We were blessed, once again, with good weather and good company at our last Stated Meeting. There were some who usually attend that weren't at potluck or stated and were very missed! We are working diligently on preparing for the Grand Lodge visit in June. So much work to do! The Yuba Feather Historical Association's Museum in Forbestown is also working on putting together a Masonic display which will coincide with our Grand Lodge visit. (They are an indoor/outdoor museum). Our yearbook ad for Yuba Feather School in Challenge was discussed. The new ad has been created and sent in. It is our part of supporting the kids at Yuba Feather School. |
Between coming down with all the illnesses going around the last four months and a recent new job that has hours that aren't conducive to visiting Lodges, it has been hard for WM John to find the opportunity to attend and enjoy the fellowship of Masons at other area Lodges. He's only be able to attend Forbestown's Saturday meeting. He's missed visiting and loves seeing those from other Lodge's who are able to make the trek up the mountain.
This past Saturday we did find ourselves with an invitation to enjoy our first Job's Daughters Reception. It was a wonderful event and an opportunity to show our support for these lovely young ladies! We've been reminded, once again, that these young ladies work very hard to support their group and their philanthropic projects such as H.I.K.E. -- What is H.I.K.E.? Many of you may know that is the Hearing Impaired Kids Endowments. We now know that too. It is so refreshing to see young people that care about more than just themselves. We are continually awed at just how wonderful the Masonic family is and the amazing efforts they go through to make a difference.
AND having Wednesdays off, for the time being, we enjoyed an evening with O.E.S. Josephine-Chico on their Past Matron / Past Patron evening.We always find our spirits lifted after spending an evening with good people!
This past Saturday we did find ourselves with an invitation to enjoy our first Job's Daughters Reception. It was a wonderful event and an opportunity to show our support for these lovely young ladies! We've been reminded, once again, that these young ladies work very hard to support their group and their philanthropic projects such as H.I.K.E. -- What is H.I.K.E.? Many of you may know that is the Hearing Impaired Kids Endowments. We now know that too. It is so refreshing to see young people that care about more than just themselves. We are continually awed at just how wonderful the Masonic family is and the amazing efforts they go through to make a difference.
AND having Wednesdays off, for the time being, we enjoyed an evening with O.E.S. Josephine-Chico on their Past Matron / Past Patron evening.We always find our spirits lifted after spending an evening with good people!
!Upcoming Events!
District Officers Assn/School of Instruction is Tuesday March 18th 7-9 p.m. at Forbestown
Orland Laurel #245 Stated Meeting - Tuesday April 1st at 7-9 p.m. light refreshments following meeting
Oroville No. 103 - Stated Meeting - Tuesday April 1st at 7-9 p.m.
Forbestown #50- Stated Meeting - Saturday April 5th POTLUCK at 6:30 meeting follows
Chico-Leland Stanford #111- Stated Meeting - Tuesday April 8th at 7:30 - 9:30
North Butte #230 - Stated Meeting Thursday April 10th 7-8 p.m. Meals generally served at 6 p.m. ($? donation)
Chico Shrine Club - Wrecking Crew Meeting - Thursday April 10th 6-7 p.m.
Table Mountain #124 - Stated Meeting - Monday April 14th - Dinner at 6 ($5 donation) meeting at 7p.m.
District Officers Assn/School of Instruction Tuesday April 15th at 7 p.m. Table Mountain #124 Paradise
Oroville No. 103 - Stated Meeting - Tuesday April 1st at 7-9 p.m.
Forbestown #50- Stated Meeting - Saturday April 5th POTLUCK at 6:30 meeting follows
Chico-Leland Stanford #111- Stated Meeting - Tuesday April 8th at 7:30 - 9:30
North Butte #230 - Stated Meeting Thursday April 10th 7-8 p.m. Meals generally served at 6 p.m. ($? donation)
Chico Shrine Club - Wrecking Crew Meeting - Thursday April 10th 6-7 p.m.
Table Mountain #124 - Stated Meeting - Monday April 14th - Dinner at 6 ($5 donation) meeting at 7p.m.
District Officers Assn/School of Instruction Tuesday April 15th at 7 p.m. Table Mountain #124 Paradise
Amapola at Oroville March 20th Deputy Grand OV - Theme "Catch a Leprechaun"
Josephine Chico March 26th 7:30 Deputy Grand OV - Theme "Spring is in the Air"
Amapola at Oroville April 3rd at 7:30 Theme "Sew... What's New?" Honoring Sew N Sews
Sew N Sews April 4th we meet 9-Noon at Oroville. Join us for sewing, pinning and visiting!
Josephine Chico April 9th at 7:30 Theme "Easter Parade"
Amapola at Oroville April 19th SATURDAY meal at 12:30 p.m. Ham Dinner - Meeting 2 p.m. Theme "Honor Brothers"
Josephine Chico April 23rd 7:30 p.m. Theme "Friendship Night"
Amapola wreath work day is April 12th from 1-3 p.m. in the basement of the Oroville Masonic Temple. All hands welcome to get these wreaths cleaned and repaired before we go dark in order have them prepared for placement next year on our Veteran's Graves.
Other events are in the works and will be posted later.... The annual Chico Shrine Club's Bean and Burger event in May, Amapola Chapter's BBQ in June.
Other Chapters have special events coming up. I am working on finding out what they are and when. I would like to hear from DeMolay and Jobies too!
Other Chapters have special events coming up. I am working on finding out what they are and when. I would like to hear from DeMolay and Jobies too!
The History Corner
It is so difficult, for a person such as me, to research history. I LOVE researching and reading about our past and that is part of the problem... When researching via internet or diving into a scrapbook of old newspaper clippings at the Museum in Forbestown, I get off track! One interesting article after another or an interesting letter. And clicking on links to "more" information if I am using the computer... Where did the time go? And "where was I?".
I have been searching for or researching information on Forbestown's Past Masters and this research is now expanding into finding information on some of the Past Masters of our former Lodges from St. Louis, Gibsonville and La Porte because these lodges had consolidated with Forbestown and their history is now a part of Forbestown's history.
Finding Past Masters themselves is an adventure. I find that not only is there a connection between Forbestown and the people of La Porte, but also the people of Oroville. Both towns are quite a distance from Forbestown especially "back in the day". I often wonder if the gentlemen that traveled from Oroville were also members of Oroville No. 103. I do know that Forbestown was Chartered in 1854, two years before Oroville and that could account for some of the travel, but the connections continue through the years to the present time. Some of those affiliated with Forbestown today are from out of the area and are even further out than Oroville.
Often when Worshipful and I travel down the mountain to attend functions, we think about the travels of those from so long ago. Can you imagine traveling to Chico or Oroville, Table Mountain or Cherokee, Forbestown or Gridley on horseback, buggy or stage? Maybe even on foot! I've discovered, not surprisingly, that there were O.E.S. members from Forbestown Lodge that attended Amapola Chapter with their ladies for lack of a Chapter on the mountain. Travel on the dry hot roads in the summer would coat their clothes in dust by the time they arrived at their destination. Spring and Fall bring rains and mud. Winter blankets the mountains with snow meaning more mud along with cold and ice... and rutted roads are so hard to traverse! I know from experience that the ride can seem very long in our cars today, but how wonderful that we are home within an hour or maybe an hour and a half or so... These dedicated people traveled up and down the mountains and throughout the valley to attend their functions. That dedication continues the existence of our Lodges to this day.
I have been searching for or researching information on Forbestown's Past Masters and this research is now expanding into finding information on some of the Past Masters of our former Lodges from St. Louis, Gibsonville and La Porte because these lodges had consolidated with Forbestown and their history is now a part of Forbestown's history.
Finding Past Masters themselves is an adventure. I find that not only is there a connection between Forbestown and the people of La Porte, but also the people of Oroville. Both towns are quite a distance from Forbestown especially "back in the day". I often wonder if the gentlemen that traveled from Oroville were also members of Oroville No. 103. I do know that Forbestown was Chartered in 1854, two years before Oroville and that could account for some of the travel, but the connections continue through the years to the present time. Some of those affiliated with Forbestown today are from out of the area and are even further out than Oroville.
Often when Worshipful and I travel down the mountain to attend functions, we think about the travels of those from so long ago. Can you imagine traveling to Chico or Oroville, Table Mountain or Cherokee, Forbestown or Gridley on horseback, buggy or stage? Maybe even on foot! I've discovered, not surprisingly, that there were O.E.S. members from Forbestown Lodge that attended Amapola Chapter with their ladies for lack of a Chapter on the mountain. Travel on the dry hot roads in the summer would coat their clothes in dust by the time they arrived at their destination. Spring and Fall bring rains and mud. Winter blankets the mountains with snow meaning more mud along with cold and ice... and rutted roads are so hard to traverse! I know from experience that the ride can seem very long in our cars today, but how wonderful that we are home within an hour or maybe an hour and a half or so... These dedicated people traveled up and down the mountains and throughout the valley to attend their functions. That dedication continues the existence of our Lodges to this day.