On Sunday, May 26, 2026, many members from various Bay Area Lodges gathered together at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Livermore to receive the Royal Purple degree. As members waited to begin Royal Purple Degree ceremony, they walked around the grounds respectfully observing the names on headstones of past members of the early 1900s, as well as recent memorials.
It was a beautiful day at this historic spot and members enjoyed the Royal Purple ritual as they moved forward in learning the deeper meaning of Odd Fellowship. In all six candidates received the final degree of the Encampment – Terrance Seddon, Megan O’Neil, Kait Osman, Rebecca Clark, Amy Zerges, and Reed Sutton. They were ably guided on their degree journey by Mason Wolf (Chief Patriarch), Annie Cronin (Senior Warden), Debra LaVergne (High Priest), Carol Wahrer (Junior Warden), Katrina Hazen (Guide), MaryJane Shabalin (Inside Sentinel), Michael Greenzeiger (First Watch), Larry Gunther (Second Watch), Ron Myres (Third Watch), and Jon Hart (Fourth Watch). Jon Hart also provided music for the occasion, playing the mandolin. Larry isn’t actually a member of Barnes Encampment, but he’s a good friend, as well as Chief Patriarch of Davis Encampment #21.
After receiving the degree, several members took the time to stroll in downtown Livermore and also had a fun and casual dinner at a restaurant located next to the Livermore Lodge. Members of that lodge, John Hart and Carol Wahrer, also showed the lodge to some of the visitors including Reed Sutton and Amy Zerges.
Beautiful banners were on the walls of the lodge with Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s symbols displayed.
A truly memorable day was spent by all.
— by Amy Zerges and Mason Wolf
