Message from the East                                         By George D. Cael W.M. Brethren, The year marches on and it has been some time since I have had the pleasure of being with you.  The Lodge and each of you are always on my mind and in my prayers.  As you all know, this has not been the year that I had planned when I was installed as your Worshipful Master.  I had hoped to be with you longer and been able to accomplish more.   Still, there have been many successes this year.  Much, if not all that I had planned has been accomplished.  The Gun Raffle was initiated before I left you and with the excellent direction of Brother John Spindler was again a great success.  The first Christmas party that has ever been held since I have been a member of Carrollton Lodge was held and was, I understand, an event enjoyed by all.  We had the highest degree scores in the state on all three degrees and got the Vanguard Award.  The Sweethearts and Widows Dinner was held on February 9 and I am told it too was a wonderful event.   All this was planned at the beginning of the year when I was installed.  I had hoped to be there personally to see those plans through to their completion.  It was not to be.  Yet there is a great lesson in this situation for all Masons.  A Lodge is not dependent on any one man or even any one group of men for its success or survival.  The success or survival of our Lodge or indeed any institution is dependent on all the members being willing to step up when needed and accept the challenge of service.   Without the enthusiastic and capable support of my officers and brothers none of the aforementioned successes could have occurred.  I wish to express my most sincere appreciation for all of you for the wonderful job that you have done in my absence.  Most especially I wish to thank Senior Warden Scott Gilbreath for stepping up and doing such a fantastic job.   I want to wish Right Worshipful Jim Pipkin a very successful year as District Deputy Grand Master.  He is a fine representative of what a Mason should be.  Right Worshipful Jerry Miller left large footprints but I feel that Jim is just the man to fill them and aide in the work of the Grand Lodge of Texas.   My beloved Brethren, I miss and love you all.  Keep me forever in your hearts as I will keep you in mine.  I will see you soon.   Sincerely & Fraternally, George D. Cael Worshipful Master