rebis
Premium Member
Brethren, as you know, I have not been online in a while.
I am saddened to inform you that our lodge Evening Star #186 up here in gold rush country Northern California in the small town of Etna burnt to the ground this Past December 8th 2013. It was the second or third oldest lodge in California erected in 1867. I was the last Master Mason raised there and completed my proficiency the very week it burned down.
All of our records, library and an incredible amount history gone up in flames in just four hours. Our Eastern Star Chapter is the 10th oldest in the nation and perhaps the first one in the state. The good news is that most of their old records were preserved in an old fireproof filing cabinet. Our Job's Daughters Bethel weren't as lucky either.
A tragedy and a huge historical loss to all the brothers whithersoever dispersed around the globe and the community as a whole. Our Grand Master came up and was able to present us with a replica of our original charter. That meant a lot and alleviated some of the distress.
Unfortunately, our insurance was past due at the time it burned down and therefore virtually none of the loss was covered. We are on our own and as we once all stood on our first admission into the lodge...we again find ourselves destitute.
Our brothers in Fort Jones (North Star #91) have generously offers their hall for us to meet in.
None of us including the Grand Master have any desire or inclination to merge. We wish to rebuild...somehow.
Kindly spread the news to all the brothers you know and far and wide as you can.
There are pictures on our web site along with some words about our old lodge and its history written by our oldest member.
http://www.calodges.org/no186/
We also put up a facebook page. It might be helpful in spreading the word. Please friend us:
www.facebook.com/eveningstar186
Those of you that receive the monthly subscription magazine (california) can read more about it in the March issue.
We implore you, please bring our story before your lodge and let all the brothers know.
S/F,
I am saddened to inform you that our lodge Evening Star #186 up here in gold rush country Northern California in the small town of Etna burnt to the ground this Past December 8th 2013. It was the second or third oldest lodge in California erected in 1867. I was the last Master Mason raised there and completed my proficiency the very week it burned down.
All of our records, library and an incredible amount history gone up in flames in just four hours. Our Eastern Star Chapter is the 10th oldest in the nation and perhaps the first one in the state. The good news is that most of their old records were preserved in an old fireproof filing cabinet. Our Job's Daughters Bethel weren't as lucky either.
A tragedy and a huge historical loss to all the brothers whithersoever dispersed around the globe and the community as a whole. Our Grand Master came up and was able to present us with a replica of our original charter. That meant a lot and alleviated some of the distress.
Unfortunately, our insurance was past due at the time it burned down and therefore virtually none of the loss was covered. We are on our own and as we once all stood on our first admission into the lodge...we again find ourselves destitute.
Our brothers in Fort Jones (North Star #91) have generously offers their hall for us to meet in.
None of us including the Grand Master have any desire or inclination to merge. We wish to rebuild...somehow.
Kindly spread the news to all the brothers you know and far and wide as you can.
There are pictures on our web site along with some words about our old lodge and its history written by our oldest member.
http://www.calodges.org/no186/
We also put up a facebook page. It might be helpful in spreading the word. Please friend us:
www.facebook.com/eveningstar186
Those of you that receive the monthly subscription magazine (california) can read more about it in the March issue.
We implore you, please bring our story before your lodge and let all the brothers know.
S/F,