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

Brethren of District 4, I pass on to you a joyous Seasons and Fraternal Greetings from our Grand Master, MWB Douglas E. Tucker.  I would like to add that I hope the season finds you and your families in good spirits and in good health.

During December, five more of our lodges installed their new Worshipful Masters and other officers for 2009.  It was a very busy time indeed.  Occidental Lodge No. 72 installed WB Grover Partee.  Green Lake Lodge No. 149 installed WB Leeland Artra.  Rainier Lodge No. 189 installed VWB Ray Lavadia.  Greenwood Lodge No. 253 installed WB Tod Smith, and Walter F. Meier Lodge No. 281 installed MWB Richard Mecartea.  Of our seven lodges, six are regular community-based lodges and of those, four have managed to install first time Masters this year.  I think that is a sign of success and growth that two thirds of our lodges have been able to “pass it on” to men seeking to lead.  If you as an individual managed to make it to three or more (beyond your own primary Lodge’s ceremony), then give yourself a pat on the back.  Sharing in the growth and involvement of all our Lodges helps connect us in not always obvious ways.  It outwardly helps show you care enough to join them in perhaps the biggest event of their year, and it helps bond us even closer by sharing an experience together.  During this time of year when promises and resolutions are made for improvement, I challenge you and your lodges to visit each other more often.

In this, our 150th anniversary of Freemasonry in this state, another historical event has taken place.  On Monday, December 8, 2008, the Grand Lodge of Washington was opened in ample form by our Grand Master at Olympia Lodge No. 1 in Tumwater for the express purpose of constituting Grand Mound Historical Lodge No. 3.  This event was significant in a number of ways, and I was pleased to be present at it.  For one thing, the initial officers installed consisted of 12 Past Grand Masters from our Jurisdiction, and one Grand Secretary Emeritus.  This is perhaps the first and only lodge in the entire history of the world to have such a line of officers.  Also present was the Grand Master of Oregon and a few of his Grand Officers representing the body of AF&AM Masons who first let the initial 4 lodges of the Washington Territories form their own Grand Lodge of Washington.  The event included a bus trip to the original site of Grand Mound Lodge No. 3, a lunch, and speeches about the history and significance of Masonry in the Washington Territory from: MWB Robert Richmond - Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Oregon, our Grand Orator - WB Sam Roberts, and our Grand Historian - VWB L. Ted Shrum.  All in all, it was a great day.

As each of our lodges has received communications from our Grand Lecturer - VWB Jim Mendoza, this year there is a new “Lodge Competition.”  Similar in some ways to the “Warden’s Competition” of years past, there are a number of significant differences, including a “lottery” to determine what degree you will be graded on, and competition will be limited to the District level and no further.  At the November MLA meeting, I announced that I have picked a date to hold this competition.  It will be Saturday, March 7, 2007.  The time and place are still being determined, but I encourage each of the Lodges to practice your work, and be brave enough to enjoy the opportunity to see how well you can do, and enjoy seeing how well others do as well.  I will send copies of the competition setup and scoring criteria to all the principal officers shortly.  After you have discussed whether you want to do this, please let me know.

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.