The largest assembly of Past Masters in the 822nd district resulted in a fine evening on November 14. The event held at Evergreen Lodge began with a salad ,steak , baked potato, masonic beans, and a homemade dessert all prepared by Lynnette Channon and Greg Covel. Evergreen officers opened lodge earlier. There were 41 Masons in attendance with 21 being Past Masters from 4 Lodges: Evergreen, Riverside, Temescal/Palms, and Moreno Valley as well as one from Scotland and one from Nevada who are now affiliated with Lodges in our district. Past Grand Master , William Holsinger was present and was Chaplain; Lee Whelan led the first section as Master while Vic Ropac led in the second section, John Channon gave the lecture and Antonio Apostol , the charge. The candidate , Max Diaz, who wore tails for the event, was most appreciative of the opportunity to be raised by a group of all Past Masters. The officers for the degree were as follows:
Evergreen Master & MC Greg Covel
Senior Warden – Vic Ropac
Junior Warden – Jack Ree
Treasurer – Jim Mason
Secretary – Robert Gibb
Chaplain – Bill Holsinger, PGM
Senior Deacon – Gary Miller
Junior Deacon – Rick Emmons / Manny Blanco
Marshal (charge)- Antonio Apostol Jr.
Senior Steward – Lee Cleveland
Junior Steward – Bob Barden
Tiler – Drew Gilkey
King Solomon – Vic Ropac
Hiram of Tyre – Erdean Johnson
1st base – Jim Mason
2nd base – Rick Emmons
3rd base – Gary Miller
1st fellow craft – Chuck Scalf
2nd fellow craft – Lee Cleveland
3rd fellow craft (Senior Deacon) – Steve Morrison
Seafarer/Wayfarer – Dick Woods
Submitted by: John Channon Inspector of 822nd Masonic District
Sonora League restarted it's Palm Springs Chapter. This evening at the Moreno Valley Chapter's meeting we Initiated it's first two members along with two new members for the Mo Val Chapter. It was one of the most exciting Masonic Family events I have ever had the honor of attending. There were Masons, Sweethearts, Princesses, Parents and Advisors from, Downey, Temecula, Hemet, my goodness, from all over in attendance. This young people who are running for office gave their election spiel and to be honest after listening to them I couldn't begin to speak. The future of the Masonic Family and our communities will be in good hands. Below is a Facebook post from Master Councilor. Facebook has a number of posts regarding the evening. Being an Advisor I knew I was going to attend an Initiation but did not know that there would be four young men being Initiated. Dad Galba Bright,
League Administrator and Allan Solis did a great job of putting the event together. Thank you for allowing me to share the event and thank tDivision VIII for it's support of Masonic Youth. If you could hear these young men and women speak you would all be as happy as I am tonight. Wow! G-d Bless you all.
Sincerely & Respectfully,
Manny Blanco,
Adult Advisor Order of DeMolay..
BBQ at the VA Hospital in Loma Linda
On Saturday, May 26, 2012 Moreno Valley Lodge #804, had their 13th annual BBQ at the VA Hospital at Loma Linda. This year all three Lodges of the 818th 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
On Tuesday, April 24th, the Moreno Valley Chapter of DeMolay had a “Fun Night” at the Moreno Valley Lodge. Generally on the 4th Tuesday of the month, unless there is a degree, the Chapter puts aside ritual and business for light amusement and to just have fun. Everyone present enjoyed the evening with board games, computer games and pizza. They also played lawn games in the park area behind the Lodge.
The Chapter had many members in attendance including the Master Counselor, Cody Gonzales. Also present were the Chapter Sweetheart, Sarah Elizabeth Baker, advisors Chapter Dad, Allan Solis, J.W. of Artesia Sunrise Lodge # 377, Michael Strader, Moreno Valley Lodge # 804, Ruth Blanco, Star of the Valley # 648 and Manny Blanco, W.M. of Chino Masonic Lodge # 427.
While the Chapter ended the month of April with a Fun Night, May will be an exceptionally busy. Two of the events will include a presentation of the "Flower Talk " given by Richard Baker at the Installation of Officers of the DeMolay Chapter at Artesia Sunrise Lodge # 377 on Saturday, May 19th and a degree on Tuesday, May 29th. Please join us and support Masonic Youth.
DeMolay International is a youth group for young men, between the ages of 12 and 21. DeMolay offers character building, leadership training and life skills development. Please contact Dad Blanco at masontruth.com for more information. You can also get more information about this worthwhile organization at www.SCJDeMolay.org or www.DeMolay.org
Manny Blanco
Worshipful Master
Chino Valley Lodge #427