What State Park? Have you considered the Masonic Family Park near Granite Falls. I used to Camp there often, ever for a whole week when the seasonal weather was OK (drove to work each day at Boeing 777 Final Assy Line)!
You bet! We have used that park in the past. Very memorable Torchlight Degrees were held in August of 2016, 2017 and a few other years. And indeed, the stays there were great! The main problem is the distance from Southwest Washington, and the drive through the Seattle/Bellevue area to get to and from the park. Not only is it a pain, but it’s also a deterrent to get people to attend our events. But yes! If you live in that area of the state, it’s an excellent place to camp and enjoy the outdoors.
"The good news is, that saves some money that would otherwise be spent on multiple passes."
Additional info on the Discover (NOT "Discovery") pass, is that you can assign the pass to two vehicles (I use the pass during hunting season, and I use my truck and my uncle's K5 Blazer for the one pass, so we don't have to purchase two.)
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…
I am looking forward to it.
What State Park? Have you considered the Masonic Family Park near Granite Falls. I used to Camp there often, ever for a whole week when the seasonal weather was OK (drove to work each day at Boeing 777 Final Assy Line)!
You bet! We have used that park in the past. Very memorable Torchlight Degrees were held in August of 2016, 2017 and a few other years. And indeed, the stays there were great! The main problem is the distance from Southwest Washington, and the drive through the Seattle/Bellevue area to get to and from the park. Not only is it a pain, but it’s also a deterrent to get people to attend our events. But yes! If you live in that area of the state, it’s an excellent place to camp and enjoy the outdoors.
"The good news is, that saves some money that would otherwise be spent on multiple passes."
Additional info on the Discover (NOT "Discovery") pass, is that you can assign the pass to two vehicles (I use the pass during hunting season, and I use my truck and my uncle's K5 Blazer for the one pass, so we don't have to purchase two.)
“…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…
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.
We are looking forward to it Brother! This should be a lot of fun. Dress code according to the weather? Shorts or Kilts?