Installation

Today Bend Lodge installed their officers for 2009.

Before the installation, we enjoyed a brunch prepared by our Job's Daughter Bethel. Afterwards, several of us traveled to Redmond Lodge to attend their installation.

Stated meeting

Last night, we held our last Stated Meeting of the year. We received our District Deputy for his official visit, read four petitions, and raised a Fellowcraft to the degree of Master Mason. Before the meeting, we enjoyed a dinner of deer stew.

Initiation

This morning we had a Special Communication. After a continental breakfast, we initiated a new Entered Apprentice.

November Update

At our November stated meeting, we elected next years officers, voted on the petitions of three new candidates, passed a member to the degree of Fellowcraft, and heard a Master Mason proficiency. Last night, we initiated two of the new candidates.

Occasional Grand Lodge

Today Bend Lodge hosted an Occasional Grand Lodge, at which the Grand Master and Grand Lodge officers talk about various Grand Lodge programs and introduce and hear from the heads of the local Concordant and Appendant Groups. Almost a hundred members and guests were in attendence, and all enjoyed the lunch provided by our Job's Daughters Bethel.

Grand Master's Official Visit

Last night the Grand Master made an Official Visit during our October Stated Meeting. Before the meeting, members of Bend Lodge, neighboring Lodges, and Grand Lodge officers enjoyed dinner. During the meeting we read three petitions, heard three Master Mason proficiencies, balloted on an affliate, and heard remarks by the Grand Master.

Past Masters and Widows

Last night we held our annual dinner to honor our Past Masters and Widows. Our special guest for the night was Past Grandmaster Lyle Logan.

Stated Meeting

Last night we had our first Stated Meeting of the fall. We had to read the minutes of all of the Special Meetings we've held during the summer, as well as catch up on all our business. We also passed an Entered Apprentice to the degree of Fellowcraft.

Barbeque

Yesterday, over a dozen Masons from Bend Lodge, along with their families, some of our Widows, and members of Appendent Bodies, gathered together for fun, food, and fellowship at the home of the Grand Senior Warden.

Malheur Cave Degree

Last Wednesday, the members of Bend Lodge raised another Brother to the Master Mason degree. This weekend, nine of us attended the 70th annual Cave Degree. Masons from all over Oregon descended into a lava tube in the High Desert to perform or witness a Master Mason degree.

After the degree, we enjoyed food, fun, and fellowship.

FC Degree

This morning, with the help of some Brothers from the Redmond Lodge, we passed a Candidate to the degree of Fellowcraft.

Master Mason degree

Last night Bend Lodge raised another Brother to the degree of Master Mason. We were also pleased to welcome a Brother visiting from Pennsylvania.

Special Communications

The Bend Lodge is continuing to do degree work over the summer. On Thursday, June 19th, we raised our newest Master Mason. On Thursday, July 10th, we initiated a new Entered Apprentice. Last night Bend Lodge performed a courtesy degree for Madras Lodge, passing one of their brothers to the degree of Fellowcraft. Usually we wear suits or tuxedoes for our Stated Meetings or degrees, but for summer we decided to go a bit more casual.

After a degree, we enjoy food and fellowship at refreshment.

Stated Meeting

At our June stated meeting, we ballotted on the petitions of two new members, and initiated one of them. We also voted to go dark for the months of July and August, although we will still be meeting to confer degrees.

Grand Lodge

Yesterday and today members of Bend Lodge attended the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Oregon. A Past Master of Bend Lodge, RWB Ed Bousquet, was installed as Grand Senior Warden.

Eagle Scout Dinner

Last night the Bend Lodge hosted our annual Eagle Scout dinner. We hosted leaders of our local Boy Scout council, who presented awards to Scouts who have earned the rank of Eagle in the last year.

MM Degree

At our May stated meeting, we read two new petitions, and heard three proficiencies - One Master Mason, and two Fellowcrafts. This morning, several members of the Bend Lodge traveled to Redmond for their stated meeting. We enjoyed a pancake breakfast prior to the meeting, and then performed the Master Mason degree on one of our Fellowcrafts during the meeting.

We then traveled back to Bend Lodge, for the wedding of one of our members.

Widows Lunch

Yesterday several members of the Bend Lodge attended a Widows Lunch at the Redmond Lodge. The Redmond Officers invited widows from all over Central Oregon to the lunch. We presented Widow's pins to those who were recently widowed, or hadn't previously received one.

Fellowcraft Degrees

Tonight Bend Lodge had a special communication, where we conferred the Fellowcraft degree on two new members.

Blue Lodge Training

This weekend, seven members of Bend Lodge traveled to Medford to attend Blue Lodge Training.

We talked about leadership, the duties of Lodge and Grand Lodge officers, and how to set goals and plan events.

April Stated Meeting

At our April Stated Meeting, we initiated another new member.

March

At our stated meeting in March, we read another petition, and balloted on another one, then passed an Entered Apprentice to the degree of Fellowcraft. Then we had a special meeting, at which we initiated two new members.

For our March dinner, we honored Masonic Youth Groups. A member of our DeMolay chapter talked about the principals and founding of DeMolay.


The Honored Queen and Princesses of our Job's Daughters Bethel gave a presentation on Mother Mick, the founder of the Order.

February

In early February, we had a special meeting to initiate a new member. At our stated meeting, we read another petition, voted on a new member, and heard a Fellowcraft proficiency.

In late February, we raised a new Master Mason.

The Brethren at refreshment following the degree.

January Dinner

On January 24th, Bend Lodge held its 8th annual Safety Services Dinner. We recognized 13 members of local fire and police agencies for distinguished service in 2007.

Preparing the meal in the kitchen.


The dinning hall.

January Stated Meeting

At our first meeting in January, we initiated a new member, and read a new petition. Here's a picture of most of the new Lodge officers.