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       

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      

Greetings brothers.  

 September is here and we have a few events coming up, including a 3^rd degree for Brother Toland. Please see below for details. 

 Quote of the month:  

Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend. – Theophrastus.   

Upcoming events:    

September 5^th, Thursday – Stated Meeting 

September 8^th, Saturday – Yard cleanup at the Lambos. Brothers, if you are free on the 8^th, please consider visiting with the Lambos starting at 11:30am to help with some yard and garden cleanup. 

September 12^th, Thursday – Brother Toland Proficiency and 3^rd degree practice at 6pm. 

September 14^th, Saturday – Humboldt Lodge Open House at 12pm to 3pm 

September 19^th, Thursday – 3^rd degree for Brother Toland at 6:30pm 

September 26^th, Thursday – Cornerstone Meeting at 6pm. All lodge officers are invited. 

September 28^th, Saturday – Cornerstone ceremony. Grand Lodge opening at Humboldt Lodge No. 79 starting at 9am. 

Respectfully,  

Dan Sarver  
Master
Humboldt Lodge No. 79       

Our meeting on August 7 was a nice one.  We had a potluck that included hot dogs and various side dishes and desserts and enjoyed each others’ company prior to the meeting.  Then we had an ante room meeting to accomplish our business before going our separate ways. 

Reports were made of the successful Afternoon Tea benefiting Paws for Purple Hearts which raised about $1,683, plus a donation from a generous benefactor (who will be missed very much) of another $1,000, and of the delivery of the prizes and monetary donation to the Humboldt County Library for their Summer Reading Program.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, with a “Salute to Teachers!” and a school supply drive.  For your information, this was another service event that was brought up by and supported by Brother Lee.  Refreshments are at 7:00, meeting at 7:30.  Attire is business casual. Please bring school supplies to adorn the East and spill over into the West. The supplies will be donated to Alice Birney School.

In the meantime, I hope you have all RSVP’d and plan to attend the reception for our Grand Electa Deanna Bay on August 31 at 7 p.m. in Loleta and the brunch honoring our Deputy Lisa McCombs on Sunday, September 1, at 11:00 a.m. in Arcata.  Both of these ladies are very special people, and it’d be so great to support them and show them our appreciation and love.

Looking ahead, our meeting on October 2 is a Teddy Bear (and other animals) Picnic with refreshments at 7:00 and meeting at 7:30.  It is also elections night, so if you aspire to any elected office, please remember to have your signed paper on the dais stating what office you aspire to with two signatures by other members of the Chapter nominating you for that position.  You do not have to be there in person, but your paper needs to be present for me to read under elections.  Thank you!

Please remember we are a small Chapter, so it is important to attend the meetings if you are able to ensure we have a quorum so we can conduct business and vote on things. 

Both our September and October meetings will be long form for our officers so we are sure to conform to the OES rules about such things.

Also please check the articles being posted on northcoastmasons.com by our Chapter and other Chapters, by Masonic Lodges, youth groups, etc., to keep up with everything that is going on in our District area. 

I look forward to seeing everyone on September 4.

Take care, and be well, and thank you for being you –

Joni Hewston, Worthy Matron
Camellia Star Chapter No. 63

  “Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the World.” – from Albert Einstein

Greetings Honored Ladies and Sir Knights of Eureka Court and California Order of the Amaranth.
We are nearing the end of August and hoping to also be nearing the end of the summer temperatures and smoke from all of the fires, that seem to arrive every summer. We hope that all of our members are safe with family and friends and are settling in for the cooler weather we all hope for.

 July was the time for our Official Visit from our Deputy Grand Royal Matron, Elizabeth Lorig, and Tricia Coombs, our Grand Lecturer. It was a successful visit and both ladies, after observing our Court and its records, gave gracious remarks.
We received Communications for the newly installed Supreme Royal Matron and Patron, the Supreme Lecturer and Grand Secretary and our Associate Grand Conductress. Our own HL Dolores Wright sent a message of “love and missing everyone” from her home south of us. She is not able to travel as she and her husband Paul (PRP) were able to do in the past. HL Jary is doing better with new medications. HL Donna Kennard (PGM) was able to share some of the things she did while on her visit as Grand
Representative to Oklahoma. Her granddaughter was able to attend sessions with her. We also received a message that the OES District 1 Tea held for “Paws for Purple Hearts” was successful to the tune of $2,300.00. Thanks were received for all those who participated to this worthy cause.

Nine members of our Court responded to an invitation from HL Tricia, Mother Advisor of Humboldt Assembly IORG, and HL Liz, Deputy of the Assembly, to assist with an initiation at Humboldt Assembly, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Some of our Honored Ladies were Rainbow Girls in their youth and some were not, but all stepped up immediately to assist. And what a fun time it was. They were joined by members of the Eastern Star Chapters in our District and gave a wonderful, inspiring Initiation. This reporter was one who was a member of Rainbow in the 1960’s and due to living in an area where the Assembly had closed, had not been to a meeting since. But the ritual came back to mind immediately. And I thank Liz and Tricia for the opportunity to participate. HL Jaelen Lorig was the Installing Faith and did an excellent job. The new initiate had the best team on the job. Ladies, when is the next one. I’m ready. 

​

Members and Friends of Eureka Court, welcome. We hope you are having a good summer. We have a couple of months left of this season, if all goes well. Otherwise it may be several months until summer leaves us for the cooler weather.
   DID YOU KNOW   The summer temperatures are taking a great toll on Shasta and Trinity Lakes. Scientists say that from July 1st through 9th Shasta Lake has lost 2.2 billion gallons of water and Trinity Lake has lost 828.5 million gallons, just due to evaporation. Just an interesting fact you can share with friends who wonder why the lakes are not at the levels we think they should be.

   The Stated Court meeting was held on June 26. It was a busy meeting. In addition to a vote on a by-law change, which we detailed previously, several members were installed into their Grand Offices and Chapter Offices. Congratulations to all who were installed and thank you to all who participated.
   Royal Matron and HL Tricia are asking for ideas and input from the members for a fund raiser for the fall. A Bowl-a-Thon has been
suggested and ideas are welcome. It sounds like a fun way to raise some money as well as promote our organization and enjoy being around friends, old and new.

   Below are a few reminders of things upcoming on our calendar. Remember, your support at these events promotes “paws-a-tivity” and fellowship with other Masonic orders.
Chapter Dates
July 24 – Eureka Court. Our next meeting is the Official Visit of our
Assistant Grand
  Lecturer and Grand Royal Matron.
September 25 – Eureka Court. Official Visit of the Grand Royal Matron and Grand Royal Patron.
Other Noteworthy Events
   August 10 – Initiation for International Order of Rainbow for Girls
   August 11 – Masonic Family Picnic
   August 31 – OES Reception. Grand Electa. Deana Bay
   September 1 – OES Reception. Lisa McCombs. Deputy Grand Matron
!  September 24 – Madaket Cocktail Cruise. Reservation Required. $20.00.
!  September 28 – Queen Christina Luncheon. Los Angeles County Zoo.
   Reservations Required.

Dates are subject to change, so be sure to check with the appropriate organization. Also check for specifics as to confirming reservations and
cost. Reservations are usually required four to six weeks in advance.

Those of you who have been missing our meetings of late, we hope that you are back in good health, your family visitors have returned to their homes, and your various vacations and other obligations will now allow you
to join us at our next meetings.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.
   By Albert Schweitzer.

My Brothers and Friends,

Busy times here at Six Rivers #106. First of all we are doing a few degrees from First to Third. July 13th saw  our annual Michael J. Vertar Memorial Outdoor degree at Wor. Steve Jacobs Estate in Fieldbrook. This year we Raised Br. Charlie Johnson to the degree of Master Mason; congratulations my Brother, we already have a place in the line prepared for you. Skipping ahead to August 27th, we will be Initiating a new brother at the Lodge starting at 7 PM. Mr. James R. Reid (Mitch) will be welcomed into Masonry and it is hoped his new Brothers -to-be will all attend.

A good time was had by all 22 Masons, their family and friends at our Lodge Crabs game and BBQ night on July 23rd. Tri-Tip steak was cooked by Br. Charlie Johnson, which was enjoyed by all; we even got free Crabs hats to honor the 80 years of Crabs baseball in Arcata. Our next big event will be the District wide Picnic in Fortuna on August 11th, starting at Noon. Come for the BBQ beef and  stay for the good fellowship. Again this year, a chili cook off will be judged with prizes and everything!  All chili is welcome. Please bring your specimens in a warming dish and they will be dealt with in a proper manner.  Looking into September, we will be honoring our local First Responders with a BBQ dinner on September 11th at the Lodge. We are inviting the Arcata Police and McKinleyville Firefighters as well as our Lodge Brothers and families. On September 28th, We will be assisting Ca. Grand Lodge in placing two Corner Stones, one at Eureka High School starting at noon and the other in Blue Lake at their new Health Center starting at 3 PM.  There is much to do and your help would be appreciated.

Thank you George Durfee, WM #106

Greetings, brethren.

The days are flying by and it’s August already. The Perfect Ashlar Society has a big project in front of us and brothers, I need your help.

We have purchased 252 bicycles that will be donated to Toys 4 Toys, and they’ll be given as Christmas gifts this year. The only catch is that the bicycles will need to be inspected and some minor repairs performed as required. A few of the bikes will also need to be assembled.  If you are willing to join the team and have metric tools, we meet at the Toys 4 Tots warehouse on the weekends and spend a few hours working on the bikes. Please reach out to me for details and I look forward to seeing you there.

My contact information:

dvsarver@gmail.com

You can also reach me through the lodge or iMember.

Quote of the month:

Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it. -M. Scott Peck

Upcoming events:

August 11^th – Sunday, 12pm, Masonic Picnic at Rohnerville Park in Fortuna. This is a free event and the whole family is welcome. Come out and enjoy the day with the whole North Coast Masonic Family.

August 8^th – Thursday, 6pm, Officer’s Rehearsal – advanced stations

August 15^th – Thursday, 6pm, Officer’s Rehearsal – advanced stations

August 22^nd – Thursday, 6:30pm, First Degree for Mr. Jace Baldosser.

August 29^th – Thursday, 6:30pm, First Degree for Mr. Damon Ladousier.

We all know how important the First Degree is, so please join me as we welcome two new brothers to our fraternity.

And now, in his own words, I’d like to introduce you to Brother Joseph Freedman:

I was born in İstanbul Türkiye, came to America as a baby, and grew up in Humboldt County. I’m a dual citizen.

I have a big family in Türkiye on my mother’s side, and also family in Australia, Hawaii, and San Francisco on my father’s side. I am single and have no kids.

I am currently a student taking classes in math & computer science, and I make and sell pens. In the beginning of the year I had finished building a robot/CNC that fully automates the pen-turning process. Starting from rough pen blanks to finished pen barrels, from the press of a button on my phone.

I have also been building a quantitative hedge fund called Fintron. In a nutshell, it involves various technologies for identifying and exploiting market inefficiencies autonomously, similar to the concept of a self-driving car, though for finance. It involves a lot of programming, math, statistics, machine learning, and most of all, dealing with data!

Besides building machines for making pens and software applications, I like to throw knives in my spare time, and go out in nature. I used to play video games a lot and I still miss them. Skyrim, GTA 5, and World of Warcraft were my go-to. I and my family also like traveling.

One of the special interests I’ve had, particularly as a teenager in the Boy Scouts, is bushcraft & survival skills. Building shelters, fires, tools, etc. Right now my focus is on modern and future technology, but primitive technology is also really important to me and I will come back to it more in the future.

I smashed my PS4 in November of 2021, because I loved playing video games too much, 5+ hours a day. I realized I was wasting so much time, and I decided to start learning programming instead.

The main reason I joined Freemasonry is that I’ve always been curious about ancient wisdom and philosophy, and I wanted to learn more about it through Freemasonry. The brotherhood aspect is also great and I’ve met very interesting people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

My message to all of you is to embrace your uniqueness. We all have flaws that we’re working on, and I am no exception to that. But our weaknesses are often on the other side of our strengths, two sides of the same coin.

Some weaknesses are worth fixing, while others can be complemented by the strengths of our fellow team members. The wisdom is, knowing which ones to fix, and which ones to accept.

Work on your weaknesses, to navigate the world more effectively, while tripling down on your strengths. Your difference is what makes a difference in the world.

Respectfully,
Dan Sarver
Master
Humboldt Lodge No. 79    

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