THE CALIFORNIAN. May 2013 Issue. Master s Message. Calendar of Events for May. Next Column

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1 THE CALIFORNIAN California Lodge No. 1 F & A M 855 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA Stated Meeting Every First Tuesday Of The Month May 2013 Issue Master s Message Five months into the yea and it feels like it just started. I want to start by wishing my lovely wife Deena a Happy Birthday. I would also like to thank her for all the work she put in on our Mystery Trip. Sixty members met at 8:30 a.m. at the lodge parking lot for coffee and donuts. We boarded a fine bus and headed off to wine country. We rode the Wine Train through beautiful Napa and enjoyed a gourmet meal and plenty of wine. I am pretty sure all had a good time. On the bus ride home most of the members were sound asleep, a sign of a wellspent day. Our next trip will be announced at the May Stated meeting and should sell out that night. On the 30th of April my Son Trevor was passed to Fellow Craft. Our Senior Warden, my good friend Duke, put on a great degree. The officers did a fine job with Brother Roberto Bradford acting as Senior Deacon. He delivered the Middle Chamber lecture letter perfect. Brother Doug Ismail gave the Charge and I thank him for that. The sidelines were full of California Number One s Brothers and I am grateful for the support all of you have shown my Son. His third is scheduled for June. Worshipful Brother John Bermudez will receive the Hiram award at our May stated meeting. Wor JB appointed me to the line in 2008 as his Junior Steward. A few of you may not be aware of the work he has put into our Fraternity, below is a few of the things he has accomplished. Blue Lodge Past Master of California Lodge # & 2008 Past Inspector of the 162 Masonic District for the Grand Lodge of California Past Inspector of the 362 Masonic District for the Grand Lodge of California Past Chairman of the Grand Lodge Credentials Committee Past Vice Chairman of the Grand Lodge Week Activities Committee Next Column Calendar of Events for May May 4, Saturday Spring Dinner Dance See Flyer May 7, Tuesday Stated Meeting 6:00 PM Hosted Hors D Oeuvres 6:30 PM Dinner - $10.00 per person Stated Meeting (Attire Business Suite) May 14, Tuesday Officers Practice 3rd Degree 6:00pm May 21, Tuesday Officers Practice 3rd Degree 6:00pm May 22, Wednesday District School of Instruction 6:15 PM May 28, Tuesday Officers Practice 3rd Degree 6:00pm Past President of the Golden Gate Masters and Past Masters Association Past Commander of California Commandery #1 Knight Templars Past High Priest of California Chapter #1 Royal Arch Masons Past Illustrious Master of California Council #2 Royal and Select Masters Past Sovereign Master of Golden Gate Council #95 Allied Masonic Degrees As you can see this award is a little overdue. I am pleased to be able to award it to Worshipful Bermudez. I hope to see you all in Lodge. From the East Barry Gwin

2 PAGE 2 From The West Greetings Everyone! his Masonic Journey. I was very pleased last month to be able to confer the Fellow Craft degree for brother Trevor Gwin. It was my first time doing it, and it was a pleasure to perform, and a thrill to see all the hard work we've all done pay off in being able to further ones Masonic journey. I would like to thank all who showed up to support our brother. I feel the degree work, along with the charitable work we do, is by far the most important aspect of Masonry. I am honored to have the trust and blessings of the lodge to help carry this out! Both Nabil and Jihad have been very active throughout their "Apprenticeship", showing up every Tues and working with the Worshipful Richard Modolo to commit to memory the necessary portions of the ritual to advance to Fellow Craft. My friend Sean Kearny, who is newlywed to his lovely wife Courtney, has also shown a keen interest in Masonry, has been working steadily, and is looking forward to I spoke earlier about degree work and charity. For those who may not have already done so, I would ask that you consider making a general contribution to the annual fund, which will aid the Masonic Homes, provide relief to worthy Brothers and their families who may be in need of help, as well as providing much needed funds that support public education to children. You should have received a mailer from Grand Lodge earlier in the year. If not, or if you don't have it handy, a donation can easily be made on the Grand Lodge website freemason.org Well Brethren and ladies, till I see you at lodge- All the best, Sean Duke Cassidy Sr Warden From The South Hello and Happy Spring Brethren and Ladies! I hope everyone is enjoying the change of weather and the new blooms it brings. It has been a very busy month for us. But first and foremost, I would like to congratulate one of our newly entered apprentices, Brother Sean Kearny, who recently got married! We wish Sean and his new bride a blissfully blessed marriage! The Napa Wine Mystery Dinner last month was a huge success. We had a great turn out of over 60 attendees who all had a magnificent time. So magnificent, in fact, that all were passed out on the bus on the way home! Mission accomplished, may I say. I personally have had my own share of enjoyment. I have recently taken a vacation to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida with the family. Albeit there were some unexpected obstacles, my family and I made it safely to and back and had a magical time at the happiest place on earth! It was a joy to spend genuine quality time with my family, not to mention all the superb meals we consumed! Speaking of superb food, I would like to mention all the upcoming events for the lodge. Don't forget to make reservations for our Spring Dinner Dance, chaired by our own Wor.Rich Modolo; the Hiram Award for our own Wor. Sec. John Bermudez; and what would the May celebration Cinco de Mayo be without the Mariachi band?? What a busy time ahead, we hope to see many faces there! Fraternally yours,, Junior Warden

3 PAGE 3 From the Secretary I would like to start out by thanking the Lodge for their awarding me the Hiram Award this year. The work and time that I have devoted to the lodge in these past eighteen years will never equal the friendship, education and benefit that I have received as being a member. I have met many people in this lodge, and have lost many dear friends, however my life is much richer as a result of having known them. I am eternally grateful for all of the Lodge officers that have, and continue to devote to this organization as they are life s blood. I am thankful also to WM Gwin, his guidance for our lodge as well as other lodges in our district is truly inspirational. Lastly and most assuredly, I would like to thank Floyd Sargent, as it was he that got me interested in Masonry. Richard Modolo as it was he that signed my petition to get me in California Lodge. Albert Miller Jr. as it was he that made this truly an adventure. Thank you all. Sincerely, John Bermudez Secretary In Memory of our Fallen Soldiers Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L ) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

4 PAGE 4 SUNSHINE Our ailing Brothers would very much appreciate calls and visits...let them know you care! The following Brethren and Sweethearts have been reported as being ill, injured, or indisposed. Please feel free to call, visit, and/or send a card. ERNST R. RIESE TH ST DALY CITY, CA Do you know of a brother or sweetheart who is ill, in the hospital, or would like a visit from his fellow brothers? Let us know. Please contact either: Richard J. Modolo, P.M. Master (415) rmodolo@earthlink.net John Bermudez, P.M. Secretary (650) Secretary@calodge.com Did You Know? Honoring mothers is an idea that started in antiquity and had religious connotations. Early civilizations celebrated female deities such as Isis in Egypt and Cybele in ancient Rome. It wasn t until much later that mothers, per se, were honored. In Europe the custom evolved to designate the fourth Sunday in Lent as a day to honor the church where one was baptized, one s Mother Church." In the 1600s, a clerical decree in England broadened the celebration to include mothers. Known as Mothering Day it provided a reprieve from the Lenten fasting that was customary at the time. Mother s Day in this country did not begin until the 1870s. The originator was Julia Ward Howe, the author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic. She had become so distraught over the carnage of the Civil War that she called on mothers to come together and protest what she saw as the futility of their sons killing the sons of other mothers. Howe s original idea was to celebrate Mother s Day on July 4th, however, June 2nd was the original date. In 1873, women s groups in 18 American cities celebrated the new Mother s Day. It did not last, Howe herself had paid for many of the celebrations and when she stopped footing the bill, the holiday died out. A West Virginia women s group, led by Anna Reeves Jarvis, picked up the fallen standard and held a Mother s Friendship Day to bring together families and neighbors who had been separated by the Civil War. After Jarvis died, her daughter, Anna M. Jarvis petitioned her mother s church, Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, to celebrate Mother s Day. This happened on May 10th, Another church in Philadelphia also participated in the observance. Andrews Methodist Church still exists and is part of the International Mother s Day Shrine. In 1908, Senator Elmer Burkett of Nebraska proposed making Mother s Day a national holiday. It was defeated but by 1909 it was being celebrated in 46 states. Anna M. Jarvis worked tirelessly to obtain Federal recognition and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson, Columbia s own, signed a bill declaring the second Sunday in May to be Mother s Day. May Birthdays Paul D. Hennig, PGL 02 James Toy 02 Michael Mak 03 George E. Graham 04 Bill Cooley, Jr. 05 Ronald E. Sickler 06 David E. Banastre, PM 08 Ernest J. Brockmeyer 09 Manuel P. Williams 09 Larry J. Dearing 13 John G. Rorabaugh, PM 14 Willis G. Garriott 15 George L. Bazlamit 16 Richard J. Stratton 17 Richard T. Weinand 17 Wilbert D. Yip, PM 17 Anthony M. Kitz 19 Robert J. Szakal 20 NOTE: All members are entitled to a complimentary Stated Meeting Dinner during the month of their Birthday! Michael N. Manneh 22 Joel I. Roos 23 Nolen H. Brown 24 William M. Chionsini 25 Raymond Lim 25 Jonathan D., Law 26 Kenneth L. Dorking, PM27 Barry Gwin, WM 27 Donald H. Outsen 29 Harold P. Schultz, Jr. 31

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6 PAGE 6 Worshipful Barry Gwin with California Lodge s newest Fellocraft Trevor California Lodge attendance at the second degree.

7 PAGE 7 Teaming up with the Junior Giants In 2008 the Giants Community Fund was voted the best sports-related charity among all major professional sports in the country. The Junior Giants, a program of the Community Fund, serves more than 20,000 children and has more than 2,500 volunteer coaches. Started in 1994 to teach confidence, integrity, leadership, and teamwork to at-risk youth, the Junior Giants now has more than 85 leagues of boys and girls ages 5 to 18, across California and into Nevada and Oregon. As Masons, we share this passion for community service, and we have an opportunity to work with the Junior Giants for big results. Currently, only about 55 percent of the Junior Giants kids have their own baseball mitts. Our goal is to provide 2,500 mitts this year. The Junior Giants can leverage their buying power to purchase great baseball mitts for $20 each. If 2,500 of the 10,000 Bay Area Masons make a personal $20 gift, we can achieve our goal - and bring America's national past time to 2,500 Bay Area kids. Some friendly competition The Bay Area has been divided into six regions - East Bay, South Bay, North Bay, the city of San Francisco, Sacramento and the Delta area - which are facing off in friendly competition. On September 9, we will host Masons Night at AT&T Park, where the home crowd will witness Masonry's commitment to kids firsthand. In addition to seeing our name in scoreboard lights, the team that funds the greatest number of baseball mitts will publicly present a check, along with the Grand Master, at home plate. A regional trophy and award will be presented to each lodge in the winning region. Rally your brothers through the lodge Trestleboard, at stated meetings, Masonic events, and by word of mouth. This community service project is from Masons to kids, so lodge funds are discouraged. However, friends, family, and especially all members of the Masonic family are encouraged to contribute. Let's knock this challenge out of the park!

8 PAGE 8 OFFICERS COMMITTEES GRAND LODGE Master Barry P. Gwin (Deena) 312 Baltimore Way San Francisco, CA barry@sfscootercentre.com Senior Warden Shawn M. (Duke) Cassidy modernaction@yahoo.com Junior Warden gusgabriel@gmail.com Treasurer Lawrence Leon, PM (Jenny) lc19@pacbell.net Secretary John Bermudez, PM Secretary@calodge1.com Chaplain Richard J. Modolo, PM (Gabrielle) rmodolo@earthlink.net Senior Deacon Kyler A. Schroder knexby@aol.com Junior Deacon Michael Manneh (650) thetrumike@gmail.com Marshal Jeffrey A. Salgado (Ildiko) jsalgado@mcguire.com Senior Steward Roberto Bradford gunslingingbird@yahoo.com Junior Steward Rhett Marino rhett.rbm@gmail.com Musician Lawrence (Stark) Dagesse ldg1028@gmail.com Tiler James Toy ( Janet) jmboty@yahoo.com Office Address California Lodge No.1 F&AM th Street, Suite 204 Daly City, CA O: Fax: Dues Review Barry Gwin, Chairman Shawn Cassidy Masonic Homes Representative Larry Comer, PM Table Lodge George Bazlamit Golf Tournament Ron Erickson, PM Public Schools Ron Erickson, PM Crab Feed John A. Bermudez, PM Valentine Whist Don Price Sweetheart Brunch Richard Modolo, PM Lodge Cemetery Plots and Memorial Day John A. Bermudez, PM Joint Picnic w/ SF Lodge 120 Roll Call Doug Ismail John Bermudez, PM Spring Dinner Dance Richard J. Modolo, PM Fall Dinner Dance Richard J Modolo, PM Thanksgiving Whist Don Price Children Holiday Party Youth Organizations Barry Gwin Ladies Activities Dell Conlan Trestleboard Staff John Bermudez, PM Website Lawrence Leon, PM Face Book: California Lodge 1 Inspector 321 st District Thomas Chavez, P.M thomas.c.chavez@gmail.com Grand Lodge 1111 California St San Francisco CA Masonic Assistance Officers Coach Jim Davis, PM tt122008bb@sanbrunocable.com Candidate Coaches Don Price Kenneth C. Nix jknix21@earthlink.net gusgabriel@gmail.com Third Degree Floor Team Stark Dagesse Alan Dolphus Ron Sickler Sidney Pond, PM Kyler Schroder Jim Toy Paul Owyang, PM George Terry Sam Yee Kyler Schroder Shawn Cassidy Michael Manneh Jim Toy Jeff Salgado Auditing Don Price, Chairman Larry Fong 1 st Base 2 nd Base 3 rd Base 3 rd Base 1 st Traveler 2 nd Traveler 3 rd Traveler 3 rd Traveler S.F & W.F. S.F & W.F. 1 0 Charge 1 0 Charge 2 0 Charge 2 0 Charge 3 0 Charge 3 0 Charge Board of Trustees Christian Eddleman, Chair (2014) Doug Ismail (2015) Edmond M. Lim, PM (2014) Richard J. Modolo, PM (2013) Gary D. Newton (2013) Charity and Masonic Homes Master Senior Warden Junior Warden Memorial Service John A. Bermudez, PM Ben Ruhs, PM Richard J. Modolo, PM Child ID Program Alan Doulphus Delinquent Dues Barry Gwin Shawn Cassidy Finance Review Barry Gwin, Chairman Christian Eddleman