January Message from the Master

Greetings and Happy Holidays to One and All.

The month of December had been very festive for most Lodges with the installations of officers for the ensuing year. Alki Lodge No. 152 shared its own with the celebration of its 102nd Installation of Officers on December 8, 2007. The event was quite well attended. Our special thanks to those who joined us in this commemorative event.

By the time you read this, the 2008 ALKI TEAM, consisting of the lodge officers, committee men and event coordinators had been formed. A kickoff meeting was held last December 15, 2007. The newly-installed Worshipful Master for 2008 presented his program plan for the ensuing year and discussed about the merits of early planning brought about by the Wardens Seminar. The team’s theme is “Success in Involvement”. The Master has given the team the challenge to think about ways to improve the implementation of each event throughout the year by introducing ideas (new or old) that will work or has worked successfully in the past. Everyone was enthusiastic to work together for the success of the lodge.

The year 2008 marks another exciting year for Alki Lodge No. 152 with a new line-up of Officers elected and installed to govern the lodge.

For the month of January, activities planned for are as follows:

1) Stated Communication - January 7, 2008 @ 7:30 PM

The theme for the night is about “Standard Work”. There are two significant highlights in this event:

• “Stop n’ Go” ritual work on the opening and closing, a first time introduction to the lodge. The idea will be carried out with the participation of VWB Alden D. Sarmiento, DDGM in District #6 and Chairman of the Rituals (Standard Work) Management Committee of Alki Lodge #152.
• “How to be Effective in Executing Standard Work”, a topic that will be delivered by our Honorable Guest Speaker, VWB Jim Mendoza, PDDGM in District 13 and Co-chairman of the Leadership Training committee of the MW Grand Lodge of F&AM of Washington.
  

A delightful potluck dinner will be served at 6:15 PM. Dinner-in-charge will be our Junior Warden, Bro. Michael Mann. Main dish will be provided by our generous Past Masters; WB Elmer Lindseth, WB Wes Spridgeon, WB Darrel Womack and WB Jay Wallain. Members are also encouraged to bring their home-made specialties.

2) Lodge Visitation For the month of January

• January 9 - Mark P. Waterman Lodge #177 located at 23927 103rd Ave. SW, Burton, Vashon Island
• January 11 - Rainier Lodge #189 located at 7910 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle
• January 19 - LuzViMinda Lodge #317 at 4736 40th Ave. SW, Seattle. This marks their first Stated Communication in a new location at Alki Masonic Temple. The brethren of Alki Lodge No. 152 will be welcoming the brethren of LuzViMinda Lodge N#317.

We are very pleased to announce that our newer members have expressed their enthusiastic participation in the affairs of the lodge.

• Bro. Geoff McNeely – a member of Pasadena Lodge #272 in Pasadena, California has joined Alki Lodge No 152 in mid- 2007. Bro. Geoff has been appointed to the office of Senior Deacon.
• Bro. Lozano Canlas – a member of St. Andrews Lodge No. 35 and LuzViMinda Lodge No. 317 has re-joined Alki Lodge No. 152 on November 5, 2007. Bro. Sonny, as he is commonly called, has been appointed to the office of Junior Deacon.
• Bro. Robb Gray – a member of Paradise Lodge #17 in Moscow, Idaho has joined Alki Lodge No. 152 on November 5, 2007. Bro. Robb has been appointed to the office of Senior Steward.
• Bro. Martin Monk – was raised to the sublime degree of A Master Mason on August 20, 2007. Bro. Martin is currently engaged in the Order for Rainbow Girls, Assembly #18 as a Rainbow Dad and has been appointed as Co-chairman of the Youth Committee.
• Bro. Alexander Aanderud – a member of Eugene Lodge No. 11 in Eugene, Oregon and Past State Master Councilor of the Oregon State Council Order of DeMolay has joined Alki Lodge No. 152 on November 5, 2007. Bro. Alex, with his considerable experience in DeMolay, has been appointed chairman of the Youth Committee and has volunteered to establish a new DeMolay Chapter in West Seattle area. Alki Lodge No. 152 is sponsoring the establishment of the chapter.
  

Congratulations to our newest Master Masons, Bro. Michael Sawyer and Bro. Kyle Coester, who have been raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on December 17, 2007.

I find it rather important to mention that the “Ladies” of the Brethren are invited to join us in all the events throughout the year. This is one significant goal that Alki Lodge No. 152 would like to accomplish, to involve our ladies in our fellowship and build that wholesome camaraderie amongst us. We can see success in this endeavor. You might wonder what is there for the ladies to do after having dinner with the brethren. Well, there are opportunities for fun and excitement. For instance, Sister Jane, the Lady of our Senior Warden, Bro. Rick Dusatko, has offered to share her talents and skills in the art of making handicrafts. We are confident that there are others who can share their unique talents and skills in culinary arts, embroidery, flower arrangement, singing, dancing, etc. We encourage them to step forward.

Aside from learning some new skills, the Worshipful Master will bring his “karaoke” set-up to the lodge so the ladies can devote some fun time in singing and dancing. These are just few of the things that can be achieved with everyone’s involvement. It will be interesting to see the ladies developing the sisterhood in the dining hall while the brethren are in the Lodge Room.

Our event coordinators will also be looking at event opportunities in which the Ladies can join us in the Lodge Room even for a brief moment. Guest speakers will be requested, if possible, to tailor their speech to accommodate the Ladies in the Lodge Room on a call off session.

Stay tuned for more news in the next issue and again, Happy Holidays to everyone.

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