On Saturday, April 18th, District 107’s own Zoe Timmerman (Grand Instructor), along with other Grand Lodge appointed officers Alan Thomas (Grand Musician), Anne Leong (Grand Marshal), and Lawrence “Stark” Degesse (Grand Bodyguard) were honored at a lavish reception hosted by Berkeley Lodge #270.
There were 70 members in attendance, making for quite the crowded kitchen area at lunchtime. Members attended from a number of Northern California lodges, but especially from ones belonging to the home lodges of the officers being honored. In addition, the heads of all 4 branches in California turned out for the event, including Fred Dolling, Department Commander of the Patriarchs Militant, Wendell Watson, Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment, Marcy Harper-Seibel, President of the Rebekah Assembly, and Rita Cooper, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. Deputy Grand Master Carlos Juarez, Grand Warden Adam Potolsky, along with most of Rita’s other appointed officers attended as well, at least the ones from Northern California.
Lunch was catered by Emerald Bay 50, already known as a force for food in California Odd Fellowship. The program itself was moderated by co-emcees Joyce Links and Peter Sellars. Throughout the program, each of the honorees was introduced by fellow members of the order who’ve had the pleasure of knowing them.
Grand Marshal Anne Leong was introduced by her friend Tommy Nesbin, who shared her fascinating story of being born in China, but then being left in Hong Kong by her parents until she was 4 years old, when she took a Pan Am flight all by herself to rejoin them in San Francisco, a formative experience that helped develop within her a deep love of travel. He also shared her passion for ghost-hunting, which has led her to places around the world, such as castles, old hospitals, and of course, Odd Fellows lodges. Anne remains active within the San Francisco ghost society today, a group she’s been a member of for over 20 years.
Grand Musician Alan Thomas has actually held that role many times, though he says this current one is the last time he’ll do it. He lives at the Meadows and is musician for their choir. Within the Odd Fellows, he’s now a 67-year member. He was introduced by Joyce, Peter, and Rita, with each wanting a turn to share their fond recollections of him. Joyce has known him for over 40 years. Peter got to know him when they were both serving as appointed officers in 2014, and Rita praised his excellent minutes as a lodge secretary, a position he’s held numerous times, beginning in 1983. Rita mentioned that she was also a Grand Musician for Dave Reed, but admits that she thinks Alan is better at the role than she was. Alan shared that his family connections in the Order extend back to 1873, and he thanked several of his family members for attending his reception.
Grand Instructor Zoe Timmerman was introduced by Linnea Bredenberg, Past Grand of Mountain View 244. Zoe was actually born on April 26, giving them the same birthday as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows itself, just separated by some 170+ years. Zoe is very involved with theater, and loves Lord of the Rings, knitting, justice, and poetry. Zoe arrived in California in 2016 as part of Americorp, and joined the Odd Fellows not long after, in 2018.
Grand Bodyguard Stark Degesse was introduced by Rita Cooper, and she revealed that his title was more than ceremonial. They’ve traveled around the state extensively in her year as Grand Master, and she recounted one occasion when they were leaving the 7th Street Odd Fellows building in San Francisco together, and encountered an aggressive vagrant who approached them threateningly. Stark reacted, intimidating the man into retreating, and Rita was impressed and grateful by his quick reaction. Some interesting things about Stark include the fact that, although he is vegetarian, he loves In ‘n Out Burger. He had (has?) four coffins at one time, which he’s used to decorate his home, and is very into skeletons.
Peter Sellars also introduced Stark, independently confirming his love for In ‘n Out, particularly the hats. Peter actually sponsored Stark into the Odd Fellows, and credits him with being a great entertainer. Stark then credited Peter and Bonnie for being the reason he’s stayed with the Order. He joined in 2009, which was the same year he joined freemasonry. He mentioned that he’s a member of all 4 branches, as well as AMOS, and encouraged members present to join the Rebekahs, if they haven’t, which he says he’s especially enjoyed.
Other highlights of the program included songs by Patrick Lebeque, with Alan Thomas accompanying on piano, a presentation about the San Francisco earthquake (which happened 120 years ago to the day – April 18, 1906), and the return of a lovely artifact to Mountain View 244 – the Book of Friendship – which had been sitting in the Odd Fellows museum in the 7th Street building.
At the end of the program, raffle numbers were drawn (President Marcy Harper-Seibel was one of the lucky winners), Rita presented her officers with some gifts, and then everyone headed home, happy in the knowledge that friendship, love, and truth were still being celebrated in California that day.
— by Mason Wolf