Brethren,

I’d like to share a story I recently heard that has stuck with me in a good way. I hope it may have the same effect on you.

Captain Charles Plumb was a U.S. Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions his plane was hit and destroyed by a surface to air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent six years in a North Vietnamese prison.

After returning home Charles and his wife were at a restaurant, enjoying dinner when a gentleman from a nearby table approached and said “You’re Plumb! You flew jets in Vietnam from the carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down.” Charles responded “Yes, how in the world could you know that”. The gentleman replied “I packed your parachute. I guess it worked”.

Charles rose and shook his hand and assured him “It most certainly did work”. Charles didn’t know the gentleman, yet this man had packed his parachute and in doing so, saved his life.

Captain Plumb now tells his story to inspire people to think. How many times a day, a week, a month, do we pass up the chance to thank the people who pack our parachute? Not only our physical parachute, but our mental, emotional and spiritual parachute. Now for the bigger question. “Whose parachute are you packing?” Better yet, who could you be packing for? As for me, I know I can do better. Like I said in the beginning, this one stuck with me. Food for thought.

February was a busy month at the lodge and March is not slowing down. Some dates to take note of:

March 5th – Stated meeting, with dinner starting at 5:30

March 8th – Daylight savings begins. Set your clocks forward or you’ll be late to lodge

March 12th – 3rd Degree, Dinner starting at 5:30

March 17th – St. Patrick’s day

March 19th – Practice, with dinner starting at 5:30

March 26th – First degree, dinner starting at 5:30

“Together we ARE making a difference”

Bill McBroome Master

Greetings Brethren,

February is the month of love. This is the month we celebrate the ones closest to us on Valentines Day.

In doing some prep for this article, I found references to 4 types of love in the Holy Writings. I would like to share them with you now. The Greek words are Eros, Storge, Philia and Agape.

Eros love is pronounced: AIR-ohs and is the word used for sensual or romantic love. The term originated from the mythical Greek god of love, sexual desire, attraction and physical love. Eros whose Roman counterpart was Cupid.

Storge love is pronounced: STOR-jay and is the word used to describe family love. This is the natural affectionate love that develops between parents and children or brothers and sisters. This could even be applied to the love of a pet.

Philia love is pronounced: FILL-ee-uh and is the type of love used to describe Brotherly love or powerful bonds of friendship. It is an emotional bond seen in deep friendships. As Masons we are very familiar with this kind of love for one another. We speak of it in our ritual and practice it in our daily lives.

Agape love is pronounced Uh-GAH-pay and is the most powerful of all four types. It refers to the love of God. Unmeasurable and incomparable love of human kind. It is the divine love that comes from God. Agape love is perfect, unconditional, sacrificial and pure.

No matter what kind of Love you feel, practice it with your whole heart and you can’t go wrong.

The Lodge calendar is full again this month:

Feb 5 th , Stated meeting and the Official visit of the District Inspector

Feb 7 th , District school of Instruction at Humboldt 79 2 nd degree

Feb 8 th , Superbowl party with some great BBQ

Feb 12 th , 3 rd Degree

Feb14th, Spend the day with your Valentine

Feb 19 th , First degree rehearsal

Feb 21 st , Sweethearts dinner Sea Grill, place your reservation with the lodge

Feb 26 th , First degree

“Together we ARE making a difference”

Bill McBroome, Master

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

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)

As we approach the end of another month in our Masonic journey, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the officers and members of Humboldt Lodge No. 79. Your steadfast dedication, faithful attendance, and brotherly support continue to strengthen the pillars of our beloved Lodge.

I am profoundly honored to have represented Humboldt Lodge No. 79 at the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge. This responsibility speaks to one of our most fundamental principles—the Twelfth Landmark of Masonry: the right of every Mason to be represented in all general meetings of the Craft and to instruct his representatives. While our ancient Brethren once gathered individually at General Assemblies, the Craft evolved in 1717 to representation through Masters and Wardens for practical convenience. Yet the Landmark’s integrity remains uncompromised—the sacred principle of representation endures. As your representative, I carried forward not merely my own voice, but the collective wisdom, concerns, and aspirations of every Brother in our Lodge. We now await with bated breath the results of these important deliberations that will shape the future of our Craft in California.

Fraternally,

Davin Bowerman, Worshipful Master, Humboldt No. 79

2025 Annual Communication Legislation

Voting Requirements: New legislation and Grand Master’s Recommendations require a 5/6 vote (83.3%) to pass on first presentation. Carryover legislation (items that received majority support but did not reach the 5/6 threshold) requires a 2/3 vote (66.7%) to pass. Grand Master’s Decisions require only a simple majority as they are already in effect and voting codifies them into the California Masonic Code.

Grand Master’s Decisions and Recommendations:

• GM Decision No. 1: Clarifies the esoteric or secret portion of the Ritual
• GM Decision No. 2: Installation of Lodge Officers Not Included in the Ritual
• GM Recommendation No. 1: Updates Grand Lodge Committee Membership, Duties, and Tenure
• GM Recommendation No. 2: Eliminates Code Provisions Relating to Officers Associations
• GM Recommendation No. 3: Centralized Notifications for Suspensions of Non-payment of Dues
• GM Recommendation No. 4: Updates the Duties of the Lodge Secretary
• GM Recommendation No. 5: Permits Charges to Be Withdrawn During Pre-trial Phase

2024 Carryover Legislation:

• 2024 GM Recommendation No. 4: Updates required applicant contributions and contribution amounts (2024 Result: 74.53%)
• 2024 GM Recommendation No. 6: Modifies lodge vote required to restore a Mason suspended for non-payment of dues (2024 Result: 83.15%)
• 2024 GM Recommendation No. 8: Clarifies procedures to approve alternate rituals (2024 Result: 77.84%)
• 2024 GM Recommendation No. 11: Permits a secretary to serve as master, warden, or secretary of another lodge (2024 Result: 74.14%)
• 2024 Resolution No. 24-01: Makes third degree proficiency a prerequisite for nomination to the office of master, senior warden, or junior warden (2024 Result: 78.73%)

New Legislation for 2025:

• Resolution 25-02: Allows Cicero Research Lodge to Hold a Single Stated Meeting Annually
• Resolution 25-04: Changes the Offices of Grand Organist, Assistant Grand Organist, and Organist to Grand Musician, Assistant Grand Musician, and Musician

For detailed explanations of each item, visit https://freemason.org/the_leader/september-2025/

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

Brethren,

As we meet upon the level and part upon the square, let us remember our core mission: to make Masons, provide charity, and enjoy true fellowship. Each of these pillars strengthens not only our Lodge but our greater Masonic family.

This month, we are honored to welcome Worshipful Brother Bill McBroom as our Officer’s Coach. His guidance and experience will help us rise to the challenge set forth by our Grand Lodge Inspector—to elevate our degree conferral work. Let us answer that call with the same zeal that has defined our Lodge for generations.

June is filled with opportunities to gather and celebrate our shared work. On Saturday, June 7th, we’ll support the Job’s Daughters during their installation ceremony. On June 14th at 2 PM, we will present the Hiram Award to Brother Allen Nielsen in recognition of his outstanding service. And on June 21st at 9 AM, join us for the annual Masonic Trap Shoot—a great time to bond and share in brotherly competition.

These events remind us why we labor—to uplift one another, to celebrate excellence, and to strengthen the bonds that unite us.

Fraternally,

Davin Bowerman

WM, Humboldt 79

Greetings Brethren,

We’ve had a full and rewarding few weeks, and there’s even more on the horizon. Here’s what’s been going on and what we’re looking forward to as spring unfolds.

Remembrance & Renewal in Fortuna

After our lodge’s degree practice on March 17th, several of us traveled to Fortuna at the kind invitation of our Scottish Rite Brethren. We attended their annual Remembrance and Renewal Ceremony, a tradition that honors the memory of our recently departed Brothers. The ceremony not only pays tribute to their lives but also reminds us of our duty to carry the light of Masonry forward in the world with purpose and integrity.

Charity in Action: Scholarships

Tomorrow night, our scholarship committee will be meeting between 5:00 and 7:00 PM to review over twenty scholarship applications from local students. If you’re able, please stop by and lend a hand—even if you arrive late, your presence and input are welcome and appreciated. This is one of the key ways we support and give back to our community, and your participation truly matters.

Fellowship with Job’s Daughters

On March 31st, our fellowship extended to the youth of Job’s Daughters as we shared a lively potluck dinner followed by a friendly cornhole competition. There was no shortage of laughs—or surprises. A special word of warning for future games: don’t underestimate Betsy. She might lull you into a false sense of security with a couple of wild throws, only to follow up with a streak of perfect shots. A stealth champion!

Quiet Acts of Leadership

I also wanted to take a moment to recognize the quiet but powerful leadership shown by our Stewards. After many of us have gone home, they remain behind, rolling up their sleeves to clean and maintain the dining hall. It’s a humble, often unseen part of lodge life—but one that exemplifies the very heart of Masonic service. Thank you, Brothers, for your tireless work.

Looking Ahead: A Week Full of Fellowship and Celebration

We’ve got a special evening coming up on Thursday, April 24th, as we confer the First Degree of Masonry on Mr. Shamus Kistner, the nephew of Brother Doug Brown. It will be a particularly meaningful night, with Bro. Doug sitting in the East for the degree. We invite all local Masons to join us for dinner at 5:30 PM, with the ceremony to follow. Let’s give Shamus a warm and memorable welcome to the Craft.

The next evening, Friday, April 25th at 5:30 PM, we’ll descend upon the Elk’s Club for a casual “Cook Your Own Steak Night.” Bring your appetite and enjoy good food and fellowship in a relaxed setting—these are the moments where bonds are built and strengthened.

And finally, on Saturday, April 26th at 1:30 PM, we’ll gather to honor Worshipful Brother William Lambo as he celebrates an extraordinary milestone: 50 years in both the Shrine and Scottish Rite. It’s a rare and inspiring achievement, and we hope to see many of you there to share in the celebration.

As always, thank you for all that you do—seen and unseen—in upholding the principles and spirit of Masonry. See you at lodge.

Fraternally,

Davin Bowerman, WM

Humboldt Lodge No. 79

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