From the East
My Brothers, Ladies, Friends, and Families,
If you were not at our last Stated Meeting dinner, you missed out on some really great chili. Thank you to all those that brought there home made chili and thank you for all those who came to fellowship with the brothers and their families. We really would love to see brothers come back and enjoy our fraternity again and to help support the lodge and your fellow brothers.
This month, the Stated meeting is on March 9th starting at 6:00pm. This month Worshipful Don and his beautiful and lovely wife Vicki are making Corned beef and Cabbage. I know it will be very delicious.
I would like to wish the following Brothers a Happy Birthday for this Month:
Julian Feezell - 03/06
Richard Walworth - 03/07
Charles Taylor Jr. - 03/09
Cole Sulser - 03/12
Stephen Feezell - 03/12
Matt Smith - 03/21
Joseph Ybarra - 03/27
I would also like to wish the following Brothers A Happy Masonic Anniversary:
Stephen Feezell - 03/05 (19 years)
Michael McCleary - 03/08 (51 years)
Dave Murray, PM - 03/09 (9 years)
Chase Murray, PM - 03/30 (9 years)
I would love to see brothers come back and visit the lodge to meet the new officers and to get back involved with our fraternity and the Lodge.
This month we celebrate the following important dates in the USA:
March 8th - International Women’s day
March 12th - Daylight Saving Time (don’t forget to change your clocks forward an hour)
March 17th - St. Patrick’s Day
March 20th - Spring Equinox (first day of spring)
I hope you all have a safe and blessed March!!
Fraternally yours,
Pete Johnson - Worshipful Master 2026
From the West
Greetings Brethren and Ladies,
It is with deep sadness that I must inform you that Brother Robert “Bob” Stuckey has laid down his working tools and has joined the Eternal Lodge above. May he rest in peace with the Great Architect of the Universe.
Bob was a good man and had a great sense of humor, he will certainly be missed. I remember many a time he got me laughing with some of his great jokes.
Please keep his family as well as all our members, especially the ones sick or suffering, in your thoughts and prayers.
Worshipful Brother Don Martins Celebration of Life is happening at the end of the month, Feb 28, in Chandler, Arizona. Some of the brethren are making the trip to be there. Please reach out if you have any questions.
On a bit lighter note, Worshipful Dave Murray had a quadruple bypass and is now home and doing well.
If you know of a brother or honored lady in distress, is ill, or in need, please contact me so we can help.
Fraternally,
Ken Bychak
Senior Warden
From the South
Brethren, Families and friends;
I am composing this article on the last day of February, and the temperature outside is a balmy 84 degrees. Very unseasonal for this time of year, especially when you compare it to the frigid temperatures back East. But as you know, we pay dearly for these living conditions.
As Vicki and I were doing our devotions this morning, I prayed to our Heavenly Father and thanked Him for the beautiful weather, Then it dawned on me that I do not thank God enough for all the blessings that God gives me. I take a lot for granted. I pretty much expect; blessings for Vicki and I, for our family and friends. I do not spend enough time to thank Him for his incredible power, grace and blessings. I think I will start my prayers with a thank You list from now on.
The Stated meeting dinner for March will be Corned beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes Brenda and Bob are doing desert.
I hope to see you there...
Don Ruch, PM, Junior Warden.
Secretary’s Corner
Welcome to March, and just like that, we are in the 3rd month of 2026 – Time just seems to fly! Our first activity of the year is now in the works. We will be attending a San Diego Gulls game on April 18th. This is the final game of the season. There is a beach towel give away. The cost is $47.00 a person. We have seats booked in the same section as the last 2 trips. They are very good and close to the action. Come join us for another great event full of fellowship.
I continue to slowly receive Dues payments, however, there are still 31 Brothers that are in arrears. Remember, you have an obligation to pay your dues. If you have not paid your dues, you are officially late. They were due by December 31, 2025. Please get them paid. The Lodge needs the support of the Brothers. The dues for 2026 are $133.00 (Per our By-Laws the calculation is $60.00 + Per Capita rounded up to the next whole dollar). Per Capita for this year will be $72.50 giving us annual dues of $60.00 + $72.50 = $132.50 rounded up to $133.00. This is also your time to catch up on last year’s 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!
The method for the Suspension for Non Payment of Dues has changed. It is now being handled by the Grand Lodge. Brothers that are 3 years overdue will have their names read in the Lodge at the March Stated Meeting and then will be submitted to the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge will then take over contacting the brother. If dues are not paid, the Grand Lodge will then automatically suspend the Brother at the 60 day mark. It is still possible to for you can pay your dues before the names are submitted.
Remember, if you send a payment in and are in arrears, that payment will go to the past due amount. You will still need to come back to good standing for the current year to receive your Dues Card. Please contact the Master or myself to discuss this if you have any questions.
There are several ways that you can pay your dues:
Send a check to the Lodge at:
Santa Maria #580
PO Box 68
Ramona CA, 92065
You can log in to the Lodge website, www.santamaria580.org, and pay by credit card. Use the link in the Grand Lodge email and pay through the Grand Lodge or you can bring a check or cash to me at the Lodge.
Having to pay your dues at the end of the year can be tough. If you go to the Grand Lodge, you can sign up to have monthly payments taken so that at the end of the year, your dues are paid and you do not have a large bill waiting for you. I have done this for both of my Lodges, and it makes life much easier.
If you are interested in becoming a Life Member, please use the following information from the CMC 2022
§809.320.B LIFE MEMBERSHIP
A sum of money equal to the Lodge’s annual dues at the time of purchase of the Life Membership multiplied by the factor indicated opposite the member’s age in the following schedule:
Age 49 and under, a factor equal to or greater than 24 times annual dues;
50 to 54 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 20 times annual dues;
55 to 59 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 18 times annual dues;
60 to 64 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 16 times annual dues;
65 to 71 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 14 times annual dues; and
Age 72 and over, a factor equal to or greater than 12 times annual dues.
Our dues for 2026 are $133.00. Use the chart above to calculate the amount needed. As an example, I am in the 55-59 bracket. For me to purchase a Life Membership, the cost would be 18 x $133.00 for a total of $2,394.00. Please contact me if you wish to pursue this.
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
If you have paid and have not received your dues card in a reasonable amount of time, please contact me at 951-970-4294 or secretary@santamaria580.org and I will take care of it.
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.
Calendar of Events
Lodge Officer Directory
Master - Pete Johnson
Senior Warden - Ken Bychak II, PM (Laura)
Junior Warden - Don Ruch, PM (Vicki)
Treasurer - Chase Murray, PM
Secretary - Bill Graham, PM (Teri)
Chaplain - Mark Lantz (Kim)
Marshal - Elijah Descoteaux
Senior Deacon - Wade Hendry (Marianne)
Junior Deacon - Ken Bychak Sr. (Robyn)
Senior Steward - Rex McCray
Junior Steward - Gabriel Zabrosky (Annie)
Tiler - Bob Weldon, PM (Brenda)
(858) 943-1079
(707) 328-9617
(619) 787-3858
(619) 607-2935
(951) 970-4294
(858) 231-4646
(619) 987-1004
(760) 535-3176
(805) 264-1711
(760) 788-4957
(619) 931-4314
(760) 807-2883
Santa Maria Masonic Building
Association (SMMBA) Directory
President - Ken Bychak II, PM
Vice President - Pete Johnson
Treasurer/Secretary - Elijah Descoteaux
Member - Don Ruch, PM
Member - Bob Weldon, PM
Member - Wade Hendry
Member - Bruce Smith, PM
Member - Gabriel Zabrosky
(707)328-9617
(858) 943-1079
(619) 987-1004
(619) 787-3858
(760) 807-2883
(760) 535-3176
(760) 788-9475
(619) 931-4314