This year I once again had the honor and privilege of representing California at the Sovereign Grand Lodge (SGL) Sessions held in Charleston, WV. Like usual there was much work to be done, but also great opportunities for seeing old friends and making new ones from all around North America and beyond. This convention had …
In 2024, District 107 raised money to send one young person from within our district on the IOOF Youth Pilgrimage, as selected by an essay contest. The winner was a young man named Bao Nguyen of San Jose, who has now completed his trip, and wanted to share a photo essay of what he experienced. …
7 Patriarchs from Barnes Encampment experienced the Royal Purple Degree at the Three Links Camp on June 27 and June 28. With help from Grand Patriarch Wendell Watson, Grand Master Rita Cooper, Deputy Grand Master Carlos Juarez, and Patriarch Tom Silva, Chief Patriarch Debra LaVergne and Barnes Encampment conferred the Royal Purple Degree on 5 …
I came to the Odd Fellows festival to help spread the word of the LARP working with True Fellowship 52. We thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase the LARP, answer some questions, and see if people outside our lodge might be interested in trying it out. When we got there Friday night, …
Read more “Odd Fellows Festival: A first time visit by a first degree member”
On the morning of Friday, July 4th , the following call and response could be heard all through San Jose’s Shasta/Hanchett and Rose Garden neighborhoods: “What is the first link? Friendship! What is the second link? Love! What is the third link? Truth! Who are we? Odd Fellows!” Members of True Fellowship 52, including Scott …
Read more “San Jose Rose, White and Blue Parade, Friday July 4th”
I was happy to help make flyers and a poster and bring these to promote the Cave Degree Weekend during Grand Lodge Sessions and more recently at the Three Links Camp. I have learned that when I spend time with Odd Fellows, the things that are important to me, are often important to others. Live …
Did you know wee have a member who is still fulfilling on one of the original missions of Odd Fellowship, burying the dead? On Memorial Day, a number of Odd Fellows headed to Livermore to get a cemetery tour at Memory Gardens Cemetery, where Jon Hart of Livermore Lodge provides these services at a much …
Read more “Odd Fellows Honor Memorial Day with a Cemetery Visit”
Because so many members of District 107 are involved with the cave degree in Yreka, CA, I was persuaded to publish my committee report in the Triple Links Newsletter. This report was not written in time to appear in the Advanced Proceedings, though it should appear in the final report for 2025 Grand Lodge Sessions. …
On April 12th, Sycamore Lodge #129 hosted brothers and sisters of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows from all over the greater SF Bay Area. The occasion was to hear former California Grand Master Peter V. Sellars give a presentation on the, history, traditions, and organizational structure of the IOOF. Thank you to the members …