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March Stated Communication
This month there was some confusion as to the start time for our annual Table Lodge. It seems that three different times were advertised and this made for an excellent social hour previous to the dinner. At about 6:40 PM WM Jim Wold, having previously opened Lodge in the Lodgeroom, called the Table Lodge to order. An excellent Steak dinner was served this year instead of the ribs and 'fixins' that we have had in the past.
THE CEREMONY OF THE TOASTS Throughout dinner, several toasts were proposed and acknowledged. They included toasts
Other toasts were also proposed by brethren assembled, including a toast to our Worshipful Master, WBro. Jim Wold. Throughout the course of the toasts, some business was addressed.
INTRODUCTIONS Twenty visiting brothers were introduced, including four from out of the jurisdiction of Washington: Bro. Daniel B. Dickson (Benton Lodge No. 64 and Bartlett Lodge No. 211, IL), Bro. J. Doug Kelly (Unicoy Lodge No. 259, GA), and WBro. Joseph Shogren (Bemidji Lodge No. 233, MN). They and Bro. Ken Cavallon, Junior Warden of Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 and Bro. George Dyer, Senior Warden of St. Levan Lodge No. 5134, Penzance, England, were accorded the public Grand Honors. The Master introduced VWBro. Jim Maher, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, who then presented the rest of the Grand lodge team members in attendance: WBro. Darrel Womack (public relations), WBro. Charles Tupper (technology), WBro. Terry Grove (charity & CHIP), VWBro. Mike Davis (Chairman of the Board of CHIP), WBro. John Vogt (research & development), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), and RWBro. Gale Kenney (Senior Grand Warden). They were accorded the public Grand Honors of Masonry. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION The Master informed the brethren that the Minutes of the previous communication were available in full as posted at the Tyler’s door. TREASURER’S REPORT The Treasurer reported that we have been affected by the downturn in the financial market, but should ride out the storm. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Bro. Doug Lidz (3/13/57), WBro. Jim Wold (3/14/64), and WBro. Joseph Lund (3/23/67) were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life. COMMITTEE REPORTS WBro. Mark Campbell reported that the youth committee has been very busy, particularly brothers Campbell, Kevin Smith, Darrel Womack and Charles Tupper who have been visiting several of the youth groups at their meetings. The committee has been actively determining which youth groups to offer financial assistance. Representatives from the DeMolay, Job’s Daughters and Rainbow Assemblies will be displaying their talents at our April communication. WBro. Campbell acknowledged the work the previous chairman VWBro. David Campbell has done over the many years for our lodge and the young people in our Masonic Youth groups. The Master announced that he had exercised his use of the Master’s Charity for the month of March and invited any brother who wished to inquire further to see him following the meeting. The Master reported that twelve members of the lodge attended the recent District 4 & 5 reception for the Grand Master in Ballard. St. John’s was presented a Pillar of Progress Award by the Grand Master for outstanding work in education and programming. This was chiefly due to the efforts of WBro. Charles Tupper, who has been instrumental in leading classes at the Greenwood Masonic Center in ritual and floor work. Also receiving recognition was our Past Master WBro. Terry Grove, who was presented the distinguished Grand Master’s Achievement Award. Only one such award is issued annually in each district. The Master also recognized that WBro. Marv Pearson of Greenwood Lodge No. 253, present this evening, received the Grand Master’s Achievement Award for District No. 4. They were accorded the public Grand Honors by the brethren. GUEST SPEAKER WBro. Eric Vogt, Past Master of Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 and a member of the research & education committee of Grand Lodge, was introduced by the Master. WBro. Vogt addressed the lodge on the issue of Masonic research. He encouraged the brethren to investigate all reliable and authoritative Masonic documents with an open mind. He encouraged us to take the time to articulate our own opinions on the subject in proper grammar and rhetoric and in a clear and concise manner so that they may be properly understood and accepted. We were admonished to present our writings with honesty and in such a manner that they bring honor to the Craft. TYLER’S TOAST The Tyler addressed the Worshipful Master, “I beg to allow the arms to be charged for a toast that I wish to propose,” and offered the following:
Are your
glasses charged in the West and South?, the Worshipful Master cries; (The Final Toast – Peter Richards – 1852) CALL TO LABOR Following the close of Table Lodge, the brethren re-assembled in the lodge room at 9pm, where the lodge was called from Refreshment to Labor on the first degree. The Tyler was invited to tile the outer door and to join his brethren at the inner door. BALLOTING ON PETITIONS A favorable ballot was spread on Mr. William Feldner for the degrees. Mr. Feldner had received a unanimous favorable recommendation by his investigating committee. An Entered Apprentice degree is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 30. EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (Bro. Chris Carney, Bro. Nick Mitchell, and WBro. Terry Grove), were submitted to the Lodge for approval. After the chairman, Bro. Carney, 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. They consisted of the following: A celebration of the 200th birthday of Bro. Doc Maynard will be held Saturday, 12:00 noon, March 22, at his Lake View Cemetery gravesite. Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has declared this day to be “Doc Maynard Day.” Bro. Maynard was an early member of St. John’s Lodge. We have received letters of appreciation for our support from the Phinney Neighborhood Association, the University of Washington Diabetes Care Center, and Sacajewea and John Rogers Elementary Schools. The Rainbow Girls of West Seattle Assembly #18 and Southgate Assembly #71 invite us to enjoy “a realistic all you can eat 50’s style Diner Dinner” and auction, Saturday, March 22 at the Alki Masonic Center. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is seeking volunteers to assist in the gift shop, volunteers who can speak Spanish, and volunteers to assist families. Orientation begins April 24. The Masonic Service Association has sent out an appeal for assistance to help those suffering from the tornado that devastated parts of Tennessee. The Grand Lodge of Washington invites all brethren to share in a workshop on Saturday, March 29, in Cle Elum. We are informed that the Washington State House of Representatives passed a resolution last month praising the Freemasons of Washington for our “high moral standards and generous sacrificial charity” for all people. Also, we are reminded by our Grand lodge that every Lodge must file a tax return with the Internal Revenue Service. We are invited to attend a presentation of the Master Mason’s degree as performed by The Oklahoma Indian Degree Team and Gathering of the Tribes event in Vancouver, WA, August 14th. I have included a newsletter from the Landmark on the Sound with the newsletters and trestleboards we have received from several charities and local lodges: Phinney Ridge Review, Phinney Neighborhood Association, Occidental Lodge No. 72, Diamond Lodge No. 83, Edmonds Lodge No. 165, Daylight Lodge No. 232, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281. Please take home the extra copies of the HOPE Heart Institute for healthy reading. NEW BUSINESS Teen Feed As chairman Ryan Stoulil was absent, the Master entertained a motion to issue a check to purchase groceries to prepare dinner April 8th for the homeless teens in the University District. Seven brothers present indicated they would be available to help Bro. Stoulil: WBros. Hans Wehl, Jack Berg, Terry Grove, Jim Wold; and Bros. Brian Downie, Matt LaCroix, and Chris Carney. We are asked to assemble for work by 5pm at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd (alley entrance NE 43rd & 15th NE). Anniversary Dinner It was m/s/p to issue a check to Upper Crust Caterers as an advance payment for the 148th anniversary dinner to be held at the Lake Ballinger Golf Club, September 13th. The menu entree will be Rosemary-rubbed chicken breast and choice of cedar-planked salmon or stuffed flank steak. Apple blackberry crisp and vanilla ice cream will be available for dessert. Bro. Iain Cameron is chairman again this year for the anniversary celebration. Company Store It was m/s/p to authorize funds to replace inventory for the company store. Several firing glasses were sold this evening prior to the table lodge. Tree of Life VWBro. Jim Russell requested authorization to add three more leaves to the Tree of Life, our memorial to brothers and friends of the lodge. Each leaf is accompanied by $100 for the Masonic Retirement Center Endowment Fund. It was m/s/p to add four leaves to the Tree of Life in memory of Donald Longanecker, Robert Melius, Michael Rust, and the Secretary’s mother Dorothy Russell. Heart Defibulator A heart defibulator is a device to help restore the natural rhythm of the heart when a person is experiencing dangerous arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. When a person is in cardiac arrest, time is of the essence. Mere minutes can be the difference between full recovery, and death or permanent damage. For this reason, a portable defibulator is a key piece of equipment in any emergency response. Training in the use of a defibulator should be available by the seller of the equipment, or Medic I will give the appropriate training for a donation. WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. will research the costs and sources as a possible addition to the Greenwood Masonic Center. Blanket Drive WBro. Ken Lane also asked for the brothers’ opinion on the merits of a blanket drive later in the year. Collected blankets would be donated to PNA, Greenwood Food Bank, or other local charities (maybe Union Gospel Mission, downtown) . It was generally felt that this would be a good idea. Suggestions were received that we could solicit brothers to bring blankets as an “admission fee” to dinner and to encourage a drive at our places of employment. ANNOUNCEMENTS The
brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
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