On April 27, 2012 Edwin Rhodes Elementary School in Chino, held its’ annual school fair. In a true show of Brotherly love and unity, Chino Valley Lodge was joined with Brothers from Ontario and Upland/Mt. Baldy Lodges to man a Child I.D. booth. This program provides a document with a picture of the child, a thumbprint and space for the parent to fill in valuable information, which can be used in case of abduction.
During the event, we had over 130 children receive an I.D. document. Spearheading the program for the second straight year was Chino Valley Lodge's Senior Deacon Brother Jim Duran; who has two of his children attending the school.
Members from the Zula Grotto also had a booth, where they provided free toothbrushes to the children for their “Toothbrush Day”, in order to promote good dental care for all children. They also support the Supreme Council of North America’s humanitarian foundation that provides free dental care to children with developmental disabilities.
This event was a great success, not only for our Lodges but also for the elementary school.
Respectfully submitted and reporting for Division 8………
Brother Philip Stekel
Secretary
Chino Valley Lodge #427
Dear Worshipful Sir and Brothers all:
“No great or important undertaking … .” Prayer undergirds all we do in Masonry. Every meeting opens and closes with an address to the Throne of Grace.
So it will be on June 20th when Division 8 presents “Operation Raising a Reader,” Grand Master Louie’s project to enhance the reading skills of disadvantaged children.
Your Lodge is invited to write an opening and closing prayer for this important event. All the Lodges in the division are encouraged to participate and two will be selected from the submissions.
If a prayer is chosen from your Lodge, you or a designee will have the honor of giving it at the June 20th event.
All submissions must be in the hands of the “Raising a Reader” committee by May 15th.
You may e-mail your entry to Floyd Orr – frorr@aol.com, Jim Ridley –bbcakessr@aol.com, or Greg Covel – gcovel8@gmail.com
You will be notified by June 1st, if a prayer from your Lodge is to be used.
Thank you for your consideration! Public education is a bulwark of a free society. “Operation Raising a Reader” is testimony that all masons in Division 8 support this fundamental ideal of democracy.
Fraternally and sincerely,
Floyd Orr
Committee Member “Raising a Reader
On Wednesday April 4, 2012, Blythe/Needles Lodge #473 honored three instructors, for their dedication to education. Rosalie Ann Campa, Gretchen Nelson, and Opal Kemp have worked for the Riverside County office of Education for a combined total of over 65 years teaching Special Needs children.
Both Rosalie and Gretchen are graduates of our local Palo Verde High School, who have stayed here to help our local children. Opal transferred to Blythe from Banning in 1992, and has taught here since.
The ceremonies were preceded by the awarding of a Scholarship from the Blythe Social Club, to Kathleen Bell, daughter of our Senior Warden, Bert Bell. Katie, as she is affectionately known, is planning on attending Cal State San Bernardino.
Wor. Wuertz gave a brief history of Masons and Education, before presenting the awards.
Submitted by
Joe Van Dyke
On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, Fellowship Lodge #668, in Yucaipa, CA had a program honoring several students from the Yucaipa-Calimesa Unified School District. Students and principals from13 schools were represented. Each school chose one student to be recognized for their outstanding scholastic or personal achievements. This year’s program was very successful with over 180 people in attendance.
April 16, 2012 Redlands Lodge #300 presented Worshipful Elmer Pfonner with his Golden Veteran Award. His son, Dwight Pfonner, who is also a Past Master of San Dimas lodge 428, is a Marine currently serving in Iraq. He took leave to come home to participate in this special ceremony for his father. Many members, friends, and over 50 family members attended the dinner and ceremony.