From the East
Welcome to the month of October my Brothers and friends.
Let me first apologize for not getting the past 2 Trestleboards out. That was an inexcusable error on my part, and of which will not happen again while I am in the east.
Second item of information is a congratulations to Brothers Gabriel and Klaus Zabrosky. Brother Gabriel delivered an excellent 2nd Degree proficiency, which was immediately followed by an exquisite 2nd Degree for Brother Klaus. We look forward to Brother Klaus' 2nd Degree proficiency (hopefully in the semi-near future) and will be working to raise Brother Gabriel to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in early November.
For the benefit of the order, due to our regularly scheduled October Stated Meeting falling on the same day as Columbus Day, we will be holding the Stated Meeting a WEEK EARLY on OCTOBER 6th instead of October 13th. Please adjust your calendars accordingly.
This month we will be celebrating a holiday which is my personal favorite, Halloween.
Halloween is among the oldest traditions in the world as it touches on an essential element of the human condition: the relationship between the living and the dead. The observance evolved from ancient rituals marking the transition from summer to winter, thereby associating it with transformation, which is still a central theme of the holiday.
Every recorded civilization has created some form of ritual observance focused on what happens to people when they die, where they go, and how the living should best honor those who have passed or respond to the dead who seem unwilling or unable to move on. Countries around the world today celebrate Halloween in one form or another, from Mexico's Day of the Dead to China's Tomb Sweeping Day. The modern-day observance of Halloween in countries such as the United States and Canada – where this tradition is most popular – share in this ancient tradition, even though some aspects of the holiday are relatively recent developments, and can be traced back to the Celtic festival of Samhain.
The jack o' lantern is associated with the Irish folk tale of Stingy Jack, a clever drunk and con man who fooled the devil into banning him from hell but, because of his sinful life, could not enter heaven. After his death, he roamed the world carrying a small lantern made of a turnip with a red-hot ember from hell inside to light his way. Scholars believe this legend evolved from sightings of will-o-the-wisp, swamp and marsh gasses which glowed in the night. On All Hallows Eve, the Irish hollowed out turnips and carved them with faces, placing a candle inside, so that as they went about “souling” on the night when the veil between life and death was thinnest, they would be protected from spirits like Stingy Jack.
Chase Murray - Worshipful Master
From the West
Welcome to October Brothers and Sisters,
Happy Fall/Autumn Season!!
Fall and autumn are two names for the same season, with “autumn” coming from the Latin word autumnus meaning “passing of the year” and “Fall” coming from the Old English words like feallan, referring to the falling of leaves. While “autumn” was once more common in Britain, the poetic term “fall”, which is short and descriptive, was adopted in the 17th century and became the dominant term in America, which now uses both interchangeably.
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
Dear Brothers, families and friends:
The fall weather is now upon us and what a relief from the hot summer days! First I would like to congratulate Brother Clouse for his advancement to Fellowcraft. This was the best rendition of the Fellowcraft degree that I have ever attended. Bravo to all concerned.
September 10th was a day that has had a significant impact on my life. When Charlie Kirk was assassinated my world was shaken. I could not understand the reason why he was silenced. I am still confused about being killed for wanting to bring the word of God to the world. But I think the most powerful message came from his wife Erica when she said that "Turning Point" would become more powerful than ever. She was right, And when she forgave the Killer of her husband...It blew me AWAY. What a display of the power of God and a Godly person. We can all learn from this display of grace.
Fraternally yours
Don Ruch, PM, Junior Warden.
Secretary’s Corner
October is here and the Masonic year is almost over. The Grand Lodge will be holding the Annual Communication this month. The Legislation is in a binder on the Tyler’s table outside the Lodge Room for anyone that would like to review it. After review, if you have thoughts or suggestions, please present them to the Master.
The Dues Notices for 2026 will be going out soon. If the incoming Grand Master’s Budget is approved, the projected dues for 2026 will be $129.00, $60.00 plus Per Capita of $68.50 raised to the nearest whole dollar. 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.
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.
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 $126.00. 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 $126.00 for a total of $2,268.00. 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