VWB Brian B. Hardy Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2007-2009 Mailto: Brian B. Hardy

I extend warm fraternal greetings to you all from our Grand Master, MWB Wayne I. Smith.While we all concentrate on building our individual lodges to be the best we can, and enjoy the individualities and customs we embrace in them, there are a lot of benefits to be found by working together at times.  This month I would like to emphasize some of those opportunities we shine at together.

First, thanks to all of you who have made financial contributions to the District 4 Scholarship Program this year.  Thank you also to those individuals from our district lodges who collectively participated in selecting the students from Ballard, Ingraham, Nathan Hale, and Roosevelt High Schools to be finalists and recipients of the scholarships.  The enjoyable but difficult work you did at the Green Lake Masonic Center in grading applications on April 10th, and interviewing semi-finalists on April 22nd will be repaid when you see the smiling faces of our students again at the Awards Ceremony which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20th at the Ballard Masonic Center.  This event starts off with a light dinner and then we will retire to the Lodge room for award presentations, where Dr. Ronald LaFayette, the President and Vice Chancellor of the North Seattle Community College will address the students, parents, and Masons present.  Mark this date and place down.  It should be as rewarding to us as Masons who have worked together as it is to the students we are helping give a head start to in their college careers.

Second, make sure and ask the Wardens of your lodges how they enjoyed the Warden’s Conference held in Yakima the weekend of April 11-13, and what they learned from it.  I attended again, and thank Grand Lodge for this opportunity.  I am sure I will be able to say I networked with a lot of Brothers preparing for their upcoming year in the East, I captured a few commitments for speaking and visitation dates, and I learned some new ideas from Brothers in other Lodges that may be useful in my Lodge.

Third, we managed to take a turn at putting on a Past Master’s Degree on Saturday, April 5th for new Masters in Districts 2, 4, and 5.

We have also participated in some joint social time.  A good time was had by all who attended the annual District 4 “Bowl-a-Rama” on Sunday, April 6th at Robin Hood Lanes in Edmonds.  We enjoyed some great fellowship and strengthened some personal bonds with each other.  The competition was intense but friendly.  The “uppity” Green Lake Lodge 149 didn’t even bother to bring the trophy with them.  Yet in spite of their arrogance, they won the right to keep it again for another year as first place winners.  In the series, Greenwood Lodge 253 was but 31 pins behind for second, and Occidental Lodge 72 was a mere 9 pins behind that for third.  Maritime Lodge 239 was a strong fourth.  I heard a number of comments to the effect that the Green Lake team should keep the trophy well dusted, and not to lose the key to their trophy case.  The other lodges promise that next year you’re “going down.”  We’ll see.

Another social event the District enjoyed was a gathering at Safeco Field on Sunday April 27th to watch the Seattle Mariners play the Oakland Athletics.  Make sure you thank WB Gene Ross for getting the block of tickets, and thank your lodges for supporting the sale of tickets.

In addition to the D4 Scholarship Awards Ceremony, the month of May offers a few other opportunities for joining together.

Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research 281 will hold its annual Table Lodge honoring our Grand Master on Friday, May 16th, at the Greenwood Masonic Center.  See one of the principal officers for tickets.

Saturday, May 24th marks the first opportunity Rainier Lodge 189 will host a meeting of the District 4 Masonic Lodge Association.  Breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Greenwood Masonic Center.

Saturday, May 17th will be the annual Norwegian Constitution Day parade in Ballard.  Occidental Lodge 72 always participates, and would welcome the addition of other Masons and concordant body members in the District and area to join them clothed as Masons.  The parade forms at the Ballard Playground (formerly Adams school) on NW 60th and 26th Ave NW at 2:00 p.m., and the parade begins at 3:00 p.m.  Refreshments will be served back at the Lodge following the parade.  In turn, Masons from other lodges are encouraged to support the Greenwood, Fremont, and University area lodges in the parades and community activities they participate in.  A larger number of Masons at all these events leaves a better impression of the communities.

Thanks to both the District Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4, and the Masonic Monitor which publishes his articles for allowing us to reprint them.  The Masonic Monitor is published monthly (except August) under approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.  The Masonic Monitor can be contacted at: 6619 132nd Avenue NE, PMB 237, Kirkland, WA, 98033-8627, USA.  Phone: (425) 822-4605 - FAX: (425) 822-2535 - Email: masonicmonitor@earthlink.net.