It's almost a buzz word. At parties, in the office, at school, in the grocery line, the minute someone hears I'm in Real Estate, the question pops out, "How's the market doing?" It's like asking a plumber if water is hot or cold. The answer is, "It depends." It depends because how the market looks is based on the perspective from which you're viewing it.
St. Paul home sellers probably think the market sucks. They have good reasons: prices are down; length of time to sell has increased; lots of competition in the housing market; and a real possibility of not successfully getting signed offer to purchase.
St. Paul home buyers probably think the market is awesome. They also have good reasons: prices are down; they don't have to compete against other purchase offers; time to think about the purchase and do due diligence; and lots of houses from which to choose to purchase.
St. Paul real estate agents have mixed feelings about the market. Agents specializing in foreclosures are busy beyond comprehension, but not all of that "busy-ness" is making money for them. Marketing mass amounts of foreclosures is expensive and time consuming. Agents only get paid when a house sells and since not all houses are selling, a lot of time and money is being spent with no compensation in return. In like manner, regular listing agents are having to market harder and explain the lowering of home prices to their clients which is no easy task. Many have had to learn what a short sale is and how to negotiate the layers of paperwork involved. Once again, there is no guarantee of a sale and thus, no guarantee of being paid.
Buyer's real estate agents are happy with the inventory and the lack of multiple offers. Lowers prices are a boon for their clients although that also means lower commissions. But, a buyers' agent is guaranteed to get paid . . . eventually . . . maybe after showing 50-60 or more houses!
All of the other real estate professionals have taken a hit as well. Many mortgage officers, title companies, and paper processors have experienced lay-offs and slow downs. To them, the market is in a slump.
So, if you pass me in the grocery store or see me at a party and ask the all pervasive question about the market, don't be surprised if I tell you, "It depends". Truly, I'm not trying to be cagey. It just depends!
But, if you ask me as Master of the Lodge, how it's going? My response would be, well "it depends". It sure takes more time to organize things then I planned. And for some reason it's harder to act on the plan then I imagined. Everything seems to take to darn long and too much time. But on the other hand, not much would happen if I didn't have the help of so many Lodge Brothers to share the work load.
Overall, I think so far this year, the lodge has done well and I would like to thank all the Brothers and Sisters of the Lodge who contribute toward the Lodge's success.
Fraternally,
Alan Peterson, Master
I cannot believe it is June already. Half the year has flown by and after the 12th the Lodge goes dark until September. The brethren will disperse to points all over. To cabins, golf courses, beaches and where ever the spirit of Summer takes one. I believe Lodges went dark originally because of the rural nature of the area and the need to work in the fields until the sun went down. I have heard speculation another reason is that it was probably just dang hot in Lodge buildings. When the Lodge goes dark, I do miss getting together on the second Thursday of the month.
Even though there won't be any Lodge meetings, there are plenty of Lodge activities.
The annual bar-be-que at the home of Ron and Boots Larson will happen on July 19th. In August there is the opportunity to lose some golf balls in the woods of Eagan as we hit the links at the Lost Spur Country Club on Saturday August 16th.
Yes, the Lodge is dark, but there are plenty of chances to get together with your Lodge Brethren throughout the long dog days of Summer.
In-between Lodge events, I'll be relaxing on a boat with a line in the water and the Twins on the radio.
See you in Lodge,
Loren
If we are maintain the health of our Lodge, we must have a continuous infusion of new members as other brothers join the Celestial Lodge and/or move to other areas of the country. To that end, there are several events coming up which will allow you to introduce your friends to Masonry in a non-threatening way. These are the Park Square Theater event on May 30th, the St. Paul Saints baseball game on June 22nd, and the Ron Larson BBQ on July 19th. A number of our current brothers first came to know us at the annual BBQ. This year, we have three chances to introduce others to the Craft. Let’s all take advantage of a least one of these opportunities.
We will be conferring the Third Degree on Saturday, June 7th. We need the assistance of as many brothers as possible to take part in the second part of the degree. Please let WB Alan Peterson know if you are willing to help.
When we begin our fall schedule for the degrees, we will be needing people to serve as mentors for those new brothers who will be proving up on the first and second degrees. Those of us who have done this have found this to be a rewarding task because it allows us to help a new Mason in his search for Masonic knowledge as well to deepen our friendship with that new \ brother. Please consider volunteering for this task this year.
See you in Lodge.
Allan Floyd,
Junior Warden
6pm Dinner
7pm Opening of Lodge
8pm LEO Presentation
8:30 Closing
Tailgating and baseball. A pretty good combination. Midway Stadium is a great place to do both. Sunday, June 22, your lodge is having a picnic lunch and then we’re going to catch the game between the mighty St. Paul Saints and the Sioux Falls Canaries.
The game starts at 1:00. We’ll meet at the picnic spot at 11:30.
The Lodge will supply the burgers and hot dogs and condiments. Please bring a side dish to share.
The cost is $15.00 for the ticket and the picnic. Please RSVP to RSVP@ancientlandmarklodge.com or call Loren at 763-574-1747 no later then May 22.
Boots and Ron Larson will again host our annual summertime backyard Barbeque on Saturday July 19th starting at 1pm, the grills will be fired up at 3pm. This is an absolute must do event. The Lodge provides steaks and chicken, you are asked to bring something to share. (I.e. salads, chips and dips, deserts etc.) There will be beverages available, and Ron’s wonderful neighbor has again agreed to make homemade hand cut onion rings for our group. This is an event for the whole family and again, a very good time to introduce non-masons to our members.
Be sure to call the Lodge and leave a message or email RSVP@ancientlandmark5.com by July 5th, telling us how many steaks or chicken breasts to purchase for your family or group.
On Saturday, August 16th, we will be holding an Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5 golf tournament at Lost Spur Golf Course in Eagan. This will be a 9 hole, 4-man scramble with additional contests for longest drive, longest putt, and closest-to-pin. Cost for this event is $23.00 and includes 9 holes of golf and a prize. There is an additional $10.00 fee if you prefer a riding cart. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m., and the tournament will kick off at 9:00.
The event is open to all lodge members, friends, family, and most especially prospective Masons. Please RSVP to rsvp@ancientlandmark5.com or 612-616-9293 no later than July 1st.
The month of planting,
The month that our great ancestors
Would find the dew for their new experiments.
The month to think of what's coming up next,
Like a flash, the buds break light and blooms soon burst
Remember those New Year's resolutions you made last January?
Now is the time to plant those seeds of improvement.
Now as we carefully put away the winter garb
Carefully embracing newness.
May Day celebrations reach back beyond memory
Animals and plants and yes, man.
We are all making leaps of faith;
Gifts of faith of unknown things
To find our harvest in the fall
Let's make this the best spring and summer of our lives.
Pick a book or a plant
Nurture the growth.
Remember how we began.
This is the month to plant hope and beauty
To precipitate and manifest abundance.
Yet, it's the effort that we put forth for perfection
That creates memories of the greatest summer of our lives.
Imagine the thought of now
Next fall,
Around the fire of our hearth.
We can look back to now and say to our selves:
I started a great adventure
Part of the adventure is to grow.
Spring cleaning
Summer lounging
Haveing fun
Listening to the crickets as they foretell of new growth.
We are so tied to the seasons.
Our roots run deep,
IF we nurture this process.
- Dr. S.E. Smith
Published monthly except July and August by Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5. Non subscription newsletter to members and friends.
Any article appearing in this publication expresses only the opinion of the writer, and does not reflect the official position of Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5 or the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.
Permission to reprint articles appearing in this publication will be granted only on request to the Lodge Secretary. When reprinted, articles should note "Reprinted with permission of Ancient Landmark Lodge No.5 Newsletter, month and year" All articles subject to editing and become the property of Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5.