Royal Arcanum News and Events

 

Feb 09, 2021 Newsletter #11

Hi Member, Well, we're more than halfway through winter now and COVID vaccines are beginning to find their way to our members. Here are some interesting items for your mid-winter reading. A Message About the Bulletin Valentine's Day Ideas Groundhog's Day Member Stories Roy's Corner    A Message About The Bulletin Our Winter Bulletin has been sent off to the publishers and will soon be on its way to your mailbox. If you don't receive the Bulletin and would like to, let us know you want it. On the other hand, if you're receiving multiple copies at your home and you don't need so many copies, we'd be happy to save some costs and reduce the number of bulletins you receive.    Make Valentine's Day Special A romantic table for two in a crowded restaurant is definitely not going to be the iconic image of Valentine's Day 2021. But that doesn't mean the day shouldn't be special! Here are some ideas to enjoy that special day this year. Why not have a candlelit dinner at home? You'll save electricity, and everyone looks great in the soft glow of a candle Turn off the TV and put on your favorite music. Maybe you'll find yourself swaying to a special song from years ago that warms your heart, or shaking it up to get your heart pumping! Time for your favorite recipes or dinner ideas. You can still order to-go from your favorite restaurant or find an easy to make but special entrée or dessert Homemade card for couples and families Remember this year by making a time capsule. Include memories from your favorite times of past years and be sure to include what you're doing this year. Place them in a box, tie a ribbon around it and mark it "Do not open until February 14" -- so you can revisit it and add to it every year. Go around the room and tell a story. Perhaps you'll reminisce about a past Valentine's Day, or your family could take turns on "chapters" of an adventure story. Use your smart phone and record it to enjoy again later. What better example of sharing love could there be than doing a good deed today? Make an effort to do a special, unexpected fraternal act in honor of the day. Read -- together as a family or by yourself. Rediscover the heartwarming relaxation of a good book. Perhaps match that with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine.    The Groundhog Has Spoken! Last week, Punxsutawney Phil, the nation's premier weather prognosticator, saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter. How he saw his shadow that snowy Tuesday morning we don't know, but who can question a groundhog who has been predicting the end of winter with a claimed 100% accuracy rate for 134 years -- nearly a decade after the founding of the Royal Arcanum. I guess we'll have to stay at home and avoid the rest of winter until the middle of March. At least, that's true in the east. In Woodstock, Illinois -- the site of the filming of the movie Groundhog's Day, Woodstock Willie did not see his shadow, and predicted an early spring in the Midwest. One can only hope. A few things are certain: Staying safely inside is a good idea, and Spring is definitely arriving next month. Let's hope we'll be able to begin to enjoy the warmer weather together.     Member Stories The Royal Arcanum has been around for over 140 years, with hundreds of thousands of members over that time. For many, the Royal Arcanum has made a profound impact on their lives, often through help received at difficult times in their lives. Perhaps a scholarship award helped to receive an education that otherwise would have been too expensive. Perhaps an insurance policy provided a financial safety net that was more than a help but a real necessity. Maybe a friendship found through a council meeting, mini-vacation, or session developed into a life-long relationship that altered the course of your life. Or maybe there's just a knee-slapping or charming tale that you love to retell as one of your fondest memories. Whatever the story, we'd love to share it with our members. If you have a narrative to retell, please share it with us, and we'll share it with our members.    Roy's Corner Royal Arcanum members met for over an hour at the last Zoom gathering, catching up with each other. Eight different connections with 13 members joined us. What fun! Jan Brazas was able to join us only by phone, and it was great to at least hear her and have her join in. Plan on joining our next gathering yourself!