From the East
My Brothers, Ladies, Friends, and Families,
I want to wish everyone a Happy Independence Day on this very special July 4th where we are celebrating the 250th year of our amazing country. No matter who, what or why your listening to who you are, please do not feed into the negativity that seems to be dominating this country and world. We live in the greatest country in the world. We are so blessed that God put us in this country compared to any other country in the world.
With that being said, I would like to share an observation I made while traveling these past few weeks with my daughter. I observed that we have lost common respect towards one another. I was saddened by how much disrespect I received from not just people on the street, but restaurant workers, hotel workers, etc. I could not believe how the majority who I encountered just did not care to provide good service, or cared to even smile, or act like they cared about providing good service. I shared my thoughts with those in our group and they expressed the same sadness and observations. We realized that at some point in recent times our hope that there is more good people out in this world than bad seems to be fading away and going the other direction. The fact is, it may have already shifted where there is more bad than good. Instead of giving up, I have decided that we just need to share happiness and goodness more. I will not let evil prevail. As Masons, people of faith, and as a fraternity of great Men, and those great women who surround these great men, we need to step up our efforts to not just be the better person, but we need to go out of our way to show kindness and respect and just good ole American pride. I encourage everyone to say hello to those you walk by with a smile, to go out of your way to lend a helping hand, and to just do random acts of kindness just because. As the saying goes, “kill them with kindness”. We need to make it where it is clear that there is more good than bad. God Bless you all, and God Bless this Country and this World.
Last month Me and my beautiful daughter Bella cooked an amazing meal of Tri Tip and Chicken (if I do say so myself, haha) for the Stated meeting. This month I will be doing a backyard 4th of July type meal. We will be having Hamburgers and Hotdogs with chips, potato salad and some type of dessert. We will have the BBQ’s going and as long as it is not too hot, eating outside in the parking lot and also in the dinning room.
This month’s stated meeting attire with be Slacks and a Hawaiian or Patriotic collared shirt. Please no shorts or sandals.
I would like to wish the following Brothers a Happy Birthday for this Month:
William Kimble - 07/06
Ken Bychak Sr. - 07/17
Klaus Zabrosky - 07/22
Raymond Garcia - 07/24
I would also like to wish the following Brothers A Happy Masonic Anniversary:
Bob Weldon, PM - 07/13 (48 years)
Julian Feezell - 07/17 (18 years)
Shannon McKeirnan - 07/23 (19 years)
James Feezell - 07/30 (17 years)
I would love to see brothers come back and visit the lodge to meet the new brothers and to get back involved with our fraternity and the Lodge.
Fraternally yours,
Pete Johnson - Worshipful Master 2026
From the West
Greetings Brethren and Ladies,
On Independence Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice that created our nation 250 years ago.
The freedoms we enjoy today were not just given to us. They have been defended by generations of Americans who believed in liberty, service, and responsibility.
As Masons, we are reminded of our duty to uphold the values of brotherly love, relief, and truth. May we continue to serve our communities, support one another, and be examples of integrity and unity.
Let us proudly honor our flag, remember those who sacrificed for our freedoms, and give thanks for all the blessings of this great nation.
Happy Independence Day to our Brothers, families, and friends.
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, PM
Senior Warden
From the South
Brethren, Families and friends;
Do you realize how fortunate we are to be able to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States? This country has truly been blessed by God. We are the most free and privileged people on the face of the Earth. I shudder to think of being born in ANY other country. But, by the time you read this article, July the fourth will be in the past. I do hope you had a good Independence Day celebration.
Being a citizen of these United States I believe that we are chosen by God to serve him, to live to honor Him and to give glory to His name. I just do not understand those individuals who are U S citizens and hate this country? I personally think their hate is misdirected . Anyway I hope you have a good July and blessed Summer.
Don Ruch, PM, Junior Warden.
Secretary’s Corner
Happy 4th of July!!! This is the 250th Anniversary of our great nation! Having traveled 1⁄2 way around the world and back with the Navy, I can honestly say that no matter what issues we have this is the still the best country on the planet! Please take a minute to celebrate the birth of our nation and think of how fortunate we are to live in the United States of America. We continue to meet at 0800 on 2 Saturday’s of the month (generally the 2nd and 4th, but due to my schedule, there is some variation) at the Lodge for coffee and then breakfast. When the date is changed, I send a text out to notify as many as possible. Our candidates are often there. Come join us and get to know these fine men that are joining our Fraternity.
August is a dark month and a great chance to get some maintenance done on our building. We will again have a Field Day in August to do some much needed cleaning and minor repairs. There will be a list of what needs to be done. More information will be coming. Please come help maintain our venerable old building!!
I continue to slowly receive Dues payments, however, there are still 14 Brothers that are in arrears. Remember, you have an obligation to pay your dues. If you have not paid yes, you are overdue! 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!
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