Page 11 - 2020 Summer

home. When Brothers took to social southeastern Washington Masonic family in Waitsburg. In response
media platforms such as Zoom to to ongoing virus restrictions, people everywhere have been directed
hold virtual meetings, so many to wear masks and actively maintain social distancing. But what do
Brothers were joining in. The District you do when there are no masks to be bought or found?
8 Round Table talks were well "Not a problem," according to Worshipful Brother Skip Winchester,
attended with over 40 Brothers. Worshipful Master of Waitsburg Lodge #16. "Our solution was to
Now it is down to the low twenties make them if you can't find them to buy them."
or high teens. What happened?
Where did they go? Did they
misplace their Masonic heart? I
have attended various virtual Lodge
and District meeting along with
virtual meetings hosted in other
jurisdictions and I see the same happening there as well. Where is
our Heart?
I urge all brothers to do some old fashion soul searching or self-
examination. Then ask yourself ―Why am I a Mason?‖ Go and open Lois Winchester shows a batch Skip and Lois Winchester show
the photo of American Soldiers in
of masks ready to have elastic
the Standard Work to re-read the degrees, open a Masonic history added. Germany wearing masks the
book, call that older Brother and join the virtual meetings. In these family made and sent. One of
trying times, we, as Masons need to step up and be that shining (Photos courtesy of Waitsburg those is the son of Tawnya and
example to each other as well as society. Brotherly Love, Relief, Lodge #16) Mickey Richards (shown seated.)
Truth, Faith, Hope and Charity are not just words but a way of life
and should be at the fore front of your heart. He and his wife Lois and their family began gathering materials and
I look forward to sharing Fellowship with you all soon with open arms making masks to distribute at no cost to the recipients. Working as a
and an open heart. Be safe and be well my Brothers. Be the heart, family at home with materials they acquired out-of-pocket and from
not just the name. donations, they began making individual protective masks and
haven't slowed down yet. The two thousand masks that they have
VWB Larry D Foley, Deputy of the Grand Master of District 8 produced already have been distributed far and wide.
"Our family works together patterning, cutting fabric and elastic,
sewing and finishing. We average about three masks an hour and
have invested about 700 hours, so far," Lois said. "We saw that there
VWB Dutch Meier, DDGM District 24 was a great need for masks and became a calling for our whole

Masonic family in Waitsburg makes and donates thousands of family. It has been a constant process and we have been able to
protective masks. satisfy the demand as we receive more and more requests for these
In challenging times like these past several months, Free and masks."
Accepted Masons have always been known for stepping up and The demand for protective masks is high and comes from places all
helping out wherever they can. That is exactly the case for one over the globe.

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