Thurston Mason Shrine Club

2012 Officers Installed

2012-01-29T23:38:00.000-08:00

Nobles,

Our Potentate Ill. Sir Walter Woodward was kind enough to install the TMSC Officers for 2012 and was accompanied by a large contingent of his Divan. It was a very well attended event and hopefully a very good sign of things to come. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

We will even have a couple of ourTMSC Nobles on the Divan this year.
Noble Ben - Director of Units;
Noble Ed - Captain of the Guard;
Noble Clint - Outer Guard.

This should prove to be a good year for Afifi Shrine and TMSC. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours in the Faith

Noble Ed

2011 Car Raffle

2011-06-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

Nobles,

Be sure to get your car raffle tickets, see your club officers for details and help support the Shrine. As you can see it is a fine vehicle we have this year.

Noble President Ed

Afifi Temple

2010-11-06T23:22:00.001-07:00

Found this post card recently, thought I would share. It says, on the back: "Afifi Temple, Tacoma, WA".

Recent Article in Seattle Magazine

2010-11-05T23:55:00.000-07:00

Recenly in Seattle Magazine I noticed the impressive Fez featured in the photo of Miss Mamie Lavona's band.

Dear Nobles of Thurston Mason Shrine,

2010-09-05T12:40:00.001-07:00

Summer is on the down swing and the Fall / Indian Summer is fast approaching. I hope that all of your gardens and flowers are producing much bounty and beauty for you and your families. Many thanks go out to all of those that participated in the burger wagon and the Lakefair parade and festivities. The wagon was a great success this year with the leadership and organization of our Vice President, Noble Sam Lantow. Special thanks also goes out to Ben Schatz and Guy Pease. Without the steadfast participation of these Nobles the burger wagon would surely suffer.

The Thurston Mason Shrine will remain dark for the month of August. But, the Afifi Temple is still active and needs our support. August 14th is the Morton Parade and any and all Nobles available should attend. There will be an officers meeting for Thurston Mason Shrine on Aug. 18th at 6:00pm at the Olympia Masonic Lodge. Sept. 2nd Afifi Shrine will have it's Past Potentates & Old Timers Night. The Puyallap Fair is coming up fast and the Temple needs help selling raffle tickets for the car. The fair will run from Sept. 3-19 and Nobles are encouraged to sign up and help the Temple spread this work evenly.

Enjoy the sunshine while we have it and I look forward to seeing you at some of these up coming events.
Sincerely,
Noble President, Damien J Kolb

Harmony 18 - 2010 Car Show Extravaganza

2010-06-06T18:40:00.001-07:00

Harmony Lodge #18
Presents
2010 Car Show Extravaganza

Open to Masons and their invited guests
Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles of all types
If you think it’s cool BRING IT!
The judges will categorize upon arrival
(Bribing the judges is encouraged)

Entry Fee $10.00 suggested donation in addition to your normal dinner donation
August 3rd 2009 5:30pm
Contact WB Ivan Isaacson to RSVP 360-491-1451
Olympia Masonic Center, 521 North Street, Tumwater WA 98501

Name ___________________________ Lodge affiliation (if any)___________________Vehicle ________________________________________________________________

Shrine Wagon

2010-05-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

Nobles,

Summer is upon us and the Shrine Wagon will again be put to work. Please join us if you can on Sunday June 6, 2010 for a work party to get the wagon cleaned up and ready for the Lakefair festivities. We will be meeting at the lodge at 12:00 PM.

Last meeting was fun, there was great food. Missed seeing you there.

President Damien will be getting the information out very soon on the summer pic nic. Should be a good time.

If you need raffle tickets for the car, contact me W00ds.EdwardC@gmail.com . OR I will keep them with me so that they are available when I come into Olympia.

Fraternally,
Noble Ed Woods
2nd Vice Pres.

Antiques and Classics

2009-10-10T22:39:00.001-07:00

10/4/09

Antiques & Classics monthly meeting at Ben Dews Restaurant on Tuesday, October 13, 2009; 6:00 p.m. social, 7:00 dinner followed by a short business meeting. 1st Vice President Guy Pease will be in charge as we will be in Nebraska visiting relatives.

Our November meeting will also be at Ben Dews Restaurant and will be election night.

It was decided at our September Picnic meeting that our Christmas Party and gift exchange will be on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Jim Kniert's place in Elma, more details to come later.

Fraternally

I S Richard 'Dick' Frombgen
President

Car show anybody...

2009-07-05T19:45:00.001-07:00

Attention Antiques & Classic Members;

You are invited to a "Show & Shine Auto Show & Barbecue" at the Olympic Masonic Center, 520 North Street, Tumwater, Wa, Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. Entry Fee $10.00 suggestion donation in addition to you normal dinner donation.

Dick & Ben plan to have their cars there. Hope some of you other members will bring their cars to the show. It should be fun.

See you there.

I S Richard 'Dick' FrombgenPresident

June FEZ-FUZ

2009-06-21T00:25:00.000-07:00

Greetings Nobles All:

Nobles and Ladies I cannot believe how fast the first half of the year has gone. We are working hard to have the Burger Wagon ready by July. Trim painting remains and we will be having another work party shortly. Thurston Mason Shrine Club Picnic will be held at the Masonic Hall this Year on June 26th. Huber’s was previously booked and we adjusted. Please bring your families and any prospective Nobles. This is a fun event every year. Camels Milk will start at approximately 6:00 pm. However Noble Ben Schatz and Rod Mason will surely be early for Camels Milk. Nobles please sign up and volunteer to assist on the Burger Wagon, Noble First Vice President Damien Kolb will be thankful for all the assistance we can give him!!!
Enjoy your summer and the Burger Wagon at Lake Fair and we will see you at the meeting in September.

Noble President, Ross

DUES AND DUES CARDS. They are printed and I will have them at the picnic; I have spiced them up a bit, I am sure you will approve. I will with Jay Stewart’s assistance get those cards to the Nobles who need them. If you have not paid dues for 2009, please do so as soon as you can.

SELL THEM RAFFLE TICKETS! We are looking forward to a good year with the car raffle and the assistance of all Nobles is needed to ensure its success. It is time to get selling! If you have not done so you can pick up your tickets at the next stated meeting!

NEED A JACKET. President Ross has gathered the information and has the order sheet. It only needs the commitment of one more Noble in order to get the order sent in. Surely there is more than one Noble amongst us who needs a new coat for the upcoming year. These are sharp looking coats with custom embroidery; and you will not be disappointed. The order sheets and information will be available at the picnic, be sure and get yours. Prices start at $65.15 and go up from there for larger sizes.

BURGER WAGON. Work on the burger wagon is progressing. Ross with the help of Nobles Damian, Sam and Guy to name a few have put in some work to assist Ross in his diligence in painting the wagon with some brighter colors to get it ready for the upcoming Lakefair.

The picnic is on Friday, June, 26th.

We always meet on the Fourth Friday each month.
We are dark June, July and August.

Meetings are held at:
Olympia Lodge #1 Masonic Center, 521 North Street, Tumwater

Camel’s Milk starts at 6:00 P.M. and Dinner at 7:00 P.M.

For questions and more information contact Ross Retzlaff, President – 2009 at e-mail Redretz@comcast.net or call him at (360) 923-2564 and REMEMBER to look at the website for up to date information at www.thurstonmasonshrineclub.org

Update please

2009-06-18T23:38:00.000-07:00

Nobles,

I am wondering if I can take a moment to ask if you would please provide your contact information using this link. It will assist me better in ensuring that the FEZ-FUZ reaches you rather than an old address or mailbox you no longer use.

In particular is the need to have current email address's.

Loading...

Thank you Nobles

Ed Woods

Secretary

Hey all you Thurston Mason Shrine Clube Nobles...

2009-05-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

Nobles, for those we missed at the last meeting...

Kentucky Derby days at the last meeting was light, but Memorial Day weekend is a tough week to compete with. Hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend. We had horse races and the best hat contest for the ladies followed by a great meal.

Shrine Club coats anybody?? President Ross has the order information for those who want to get your Thurston Mason Shrine Club coat, they look pretty snappy, we just need to secure a few more orders to get them ordered. If your interested send me an email: W00ds.EdwardC@gmail.com I will be happy to let Ross know.

Hear yee hear yee.....Thurston Mason Shrine Club needs your assistance. The Burger Wagon is in need of some helpful hands to get spruced up for this years Lakefair event. If you can make it for a bit, please do so, the help will be appreciated, after all it is YOUR CLUB too :-)

Burger Wagon work party

2009-05-18T20:18:00.001-07:00

We had a few Nobels show up on Sunday and they got us off to a great start. They pressure washed the outside, made some minor repairs, and prepped for a new coat of paint to start with. Much, much more work to be done, we hope to get another work party together very soon so we can have the Burger Wagon ready for Lakefair. Here are some photo's.

Circus is here...

2009-05-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Nobles,

This is very late notice, however the Shrine Circus will be in Olympia on Tuesday, May 19th for two shows (4:00PM and 7:30 PM) at the Trails End in Tumwater. Patty Gatty’s Circus will be providing the publicity and ticket sales. We need to have as many Fezes at these shows as possible. There is a possibility for two shows on Wednesday, May 20th also. The times will be announced in the advertising by the Circus.

Apparently, the other two circus companies that have operated in the Northwest in recent years have fallen into hard times and will not be doing any shows this year. Therefore, Patty Gatty has been asked by other Shrine Centers in the area to handle their circuses for them also. She has been blind-sided and has had little time to work out her scheduling. There will be circuses in Lewis County, Pierce County, and Clark County (Vancouver Area) this year but will be announced at a later date for their schedules.

This is our circus and the image of Shriners in the Olympia Area is an important consideration as you make your plans to attend. We will likely have noses and fezes to sell in the crowd which will be a source of revenue for AFIFI Shrine Center. Full blown programs with coloring pictures may not be available to the Olympia Circus due to the lateness in notice of the dates.

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!

Ben & Bev Schatz

FEB FEZ FUZ

2009-02-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

Greetings Nobles All:

Welcome to the second Fez Fuz of the new year! Our Noble President Ross Retzlaff would like to extend a warm reception during our February meeting.

As mentioned in the last meeting Noble President Ross has a few changes to scheduling this year, so remember if you wish to participate in the business meeting to arrive early, as it will be held before dinner.

DUES AND DUES CARDS. We are currently out of dues cards. I will have them printed by next meeting. It has been a tight month for me and apologize for the lag. I will be receiving a list of dues payees from Jay Stewart in the near future and balance the books before sending any notices out. If you have not paid dues for 2009, please do as soon as you can.

Please put on your thinking caps! We will need to work on the Burger Wagon’s fixtures and usage. If you have any ideas on cheap solutions to the issues presented in our last meeting please forward them to Noble President Ross.

TICKETS! I know times are lean, but we have a great car for this years raffle. It is time to get selling! If you have not you can pick up your tickets for sale beginning at the next stated meeting!

Our next meeting is on Friday, February 27th. We always meet on the Fourth Friday each month.

Meetings are held at:
Olympia Lodge #1 Masonic Center, 521 North Street, Tumwater

Camel’s Milk starts at 6:00 P.M. and Dinner at 7:00 P.M.
The following is the menus for upcoming meetings:
Friday, February 27 -- TBD

For questions and more information contact Ross Retzlaff, President – 2009 at e-mail Redtetz@comcast.net or call him at (360) 923-2564 and REMEMBER to look at the website for up to date information at www.thurstonmasonshrineclub.org

January Fez Fuz

2009-01-18T18:28:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the first Fez Fuz of the new year! Our Noble President Ross Retzlaff would like to extend a warm reception during our January meeting. This year promises to be a little different than last, with slight changes in our meeting schedule. Noble Ross has created a schedule that would have Shrine Club business held prior to Camel’s Milk, with drinks and dinner to follow. More information will be provided during our next meeting on January 23rd.

Noble Ross Retzlaff, your 2009 President; Damien Kolb, Vice President; Sam Lantow 2nd Vice President; and Jay Stewart and Timothy Grisham will be attending an Afifi sponsored leadership training on Saturday, January 24th at 10 AM, followed by TMSC’s installation. All nobles are welcome to this training, which will be completed by lunch time!

Due to the weather issues that December presented, we will be having our gift exchange in the January meeting. So, if you have a gift, please remember to bring it for the Friday meeting!

Our next meeting is on Friday, January 23rd. We always meet on the Fourth Friday each month.

Meetings are held at:
Olympia Lodge #1 Masonic Center, 521 North Street, Tumwater

Camel’s Milk starts at 6:00 P.M. and Dinner at 7:00 P.M.
The following is the menus for upcoming meetings:
Friday, January 23rd -- TBD

NO SHRINE CLUB MEETING IN DECEMBER

2008-12-25T19:44:00.001-08:00

ATTENTION: Noble President Rod Mason has canceled the December 26th meeting due to poor weather.

Shriners in the News

2008-11-28T12:41:00.000-08:00

From the Seattle PI

Thanks to teen's compassion, even prison can't bar kindness
Inmates knit items that are donated to homeless

By HECTOR CASTRO
P-I REPORTER

Thursday morning, when most people are likely to be either sleeping or starting early on the day's feast, one teenage volunteer will be out on the cold and empty Seattle streets delivering handmade caps, scarves, gloves and blankets to homeless men and women just as she has for six previous Thanksgivings.

"Sometimes, they are shocked that we are giving these for free," Megan Johnson, 17, said. "Some of them actually cry."

This year, some of the gifts she hands out are coming from an unlikely source -- inmates of the Monroe Correctional Complex.

Tuesday, the Federal Way teenager and her mother, Jill Johnson, were at the prison to collect a donation of 150 hand-knitted caps, all made by inmates working in a small sewing room where shelves are stacked with colorful bolts of cloth and rolls of thread and five sewing machines that date to the 1930s.

Bryan Bechler, a classification counselor for the prison in Monroe, met Megan at a function at Benaroya Hall this summer, where she was a speaker.

Because the work produced by the inmates must be donated, it made sense, he said, to donate their blankets, quilts and other clothing to Megan's efforts.

For inmates who worked on the caps, it means something to them that Megan intends to donate their work to the homeless.

"The important thing is you're doing it for someone else," said Lou DeVincentis, 67, who has sewn several blankets that have been donated.

Another inmate, Alan Guay, 47, began to knit just eight months ago but can now spin out a new hat in about 90 minutes. Guay hasn't met Megan, but through a DVD about her that the inmates were allowed to view, he learned something about her and her charity work.

"We know that she's been through a lot," Guay said.

Megan has several medical challenges, including hemifacial dysplasia, a genetic condition that causes her facial bones to grow at different rates. She has also become blind in one eye. Already, she has endured 26 surgeries to correct problems brought on by these conditions.

Cruel taunts from classmates made grade school tough.

"There was this group of mean girls who would look at me and say, 'Don't you know how ugly you are? If I looked that way, I'd go home and kill myself,' " Megan said.

Megan said the teasing she endured is one reason she chose to help the homeless.

"I know what it's like to be different," she said.

When she was 10, Megan, who began homeschooling after the fourth grade, told her mother she wanted to collect blankets and warm clothes for the homeless.

Jill Johnson said she thinks her daughter was inspired in part by the work of the Shriners, the philanthropic fraternity that operates nonprofit children's hospitals around North America and Hawaii. Megan has been a patient at their Portland hospital since she was 6.

"I thought: 'That's kinda cute. It'll last about a week,' " Johnson recalled of her daughter's intention. "Well, seven years later, here we are."

Megan already has two projects, Kids Helping Kids, which collects children's videos and DVDS for local hospitals, and Megan's Mission, which works to raise money to help the homeless.

She also wrote and illustrated a book, "Clowns Make a Difference," about children in a hospital. Money raised from the book sales go to the Shriners.

In the hundreds of blankets she has donated, Megan always includes a note that reads, "Remember someone cares."

"She hand-writes every single one of them," Jill Johnson said.

Megan's efforts have earned the perpetually cheerful teenager a host of accolades, including the 2002 American Red Cross Hero's Award and the 2004 Washington State Outstanding Youth Philanthropist award.

An avid Girl Scout, Megan said she hopes her work delivering the warm clothing Thanksgiving morning will earn her the Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn.

On Thursday, she said she'll be up by 6 a.m. and, with her family, friends and volunteers who join through their church, hit Seattle's streets by 8 a.m.

Megan will be the one pulling the red wagon.

"I don't know why people think the homeless are evil," she said, "when they're just people like us. We all have feelings."

LEARN MORE

Visit megansmission.freeservers.com to learn more about Megan Johnson and her charitable work.

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

2008-11-23T19:53:00.000-08:00

November FEZ FUZ

2008-11-23T19:27:00.000-08:00

I AM SORRY SOME NOBLES WILL NOT HAVE THE FEZ FUZ PRINTED ON STATIONARY, WE RAN OUT AND HAVE TO MAKE MORE, WILL BE RECTIFIED BY DECEMBER!!!

Greetings Nobles All:

Welcome to the fall Fez Fuzz! We would first like to thank everyone that went on the Hospital Treck. Fun was had by all, even Noble President Mason who lost his Divan Tie!!!

This thanksgiving, let us give thanks for all the many blessings we have experienced over the year. We have several new nobles, and had a banner year at the burger wagon.

Our annual Paper Crusade is being handled by Guy Pease, Noble President Mason just informed me that it is going well and Noble Guy Pease will still accept donations!

Raffle ticket sales are sluggish this year, so if someone asks you to purchase one, it would be nice; and if you can sell a few contact Don Hawkins to get a book or two. Be sure to have them all turned in by the 28th!

Our next meeting is on Friday, November 28th.. We always meet on the Fourth Friday each month.

Meetings are held at:
Olympia Lodge #1 Masonic Center, 521 North Street, Tumwater

Camel’s Milk starts at 6:00 P.M. and Dinner at 7:00 P.M.
The following is the menus for upcoming meetings:
Friday, November, 28th -- TBD

For questions and more information contact Rod Mason, President – 2008 at e-mail rodmason@zhonka.net or call him at (360) 459-1160 and REMEMBER to look at the website for up to date information at www.thurstonmasonshrineclub.org

SEPTEMBER UPDATE

2008-09-20T20:43:00.001-07:00

Greeting Nobles All:

Welcome to the first fall Fez Fuz of 2008! As we prepare for fall, winter and the new year, we are reinvigorated with six new nobles! We have a lot of hard work and great fun to look forward to. I apologize in advance for the short nature of this Fez Fuz, however I am certain that by October when the ball is rolling I will have MUCH MUCH more to report!

Our next meeting is Friday, September 26th, and Noble President Rod Mason has informed me that it ought to be a great night out, with a special surprise meal!

This summer’s Lakefair BURGERWAGON was a rousing success; the weather could not stop us this time. I was glad to share the stand with so many nobles and masons. A full report on the event will be available at the meeting on Sept. 26.

We are in the grips of the Puyallup Fair, and many of us have already “Done the Puyallup” but if you have not, and would like to on this last week please contact Noble Ray Drummond for more information.

I would like to relay the most heartfelt safe journey to Past Potentate Bill Fraude, who will be relocating to the longhorn state (Texas).

Meetings are held at:
Olympia Lodge #1 Masonic Center, 521 North Street, Tumwater

Camel’s Milk starts at 6:00 P.M. and Dinner at 7:00 P.M.

For questions and more information contact Rod Mason, President – 2008 at e-mail rodmason@zhonka.net or call him at (360) 459-1160 and REMEMBER to look at the website for up to date information at www.thurstonmasonshrineclub.org

Fraternally,

Timothy Grisham

Masons in the news

2008-06-03T20:53:00.001-07:00

Recently the LA Times ran a piece on the fraternity. It was a pretty decent story, and I suggest if you haven't done so, please take a moment to read it.

LA TIMES PIECE

Life Magazine March 31, 1941

2008-05-07T19:34:00.001-07:00

Wednesday Morning Kaffe Klatch

2008-05-04T10:23:00.001-07:00

For those of you who attend the Kaffe Klatch every Wednesday please note that it will not be occurring on May 7th or May 14th because they have rented the dining room to administer exams to high school kids.

Road Construction and Getting to Shrine Club Meetins

2008-05-04T10:22:00.001-07:00

Evidently, the city will allow local traffic to proceed down North Street for the whole year that they plan on having it dug up. However, there is a back entrance to the cemetery off of Cleveland. This would enable one to avoid the rigors of the road repairs, park in the new cemetery building lot and walk across the graveyard those few steps to Lodge. Cleveland is the main road perpendicular to North St that eventually turns into being Yelm Highway or Capitol Way. The entrance is just past the Odd Fellows Cemetery as you head North. Please drive through the cemetery in a respectful manner.

April Fuz Fez

2008-04-22T19:58:00.001-07:00

Greeting Nobles All:

Welcome to the third Fez Fuz of 2008. Although we are in the full swing of spring, it may be hard to tell by the wintry weather we have been having of late. That did not stop us from getting a peak into summer during Pierce County’s Daffodil parade. The historic parade (the third largest flower-float parade in the nation!) is an annual tradition for Afifi, and this year was no exception as Shriners marched in three towns alongside and on top of our marvelous float.

The April meeting of TMSC promises to be exciting. PLEASE NOTE THAT IT HAS BEEN MOVED TO APRIL 30TH; IT IS NO LONGER APRIL 29TH; IT IS APRIL 30TH!!! We will be serving Ham and Scalloped Potatoes by the Ewing family. On a slightly less fastidious note Nick Ewing, our faithful cook recently underwent quadruple by-pass surgery, let’s wish him well and keep him in our prayers. Please be sure to give your well wishes to his family on the 30th.

TMSC President Rod Mason wished to express how great it was to see all the ladies at our meeting in March, especially Karen Smith escorted by Guy Pease. The involvement of the ladies in the Shrine only makes our local events more entertaining and involved for the whole family. We look forward to each year to new nobles and their ladies enjoying our light refreshment and hard work.

Member Updates: Guy Pease will be leaving for four months on April 29th, let’s all wish him a safe trip to the east coast. Rod Mason and Lady Sue’s restaurant Galloping Gerties was featured in the Tacoma News Tribune recently, a link to the article will be posted on the TMSC website.

Meetings are held at:
Olympia Lodge #1 Masonic Center, 521 North Street, Tumwater

Camel’s Milk starts at 6:00 P.M. and Dinner at 7:00 P.M.

The following is the menus for upcoming meetings:
Wednesday, April 30 - Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
Friday, May 23 – TBA

Anybody interested in Shrine Jackets please let Rod know, he is trying to gage interest in producing some shortly.

A quick reminder, we will have BURGER WAGON sign up sheets in the lodge. Please sign up and show your support. We expect this year to yield increased results, weather permitting!

For questions and more information contact Rod Mason, President – 2008 at e-mail rodmason@zhonka.net or call him at (360) 459-1160 and REMEMBER to look at the website for up to date information at www.thurstonmasonshrineclub.org

Fraternally,
Timothy Grisham

WWW.THURSTONMASONSHRINECLUB.ORG

Thurston Mason Shrine Club President Rod Mason in the News

2008-04-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

Lady Sue and Rod had a wonderful story in the News Tribune this morning. For the article including photographs visit the link provided below.

--------------

Eric Salinas used to sit at the counter at Galloping Gerties Restaurant almost every morning. The Tillicum restaurant’s staff called him “Mr. Hot Sauce” because the Army specialist dumped so much of the red stuff on his omelet.

Gerties owner Sue Rothwell learned of Salinas’ death from a roadside bomb blast in Baghdad in August 2007 in the newspaper.

William Jared Crouch visited the restaurant for his last meal before deploying to Iraq. He died in Al Hadid in June 2007, another victim of a roadside bomb. The next month, Rothwell struck up a conversation with a group who had dropped in for lunch. It was Crouch’s family. They were eating at Gerties before attending his memorial service at Fort Lewis.

“They told me that their son loved to eat here and they thanked me,” she said. “I wasn’t sure what to say. I should be thanking them.”

The deaths – and every other death of Fort Lewis soldiers, coalition troops and Iraqi civilians – reaffirmed Rothwell’s belief that the invasion in Iraq was a mistake and that President Bush bungled the war.

That’s not exactly a popular stance with the crowd at Gerties, which sits across the Freedom Bridge from Fort Lewis and draws 80 percent of its clientele from the post. Soldiers wearing desert camouflage fill chairs and cram into booths during the breakfast and lunch rushes. Majors and privates chat casually over a plate of biscuits and gravy. Most of them don’t seem to know or care about Rothwell’s political leanings.

“We came here before we deployed and after we deployed,” said Capt. Zane Galvach of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. “That lady has waited on us since the first day I arrived at Fort Lewis” in June 2005.

But while Rothwell remains pro-military, she isn’t a fan of the commander-in-chief.

Campaign signs for Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Kerry hang in Rothwell’s office near the lounge. She’s searching for a Barack Obama sign. She taped the message “Peace is Patriotic / We Support the Troops” on a bookcase.

Growing up with the Vietnam War galvanized Rothwell’s beliefs. She bristles at being called a pacifist and settles on an “anti-war realist,” because she knows wars can be unavoidable.

“It was kind of like my mom’s karmic joke on me,” said Rothwell, laughing. Her mother opened the restaurant in 1952. “She took someone opposed to war, a child of the ’60s and gave me a restaurant serving the troops.”

Her politics, though, rarely leave her office, and few doubt her dedication to service members.

A scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings about Fort Lewis sits on a shelf near the south wall of the restaurant. Other stories are tacked to a corkboard near the register. Both attract readers.

A signboard outside, though, represents the intersection of Rothwell’s pro-troops and anti-war beliefs. Each time a Fort Lewis-based soldier dies in war, she updates the sign with the service member’s name. The sign also displays a running total of Washington-based soldiers who have died and the total number of troop fatalities.

“The numbers have names,” the sign read Wednesday under the numbers 189 and 4,012. It displayed the names of the latest Fort Lewis deaths: Bennett, Anderson, Morales, Mowl, Runyan.

“The killings at Virginia Tech had me thinking,” she said. “It was a tragedy, but how many people died in Iraq that day? And not just soldiers. How many civilians died too?”

She began updating the signboard shortly after the killings in April 2007. The names sit on the northern wall of the building, not exactly prominently displayed for passing drivers.

The staff at Gerties didn’t do it to garner attention.

“The soldiers are more than just our customers,” said Rod Mason, Rothwell’s husband. “They’re our friends here. They are a vital part of this place.”

Many soldiers use Gerties as a place to decompress and usually avoid discussing the war over meals, Rothwell said. She doesn’t broach the subject unless someone else does.

Yet two exceptions resonate with her.

When a crowd of Iraqis and Marines toppled a 40-foot statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, Rothwell remembers silence filling the restaurant as soldiers stared at the television.

And her July 2007 edition of her newsletter, Galloping With Gertie, took a drastic departure from the usual stories of changes in Tillicum, local gossip and menu updates. Instead, she reprinted letters from grateful families, a story about Crouch’s family and the names of the Fort Lewis soldiers who died that May, June and July.

“There are so many places out there where it seems like the war doesn’t exist. You don’t have to think about it,” she said. “We’re not that lucky here. The second you come in here, you see them all in uniform. You know they’re coming and going from Iraq and Afghanistan.

“There’s no escaping the war at Gerties.”

http://www.thenewstribune.com/front/topphoto/story/328585.html

MARCH FEZ FUZ

2008-03-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

The March Fez Fuz is in the mail as I type this.

Greeting Nobles All:

Welcome to the second Fez Fuz of 2008. As the last snow of winter gently ushered in Spring, we are excited for the beginning of the fair season. This year we expect fun to be had by all at fairs across the state. April begins the festivities with the Daffodil parades in Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting on April 12th. There will be a Daffodil stuffing party on April 11th in preparation for the parades. As well as the Daffodil parade I am excited to announce that the Afifi Divan will be making a trek to the Portland Hospital on the 27th and 28th. After all, while we have a lot of fun, we also are working for the children and the hospitals as one of the world’s greatest philanthropies.

Our next meeting is on Friday, March 28th. We always meet on the Fourth Friday each month except April (we will instead meet on Tuesday, April 29th) and June through August we are dark. What would be the June meeting is instead, the Family Picnic and will be at Huber’s Gasthaus, as in years past.

Meetings are held at:
Olympia Lodge #1 Masonic Center, 521 North Street, Tumwater

Camel’s Milk starts at 6:00 P.M. and Dinner at 7:00 P.M.

The following is the menus for upcoming meetings:
Friday, March 28 - Corned Beef and Cabbage
Tuesday, April 29 - Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

A quick reminder, we will have BURGER WAGON sign up sheets in the lodge. Please sign up and show your support. We expect this year to yield increased results, weather permitting!

For questions and more information contact Rod Mason, President – 2008 at e-mail rodmason @ zhonka .net or call him at (360) 459-1160 and REMEMBER to look at the website for up to date information at www.thurstonmasonshrineclub.org

FEZ FUZZ

2008-02-15T14:13:00.001-08:00

Greeting Nobles All:

Welcome to the first Fez Fuzz of 2008. We are very excited for this year as we have new energy and vitality in the Thurston Mason Shrine Club. Current I am going through the process of combining a number of address, dues, and miscellaneous lists given to me in order to make sure that everyone who is a paid member will get a dues card. Please be a bit patient with me, I am working on it diligently, however I still have to go to my day job for the State of Washington!

Just a reminder that our next meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 22nd. Social hour starts at 6:00 P.M. and Dinner at 7:00 P.M. The meal will be Salisbury Steak. The meetings are held at the Olympia Lodge #1 Masonic Center, 521 North Street, Tumwater, WA. We always meet on the Fourth Friday each month except April (We met on Tuesday, April 29th) and June through August we are dark. However the June meeting will be the Family Picnic and will be at Huber’s Gasthaus as in years past.

Our March 28th meeting will feature Corned Beef and Cabbage, while our Tuesday April 29th meeting we will be serving Ham and Scalloped Potatoes.

A quick reminder, we will have BURGER WAGON sign up sheets in the lodge, and we certainly expect this year to yield better results, weather permitting!

For questions and more information contact Rod Mason, President – 2008 at e-mail rodmason@zhonka.net or call him at (360) 459-1160. and REMEMBER top check our website at www.thurstonmasonshrineclub.org!

Please excuse the shortness of this communication, I promise that the next fez fuzz will yield more information.

Fraternally,

Timothy Grisham

Chehalis Crab Feed

2008-01-29T21:50:00.001-08:00

Brothers, please help Chehalis Lodge's Temple Board. They are having a rough winter, and recently the Chehalis chapter of OES decided to dissolve leaving the lodge as the soul tenant of the property.

This benefit will help them get through the winter until they begin to get seasonal rentals.

$25 dollars a person. Feb. 23rd, 6-8PM. Chehalis.

Afifi Calendar for Major Temple Events

2008-01-13T11:37:00.001-08:00

Afifi Oriental Band 1956

2007-12-28T21:35:00.001-08:00

Photograph donated in kindness by our newest Thurston Mason Shrine Club Member: Glyn Steiner.

Thank you so much Glyn for sharing Afifi's history with us.

Life Magazine; July 10, 1939

2007-12-07T16:46:00.001-08:00

NEXT MEETING, Friday, October 26th. (Elections)

2007-10-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

This Friday, following our meal, we will hold a brief election of the 2008 officers.

WEB SITE LAUNCH

2007-10-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

Thurston Mason Shrine Club is pleased to announce that it has launched its website: www.thurstonmasonshrineclub.org

Christmas/Holiday Party

2007-10-18T14:18:00.001-07:00

All Masonic bodies and members invited, especially children. Plans include a cupcake walk, activities, face-painting, a piñata and treats.

Saturday, December 22nd 3 – 7 p.m.

Olympia Masonic Center

Olympia Lakefair 2007

2007-10-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

The Afifi Shriners suprise the crows by fiiring a crashtest dummy from a cannon during the Lakefair Parade Saturday. (Toni L. Bailey/The Olympian)

AFIFI PARADE

2007-10-18T14:16:00.002-07:00

Photo courtesy of the Tacoma News Tribune.

Tacoma News Tribune Article on AFIFI Shrine Building

2007-10-18T14:16:00.001-07:00

Dwindling Shriners find few to wear John Wayne’s hat

THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Published: August 16th, 2006 01:00 AM
I can picture John Wayne as movie marshal Rooster Cogburn wearing that battered dark gray 10-gallon cowboy hat.

I can’t picture him wearing a Shriners’ maroon fez with a gold tassle. But he did.

Wayne, arguably the No. 1 all-time cinema hero, bought into the most valuable tenets of the Shriners’ fun brand of freemasonry – friendship, morality and brotherly love.

Who wouldn’t want to join a fraternity with tenets like those? Apparently, a lot of us these days don’t.

In 1975, the same year Universal Pictures released “Rooster Cogburn,” the Shriners opened Afifi Shrine Temple next to the Scottish Rite Temple, on nearly 20 acres in Tacoma’s West End.

They needed more space to accommodate a growing membership that numbered roughly 8,700 Afifi Shriners plus their circus calliope, old clown jalopies, parade floats and Oriental band equipment.

Today, the two fraternal organizations have put their remaining 10 acres and two temples up for sale. Asking price: $7.6 million.

The state’s oldest Shriners organization, founded in 1889, has gotten old and irrelevant to younger generations.

With a few more than 1,000 members left – and no Oriental band – the demographic trend suggests Afifi Shrine will dwindle to fewer than 500 members in five years.

That’s too few to carry the financial obligations of maintaining such a large property and a meeting hall.

“Somehow, we’ve missed almost two generations of people,” said Barry Bede, in line to become Afifi’s illustrious potentate, the top ruler, next year.

“Our average age is over 70,” he said. “We have more members over 95 than under 45.”

The members of Afifi and Scottish Rite decided to sell their property together before either organization got desperate to sell.

“This isn’t a fire sale,” said Don Nau, an Afifi officer.

At $7.6 million, a buyer certainly wouldn’t consider it a fire sale. Each parcel measures 4.95 acres. The Pierce County assessor-treasurer has listed the 2007 assessed value at $2.1 million combined.

Bede says the organizations set the price by taking the assessed value plus the replacement costs of the buildings – even though a buyer probably wouldn’t keep the buildings.

The fraternal organizations sold part of their original property to the YMCA for construction of the Morgan Family branch in 1976. Around the fenced fraternal compound on a dead end stretch of Vassault Street, you’ll find Temple Beth El, the Jewish synagogue; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and apartment complexes.

The Masonic properties could serve as a private school site or, more likely, apartments, Bede said. The Shrine and Scottish Rite will leave the neighborhood for something smaller that befits a smaller crowd.

Meanwhile, Bede, during his term as potentate, plans a membership drive aimed at attracting younger generations to what he calls “the greatest fraternity with the greatest philanthropy.”

Scottish Rite runs speech and hearing centers.

Shriners own and operate 22 hospitals in North America that provide free care – primarily orthopedic and burn treatment – for children. They raise money with a circus and an annual college football all-star game. The Afifis feature a traveling troupe of award-winning clowns.

“We don’t understand why someone wouldn’t want to be part of this philanthropy,” Nau said.

In an upper room at the temple, you’ll see old black-and-white panoramic photos featuring hundreds of Shriners gathered at woodland picnics in the late 1800s and clad in Oriental-themed uniforms at civic parades in the 1920s and 1930s.

Shriners and Scottish Rites also maintain the rituals, passwords and gradual advancement to higher and higher Masonic degrees.

Perhaps the slow, progressive nature of that advancement turns off younger generations interested in more instant gratification and quick leadership opportunities.

Before Bede could become a Shriner, for example, he first had to join the Scottish Rite and advance to what’s called the 32nd degree. That rule changed, however, in 2000 when Shriners started accepted third-degree master masons as a way to make membership easier.

It hasn’t attracted enough new recruits in Tacoma to hang onto the 31-year-old temple.

“This isn’t unique to Shriners,” Nau said. “All fraternal organizations are experiencing it. … Young people today just don’t want to be joiners.”

Will the local Masonic organizations regain the prestige that once made them the must-join organizations of Tacoma? I don’t know.

Perhaps a lesson from John Wayne, master mason, will help. In 1964, The Duke’s six-pack-a-day cigarette habit led to lung cancer. The future looked bleak – and possibly short. Doctors removed one lung and two ribs.

“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life,” Wayne said. “Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.”

He stopped smoking. Five years later, he achieved the film industry’s highest honor – winning his only best actor Oscar for portraying Rooster Cogburn in “True Grit.”

Life Magazine; October 8, 1956

2007-10-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

The October 8, 1956 cover story of Life Magazine, "The U.S. Mason's" features several pages of extraordinary photographs. Many of the photographs are Kodachrome prints, which particularly captures the timeless sense of nostalgia. At the time, you will note, there were only three degrees in the blue lodge. The photo essay depicts all the concordant bodies, including a large rainbow girl gathering in Pasco, Washington.

Life Magazine; May 16, 1938

2007-10-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

From: LIFE Magazine - May 16, 1938.

This is an 8-page photo feature, The Shriners "Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles" Reveals Its Pageantry. It is illustrated from photographs by Frank J. Scerschel of the Milwaukee Journal, Bernard Hoffman, and Spencer & Wyckoff.