Fraternal Greetings my Brothers,

Another month has come and gone, time waits for no man! (Especially Worshipful Masters, odd how that works!) Since our last meeting a lot has happened. WB Bailey Green and Bro Will Tobin have attended the Warden's Conference and have returned excited about the Craft and with tons of knowledge and ideas. We had a great Masonic Youth Appreciation Night. I would like to acknowledge and thank WB Glen Henderson for his absolutely wonderful spaghetti dinner, Bro's George Skinner and John Geier for helping out, and Bro Ed Floyd with his Daughter PHQ Celina Floyd for their assistance as well. We had a nice turn out and made it a question and answer period regarding Masonry.

You know, my Brothers, we have very few secrets in Freemasonry and lots of information that we can share with our families and friends. The Washington Monitor and the Lodge Officers Handbook contain information that we are free to share with anyone interested in the Fraternity. Sometimes I think that we might be our own worst enemy when it comes to the "secrecy". I have a good friend that lives across the state. He is interested in Masonry, but has not joined because the lodge there will literally not tell him anything. They say he has to join before they can "reveal" anything. This is simply not so, my Brothers. If you have any questions regarding whether or not something can be communicated, check the monitor, check the Lodge Officers Handbook, and when in doubt check with a Past Master (or myself). We promise not to lead you astray!

WB Glen Henderson informed me that we did not get the Shrine Picnic area for our Annual Lodge Picnic. I will try to get another date, perhaps that would be a good time to visit the Tacoma Rainiers. More on that forthcoming. I will be getting an updated Trestle Board out with some changes that have occurred since the initial version. Watch for that soon!

Our next stated meeting is April 2. The theme is "German", so, if you have a favorite German recipe that you would like to share I can assure you that your Brethren will delight in assisting!

Until we next meet, take good care, may the good Lord Bless and Keep You.

Fraternally yours,

WB Joe Fuller

Catch the 0900 ferry in Steilacoom, wander up the hill and be prepared for hot coffee and a fresh goodie. This happens on every Tuesday! Well, almost every Tuesday! I will send e-mail to most who come on Mondays!

I can promise you refreshments, you bring the friendship and fraternity and we all will have a fun morning. It seems that our discussions are getting increasingly interesting. Keep it up!!

Y'All Come, Y'A Hear!!!

Jer

Tressleboard for April:

They wear those mason rings.

A Square and Compass set in gold,

The praise of which I sing.

My Dad, he hurt his back you know,

One cold and wintry day.

He slipped on fell upon the ice,

The insurance would not pay.

And since that time those rings I see,

On hands that help us much.

With mowing lawns and hauling trash,

Each day my heart they touch.

They even built a house for me,

Amid our backyard tree.

Where all the neighbor kids,

Would play with laughter full of glee.

My Mom she cried from happiness,

The time the Masons came.

To aid our family in distress,

Without a thought of gain.

And when I'm big, just like my Dad,

Of this it must be told.

I want to wear a ring like his,

A Square and Compass gold.

Long years have passed since when,

My Dad was in that plaster cast.

And since I swore that Solemn Oath,

Which unites us to the last.

But more than that I'm proud to say,

I wear his Mason ring.

The one Dad wore for many years,

Until his death this spring.

And one last time his comrades came,

To aid my weeping Mother.

They praised and bid a fond farewell,

To our fallen Brother.

And after which my Son did ask,

About their Aprons white.

And the rings upon their hands,

Of gold so shiny bright.

With tearful eyes I said with pride,

They're men of spirit pure.

Those men who wear those Mason rings,

Of that you can be sure.

And before he went to bed that night,

The family he foretold.

Someday I'll wear a ring like Dad's

We are a little thin on the input for this month! If you want more content, please e-mail or mail to me articles for next month by the 18th of April.  Thanks!    -- Editor