From the East
Greeting Brothers and friends, welcome to the month of July!
Let me begin by congratulating our newest Entered Apprentice, Andrew “Drew” Mattson, who was initiated on June 26th via a wonderful degree under Wor. Brother Bill Graham and Wor. Brother Don Ruch. Welcome Brother Andrew to Santa Maria Lodge #580.
As we are also a little late on getting the Trestleboard out because someone forgot to get their input in on time (it was me again), we have already celebrated our 249th Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain.
Philadelphians marked the first anniversary of American independence with a spontaneous celebration. However, observing Independence Day only became commonplace after the War of 1812. By the 1870s, the Fourth of July was the most important secular holiday on the calendar. Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870. Even far-off communities on the western frontier managed to gather on Independence Day.
Belated Happy 4th of July and welcome to the summer heat everyone.
Thanks, Chase Murray, PM.
From the West
Welcome to July Brothers and Sisters,
Happy 4th of July!!
As we are into the 2nd half of this Masonic year, I am asking everyone to send me ideas on events or outings you would like to see the lodge organize for next year. Without input from everyone, we cannot make sure everyone is feeling included. We are constantly trying to find ways to get more involvement from brothers and family members. This Lodge cannot and will not survive without the support from our brothers and families.
Please reach out to me via email at pjjohnson04@gmail.com or call me at 858-943-1079. Again, we need brothers coming back and we need ideas on how to make that happen.
God Bless you all, and God Bless this Lodge and Fraternity.
Pete Johnson, Sr. Warden.
From the South
Ladies, Brethren, friends and families;
Half of this Masonic year is now behind us and we have an ambitious six months to go. I want to extend a congratulations to our newest Entered Apprentice Mason, brother "Drew". His was one of the smoothest First Degrees that I personally have participated in.
I don't know about you, but I have been praying a lot lately. For my family, for our country, for...you name it. I was recently asked by a Pastor of a Baptist Church; "Does God answer all your prayers?" I have also recently heard someone say; "God doesn't answer my prayers." It is my opinion that God answered all prayers, the caveat is that the answer may not be exactly what you or I were expecting. Some people treat prayer to God as a magic lamp. We want to rub the lamp expecting to get the wish we want.
Heavenly Father, it is with gratitude and humility that I, that we will accept Your will for our life, for You is perfect wisdom...Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Don Ruch, PM, Junior Warden.
Secretary’s Corner
Here comes July and the weather is getting hot. Thankfully when we moved back in to the building, SMMBA had the AC system and the roof replaced. We can now sit comfortably in the Lodge regardless of the outside temperature!
In the vein of the building maintenance, we will be having 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!!
We had an excellent 1 st Degree last month for our new Brother, Drew Mattson. If you were not there, you really missed out! We have a couple of prospects in the pipeline and should hopefully have a couple of more 1st Degrees in the upcoming months. We also have a couple of Brothers working hard on their proficiencies and should hopefully be having a 2nd and 3rd Degree in the near future. If your cable-tow permits, please attend if you can and support our Brothers!!
We continue to meet at 0800 on the 2nd and 4th Saturday’s of the month at the Lodge for coffee and then breakfast. Our prospects, candidates and new Brothers are often there. Come join us and get to know these fine men that are joining our Fraternity.
Please go to member.freemason.org and check your information. If you have not created this account, PLEASE get with me and I will walk you through creating the account and entering your information.
Remember, you have an obligation to pay your dues in a timely manner, by December 31. If you have not already made your payment you are overdue. The dues for 2025 are $129.00. Per our By-Laws, the calculation is $60.00 + per capita rounded up to the nearest dollar. Per capita is $68.50 this year, which gives us our total of $129.00. 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!
Sadly we had to vote to suspend the 4 Brothers that were 3 years overdue. We also remitted the dues for some Brothers in need. Entering July we currently have 11 Brothers that owe dues. Of these 5 Brothers are 2 years overdue. If you are one of these 11 PLEASE catch up on your dues. Remember, your Brothers in the Lodge carry you when you do not pay your dues. The Grand Lodge has issued the Per Capita bill for 2025 and the Lodge has to pay, whether you have paid or not.
If you are in arrears for your dues, you need to pay all that is owed to be brought back in to good standing. As an example, if you pay for 2025 only, and owe for 2024, I cannot send you your 2025 dues card. You are still in arrears and will need to bring your dues up to date first.
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 current dues are $129.00. 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 $129.00 for a total of $2,322.00. Please contact me if you wish to pursue this.
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
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 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 - Chase Murray
Senior Warden - Pete Johnson
Junior Warden - Don Ruch, PM (Vicki)
Treasurer - Bob Weldon, PM (Brenda)
Secretary - Bill Graham, PM (Teri)
Chaplain - Mark Lantz (Kim)
Marshal - Bruce Smith, PM (Beverly)
Senior Deacon - Ken Bychak II, PM (Laura)
Junior Deacon - Rex McCray
Senior Steward - Elijah Descoteaux
Junior Steward - Wade Hendry (Marianne)
Tiler - Dave Murray, PM (Catheren)
(619) 607-2935
(858) 943-1079
(619) 787-3858
(760) 807-2883
(951) 970-4294
(858) 231-4646
(760) 788-9475
(707) 328-9617
(760) 788-4957
(619) 987-1004
(760) 535-3176
(619) 302-1223
Santa Maria Masonic Building
Association (SMMBA) Directory
President - Don Ruch, PM
Vice President - Chase Murray
Treasurer/Secretary - Elijah Descoteaux
Member - Ken Bychak II, PM
Member - Bob Weldon, PM
Member - Wade Hendry
Member - Bruce Smith, PM
Member - Pete Johnson
(619) 787-3858
(619) 607-2935
(619) 987-1004
(707) 328-9617
(760) 807-2883
(760) 535-3176
(760) 788-9475
(858) 943-1079