Henry A Greene Lodge #250: Trestleboard

This was the first year we had an electronic Trestleboard. My hope is this is what the Website needed and has helped the brothers of the lodge in other states and has helped the lodge come together as well!!

Brethren, The blackberries have been cut down! Now they have to be raked into a pile for disposal and, so new growth will not grow up through what is on the ground at present! A long pile has been started. Please help by raking additional material into the pile, even if you can only give an hour it WILL help. You will need a good garden rake not a grass rake. Also if you have any type of pruner of gas weed whacker with heavy line take them along. There are still some vine shoots left that should be cut even lower to enable easy mowing.

Any time you can give WILL help and WILL be appreciated. Thank you!

June 15, 2010

From the Worshipful Master:

Well our meeting tonight was filled with new beginnings for our lodge with the election of officers. I would like to think I did a good job as Master but I am sure that only time will define my actions as Master. I will say I did my best. I had excellent support form all the officers and members of HAG #250. THANK YOU ALL....

We have been graced with new members who are coming to lodge and we have a member Br Richard Mulden who is giving our lodge a new sound with his wonderful music. I want to wish all my best to the 2010-11 HAG officers and look forward to our installation of Officers September 13th, 2010. I will be serving as Master for another year as we now will have a stable line extending down to our SS....... It will be a fun and growing year 2010-11

YES Clara I expect you to stay on the phone committee.

WM Lawrence Page

SW Stan Cybulski

JW David Hubbard

Sec Arly Buchanan

Treas Ernie Smith

SD Michael Patton

JD Robert Hamilton

SS & Musician Richard Mulden

JS John #2

Mar John #1

Chap Karl Reith

Tyler Paul Timmerman

Temple board pres Karl Reith

Temple board sec Paul Timmerman

Widow's dinner committee: Ernie Smith, Ch, Karl Reith, Stan Cybulski

Ways and Means: Arly Buchanon, Ch, David Hubbard, all members

Sunshine: Karl Reith

Chaplin's talk: Karl Reith

Membership: ALL

We hope to see some of the widows at the lodge on the 22nd for the Widow's Luncheon. Bethel #27 Job's Daughters will be having an installation the same day in the evening at 4:27. The brothers are asked to attend this installation of our Job's Daughters Officers.

Ramblings from our stated meeting held on May 10^th 2010. We had our Official Visit from our district deputy. He gave a leadership talk and had many good words of wisdom. Thank YOU! We read one petition and took a second one for next month. Lots of things are happening at HAG. We had visitors from the state of Colorado. WB Dick Taylor, WM Tyler 290, came to see us and brought other members of his lodge with him. We also had visitors from Steilacoom and West Cascade lodge. Richard Mulden was kind enough to play music for our meeting and what a breath of fresh air to have music in Lodge. Ken Gordon would have BEEN THERE BUT HAD a meeting of WSJ tonight. As usual RWB Karl Reith brought great words form his chaplains talk. Jim Kay also had a perplexing question for his JW talk. All in all we are having a fun and busy time at HAG. Come and join us next month.

From the webmaster :

James H. Forrest A long time resident of the Lakewood area, James Harold Forrest passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at the age of 93. He was born in Salem, Oregon on January 7, 1917 to Harold and Josie Forrest. James served his country for over 30 years beginning with the National Guard for 3 years and then the U.S. Army. He was a veteran of three conflicts: WWII, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He was honored to be the 2nd person promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major. Upon his retirement, he worked 10 years for the State of Washington at Western State Hospital. He organized and ran the hospitals liaison department between patients who were veterans and the Veterans Administration. James was active in Masonry. He was a life member of several Masonic organizations as well as the Shrine. He was a Past Master of Lakewood Lodge #304 and served in several positions for the Masonic Grand Lodge of Washington. James was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing and camping, often taking his family into the foothills and mountains of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. He was an outstanding and sought after fast pitch softball pitcher once pitching two no hitters in one afternoon resulting in a newspaper write up. Also an avid bowler, at one point he bowled in up to 5 leagues a week. James is survived by Frances, his loving wife of 68 years; 4 of his children Gail Dauner, James Forrest Jr., Toni Moreno and Douglas Forrest; 9 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. James will always be remembered as a man who would do or give anything to help his family or others. He will be greatly missed by all of us. We love you Dad and hope that you are at peace now. Rest and we will all see you soon. The grave side services will be held at The New Tacoma Cemetery on Monday, May 3 at noon. Please sign our online guestbook at www.newtacoma.com .

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tribnet/obituary.aspx?n=james-h-forrest&pid=142358959#ixzz0mbZfIgYj

Our April meeting was another one for the books. Tonight we had a “Rusty Mason Degree.” We were pleased to have Bro. Ken Gordon and Bro. Richard Mulden. Neither Brother attend lodge very often. In fact Richard tells me he hasn’t been to lodge in 42 years. We are honored he chose our Lodge for his return. The RMD is a product posted on the Grand Lodge web page. It is a very nice program. I was given the information on it by WB Bill Mellon. Thank you, Bill for the information.

WB John Wert, Marshal, and Bro. Jim Kay, Jr. Warden, were our working floor officers for the RMD. WB Warren Hartle and VWB Stanley Cybulski added additional information after the program. We also had one candidate do his 2^nd degree proficiency. All in all, it was a good evening. We are hoping to have a 3^rd degree with Puyallup on the 29^th of April. Check with WB John Wert to see if it was arranged. Please come to our next meeting on May 10^th. We hope to see all of you there.

Tonight we had a 2nd degree and Robert Hamilton was passed to the FC degree. WB Warren Hartle from Corinthian Lodge #38 did our MC lecture and did a wonderful Job. This degree was opened, conferred, and closed by our JW Jim Kay. This was the first degree work he has given and he was well prepared. Thanks Jim. SW, VWB Stan Cybulski did the G lecture and was up to his usual excellence. As Master I had the honor of seeing the 2nd degree put on by the brothers and participated at a minimal level. WB John Wert and RW Karl Reith filled in many stations and did what was needed to be done. It was nice to see our Secretary Paul get out of his sick bed to be at Lodge tonight; I hope he gets well soon. WB Ernie Smith was a loyal fill-in as JD. All in all it was a wonderful evening. Even the rain could not dampen the brothers’ spirits.

March Madness comes in many forms and only one of them involves a basketball. In Washington State March Madness has another meaning for the Masonic Families. We are attending Grand Court of Amaranth for Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. The Order of the Eastern Star is holding installations this month. The White Shrine of Jerusalem is holding elections. Did I mention all the stated meetings? This last week I was in Pasco for Grand Court. I drove back to Tacoma for Eastern Star Installation on Friday. I drove back to Pasco, in the middle of the night, for Grand Court on Saturday. Wow. I have had the pleasure of seeing many of my officers and lodge Brothers elected and installed this month. Our Junior Warden, James Kay, was installed as Worthy Patron of his OES Chapter. Both my Senior and Junior Deacons have been elected to the Board of Trustees of Grand Court of Amaranth. Michael Patton will serve for one year and Dave Hubbard will serve for three years. W Bro Arly Buchanan has presided this past week as Grand Royal Patron. Bro Ken Gordon and W Bro John Wert were elected to the East and West respectively in White Shrine. Needless to say, HAG 250 is well represented in the other orders. At the All Masonic Family night at Grand Court the Deputy Grand Master delivered a very inspiring charge to the membership. The Most Worshipful Grand Master followed that up with a wonderful lecture about our Masonic Family. I would like to thank all of you for all that you do.

Closer to home, at our Lodge, RWB Karl Reith and VWB Stanley have been fixing up our building. They have been making a lot of progress. The Temple Board is under new management with RWB Karl as the President.

For our next stated meeting on April 12th we are having a “Rusty Mason” night. I would like all of you to bring a Brother that hasn’t been to Lodge in a while with you. Of course, if you are a brother that hasn’t been coming, feel free to bring yourself! The year is about halfway over and we are just getting started. Time is just flying by this year. It will do that when you stay busy and have fun.

25 March, 2010 - HAG 250 2nd degree
29 March, 2010 - Temple Board
12 April, 2010 - HAG 250 Stated Meeting
3 – 6 May, 2010 WSJ Supreme Shrine
10 – 12 June, 2010 Grand Lodge
29 – 30 June, 2010 Supreme OoA Council

Clara Wert is getting better. She is out of St. Clare Hospital and doing well. She wishes to thank everybody who offered her good health and a quick recovery. We are now looking at a 2nd degree on the 25th of March. Hope to see everybody there. The candidate has recovered from being in the hospital himself.

Another meeting comes to an end for HAG and it was met with new business that will take us into our future. It is sad to say that one of our active members demitted for reasons I do not know. Since he was an active member I feel I have failed as Master of the Lodge since I could not provide a home for this Brother to feel welcome in who felt his needs were not being met. I do hope he finds a better home in Masonry to meet his needs.

Bro. Patton stepped up to fill a station tonight and without dropping a step preformed the duty and did the memory work without any prompting. It was very nice to see that tonight NO officers had any books open for the opening and closing. This shows that officers are taking pride in their work. We will be having a 2^nd degree on the 25^th of March at 7PM.

OES 198 will be having their installation of officers on the 19^th Of March 7PM. Congratulations to our HAG members who will be attending Grand Court Order of the Amaranth Washington who are officers and members of OofA. I wish you have a successful secession March 18^th-20^th.

I will be staying in the USA for a few days this month. I have had a wonderful time traveling Europe since 5 Jan 2010. I guess being retired does have some good points LOLOL. Speaking of laughing out loud I guess Alma Beam will not be laughing for a few weeks with a cracked rib, ouch. Well till next time remember to look to the east for the rising sun to begin the day and enjoy each day as it comes to you…. L.P.

Well another meeting and they seem to be going longer than usual. Oh Well I guess when a Lodge gets busy meeting get longer so I will take the hit for longer meetings. It was nice to see VWB Stanly Cybulski in lodge so soon after his illness. We also had a visitor VWB David McCuistion who is a candidate for GJW. He gave a talk and took questions form the Lodge Brothers. WM Bill Mellon from Ridgefield Daylight L #237 visited as well. WB Warren Hartle also gave us some kind words. We will be having a 2^nd Degree on the 22 of February. I am sorry to say I will miss this degree but it was more important to keep the candidate progressing based on his availability then mine. The Brothers of HAG will rise to the occasion and it will be as if I was not missed at All. Even if I do make it by re scheduling my travels I will be a side liner because I have the support of HAG Brothers and friends. Our refreshments were very good this evening and if you were hungry then you should not have left with an empty stomach. Thanks Margie “Mrs. Kay”. Anyway, Next Stated meeting we are adding to our Lodge presentations. Our JW will be presenting 3 Q from the Grand Lodge Proficiency work to the members for answers, so maybe we all can bone up on our knowledge of WA Grand Lodge officer proficiency. I would like to think everyone there had a good enlightening evening. My best to all…. L.P.

It has been brought to our attention that VWB Stanley Cybulski had suffered a heart attack. At last known report, he was doing well and back home.

Brothers of HAG,

As I sit here waiting for my flight back to the USA I thought I would take some time to write a message. Last stated meeting on January 11th, we had 2 petitions voted on and the following Thursday (the 14th) we had a 1st degree. It was our first degree work in over a year. The members taking part did an excellent job. I have heard from W. Bro John Wert that he may have 2 more petitions for our upcoming meeting on February 8th. I hope that at our next stated meeting we will be setting a date for a 2nd degree. Our JW James Kay will be conferring the degree, at least that is what he said he would be doing. This will be a busy time for me since I will be working 2 weeks a month in Germany for the next 3 months. That only adds 8 hours to my commute to Washington so not a big deal. I want to thank Clara Wert for calling Bros before the stated meeting to remind them of the meeting. We have seen old members in lodge and that is a good thing. PLEASE remember that we now have a ways and means committee headed up by W. Bro Arland Buchanan and please submit your ideas to him for fund raising. If any Bro has any question or concerns please feel free to call me any time 612-810-7678 I will be back in the USA on 1 Feb 2010 and will be home until the 16th other than flying to Tampa, Seattle 5-9 Feb

Fraternally,
Lawrence Page
Worshipful Master, Henry A. Greene #250

I regret to report the loss of a Brother from another lodge who visited lots of lodges. A member of Tumwater's blue lodge ,White Shrine of Jerusalem, Amaranth, and others. Bro. Warren R. Husted, 89, of Lacey, died Jan. 6, 2010. This Brother will be missed!

Tonight was our stated meeting and we were honored to have 3 visitors from other lodges. Bro Warren Hartle #38, Larry Warren # 210 and Michael Patton # 68. Under announcements we heard that on the 25th of December Turkey dinner 6:30 PM @ Steilacoom #2 and their Installation of officers on the 28th. Corinthian # 38 meets the 1st & 3 Thursday with there installation of Officers on the 9th of January. Bro. Arland Buchanan talked about membership and used the analogy of how penguins work together and take turns working for the good of all. He pointed this towards visiting our other orders and attending the youth orders as time permits. Having been to Antarctica in person and seeing how penguins do work together I can see the parallelism. We do not survive as islands but as contents supporting the life of a body. Bro Arland is GRP of WA this year and even with his tine requirements as GRP he still finds time to attend Lodge, Thank You, We missed VWB Stan due to illness tonight and this is that rare occasion he misses a meeting but since he was sick I will let it go this time. LOLOL You all have a Merry Christmas and see y'all next year. L.P.

Sorry about the screw up concerning the questionnaire, but the PO Box number is not 98323, it is 99323. Also, how come there's more snow in Tacoma than there is in Tofte, Minnesota? LOLOLOLOL. The Knights Templar/Lakes Choir performance at the Lodge was excellent. Our Jobies did a nice job. Dalton information about Christmas was interesting. All who attended, I'm sure, enjoyed themselves. You missed a good one if you didn't come, guys.

The following poems were sent to the Webmaster via various sources. They are both anonymously written, and it is felt all brothers would enjoy reading them.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas, He Lived All Alone,
In A One Bedroom House Made Of Plaster And Stone.
I Had Come Down The Chimney With Presents To Give,
And To See Just Who In This Home Did Live.
I Looked All About, A Strange Sight I Did See,
No Tinsel, No Presents, Not Even A Tree.
No Stocking By Mantle, Just Boots Filled With Sand,
On The Wall Hung Pictures Of Far Distant Lands.
With Medals And Badges, Awards Of All Kinds,
A Sober Thought Came Through My Mind.
For This House Was Different, It Was Dark And Dreary,
I Found The Home Of A Soldier, Once I Could See Clearly.
The Soldier Lay Sleeping, Silent, Alone,
Curled Up On The Floor In This One Bedroom Home.
The Face Was So Gentle, The Room In Such Disorder,
Not How I Pictured A United States Soldier.
Was This The Hero Of Whom I'd Just Read?
Curled Up On A Poncho, The Floor For A Bed?
I Realized The Families That I Saw This Night,
Owed Their Lives To These Soldiers Who Were Willing To Fight.
Soon Round The World, The Children Would Play,
And Grownups Would Celebrate A Bright Christmas Day.
They All Enjoyed Freedom Each Month Of The Year,
Because Of The Soldiers, Like The One Lying Here.
I Couldn't Help Wonder How Many Lay Alone,
On A Cold Christmas Eve In A Land Far From Home.
The Very Thought Brought A Tear To My Eye,
I Dropped To My Knees And Started To Cry.
The Soldier Awakened And I Heard A Rough Voice,
"Santa Don't Cry, This Life Is My Choice;
I Fight For Freedom, I Don't Ask For More,
My Life Is My God, My Country, My Corps."
The Soldier Rolled Over And Drifted To Sleep,
I Couldn't Control It, I Continued To Weep.
I Kept Watch For Hours, So Silent And Still
And We Both Shivered From The Cold Night's Chill.
I Didn't Want To Leave On That Cold, Dark, Night,
This Guardian Of Honor So Willing To Fight.
Then The Soldier Rolled Over, With A Voice Soft And Pure,
Whispered, "Carry On Santa, It's Christmas Day, All Is Secure."
One Look At My Watch, And I Knew He Was Right.
"Merry Christmas My Friend, And To All A Good Night."

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight..
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Tidbits is a collection of information about Masonry that we found fascinating and deemed necessary to add to our site. With the help of Mike Smitson, we have compiled the list.

Henry A Greene Lodge was originally a military Lodge located on Camp Lewis. Many of our Brothers are Veterans and today is their day. They have proudly served their country both here and abroad. We are proud to be associated with these fine men. We would like to express our thanks to both our Veterans and our Veterans to be represented by our current service members. Thank you for what you have done to serve this country and protect our freedoms.

Brothers of HAG # 250. We are excited to get a way of doing business to our membership at large using the all too popular medium of the internet. For many years we have trotted along and done business as it came across our plate. What I would like to do is get our membership involved in HAG by introducing their comments to us who can attend Lodge by e-mailing us your questions and concerns. We will be passing on information after each meeting in our new electronic trestleboard. EACH officer is invited to write an article, or more if they want, on their position and duties within the lodge. Any member is also invited to participate in our electronic trestleboard. The beauty of the electronic trestleboard is we are not limited in space or size. I also ask any member to post the on-goings of the other orders they may belong to. WB John Wert will be handling the HAG Web page and the electronic trestleboard on our web page. Our web page will be a living document and updates will be posted as WB John receives them. This way you may have new information any given day so it will encourage you to log on and look more often at our HAG Web page…..