July 2002 Stated Communication

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July's Meeting Night

At five thirty members, family, and friends began to arrive for the social hour prior to the monthly dinner at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center. VW Bro. Chuck Brockway was in his usual place dispensing light refreshment to everyone. Each month it seems that there just isn't enough time during the social hour.

At six o'clock the dinner began. Ninty-five people were present for this and they filled the main dining room (The lodge had planned for eighty). Extra tables were quickly set up for the overflow and everyone sat down to enjoy the dinner. Tables were served in very short order.

Fresh Garden salad, potato rolls and butter, wild rice, sugar peas in their pods, and pork chops cooked in peaches were served after the prayer and pie was served for dessert. An excellent meal! Steve and his crew are always serving St. John's Lodge great meals.

Immediately following supper W Bro. Leonard Luchau (Century Lodge), secretary of the King County Masonic Service Bureau, gave a presentation on the Service Bureau and its work. This was very well received by those present.

After the Service Bureau presentation everyone retired to the Lodge room for the evenings entertainment. The Chrysanthemum String Quartet from the Seattle Youth Sympohony was set up and ready to perform works from Mozart's "The Magic Flute."

The performance was excellent and VW Bro Coe Tug Morgan (Daylight Lodge) did a most entertaining commentary as an introduction to each piece. The students were very well prepared and, as a side note, the 1st violin is going to attend Carnegie-Mellon University next year.

Also, the 2nd violin is the Concertmaster of the Seattle Youth Symphony. We were told that the musicians in the symphony are among the top 10% scholastically in Seattle. A high commendation indeed as to the state of our youth who study the arts.

Following the performance Dr. and Bro. Eric Vogt (Queen Anne Lodge) spoke about the history of the time and the Magic Flute opera. An interesting commentary and he gave his website address which contains much information on the subject.

Next the Worshipful Master gave out 40 year pins to WB Bill Collison and Bro. Roy Sam.

Then VW Bro. Dave Campbell delivered Lodge Officer Proficiency certificates to our Senior Warden, Bro. Terry Grove, and our Secretary, VW Bro. Jim Russell. This certificate must be earned and there are not many who begin the study for it that actually carry this work through to completion. These brothers are to be commended for their earning these certificates.

The non-masons who were in attendance were then asked to leave the Lodgeroom so that the business portion of the Stated Communication could be held. Lodge, having been previously opened and called to refreshment, was reconvened and the regular business of the Lodge was quickly dispensed with.

Two petitions for the degrees were favorably balloted and the first degree for these candidates will be held on Wednesday, July 24th at 7:00 PM.

Nine members of University Lodge No. 141 claimed the District 5 travelling plaque which St. John's Lodge claimed from Lafayette Lodge at their last stated meeting. St. John's Lodge only had it long enough for the membership to look at it once.

This meeting saw visitors from several Lodges and we even had a visitor from Hong Kong's St. John's Lodge (He had on an absolutely beautiful apron). All were made very welcome as we always enjoy the company of our Brothers from other Lodges.

The rest of the regular meeting went quickly and the Worshipful Master invited the Senior Grand Warden, RW Bro. Satoru "Sat" Tashiro to close the lodge. Lodge was closed at 10 PM with peace and harmony prevailing. Those who had remained after the entertainment for the business meeting then went back to their daily lives feeling refreshed from the brotherhood of the lodge and the friendships found there. Happy to meet, sorry to part, and happy to meet again. Until next month -

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