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Brethren,

The timing of this article leaves us in somewhat of a vacuum as our Worshipful Mike Flockhart’s year fades into the sunset and Worshipful Harry Pond’s year really doesn’t start until his installation on January 22, 2011 at 2:00 PM. However, Harry invites everyone to attend Lodge this year to enjoy the fellowship and good food that we serve at our meetings. He urges all of our members to think of someone who they feel would make a good member and to bring them to one of  our dinners and introduce them to everyone. Perhaps they might like what they see and decide that they would like to participate in our privileges.

Our January stated meeting was also our annual “Crab Feed Dinner”. We had in attendance forty two members and guests and as can be seen in the picture, they were enjoying crab up to their elbows. As usual the ladies of Rohnerville-Redwood 76 OES served the feast which included salad and dessert. Thanks to Bros. Dan McClelland, Charley Bennett and Jim Holdner for obtaining, cleaning and cooking the crab.

Please remember to send in your dues, I still have quite a few missing.

By the way, I still have several Masonic Barbeque Aprons available. They are priced at $14 each.

Fraternally,

Richard H. Sweet, Secretary

Greetings Brethren,

As my year  comes to an end in the East, I what to give a big thank you to all of my officers and brethren who were a tremendous help throughout the year in all of our Masonic activities. I leave my seat with the comforting knowledge of the Lodge being in good hands with Bro. Harry Pond P.M, sitting in the East in 2011. The year was certainly a lot of work, but was also a lot of fun. I now have the utmost respect for all Past Masters and feel priviledged to be included in this elite group. I not only had the honor of sitting in the East for the Lodge’s 150th anniversity, but also had the privilege of presenting Bro. Rich Sweet with the Hiram Award and Bro. Phil Grunert the Mason of the Year award. These two gentlemen are what I consider part of the backbone of our Lodge and they keep everything running smoothly and financially sound. Their work behind the scenes does not go unnoticed and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Congratulations to Bro. Colin Knipe who became a Master Mason of December 8th. Bro. Jim Widdoes and his sponsor Bro. Hal Birge, presented Colin with a beautiful Masonic Family Bible and Ring purchased by his mother. Bro. Richard Poe, as always, delivered the charge flawlessly

Pictured is Bro. Colin Knipe on the right and his sponsor Hal Birge on the left.

January stated meeting will feature a crab feed, which will be on Saturday the 8th at 7:00 PM. Anyone planning to attend needs to RSVP to Bro. Rich Sweet at 764-3626 or email wb6myf@sbcglobal.net, early enough to reserve the crab. The price will be $15 per person. Lasanga will be served to those who prefer it.

Eel River Empire will be holding a closed installation on Saturday, January 22nd at 2:00 PM. Please plan to attend.

Last but not least, I would also like to thank the ladies of Rohnerville-Redwood No. 76 OES, as they have fed us quite well all year. December stated meeting was no exception, as a delicious ham with all of the fixings was served, under the direction of Sylvia Colanter.

Thanks for a wonderful year,

Mike Flockhart, Worshipful Master

Brethren, please remember that our dues are due on or before January 1, 2011.

Richard Sweet, Secretary

Greetings Brethren,

Congratulations to Bro. Colin Knipe for his excellent second Degree proficiency with his coach Bro. Jim Widdoes PM. He is scheduled to become a Master Mason on Wednesday, December 8. We will open Lodge at 7 PM and the degree will start at 7:30 PM.

At our November stated meeting the election of officers was held and Bro. Harry Pond PM was elected to sit in the East for the ensuing Masonic Year. We also had a visitor from a Lodge in Virginia, who spoke about  some of the differences between the Lodges in each state. He now resides in Fortuna and hopefully will be attending our Lodge regularly. He has expressed an interest in affiliating and starting through the line.

I would like to thank the ladies of Rohnerville-Redwood OES for preparing the delicious dinner that evening, as always. I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving this year.

Fratrernally,

Mike Flockhart, WM

Greetings brethren,

Our October stated meeting unintentionally turned out to be quite romatic as half way through dinner, the power went out and we finished dinner by candle light. Apparently, someone in town met with a power pole by accident, resulting in numerous power outages. My thanks go out to our Senior Warden, Harry Pond, for sitting in the East for me as I had to leave to deal with City genereator problems at some of our lift and pump stations. Thanks also to the ladies of Rohnerville-Redwood OES for a delicioous dinner and for having lots of candles handy.

The Lodge was opened, an application read and then closed. Thanks to all who attended

I would also like to acknowledge the work of Rich Sweet and Duane Plant for operating the Child ID program on October 2, 2010, during the Apple Harvest Festival and Health Fair. It was the Lodge’s most successful ID program we have ever had. They processed 143 kids through the program. Thanks for the hard work Rich anad Duane, it was cold and windy but you hung in there.

As the year winds down, the officers are learning their work for next year’s stations. On a personal note, I would lkke to thank Bro Lee Hopkins and his lovely wife Shirley for helping my youngest daughter bag her first buck, but that is what Masonry is all about, helping another brother had his family. There is no other organization in the world like ours, I encourage everyone to make the most of it.

Fraternally,

Mike Flockhart, Worshipful Master

Help from the Clowns

The evening before the picnic was a little damp and everyone was afraid that Sunday would be cold, however it turned into a great day for the picnic. The fire was started at around 5:30 Saturday afternoon and approximately two cords of seasoned oak wood was burned before Sunday morning.

Five humdred and thirty pounds of meat was put on the rack and covered at around 5:30 Sunday morning. The pit was opened at 11:00 AM. Meat was sliced and prepared for delivery along with Jim Widdoes’ special beans. This was placed in styrofoam containers and delivered by Jim and his helpers to the shut-ins. The several Lodges of the 101st and 105th Masonic District shared in the preparation and serving of the food at the picnic. The girls form Rainbow served the Ice Cream and Topping. Great job everyone!

Dan McClelland removing the meat from the pit.

The meat carvers. Most didn’t eat any lunch as they were full of meat trimmings by the time they had finished cutting all of the meat.

Jim Widdoes, who has for many years, been in charge of delivering barbeque to the shut-ins.

Delivering the meat to the serving line.

There were hot dogs too.

Inspectors of the 101st and 105th Masonic District keeping an eye on things.

The money changers, they were a tough bunch to deal with.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master inspecting the chow line.

Some of the Grand Officers and their Ladies enjoying the barbeque.

The young ladies serving up the goodies minus the calories.

It was indeed a pleasure to have our Grand Officers participate and share with us in the festivities. Everyone who helped in the preparation and serving at the picnic deserves a big THANK YOU.

It was an absolutely beautiful day for the Parade. Thanks to everyone who participated and also Fortuna Motors who allowed us to use their nice trailer.

What a great time was enjoyed at our July Stated Meeting. Brother Mark Mathis cooked buffalo/elk burgers that were mouth watering, Brother Alan Glover made a pot of chili that was fantastic (Secret recipe.) and Brother Matt Ziesak brought a macaroni salad and made a delicious strawberry dessert. It was quite a feast as all of the members were dressed in western attire in celebration and honor of the rodeo this month in Fortuna. The rodeo parade will be held Saturday, July 17 beginning at noon and proceeding through main street Fortuna. The Lodge is planning on having a float in the parade. Thanks to Ed Tanferani and Fortuna Motors for the use of the trailer and to Roy Curless for reserving it. I would also like to thank Jay and Wilda Grunert for all of their hard work.

The Masonic Picnic this year will be August 8. Serving will begin at 12:00 PM in Rohner Park.

I am planning a 150 year anniversary celebration on the evening of August 7, at 7:00 PM at the Masonic Hall, 922 Main St. in Fortuna. The Most Worshipful Kenneth Nagel will be joining us along with other Grand Lodge members for a 150th anniversary presentation. If you haven’t RSVP’d for the dinner preceeding the presentation, please do so by contacting either myself or our Secretary Rich Sweet as soon as possible.

We are also planning on presentations from organizations which the Lodge has made donations to last year. Brother Jay Grunert will be giving a talk on the history of the Lodge since it’s inception. Be sure to join us later in the evening at the bonfire at the Rohner Park and help throw wood on the fire.

Fraternally, Mike Flockhart, Worshipful Master

Eel River Empire July Trestleboard