End of Summer already, and the “BER” months are upon us!

Our August meeting was a short ante-room meeting and then a very special Game Show Night!  Brother Michael set up for our own version of the game show “Match Game” that was so popular in the 70s and apparently is back on TV now!  He came up with questions and prizes, and we all had a great time!  Thank you, Brother Michael, for that fun and unique event!

For those of you who missed it, the District had a Summer Paint and Sip event in Fortuna on August 10.  We all painted a picture of hot air balloons floating above a setting sun.  While most of us made pine or redwood trees, Brother Chris went his own way with palm trees!  Thank you, Sister Janessa, for putting that together.  It was a lot of fun, and several members are hoping we do it again soon!

August 13 was Youth Night in Ferndale.  The Job’s Daughters explained the meaning behind the design of their Bethel robes.  The Rainbow girls shared their favorite things about Rainbow – even the girl who had only been a member for 9 days!  And then Ferndale Chapter put on a special ceremony with the Star Points explaining their positions and lessons in Star, a ceremony that got the youth to participate as well.  It was a lovely evening, and a lot of thought went into the special ceremony Star did for the youth.  Thank you, Sister Liz, for organizing that event.

The following evening was a special honor night for Sister Karen, Grand Representative to West Virginia.  She had said she did not want a reception or a fuss made, so the honor night was a special surprise event that she knew nothing about in advance.  It was also Friendship Night for Rohnerville-Redwood Chapter with a pulled pork/pulled chicken dinner for all to enjoy.  Thank you, Sister Christie, for planning that event and inviting us to join in!

Camellia Star’s next meeting is on September 3 with the theme of “Number Please” for Telephone Tuesday (the day after Labor Day).  It is also our school supply drive.  Please bring whatever school supplies you can and place them in the East prior to the meeting.  They will be donated to Alice Birney School, which was the consensus at our last meeting when asked what school we wanted to support this year.  The attire for September’s meeting is Business — ladies wear a “suit (skirt or pants), nice dress, nice pants and top, jacket optional,” and gentlemen wear a “suit with tie.”   We will do short form.  Refreshments will be at 7:00; meeting at 7:30.

Our October 1 meeting was scheduled to be a “Let’s Do a Project” meeting for National Do Something Nice Day and World Card Making Day, both on October 5.  Sister Joni discovered she will not be able to attend that meeting, however, so asked how people felt about doing the card-making project she had planned, and people seemed to want to do it anyway.  So Sister Joni will provide the project packet to someone so the cards can be made.  You can use these cards however you please – keep it, send it to a friend or family member, send it to a Sister or Brother who is house-bound or who lives far away and cannot participate in our meetings… your choice.  The main thing is to have fun making the cards and then sharing them however you wish.  The refreshments and attire for the evening will be left up to Brother Michael and Sister Laird.  Please be at the Lodge by 6:45 to have time to make the cards before the 7:30 meeting.

Our October meeting is also elections.  Sister Laird will be presiding that evening, and she and Brother Michael will run the elections.  If you plan to run for an elected office, please remember to have your paper on the dais before the meeting stating what office you intend to run for and having two members of our Chapter sign the paper as well.  Sorry I will miss this meeting, but I will be in Washington with my sisters laying our father to rest.

Finally, our last meeting of this term is November 5 and will be themed “Thanks for the Memories.”  We will (voluntarily) share especially special memories made with our Eastern Star Sisters and Brothers.  The attire will be semi-formal.

I look forward to seeing everyone at our September meeting.  Remember, officers, if you cannot make it, please let me know.  We need a quorum, so do your best to be there!  Thank you!   

Star Love –

Joni L. Hewston, WM

Michael Biesen, WP

PHOTOS of the Paint and Sip, Ferndale Youth Night, and Sister Karen’s Honor Night

Brethren,

July has been a month of quiet diligence and meaningful connection. On July 10th, we conferred the Third Degree on Brother Stillinger. His steady progress through the degrees is a reminder of the journey we all share in the Craft. Thank you to all who made the degree a success, especially our newest officer team.

Fellowship this month took on a relaxed form with informal Thursday night dinners. From stuffed pork loin to taco night, the dining hall has been filled with laughter, stories, and brotherhood. If you haven’t joined us lately, you’re missed.

Our charitable work continues through preparation—our school outreach team is organizing fall support for local teachers, and we encourage Brothers to suggest worthy causes that reflect our shared values.

Together, we are building something greater than ourselves—one evening, one handshake, and one good work at a time.

Fraternally,

Davin Bowerman, WM

Humboldt Lodge No. 79

Summer greetings to you all,

It has been an active summer after returning from Grand Bethel at the end of June.  Our bethel joined the Shriners in Ferndale for their 4th of July parade, which is always a fun time to connect with more groups! The Bethel went to see How to Train Your Dragon in Eureka, as a fun activity.  It was such a cute live-action movie, and a great way to stay connected while we go dark for the summer!  Later in July, we headed down to California Job’s Daughters Day at the state fair.  For summertime in Sacramento, the heat was mostly bearable and only got up to 95F or so, which was a blessing as it can get BAD there! Thank goodness for A/C and pools!  As we write this, some are also at Job’s Daughters Supreme session in Glendale, AZ, braving the heat to represent us.  It will be exciting to hear of their travels when they arrive back the beautiful Humboldt fog!!

Looking further ahead, we are heading down to Ukiah for a picnic with our Grand Guardian and Bethel No. 106 on Aug 3rd.  The following week we will be presenting to Ferndale’s Order of the Eastern Star during their open meeting on the 13th.  And, we head down to the Miss Cal Pageant for a fancy dinner and get to listen to some empowering and motivating Job’s Daughters speakers, which is always such a great event to be at! We will find out who will be our new Miss California Job’s Daughter there. The following day some will be celebrating our Grand Director of Music with Bethel No. 15 Richmond.

If you have a daughter, granddaughter, niece, or neighbor who is between the ages of 9 and 20, we invite you and them to our next business meeting on September 15th at 7PM at the Humboldt Masonic Center in Eureka.  She will meet new friends, have new experiences, and gain unmeasurable knowledge. California Jobs Daughters is a safe place for girls to bloom into confident women.  Girls learn valuable leadership skills in our meetings, service activities, and charitable events.  If you know someone who might be interested, please have them contact the Bethel Guardian, Leia Pollard at Bethel No. 86 Eureka’s email bethel86@cajdi.org.

Jobie love,
Logan P. HQ
Bethel No. 86

Sisters and Brothers as we get ready to close out another month let us reflect on our July activities. July 9th meeting was Brothers night, and our WP Larry Nicholson presided over the meeting, except for ritual which was done by PM Patti Cady as our worthy matron Liz was attending to some family matters. We also had our annual aebleskiver breakfast, which was well attended despite the new location. I believe we made around $1500.00 in profit. It was delicious as always! The district also had its annual King of Hearts Lee Astorino Tea on July 20th also well attended by even a few nonmembers. They raised about $1000.00 for the Eastern Star Outreach Program that was near and dear to Brother Lee. Some of the members of District one traveled to San Francisco to attend the DGD Heather Currys honor and Triva Night. Such a fun time! This money was raised for the WGM &WGP Project Bradys K-9 and also there were lots of donations for the pet shelter in her area. ( See picture below.)

Our next meeting is August 13th and will be a short form meeting allowing time for the youth groups to give presentations.

Remember to reach out to your sisters and brothers who might need a kind word, a hug or just a phone call.

Elizabeth Carter Lorig WM
Larry Nicholson WP

We hope your summer is going well, everyone!  

At our June meeting we got everything done for our Deputy’s Official Visit.  Thank you, Sister Helene, for all your assistance and wisdom!  Associate Conductress Salena did great with all the parts she had to do in one night! It was lovely to have Sister Karen play piano for us.  And a great big thank you to everyone who came to the meeting.  We made our quorum (just barely) and had several visitors on the sidelines to make our Friendship Night special!  Thank you, everyone!

On July 20 was the 1st Annual Lee Astorino Memorial Tea and silent auction to benefit the OES Outreach.  Sister Deborah “Deb” Winn, PM, Director of Marketing at the SLC came up from Southern California to speak about the Outreach.  There were approximately 28 present to enjoy the scrumptious treats and bid on the several baskets.  Thank you to everyone who participated!   

Next meeting is August 6 and is Game Show Night!  Brother Michael has come up with the theme and plan for this meeting.  We will have an anteroom meeting and then we will participate in our own game show(s)!  Attire is casual.  Refreshments are at 7:00.  Brief anteroom meeting is at 7:30.  Game show to happen immediately thereafter!  I hope you will all be there to join in the fun!  (I believe I heard there might be prizes involved!)

August 10 is a District 1 Summer Paint and Sip event at Fortuna Lodge at 1:00 p.m.  The cost is $25 per person.  Snacks will be provided.  Bring your favorite drink to share (alcoholic or not).  All friends and family of Eastern Star Members are invited to enjoy this event with us!  You need to R.S.V.P. to Sister Janessa so she knows how many are coming and can plan accordingly.  Thank you to Janessa for putting this together!  It should be a lot of fun!

Our September 3 meeting will be themed “Number Please” for Telephone Tuesday.  It will also be our school supply drive.  Please bring whatever school supplies you can manage to the September meeting, and we will donate them to one of the schools here in Eureka.  Meeting will be short form.  Attire will be Business, which means ladies wear a “suit (skirt or pants), nice dress, nice pants and top, jacket optional,” and gentlemen wear a “suit with tie.”

On October 1, Let’s Do a Project!  National Do Something Nice Day and World Card Making Day are both on October 5, so let’s celebrate both and do a project together before the meeting!  Please be at the Lodge by 6:45 so we can get a project done prior to the meeting at 7:30.

Grand Chapter this year is October 15-18 in Visalia.  It is not too soon to start thinking about attending this year’s state convention.  If you have not been before, it is definitely quite the experience!

November 5 will be “Thanks for the Memories” and sharing of especially special memories made with our Eastern Star Sisters and Brothers.

Star love,

Joni L. Hewston, WM
Michael Biesen, WP

PHOTOS:  Lee’s “Professor Tea” hat and flowers from his garden
and  Deborah Winn talking about the OES Outreach  

Here it is August and my year as Master is 3 quarters done but there is still more to do. I want to remind
everyone that our Masonic Picnic is on August 3rd in Rohnert Park, Fortuna. This is a good time to
socialize with the Masonic Families and friends in our area. A deep pit bbq will be served at 12:00 noon. Remember to bring your plate, silverware, utensils and any side dish you would like. A donation is
requested to help defray the costs.

Our stated meeting is on August 11th
at 7:30pm refreshments at 7:00pm.

Practice for the 2nd degree will be on Monday Aug 4 at 7:00pm.

We will be conferring the 2nd degree for James George on August 18th at 7:00pm. Please come and support our Brothers as our member takes a closer step in becoming a Master Mason.
There is no practice on Labor Day Sept. 1st.

Fraternally
David Chris Petersen
Master Ferndale Lodge

Our Lodge had the honor or having an extra middle chamber stair case display which we received from Garberville Lodge when they merged with us, and we donated it to the Ferndale Lodge as theirs was worn out.

At the annual trap shoot Eel River Empire regained the trophy this year, thanks to Phil Grunert and others for their sharp eyes and fast trigger fingers.

Our Lodge is going to donate a covering for the high school baseball field for use during inclement weather.  The donation is on hold due to the lack of adequate drainage of the field.

A second degree was put on this month, with a beautiful staircase lecture from brother Tyler Harris.

Thanks to Bro. Mike Flockhart for filling in for me as I couldn’t get to Lodge due to the closing of highway 36 from the slide.

Bro. Simon Rios, a teacher at the high school,  shot some scenes at the Lodge with the students who enacted a drama of their own making and he shared it with the Bretheren at the July stated meeting.

Our annual B.B. Q., to be held again at the Fortuna park, will be held on August 3^rd.   All Masons and their guests as well as members of the community are invited.

Enough for now, come to Lodge

Theodore B. Lichti  W.M.

It seems the year is going by fast and it will soon be the 4thof July. Remember to come and participate in the annual parade in Ferndale. The lodge will be open for donuts at 10:00 am. We would appreciate your help in decorating the Masonic trailer and riders are needed so lets show the community we are proud members!

Practices for the 2^nd degree will be held on each Monday at 7:00pm. Officer participation is urgently needed or it makes it difficult for the other Officers to do their work.

The regular stated meeting will be on July 14^th at 7:30 pm with refreshments at 7:00 pm.

Hope to see you at the parade!

Fraternally David Chris Petersen

Dear Brethren,

As Masons, our Lodge has embodied the principles of Charity, Fellowship, and Masonic Development in meaningful and impactful ways, and we are proud to share some of our efforts with you.

Charity is the cornerstone of our Masonic work, and we continue to support our community. A testament to this is our humble donation to the sponsor the Senior Moments Softball Team, which will help ensure that the members of this local group can enjoy their game and foster camaraderie. We are spreading the light of charity, one pitch at a time.

Fellowship is the bond that unites us, and our Lodge has been a place of great joy and celebration. This month, we surprised two of our own with heartwarming gatherings: one to celebrate the wedding anniversary of Bill & Sandy Lambo, and another for Brother Barry’s birthday. These surprise parties were not only a moment of fun and laughter but a reminder that fellowship is about more than just meetings—it’s about the relationships we build and the memories we create together.

Masonic Development is an essential part of our journey, and we are pleased to welcome Brother Vance, who was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on March 7th. His initiation marks the continuation of our shared Masonic journey.

These actions speak volumes about who we are as a Lodge. Through charity, fellowship, and development, we strive to embody the very best of Freemasonry. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared work.
Fraternally,
Davin Bowerman, WM
Humboldt Lodge No 79

Sisters and Brothers,

With many thanks for the coordination by the Lodges of the 201st and 203rd Masonic Districts, we are
pleased to announce that the monthly Trestleboard is back, following Brother Alan Smyth’s retirement
and move to Visalia last year. We appreciate your patience and are looking forward to both providing
monthly news and updates about Arcata Chapter, as well as staying current with the goings-on in the
other local bodies. Monthly distribution of the Trestleboard will be primarily handled via email, resulting
in a much reduced cost. 

Arcata Chapter is enjoying a strong year, with meetings that are well-attended by our own members, as
well as many visitors from the other three chapters of our district. We are grateful to be part of such an
enthusiastic and supportive group! 

At our March Stated Meeting, we exemplified Proving of the Chapter, Examination of a Visitor, and
Balloting, in anticipation of the Official Visit of our District Grand Deputy, Helene Nicholson, scheduled
for our May 1 Stated Meeting. I could not have been prouder of the work our officers did! In particular,
the dedication of our first-time conductresses, was evident.  Sisters Lynnie Horrigan and Jean Thomsen
beautifully demonstrated the floorwork they diligently learned at January’s Conductress Workshop. Big
thanks to the members of other chapters who filled-in at the various stations. 

April will find us having a relatively low-key meeting, as we look ahead to the May 1 Official Visit of our
District Grand Deputy and the June 5 Official Visit of our Worthy Grand Matron, Alice Raymond. 
With our annual Official Visits behind us, we have several fun social events to look forward to this
summer, including a District 1 Paint and Sip event, as well as the Annual Lee Astorino Memorial Tea,
which will again benefit the Grand Chapter Member Assistance Fund. Look for more details during the
months to come.

As you are aware, the Chapter is awaiting Grand Chapter approval of our updated Bylaws, which will
allow us to move our Stated Meeting start time to 7:00. It is our hope that one of the benefits of an earlier
start time is the ability for more members to join us each month. In the meantime, please know that even
if you are unable to stay for the monthly Stated Meeting, we would love to have you join us for the dinner
we enjoy each month, prior to the start of the meeting.  Please don’t hesitate to contact one of us, if you
need a ride or have any questions.

With Star Love,
Lisa McCombs, Worthy Matron
Gary Quintrell, Worthy Patron

Dates to Remember
April 3: Stated Meeting – 6:30 Dinner/7:30 Meeting. Business Casual.
May 1: Stated Meeting – Official Visit of the District Grand Deputy. Business Casual.
June 5: Stated Meeting – Official Visit of the Worthy Grand Matron/Memorial. Formal.