Freemasonry Under The Trees
It's going to be a great few days
Earlier this month I posted about an Emeth camping trip in September. There are still plenty of spots open in the State Park, and I hope that you can join us!
If you need them, the details are here:
Let's Go Camping
Let’s have a Masonic camping trip! Bring yourself, bring a friend who would make a great Mason, bring the family. Let’s have a great time!
I’m writing about this trip again today, because since I made the previous post, our plans have expanded quite a bit.
Saturday, September 12, we’ve rented a large Great Depression era shelter to hold a picnic for the Brothers, families, and friends who would like to join in the fun for a day, but can’t join us camping.
That should prove to be a great day of Masonry!
Taking it a step further, and infusing the whole thing with more cowbell more Masonry, Centralia Lodge has decided to hold its annual Installation of Officers in conjunction with this picnic.
The Lodge held a rather similar Installation a few years ago, at our County Fairgrounds. This should prove to be even better, given the truly spectacular surroundings.
I certainly hope that if you are able to join us, you will. The camping and brotherhood should be truly superb, the picnic extremely fun, and the Installation will be the cherry on top of a great weekend of Masonry.
If you join us, bring your family if you would like, and bring a friend whom you think just might make a great Mason. It is always great when people can see true Masonic fellowship in action.
There are two things to keep in mind.
If you are not camping (or haven’t otherwise paid for a camping spot) a Discover Pass is required to park within the State Park. You can pick one of these up as part of your vehicle license renewal, at most sporting goods stores, or online at:
Secondly, while each campsite has its own parking for a car or two (with an extra fee) non campsite parking is extremely limited within the park. Carpooling for those coming only to the picnic will be a must. That can be easily arranged from the Lodge, so let me know if you want to join us, but need to be part of a carpool. The good news is, that saves some money that would otherwise be spent on multiple passes.
It should be great fun, but summer is almost here, so I encourage you to reserve your spot in the campground ASAP.
Disabled Veterans (30% or higher) can get a lifetime pass from the State Department of Veterans Affairs by visiting https://dva.wa.gov/veterans-service-members-and-their-families/veterans-benefits/free-or-reduced-rate-passes-and-tax-exemptions. I have the application for anyone interested.
“…at our County Fairgrounds…”
In the words of the Legendary Ray Berrian, who was installed that day:
“My Brothers, I must say that this is indeed the first time I have ever attended a Masonic Lodge’s Annual Installation of Officers… in a cow barn.”
But I must admit, the place was cleaned up quite well, and the bleachers were nice to hold those in attendance. But the ultimate goal wasn’t achieved – to increase visibility.
The lesson here is if you, as a Lodge member, come up with an idea and you think it’s a good one, don’t fall in love with it until you discuss it with other Brothers who you know will take an objective look at your idea and weigh its pros and cons. They might not shoot down your idea – in many cases they might add to it and make it even better! And if they do criticize it, listen to them anyway. There might be alternatives that can work just as well or better. But if you think you have a good idea and fall in love with it before discussing it with anyone, any critique of your idea will be viewed by you as a personal attack. Then the problems start. Almost all of you can see, or have seen, the fallout from a situation like this. An installation in a cow barn didn’t achieve the Brother’s goal (It wasn’t WB Ray’s idea), but it also didn’t hurt anything. In fact, it was kind of fun for a one-off event. But more importantly, the above lesson was learned by all in attendance. …Okay, MOST in attendance. E-I-E-I-O…