Now that the Spring season is upon us and our entire senses are filled with the sight and smell of flowers and trees a-blossoming, it reminds me of how we are consumed with making Masonry evolve during this time of growth and change.

Our lodge activities are filling the calendar months with innumerable activities, dinners, charities, degrees, and functions that can keep us all very busy. But all these "events" come at a price. The more time and energy we give to our lodge functions, the less quality time we spend with our families and the home activities that are just so equally and vitally important.

How do we maintain a good balance? How can we keep the focus on our family and still keep up the charitable character of a good Mason? I believe that St. John's Lodge is unique in the amount of time we spend and the number of functions we fashion. Not only because of the commitment of many good Masons, but also from the resources we have available to us. This can sometimes be a double edged sword, as we are involved in so many things, it requires an exceptional amount of time and commitment.

I believe that if all our membership were to do a little more, instead of a few of us trying to do a lot, we could get more done. This would also create new ideas and lead to more active fellowship. This would free us up to be at home more and still be involved in our undertakings.

If all of us at St. John's Lodge were to schedule a little more time to be active on a committee, or volunteer for a degree, maybe help coordinate an event or dinner (or just attend lodge if you haven't for awhile), we will grow by the fellowship of men and by our charitable deeds throughout our community.

NEXT STATED MEETING:

The next stated meeting will occur on June 6, 7:30pm with dinner at 6:00pm.

AND N-N-O-W-W: MS DEBBIE MACDONALD "EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR!"

Ms Debbie MacDonald, teacher and leader of the Accelerated Reader program at John Rogers Elementary School, has been named by the Grand Lodge of Washington as District No. 5 "Educator of the Year." Ms MacDonald was nominated by our Lodge to receive the honored Grand Lodge Educator of the Year Award. This award is presented annually at Grand Lodge to recognize outstanding achievement by an educator in our state. Ms MacDonald was not selected to be the state's "finest," but she has been recognized by Grand Lodge for her achievements locally.

Ms MacDonald will speak to our lodge at our June Stated Communication, June 6th.

Members of our Lodge will present her with her award at the Rogers PTA meeting, June 4th, at 7pm. The Grand Master has given permission for us to appear dressed as Masons to make this presentation. The brethren are reminded to bring their aprons to this special occasion. Please contact the Master for details.

GRAND MASTER PASSES

Our Grand Master of 1992-93, MW George Leslie, died of a sudden heart attack, Friday, May 4, 2001, while in Arizona. It was MWBro. Leslie's wish that he be cremated, that there be no service, and that his ashes be deposited in the Columbia River. It is apparently the present plan to conform to those wishes.

GOLF TOURNAMENT ENJOYED BY ALL

The King Solomon Golf Tournament was a great success again this year, as we had beautiful weather and fourteen members and guests representing St. John's Lodge No. 9.

There were four awards given to our members and guests for 1) best score ( net 66 ), Jeff Lane and guest Russ Sommers, 2) longest drive, guest Sommers and 3) longest putt, guest Carl Aye.

I want to add to the awards presentation by according our brothers, Chuck Brockway and Skip Albertson, with an honorable mention for "the most buildings hit" and Brother John DuWors for the "shortest drive."

I would also like to thank Brother Terry Grove for his involvement in "rounding up and coordinating" our participants. Brother Grove was instrumental in helping me with my game. After watching me for just a short while, Brother Grove informed me that I was standing "too close to the ball.......after I hit it."

Thanks again to all of our brothers for their involvement. All the money donated by our lodge and others in the tournament goes to youth scholarships.

Fraternally, Jeff Lane

GETTING PERSONAL

Our Marshall, Bro. David Israel, was married a few weeks back and sent his best to the lodge while away on his honeymoon. Yeah, like he thought about US!.

Our JPM, WBro. Ken Lane, Jr., received the Grand Masters' Achievement Award at the District No. 5 Reception for the Grand Master, Saturday, May 5. There were over 100 people in attendance, and was an evening of great fellowship. Thank you Brother Fred Hutchinson for the great Pot Roast Dinner. VWBro. David Campbell chaired the event.

Over 100 enjoyed our annual FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch, Sunday May 20. Thanks to PM Ken Lane, Sr. (Grump) and his wife Darlene for their great assistance in coordinating this tasty event.

YOU, TOO, MAY SERVE

Any Brother who would like to serve on the "History of St. John's Lodge" committee is invited to please contact the Worshipful Master as early as possible, so we can continue with the next phase of the updating of our Lodge History. Ken Lane Sr., Ken Lane Jr., Dave Moffatt, Joseph Lund, Chuck Brockway, and Jim Russell are serving and invite your participation.

The Master announced his intention to recruit a membership growth committee, and will be seeking volunteers. The committee will be charged with formulating a way to find qualified men to enter the fraternity, St. John's Lodge No. 9 in particular.

PETITION FOR THE DEGREES

A petition for the degrees was received from Mr. John Daniel McCarthy. Mr. McCarthy was born November 20, 1967, in Staten Island, NY. He is employed as a US probation officer. He resides in Seattle and is married. He was recommended to us by WBro. Felix Calvillo, Master of Henry A. Greene Lodge No. 250, Lakewood. Both dined with us at dinner preceding our last stated meeting.

Bro. Iain Cameron was passed to a Fellowcraft as part of our Joint Degree Program at Green Lake Lodge No. 149 on Thursday, May 24th at 7:00 P.M. Delta Lodge also passed a candidate. The three Lodges drew a large number of brothers to witness and assist in the degree.