From the East
Greetings Brethren and Ladies,
First of all, I hope you are all safe and well. The Corona Virus has shocked the world and has changed everything in our lives. People are being asked to stay at home and isolate themselves and there is a lack of supplies. We are really living in a new world and we must come together to take care of ourselves and our families.
Please note: Per the Grand Master, all Masonic activities are suspended until further notice. There will be no meetings or gatherings of any kind.
The lodge officers will be meeting by email or phone conference to discuss and approve lodge business.
During this time of crisis, know you are all in my prayers and I hope for a quick end to this.
If anyone needs assistance or supplies or anything, please let us know.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Ken Bychak - Worshipful Master
Senior Warden Dave Murray
Junior Warden (Elect) Chase Murray
From The West
Brethren,
As we face a true test of our national resolve and individual faith, rather than dwell on the stressful events of the day, I thought a little humor was appropriate. I’m sure some of you “old” guys have heard it, but here goes:
Bob and Bill were brother masons and great friends for most of their lives. Each had agreed that when one of them passed on to that Grand Lodge above, he would attempt to make contact with the other and tell him all about what heaven was like.
As so happened, Bill went to heaven, first.
One-night Bob was just drifting off to sleep when he heard Bill's voice calling to him.
"Is that you, Bill?”
"Yes, Bob. I am honoring our agreement."
"Oh, MY,.... what's it like?" Bob asked with some anticipation.
"It's like nothing you could ever imagine. The lodge here is fantastic... better than any lodge we ever saw on Earth. The meetings are always well attended, the ritual is letter perfect, the friendship nights always have tons of new people just itching to join, and the spirit of fellowship blankets the entire place."
Bob's eyes teared up. "Oh, my, it's just like we'd hoped. I'm so happy for you. But I have to ask... that sounds really great, but you didn't really seem all that excited. What's wrong?"
"Well, I have some good news and some bad. The good news is that we're raising a fellow to the third-degree next Wednesday."
"That's fantastic. What's the bad news?"
"Your name is on the list to be the Senior Deacon."
Fraternally,
Your Senior Warden.
Dave Murray
From the South
Greetings Brethren and Ladies,
Welcome to April!
It is unfortunate that today’s times are full of such negativity and in some cases fear with the current pandemic that the world of facing. As we have all heard, please employ extra caution when leaving your homes, wash your hands frequently and try to keep them away from your face as much as possible.
As stated by the Worshipful Master, this month we will not be holding a Stated Meeting dinner, so please DO NOT show up at the lodge.
Due to concerns revolving around COVID-19, we will also be postponing the May Crawfish Boil to a later date which has not yet be determined. More information will be made available as it becomes available.
Fraternally,
Chase Murray, Junior Warden
Worshipful Bill Graham (PM)
Secretaries Corner
Happy Easter!!!
In this tough and trying time, please look to take care of yourselves, your loved ones and your Brothers. If you need assistance please contact the Lodge so that we may see what we can do to assist you.
Reminder!! Have you moved? Changed your phone number? Changed your e-mail address? Have you notified the Lodge if you have done any of these things?? In an ongoing effort to ensure that all member get due and timely notice of all Lodge information, it is important that you keep your information updated with us.
I would greatly appreciate it if all of you would log in to www.freemason.org, go to the My Profile section and ensure that all of your address/phone number/e-mail is up to date. This will automatically update the i-member section that I use as the Secretary to for your mailings and other contacts. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact me by mail or phone and I will make the changes for you.
We are now four months in to the New Year and I am up to date and have sent out all of the Dues Cards I have received payment for. I am continuing to get Dues payments trickling in, however, we still have many Brothers that have not paid. If you have not paid your 2020 dues, you are overdue. If you are 2 or more years in arrears, you may be suspended for non-payment of dues as per the California Masonic Code, Section 809.370. Suspension for Non Payment of Dues. Neither the Master, I, nor any other Brother in Lodge wishes this to happen! PLEASE get caught up and pay your dues.
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss. The Master plans to bring the request for Remits and Suspensions to the May Stated Meeting for a vote. If you need to have your dues Remitted, please contact the Master before then so the Retention Committee can make their recommendations. If you are 2 or more years in arrears, please catch up before this vote!
If you have lost your envelope, you can mail your dues to:
Santa Maria Lodge No. 580 PO Box 68, Ramona, CA 92065
You can also go to our website, http://www.santamaria580.org, and pay online. You can make payments for 2018, 2019 and 2020 there. If you have paid and have not received your card in a reasonable amount of time, please contact me at 951-970-4294 or e-mail me at secretary@santamaria580.org and I will take care of it.
S/F
Bill Graham, PM
Donations to the California Masonic Foundation when you shop Amazon!
Brothers and Families, we all shop often online and from Amazon. Use your Amazon account to make donations to the California Masonic foundation every time you shop.
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. You can choose from over one million organizations to support.
How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.
Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?
Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.
Fraternally,
Michael Reher, Marshall
Calendar of Events
3rd Degree Anniversaries
Ryan Dreyer (4 Years)
Kenneth Bychak Jr. (4 Years)
Glen Jarvis (7 Years)
Ronald Hughes (26 Years)
Don Ruch (29 Years)
Mark Meade (29 Years)
Raymond Garcia (34 Years)
David Witt (34 Years)
Michael Torres (35 Years)
Bobby Lyles (30 Years)
Donald Fairchilds Jr. (50 Years)
Vonnie Ruple (53 Years )
Birthdays
Martin Steiner (3rd)
Earl Bean (6th)
Robert Collins (8th)
Michael Reher (8th)
Walter Scaff (11th)
David Hovsepian (24th)
Mark Lantz (28th)
Note: If your birthday is listed as the wrong day, please contact the Secretary by using Contact Us located above.
Lodge Officer Directory
Master - Ken Bychak (Laura)
Senior Warden - Dave Murray (Catheren)
Junior Warden - Chase Murray
Treasurer - Bob Weldon (Brenda)
Secretary - Bill Graham, PM (Teri)
Chaplain - Keith Cochenour (Caren)
Senior Deacon - Peter Johnson
Junior Deacon - Rex McCray
Marshall - Michael Reher
Senior Steward - Michael Norton (Nhan)
Junior Steward - Kenneth Bychak
Tiler - Bruce Smith (PM) (Beverly)
707-328-9617
619-302-1223
619-607-2935
760-789-5254
951-970-4294
619-843-3019
858-943-1079
760-788-4957
760-566-6953
858-924-2558
805-268-6270
760-788-9475
Santa Maria Masonic Building
Association (SMMBA) Directory
President - Peter Krickhuhn (PM)
Vice President - Chase Murray
CFO - Pete Johnson
Secretary - Michael Rehar
760-612-1978
619-607-2935
858-843-1079
760-566-6953
