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 | | On a very rainy and cold Wednesday afternoon the Brethren of St. John's Lodge No. 9 had some commute problems and many were a few minutes later than the six o'clock dinner hour. Those who had managed to get there by six waited a few minutes for the others before entering the dining room for our monthly Lodge dinner. When all were present the room was filled. |
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The atmosphere of the evening was proper for the nostalgia of his final meeting as Master for WM Terry Grove. It also held the excitement of step up night and looking forward to the next year for SW Michael Rust and his officer corps.
After VWB Richard Oslund delivered the pre-meal prayer everyone sat down to a delicious Salmon Dinner. | |  |
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Bobbi, our waitress, brought a lovely card thanking the Lodge for the gift she received before her vacation cruise and she assured the Lodge that she spent the money on "frivolous luxuries." We think that she spent the money wisely. She had a wonderful time in the Caribbean but seems pleased to be back after her vacation. Of course she |
| is like the rest of us where vacations are concerned in that she never wanted the vacation to end. |
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 | | After the meal was finished everyone adjourned to the Lodge room for a presentation on Mozart by Bro. Helmuth Svoboda. There was a little delay while a compact disk player was located for him to use to play some of the Masonic music that Bro. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed for his Lodge. One was finally borrowed from a custodian at the SRMC and VWB David Julian held the headphones to the microphone which made the music loud enough for all to hear. The presentation was very informative and the music excellent. All present learned something about the love Mozart had for the Fraternity. |
| After the presentation all guests left and WM Terry Grove opened Lodge for his final meeting as Master of the Lodge. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and the usual business of the Lodge was taken care of. A new Master Mason then demonstrated his proficiency to the satisfaction of the Brethren. He was welcomed into the Lodge as a full Master Mason member by everyone present. |  |
Our newly proficient Master Mason now has the opportunity to join in our work and choose those projects which he enjoys. We are certain that he will find satisfaction and personal delight in seeing the results of his work with the other members of the Lodge. There are more than enough projects and activities for everyone and all new members are needed to help in those areas which they choose and believe they would enjoy. The Lodge budgets enough funding for these projects so that they can be readily accomplished with little fear that lack of money will hinder their completion. |
Three memorial scrolls were read and the Chaplain delivered the Lodge's remembrance and offered a prayer for our departed Brethren. All passings of our Brethren are sad but it is most sad to us when we lose one who has spent his lifetime as an active member serving his Brethren and the Lodge. It is, therefore, most sad that VWB John Houck, a brother who served St. John's Lodge as Master in 1968 and who never willingly missed a meeting, was among them.
The Lodge delivered groceries to many families for Thanksgiving and those involved in the endeavor reported on how much the gifts meant to those who received them as well as to those who give.
The Christmas gift committee reported that it is already in process of getting things together for families in need during this holiday season. The Lodge hopes that we can be of help to these and will lighten life's burdens for them for a little while.
The Worshipful Master reported that he and two other members of the Lodge spent a day last month in the rain working on the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Cemetery grounds. This is in addition to our financial gift to the project. The Junior Warden, with a grin, said that he "was drafted to work under false pretenses" but that he really got satisfaction out of working with those who are trying to make the cemetery grounds presentable.
 | | Our Secretary, VWB Jim Russell then told the Lodge that our much awaited Entered Apprentice Carpet had arrived and was in the room to be unwrapped for the first time. With some help from the membership the carpet wrap was removed and the rug was rolled out east of the Altar. It is magnificent and will become a valued part of the furniture of St. John's Lodge No. 9 long into the future. |
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The proposed budget for 2004 was then discussed and some changes were made by motion and accepted by vote of the Brethren. After explanation of the items listed in next years budget it was adopted by the Lodge.
WM Grove took a few minutes to let the Lodge know that he has enjoyed the time in the officers line and looks forward to serving the Lodge in the capacity of Past Master long into the future. He will serve as Tyler of St. John's Lodge No. 9 for the next year.
 | | The Worshipful Master then turned the Lodge over to Bro. Michael Rust, our Senior Warden and elected Master for 2004, along with his incoming officers line. They took their stations and places and proceeded to close the lodge. Bro. Rust and his line did a very good job. He walked around the square and shook the hand of each member while reciting the closing charge and his timing was wonderful. His plans for the Lodge are ready and he will make an excellent Master for St. John's Lodge No. 9 next year. His installation will be on Friday, December 12. |
After the Lodge was closed, WB Bill Collison spoke about WM Terry Grove's term as Master and the Lodge awarded WB Grove a long ovation. WB Grove then danced a jig in the center of the new carpet as his last meeting as Master was concluded.
| After serving in the Lodge line for several years a member often has the opportunity to serve as Master for a year. At the completion of this time there is a certain regret as he realizes that his time as an appointed or elected officer is done and it is time to turn the work over to others. WM Terry Grove, pictured here getting ready for the meeting, is no different. He has served St. John's Lodge as an officer and Master with distinction and his | |  |
| work has been valued and appreciated by the membership. |
Following the installation of officers for 2004 he will become a valued Past Master and will bring his invaluable experience to help with those Lodge projects and endeavors to which he chooses to apply himself. Each Past Master and member of the Lodge has many choices of projects and endeavors within the Lodge to help with.
Peace and harmony prevailed, as it always does, at St. John's Lodge No. 9.
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