The Lodge was opened on the Third Degree at 7:50 p.m. by WM Charles Tupper with twenty-eight members and eight visitors in attendance. 

The American flag was presented by the Marshal and deposited in a place of honor in the East.  The Worshipful Master called upon the Marshal to lead the brethren in the pledge to the flag. 

The Worshipful Master directed the Senior Deacon to escort VWBro. Ashley Brinkley to the East, who installed Bro. Adam Creighton to the office of Musician, assisted by MWBro. Sat Tashiro as Installing Marshal.  Bro. Creighton is a member of Greenwood Lodge No. 253 and passed his Master Mason proficiency examination in the presence of his brethren earlier this month.

Following the Tyler’s invitation to join his brethren, the Worshipful Master called upon the Senior Deacon to introduce our visitors with the exception of Masters, Wardens, and Grand Lodge officers and committeemen.  In attendance and receiving a warm St. John’s welcome were two visiting brothers, WBro. Dan Newton of Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 and  Bro. Adam Creighton of Greenwood Lodge No. 253.

The Junior Warden introduced his counterpart, Bro. Ken Cavallon of Queen Anne Lodge No. 242.  The Master introduced VWBro. David Campbell, Eureka Lodge No. 20, WBro. Errol Scott, Occidental Lodge No. 72, VWBro. Michael Davis, Queen Anne Lodge No. 242, and WBro. Ken Lane, Jr., Esoterika Lodge No. 316, all Masters of their respective lodges

The Past Masters of St. John’s Lodge No. 9 were asked to stand and be recognized and were graciously thanked for their dedication to the Lodge.

The Master then instructed the Senior Deacon to escort the Grand Lodge Officers and Committeemen East of the Altar and shook each by the hand as he announced their names.  In attendance were WBro. Eric Vogt (research & education), WBro. Darrel Womack (public relations), WBro. Ed Logan (grievance and appeals),VWBro. Michael Davis (CHIP), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP and charity), VWBro. Charles Brockway (Special Deputy), VWBro. Jim Maher (Deputy of the Grand Master District No. 5), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Honorary Grand Secretary), VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (Grand Bible Bearer), MWBro. Sat Tashiro (jurisprudence), and MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master); all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington.

 They were accorded the public Grand Honors.

 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION

The minutes of the previous communication were read in short form and were available in full as posted at the Tyler’s door.  The minutes reflected the following:

The Lodge opened on the third degree at 7:42 p.m., thirty-four members and six visitors in attendance. Bro. Mathew LaCroix demonstrated his proficiency as a Master Mason.  The minutes were read in short form and approved as posted; the Treasurer reported that our accounts are in order.  Expenses were approved.  Communications were read; committee reports were received.  A petition for the degrees was received from Mr. Raymond Louis Gehrig.  It was agreed to tender $1,500 as a scholarship to Ms Jennifer Moe; to spend up to $1,200 for bicycles, helmets and locks for this fall quarter’s Accelerated Reader motivational program; and to authorize funds for up-front expenses related to the officer team-building retreat to Leavenworth.  Funds were authorized to host  a breakfast for the Washington State DeMolay Foundation.  $500 will be presented to the newly chartered Southgate Assembly Rainbow for Girls.  Announcements were made.  The Lodge was closed at 9:21 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing.

 TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer had the pleasure to introduce a visiting Treasurer, VWBro. Jim Maher (Daylight No. 232), and reported that our portfolio has grown 15.2% during the last twelve months ending September 30, 2007.

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­OCTOBER

The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, VWBro. Mike Davis, and WBro. Jeff Lane), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the acting chairman, VWBro. Davis, attested to the accuracy of each bill or invoice, he stated the expenditures were in order and moved for the payment of the bills.  On vote of the Lodge, the bills were approved for payment.

 COMMUNICATIONS

Trestleboards and letters of communications were distributed.  Concerning each, the Secretary reported the following:

Solicitations and notes of appreciation have been received from several of our recognized charities, including Taproot Theatre,  Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, The Blue Nile Children’s Organization, and Ms Visala Hohlbein of Sacajewea Elementary School.

University Street Ministries is looking for a team to feed the homeless teens in the University District, Tuesday, November 13, and Thanksgiving Day, November 22.  The Phinney Neighborhood Association is asking that we support their efforts to encourage the City of Seattle to purchase the Phinney Center from the Seattle School District.

The Grand Lodge of Washington will be conducting another Secretaries Workshop, this one in Wenatchee.  Also from the Grand Lodge come statements of availability from candidates seeking the offices of Junior Grand Warden and Grand Secretary:  one of the seven JGW candidates is our own VWBro. Ashley Brinkley.  A personal letter of introduction has been received from JGW candidate VWBro. John Sleeth.

The Grand Master directs that the following letter be read:

Various individuals and groups from time to time cross our Masonic paths and represent themselves as having legitimate Masonic connections.  Recently an organization formally known as the Grand and Glorious Order Knight of Creeping Serpents and commonly known as “the Snakes” has represented themselves as having legitimate Masonic connections and being a legitimate Masonic organization.  Please be advised that this group is NOT recognized by our Grand Lodge and we have NOT been contacted for formal recognition.

This organization should therefor be considered “Clandestine” by all lodges in this Grand Jurisdiction.   s/Wayne I. Smith, Grand Master

Newsletters and Trestleboards have been received from the Phinney Neighborhood Association, Conversay, Mercy Corps, George Washington Masonic Memorial, Eureka Lodge No. 20, Diamond Lodge No. 83, Doric Lodge No. 92, and University Lodge No. 141.

COMMITTEE REPORT 

Bro. Ken Wehl reported that WBro. Michael Rust is looking well in spite of his failing health caused by leukemia.  Visitors would be appreciated, but visits should be cleared first through Mrs. Rust.  A “thinking of you” card was circulating among the brethren along with the correspondence.

Bro. David Flood requested additional volunteers to help with the LOMA Halloween Party this coming Saturday, October 20.  In addition to Bro. Flood, Bro. David Long, and WBro. Charles Tupper, Bro. Matt LaCroix volunteered to assist.  WBro. Darrel Womack will be creating portraits for the young participants.  In addition to afternoon set-up, assistance will be needed to clean up at 11pm.

The Secretary reported that three brothers still remain delinquent in their 2007 dues.  All have been sent several notices.

 Chairmen of our Family Thanksgiving, Christmas and Operation Kid Smile charities reported that they will be needing funds authorized to prepare to distribute food, clothing, and gifts.

WBro. Joseph Lund reported that Cedar Way Elementary will be dropping the Accelerated Reader program at the direction of the Edmonds School District.  He has sent a request to the A/R leaders at Sacajewea and John Rogers Elementary schools to inquire if they have suggestions for schools which would be supportive of the A/R program.

 GREETING BROTHERS ON THE LEVEL

The Master called the lodge “free from restraint” for a period of five minutes and invited the brethren to mingle and to greet each other upon the level.

BALLOTING ON PETITIONS

A favorable ballot was spread on Mr. Raymond Louis Gehrig for the degrees.  Mr. Gehrig had received unanimous favorable recommendations by his investigating committee.  He will be initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on Thursday, November 15.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

Bros. David Flood (10/8/39), Sat Tashiro (10/12/34), James Swift (10/12/83), Rick Heston (10/24/52), Ed Logan (10/25) and Charlie Tupper (10/26/46) were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.

 

MASONIC EDUCATION

The Worshipful Master told a story about Julius Caesar’s challenge to his chariot drivers:  “Who can bring me the closest to the edge of the precipice that I may see what lies below?”  The first driver said that he could bring Caesar within 50 yards of the precipice.  The second driver said that he could bring Caesar to within a few inches of the precipice.  The third driver said that he would keep Caesar as far away from the edge of the precipice as possible in order to protect him from danger.  The Master said that we should stay as far away as possible from a moral precipice.  This is why he associates with the brothers of his lodge; these brothers help to keep him from falling into a moral precipice and in touch with the Supreme Architect.  By our association, we are able to become better men and better citizens.

SOCKS AND TIES

The brethren had been encouraged to bring new pairs of socks to this evening’s stated communication, to be collected and donated to the homeless teens of the University District.  Approximately four dozen new socks were collected.  VWBro. Jim Russell will deliver them to University Street Ministries.

Additionally, prizes were awarded to the three brothers judged to be wearing the ugliest socks and ties.  VWBro. Ashley Brinkley was deemed to be the winner, followed by VWBro. Jim Russell and WBro. Ken Lane, Sr.

MEMORIAL SCROLL

Memorial scrolls were read for Bros. Dio Pritchett Richardson and Glenn R. Cramer, followed by a memorial service by  the Chaplain.

Dio Pritchett Richardson                                   8/28/19 – 10/6/07

Dio Pritchett Richardson was born in Seattle, Washington, on August 28, 1919.  Following his years at Roosevelt High School, Bro. Dio graduated from the University of Washington in 1942, where he was a member of ROTC and the Oval Club.  During World War II, Bro. Richardson deployed with the 15^th Infantry Regiment from Fort Lewis to French North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, earning five Battle Stars.  He remained in Italy for a year with occupation forces in Civil Affairs Unit under the British 8^th Army.  Returning to Seattle, our brother attended Law School at the University of Washington where he was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity.

Dio Richardson worked and raised his family in Seattle.  His career was in property development and management.  He co-founded the Puget Sound Civil War Roundtable, and was a long-standing member of the Bellevue Gyro Club.

Bro. Richardson was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason, October 31, 1959, passed to a Fellowcraft, June 25, 1960, and raised a Master Mason, July 30, 1960.  He passed his proficiency August 27, 1960.  His brother Jackson Richardson is also a member of St. John’s Lodge No. 9 as were his father and grandfather.  A Scottish Rite 32^nd degree Freemason, Bro. Dio was also a member the Nile Shrine.

 Our brother passed away the evening of October 6, 2007 in Seattle with family at his side.

He is survived by his son, David Barr Richardson and his daughter, Darcie Anne Richardson, and his brother, Jackson Childress Richardson.  He is also survived by his dear friend, Phyllis Koskinin.  At the request of the deceased, there will be no memorial service, other than a private family service.  An informal breakfast to honor and remember Dio was held on Friday, October 12th at the Ballard Smoke Shop.

 Glenn R. Cramer                                  7/7/22 – 9/6/07

Glenn R. Cramer was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 7, 1922, the son of Don and Esther (Johnson) Cramer.  Glenn was a 1943 graduate of the University of Illinois and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific.  Completing a 40 year merchandising career with Allied Stores, Glenn retired in 1985 as President of Wren's Department Store.

Brother Cramer was initiated into Ionic Lodge No. 90 as an Entered Apprentice Mason, November 5, 1952, passed to a Fellowcraft, January 7, 1953, and raised a Master Mason, February 25, 1953.

He was a member of the Springfield (Ohio) Rotary Club.  Glenn was an active advocate for mental health services, serving as a Trustee for the Clark County (Ohio) Mental Health Foundation and held various leadership positions within the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Clark County.  He was an avid bridge player with a Bronze Life Master ranking, and a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan.

Our brother passed to the Celestial Lodge above, September 9, 2007, in Springfield, Ohio.   Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Vivienne S. Cramer; four children, Dee (Jack) Rafferty of Houston, Texas, Michael Cramer of Springfield, and Pat Cramer and P.J. Cramer of Austin, Texas; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren; two brothers, Howard (Themis) Cramer of Atlanta, Georgia, Mark (Mary) Cramer of Morton Grove, Illinois; and two nieces.

The family extends appreciation for the excellent care given Glenn, and to the staff at Mercy Medical Center and Forest Glen Health Campus.  A celebration of Glenn's life was held  Thursday, September 13, 2007 

NEW BUSINESS

Michael Rust Memorial Expenses

VWBro. Jim Russell informed the brethren that one of Michael Rust’s wishes is that the lodge host a BBQ lunch or dinner as a part of his memorial service when that inevitable time arrives.  It was m/s/p to authorize funds for a BBQ to be held at a future memorial for Michael Rust.

Trustee Dinner Expense

The Board of Trustees met last Wednesday to prepare the 2008 budget.  The Trustees joined the brethren of Greenwood Lodge No. 253 for dinner following our meeting and leading into an Entered Apprentice degree performed by Greenwood.  It was m/s/p to re-imburse Greenwood Lodge No. 253 funds toward the purchase of pizza and soft drinks.

Thanksgiving, Christmas & Kid Smile Charities

As we approach the holiday seasons, we need to authorize the purchase of food, clothing and gifts to our selected needy families.  Families of Fort Lewis soldiers are selected from a list supplied by military personnel on the base.  Local families are suggested by the Greenwood Food Bank.  It was m/s/p to authorize a check for $1,000 payable to Ken Lane, Jr. for the purchase of food for the Thanksgiving Charity families.  It was also m/s/p to authorize $1,500 be written at a later period payable to VWBro. Chuck Brockway for Operation Kid Smile and $1,000 payable to Ken Lane, Jr. for the Christmas Charity families.  Lots of shopping help will be needed and volunteers appreciated in preparation for these events.

Master’s Traveling Jewel

WBro. Tupper expressed the need for a Master’s collar to be used on the many travels throughout the District.  We have an apron, and carrying cases have been made available from the estates of late brothers of the lodge.  It was m/s/p to authorize up to $140 for the purchase of a traveling Master’s jewel and collar.

Scholarship Award

Bro. Brian Downie, representing the scholarship committee, requested that the lodge authorize a scholarship to a student attending Bellevue Community College.  It was m/s/p to award Ms Katrina Petr a scholarship.

Top Hat for 2008 Master

As our Senior Warden Bro. Jim Wold is a rather large man, it was obvious that our present inventory does not include a proper-sized top hat.  It was m/s/p to authorize the purchase of a top hat to appropriately fit our incoming Master.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

October 20 (6-11pm):  District No. 5 Youth Night (Halloween dance) at Alki
October 24 (7pm): Officers meeting
October 24 (7pm):  LOMA meeting
October 26:  Quarterly meeting of Masonic Service Bureau
November 5 (7:30pm): Eureka No. 20 Installation of Officers
November 14 (5pm):   Board of Trustees
November 15 (7pm):  degree
November 21 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated  Election of Officers, Past Masters Night
November 28 (7pm):  LOMA meeting
December 8 (10am):  ):  Installation of Officers (Saturday morning)
December 8 (1pm):  Secrets of the Chair (Saturday afternoon)

WBro. Hans Wehl reminded the brethren that the City of Hope Charity Auction will be Saturday, November 3, at the Westin, and encouraged any who would like to attend to see him.

OFFICERS STEP-UP

The officers expected to be filling the chairs for next year were invited to close lodge, and moved into their prospective stations and places.

 GOOD OF THE ORDER

Four brothers from Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 presented the traveling cuspidor to the Worshipful Master.  The district traveling cuspidor requires the lodge which possesses it to contribute $1/day to the cuspidor until such time as three representatives of the lodge pass it off to another District No. 5 lodge.  WBro. Tupper will make arrangements to visit another lodge with a delegation from St. John’s.

VWBro. David Campbell, as Master of Eureka Lodge No. 20, invited the brethren to attend the Eureka Installation of Officers on Monday, November 5.

VWBro. Davis invited the brethren to attend Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 on November 8, when two new Masons will be receiving their Entered Apprentice degrees.  Bro. Nick Mitchell invited the brethren to attend the next meeting of Esoterika Lodge No. 316 on Tuesday, October 23; and to attend the next meeting of Lodge Alba No. 315 on Saturday, October 27 at 5pm.

VWBro. Ashley Brinkley addressed the lodge with his personal comments that he is so pleased to be a part of a lodge where the brethren get along so well and offers true friendship and brotherly love.

The Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5 Jim Maher brought greetings from the Grand Master, and reports that his proposed hockey evening with the Seattle Thunderbirds vs.  the Vancouver Giants, Saturday, January 5, 2008 at Key Arena, is definitely a “go.”  Tickets may be purchased through VWBro. Maher.

CLOSING OF LODGE

The minutes of this communication were read and approved in short form.  There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons, the flag was retired and the Lodge closed in due and ancient form by the 2008 officer team at 9:40 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing.