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On the evening of Saturday September 13th the families and friends of St. John's Lodge No. 9 met at the Seattle Design Center to celebrate 143 years as a Masonic Lodge. For the next hour people continued to arrive.
A no host bar was set up for before dinner refreshment and there was a lot of visiting between those who had not seen one another for some time. | |  |
 | | At six o'clock most of the guests had arrived and the room was comfortably full. WB Bruno Zittlau had, once again, made his special square and compass chocolates for all to enjoy and these were distributed at each place. The Wehl's brought bookmarks from the City of Hope and these also were found at each place. These members are always doing something extra for the Lodge and charity and their help is appreciated by the Lodge. |
| Bro. Ken Wehl, our Marshal, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and he began by welcoming all to the anniversary party. As is usual for Bro. Ken, a little fun and magic was involved in the beginning of the evening's entertainment. When he had concluded his opening remarks he introduced WM Terry Grove. The WM had words of welcome for all and said that he hoped that all would enjoy the evening's entertainment and company. He called VWB David Campbell to the stage and had him lead the Pledge of Allegiance and say the invocation before the meal and show. | |  |
 | | After this was concluded, Bro. Ken introduced the evenings entertainment. The wait staff distributed the salads and Clayton Wagy's backup singer performed a soft number to begin the show. While the salads were consumed the show really got under way. "Elvis" came down the stairs and began with the hip movement of the original. |
| The dancers began their appearances just about the time that dessert was served. These two athletic ladies began with the steps of old time rock and roll which many of those present remembered well. They were excellent and really made their performances exciting to watch. The act was well choreographed and the lighting and sound people were up to the challenge of an echoing room and and open stage. | |  |
 | | After the ladies changed costumes a couple of times they returned with hula skirts and performed to Elvis' music from the "Blue Hawaii" movie. Following their solo performance of the hula they enticed Ken Wehl, Master of Ceremonies, and Worshipful Master Terry Grove to the stage, put a hula skirt on the WM and proceeded to teach them to hula. A riveting performace (sic) from both. |
Clayton Wagy told the audience that they were welcome to dance if they wished and many took them up on the offer. It was good to see so many of the Brethren and their loved ones enjoying a dance to the musical offerings.
VWB Chuck Brockway and his lady Sherla led the way to the dance areas and many others followed during the remaining hours of the performance. | |  |
 | | The band took a break while the singer changed costumes and everyone visited during this time. Many who had to rise early on Sunday morning left and those that remained were treated to anothe set of really excellent entertainment. As is the case with many performers the best of the act was saved for the second half. The costume was and excellent representation of the jump suits that Elvis wore while on stage. |
The sound and look of the performance would make one think that Presley was actually on the stage and the songs were very familiar. As one travelled about the room the sounds of the audience singing along with the performers could be easily heard. Clayton really put his heart into singing both the fast upbeat numbers but also the ballads. A riveting performance.
Quite a different type of show for our Anniversary Celebration but a very fun event to attend. It is an example of the forward look of St. John's Lodge No. 9's as it changes with the times as we forge our way into the 21st century. | |  |
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