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Home - Archive Index - 2006 Archives - September Stated Communication
September Stated Communication
Pictures by WB Darrel Womack
Report written with aid from the Stated Meeting Minutes |
 | | This month featured the recipients of the St. John's Accelerated Reader Program funding. Principals of Cedar Way and John Rogers Schools were there to tell the Lodge how the programs are progressing in their schools. |
| Steve cooked an excellent Salmon dinner with salad and dessert. The dining room was full and everyone enjoyed the meal. Conversation was lively as the membership caught up on the past month's happenings. | |  |
 | | When the meal was finished everyone adjourned to the Lodgeroom for the presentations by the school representatives. Mr. Hawkins Cramer, principal of Cedar Way Elementary School and Ms Marcia Boyd, school principal, and Ms Debbie McDonald, Language Arts Professional at John Rogers Elementary School, reported on the progress of the accelerated reader program at their schools. |
| Ms McDonald expressed her appreciation for the eight years this lodge has supported the Accelerated Reader program at John Rogers Elementary. Each year we have contributed about $3,000, which has helped to replace worn books, add new books for their library, books for classroom libraries and quizzes for the books. | |  |
 | | She said that in addition, they are seeking funding for a Homework Club - a program offered after school twice a week that includes homework support and independent reading. This program is offered to the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who are below standard in some way and/or are in need of extra structure and support to complete their homework regularly. . |
| Mr. Cramer expressed his deep appreciation for the lodge's financial support, and said that the program offers real assistance in teaching reasoning skills to the students.
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Non masons were then excused and WB Charles Tupper, SW, opened Lodge on the 2nd degree. Minutes of the previous meeting were read in short form, the Treasurers report was received, bills read and ordered paid, communications were read and passed around the Lodgeroom and introductions were done.
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The Master then declared the Lodge free from restraint and invited each brother to extend the right hand of fellowship around the room and encouraged all to become better acquainted.
After the Lodge was again called to order the Master reminded the brethren that there will be a Master Mason degree next Wednesday. Two candidates should be ready to be raised Master Masons. Some assignments still need to be confirmed.
In the absence of committee chairman Bro. Iain Cameron, the Secretary reported that the 146th anniversary dinner was enjoyed by all, with 97 in attendance. This year's use of the College Club was well received, the food was excellent, and the music was outstanding. The Master extended his appreciation to VWBro. Charles Brockway for sharing his membership in the College Club to allow our participation at that venue.
WBro. Hans Wehl encouraged the brethren to "bring their St. John's bucks" to next month's stated communication, when new merchandise will be offered by the company store. He showed the new stainless coffee mug with the St. John's crest.
VWBro. David Campbell apologized that he has not been able to get around to the many youth organizations this year, but read a letter from Bethel No. 77 of Bothell. They are excited about the many new young ladies who are joining the Bethel. It was m/s/p to provide Job's Daughters Bethel No. 77 $600 to advance their team building and leadership program.
Visitation to the ill: The Master reported that WBro. Michael Rust is back at Northwest Hospital following a brief stay at home. WBro. Rust is receiving chemo treatments for leukemia. VWBro. Brockway visited him today, and reported that he was walking laps around the hospital corridors and will be moved from ICU. He appreciates and enjoys the many visits from brothers of the lodge. WBro. Hans Wehl put Mrs. Rust in touch with Dr. Irl Hirsch of the University of Washington Diabetes Center, who followed up with some recommendations of excellent treatment centers and will champion Bro. Rust's admission to UW hospital if need be. The brethren were encouraged to contact WBro. Bill Collison to coordinate providing hot meals to Mrs. Rust while she keeps watch with WBro. Rust.
A petition for the degrees and one for affiliation were received. Committees were appointed to visit both petitioners and to report back to the Lodge by the next Stated Communication.
Bros. Glenn Goodsen (9/5/25) and Harry Arthur (9/10/30) were honored with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.
The Secretary reported that we have again been offered a table for ten at the October 28 City of Hope Harvest Ball. WBro. Hans Wehl reported that the Ball is a black tie affair to raise money for the City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution, dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is guided by a compassionate patient-centered philosophy, and supported by a national foundation of humanitarian philanthropy. Last year's Harvest Ball raised over $1.5 million. RWBro. Gale Kenney, VWBro. Charles Brockway, WBros. Joseph Lund and Helmuth Svoboda, and Bro. Ken Wehl indicated their interest in attending, in addition to their ladies.
The Secretary reminded the brethren that leaves from the Tree of Life are engraved to honor brothers of our lodge and that each engraved leaf represents $100 for the Masonic Home Retirement Center Endowment Fund. He m/s/p that four leaves on the Tree of Life be dedicated to the memory of WBros. Roy Shaffer, Frank Young, Garth Short, and Stanley Kinney. WBro. Shaffer was Master of Ionic Lodge No. 90 in 1977. WBro. Young was Master of St. John's in 1983, WBro. Garth Short affiliated with St. John's in 1995 and led the York Rite Masonry as Grand Commander, Knights Templar, Washington. WBro. Stan Kinney was Master of Elliott Bay Lodge No. 257 in 1970 and 1985.
WBro. Charles Tupper, sitting in the East, requested that the lodge support the Bikes for Books program in conjunction with our Accelerated Reader elementary schools. This Bikes for Books program encourages youngsters to strive a little more to improve their reading skills. The bikes are displayed prominently within the schools as an incentive to attain reading goals. It was m/s/p to purchase bikes for each of the three schools in our Accelerated Reader program.
Bro. David Flood suggested that a way to get our new brothers to know us better (and maybe become interested in more participation) would be to invite them to come and help us out at the LOAMA Halloween Dance, October 21, 6-11pm. Everyone seems to have a fear of commitment since we are all so busy these days, but this invitation would just be a limited commitment for 3 or 4 hours. "Once you've been up to your armpits in cotton candy with a brother you are truly bonded." It was agreed to make a special request, through their coaches, that our recent brothers participate in this annual event for our Masonic Youth.
The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
September 27 (7pm): Master Mason degree
September 27 (7pm): District 5 Lodge Officers & Members Assoc. meeting (Greenwood)
October 11 (5pm): St. John's Lodge No. 9 Trustees meeting - Conference Room (Budget Review)
October 18 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
October 21 (6-11pm): District No. 5 Youth Night (Halloween dance) at Alki
October 25 (7pm): District 5 Lodge Officers & Members Assoc. meeting (Greenwood)
October 27: Quarterly meeting of Masonic Service Bureau
October 28: (City of Hope) Harvest Celebration Ball
November 6: Eureka Lodge No. 20 Installation of Officers - David Campbell Master
The Secretary requested a volunteer to be our representative to the Masonic Service Bureau. Bro. Steve Specht has been our representative, but as one of the vice presidents of the Bureau, has requested a second representative be appointed. WBro. Darrel Womack volunteered to serve in that capacity.
WBro. Ken Lane invited the brethren to attend a Fellowcraft degree by Esoterica Lodge No. 316, Thursday, September 28. WBro. Terry Grove reported that CHIP had processed 2,334 kids from its booth at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. VWBro. Mike Davis invited the brethren to the open installation of officers at Queen Anne Lodge, September 28.
WBro. Jim Lumsden extended greetings from the Greenwood Masonic Temple Board and thanked the lodge for its financial contribution to assist in renovating the lower level bathrooms. The kitchen is currently undergoing repainting.
The Senior Warden distributed ties to those brothers who were not present at the August stated communication and urged everyone to wear them at appropriate Masonic events.
The minutes of this communication were read and approved in short form. There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Fellowcraft Masons, the flag was retired and the Lodge closed in due and ancient form by the Worshipful Master at 8:55 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing.
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