From the East
Greetings from the East,
It is my honor and pleasure to serve the members and community of Hollywood Lodge #355 as Worshipful Master. This will be a great year for freemasonry in general and our lodge in particular. I am wishing all the members and their families a very prosperous 2023.
Since February is here, we are following the Grand Master’s lead by declaring February as Masonic Widows Month. In honor of that, we will be sending out care packages to some of the widows of our lodge. My goal this year besides keeping peace and harmony is to keep this lodge running as smoothly as possible and be a service to others.This year we are planning some great events so be sure to check out our calendar at www.hollywoodmasons.org for the details. Our next big event is the Hiram Award Ceremony for Worshipful James Bayhylle on April 1st 2023 at the Odyssey restaurant in Granada Hills (Please do your best to make this grand event). Our lodge is getting back in the swing of things, we have a few prospects who will be brothers soon and have a few more on the way. What a great time to be a freemason. I want to thank all the leadership, the youth orders, brethren and Past Masters who helped us by keeping the lodge going strong during the pandemic. I am really looking forward to an awesome year for Hollywood Lodge #355. Things are looking bright in the East.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Worshipful Master
Cedric Williamson
Cedric Williamson
Master
Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Stated Meeting
Please join us:
February Stated Meeting Social & Dinner
6:00pm Social
(Open to visitors)
6:30pm Dinner
(Open with reservations $15)
7:30pm Meeting
(Open to Masons of all degrees Only)
Masonic Education: GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MASONIC TIMELINE
Timeline of George Washington’s Masonic activities
1752. Washington, 20, joined Fredericksburg Lodge in Virginia. The Bible he took his obligations on is still in the possession of the lodge.
1753. Washington was raised to Master Mason.
1775-1785. Throughout the American Revolutionary War and after independence was secured, Washington supported the military lodges that formed in army regiments, and he participated in various Masonic activities, including celebrations of the feast of St. John and charitable events to raise money for the poor.
1777. The Convention of Virginia Lodges nominated Washington as grand master of the commonwealth. He declined.
1780. Lodges suggested the establishment of a Grand Lodge of the U.S. to be helmed by Washington as grand master. The idea for such a national body was later dropped.
1788. Washington was named charter master of a new lodge in Alexandria, Va., upon issue of a new charter from the Grand Lodge of Virginia. That lodge is now known as Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22.
1789. Washington was inaugurated as president of the U.S., using the Bible from St. John’s Lodge No. 1 in New York, N.Y.
1793. Washington laid the cornerstone for the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
1794. Washington sat in Masonic regalia for a portraitist, at the request of Alexandria Lodge. 1799. Washington was buried at Mount Vernon with Masonic rites. Five of the six pallbearers were Freemasons
~California Freemason Feb/Mar 2010
Upcoming Events
February - Masonic Widows Month
1-Feb Wed Masonic Widows Month
2-Feb Thu Stated Meeting
9-Feb Thu Practice
10-12 Feb Fri-Sun Secretary/Treasurer Retreat
14-Feb Tue Valentine's Day
15-Feb Wed Building Association
20-Feb Mon Presidents Day
23-Feb Thu Executive Meeting
DEGREES
Brother Andrew Feder & Darryl Rector 1st Degree
Brother Andrew Feder & Darryl Rector 1st Degree
Brother Andrew Feder & Darryl Rector 1st Degree
Brother Oscar Hood 2nd Degree
Brother Andrew Feder & Darryl Rector 1st Degree
Brother Andrew Feder & Darryl Rector 1st Degree
Brother Douglas Work 3rd Degree
Brother Andrew Feder & Darryl Rector 1st Degree
Brother Douglas Work 3rd Degree
Fellowship
Hollywood Masonic Lodge supporting Masons4mitts.org at Dodger stadium
Hollywood Masonic Lodge supporting Inter-lodge Bowling Fundraiser for Masonichome.org .
Bethel 289 - Tarzana - Job's Daughters International
Dear Members and Friends of Hollywood Lodge #355 F&AM,
January’s 1st meeting, we had a non-Regalia meeting. This means that the girls get together and meet without their robes or setting up the Bethel. During this meeting we eat and played some games. The girls had a good time and enjoyed the snacks. The 2nd meeting of the month was a Regalia meeting. Along with our normal business we read a petition for membership. This is good news that means that we will be getting a new girl into our Bethel.
Looking forward to February our 1st meeting of the month will be a non-Regalia meeting. During this meeting we will be learning how to make some candy treats for our sweets. On February 11th we will be going to Operation Gratitude to build boxes for the troops. If anyone is interested in Joining us let me know and I will be happy to add you to our group. Our 2nd meeting of February will be a full Regalia meeting. If you have time come out and see what we do at our meetings.
We at Bethel 289 Tarzana wish everyone to continue to be Healthy and Safe. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays every month at 7 p.m.
Fraternally,
Mr. John Schnepp
Associate Bethel Guardian
Bethel 289 Tarzana
Cell Phone # 661-312-7398
Email@ johnabgbethel289@gmail.com
Hollywood DeMolay
Hollywood DeMolay is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization under DeMolay International and dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives. Basing its approach on timeless principles and practical, hands-on experience, DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 12 to 21.
Computer Safety
Keeping email contacts up to date
Holidays provide a great opportunity to send mass mailings to friends and relatives, both to stay in touch and to verify that the emails that you have are current.
When I recently sent out my annual Rosh Hashanah emails, a few that had worked, bounced. Some did not, but also did not elicit expected responses. Possibly the recipients are no longer receiving email at the addresses I had used.
A work email might bounce if the individual has retired or changed jobs. A personal email might bounce if the individual switched their email provider. It might seem to work and yet elicit no response if the person simply stopped using that particular email account.
Once you have checked that you have typed the address correctly, you might phone the person or contact a mutual friend or a relative for a current email.
Here are a few other ideas for finding working emails (The first may avoid the problem entirely):
1. Ask for and record an alternate email, especially if all you have is a work email.
2. Check the ‘sent from’ address on the person’s last email to you.
3. Recheck your contact list for an alternate email address that you may have saved.
4. Find the person on Facebook and use Messenger to ask for their current email.
5. Google “Directory” and the person’s company or organization. You may be surprised.
6. Or, one of my favorites, Use FastPeopleSearch.com to find another email that might work.
If you have not used FastPeopleSearch.com I strongly recommend it as it shows physical addresses, land line and cell phone numbers and often email addresses across the U.S. It may show nicknames and even maiden names along with birth month and year. I have used it to identify close adult relatives of the person. Some of the information is out of date and sometimes it misidentifies a parent as a spouse. But enough is accurate to make it a terrific, free tool.
For more ways to find emails, see the July 13, 2021 article, “13 Ways to Find Someone’s Email Address (Level Up Your Outreach Game)” at https://kinsta.com/blog/find-email-address/. While the target audience is sales professionals, many of the suggestions are free and useful for general searches.
A final thought on holiday greetings: Some that I receive are sent to a hidden list of recipients with no salutation. I find this to be somewhat cold. But, sending personal emails can tedious and time consuming. My solution is to use Microsoft’s “mail merge” to rapidly send individual emails to hundreds of relatives and friends, each with a personal salutation and, occasionally, even a unique comment.
Bro. Hal Bookbinder
Author
MAsonic Appendant Bodies
Al Malaikah Shrine
Pasadena Scottish Rite
The Scottish Rite is often called the “University of Masonry,” but a more appropriate title would be the “Graduate School of Masonry.” The three degrees of the Blue Lodge provide the solid foundation lessons of our fraternity. The 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite provide opportunities for the student of Freemasonry to build upon those teachings. The Scottish Rite places a heavy emphasis on education: the Master Craftsman I & II Programs are unique opportunities for deeper study, and the Scottish Rite Research Society provides scholarly publications and an outlet for members’ thoughts and writings. It is your opportunity to become a 32nd degree Mason.
Pasadena National Sojourners
National Sojourners is a national fraternal organization that aims to meet the needs of those who are serving or have served in the U.S. Military, and for honorary members who are Master Masons. Its roots begin with the leaders of the American Revolution.
San Fernando Valley York Rite
San Fernando Valley York Rite
San Fernando Valley York Rite
The San Fernando Valley York Rite Bodies is comprised of:
- Signet Chapter No. 57 Royal Arch Masons
- Omega Council No. 11 Cryptic Masons
- Los Angeles Commandery No. 9 Knights Templar
The York Rite, or more correctly, the American Rite, is based on the early remnants of Craft Masonry that were practiced in the early 1700’s. The formation of the first Grand Lodge of England in 1717 specified that the lodges were to confer only the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, all other degrees being considered spurious. However, many lodges had been conferring other degrees that they considered an integral part of Masonry, in particular that of the Royal Arch, and formed their own Grand Lodge in 1751, terming themselves the “Antients” and the other Grand Lodge members the “Moderns.” With the merger of the two Grand Lodges in 1813 into the United Grand Lodge of England, the lodges agreed that only the three accepted degrees of Masonry would be used by the lodges, but the degree of the Royal Arch would be attached to Chapters allied directly to these lodges and bearing the same number as the lodge, though as a separate body. Thus, unlike the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, which claims to hold the power of conferring the first three degrees of Masonry in addition to those under its jurisdiction, those found in the York Rite have rightfully acknowledged the fact that they are considered appendant to those of Ancient Craft Masonry. It is still the practice in English Masonry that a Masonic member is not considered to be in possession of all the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry until he has been exalted to the Royal Arch.
Cinema Grotto
San Fernando Valley York Rite
San Fernando Valley York Rite
The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, whose subordinate bodies are the Grottoes, is an organization by and for Master Masons. While not connected with Masonry proper, its membership is restricted absolutely and exclusively to Master Masons in good standing. Although it is primarily an organization for good wholesome fun and frolic, it also has its serious side. Its slogan is GOOD FELLOWSHIP, and in contact with our fellowman, this principle is exemplified to a marked degree.
For some years prior to 1889, several members of Hamilton Lodge N0. 120, F.&A.M., at Hamilton, New York, sought relaxation from the sterner duties of life by holding occasional informal meetings for fun and good fellowship. The chief spirit in the fun was LeRoy Fairchild, and in the summer of 1889, he and a devoted band of followers discovered the Enchanted Realm in which, upon entering with song and laughter, they and their successors found a rich heritage. The first meeting of this organization was held on the 10th day of September, 1889. It was decided at this meeting that the membership of the organization should be confined to Master Masons in good standing.
Hiram Award
The Hiram Award was designed to be presented to the “unsung hero” of every Lodge such as the volunteer who makes the coffee at each meeting, or the one who moves the furniture. The Hiram Award Ceremony for Worshipful James Bayhylle will be on April 1st 2023 at the Odyssey restaurant in Granada Hills. $25
Child ID Program
Child ID is the program promoted by our lodge to identify children for their families. If anything were to happen to a child or a child is lost, this program helps the authorities to help find and identify missing or harmed children.
Sunshine Committee
Call for any major event in your immediate family.
Help is always a phone call away.
Bro. Spyros Pappas - Chairman
818-894-5690
Social Hall Rental
The social hall is available for parties, weddings, receptions, bar mitzvahs, quinciñeras, etc.
Contact:
Illi Property Management
818-501-2212
Have you registered to iMember?
When you log in to iMember, you will be able to interact with your lodge brothers, pay your dues, and use resources available to you as a member of Hollywood Lodge No. 355 and the Grand Lodge of California.
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Do you have a business or service you want to advertise to your lodge? Perhaps a rental cabin in the Mammoth Mountains? Let us know and we will put your ad on the next edition of Chips from the Quarry.