Ashlar Undressed

Have you been watching whats going on in your neighborhood?

The trees are changing colors, it is getting dark earlier, and there is a chill in the breeze. Fall is here and Halloween is this Friday. It seems like the summer goes by pretty quick around here.

It is also the time when the “snow birds” escape to the south. From the California coast to Arizona, a large percentage of my Shriner friends hide from the cold to enjoy the desert. Last New Years my family went to Indio California and when we were down there visited with Eric Busby and Tommy Knight. It was great seeing their families and reminds me that wherever we travel there are friends from the fraternity.

The Snowbirds leave then arrive back in May for the parade season. The attendance at the Nile Shrine Oriental Band goes down a bit, but the attendance of lodges and the like down south increase. Once again natures equilibrium.

District 4 traveling gavel

It looks like the district 4 traveling gavel is up for grabs tonight at Greenwood Lodge. Greenwood meets tonight, 6:30PM dinner, 7:30PM meeting.

The traveling gavel is for district 4. The lodge which shows up with the most members gets to take it. You must have at least 5 members and 1 officer. I have heard some rumors that Doric Lodge #92 F&AM is making a move for the gavel tonight. You never know who might show up.

Seahawks finally win a game this season!

This last weekend the Seahawks won their first game of the season. Unfortunately I missed the game, but my great friends and brothers from St. John’s Lodge sent me a pic of the fun time they were having. The friendships that are made in Lodge are priceless. They say a picture is worth a thousand words….

Hamburger Harry’s in Ballard

Hamburger Harry’shas been open now for about three weeks. It is the gourmet burger joint with great food and drink. They have  home cut fries and 1/2 pouind burgers. The first time I want there I was with Mark Campbell and Ken Wehl (both from St. John’s Lodge) we swung in after Lodge on a Wednesday Night. The Italian burger was unbelievable. The home cut fries and Miller High Life made it a traditional Ballard stop.

The second time I was with my boys after a trip to the locks. They split a 1/2 pound cheeseburger. They ate the whole thing and had extra fries (the fries are all you want). The boys want to go back and it is now their favorite burger place.

One of the owners is a member of Doric Lodge. He  and his family have been in the restaurant business for years and once again have created the perfect place.

Masonic Park in Granite Falls

Last weekend was spent at the Masonic Park in Granite Falls. It was the 11 annual luau hosted by my brother. It was also the practice for St. John’s Lodge for the outdoor 3rd degree. The degree is scheduled for next Saturday.

Anyhow, it was a lesson in parenting. The oldest burned his finger on a marshmallow roasting stick, and the youngest fell off the swing and put his teeth through his lip. Then it went from there… The weather was great until Sunday, it rained a lot and with the dry ground there were lots of puddles.

Overall the weekend went great and we are looking forward to next weekend and the 3rd degree (10am).

You never know when you are going to run into an old friend.

Last weekend the Lindgren’s & Campbell’s went to Silverwood Theme Park that is located north of Coeur d’Alene Idaho. I met mark in 1983, we joined DeMolay together and have been best of friends ever since. Now are families are close and we go camping and travelling together. The friends you meet in the fraternity can last a lifetime.

But that is not the topic for today. While we were at Silverwood (in the lazy river actually) I ran into an old friend. When I was in college I coached boys youth soccer. There were 18 boys that I instructed for five years. These boys are now men in the community and I run into them every so often. Last Saturday I ran into Shawn Messer. I coached Shawn for five years and he was (and is) a great guy. He is now married with two daughters and the family looked great.

While we were talking he mentioned that my name came up at a lodge meeting. I was unaware that he was in lodge and then he informed me that he had received his first degree at Esoterika F&AM #316. I thought that was great since I am one of the founding members and Esoterika does great work. He invited me to attend his second degree and let me know he is working hard. I guess there are friends everywhere.

Friends, Family, & Fraternity…

We are in a different time today than 50 years ago. Today we email and text each other. We look for the shortcut to communication to “save time” and we “multi-task” to accomplish more in a day. Are we accomplishing more? Can we really create the relationships that last a lifetime and are based on solid fundamental principles?

My thoughts are no. We need actual undivided human face to face interaction to create and preserve solid relationships. Where does one go to find this environment? I am going to say the Masonic fraternity. Ironically a set of groups that are about 50 years behind the times, yet that is exactly what every community needs.

Imagine a fine group of experienced community leaders yet not all of them have email, or cell phones, or even a computer. A group, that when they get together it is just to become better friends and enjoy refreshment without the interruption of the outside world. Some say that the fraternity is behind the times yet membership is growing. Obviously there is a need being filled and maybe the need is peace and harmony away from the constant interruption of digital communication.

It is difficult today to meet and create a good friendship, a friendship that will last the tests of time. My closest friends are still the ones from DeMolay that I met back in the 80’s. Well, I now have another great friend that I feel he will be part of my life forever. When was the last time you made a great friendship?

This friend of mine (and many others) is a great guy that I met through the fraternity. He has a wife and kids and his family structure matches mine. Our child raising philosophies are similar and so are our charity beliefs. His daughter’s birthday party was yesterday and I and family had a great time. Meeting him was just one more reason I am glad to associate and be an active member of the Masonic fraternity.

Fremont Solctice Festival / Fair

The Fremont Masons are having thier annual hot-dog giveaway this weekend at the Fremont Solctice Festival. Doric Lodge and Maritime Lodge came together to form the Fremont Masons. This group does things together to benefit the Fremont Community. The Solctice festival (fair) is June 21-22 for more info go to Fremont Fair

 The Fremont fair will bring in between 100,000 – 120,000 people over two days and this is the 37th year of the fair. The Masonic booth at the fair (and a music stage) is sponsored by Daylight Lodge #232. Daylight has been doing a great job promoting Masonry. Way to go!

Vision Statement

Freemasons of Washington will be recognized as a relevant and respected Fraternity, committed to attracting and retaining all men of high quality who strive for self improvement and the opportunity to make a positive difference in their community.

The vision statement of the Grand Lodge of Washington says it all. What does your vision statement say about you?

Membership events

The one day class is scheduled for June 28th at Edmonds Masonic Lodge. Call Noble Bob Adams for detail 425-672-3518. Edmonds Masonic Lodge is located at 515 Dayton Ave. Edmonds, Washington.

The Detective Don Cameron, P.P. Ceremonial is scheduled for July 12, 2008 at the Nile Shrine Center, located at 6601 244th St SW. Mountlake Terrace, Washington. For more information call the Nile Office at 425-774-9611