Robert Burns Lodge Happenings 2010

On this page, your humble webmaster will attempt to relate what has most recently happened in our Lodge.  Mostly these will be items from recent meetings, but occasionally other items will appear here.  I hope these notes will help to keep my Brethren current on happenings in the Lodge, and entice you to come to our next event.  If you are interested in what went on at past meetings, check out our Happenings 2009 or Happenings 2008.

21 December:  Tonight 13 Brothers were presentfor the initiation of Bro. Jesus Alvarez.  This included one visitor, WB Joseph Townes of Peninnsular #95.  There were many absences this evening, and pro-tem officers filled in for the SW (WB Jim Hamlin), JW (WB Bob Wallinger and VWB Bob Nygren), JD (Bro. Omar Baltuth), SS (Bro. Leon Smith), and JS (Bro. Jack Harris).  Both the Master and the WB Jim Hamlin were very grateful in their remarks for the assistance of these Brothers.  Bro. Josh Hamlin was Senior Deacon for the degree, and did an good job, as did Bro. Leon Smith with the Working Tools.  Bro. Jack Harris read the charge with his usual aplomb, and WB Bob Wallinger did an outstanding job with the lecture; I don't think he even stumbled once.  VWB Bob Nygren agreed to be Bro. Jesus' coach.

7 December:  At the first meeting for the new officers, 22 Brothers attended, with no visitors, to their relief.  The new WM went through his schedule for the first part of the year (which can be viewed here), and the Lodge approved a budget for 2011, which contains a substantial deficit. 

A petition was read for Mr. Brent Wandel, son of WB Steve Wandel and grandson of Bro. George Wandel.  A committee consisting of VWB Bob Nygren, WB Jim Hamlin and Bro. Mark Goldberg was appointed to investigate the potential candidate.

The new dates for the end of 2011 Bikes-for-Books presentations were announced, and WB Steve Wandel announced that he would like to have 2 other volunteers for the Bikes-for-Books program to help him manage the schools. 

There was a discussion of the recent negotiations for Robert Burns to join with Scottish Rite to pay for the installation of a new furnace in the South Lodge Room.  The negotiations were torpedoed by the Temple Board of the EMC, which declared they are not interested.

4 December:  At 10AM this morning, the new officers were installed for 2010-2011.  The complete list can be found on the Contact page.

16 November:  This evening was the practice for the installation to be held on the 4th of December.  The Master-Elect was pleasantly suprised at the number who came, and very greateful for their support.

2 November:  27 Brothers were present at this evenings meeting, including our own Most Worshipful Grand Master G. Santy Lascano.  He was accompanied by VWB Charles Tupper, DDGBM for District #5 and WB Warren Schoeben, Grand Standard Bearer.  We also honored our own WB Paul Schamp, Master of Peninsular #95. Also in attendance were WB David Chapman, a frequent visitor to our Lodge, and his father, WB Bob Chapman, a first-time visitor. 

It being step-up night, the Senior Warden was sitting in the East, with the other officers moved up as well.  This made for some nervous introductions by the pro tem Master, but the MWGM did not yank his dues card on the spot, so it could not have been too bad.  Also, the Lodge voted on the officers for 2010-2011, and elected Bro. Matthew Appel as Master, Bro. Mark Goldberg Senior Warden, Bro. Bill Ferguson Junior Warden, WB John Friesen Treasurer, and WB Jim Larson Secretary.

We balloted on the petition of Mr. Jesus Alvarez of Everett, and the vote was affirmative.  The Secretary reported that there were nine Brothers who still owed their 2010 dues, and 3 Brothers who owed for 2010 and 2009, and were thus in danger of being droped NPD.  The Lodge voted to remit the dues of 1 Brother who has not paid.

19 October:  Twenty Brothers were present for the initiation of Joshua Anderson (in addition to now Brother Anderson).  We had only one visitor, Bro. Al Nichols, JW of Centennial #25.  The degree went quite well, with Bro. Josh Hamlin delivering the lecture, and Bro. Mark Goldberg conferring the degree.

5 October:  29 Brothers attended Past Master night at our stated meeting last night.  This includes 16 Past Masters of Robert Burns #243:

WB Ernie McCasland reported that the Sno-King Building Association has formally dissolved.  We should see a return of one-third of the Association's remaining assets.

A petition was read for Mr. Jesus Alvarez of Everett.  An investigation committee consisting of VWB Bob Nygren, WB John Hart, and the Senior Warden was appointed.  We then balloted on the petition of Mr. Joshua Anderson, and it was approved.  The First Degree was set for 19 October.

WB Bob Wallinger was commended for contributing to the Bikes-for-Books program.  The Senior Warden also took an informal poll on who may attend his planned hockey game outing on 13 February (face-off at 5:05PM).  11 Brothers responded that they are interested, most with family as well. 

The Senior Warden also gave a brief report on the results of the Long Range Planning survey that was taken at the last stated meeting.  The top three issues (broadly categorized) for each area were as follows:

21 September:  This evening, several Brothers met at the EMC to work on degree proficiencies and meet with new candidates.  We had five visitors who have expressed an interest in Masonry, one of whom, Mr. Joshua Anderson, has submitted his petition already.  We enjoyed meeting these men and speaking about the Craft.

7 September:  We had 19 Brothers present at our first meeting after being dark for the summer.  the main event of the evening was a brief exercise exploring the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Robert Burns.  We spent about 20 minutes on this exercise as a step towards our long range plan.  WM Jim also proposed a mission and vision statement, and requests your feedback by the next meeting.  The proposed statements are:

15 June:  This evening 27 (!) Brothers attended the Third Degree of Bro. Adam Campbell.  WB Jim Hamlin did an excellent job conferring the degree and with the Working Tools.  There were a number of pro-tem officers, including WB John Sutton (recently appointed to the Grand Lodge Charity Committee) as Junior Warden.  VWB Boyd McPherson stood in as Senior Deacon for the meeting and during the degree, and served as the First Craftsman, as well.  We thank him for helping us fill so many roles.  Worshipful Brothers Jim Larson and Ernie McCasland reprised their roles during the second portion, and several other Brothers helped out.  The Master and Senior Warden thanked them all at the end of the meeting. 

There were many visitors to our degree, including WM Ken Shotwell, JW John Schenkel, the aforementioned VWB Boyd McPherson (also JW of Skykomish #259, in addition to his Grand Lodge duties), WB Earl Greathouse, all of Arlington #129.  Also present was our District Deputy, VWB Sam Roberts, WB Jay Morris and newly minted Master Mason Jim Wilcox, all of Everett #137.  All of these brothers were welcomed or afforded honors towards the end of the meeting, as were our own WB Paul Schamp, Master of Peninsular #95, WB John Sutton, and WB Steve Wandel, who is now on the CHIPS and Masonic Home Endowment Committees.

After several announcements, the Senior Warden made a point of expounding at length on the many events scheduled for the Lodge this summer.  Please check them out on our events page.  Also, he read some footnotes from his personal Bible which explained some of the less intuitive parts of the Circumambulation.

We welcome Bro. Adam to the Third Degree, and hope for great things in his Masonic future.

11 June:  Today we did our final Bikes-for-Books presentation at Olivia Park Elementary and Discovery Elementary for this school year  Check out the Bikes-for-Books page for details. 

1 June:  Three visitors from T. H. Little DeMolay attended dinner at this evening's meeting.  One of them, Mr. Joshua Anderson, submitted his petition to join Robert Burns, and the other two seemed interested in petitioning.  21 Brothers stayed for the stated meeting, with no first-time visitors.

WB Steve Wandel reported on taking twelve members of T. H. Little to an event, and then to a paintball event.  His RV was used by the group.  Bro. Mark Goldberg reported that the Scholarship Committee had chosen to award this year's scholarship to Ms. Christina Sutton, daughter of WB John Sutton. 

Bro. Leon Smith completed his long-form proficiency at the altar at this evening's meeting.  He did an excellent job, as did SD Bill Ferguson as his coach.  We have tentatively scheduled a Second Degree for him on 3 August.

The Grand Lodge resolutions and names of the candidates for Junior Grand Warden were read in Lodge, and discussed more extensively during fellowship following the meeting.

25 May:  The officers of Robert Burns met this evening at WM Jim Hamlin's home to prepare for the coming months.  WM Jim put forth his plan for a Past Masters' Night at the October stated meeting. 

23 May:  This afternoon the Senior and Junior wardens of District Eight had a meeting at the EMC to discuss various issues.  Your webmaster attended, and found the meeting to be most helpful.  Ritual was practiced, and many issues of import to the Lodge discussed, including installations, officer duties, and schedules for the year ahead.

18 May: This evening, we held a First Degree for Bro. Will Hall.  MWB Doug Tucker visited, along with WB Kary Klein of Washington Lodge #46 AF&AM of Oregon.  Also visiting from another jurisdiction was Bro. Heinz Kreutz of Tsawwassen #185, AF&AM of BC & Yukon.  Two Brothers from Esoterika #316, Rick Heston and Ken Lane, were also in attendance, and Bro. Rick delivered the Master's Lecture.  Bro. Mark Goldberg conferred the degree, with Bro. Bill Ferguson as SD and WB John Sutton delivering the Apron Lecture.  Bro. Wes Moody presented the Working Tools.

4 May:  At tonight's Official Visit of the District Deputy, there were 29 Brothers in attendance.  VWB Sam Roberts conducted his inspection of the Lodge books before dinner, and said that he found WB Jim Larson's work as Secretary to be exemplary.  At the end of the meeting, he gave a brief talk as his closing comments about the need to follow the 3-I's of MWB Gale Kenney: Inform, Inspire, Involve.  If one keeps these touchstones in mind in one's life, both Masonic and otherwise, one cannot err too badly.  He pointed out the Junior Warden as an example of excellent mentoring, and thanked him for organizing Robert Burns visitations to the next two OVDD's, Damascus #199 on the 11th of May and Arlington #129 on the 12th of May.

Other visitors to our Lodge that evening included: Ken Shotwell, WM of Arlington #129, Hank Qualley, WM of Alpha #212, and Brothers of Robert Burns Paul Schamp, WM of Peninsular #95 and Tom Busby, WM of Sultan-Monroe #160.  Also present was VWB John Sleeth, candidate for JGW member of Lynden #56 and Jason Harishell, an EA from Sultan-Monroe #160.  There was at least one other visitor who's name the webmaster missed.

WB Jim Larson, Secretary, read the correspondence, including a letter regarding the seizure of Citybank by the FDIC and informing us that our investment was now most likely worthless.  We voted to sponsor and ad in the Grand Assembly of Rainbow program. 

The Brothers who keep tabs on the youth groups reported that they merger of IOJD Bethel 24 and 50 went smoothly, and the newly constituted Bethel 50 now has 12 members.  The Bethel 50 installation will be the 8th of May, with dinner at 3:30 and the installation to begin at 4:30.  The Alderwood Assembly of Rainbow is selling tickets for a dinner scheduled for the 22nd of May.  WM Jim Hamlin discussed his disappointment at the lack of attendance of Robert Burns Brothers at the recent visit of the Grand Master to a meeting of T. H. Little DeMolay.

JW Mark Goldberg announced that we had an applicant for the Cloyse and Rosie Clayton Scholarship, and following the meeting the Scholarship Committee approved the awarding of the scholarship to the candidate.  The winner will be officially announced at the June stated meeting.  Bro. Mark also announced that the Nile Shrine Potentate golf tournament will be 28 August, and that he will organize a team if there is interest.

We balloted on the petition of Mr. William A. Hall of Everett, and the ballot was found Fair, Clear, and Bright.  A brother will contact him with the details for his initiation.  It is tentatively scheduled for the 18th of May, although the webmaster has learned since the meeting that WB Bob Wallinger will not be able to attend on that day, so we may need to either postpone or invite another Brother to give the lecture.  Bro. Adam Campbell proved up on the second degree before the meeting, and his Third Degree is tentatively scheduled for 15 June.  Two other Brothers are likely to be able to prove up soon, one on his Second Degree, and on on the First.

On 3 September the Lodge will be manning an informational booth at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe.  District 8 will be having a campout on 10-11 July, and the lodge may have a fishing trip in August.  On 15 May some members of Robert Burns will be assisting with the outdoor Second Degree in Roche Harbor. 

WB Tom Busby, WM of Sultan-Monroe #160, spoke briefly in gratitude at having been elected an Honorary Past Master of Robert Burns.  He had to miss the meeting of his own Lodge that coincided with ours and have his SW stand in so he could come and thank the Lodge personally.

27 April:  Today's officer meeting was cancelled, but most of the officers of the Lodge visited a prospect for a new meeting place, 18609 SR 99, Lynnwood.  The property is not currently occupied, but offers and opportunity for a meeting place as well as office rental.

Also, the investigation committee met with Mr. William Hall of Everett this evening.

20 April:  In stead of the usual special meeting, several Brothers met at the EMC to discuss Lodge and Masonic issues.  We met a man from the community who is interested in Masonry and will hopefully will be able to attend dinner at the May stated.

17 April:  Today was the EMC garage sale.  WB Jim Hamlin and WB Bob Wallinger manned the table for the duration of the sale, and a large number of items were sold to members of the community.

6 April:  22 Brothers attended the initiation of Leon Smith into our Fraternity.  Bro. Mark Goldberg conferred the degree, and did an excellent job, as did Bro. Bill Ferguson as Senior Deacon.  WB Bob Wallinger did the lecture in his usual excellent manner.  WB John Sutton did the apron lecture, Bro. Wes Moody the working tools, and Bro. Jack Harris the charge.  Bro. Tony Randazzo, Junior Deacon of Harmony #18, was our only visitor.

A petition was read from Mr. William A. Hall of Everett.  An investigation committee was appointed consisting of the SW, WB Scott Wallinger, and Bro. Les Reed. 

13 February:  5 Brothers worked in two shifts to support the SLOC manning the Southbound Smokey Point rest stop.  Thank you, Brothers.

 2 February:  At this evening's stated meeting, MWB Gale H. Kenney, Grand Master, visited our Lodge unannounced.  He was accompanied by RWB G. Santy Lascano, Deputy Grand Master, and WB Charles Tupper of the Technology Committee.  Also visiting were VWB Karl Warren, Secretary of Skykomish #259, and WB Elis Nichols and Bro. Richard Blodgett, Master and Chaplain of Genesis #305.

The WM Jim Hamlin put out the call to visit as many youth group meetings as possible to inform them about our scholarship program.  The JW, Mark Goldberg echoed these sentiments.  We also approved with the usual bills the purchase of an ad in the DeMolay convention program.  The Lodge also elected to make a contribution to the Edmonds Lodge scholarship program to thank them for their efforts in Bro. Ed Kellison's memorial service.

The Audit Committee reported that they had completed their duties, and that the audit was satisfactory.  WB Jim Larson reported as our representative to the Masonic Service Bureau reported on their most recent meeting.

A petition was read for Mr. Earl Stevens of Everett, and an investigation committee consisting of the SW, WB Scott Wallinger, and Bro. Les Reed was appointed.  WB Steve Wandel gave a report on his efforts to extend the Bikes-for-Books program to Olivia Park Elementary, which is still in progress.  He received a standing ovation from the Lodge for his efforts.

It was moved that we support 1 boy from T. H. Little going to their convention, but the motion was withdrawn when and the Charity Committee was appointed to decide on our support level.

WM Jim Hamlin announced that the officer meetings will now be held on the 4th Tuesday. 

In his closing, the MWGM gave a well-received talk about Masonry.  He discussed the merits of long range planning and keeping the community about us in mind.  He discussed his support for the Starlight Children's Foundation.  Finally, he spoke about how he finds it disturbing that a candidate for the degrees would get so far as balloting and then be rejected, or "cubed." 

23 January:  The memorial service for Bro. Ed Kellison went well.  Several different Masonic groups were represented, including Robert Burns #243, his Royal Arch Chapter, the Order of the Amaranth, Nile Shrine, and finally a full service by the Everett Valley Rose Croix memorial service team.  He will be missed.

19 January:  This evening we met to hold an officer meeting and practice ritual and proficiency.  We had a small group who met at the EMC, and had a lively discussion. 

5 January:  21 Brothers attended our first meeting of the new year; all were members of Robert Burns #243.  WB Paul Schamp was introduced as Master of Peninsular #95, and WB Steve Wandel as member of the CHIPS and Landmark Endowment Committees. 

The bills read included the usual rent and secretary's fee, as well as some money to offset the cost of building a wheelchair ramp for Bro. Bob Miles, a project WB Steve Wandel headed up the week of Christmas.

In the committee reports, it was reported that Bethel 24, IOJD will be joining with Bethel 50, and that the combined, new and improved Bethel 50 will continue to meet in Snohomish.  We were all saddened that such a move was necessary, and hope that the new stronger group can make a go of it.  On the other hand, it was also announced that in 2009 T. H. Little DeMolay grew from 2 to 16 members!  Also, there is a rumor that the Grand Master will attend the T. H. Little meeting on the 13th; all the brothers are encouraged to attend to show our support, whether or not MWB Kenny is there.

The Lodge of Sorrow for 2009 was closed, and the Lodge of Sorrow 2010 opened.  We had a moment of silence for the Brothers who had passed on in 2009, and for Bro. Ed Kellison, who died on Christmas.  His Masonic Memorial will be held at noon on the 23rd of January at the Edmonds Masonic Temple.  A motion passed to help defray the cost of the service.

Our Secretary, WB Jim Larson reported on the activities of the Masonic Service Bureau, of which he is our trustee.  This was followed by at brief session to organize the committees for 2010, the members and chairmen of which are listed in the table below.  If anyone wishes to be a part of one of them, please let the chairman know, and you will be included.  An audit committee was also organized.

WB Steve Wandel announced that we drew the 13 February 11AM-6PM slot for manning the SLOC rest-stop.  WM Jim Hamlin is looking for volunteers. 

WB Steve also moved, and it was seconded and passed that we expand the Bikes-for-Books program to another school in the Mukilteo School District, Olivia Park Elementary.  After the very positive response we have gotten at Discovery Elementary and the support from B.I.K.E.S. of Snohomish County, we felt that we were able and wanted to extend the program.  WB Steve will meet with the Principal of Olivia Park to present the program.  The Principal of Discovery has said she will facilitate the meeting.  Hopefully the first presentation will be in June of 2010.  We are all very proud to approve this extension of a worthy program.

Home                  Happenings 2009