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• GM Recommendation No. 5: Permits Charges to Be Withdrawn During Pre-trial Phase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/

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. 

Happy Fall, Y’all! 
 Camellia Star’s October 1 meeting did not happen because, sadly, we had no quorum.  However, Sister Joni had provided the kits for making greeting cards for a fun project for the evening, and the four officers present made several cards which Sister Alice then offered to mail to members of the Chapter who cannot attend meetings.  THANK YOU, Sister Alice, for doing this.  It was very nice of you and very much appreciated!  

Because of the lack of quorum, Sister Laird called for a special meeting on Saturday, October 25, to hold elections.  The special meeting and potluck was held at Noon on that Saturday, and there were nine of us present.  THANK YOU to all who came! 

CONGRATULATIONS to the newly elected officers: 
Worthy Matron, Laird Crandall
Worthy Patron, Michael Biesen
Secretary, Peggy Mecham-Carlotti 
Treasurer, Elizabeth Carter-Lorig 
Conductress, Salena Glass 

Sister Laird also discussed installation which is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, at Humboldt Lodge.  Officers, please be at the Lodge by 12:30 for a brief practice and then photos prior to the ceremony.  If you are one of those who volunteered to bring refreshments and/or if you want to help set up, you may want to be there even earlier; check in with Sister Laird about that.

Sister officers, please wear a long dress of whatever color you prefer.  (Brother Michael has told us he will be wearing tails.)  For our guests, attire is semi-formal.   

Sister Laird also gave us a report on what happened at Grand Chapter.  Thank you, Sister Laird, for sharing that information with us.  It was interesting to hear about everything, but especially the legislation that passed or failed.  

Next on our calendar is our November 5 stated meeting.  The theme is “Thanks for the Memories.”  Anyone wanting to share a special memory or two about their time in Eastern Star will be welcome to share.  Refreshments will be at 7:00 p.m., and the meeting is at 7:30.  Attire is semi-formal. 

The installation calendar for November is as follows: 
Camellia Star on November 8
Ferndale on November 15
Arcata on November 16 
Redding on November 22
Rohnerville-Redwood on November 23
       all at 2:00 p.m. 

The first stated meeting for Camellia Star will be on Wednesday, December 3.  At some point we will have a practice with our new District Grand Deputy, Janessa Bacon. 

In parting, November 5 will be Sister Joni’s last meeting at Worthy Matron, and she has a message – Thanks to all of the Sisters and Brothers from the Chapters of District 1 who helped and supported me and our Chapter over the past two years.  You are all very dear to me and greatly appreciated.  I could not have managed these past two years without you.  These have been difficult years on many levels, and I am grateful for my Masonic/Eastern Star family who have been there for me on all those levels.  Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation.  Best wishes to you all. 

See you soon! 

Star Hugs, 
Joni L. Hewston, Worthy Matron 
Michael Biesen, Worthy Patron 

Greetings from the Scottish Rite Valley of Northern California,

I hope this finds all our brethren doing well. On September 16th , 2025, we held our monthly meeting and have several exciting things happening. First, we are changing our stated meeting time to 7:00pm so please mark this new time for all future meetings. We will be having our Feast of Tishri on our October meeting night and are looking forward to seeing everyone. We will be holding our election of officers in November and I would like to thank all those members who held offices this year. We are planning a Burns night in January and are planning a special entrée for that dinner. We are also working on planning a Golf tournament for next year so be on the lookout for future information on that.

Sincerely,
Jason Akana, Venerable Master

Greetings from Bethel no. 86! Our Bethel hosted Bethel No. 46 Susanville and Bethel No. 106 Ukiah for a weekend on the coast. We visited the Sequoia Park Zoo in the morning. A highlight was seeing the bears from above on the skywalk! We shared meals and had a lovely Lily of the Valley ceremony for Brooke Hansen in the afternoon. For those not familiar, the Lily of the Valley is a new award awarded to those who show outstanding dedication to both her home Bethel and to Job’s Daughters International. To end the night we went to the beach and roasted s’mores at sunset. It was quite an eventful weekend with the 3 most northern California Bethels.

Sept 15th we had our first meeting after summer where we Daughters recommended adults for our Bethel’s council.

We are looking forward to ending the month with our Official Visit meeting and Majority ceremony. There will be photos in next month’s newsletter.

We are planning to have some fundraisers this autumn including a pancake breakfast and our famous lasagnas! Be on the look out for sales for both frozen lasagna to-go and a sit-down lasagna dinner.

Jobie Love,
Logan P. Honored Queen
Bethel No. 86 Eureka, JDI

Our September meeting had a “Number Please!” theme, and we learned about Telephone Tuesday.  Thank you to all who attended! 

Our October 1 meeting is “Let’s Do a Project!” in honor of National Do Something Nice Day and World Card Making Day (both on October 5).  While our Worthy Matron will not be present for this meeting, she has made packets for everyone to make cards.  Please be at the lodge by 6:45 to join in the project, or just kibitz from the side!  The cards are for you to make and enjoy however you see fit – whether you keep them, send them to a family member or a friend, or send to a member who is unable to attend our meetings! 

Also, October 1 is our elections meeting, so if you plan to stand for an elective office, please be sure your intentions are on the dais before the meeting starts! 

The attire for this meeting is Business.  Sister Laird will be presiding in Sister Joni’s absence, and will share information about our coming installation on November 8.  Officers, if you cannot make it to the October meeting, please let her know.  IT IS IMPORTANT we have a quorum for this meeting so we can have our elections! 

Our November 5 meeting will be “Thanks for the Memories.”  Anyone who wants to share a special memory or two of Eastern Star is welcome to do so.  Attire will be semi-formal.  Refreshments will be at 7:00; meeting at 7:30. 

Be sure to have on your calendar that installation is November 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.  More information to come.  

Be well, and enjoy the beautiful Autumn that is already upon us! 

Starry love and light, 

Joni Hewston, WM
Michael Biesen, WP 

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.

Sisters and brothers,

 fall is certainly in the air with crisp fresh mornings. We held our monthly meeting in September on the 10th and celebrated our chapters 149th birthday with cake and ice cream. Reports were given on the Nile luncheon and Arcata chapter dinner provided by Ferndale Chapter as fundraisers. Our chapter recognized the office of Warder Diann Christiansen and Sentinel Kirby Bay with some flowers and acknowledgement of the work and service they give to our chapter.  

The budget report and membership reports were also given and approved as submitted. We were reminded about Grand Chapter credentials being due by the 20th of September for those attending. 

Next month our October meeting is on Wednesday the 8th with it being elections, make sure you have your name ready with 2 cosigners if you are vying for an elected office and on the dais before the meeting. I will be in charge of refreshments so expect a little Halloween fun. (Patti). We also always have a flower, and it is the calendula this month. Never heard of it but I’m sure it’s pretty.  Hope to see you all in October!

Elizabeth Carter Lorig WM

Larry Nicholson WP

Greetings from the Scottish Rite Valley of Northern California.
I would first off like to congratulate our brethren who completed their Scottish Rite
degrees on August 30 th , they are Charles Johnson, Jonathan Abidari, and Rick S.
Gibson, Ret. Sgt.Major. Active Guard Reserve. I would also Like to thank all the
Scottish Rite Masons who took part in the degrees as well as the wonderful ladies who
prepared our lunch as well as the dinner for the ring and cap ceremony. I would like to
encourage all Scottish Rite Brothers to join us at our next stated meeting which will be
September 18 th with coffee time starting at 7pm and our meeting starting at 7:30 pm. All
Masonic Brothers are invited to join us for our coffee time.

Sincerely,
Jason Akana, Venerable Master

Greetings from the Eureka York Rite Bodies,

Fellow Companions, I would like to remind all Companions of our upcoming
meeting dates and times as we will begin having Officer elections soon. The next
meetings are as follows:
Eureka Commandery #35 – September 10 th , 2025 @7pm
Humboldt Chapter #52 – October 8 th , 2025 @7pm
Pacific Council #37 – November 12 th , 2025 @7pm
Eureka Commandery #35 – December 10 th , 2025 @7pm
I would especially like to remind all Companions that we will be holding officer
elections and that we will be discussing our Christmas observance.

Sincerely,
Jason Akana, Illustrious Master, Pacific Council #37