Masonic Life Network

 The D8 Today team interviewed several actors from the “Seniors on Stage”, which is presenting a Vegas style variety show for San Jacinto Lodge #338, and they expect to have over 200 in the attendance. They met and interviewed “Larry the cable guy” who is portrayed by Jack Aten and several other actors and even met the Producer/ Director. Several other portrayals are scheduled to be on stage at this event, which will last about one and a half to two hours long.

All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Grand Master’s Project and will be presented to him at the Division 8’s program on June 20, 2012.  The “Raising a Reader” program is designed to circulate children’s books to homes, engage families in shared reading of those books, and help thousands of children develop reading readiness skills.

Food will be available through the school’s P.T.A and the profits from the food go to helping their P.T.A. program.

This variety show promises to be funny and very entertaining for all ages. So please make plans to come out and support this worthwhile fundraiser for  “Raising-a-Reader.   All donations are greatly appreciated and can be made through this web site.   For more information about this event, please check out the event calendar on the right hand side of this page.  The D8 Today team hopes you enjoy this first interview with the Producer/ Director. Other interviews with some of the cast members will be posted on this web site in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned.

Jim Ridley

Memorial Day  –  over 7,000 bikers rolled from Indiana Ave in Riverside , up Arlington Ave,  and  Alessandro and Van Buren to Rliverside National Cemetery for the  memorial to our veterans .  Among them  were  several avid Mason  bikers. These  bikers  ranged  from the  big Harleys to some little bikes.  Some were even 3 wheel. They  all paid an  entry  fee and  entertained  thousands lining the streets all  the way  to Riverside National.  It all began at  9:11 AM  (obvious significance there) and  it  took well over an hour  for them  all  to roll out and  eventually  ararive  for the  11AM   ceremony “Salute to  Fallen Heroes”.  Just  another  great thing  we  Masons  participate in  for our  country.

Submitted by John Channon,  Inspector 822nd

Ontario Masonic Lodge No. 301, in Ontario, California, has a long standing tradition of support for the schools in our community.  Many years ago, the Vina Danks Middle school, located across the street from the Lodge had outgrown it’s auditorium facility and Ontario Lodge stepped up to offer our facility to host their awards events. Since, the Lodge had been offering scholarship funds for their outstanding scholars, for many years, it was a perfect fit.  On May 21^st, 2012, Vina Danks held its annual awards night. 322 parents, students, and school staff attended the event, and they were packed into the Lodge Room.  During the awards presentation Worshipful Joseph Chancey presented the Frederick J. Glenn Memorial Scholarship checks to the top three Vina Danks scholars for this school year. The recipients were: Alexander Ambriz, $50.00 scholarship; Mireya Limon, $75.00 scholarship; and Gabriela Carrillo, $100.00 scholarship. In addition to that Jim Blum HA, Treasurer of Ontario 301 and Monarch of the Zula Grotto presented to Gabriela Crillo an invitation to her and her parents to attend a Quakes baseball game with the Zula Grotto. Jim also included mention of the history of Masonic support for public education and explained this year’s Grand Master’s Project and the Division 8 Operation Literacy Program. The entire Vina Danks family was invited to attend the Division 8 Operation Literacy Program to be held at the San Bernardino Valley of the Scottish Rite on Wednesday, June 20^th at 6:00 PM. Also present at the ceremony were Daniel Jones, Secretary of Ontario 301, who has been instrumental in the development of an Algebra tutoring program for middle school students at Vina Danks. Dan is also the Master of Ceremonies for Zula Grotto.  In addition, showing there support for the cause were Paul Valdovinos, Senior Deacon for Ontario 301 and Chief Justice for Zula Grotto, and Robert Barrett who is the Ontario 301 Chaplain and Captain of the Guard for Zula.

J. Blum

ONT#301

San Dimas Lodge #428 held their fourth annual Festive Board of Fellowship on Saturday May 26, 2012. Those in attendance traveled back to the “Tun Tavern” in Pennsylvania, on June 18, 1731 to emulate the jolly and humorous atmosphere the Brother’s and friends would have shared with one another at a Table Lodge. Each course, of the seven course gourmet meal was preceded by a toast and a song.  The participants’ singing was enhanced by the beautiful accompaniment on the piano by the Grand Organist, Stephen Miller, who is also a member of San Dimas Lodge.

The Brethren, their families and many members of the Grand Lodge family laughed their way through each course, each piece of the never ending eating utensils, each filling of the specially engraved souvenir glasses, or “cannons”, each firing and discharging of the cannons and the ending of each toast with everyone trying to firmly place their cannon back on the table in unison. There were occasionally a few dinner guests that did not replace their glass in unison with the rest of their dinner companions, and they were laughingly cautioned to do better on the next toast.

The Lodge presented the Grand Master, Frank Loui, with a beautiful handmade maul and sounding block and a donation to his Grand Masters’ Project, “Raising a Reader”.  A wonderful evening was had by all, and no one went home hungry.

Submitted by:

Frank Lee AGL Division 8

BBQ at the VA Hospital in Loma Linda

On Saturday, May 26, 2012 Moreno Valley Lodge #804, had their 13^th annual BBQ at the VA Hospital at Loma Linda. This year all three Lodges of the 818^th Masonic District, Redlands Lodge #300, Fellowship Lodge #668 and Moreno Valley Lodge #804 participated, along with the Jobs Daughters Bethel and the DeMolay Chapter from Moreno Valley.  There were booths with Civil War re-enactment actors and even a band in full Civil War uniforms.  Three service therapy dogs, that were originally rescued and trained by Moreno Valley Lodge member Johne Johnson, also joined in greeting the patients, staff and visitors.

The lunch included barbequed hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, chips, desserts and soft drinks. According to one of the original organizers of the BBQ, Dyane Terkildsen, member of Moreno Valley Lodge, who’s wife works at the hospital, the hospital has an average of 200 veterans at all times. They estimated that they would serve 500 guests, which included patients, staff, Masons and friends. This event, which was free to everyone that attended, is one of the only events that feed the staff and visitors.

Along with many members from District #818, and their youth groups, many of the Grand Lodge family were present, including the Grand Master, Frank Loui and his wife Jeanie, the Jr. Grand Warden, Russ Charvonia, his wife Linda, Assistant Lecturer of Division 5, Lynn Wallingford with his wife Charmaine, AGL of Division 8 Frank Lee and his wife, Lewrana and the Grand Marshal Al Weisser.

We know the patients at the hospital look forward every year, to this day, that honors their dedication and sacrifices to our country as much as they look forward to the Monday Night Football parties that are also hosted by Moreno Valley Lodge each fall. We salute the Lodge for their dedication to our Veterans.

Submitted by:

Frank Lee AGL Division 8