The installation of the 2018 Lodge officers was scheduled for this coming Saturday January 6th, but unfortunately the FLU has struck! Some of the new officers are under the weather. Thus the installation is canceled until further notice. See you all for the ham dinner next Tuesday!
credit: freemasonryfordummies.com
Bros. Fritz Zanker and Sean Loch are busy in the Kitchen preparing TWO brined turkeys for Decembers dinner. They will always be inspired by Chief Chef Steve Catteral!
The REAL turkeys in the kitchen.
Hey Sean, are you sure you know how to cook a turkey?!
The December dinner and stated meeting is here! Come join us tomorrow at 6:30 for as special holiday meal with live music and a unwrapped toy for children will pay for your meal.
Come join us as we end 2017, the 300th anniversary of Freemasonry. Bring your family and a friend who might be interested in Freemasonry. Please try to RSVP with the lodge secretary, a simple email to 111secretary@sbcglobal.net is helpful to plan for dinner numbers.
Our lodge was featured in last Sunday's edition of the Chico Enterprise-Record and this weeks edition of the Chico News and Review. Both articles were written in support of our openhouse celebrating the 300th anniversary of Freemasonry.
Chico ER link: http://www.chicoer.com/article/NA/20171118/NEWS/171119692
Chico News and Review link: https://www.newsreview.com/chico/open-secrets/content?oid=25391408
Here are some photos from the event
Remember your 2nd degree? Please make time to come out to support and welcome these young brothers to the beautiful Fellowcraft degree.
In the Middle Ages, authors and artists took the notion of monsters living at the edges of the world quite seriously. The most influential theologians and historians worked on the subject extensively. In this talk, I will introduce medieval mapping conventions – quite different from modern practices – and then will examine some of the prominent monsters depicted on the periphery.
All Members, their families and interested visitors most Welcome! Bring a friend who may be interested in Freemasonry.
Toasted garlic sourdough French bread.
Mixed green salad with choice of dressing.
Homemade brownies with vanilla ice cream
RSVP: Lodge Secretary @ 893-3171 or111secretary@sbcglobal.net
Remember your 2nd degree? Please make time to come out to support and welcome this young brother to the beautiful Fellowcraft degree.
Guest Speaker at October Dinner & State Meeting—CA Junior Grand Warden Bro. John Trauner
“During dinner Bro. John will present what is happening at grand lodge and what is grand lodge’s future vision for Freemasonry in California. In our stated meeting he will have a fireside chat about lodge evolution, new lodge formats being tried in CA, and in general ways or approaches to evolving stated meetings so that they are more meaningful, especially to the new generation coming in, our future lodge leaders.”
What is the Working Tools Group?
We get together on a regular basis in order to help each other become the greatest version of ourselves in our business / work / personal lives. We provide you with an opportunity to discuss challenges you may be facing with ideas on how we can apply Masonic principals, both practical and esoteric. Together we help fulfill a Mason’s mission to be a seeker of knowledge, truth, and Light. Our aim is to make our lodge a better place for all our brothers.
Books to read: "The Meaning of Masonry” By Bro. W.L. Wilmhurst
From Amazon: Although the Freemasons number over six million members worldwide, the general public today thinks of them as a social fraternity like the Rotary Club, but that is hardly the whole truth. By mysterious coincidence, it seems, many Masons have been major figures in modern history. many of the Founding Fathers of the United States—including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Paul Revere—were Freemasons. Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian freedom fighter, was also one, as were the composers Franz Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and writers François Voltaire and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The Meaning of Masonry explores the beliefs behind the order, its cryptic rites and symbols, and uncovers its ultimate purpose.
Where to get the Book: Your in luck! We have a PDF copy on our lodge website in the Education Modules section. Just scroll down to the Entered Apprentice section and you will find the link to click and download. You can also obtain the hardcopy of the book on Amazon.com at a very reasonable price some copies as low as $1.45. This is a convivial as well as an educational gathering. Even if you choose to not read the book come join the discussion, brotherly support, and a cool fall weather beverage and light snacks. Please RSVP by sending an email to Bro. Dean Fairbanks, dhfairbanks@csuchico.edu
"Dr. Nice will discuss the historical climate at the time of the founding of the first united grand lodge of Freemasonry in London in 1717. Focusing upon London, Edinburgh, and Paris, Dr. Nice will explain the religious, political, and intellectual issues and controversies of the time. This year Freemasonry marks its 300th anniversary (1717-2017)."
All Members, their families and interested visitors most Welcome! Bring a friend who may be interested in Freemasonry.
RSVP: Lodge Secretary @ 893-3171 or111secretary@sbcglobal.net
A Poem: The Knife and Fork Degree
by A. J. Disbrow
I don't attend the meetings, for I've not the time to spare. But every time they have a feast, you'll surely find me there. I cannot help with the degrees, for I do not know the work. But I can applaud the speaker, and handle a knife and fork. I'm so rusty in the ritual, that it seems like Greek to me, But practice has made me perfect, in the Knife and Fork degree.
2010 Eclipse as seen on Eastern Island
Check out this great storymap on The Great American Eclipse: https://storymaps.esri.com/stories/2017/great-american-eclipse/index.html
The path touches ONLY the mainland of the United States. The last time this happened was 29 July 436.
In esoteric terms, Bro. Dr. Rudolf Steiner in the early part of the 20th century had this to say:
A solar eclipse is ‘the physical event behind a significant spiritual reality’. On a normal day when there is no eclipse, the rays of the Sun penetrate down to the earth, meeting and mediating the rays of human will streaming out into the cosmos. At the time of a solar eclipse, since all the ‘unbridled impulses of human will’ are not met by the Sun, they are able to radiate out into the darkness, ‘surging out into universal space in an abnormal way’. An eclipse acts like a ‘safety-valve’ to provide an outlet for human-cultural pressure that has been building up; it is an opportunity to blow off steam- to avert the danger of a more catastrophic explosion.
Well it can certainly be said that there is a lot of hot air in America right now, and that the pressure is building up. Perhaps we can try to see this as a gift from the cosmos/GAOTU, like the grace an illness can bring to help foster our spiritual growth. It may be wise to view this as good news; that this safety-value is going to help blow off some steam!
When: Thursday, September 7th at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Where: Bro. Fairbanks house on large front porch, 1096 E. 7th Street, Chico
Books to read: "A Traditional Observance Lodge: One Mason's Journey to Fulfillment” By Bro. Cliff Porter
From Amazon: The author's home lodge is different. They suffer from higher than 100% attendance, men wait periods of longer than a year to get initiated, they have never lost a single Entered Apprentice, they have nobody on the roles who is NPD or has been dropped for NPD. Their dues are high by American standards, the background check is rigorous, and the initiations are solemn and serious. Every lodge meeting is treated as an event and celebrated as such. Dinner is treated as a feast with all its positive connotations. Freemasonry is celebrated in every aspect of the lodge. From the artwork, the furnishings, the set up and the atmosphere; all aspects of the lodge meeting are intentional and meant to create an experience. The Lodge is a Traditional Observance Lodge. Like all labels, the Traditional Observance label has caused fear and fright, anger and frustration, confusion, and edicts. It has also helped to define the practices that make the author's lodge one of the most successful lodges in the United States by any standard one might choose to measure it. This book does not claim to provide a Masonic magic pill for the ailing lodges of the world. Nor does it claim in any fashion or form that the way this author's lodge operates is the only way or the best way to operate. What this book does is explain the Traditional Observance model and encourages ideas in the area of increasing the lodge experience and allowing quality to become the watchword over every aspect of Freemasonry. The writings contains a mixture of personal experiences, practical advice, and real life examples for creating a Traditional Observance lodge or increasing your lodges fulfillment.
However you get that summer reading done, just do it!
Where to get the Book: You can obtain the book on Amazon.com at a very reasonable price some as low as $17. This is a convivial as well as an educational gathering. Even if you choose to not read the book come join the discussion, brotherly support, a cool foamy beverage and light food on the porch. Please RSVP by sending an email to Bro. Dean Fairbanks, dhfairbanks@csuchico.edu
Pictured from left are Darrel Deatherage, inspector of Masonic District 216 and a member of the lodge, and Carolyn and Ken Clayton. The Claytons reside in Texas and Butte Meadows.
Dear Brothers,
Last Saturday we had a very productive work day here at the lodge. It was pretty warm but not as hot as it had been. We got a lot accomplished on the west side, limbing those unruly redwoods. They were no match for Mike Johnson and his chainsaw. Special thanks to Mike Caprealian for providing a lunch of hot beans and wieners. Mike also took care of our accumulated brush which was considerable. As previously stated Rob Peters provided the needed tools and equipment tomake the various jobs easier. Norville was able to make mincemeat out of the stump thanks to the stump grinder procured by Rob. While those of us with lesser expertise took care of the grunt work outside Fritz and De’Ondre did an incredible job of cleaning the vents in the banquet rooms.
All in all it was a great day with a very good showing of our membership. Please give a special thanks to the below listed brothers for their efforts.
Angelo Volpato, Rob Peters, Bob Swithenbank, Norville Weiss, John Barneson, Fritz Zanker, De’Ondre White, Mike Johnson, Sid Crane, and Mike Caprealian. We also had a couple of applicants who showed up and helped, Glenn Story and Brett Kimball. If I forgot to mention somebody, I’m sorry.
Sid Crane
Asst Secretary
Chico-Leland Stanford Lodge No. 111
On the international anniversary of Freemasonry, June 24th St. John's Day, our lodge will have a 8AM-12Noon workday. Brother Rob Peters, PM has generously offered the use of his tools and equipment (Genie Ez-lift, Bobcat, trailer, etc.) to maximize our efforts. That being said, it would be unfortunate if Bro. Rob committed these resources and no one showed up to make the most of it!
We will start outside first while it is cool (tree trimming, brush removal, stucco patching, etc.) and then move inside where it is cooler (vacuum ceiling vents, tape and plaster, etc.) .
Please let us know if you can make it. Contact Sid Crane or Darrel Hunter in the Secretaries office so a tentative head count can help in the planning.
The lodge should be within the length of many members cable tow. This is just a once a year summons, WM Angelo Volpato appreciates your support.
meets at Grana on the patio for beverages and conversation about Millenials (those brothers and potential brothers born since 1980). How can we support their needs in a changing lodge and cultural life? Some of us read a book and we want to share to make our lodge better for everyone!
"Most Millennials have no idea our main purpose is making good men better--making better men, better husbands, better fathers, better leaders, better communities. We're an institution of learning, of self-improvement and personal growth. Charity is a part of what we do, but building men is our primary goal. If that message were getting through to Millennials, we'd see more of them knocking on our doors."
Here are some general trends with Millenials to ponder:
81% donate money, goods and services.
75% see themselves as authentic and are not willing to compromise their personal values.
On track to becoming the most educated generation in American history.
61% of millennials are worried about the world we live in and feel personally responsible to make a difference.
More tolerant of race, religion, sexuality, and other minority groups than older generations.
Even if you did not read the book come join us!
Brother Fritz Zanker has cordially invited us all to watch him ply his skills as he battles for the checkered flag in his No. 66 in the Street Stock category. We all know he can cook but can he drive? Let’s all go out and support Fritz as he will surely make us proud. Check with WM Angelo for some free tickets he has left to handout.
Chico’s Masonic lodge is hosting a free public open house to offer information and answer questions from the curious and skeptical.
Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organization and this year it celebrates 300 years since formal organization in England.
We are opening the lodge to the public to let them know who we are, what we stand for, and what we bring to the community, state and country. Not just for Blue lodge-- Shriners, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, DeMolay, Jobs Daughters and Rainbow for Girls will be represented. Please help participate, come meet with the pubic and tell them about your experiences or your group within the larger Freemasonic Family.
For more information contact: The Lodge Secretary, Worshipful Master or Brother Dean Fairbanks; dhfairbanks@csuchico.edu
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Watermelon...All lodge members and their families are invited to come celebrate 300 years of Freemasonry and 160 years of Chico’s lodge. To begin after our lodge open house on our back covered patio with Chef Bro. Fritz and Bro. John Barneson at the grill.
When: 5-6:30pm, Saturday May 13th
RSVP with the Lodge Secretary!
Chico-Leland Stanford Masonic Lodge No. 111 free & accepted Masons in Chico, California. Freemasonry is dedicated to esoteric & philosophical inquiry for truth.
