From the East
The holidays are here, and we approach yet another wonderful season of joy and thanks. This year will be different due to COVID restrictions that is to be sure. Remember to be extra generous to everyone and do your best to reach out and take care of those in need this holiday season.
At the December Stated Meeting, we will be electing the officers for 2021 and will be discussing when we will have installation. It will be virtual this year. This is all new to all of us so please understand if it does not go as perfectly as planned. Also, please come to the December meeting to vote on our officers and hear the latest updates for the rest of this and the upcoming year. It is our first actual “Stated Meeting” since COVID came in and stopped everyone from meeting together.
Its that exciting time of year to pay our dues again! Dues are $116.00 for 2021. You will be receiving information from the Secretary about them soon. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please reach out to me, one of the pillars, or the secretary.
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Ken Bychak - Worshipful Master
Senior Warden Dave Murray
From The West
Brethren,
December is here! I pray this finds you and your families in good health. 2020 is almost is almost behind us, and what a year it has been. None of us could have ever imagined we would basically put our lives on hold and watch time just – “pass”. I look forward to getting back to normal, but I fear that will take longer than we would like. I expect we will continue with the virtual meeting through the winter and possibly into the spring/summer.
A quick update from the Santa Maria Masonic Building Association (SMMBA). The building located at 1175 Main St, has indeed been sold, and escrow closed in November. Proceeds from that transaction have cleared the bank and funds are available for Lodge use. Although, we are dealing with the pandemic, SMMBA President Worshipful Peter Krickhuhn will be leading us forward in the continued refurbishment of our Lodge building in the upcoming year. A few of the planned repairs/renovations are:
• A New Roof, replace a couple of damaged trusses
• Replace all external doors and entrances
• Ventilation upgrades
• Potential Wheelchair lift
• Plus, a number of cosmetic details
By no means is this an all-encompassing list. To remind the brothers, a couple of years ago, we hired an engineering firm to do a structural assessment. Our first priority is to answer the critical discrepancies identified in that appraisal, to ensure the building is sound for another 100 years. Updates will follow as work progresses.
Have a wonderful Christmas, and a Happy New Year!!!
2021 “HAS” to be better.
Fraternally,
Your Senior Warden.
Dave Murray
Junior Warden (Elect) Chase Murray
From the South
Greetings Brethren and Ladies,
It’s hard to believe that we are already entering December and coming to the end of 2020. This year has surely been an odd one full or many trials and tribulations that have tested each and every one of us in some way or another.
Unfortunately we are still continuing to deal with the thorn that is COVID-19 as we enter this holiday season. As we move closer to various holidays, please continue do your best to keep yourself and your families safe. As always, continue practicing social distancing where able and the use of masks when out shopping for gatherings if your family deems it safe enough to do so.
Fraternally,
Chase Murray, Junior Warden
Worshipful Bill Graham (PM)
Secretaries Corner
The Masonic Year has come to an end. It has been a trying year, but it also has shown that we are innovative and resourceful. We have found a way to meet virtually and to still be involved in each other’s lives. I am proud and honored to call you Brother!
While the Grand Lodge states that we cannot meet in person for any Masonic functions, we know have direction for a virtual Stated Meeting. Our first virtual Stated Meeting will be held in December. We will be voting on the slate of Officers for the upcoming year. Please log in and join us for this momentous event!
In addition to a virtual Stated Meeting, we will be having a virtual Installation of Officers. The Master will speak more on this and give the details. This will be a first for us and all Lodges in California. Make sure you can participate in this historic even.
If any Brother needs help, please contact the Master, one of the Pillars or me. We will do our best to help you or refer you to a service that can help. Even as we continue to Social Distance from each other, remember, we are one family and it is our duty to help one another!
We still need to work on our qualifications. If you are in line, or are hoping to get in line, please continue to work on your next level of qualification. I can meet you one on one, maintain social distance and work with you as needed.
iMember 2.0 is in full swing. Please go check it out at member.freemason.org. There are many things you can do there such as changing your address, your personal information, locate lodges, find resources and documents. Maintaining your contact information ensures that you will receive all notices that the Lodge sends out in a timely manner. Please go check it out!
The 2021 Dues Notices should be out by the time you read this. I am having some issues with the Grand Lodge website. I will get it figured out and get the notices to you ASAP. The Dues this year are $116.00. This total is reached by following our By-Laws. They state that our dues are $60.00 + per capita rounded up to the next whole dollar. For 2021, the per capita is $55.25. This gives us a total of $115.25 rounded up to $116.00. When you receive them, please remit payment in the envelope provided. The website is updated to accept the 2021 payments. Please make your payments when you get them. Your Lodge relies on you to pay your dues. This allows the Lodge to function and meet all of its obligations.
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
Hope to see you in the Lodge soon!
S/F
Bill Graham, PM
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 member.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.
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
Lodge Officer Directory
Master - Ken Bychak (Laura)
Senior Warden - Dave Murray (Catheren)
Junior Warden - Chase Murray
Treasurer - Bob Weldon, PM (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
