Monitor Article for December, 2008

This, being the last issue of the Masonic Monitor for the year 2008, I wish to thank WB Gene and Sis Sylvia for the great effort in keeping the publication up at its best throughout the year and for keeping us reminded that our article contribution is due on the 10th day of each month. Hats off to you, WB Gene and Sis Sylvia and our sincere congratulations to you for the job well done.

While the Christmas Holidays are just around the corner, most lodges are now transitioning over to a new beginning with the installation of officers for the ensuing year. To the newly elected or installed officers, this will signal the beginning of new hope for success with a new program plan, new duties and leadership responsibilities, new learning and more travels. For the repeaters, it is a hope for a renewed experience, better plan, more friends and better insight. To all of you in the line, I would like to express my congratulations to you.

Alki Lodge No. 152 will celebrate its 103rd Installation of Officers on December 13, 2008 at 5:00 PM. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and extend my best wishes to the elected main officers for 2009: Bro. Rick Dusatko, WM; Bro. Michael Mann, SW and Bro. Geoff McNeely, JW and to the rest of the elected and appointed officers.

Touching on the events that happened in November, we had a great time in our November 3rd Stated Meeting which was highlighted by the presence of our Guest Speaker, MWB Charles McQuery, PGM (GM, 2006-2007) of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F&AM of Washington. We also held the election of officers that night and had a step-up in the line of officers for the closing part of the meeting. Thanks to the help of MWB James Reid, Jr. and WB Bel Tugade for tallying the votes during the election.

I would like to extend my special thanks to the Brethren for providing main dishes for our potluck dinner last November 3rd; VWB R. John Bozeat, VWB Boyd Jackson, WB Craig Colombel, Bro. Lozano Canlas, Bro. Robb Gray and to our Lady, Sis Cecilia DeJesus. The food was quite good and plentiful.

We had visited Ark Lodge #126 on November 13th. We also scheduled EAM degree conferral of three candidates on November 17th and another conferral for the FCM degree of two candidates on November 24th. Working on conferring (5) candidates a month was a tough one but the effort was quite rewarding. I would like to extend my appreciation to the degree team for their dedication and support in making the two events happened.

Alki Lodge No. 152 is quite glad to announce and congratulate the (5) candidates in the degrees of Masonry:

• Entered Apprentice Masons: Bro. Christopher Sims, Bro. Chris Greene and Bro. Robert Felder.
• Fellowcraft Masons: Bro. Paul Bolds-Moorehead and Bro. Jethro Hughes.

Our Charity Committee has donated $200.00 and a large quantity of donated canned goods to the West Seattle Food Bank who provided free food to the homeless and the poor last Thanksgiving holiday. Our sincerest gratitude to those people who unselfishly supported our “canned goods drive” and our special thanks to the effort of WB Kent Evans and WB Bob Shoemaker for making the event a remarkable success.

“May we daily increase in Faith, Hope and Charity; more especially in that Charity which is the bond of peace and the perfection of every virtue”.

Events for December:

• December 1st - Alki Lodge No. 152 Stated Meeting, 7:30 PM. Dinner:6:15 PM. Presentation of DESOMES artifacts by VWB Dick Bish and WB Harold Hobbs, courtesy of Grand Lodge Museum and Library Committee.
• December 7th - Christmas Party (time to be announced) to be organized by the WM-elect, Bro. Rick Dusatko.
• December 13th - 103rd Open Installation of 2009 Officers, 5:00 PM
• December 15th - FCM Degree Conferral (3 candidates), 7:00 PM
• December 20th - MM Degree Conferral (2 candidates), time to be announced.

Happy Holidays to One and All.

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