you will feel as if you were never gone. Indeed, the members, officers, and sometimes the meeting place changes; still the maxims of our beloved craft, remain the same. 

Remember my brothers, there are NO strangers in our lodge or any lodge for that fact, only friends and brothers, we haven’t yet met. I ask you to come out, to become an integral part of a progressive solution. Promise yourself, to allow your lodge to become main focal point in your life. By doing as such, I confidently say to you, “you will be making a wise choice”.

There are many challenges ahead for our lodge. One of my main goals for the ensuing year is to work cooperatively with WB Dave Kohn of St. John’s #6, to continue to strengthen the bridges of good will and fellowship that has been positively transpiring among our lodges for quite sometime now. We have exchanged and shared officers and membership for many years, maintaining,the Norwalk River was the only thing truly separating us. At Old Well’s official first stated communication in February, I will be appointing various committees, one of which will be directed to fully explore the progressive future of Freemasonry in Norwalk. 

I urge each of you to come out in support of our lodge. Through the years, I've heard many brothers wishing to experience varied events such as charity, fund raising efforts, entertainment,etc. I intend to make as much of the aforementioned as possible, a reality. I cannot do it without your direct help, however. Some of the events that I’m looking forward to are monthly Sunday morning breakfasts, a baseball game, a hockey game,  joint BBQ's with St. John’s over the summer, and much more. I am open for your suggestions and solutions my brothers.

We are certainly at a turning point in our history and with the help of all of our brethren, I trust we can once again return to the preeminent society, for the very best of men of Norwalk, to belong to.

Fraternally,
James Peters
Worshipful Master
Old Well Lodge # 108