Eel River Empire Lodge No. 147

YEA, we are having a CRAB FEED with all the trimmings on March 4th. However due to the cost of CRAB it is mandatory that you make a RESERVATION. Call – Simon Rios. There will also be spaghetti for those who don’t eat CRAB. The cost for the dinner will be $ 30.00, guests welcome.

As mentioned before, our Lodge is getting busy, we had a 3rd degree on Feb 25th, and will have another one in March.

Come to Lodge

Theodore B. Lichti, WM




Eel River Empire Lodge No. 147

Our dual installation with Ferndale Lodge was a first for me. Our thanks to Master Larry Nicholson for suggesting that we install both lodges at the same time. The installation went off without a hitch with Gary Cotrell acting as installing officer and Buster Garrison acting as Master of Ceremonies. How could it not have been done well.

Another petition was received, we are getting active with degrees lately. Bro. Chris Gieser is scheduled for his third degree on the 18th of February.

We would like to welcome Bro. Ken Polter who affiliated with our Lodge recently. Ken has been active in Ferndale Lodge and now has dual membership.

Ken is a 33 degree Mason and has filled our need for a Senior Warden. Thanks to Ken for filling in for us.
It’s nice to see the Lodge active with degrees, Masonry is alive and well in Fortuna

Come to Lodges
Theodore Lichti WM




January 2025 – Eel River Empire No. 147

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.




Eel River Empire Lodge No. 147

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. 




Eel River Empire Lodge No. 147

Every lodge is delighted when they are blessed with a candidate who embraces Masonry  with all his heart and dives into learning the work and participating in all the Lodge activities.  We received such a candidate in Johnny Johnson and I was honored to be able to present him with the Mason of the year award.  

Also Bro Chris Geyser has advanced to the degree of Fellowcraft this month and as he also learns his work rapidly I have no doubt that a Master Mason Degree will be presented to him soon.  

Come to Lodge

Theodore B. Lichti  WM. 




Eel River Empire Lodge No. 147

On degree activity, we were busy early in the month putting on a first degree. The candidate was very excited to become a Mason, hopefully he will continue his enthusiasm for Masonry as all who persue the craft have done.

The lodge is preparing to give another candidate the second degree early in the month of October, its great to be busy with degrees and see Masonry being considered as an important part of their lives.

On our charitable activity to the community, we are planning to donate to the Fortuna High School, a tarp to cover the baseball field during inclement weather. However is was found that the field does not drain properly and the donation is on hold until this situation is rectified.

We are still having a dinner before each stated meeting, which is the first Wednesday of each month. Dinner is at 6:30 and all are welcome.

Enough for now, Come to Lodge.

Theodore Lichti WM.




Eel River Empire Lodge No. 147

We have a first degree scheduled for the 27th of August, and a third degree scheduled for september.  It’s nice to see this much activity in new members wanting to join the Lodge.  The median age is somewhere near the late sixties, and the need for some  more new and younger bodies is critical.  Those who have taken the degrees recently, fortunately, have  taken to the fraternity like ducks to water.  The need for additional sideliners to help with the running of the Lodge, and to take vacant officer chairs, while not critical, is certainly needed.  If you would like to fill a officer position and get more involved in the Lodge we would welcome you.  This is where you start to become the Master of the Lodge, an honor you will be proud of all the rest of your life.

Enough for now

Come to Lodge

Theodore B. Lichti WM. 




Eel River Empire #147

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 3rd.   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.




EEL RIVER EMPIRE LODGE No. 147 – June 2025

We have some members that are serriously behind in their dues. Attempts have been made to get in touch with each member with varing success. When a member gets behind over two years it becomes necessary to drop their membership from the rolls. Regretfully if no contact is possible, or if the member, after getting notice of delinquency, makes no effort to become current, he will be dropped from membership.

We have a second degree scheculed for May 28th for brother John Prangley. The second degree is, in my opinion, very impressive when presented by a senior Deacon who is very well prepared. We are fortunate to have such a Senior Deacon in the person of Tyler Harris.

We still have a couple stations open and could use brothers to fill these positions. If you are interested in progressing through the line to become Master of this Lodge a good place to start is in taking an open station when it is available.

A reminder that is has become necessary to increase the cost of our stated meeting dinners to $ 15.00 dollars due to the increased cost of food and preparation.

Enough for now, come to Lodge

Theodore Lichti, WM




Eel River Empire Lodge No. 147

The first order of business since the untimely passing of our Worshipful Master, Dan Mc Clelland, was to install our new Master for the balance of the year. Bro Ted Lichti has taken on the responsibility, and was elected and installed in due and ancient form. Our Lodge has been busy this year beginning with the recognition of Bro. Richard Sweet for 50 years as a member of the Eastern Star. Congratulations Rich.
Also we have had another 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge, Bro. Phil Grunert, who joined the 50 year club on January 18th. Congratulations to you also Phil. Brother Johnny Johnson gave an excellent proficiency in the third degree, congratulations to you also on completeing your proficiencies. Several brothers traveled to Ferndale Lodge on the 13th of January to support and enjoy their brotherhood. One of the privileges of Masonry is to be able to visit any Masonic Lodge in the world and enjoy the friendship extended to you. The Trestleboard in again available on line as well as printed. Our inspector, Dan Sarver, conducted a school on instruction on the first degree, and had his official visit to our Lodge on the fifth of March. Our Lodge continues to be benevolent to our community by making a donation of $300.00 to San Demos Lodge to assist in feeding military heros, and a donation of $2,000 was approved as a scholerhsip to Bro. Johnny Johnson Jr, who will be receiveing his second degree next month.

Enough for now, come to Lodge.

Ted Lichti WM.