Chips from the Quarry

Brethren and ladies,

We’re finally here. We’re finally able to meet in person after over a year of being apart. It has been a particularly challenging time for a lot of us. We have gone through so many changes in the last year-and-a-half that truly proves the resilience of humans. The Masonic journey and lessons we learn through the degrees never fail to highlight the challenges of life. Equally, it never fails to point us to the direction of Hope.

July 1st marks our first in-person stated dinner and stated meeting in over a year. Most restrictions have been lifted by the local government, as well as by Grand Lodge, in order for us to do this. The actual verbiage from the California Department of Health is as follows:

People who are not fully vaccinated must still wear masks in all indoor public settings (such as, but not limited to, the grocery store and the movie theater) and should wear masks in outdoor crowded settings when that region is experiencing high covid transmission. 

Fully vaccinated people may go unmasked in most settings (except public transportation and places like hospitals and shelters). Workers must follow Cal/OSHA rules.

We will make masks available for those who may need it. Hand-sanitizing stations have also been installed in convenient locations within the lodge premises for your use. 

Please join me in congratulating Bro. Douglas Work who did an amazing delivery of his Entered Apprentice Proficiency on June 17, 2021. His hard work absolutely showed through his excellent delivery of the ritual. Kudos also go to Bro. Work’s coach, Wor. Alex Madjeski. Wor. Madjeski is an excellent ritualist and educator whom we are fortunate to have as our Candidates’ Coach.

During the festivities of July 4th, let us remind ourselves of the sacrifices our predecessors made in order to afford us the freedoms we enjoy, many of which do not exist in some parts of the world. Let us also stand proud that several men who fought for the independence of this country from England were our brothers in Freemasonry. Thirty-one of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons.  Twenty-three of the thirty-nine signers of the Constitution were Freemasons.  Freemasonry is without a doubt, embedded in the genes of this country.
 

Sincerely and fraternally,

T.J. Oliva

Greetings from the South, 

As the summer is here, I am excited that things are finally slowly getting back to somewhat normal. It has been an interesting time, to say the least. From home games to haircuts, we were told to wait a time with patience, and we did.  We all learned a new skill or two, and totally have a different perspective of how this thing called life, works.  I am thankful for the cement of brotherly love in our craft that connects all brothers together as one.

I am looking forward to celebrating the independence of our county in just a few days.  What are your plans for this summer? 

We are having our July Stated Meeting on July, 1, 2021, at 7:30 PM.  This is our first in-person Stated Meeting in over a year and your attendance is encouraged, so stop by if you can.  Please remember to stay hydrated and keep safe this summer.

Fraternally,

Cedric Williamson, Sr.