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Murrieta Mesa High School Cornerstone Ceremony

 On Friday, May 25, 2012, Temecula-Catalina Island Lodge #524 sponsored a cornerstone ceremony at Murrieta Mesa High School in Murrieta, California. The day began with the Grand Lodge officers, the officers of Temecula-Catalina Island Lodge, their families and guests socializing at the Lodge. At noon the Grand Lodge performed their Grand Lodge opening which was followed by a great lunch.

 The ceremony at the high school began with the entrance of the Masons and Grand Lodge officers.  The American flag was presented by the NJROTC Color Guard, and the national anthem was sung by senior, Emily Minor.  We were welcomed by the Principal Mary Walters and the Murrieta Valley United School District Superintendent, Dr. Stan Scheer.  After a musical selection by Emily Minor the Senior Class President, Allison Moreno, spoke and then listed the contents of the time capsule. Shawn Stevenson gave an inspiring speech from the senior class, who will be the first senior class graduating next week from the new school.

The Grand Lodge officers, lead by the Grand Master, the Most Worshipful Frank Loui, then proceeded with the formal cornerstone ceremony. The cornerstone and the time capsule will be place by the flag pole at the athletic field.  On behalf of the Grand Lodge of California, Past Grand Master, William J. Bray III, presented the principal with a $1000.00 from the Masonic Foundation, to be used specifically for the new school.

We congratulate Don Young and Mike Sekera for their assistance with the coordinating of the ceremony with the Grand Lodge, the school and the Lodge, to the Inspector Russ Baldauf for the countless hours he spent on this project and the members of Temecula-Catalina Island for their obvious attention to the details and for the excellent execution of the events of the entire day.

Submitted by:

Frank Lee AGL Division 8

Yucaipa Fellowship Lodge #668 with the help of the San Gorgonio  and Yucaipa High Twelve Clubs tried their hand for the first time at  conducting a child id booth at the Yucaipa Iris Festival on May 18-20.   The clubs and the lodge mustered enough volunteer help to cover the 22 hours  over the three days.  In addition to the Masons, the Rainbow Girls,  DeMolay, and the Eastern Star also participated.  Less than 200 children  were id’ed, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of everyone involved and  their hope to do it again.

Submitted by,

Bob Snyder – Senior Warden

On April 4, 2012, the Barstow Boron Lodge # 682 hosted the Grand Lodge of the State of California for a Cornerstone ceremony for the new Barstow Community Hospital.  This was the culmination of two years of hard work and coordination for this auspicious event.  Grand Lodge opened at 10:00 AM and allowed the public in at 10:45, where the Grand Master and the Barstow Master provided updates on the happenings of their respective organizations.  The Barstow Boron Lodge presented the Grand Master with a gavel and sounding block made out of desert mesquite, which was hand made by Merrill Gracey, Past Master of the lodge.  The lodge also presented Jeanie Loui with a beautiful bowl made out of bass wood, which was made by the inspector of the 802^nd Masonic District, George Whitmore.

A fabulous lunch followed which was prepared by the ladies of the Barstow Lodge and it did not disappoint, they did a wonderful job preparing the food as well as turning the dining room into a beautiful reception hall.  The Jobs Daughters, Bethel #341, who after participating in the March of Dimes walk early in the morning, served lunch to over 110 guests.

Everyone departed the lodge at 12:45 and proceeded to the Cornerstone site, which was held on the grounds of the new hospital.  The ceremony proceeded at 1:30 and the Grand Lodge conducted a superb ceremony, which included the reading of the time capsule contents.  Thirty-three organizations of the Barstow and surrounding communities provided 102 items to be placed in the Cornerstone time capsule, which is a true testament to the relationship between the Lodge and the community.  The Grand Orator gave a moving speech where he tied the legacy of the old hospital to the present and future of the new hospital which came to fruition by years of hard work and determination.  After the ceremony, the guests were treated to a tour of the state of the art facility and were able to see the product of over 25 years of planning and coordination.

Darrell Kemp – Master

Barstow Boron Lodge #682

The Grand Lodge of Masons in California continues to be a primary supporter of a free, public education for all children. Since 1920 in April, Masons throughout California, through a variety of programs, celebrate the accomplishments of those in public education. The evening of April 24, 2012 brethren and guests gathered at Temescal Palms Lodge #314 in Corona to honor the accomplishments of seven exemplary students, four teachers-of-the-year, and six exemplary adult employees of the Corona-Norco Unified School District. One student from each of the seven comprehensive and alternative high schools was presented their awards and $100 to use to further their education, while the adult honorees received awards recognizing their accomplishments as well. Worshipful Master Robert Burger, with the assistance of Public Schools Observance chairman Dennis J. Brandt, Corona Mayor Eugene Montanez, a representative from the offices of Congressman Ken Calvert and County Supervisor John Tavalgione, presented each honoree proclamations citing their efforts on behalf of each child and adult who work tirelessly in their effort to succeed. Among the guests present were Corona City Councilman Jason Scott, CNUSD School Board members Cathy Sciortino and Dr. Jose Lalas, Grand Lodge Assistant Grand Lecturer Worshipful Frank Lee, and Masters and brethren from the 822^nd Masonic District. During the program the guests were treated to a video presentation of the Grand Lodge Philanthropy for 2012 which Grand Lodge Division 8 has entitled “Operation Literacy”. This program is an effort to raise awareness of the need to support the improvement of child literacy in Kindergarten classrooms in underperforming areas throughout California. Through the efforts of the Grand Lodge of California, Division 8, and their partner “Raising a Reader”, the goal is to increase childhood literacy and give each child and their parents the tools to be successful. The evening closed with a special award presented to Dr. Kent Bechler, Superintendent of the CNUSD, for his exemplary leadership that has vaulted the Corona-Norco Unified School District to state and national prominence. Dr. Bechler will retire at the end of this school year to pursue other educational opportunities. The evening ended with refreshments and fellowship in the Social Hall.

Dennis Brandt

PSAC Committee Member

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