On Monday, March 30th, Cupertino 70 initiated 2 new members into their lodge, and because they’re generous and wonderful, they also initiated another 9 members from 4 other lodges!
It was a confident and capable degree team, but they were on just their second run through with the new “old” degree ritual. And with 11 candidates, they certainly had a lot of work cut out for them. Despite a couple of last minute cancelations of degree team members who couldn’t make it, and an unexpected (but very welcome!) 11th candidate, the team did a wonderful job.
Conductor Debbie Wolf was especially composed, as she led more people through the degree than she really had supporters for. There were a few chuckles when the same phone used for music received a notification. And there were some moments when dialogue got ahead of footwork, but nobody really seemed to mind. In addition to Debbie, Jim Kabage was our Noble Grand, Todd White was Chaplain, Tom Blackburn was Vice Grand, Ron Myres was the Warden, and Mason Wolf was Past Grand. Annie Cronin wore multiple hats as the degree team captain, outside conductor, and the left scene supporter! Other members of the degree team included Pam Johnson, Stephen Franke, Karen Sanico, Richard Sanico, Pam Johnson, Helen Bobias, and Charles Bartlett.
It was a good degree. Also, a long one. Everyone arrived before the posted start time of 7 o’clock. But it was almost 9:30 when the last pictures were taken and the candidates headed out the exits.
The candidates endured, and made it through their ordeal ably, beginning what we hope will be a long and happy journey into Odd Fellowship. Our new members are April and Brad Winchester of Cupertino 70; Julia Goodwin, Ben Holden, and Miles Wolf of True Fellowship 52; Dennis Emmitt, Joewel Pascual, and Taylor Patrick of Mission Peak 114; Sue Bernesque and Celia Vinson of Apollo 123; and Bob Shepherd of Saratoga 428. We also extend our thanks to the many members of their new lodges who came in support of their candidates. Every candidate had at least one member of their lodge attending with them, and most had several. Apollo 123 had an entire convoy!
While the degree was a little rusty, partly because we’re unfamiliar with this version, the important thing is, the candidates saw how much we care about them and our own rituals, in order to perform the live degree for them. And we hope they cherish the memory of their induction to our fun little club.
— by Mason Wolf
