From the East,
Welcome to 2026. I’m hoping this message finds you well and ready for the new year. The new
officer corps has been installed and is ready to get started. We have a few new officers in the
line this year and we are grateful to have them onboard. This month our schedual is full. We
begin with the stated meeting on the 8 th , then we will be rehearsing the first degree to get
ready to welcome an entered apprentice mason into the lodge on the 29 th . We will begin with
dinner at 5:30 and confer the degree at 7pm. I hope you can join us in welcoming our newest
member.
At the installation of officers I began the year with a poem id like to share with you. It was
written by Robert Lee Sharpe and its title is “A bag of tools”.
“Isn’t it strange
That Princes and Kings
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings
And regular folks
Like you and me
Are builders of eternity?
Each is given a bag of tools
A shapeless mass
And a book of rules
And each must build
Before life has flown
A stumbling block
Or a stepping stone.”
We are well on our way to building a pathway of stepping stones. See you at Lodge
Bill McBroome
Master Humboldt 79

In “Building Bridges to the Masonic Family” let’s see from our Masonic Tool kit what we have to work with.  As with all plans, ours are flexible and right now I personally have some catching up to do.  December started well and attended the Job’s Installation on the 14^th and multiple first meeting practices. We went to the Masonic Christmas party which had lots of kids and adults.  Talked to a few new Masons ladies which was fun.  Many don’t realize that Eastern Star exists for the ladies.    The Worthy Patron, Michael Biesen, attended the Humboldt Lodge Installation, being installed as Tyler. Camellia Star  is going to be expanding and planning out new and existing activities as the year progresses.  I personally wasn’t able to attend the Installation for Humboldt 79, but will catch up.   Several of our members serve on the Rainbow Advisory Board and there is a big Sleep Over for the Rainbow Girls Dec. 31. Movies, games and food are inorder. Our bridges exist throughout the Eastern Star Chapters, and I do try to attend their meetings and help-out.  In January I will assist Rhonerville-.Redwoods #76 with an installation and servicing as a Star-Point.

Our January Camellia Star Meeting is January 7^th with refreshments before the meeting, so 7ish.  The Meeting starts at 7:30pm.  The Theme is Legoman Day to celebrate on of the Worthy Patrons Emblems with a Construction theme.  Bring your Glam work vest and hard hat or what is project attire or Business Casual. Mostly, we appreciate people starting out their new year with Camellia Star and letting us know what you are doing.  Feel free to call Laird or Michael B. 

Hello everyone! Our bethel would like to wish everyone a very happy New Year!

December was filled with many spirited and festive activities. Many big Jobie thank YOUs to all who purchased fresh lasagnas and personalized coasters and helped make these two fundraisers successful. The funds raised help us Daughters go to Grand Bethel and Leadership camp as well as many other fun service activities throughout the year. So, thank you for supporting our growth! You will want to mark your calendars and be on the lookout for our Ulster Fry breakfast fundraiser already on the books for March 14th!

It was such fun for our members to wrap gifts and then help Santa hand them out at Humboldt Lodge’s Christmas party this month. We had a great time as elves helping Santa find the perfect gift for all the children that came!  We are glad we could help.

Bethel 86 teamed up with Sequoia Park’s Ivy League and brought members of Humboldt lodge 79 and Six Rivers lodge 106 to spend the morning pulling ivy away from the trees of Sequoia Park & Zoo! We love our tall Sequoia redwood trees and want to help keep the ivy away! More big Jobie thank YOUs to those that joined to support our efforts and pull ivy! Many of us felt so good we are thinking about doing it again soon!

The following day our Bethel had its 192nd installation of bethel officers. It was a sweet Alice in Wonderland themed tea party! It was such a fun afternoon surrounded by Masonic friends and family! Huge Jobie thank yous to everyone who came to witness the installation!  This terms officers include: Logan P. Honored Queen, Lilith G. Treasurer, & Carla R. 2nd Messenger!

This new term, we are looking forward to having fun, learning new skills, and making new friends! We are looking forward to getting out and giving back to our community this term. Bethel No. 86 meets in Eureka at the Humboldt Masonic Hall on the 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month.  Our first meeting of the new year will be Jan 5th at 7PM.  If you have a daughter, a niece, or a neighbor that might be interested, email the bethel at Bethel86@cajdi.org and bring her to a meeting.  Hope to see you at our meetings and out in the community with us!

Logan P., Aubrey A., Lilith G., and Mrs. Glass wrap presents for Santa at Humboldt Lodge’s Christmas party.

Members and friends from Bethel 86, Humboldt lodge 79, and Six Rivers lodge 106 get ready to pull the invasive ivy away from the trees of Sequoia Park!

Lilith G., Carla R., Mrs. Pollard, Mrs. Hansen, along with a friend pull out and bag Ivy at Sequoia Park. 

Bethel No. 86’s 192nd installation of bethel officers!

Jobie Love,
Logan Pollard
Honored Queen
Bethel No. 86

Brethren,

Happy New Year to you all.

As your newly debunked Junior Past Master (turns out the gavel doesn’t come with a cape), I want to thank you for a year filled with fellowship, ritual, charity, and brotherhood. It’s been an honor serving alongside each of you—even if I still can’t remember when to stand or sit in the East.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t shine a spotlight on Brother William Lambo, despite his best efforts to avoid it. Brother Lambo continues his many years of dedicated service as our Secretary, keeping our charter in good standing while remaining nearly invisible. Your stealth skills are impressive, Brother Lambo, but we see you, and we deeply appreciate your ongoing commitment to our lodge.

On a less exciting note: if you are a signer on the lodge account, anticipate a call from the bank. Please make arrangements to sign your authorization cards as soon as possible. I promise it’s less painful than a proficiency exam.

Fraternally yours,

Davin Bowerman, Junior Past Master (Emeritus of Confusion)

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, and a happy new year. We are going to have a dual installation with Ferndale lodge in Ferndale, on January 11th at 2:00. This is an open installation, so the public is invited.  Ted Lichti will be installed as master of Eel River, and Larry Nicholson will be installed as master of Ferndale.    

Ted Lichti w.m.

On to the First Meeting Practices with our new District Grand Deputy, Janessa Bacon where we
focus on floor work and do our first meeting practice. This is particularly valuable for members
in new offices. We have been asked by Grand Chapter to have the Conductress and Associate
Conductress check dues cards at the door. Sometimes people fail to do that, so we will probably
do the first part of proving the chapter for the first few meetings. Be prepared!
Camellia Star will be having its first meeting practice and meeting on December 3 rd with
practice starting at 6pm under the direction of our new District Grand Deputy, Janessa Bacon.
The Deputy focuses and the floor work is our liaison with Grand Chapter. She will be sharing
upcoming events we might enjoy. The theme is Winter Starlight, and can be darkish and sparkly
business dress. Guys a snazzy tie. Refreshments will be cookies and cocoa to warm us up.
Since it is December, members please bring a toy which we will donate to Toys for Tots. Also,
we will be joining Humboldt Lodge #79 for their Christmas Party but I haven’t seen the date, and
in December Humboldt Lodge will have their Installation of officers on December 27.
The little guy up top is Legoman, the Worthy Grand Patron’s Emblem. He is a construction
worker. For more information about Camellia Stae#63, contact WM Laird or
WP Michael. Please join us the first Wednesday of the month for meetings.

Ferndale Lodge #193
With Thanksgiving behind us, we now turn to the Christmas season with Christmas lights and decorations
popping up everywhere.
Our December meeting will be on December 8th

.at 7:30pm. Refreshments prior to the meeting at 7:00pm.
It is also the beginning of installations for the Lodges. Ferndale Lodge will be holding a joint open
installation along with Redwood Empire Lodge #147 on Sunday January 11, 2026 at 2:00pm in Ferndale.
Practice will be January 5th

at 7:00pm. Attire for the afternoon is suit or sports suit.

There are no scheduled practices for December although if you would like to come for fellowship, we will
meet at 7:00pm Monday evenings.
Fraternally
David Chris Petersen
Master Ferndale Lodge

We have been busy with degrees and new applications.  Bro Chris Gieser is ready for his Third Degree in January.  Bro. Andy Billings is getting ready for his second degree, and Grand Lodge advised us that a man in interested in joining our Lodge.  We interviewed him and his is very interested in Masonry.  

We are still in need of some officers to fill some chairs, If you are interested in becoming Master of the Lodge this is the place to begin.  Becoming Master is an honor which you will appreciate having accomplished for the rest of your life.  

Masonry is alive and well in Fortuna.

Come to Lodge

Theodore B.  Lichti  W. M. 

November started us off serving breakfast for the Masonic Outreach Services where we learned there are many benefits to being part of the Masonic family – even for the very young! Afterwards we celebrated with a sweet treat at Ultimate yogurt.

At our 2nd meeting we had a chance to visit with a board member of HIKE (Hearing Improvement Kids Endowment) who shared with us how important this philanthropic project is for kids and what a lifelong difference it makes! 

We escorted the US flag for Arcata chapter OES installation and the Bethel flag for Camilla chapter OES installation. Our Honored Queen attended Grand Council and was able to escort the Bethel flag for the opening ceremony. It’s nice to be involved with the masonic family events.

Hurry to get your orders in, our coaster fundraiser is coming to a close the first week of December and $2 of every sale goes to HIKE – Job’s Daughters International philanthropic. A set of 4 slate coasters for $20 and a set of 6 for $30.  Designs include your choice of square & compass, OES star, or lily of the valley.  Choice of wording is your group & its number.  Email bethel86@cajdi.org to get your order in.

The last day to order lasagnas to go is Dec. 15. Talk to any one of our members to get your order in, or email bethel86@cajdi.org. There is also the option to have dinner on the night of Dec. 20th which comes with a roll, some salad, and a dessert. Dinner tickets are $20/ person, $35/ couple, and $10/ kids 10 & under. Please email the bethel to reserve your spot!December starts off with our business meeting on the 1st that all are welcome to attend. We meet at the Masonic Center at 517 G street starting at 7PM. On Saturday the 13th we will be pulling ivy for Sequoia Park & Zoo meeting on Glatt & T streets. Come join us with boots and gloves in your Masonic family shirt from 9-11. Bring a friend and let’s show off what we can do! The next day is our formal installation of bethel officers, Dec 14th at 2 in the afternoon. The theme is Alice in Wonderland with a light tea party reception. And, the following evening is our 1st regalia meeting of the new term at 7PM. December 20th you will find us making lasagnas for pick up and serving them at the hall at 5:30. Throughout the busy month of December, we look forward to seeing you at various events! 

Happy holidays!!Logan PHonored QueenBethel No. 86

Sisters and Brothers,

As we begin our new term, Brother George and I extend our sincere gratitude to all officers and the installation team for making our installation a success. We appreciate the chapter’s confidence in us to lead this year and look forward to your continued support.

We also thank Sister Lisa and Brother Gary for their outstanding service as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron over the past year.

The theme for our upcoming stated meeting is “Holiday Giving.” Please bring a toy for our Toys for Tots drive and a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank.

Our first meeting will be on December 4th, beginning with dinner at 6:15 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Dinner attire is business casual. There will be a practice session at 5:30 p.m. before dinner and the meeting.

Sister Lynnie will coordinate Poinsettia deliveries this year. If you wish to deliver a Poinsettia to someone on our list, please contact her directly.

Let us remember: “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” – Jackie Chan

With fraternal regards,

Kathy King, Worthy Matron