Fern Hill Lodge # 80  

Tacoma, WA. 98418, February 17, 2010 AD, 6010 AL 

Regular Stated Communication 

Lodge was opened on the third Degree of Masonry in due form by the Worshipful Master, W.B. Travis Sams, at 7:34 pm, with officers, members and guests as noted in the Tyler’s Register.  W.B. Keith Johnson filled in as Sr. Deacon pro tem. 

Worshipful Masters of the following Lodges were presented  at the Altar, conducted to the East, introduced and accorded the public grand honors of Masonry:  W.B Jeremy Yielding, Steilacoom Lodge No. 2, W.B. Larry Anderson, Fairweather Lodge No. 82, W.B. Jerome Thomas, Evergreen State Lodge No. 68, F&AM of Washington.  They were then returned to their places in the Lodge Room.    

Members of the Grand Lodge Team were presented at the Altar, conducted to the East, introduced and accorded the public grand honors of Masonry:  V.W. Chris Coffman,  

 Jurisprudence Committee, W. Jeremy Yielding, Public Schools Committee, and V.W. Don Campbell, Assistant Grand Secretary, all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington, F&AM, were introduced and accorded the Public Grand Honors of Masonry. They were then returned to their places in the Lodge Room. 

No bills were presented for payment, as all expenses were budgeted items.  Minutes of the Regular Stated Communication of January 20, 2010, were posted at the Tyler’s Register.  

Br. Joshua Ben Neff and Br. James Gordon Swanson satisfactorily completed their proficiency for the Master Mason Degree and signed the By-Laws of this Lodge. 

The Worshipful Master called down to the First Degree of Masonry to admit a newly obligated Entered Apprentice from Steilacoom Lodge No. 2. 

The secretary circulated several communications to the Lodge members.  He read a communication from Bethel No. 8, Job’s Daughters, which announced their St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at the Royal A. Gove dining room on March 13. 

The secretary announced a change in membership, due to dropping 14 members for non-payment of dues.  He also announced the need to schedule the Entered Apprentice Degree for Mr. James K. Tobin, and the need to perform this degree no later than May 19, 2010.  Br. Paul Burchfield agreed to follow up with the candidate. 

The secretary reminded the Lodge that the District 14/15 Meeting and Grand Master’s Reception would be held at Parkland Lakewood Lodge No. 299 on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at noon. 

Br. Paul Burchfield moved that the Lodge donate $35.00 to the relief effort to the Grand Lodge of Haiti for their use in ameliorating the recent earthquake damage there.  The motion was seconded by W.B. John Langlow and passed by a vote of the Lodge. 

W.B. Mark McIntire reported that he would explore the “Bikes for Books” program with the principal of McKinley Elementary School and report back to the Lodge at the March 17 stated communication.   

W.B. Bill Miller announced the forthcoming Cedar Assembly Rainbow breakfast and Royal A. Gove Temple Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, February 20. 

New By-Laws for Royal A. Gove Temple Association were circulated and approved by a vote of the Lodge.  The secretary will pass the signed copy to W.B. Robert Shropshire, Board of Directors secretary. 

V.W. Don Campbell announced that Steilacoom Lodge No. 2 will celebrate “Youth Night” on February 26^th with a spaghetti feed, and invited all to attend. 

V.W. Don Wertman, Deputy of the Grand Master in District 14, of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, F&AM of Washington, was escorted to the East and accorded the public grand honors of Masonry.  W.B. Travis announced that this was Don’s official visit to Fern Hill Lodge No. 80 and asked him to address the Lodge.  Don extended greetings from the Grand Master, M.W. Gale H. Kenney, and spoke about helping others.  He read a short poem about Masons helping Masons. 

He reminded us that if you want to be recognized, stand up, if you want to be heard, speak up and if you want to be appreciated, shut up. 

W.B. Travis invited Don to close Lodge, which he agreed to do.  Don then requested that the entered apprentice be excused and then resumed labor on the Master Mason Degree.  He asked the secretary to read the minutes in abbreviated form.  This was done and the minutes were approved as read. 

Lodge was closed in due form by the Deputy of the Grand Master at 8:55 pm, peace and harmony prevailing.  

Respectfully submitted