Under the direction of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, all practices are cancelled as of this date. Our stated meeting for April will have no dinner and the meeting will consist of only seven officers who will open the meeting, pay the bills, take care of any pressing business and then close the meeting.
Philip Grunert, WM
Brethren,
Here are important dates to mark on your calendars!! The Annual Masonic Pheasant Hunt for 2020 will be held on March 20, 21, 22. It will be held at the Hill Sportsman Club in Corning. The cost will be $125 for five birds, usually all five birds are roosters. Lodging will be at the Comfort Inn in Red Bluff (comfortinnrb@gmail.com). Rates are: $85 per room, $15 per day pet fee. The first five persons to make reservations with dogs, the dogs will be free. Reservations must be made before March 13, 2020. The discounted room rate expires March 14, 2020. Contact information is: Cheryl Weibling, 530-529-7060, Fax 530-529-7077
Get there early on Friday afternoon and shoot Sporting Clays (50 rounds).
Dinner for the second day will be by reservation at the Whiskey Kitchen, 5 Chester Ave. in Red Bluff (530-527-3161) 5 PM to 7 PM Saturday night.
You must contact Phil Grunert for hunt reservations, 707-725-3637 or 707-599-5775.
Our stated meeting dinner was the annual crab feed. We had thirty two members and visitors in attendance who devoured forty crab. The crab was fresh and delicious. Thanks to the ladies of Rohnerville-Redwood OES who served the meal.
The dinner was followed by a presentation by the Fortuna Youth Wrestling Team. They described the mission of their organization and explained their need for wrestling mats. They have been doing events to raise money toward the project but are approximately $6000 short of their goal. It was voted upon in our stated meeting that the Lodge would donate $6000 toward the purchase of the mats.
Happy Valentines Day to wives and other loved ones.
Fraternally,
Phil Grunert, WM
Installation crew of the cornerstone located at Open Door Fortuna. Our masonic lodge donated $10,000 to contribute to the building of this wonderful facility!
WINNERS!!!
Eel River Empire Lodge No. 147 was again the winners of the Annual Masonic Trap Match. They practiced hard and it paid off. Great job guys! Members shown L to R: Gary La Faunce, Dan McClelland, Phil Aycock, Phil Grunert, Matt Ziesak, Brad Pitek.
Andy is home visiting his parents, Karen and Stephen Underwood of Hydesville, CA. Andy has served tow tours of duti in Afganistan and is presently stationed in Japan attached to the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group. He mentioned that he may be abain deployed to Afganistan in the near future.
Andy is shown in the accompanying picture with his parents and the banner honoring him for his service to his country. The banner was displayed on Main Street, Fortuna, but was removed for the Christmas season, it is hoped that it will again be displayed following the holidays.
Brethren,
First, congratulations and best wishes to Bro. Douglas Tupen who was installed as Worshipful Master on December 3, 2011. Doug was installed and his first meeing was held December 10th. His first meeting was one which he will remember for a while. He held a special election for Junior Warden, elected the Junior Warden and In stalled same as well as the Treasurer. He also voted on an application for the degrees. After that, he should be prepared for anything. Doug is looking forward to a successful year and has plans to make it an interesting one.
It is planned that our newly elected candidate, Mr Jon Sapper, will be receiving his Entered Apprentice Degree on January 25, 2012 which is the birthday of Bro. Robert Burns in 1759. A bit of history there. Come and join us in welcoming Jon into the Lodge. We are still short some officers in the line and will be relying on some help from our Past Masters and others who may be willing to fill spots that wouldn’t necessairly lead to progressing up the line.
Some of you have no doubt noticed that our banners honoring our service members have been removed from the light standards in town and replaced by candy canes. We have been informed by the City that they will be installed again after the Christmas season is finished. Hummmm, kind of makes you wonder what is important.
Best wishes to all of our new officers and brethren for a successful and prosperous New Year.
Fraternally,
Richard H. Sweet, Secretary
Worshipful Master Doug Tupen stands in the East ready for his year as Worshipful Master.
Brethren,
Many things happened this last month in our Lodge. On October 25th, Past Master Mike Flockhart was presented the Mason Of The Year award at the Scottish Rite Feast of Tishri dinner. The award was presented by Worshipful James G. Widdoes, Personal Representative of the Grand Inspector General, Scottish Rite Masons in Northren California. Pictured L – R: Jim Widdoes, Mike Flockhart.
On November 6th, Eel River Empire Lodge assisted in opening the time caplule in the Corner Stone of the Fortuna Methodist Church’s 125th anniversary of the laying of the corner stone by Eel River Lodge, Rohnerville Ca. on June 12, 1889. In the capsule was the original dispensation to lay the corner stone. It was presided over by: Grand Master McMeil, Dep. Grand Master Melendy, Senior Grand Warden Eastman, Junior Grand Warden Edwards, Treasurer M. A. Webber and Secretary Joseph Hull. Think of the effort that the Grand Officers put forth to travel to Fortuna to officiate at this ceremony. The document is in amazingly good condition considering it’s age. There is some fading of the ink in the hand written document but the letterhead is in good condition and very legible.
The event was preformed under dispensation to wear Masonic Regalia and was officiated by Acting Master Jim Widdoes PM and Chaplain Jay Grunert PM. The theme of Jim’s presentation was rememberance and renewal and Jay delivered one of his special prayers. The event was attended by eighty church members and brethren. Pictured L – R: Jay Grunert, Jim Widdoes.
At the suggestion of our Junior Warden, Lee Hopkins, our community project for the year was to honor the service men and women of the Lodge’s sphere of influence. Lee was appointed as chairman of the project and our goal was to have made and placed on the city light standards, banners with pictures of the active service members. With the help of others of our brethren and members of the City, this project was brought to fruition on November 7th. As of this date, ten banners have been installed. It is intended that when a member retires from active service, the member’s banner will be removed and presented to the member and will be replaced by another active service member. We thank the City and their employees for their help in the project.
Pictured L – R: Neale Webb (In Bucket), Cory Smith. Lodge members, Phil Grunert, Jim Widdoes, Jay Grunert and Charley Bennett.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Fraternally,
Richard H. Sweet, Secretary
Brethren,
The first of October was Apple Harvest Time in Fortuna and your Lodge was at the Strongs Creek Plaza again this year to provide the “Children’s ID Program”. We processed a total of 150 young people this year. I wish to thank Bro. Duane Plant and my wife Eleanor for their assistance with the project. Again this year, the Joker Clowns provided entertainment for the little ones with their balloon art and colorful costumes.
Please Note: Contrary to what was said in the last Trestleboard, Eel River Empire Installation of Officers will be held on Demember 3, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Fortuna Masonic Lodge at 922 Main St. Fortuna. It will be an open installation and everyone is invited to attend.
Bro. Mike Flockhart will be receiving his Mason of the Year award on October 25, 2011 at the Fortuna Masonic Lodge, 922 Main St. Fortuna. Dinner will be served at 7:15 PM with the program to follow. This award is provided by the Scottish Rite Body of Santa Rosa and as Mike was unable to attend the presentation in Santa Rosa, it will be presented by the Scottish Rite Valley of Northern California. This event will be in conjunction with their Feast of Thishri.
Fraternally,
Richard H. Sweet, Secretary
Eel River Empire Lodge #147 