Brethren, 

Masonic Development, Fellowship, & Charity. It’s what we do.

Our stated meeting on Feb 6th was quite busy. Masonic Development is going well, as we balloted favorably on Mr John Vance & on Mr Travis McBroom. Their initiations are scheduled for March. We know fellowship is strong when we see our brothers choose to spend Super Bowl Sunday together. We were delighted to spend time dining with our ladies at the Sweethearts Night at the Sea Grill. At February’s stated meeting we heard from our Inspector representing Most Worshipful Salazar who invites us to celebrate our commitment to charity by participating in a statewide day of service March 17th followed by a Grand Lodge Festive Board on the 19th. Housekeeping – check.

Have you ever wondered what ‘Our Ancient Landmarks you are carefully to preserve’ means? I did a bit of poking around, and as with our craft there is a literal (operative) and a metaphorical (speculative) meaning. Reference to ‘landmarks’ goes back to Old Testament bible and refers to what today we would call surveyors’ markings.  In a modern context, the landmarks can be interpreted as a warning against disregarding the boundaries set by previous generations. In 1856, Bro. Albert Mackey wrote what he believed were 25 Ancient Landmarks. My favorite is 22, restated thus:  

The  Equality  of  all  Masons  is  another  Land-mark of  the  Order.  This  equality  has  no  reference to  any  subversion  of  those  gradations  of  rank which  have  been  instituted  by  the  usages  of  society. The  monarch,  the  nobleman  or  the  gentleman  is  entitled  to  all  the  influence,  and  receives  all  the respect  which  rightly  belong  to  his  exalted  position. But  the  doctrine  of  Masonic  equality  implies  that, as  children  of  one  great  Father,  we  meet in  the Lodge  upon  the  level — that  on  that  level  we  are  all traveling  to  one  predestined  goal — that  in  the  Lodge genuine  merit  shall  receive  more  respect  than boundless  wealth,  and  that  virtue  and  knowledge alone  should  be  the  basis  of  all  Masonic  honors,  and be  rewarded  with  preferment. When  the  labors of  the  Lodge  are  over,  and  the  brethren  have  retired from  their  peaceful  retreat,  to  mingle  once  more with  the  world,  each  will  then  again  resume  that social  position,  and  exercise  the  privileges  of  that rank,  to  which  the  customs  of  society  entitle  him.

In the last century, several American Grand Lodges attempted to enumerate the landmarks, ranging from West Virginia (7) and New Jersey (10) to Nevada (39) and Kentucky (54). While brothers may disagree on the speculative meaning of Landmarks I contend, nevertheless, that reading them and contemplating them ourselves is a worthwhile reflection. For those reading this on the website, here is a link to Mackey’s Landmarks.

Davin Bowerman, 

2025 Worshipful Master, Humboldt 79

March is here and Spring is just around the corner!

To begin the year off, the Bethel installed five Daughters pictured below (from left to right: Lily, Carla, Betsy, Logan, and Emily) with a winter wonderland themed installation. We donated our carrying pieces to United Through Reading – an organisation connecting books and deployed military families together. Later in January we took a trip up to Crescent City. We explored the different sights and participated in the installation of officers of Crescent Lodge.

After our business meeting in February, we made Valentine’s Day cards for our adopted grandmothers and for our lodge widows, spreading some Jobie love.  We also had a fun day of watching movies, making crafts, and gearing up for our cornhole game against Humboldt Lodge!

Coming up on March 15th, Job’s Daughters is holding a fundraiser breakfast. We are making an Ulster Fry from 9-11 AM at the Humboldt Masonic center 512 G Street, Eureka.  This breakfast is a traditional meal served at any time of the day in the Ulster region of Northern Ireland.  Tickets are available in advance and at the door.  $10/Adults & $6/kids.  You may also RSVP the Bethel Guardian (Leia Pollard) at 707-845-0992 to help ensure there is enough eggs, sausage, bacon, potato farls, and soda farls to go around.

And finally, on March 31st, we are going to have some friendly competition between Bethel 86 & Humboldt Lodge 79 with a night of cornhole.

Stay tuned for more information about our continuing adventures!

Warm Spring wishes to one and all!
Bethel No. 86 Eureka Job’s Daughters International

Greetings, Sisters, Brothers, and Friends –

I am sorry for not getting information in to the Trestleboard sooner.  I was sick for most of a good deal of November and December, missing our stated meeting on December 5, which had a “Holidays Around the World” theme.  Thank you to Sister Laird for moving to the East to preside.  Thank you to Sister Peggy for helping with the meeting and for sharing some holiday traditions from around the globe. I am so glad we had a quorum.  Thank you, everyone!

January 1, of course, we did not have a stated meeting since our by-laws specify we do not meet on New Year’s Day.  I hope everyone had a lovely day with their family and friends. Happy New Year to one and all!

To back up just a bit, we had a very nice installation on November 17, with a theme of “Kindness costs nothing, yet it is a most precious gift” (Katrina Mayer).  Thank you to everyone who helped with this installation from those who agreed to be installing officers to the Chapter officers who agreed to take stations this year to the guests who came and supported us from the sidelines.  You are all so wonderful and helpful! 

We also had a food drive, and I took quite a carload of food donations to Food for People shortly after.  Thank you to everyone who donated.  Most of the donations were not brought upstairs but rather left in the cars so the boxes and bags would not have to be lugged up and back down again!

Some fun District-wide events either have happened or are being contemplated for this year.  One that has already happened, rather spontaneously, was attending the play “Cinderella” in Ferndale in December.

In other news, our Chapter had been having a hard time connecting with Sister Susan Bonnett to deliver to her a 25-year pin and certificate.  It turns out she is in the Santa Rosa area for medical treatment.  Sister Helene was able to visit with her and pass along the pin and certificate for us.  Helene let us know that Susan is doing well despite her illness, and she sends her love and wishes everyone a happy new year.  If you would like to send a card to Susan, please send it in care of her sister: Kristin Bonnett, 2653 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, CA  95407.

Our February 5 stated meeting went well.  THANK YOU to everyone who came and helped with the meeting!  Our theme of the night was “For the Birds” in honor of Feed the Birds Day.  A theme-appropriate We’re So Glad You Came gift was won by Sister Salena, just back from a Conductress Weekend where she got to learn quite a bit!

Next meeting (March 5) will be “Napping Under the Apple Tree with Johnny Appleseed” in honor of Johnny Appleseed Day on March 11.  Attire will be business casual.  We will do long-form opening.

For your information, “Business Casual” means ladies wear dress, skirt/slacks outfit, jacket optional, and gentlemen wear slacks and nice shirt or polo shirt (no t-shirts).

Also for your information, our Worthy Grand Matron’s visit will be at our June 4 stated meeting, and we will do long form opening at each meeting before then to keep in practice with our Ritual work.

Just a reminder, in case you have not paid yet, dues are $85.21 general, or $75.21 for life sponsors. Dues should be sent to Secretary Peggy Mecham-Carlotti at P.O. Box 117, Bayside, CA  95524.  Thank you.

Looking ahead, our April 2 meeting theme will be “It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time!” because April 2 is Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. 

May 7 will be our Deputy’s official visit, so we will need to have brushed up on proving the Chapter, the Associate Conductress’ initiation work, balloting, etc., by then.  We will discuss this more as May approaches. 

June 4 is our Worthy Grand Matron’s Official Visit.  She wants to visit a regular stated meeting with our Chapter – not one of the all-District meetings, this one is just us and our usual visitors/helpers.  It is also Memorial, so we will be doing the Memorial Ceremony.  The Chaplain and Conductresses need to wear white for the occasion.  Also it just happens that World Bicycle Day is June 2, so we will use that as the theme for the evening, since the Worthy Grand Matron is into bicycles with baskets filled with flowers.    

Again, thank you to everyone who comes to our meetings.  We have a great group in this Chapter and in this District, and I appreciate you all very much.  For example, Sister Alice (Martha) has volunteered to do both Martha and Electa at our meetings, since she knows both parts.  Thank you for that, Sister Alice!  You are a gem!
 

Best wishes to everyone, and until we meet again,

Star love,

Joni Hewston
Worthy Matron

Camellia Star Chapter

Photos

First, Installation of the 2025 officers

Second, 2024 Food Drive

Third, most of the Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons of 2025

Fourth, some Brothers having a good time

Greetings Brothers,

I hope this finds you all doing well and having a great start to a new year. This year brings excitement and challenge as I take on new and exciting rolls in Masonry. For York Rite I would like you all to be aware of a special date in February. On the 25^th the York Rite Bodies will be hosting a reception for Illustrious Grand Master Jeff White of the Grand Council of California. Time and details will come out in the near future. As always, I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing each of you.

Jason Akana

Brethren, 

Masonic Development, Fellowship, & Charity. It’s what we do. On January 9th our officers and coach Bill Lambo, PM,  discussed our expectations of each other for ritual practice and development, which is always a good conversation to start the year. If you cannot be at a practice, notify Bill. If you need a substitute for a degree, ask a Past Master at least a week ahead of the night. We are scheduled to confer Bro. Sheyenne “Shiny” Stillinger a 2nd degree on Thursday January 30th. Fellowcrafts and Master masons are welcome to join us for dinner at 5:30pm and Lodge Opening at 6:30pm. 

Thank you brothers who brought 6+ prospects to our Thursday night practice yesterday! It’s our earnest desire to make every Thursday at 5:30pm a Lodge night. We’d like every brother to come grab a bite, enjoy fellowship, and if inclined and eligible watch our officers practice their ritual. 

We hope you’re looking forward to the return of Sushi Night on Saturday, January 18th. Bro Reed has taken steps to ensure that the flaws of last year don’t repeat, this will be a fantastic fellowship event to start the new year. Thank you Josh for your tireless successful efforts. There will be Taiko drummers and Karaoke to round out the sushi feed. Humboldt 79’s Ladies’ Luncheon is scheduled for 26 January at 12pm. 

Charity- The brethren elected to donate $x to the local Special Olympics to soften the blow of the theft of their sports equipment storage. 

See you at Lodge, 

Davin Bowerman, Worshipful Master

Brothers and Friends;

Please join the officers and families of Humboldt Lodge No. 79 this Saturday December 7th, 2024 at 2 o’clock for the annual installation of our officers for 2025. We expect to finish by 3pm when we will have light refreshments in the dining room. Our officer’s corp is full of enthusiasm to make the year ahead full of Fellowship, Charity, and a year to better ourselves and our community. All are welcome to this event and we look forward to your support. 

Fraternally yours, 

Davin Bowerman

Greetings brothers.  

Last month was the Annual Communications and with it we welcome our new Grand Master, Most Worshipful Arthur L. Salazar Jr. And with the new grand line of officers we also saw a change in districts for all of California. Humboldt Lodge is now in the 201^st District along with Arcata and Crescent City. Ferndale and Fortuna are now part of the 203^rd district. Both new districts will have separate inspectors and schools of instruction.

As the year winds down, I would like to remind the officers that proficiencies are due. Please make an appointment with your inspector if you haven’t already.

Upcoming events:  

November 7th, Thursday – Stated Meeting at 7:00pm 

November 14th, Thursday – 3^rd Degree Proficiency for Brother Josh Reed at 6:15pm 

Respectfully,  

Dan Sarver  

Master  

Humboldt Lodge No. 79       

Hello, everyone!

At our meeting on October 2, there was some concern for a bit as to whether we would have a quorum, but we made it!  Whew!  Because of the lack of people present for 7:00 refreshments, we held those until after the meeting.  The theme of the evening was “Teddy Bear Picnic,” and nearly everyone brought a plushy friend or two… or three… to share.  We had all sorts of fuzzy friends, including a gopher, an elephant, an owl, LOTS of bears, a German Shepard, and more! Some of the friends were old and dear treasures from childhood, and some were relatively new.  It was fun to get to meet them and hear their stories!  Thanks to all who brought their plushy friends with them!

Please note that there is a bear available for adoption.  Sister Marlene Hover left behind a beautifully dressed bear with a lovely hat.  She is very pretty and needs a new home.  If anyone is interested in adopting this sweet bear, please contact Sister Peggy Mecham-Carlotti.

The ”We’re So Glad You Came” gifts went to Sisters Liz Lorig and Tricia Coombs!  Thank you, ladies, and thanks to everyone who came to the meeting.  And a special thank you to Sisters Lynnie Horrigan who filled in as Associate Conductress and Jean Thomson who filled in as Esther.  Thank you, also, to Sister Tricia for filling both the Associate Matron and Conductress stations!  And, of course, thank you to the seven Camellia Star officers who were present.  

Another highlight of our evening, of course, was elections.  Congratulations to our newly elected officers for 2025:

                Joni Hewston, Worthy Matron

                Michael Biesen, Worthy Patron

                Laird Crandall, Associate Matron

                Liz Lorig, Treasurer

                Peggy Mecham-Carlotti, Secretary

                And – drum roll please –

                Salena Glass, Associate Conductress!

We will have an open installation on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.  Practice will be that morning at 11:00.  It has yet to be decided whether we want some sort of lunch as a group in between practice and installation.  While it was not mentioned in the meeting, please be advised the installation is semi-formal, and the colors are all the colors of the rainbow.  The theme will be something along the lines of “Kindness costs nothing, yet it is a most precious gift.”  There are no other installation details available yet, but think flowers!  There will also be a FOOD DRIVE!  So, if you would like to participate, please bring non-parishable food in non-breakable containers for our Food Drive.  Thank you!

In sadder news, it was announced that a former member of our Chapter, and a many times Past Patron, Wayne Hooper, had passed away very recently, and his memorial was held this past Thursday.  Brother Michael was at the memorial and said it was standing room only.

Looking ahead, the theme for our November 6 meeting is “Marooned Without a Compass,” and Brother Michael has already gotten into the spirit with a little game he has planned.   Attire is … whatever … we’re marooned, right?  So casual attire seems appropriate.  Sister Alice kindly offered to bring refreshments – thank you!  We will try to have refreshments at 7:00, and then the meeting at 7:30.  Meeting will be short form.  I look forward to seeing you all there!

Announcements: 

Congratulations to Helene Nicholson who is the new Deputy Grand Matron for District 1!  I am sure she will shortly be scheduling First Meeting Practices with the various Chapters.

Save the Dates:

                November 6 – “Marooned Without a Compass” – Last meeting of the term for our Chapter

                November 10 – Arcata Chapter Installation

                November 16 – Rohnerville-Redwood Chapter Installation

                November 17 – Camellia Star Chapter Practice and Installation

                November 23 – Ferndale Chapter Installation

                                      Note:  All installations are at 2:00 p.m.

                December 4 – First meeting of the new term for our Chapter – Toy Drive!

                January 1, 2025 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!  No meeting  —  enjoy the holiday with your family and friends!

Thank you, one and all!  I look forward to seeing you soon.

Star Light and Love –

Joni Hewston, Worthy Matron

Camellia Star Chapter No. 63

PHOTOS from our Teddy Bear Picnic meeting in October.

Brothers and Friends;

A busy month of September was seen at Six Rivers Lodge, starting with our First Responders Appreciation Dinner on 9/11. A Tri-Tip dinner was catered for the Arcata Fire and Police Departments with everyone having an enjoyable and emotional time. Several attendees had friends or relatives who were there or knew someone who had lost their life. In fact, the Grand Master stated that he hoped we would continue this gathering in years to come. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a success. On September 28th, Grand Lodge came to the North Coast for two Cornerstone ceremonies, one at the Eureka High School Gym and the second at the Blue Lake Rancheria Health Center. Both ceremonies were done in the finest Masonic Tradition, rivaling the Capital cornerstone ceremony presided over by President George Washington. If you were not there, you missed an important Masonic Ritual; for no two are ever the same and they are all impressive . Go to Humboldt #79’s Trestleboard to view pictures of the two events.

Our October Stated Meeting went well (less than 50 minutes); Brother Mitch Reid, our newest Brother Mason was also in attendance. Many important items were discussed from the handling of our finances to upcoming events occurring through the end of the year. We will be honoring two of our Brothers for their hard work and commitment to our Lodge. Brother James Irving is our Hiram Award recipient  for 2024 and will be honored on October, 13th at 2PM at the Six Rivers Lodge in Bayside. Brother Jonathan Abidari is our “Mason of the Year” honoree and will be honored at a ceremony at Eel River Lodge in Fortuna on October,  24th at 6:30 PM. Please try and attend and support our worthy Brothers. Hall Association Meeting on October 29th at 6:30 PM, please all come and see the many Lodge improvements which are occurring as I write this missive.

Moving into November, we will honor our Veterans with a dinner and fellowship on November 12th starting at 6:30PM. Some kind of “beef” with sides will be served. On into December, we will finish up my year with our Installation on December 8th at 2PM at Six Rivers Lodge #106 in Bayside.

Thanks,

George Durfee, WM

Greetings brothers. 

We had an incredible month which was highlighted by a Grand Lodge visit and the laying of two cornerstones in one day.

The first was at Eureka High School’s new Jay Willard gymnasium, where Grand Master G. Sean Metroka performed the ceremony to a grateful crowd. After lunch, we traveled to Blue Lake and took part in the second cornerstone ceremony for the new Hula Health Center on the Blue Lake Rancheria. It was exciting to be a part of it all, and everyone seemed to enjoy the fellowship. Thanks again to everyone that participated and helped to make the day a memorable one.

It was also a month of remembrance for the lives of two of our most distinguished brothers.

Worshipful Wayne Cooper and Worshipful Lee Astorino entered into rest and now reside with the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe. They will both be sorely missed. Thank you to all the brothers that attended their services.

Quote of the month: 

Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.  – Washington Irving

Upcoming events: 

October 3^rd, Thursday – Stated Meeting at 7:00pm

October 10^th, Thursday – 2^nd Degree Proficiency for Brother Leo Herrera at 6:00pm

October 17^th, Thursday – 3^rd Degree for Brother Leo Herrera

October 19^th, Saturday – Curtesy 3^rd for Crescent Lodge #45. More details to follow.

October 25^th-27^th – Annual Communications (Grand Lodge)

Respectfully, 

Dan Sarver 
Master 
Humboldt Lodge No. 79