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

Tidings, Brethren, from our Grand Master, MWB Douglas E. Tucker.  Like me, I am sure he wishes that each and every one of you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving with friends and family last month, and that you will be fortunate enough to enjoy the blessings of the season that are now upon us.

First of all, thank you to all who managed to make it to the Districts 4 and 5 Reception of our Grand Master on Saturday, November 22nd at the University Masonic Center.  I hope you enjoyed the dinner and the entertainment.  It was my honor and pleasure to recommend a number of awards that were presented that evening.

Each of our lodges exhibits much strength, and it is especially nice when they can be recognized for efforts above and beyond the already high norm our lodges proudly represent.  On this evening, I thought it was appropriate to recommend four lodges for Pillars of Progress awards.  It was fitting that Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281 be recommended to receive a pillar for Research and Education.  In a great deal this has been due to the outstanding programs VWB Ian Hyde has provided as Dean of the College of Masonic Knowledge.  I also recommended that Rainier Lodge No. 189 be acknowledged for their cornerstone in Family Involvement.  Their ladies are always present at their lodge functions as well as at the social functions of our District.  Greenwood Lodge No. 253 was recognized for the pillar of Fraternalism.  This lodge exemplifies how all lodges should be working in harmony together.  Their officers practice, plan and perform ritual and social events together with precision – as they are thinking and acting together.  And finally, Green Lake 149 was recognized for their work in Technology.  Their IT Committee - led by Worshipful Master-elect Leeland Artra has launched a new Web site which should attract more attention to their lodge.

It was also my extreme pleasure to recommend the recipient of the Grand Master’s Achievement Award in our District.  Grand Master Tucker presented this award to WB Daniel Miller.  Dan is one of those hard working brothers who has always been involved in everything that goes on in our District.  He is an active member of three of our lodges:  Past Master and Secretary of Maritime No. 239, he has served in various appointed positions in Greenwood No. 253, and is now Senior Warden-elect of Walter F. Meier No. 281.  He is currently President of the District 4 MLA and has faithfully served the interests of the District since he became involved with it.  In addition, Dan has served on the Grand Lodge Technology Committee, and has maintained our District Web site.  The next time you see Dan proudly wearing his white pin in the shape of our state, congratulate him and let him know how much you appreciate his commitment to our Craft.

This month I am sure that one of our lodges will be boasting of their performance at the District Bowling Tournament held on Sunday, November 23rd, and others will be contriving on how to improve their performance to take the trophy home next time.

Please pay attention to the notices this month in the Masonic Monitor concerning the planned activities of the District 4 Scholarship Committee.  This is an important activity that each of the lodges – meaning members – should be involved in.  Individuals make it happen, and every lodge should have two or three brothers assigned or appointed to be actively involved in the very few meetings and events it takes to eventually pick and reward the students who need our assistance in attending College.

Congratulations to WB Scott Young and others who were installed as officers for 2009 in Doric Lodge No. 92 on Saturday, November 15th.  I hope you were there.  Lastly, I ask that you make an effort to attend the remaining Installation of Officers for 2009 that will take place in our lodges this month.  It is important that we show support and interest in each other’s lodges and to show encouragement and congratulations to those who have stepped up to continue the good work we do for each other and our communities.  Those announcements should appear in the Masonic Monitor, but I will list them below as well.  Check individual lodges for possible changes:

Occidental Lodge No. 72, Open - Friday, December 5, 7:30 p.m., buffet following

Greenwood Lodge No. 253, Open - Saturday, December 6, 5:00 p.m., dinner following

Green Lake Lodge No. 149, Open - Friday, December 12, 7:00 p.m., dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Rainier Lodge No. 189, Tiled - Friday, December 12, 7:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Walter F. Meier Lodge No. 281, Tiled - Friday, 12/19, 7:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Happy Holidays, and see you in Lodge.

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.