Santa Maria Lodge #580
F&AM of California (911th District)
From the East
Greeings My Brothers!
Welcome to December 2019!
This will be my final Trestleboard article, farewell, so to speak. Reflecting on my four terms as Master of Santa Maria Lodge, this year has been the most rewarding. This is not to say that the previous years were not rewarding...far from it. Each year has been a teaching as well as a learning experience. This year, 2019, has been exceptional, this is mainly due to the OUTSTANDING officers that have assisted me and the Lodge, not only to move forward but to excel in Masonry. The officers that will be installed and appointed this year are the finest men and Masons that I have ever had the pleasure to meet and work with.
These Officers will carry this lodge and Masonry in general up and far into the future. The Lodge Ladies, families and friends are the cohesive force that makes the lodge known, not only in the district but has been commented on by Grand Lodge members.
I wish that I could tell you that I would be able to serve as Master of this Lodge again in the future. To be the master and servant of Santa Maria Lodge four times has been the highlight of my 30 years in Freemasonry, however, I think it prudent to end with a winning streak.
Don Ruch, PM
Worshipful Master
From the West
Greetings Brethren and Ladies,
I want to thank the brethren of the lodge for having the faith in me to elect me to the position of Master for 2020. I am truly humbled and will try my best to make the lodge the best it can be. Congratulations to all the elected and appointed officers as well. I believe we have a great team going into the coming year. I appreciate and thank you all for being an officer in my line.
The Installation of Officers will be held on December 14 at 11:00am in the morning. After the ceremony, Ranch Catering will be providing Prime Rib. Don’t miss it! It will be a wonderful ceremony and a great start for the new year. Please come out and give thanks to Worshipful Don Rush for all his hard work and to support the new line coming in.
Christmas is a beautiful time of the year and I always feel so happy and joyous! The season is alive with lights and songs and is truly an exciting time of the year. Although there is so much greatness, please don’t forget the ones that need the help the most. Be generous to your fellow man this season and bring the Christmas joy to everyone.
Our Trestleboard is going digital in January. Please contact the Secretary with your email if you have not already done so in order to continue receiving the news.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!
Fraternally,
Ken Bychak
Senior Warden
If you know of a brother or honored lady in distress, is ill, or in need, please contact me so we can help.
From the South
This is the time of year when we not only give thanks for the many blessings we have in our lives, but we should also celebrate new beginnings. Santa Maria Lodge has much to be thankful for as this year winds down. As a Lodge we continue to be healthy. We are bringing in new brothers through initiation and affiliation, with the initiates progressing through their degrees at record pace. The 2020 line has shaped up to be very strong; with these new Brothers beginning to fill officer position, this bodes well for the future of our lodge.
As we end this Masonic year and embark upon a new and exciting adventure, let us all reflect on the accomplishments we have all been a part of. Let's take a look and examine what we've done as a Lodge and how we can each make those events even better in the future. I believe this next year will be a momentous one as we look to increase our community involvement, move toward supporting our Masonic charities, and increase our “out of lodge” activities to continue to build that bond of brotherhood among the members.
I am honored to serve as the Senior Warden for the ensuing Masonic year, and I look forward to the leadership and vision of our new Master, Worshipful Ken Bychak. Both he and the Lodge have my continued commitment to continue our path to improvement and success.
In closing I would like to show my heartfelt gratitude to Rhonda Selmier for her efforts as editor of our Trestle board over the years. She will be sorely missed.
Thank You Rhonda!!!
Fraternally,
Dave Murray
Junior Warden
Secretary’s Corner
Congratulations to our 2020 Line of Officers! Thank you for your hard work qualifying and all the time you commit to the Lodge. We could not continue without the support of these Brothers. I would also like to thank the Brothers for giving me the opportunity to continue serving as Secretary. I enjoy working with all of you and look forward to another great year.
By the time you read this, you should have already received your Dues Invoice. The dues for 2020 are $111.00. Per our By-Laws, the calculation is $60.00 + per capita rounded up to the nearest dollar. Per capita is $50.75 this year, which gives us our total of $111.00. This is also your time to catch up on last year dues if you have not paid. 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! If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
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. If you have paid and have not received your card, please contact me at 951-970-4294 or via email and I will take care of it.
IMPORTANT NOTICE!! The Trestleboard is going digital in January 2020. PLEASE contact me if you desire to still receive a hard copy. As has been previously stated, the cost of producing and mailing the Trestleboard continues to climb. By going digital we help keep costs down, save a tree or two and you will actually get your Trestleboard earlier via email.
Hope to see you in the Lodge!
S/F
Bill Graham, PM
Secretary
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 for your mailings and other contacts.
Happy Birthday For December
Vonnie Ruple (1st)
Ralph Knudsen (4th)
Thomas Lyon (15th)
Wayne Rhea (17th)
Michael McCleary (19th)
Joe Denman (20th)
Cole Dick (23rd)
Joseph Elmore (23rd)
Ryan Dreyer (27th)
Edward Mangel (29th)
Richard Swafford (30th)
Happy Third Degree Anniversary!
Douglas Regnier (43 Years)
Jim Rudeen (34 Years)
Alfred Chavez Jr. (32 Years)
Daniel Regnier (21 Years)
Dennis Connor Sr. (11 Years)
Peter Johnson (3 Years)
Lodge Directory
619-787-3858
707-328-9617
619-302-1223
760-789-5254
951-970-4294
619-843-3019
619-607-2935
858-943-1079
760-788-4957
760-532-2574
760-566-6953
760-789-9129
760-788-4764
Master - Don Ruch, PM (Vicki)
Senior Warden - Ken Bychak (Laura)
Junior Warden - Dave Murray (Catheren)
Treasurer - Bob Weldon (Brenda)
Secretary - Bill Graham, PM (Teri)
Chaplain - Keith Cochenour (Caren)
Senior Deacon - Chase Murray
Junior Deacon - Peter Johnson
Marshall - Rex McCray
Senior Steward - Bill Biggs (Susan)
Junior Steward - Mike Reher
Tiler - Van Reeder
Organist - Pete Casalegno (Jill)
Santa Maria Masonic Building
Association (SMMBA) Directory
760-840-0427
760-612-1978
619-302-1223
President - Don Martin, PM (Rosemary)
Vice-President - Peter Krickuhn (Connie)
Secretary/CFO - Dave Murray (Catheren)
Trestleboard Editor
Chase Murray (Senior Deacon)
619-607-2935 or Editor@SantaMaria580.org
We welcome your input & ideas!