Recent Events

12 April  We had an excellent turnout for our first Highway Cleanup for 2008.  Five Masons and three or four DeMolay worked for about two hours cleaning up litter on our section of the Maple Valley Highway.  Many hands make for light work.

8 April  Good turnout for our monthly Stated Communication.  Laurel Assembly (IORG) prepared and served our dinner.  We played "Masonic Jeopardy" during the meeting.

29 March  Monthly Trap Shoot held at Black Diamond Gun Club.

25 March  We conferred the Fellowcraft Degree on Brother Joe Johnson.  Many attended and the Degree went very well.  Brother Joe Johnson is the current DeMolay Chapter Dad of Merle E Luther Chapter.

13 March  Five brothers visited Des Moines Lodge.  We did not have enough brothers to bring back the Traveling Gavel, King Solomon Lodge had eight brothers present, but we did leave the UGLY gavel at Des Moines Lodge.  We plan a future visitation to King Solomon to obtain the other gavel.

11 March  We again had an excellent dinner prepared and served by Laurel Assembly 144 (IORG) before our Stated Communication.  The motion to change the meeting night to the first Friday of each month (still remaining dark in July and August) did not pass.  District Deputy V\W\Keven Davis provided brief remarks as part of his Official Visit.

7 March  Bikes for Books drawing held at Black Diamond Elementary School.  Pete Fisher, owner of Black Diamond Bike and Backcountry, donated the bicycles for this drawing and was also present for the drawing.  A boy and a girl were given certificates to take to the bike shop to redeem for their bicycles and helmets.  They were very excited.

16 February  Five couples attended the Sweetheart Dinner and the Lodge and most went on to the winery for wine tasting.  Each of the ladies received a goodie bag, including a really cute stuffed teddy bear.

12 February  The M\W\ Grand Master visited our Stated Communication and there was an excellent turnout.  The Rainbow Assembly prepared our meal before the meeting which was also excellent.

26 January  First Trap Shoot for 2008 with a good turnout and an enjoyable time.

22 January  Temple Board met and there was an excellent turnout.  We discussed a number of items for future action.

15 January  We had an excellent turnout to initiate Hal Zucati as an Entered Apprentice Mason.  Be sure to greet him at your first opportunity.

8 January  Our guests for dinner were two of the last four winners in the Bikes for Books Program and some of their family members.  After dinner and before the meeting we honored the winners in the Lodge Room.  During the meeting we appointed several committee chairmen and reported on recent and upcoming events.

5 January  A Paintball Challenge between Diamond Lodge and Merle E Luther Chapter (DeMolay) was held at KC Crusaders.  There were 8 Masons and 14 DeMolay.  As a result of shrewd strategic maneuvers the Masons won the event.

 3 January  Several members of Diamond Lodge and other visitors were present at Merle E Luther Chapter (DeMolay) meeting.  Wayne I Smith, Grand Master, was also present and addressed the youth.  It was a very enjoyable evening.

28 December  We had nine members of Diamond Lodge present at the visitation to Verity Lodge and claimed the Traveling Gavel.  We also left the second Traveling Gavel at Verity.

18 December  Fellowcraft Degree conferred on Brian Combs.  Kelly Combs (Brian's Father) conferred the degree.  Many visitors were present.

14 December  Bikes for Books drawing held at Black Diamond Elementary School.  A boy and a girl were given a new bicycle and helmet.  They were very excited.

11 December  Stated Communication  First meeting of the new term.  During the meeting motion made to move Stated Communication to first Friday of each month beginning in March.  The Lodge will still be dark during July and August.  This motion will be voted on at the February Stated Communication.  Also, moved and passed to remit all past dues of members past due and allow payment of 2008 dues to bring everything up to date.  After the meeting closed we went to the dining room and discussed events we want to include on the 2008 Program Calendar.

8 December  116th Installation of Officers began at 2:00 pm.  Click on 2008 Officers for list of current officers of Diamond Lodge.  W\James Aeschliman presented the Hiram Award to Br. Gil Carroll for all of the outstanding work he has done for Diamond Lodge.  A reception followed the Installation.

5 December  Three brothers visited Thornton F McElroy, but that was not enough to bring back the Traveling Gavel or leave the "UGLY" one there.  Verity Lodge now has the Traveling Gavel.

27 November  Temple Board Meeting  A new element for the oven has been purchased and will be installed soon.  There will be a Temple Association Meeting on 8 January to elect new officers and appoint board members to serve during 2008.  The next Temple Board meeting is on 29 January.

21 November  We conferred the Fellowcraft Degree on Brothers Christopher Hegg and Michael Powell.  We had a good turn out and the degree was very well done.

17 November  Merle E Luther Installation of Officers (DeMolay)  A dinner preceded the Installation.  New elected and appointed officers were installed.  There were refreshments afterwards.

16 November  Grand Masters Visit to District 13  This event was held at Verity Lodge in Kent.  An enjoyable evening was had by all present.  Diamond Lodge received a Pillars of Progress for Community Service.  And, M\W\Sidney Case presented a replacement for the "UGLY" Traveling Gavel that was stolen from Corinthian Lodge some time ago.  This gavel will be taken by Diamond Lodge to another lodge in District 13 on a future visitation.

15 November  Visitation to Corinthian Lodge No. 38.

13 November  Stated Communication  Step Up Night  Our new officers did a fine job opening and closing the meeting.  We voted on a Petition for the Degrees of Masonry from Hal Aukati and a Petition for Affiliation from Brian Weber.  Both were elected.  An Entered Apprentice Degree conferral will be scheduled soon.  Also, there were generous donations to the Black Diamond Food Bank.

6 November  We conferred the Entered Apprentice Degree on Joseph Johnson (who is also the new Chapter Dad for Merle E Luther Chapter, Order of DeMolay).  Be sure to greet him the next time you see him.

3 November  We had a successful Highway Cleanup with clear weather.  This was our final cleanup for 2007.  The next Highway Cleanup will be on 12 April 2008.

12,13,18,19,20,25,26,27,30, and 31 October  Haunted Forest event to support participating youth groups and the Shrine Burn Unit in Portland.  Admission is $10.00 ($1.00 off Promotion Coupons will be available).
HAUNTED FOREST HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THIS YEAR.  THERE WILL BE A HAUNTED FOREST NEXT YEAR.

27 October  Diamond Lodge Long Range Planning Meeting  Several members of Diamond Lodge attended this meeting to assist the new Master (Frank Rinehart) plan the activities for next year.  WB Rinehart will provide a draft Program Calendar at the Stated Communication in November.

20 October  DeMolay Grand Masters Class  Both Degrees were conferred.  Several members of Merle E Luther Chapter received the DeMolay Degree there.  Members of Merle E Luther Chapter also had parts in the conferral of the two degrees.

13 October  100th Anniversary Celebration at Phoenix Lodge No. 154 in Sumner  This celebration included a Re-Constitution Ceremony by the Grand Lodge Officers.

10 October  Visitation to Phoenix Lodge No. 154 in Sumner

9 October  Stated Communication  Elections  Officers elected for 2008 are:  Worshipful Master, Frank Rinehart; Senior Warden, David Fields; Junior Warden, Mark Combs; Secretary, Joseph Orlando IV; and Treasurer, Joseph Culp.

19 September  Visitation to Crescent Lodge No. 109 in Enumclaw.

18 September  Our annual Spaghetti Feed with St. Andrews, our Mother Lodge, went well.  WB Frank Rinehart and several assistants prepared a super feed with a meat sauce that everyone enjoyed.  After dinner we had a choice of three pies and ice cream for dessert.  It was a very enjoyable evening.

11 September  We had a good turnout for our first meeting of the fall.  Principal Gary Stocker, Black Diamond Elementary School, was present with three members of his staff.  We presented him with two bicycles and helmets for the Fall Quarter Bikes for Books Program.  We also had the first reading on two petitions.

8 September  We had a good turnout for the Highway Cleanup and our section of the highway is looking good.  Only one more cleanup for this year, probably in early November.

1-3 September  Black Diamond Days took place during Labor Day Weekend.  The Pancake Breakfast on Labor Day was very successful.  In addition, we shared an Information Booth with Laurel Chapter (OES) on Sunday and Monday.  We had good weather all weekend.

17 August  Our third family barbeque and potluck at the lodge went well and it did not rain this time.  It was a small group that attended, we had a very enjoyable evening of dinner and fellowship.  This was our last barbeque for this summer, but they were well attended, and we'll probably do it again.

4 August  The Installation of Officers for Laurel Assembly No. 144 (Rainbow) was very enjoyable for those that attended.  The Assembly is growing and the girls are excited.  Show your support by attending some of their meetings.

20 July  Our second family barbeque and potluck at the Lodge went well, despite the rain.  We will have another on 17 August (see Upcoming Events Page for details).  Perhaps it won't rain next time.

14 July  In spite of a late start and several things going wrong, the Miner's Days Barbeque and Chili Cookoff was very successful.  This was our first year hosting this event, and next year should be even more successful.  Many, many thanks to W\ Frank Rinehart for his efforts in making this event so successful.