Mason/Eastern Star News for February 20, 2019

The recent furlough of Federal Employees has affected all of the United States of America. Every year the Malta Mason Lodge #57 and Order of Eastern Star Sacajawea Chapter #37 hold an Americanism Program open to the public. Usually there is also a Masonic Home free will donation lasagna dinner for the home residents in Helena, Mont. This year Lodge #57 suggested an appreciation dinner for the furloughed Phillips County employees to benefit area Federal workers who did not receive pay during the government shutdown.

The Lodge #57 requested the help of Sacajawea #37 and the Malta VFW Post #4067. A special committee was formed and plans were in progress for an exclusive dinner before the furlough expired. This trio still wanted to extend our appreciation for the federal employees service to the USA and especially here locally in Phillips County.

Invitations were sent to the U.S. Customs & Border Protection, BLM (Bureau of Land Management), FSA (Farm Service Agency), and Fish & Wildlife Service - Bowdoin for an Exclusive Appreciation Dinner of the Phillips County post-furloughed Federal Employees. The post-furloughed employee, spouse or significant other and their children were invited to attend.

The dinner was held on Sunday, February 10, at the Malta VFW Post #4067. A menu of smoked ham, cheezy potatoes, salad, bun and desserts were served buffet style.

Beverages of coffee, lemonade or water were provided and the VFW bar was available for other no-host beverages. A group of 30 enjoyed a short Americanism program of a Welcome, Pledge of Allegiance and Grace before dinner. A wonderful array of door prizes compliments from Zerbe Brothers of Glasgow were gifted. All who helped and attended are greatly appreciated by Malta Mason Lodge #57, Worshipful Master - Dale Nilson; OES Sacajawea Chapter #37,Worthy Matron - Sarah Osmundson; and Malta VFW Post #4067 Post Commander - James Layton.

This was a most enjoyable event to be a part of and gathered a group together who may not have met otherwise. A

good thing was created out of what was an unexpected furlough. Remember your neighbors and they will remember you, and yes FYI there ill still be a donation to the Masonic Home.