Let the snow fall, it's late February now. Temperatures are creeping above freezing and we have our Kane County Cougar tickets for July! 

Our February meeting was, shall we say, under appreciated. we failed to make a quorum although we had a fine fish fry and plenty of cold Old Style. Brother Williams had a comprehensive Financial Report for the Lodge and the Vice Chief and I were able to finalize our Committee assignments. The March meeting looms as a possible "Smelt (pronounced schmeltts) Fry" for our Lenten observance so keep your eyes here for developments as they happen! It is, after all, a quiet time at our Lodge, and the Viking Brothers will all be rested and refreshed when the time for serious plundering is upon us.

Our far flung influence extends east to Philadelphia, where our benefactor, Brian Blair, watches diligently to the east for any threat to our Lodge. Like Muggin and Gubbin, Brian scans the horizon with news from far off worlds. Is there a chance for an in person report at the March meeting? Brian might be traveling west next month. Stay tuned!

Brewing activities have remained active at the Lodge. Both myself and Brother Rodenbostel just brewed yesterday. Brother Scott continues to brew regularly in his unique "Bubba Pubba" despite the winter weather. Brother Reed is planning his second brew now that young Eli has re-prioritized the home routines of his parents. Brewing beer requires traits not always attributed to your "normal" Viking such as cleanliness, timeliness and patience yet we are producing beers that taste fresh and flavorful. We are planning a spring meeting that will feature three different brews. That will be fifteen gallons of fresh Viking beer, made the Mimer #33 way. (whatever THAT means!) Stay tuned!

And, finally, Mrs Chief, who has been a bit "moody" lately, was pleased with my recent gift to her. That's right, I gave her a beautiful mood ring. It's great. Whenever she's in a good mood it glows green and all's well. It seems, however, that whenever she's in a bad mood it leaves a BIG RED MARK on my forehead! Maybe I ought to replace it with a diamond?

Be kind to each other.

Chief