Yesterday Doric Lodge hosted a wonderful family appreciation event.
It was a Lodge paid event with truly superb food in a beautiful Seattle landmark property.
Seattle Yacht Club in the 1920’s - Public Domain
The significant others of our Masons were invited, all as a way of thanking them for all of their support as we run off to pursue our Craft. In reality, partners were there, parents were there, children (adults and kids) were there, and even a niece was there.
It wasn’t a huge turnout, but it was a diverse group, and showed just how many different people were supportive in our Mason’s lives.
And that was really cool!
I’ve never attended an event quite like that.
Sure, I’ve attended Lodge events in the Lodge where we’ve said thank you, but never a high end, lovely event where it was a lot more than ‘it’s the thought that counts.’ Events where ‘the ladies’ were sort of tacked on.
I can’t help thinking that those who attended will come away with a better appreciation of Freemasonry, and a renewed desire to remain supportive of the Mason in their lives.
Every December we host a gold star ladys and Shut in appreciation dinner. In the Summer it is a lunch. We bring in the shut ins and widows for a dinner or lunch. The lodge goes and picks them up and brings them home. We have guest performers, this year its a reenactor performing her rendition of Martha Washington. Its a great event. The best part is seeing the old friends reunite. Monroe 244 lodge in october hosts a veterans dinner, where the Sojourners come and do their toast to the flag. All services are recognized. We also host a First responders lunch where we cook and deliver lunch to over 300 EMT's Officers, Firefighters through out the county. Its a simple bag lunch but is well received. The paper bags have our lodge name and webpage on it for a little sneaky advertising.
Those sound like three really great events! Thank you for sharing them.
We have a Lodge in this area that puts on a fairly high end dinner and invites all area first responders once a year. It is always very heavily attended, but your bag lunch idea sounds awesome too. A great way to reach all those on duty.
Your phrase, "where the ladies were tacked on" is all too fitting and sadly all too common. Our Lodge lost our last Masonic widow last year so I'm not sure when we'll have another widow's event, but a few years ago we decided to hold a table lodge in honor of the widows. They had no idea what to expect and when we went through the honors following each toast they completely lost it with their laughter. And of course we went off script from the traditional table lodge toasts and encouraged them to throw in a few of their own. Very memorable for all!
There used to be a local Concordant body that held a table Lodge once a month. It utilized its own ritual because wives were always invited to join it. Those were some of the very best Masonic experiences I ever had.
But, when it came to the toasts, we were very consistently the source of much laughter!
Unfortunately the group stopped operating when it lost its meeting place. It tried to move into a restaurant, but it just wasn't the same.
Every December we host a gold star ladys and Shut in appreciation dinner. In the Summer it is a lunch. We bring in the shut ins and widows for a dinner or lunch. The lodge goes and picks them up and brings them home. We have guest performers, this year its a reenactor performing her rendition of Martha Washington. Its a great event. The best part is seeing the old friends reunite. Monroe 244 lodge in october hosts a veterans dinner, where the Sojourners come and do their toast to the flag. All services are recognized. We also host a First responders lunch where we cook and deliver lunch to over 300 EMT's Officers, Firefighters through out the county. Its a simple bag lunch but is well received. The paper bags have our lodge name and webpage on it for a little sneaky advertising.
This is the 4th year of this event, and each year the attendance grows.
Those sound like three really great events! Thank you for sharing them.
We have a Lodge in this area that puts on a fairly high end dinner and invites all area first responders once a year. It is always very heavily attended, but your bag lunch idea sounds awesome too. A great way to reach all those on duty.
Your phrase, "where the ladies were tacked on" is all too fitting and sadly all too common. Our Lodge lost our last Masonic widow last year so I'm not sure when we'll have another widow's event, but a few years ago we decided to hold a table lodge in honor of the widows. They had no idea what to expect and when we went through the honors following each toast they completely lost it with their laughter. And of course we went off script from the traditional table lodge toasts and encouraged them to throw in a few of their own. Very memorable for all!
I can see the laughter clearly!
There used to be a local Concordant body that held a table Lodge once a month. It utilized its own ritual because wives were always invited to join it. Those were some of the very best Masonic experiences I ever had.
But, when it came to the toasts, we were very consistently the source of much laughter!
Unfortunately the group stopped operating when it lost its meeting place. It tried to move into a restaurant, but it just wasn't the same.
thanks