In February, we welcomed our Inspector, Robert Pollard to the lodge for a school of instruction on the 1st degree. Then on February 11th Mr. John Miller became Brother Miller in due and ancient form. We are happy to have him, and he’s excited to continue his masonic journey.
Lastly, the members and their sweethearts enjoyed a nice meal at the Blue Lake Hotel and Casino on the 22nd.
Looking forward to March, we have our stated meeting on the 4th with a meal prepared by Heidi Quintrell. Officer practices are every Tuesday, starting at 6:30pm.
Take care and see you at lodge.
Dan Sarver
Master
Six Rivers Lodge No. 106
Humboldt Lodge No. 79 – March 2025
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
JDI Bethel No. 86 – March 2025
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
Humboldt Lodge No. 79 – January 2024
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
Humboldt Lodge No. 79 – Installation of Officers
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
Camellia Star Chapter No. 63, OES
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.
Eel River Empire #147 – Installation of Officers
To whom it may concern,
We are planning on having our Installation of Officers for the ensuing Masonic year on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at Eel River Empire Lodge #147, at 2 pm. It will be an open event and all are welcome. Refreshers will be served after the installation. Could you please put this on your Masonic calendar.
Thank you,
Mike Flockhart, WM
Camellia Star Chapter No. 63
Thank you to everyone who attended our September 4th meeting. We had 9 officers present and several guests! It was so nice to see so many people. It was also wonderful to see all the school supplies donated for Alice Birney School. There were items in the East and in the West, plus I received three more bags of donations down at the cars, and more donations the following night. Thank you to everyone who participated in this project! You are all so much appreciated!
Along with the school supply drive, refreshments of school lunch type foods were provided prior to the meeting. The “Thank You for Coming!” gifts went to Sisters Lisa McCombs and JoAnna Matlock!
To back up just a little bit, August 31 was a beautiful reception honoring Grand Electa, Sister Deanna Bay. The decorations were beautiful, with hand-made gorgeous large paper roses all around the room. Watching Deanna and her special escort (a gaggle of grandchildren) walking up to the East was adorable!
The following day, September 1, was a brunch reception for our Deputy Grand Matron, Sister Lisa McCombs, and was a lovely event, followed by a LOT of wonderful food for brunch. Anyone who walked away hungry had only themselves to blame!
Coming up, Rohnerville-Redwood Chapter will host a Revelation Night party on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7:30. Revelation Night is the evening that the 2025 Grand Officers and Deputy Grand Matrons will be revealed. R-R have a big screen in their dining room to stream live the announcements. There will be a Dessert Potluck, so if you have a favorite dessert you would like to share, please bring it. I plan to attend, so if you need a ride, let me know. It will be a lot of fun!
Camellia Star’s next meeting will be on October 2 and have a “Teddy Bear Picnic” theme. Please bring with you to our picnic your stuffed best friend, whether it be a teddy bear, an elephant, a rasta banana, a bat, or whatever is your favorite plushy! Refreshments will be at 7:00 and the meeting at 7:30. Attire will be business casual. The meeting will be long-form for the Camellia Star officers.
The October meeting is also elections, so be sure to have your signed paper on the dais before the meeting starts stating what office you aspire to, if you are running for an elected office. You do not have to be present to run, but I do need a paper you signed, along with two other members of our Chapter who nominate you for the office.
I mentioned at our September meeting that Brother Lee had been tickled by the fact that there is a “Marooned Without a Compass Day” in November and had wanted that theme for the November 6 meeting; however, he did not tell me what he had in mind for that meeting. So if you have any ideas as to what to do for the “Marooned Without a Compass” theme, please let me know! Thank you!
Best wishes to one and all – Joni Hewston, Worthy Matron Camellia Star Chapter No. 63
PHOTO: Worthy Matron Joni with some of the many donations for the school supplies drive at Camellia Star’s September meeting
Eel River Empire #147 – Upcoming 3rd Degree
All,
We will be conferring a 3rd degree upon brother Johnny Johnson Sr. on Wednesday, September 25th at Eel River Empire Lodge #147. We plan to open at 7 and beginning the degree at 7:30. All Master Masons are welcome.
Fraternally,
Mike Flockhart, WM
Bethel No. 86 – August 2024
Our new term started off with installation on June 9 with a fairyland theme. Betsy was installed as Honored Queen for her third term. Logan was installed as Junior Princess. The other officers installed for this term are Carla as Chaplain, Emily as Recorder, Alice as Treasurer, Lily as Librarian, and Aubrey as Inner Guard.
On June 15, our Bethel participated in the Flag Ceremony at the Elks Lodge. New Junior Princess Logan did an outstanding job paying tribute to the American Flag.
Our meeting on June 17 was a business meeting at which we started planning the new term. One thing that we are looking forward to this summer is fitting in a camping trip!
We left for Grand Bethel in Visalia on June 19. Three of our members had entered competitions, and received some awards! Good work, ladies! Grand Bethel is always more fun the more involved you are. Our Bethel was selected to be the Representative of Kentucky, so we will be communicating with the Bethels there to see what sort of activities they like to do. Our Honored Queen Betsy got to carry the Kentucky flag. Our Bethel also took part in the necrology ceremony. After Grand Bethel, we visited Discovery Kingdom on our way home. Lots of fun – and exhaustion – ensued!
On the 4th of July our Bethel had a booth selling Krispie Kreme donuts in Old Town Eureka. Thank you to all who stopped by to purchase donuts! It is our main fundraiser for the year and helps pay our way to Leadership Camp in October.
Junior Princess Logan took a brief break from the donut booth to be a part of the parade in Ferndale on the 4th of July!
On July 14, we helped the 4 Chapters of Eastern Star with their Afternoon Tea benefiting Paws for Purple Hearts.
Next up, we look forward to attending the Masonic Picnic and traveling to Oakland for Librarian’s Day North at the Chabot Space and Science Center where we will spend time with our Grand Guardian and Daughters from all around the north end of the state!
Because our first meeting after summer always lands on Labor Day, we have requested a special dispensation to move the meeting (as we usually do). Our next meeting will be Monday, August 19, at 7:00 p.m. (which will be our Deputy’s instructional meeting), and then the next meeting will be September 16, on the usual third Monday of the month. We will not be meeting on Labor Day.
We would again like to thank everyone who supports our Bethel. We have received several donations from the Masonic family organizations, and we greatly appreciate them all! We also appreciate seeing the Masons, Eastern Star, etc., when they visit our meetings or events or purchase something from us when we have a fundraiser. We could not do all the things we do without the support.
