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From the East
USE 'EM OR LOSE 'EM! Simple, sweet and to the point. And now that I have your attention I'd like to let you know of the July 14th deadline for using your older St. John's bucks. We have printed a vast quantity of St. John's bucks and for the last few years the Senior Wardens have, at the end of each stated meeting, been dutifully passing out the wages if ought be due. Yet far too few of them have been returned to circulation; it seems we're a lodge made up of hoarders and packrats. Therefore July 14th will be the last day that Skip Albertson or Jeff Lane dollars will be accepted. (If you have a Ken Lane Jr. buck then try foisting it off on WB Terry Grove who is an avid collector.)
| All is not lost. The St. John's store will accept your currency up until the pull date and they have a great selection of products for sale.(That was the idea behind the currency.) Now is the time to purchase all those holiday, birthday, and special occasion gifts - watches, aprons, mugs and other great sundries - well before the usual seasonal rush, or at least before July 14th. I can truly say if I were astute enough to purchase Xmas gifts in June my lovely bride would be astounded at my shopping acumen and prowess; positive points are always handy and have a short shelf life.
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For those who would rather not brave the expected long lines at the St. John's store the next two stated meetings, I have prepared an alternate form of socially conscious shopping - there will be three baskets available during the next two stated meetings in which you may recycle your dollars. One will be marked "Sea Scouts", one "Habitat for Humanity" and one "DeMolay." For each buck tossed in St. John's will donate a real buck towards that basket's charity from our charity reserves up to a maximum of $500 per charity.(Notice the extremely small print; I have set a limit, some of the brethren haven't spent one buck in years.)
As always it's a great pleasure to meet any and all of you and I look forward to seeing you at our next stated meeting, upcoming degrees and our family picnic this summer.
Michael Rust, Master |
| We childproofed our home, but they're still getting in!
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Stow the Suit & Tie For Summer!
Worshipful Master Michael Rust reminds everyone that "Northwest Casual" will be the attire of preference throughout the summer months. We will be meeting June 2, July 14, and August 4 to conduct the business of the Lodge and also to continue to bring interesting and enjoyable entertainment. |
MARCH TO ST. MARK'S
District 5 LOMA will be sponsoring a "march to St. Mark's" Cathedral on Sunday, May 23. The Grand Master will lead us dressed as Masons to attend the service. We will meet at 9:30am at the Scottish Rite for donuts and coffee, following which we will be led by a kilt-clad piper to the church. The church service is at 11:00.
St. John's Campout July 9-10-11
MAKE GRANITE FALLS MASONIC PARK YOUR SUMMER CAMP
  
The Granite Falls Masonic Park is located 4.5 miles east of the city of Granite Falls, in Snohomish County, on the "mountain loop" highway. The property is located on 245 acres of land with approximately 55 undeveloped acres being on the other side of Canyon Creek. The site has several roads and trails throughout the park. To be a member of the Masonic Park, you first have to be a member in good standing of a Masonic Lodge, or an affiliated Masonic organization. Regular (voting) members are those who belong to a Lodge in Snohomish or Island counties. Associate members are all other Masonic members. Annual dues are $10, and life memberships are $300.
There are three full-time employee families living and working at the park. Throughout the year there is enough work to be done to accommodate three male workers, and during the open season, the three ladies work the gate on a daily basis, each working 7 days on, and 14 days off. The employees are compensated slightly, but they also receive free space for their manufactured home and are not charged for utilities (except phone and cable).
There are 35 covered shelters, 4 wood bins, 2 separate bathrooms (one with showers) and 2 large enclosed buildings. Nine of the 35 shelters have power. Most of those also have water available in the area. There are 27 shelters on the river. Only one shelter on the river has power at this time. In the winter of 2002, 10 new RV sites were installed. Each of these sites has its own power and water hookups, and will accommodate up to 40 foot rigs.
There are bathrooms in two separate locations. The main bathrooms are located near the "big kitchen" building, and contain hot and cold running water and showers. The other bathrooms are located near Peterson Hall and do not have showers or hot water.
Other buildings and amenities include:  
1. Big Kitchen: This is a large enclosed building that has a fireplace, stove, refrigerator, freezer, sink with hot water, pop machine, and lots of tables and chairs.
2. Peterson Hall: This is near the fish ponds and is fully enclosed with a stove, refrigerator, sink with hot water, wood burning stove, and lots of tables and chairs. The building and area are usually reserved for groups of 25 or more.
3. Children's Play Area: Newly constructed swings and a "tree house," provided by St. John's.
4. Pump House: In 2001 a pump house was built to house the electronic and test equipment for the well and spring water system. Both water systems have been approved by the state after lengthy testing.
5. Fish Ponds: There are three ponds. Since 1991, in cooperation with the State Fisheries Department and the Indian Fisheries Department, between 20,000 and 25,000 steelhead salmon have been reared.
ANNUAL COMMUNICATION OF GRAND LODGE JUNE 10-12
The 147th Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, F&AM. of Washington will open Thursday, June 10, 2004, at 8:15 a.m. in the Convention Center, Wenatchee.
A Fellowship Dinner will be Thursday evening. Fellowship hour opens at 6 p.m., with dinner served at 7. St. John's has two tables reserved and filled.
Registration will open on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., and will continue through Friday noon. The registration fee of $20 per delegate will be collected at registration.
A morning and afternoon activity for the ladies is planned for Thursday, which includes a tour of the Cashmere Pioneer Museum followed by a picnic lunch on the grounds. Friday lunch will feature a "no-host" wine bar.
Business of the convention will be conducted Thursday and Friday. Installation of new Grand Lodge Officers will be Friday evening. Any business left to be finished will conclude Saturday morning.
Masters, Wardens and Past Masters are eligible voting delegates.
Old St. John's Bucks "Not Worth the Paper…"
Whenever a brother attends lodge, he receives a complimentary "St. John's Buck." These bucks are redeemable at the company store to purchase shirts, letter openers, caps, cook aprons, etc. WBro. Rust has announced that the old versions of our St. John's Bucks will no longer be redeemable after July 14. He encourages everyone to bring their old bucks to our next two meetings to make their purchases. He will select two or three charities to which the brothers may choose to contribute by a vote of their unspent out-dated dollars. New versions of the "buck," endorsed by WBro. Rust, will continue to be honored.
Lodge Doin's
137 adults and 10 youngsters enjoyed themselves at the May 2nd FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch at Ivar's Salmon House. The weather was beautiful and the food delicious.
A brochure to describe Masonry and St. John's Lodge is "under construction."
A Square & Compasses logo and lodge web address will be added to the trailer which transports two champion dragsters already bearing our "colors."
VWBro. Gale Kenney, retiring Deputy of the Grand Master for our District, will be honored at a dinner (SRMC) June 3 sponsored by George Washington Lodge No. 251 and Lafayette Lodge No. 241. Call 425 228-8619 for reservations
FREMONT FAIR
Members of St. John's will be working with those from Daylight and Doric Lodges to staff a Masonic information booth at the Fremont Fair, June 19-20. Those who want to help in this opportunity to spread the word about Freemasonry should contact VWBro. Jim Russell 206 623-0261. We have always had a good time chatting with the inquisitive public and with each other, as well as being entertained by the local musical groups in the nearby band stand.
JUNE 14 FLAG DAY
On January 1, 1776, General and Brother George Washington, after having achieved a semblance of military order with a limited number of troops, proclaimed the formation of the Continental Army at his headquarters on Prospect Hill, Somerville, Massachusetts.
There he hoisted the Grand Union Flag on a 70- foot mast in defiance of the British who were watching from Boston. The flag too closely resembled the British flag. The enemy sneered. An angry Bro. Washington while still in the field sketched the idea of the stars and stripes on the back of a folded sheet of paper.
It was a Mason - Bro. Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, who really designed what the legendary Betsy Ross then cut and sewed into America's first flag. The following year, on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the Stars and Stripes as a symbol of our new freedom and independence.
Coming Events
- May 23 (9:30am): March to St. Mark's Cathedral (11am service)
- June 2 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated (casual attire)
- June 10-12: Grand Lodge of Washington (Wenatchee)
- June 14: King Solomon Lodge Annual Strawberry Feed
- June 19-20: Fremont Fair (with Daylight No. 232)
- July 9-11: Campout at Masonic Park
- July 14 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated Herb's Night (casual)
- August 4 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated Scholarship Night (casual attire)
- August 15 (11am): Lodge picnic at Nile (Sunday)
- September 10: St. John's Lodge No. 9 144th Anniversary Celebration
Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Michael Rust (206) 725-5853 fiddlerose@comcast.net
Senior Warden: Joseph Lund (425) 271-3173 yosiflund@earthlink.net
Junior Warden: Mark Campbell (425) 398-1398 mark.katherine@verizon.net
Secretary: Jim Russell (206) 623-0261 stjohns9@msn.com
Webmaster: Charlie Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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