On August 15th, I boarded a flight from San Jose to Dallas, excited to begin my first trip to our Sovereign Grand Lodge Sessions. I arrived at the hotel too early to check into my room, but one of the first people I saw was none other than Rodney Metoyer. Among other things, Rodney was …
The week started out with Ben and I arriving in Reno on Saturday, May 2nd , 2026. Upon arrival we met with Rodney Metoyer and Fred Dolling who were otherwise occupied with Hotel issues and asked if we would host Retired General Ken Laswell and his wife Juanita for the evening. We whole heartedly agreed …
Read more “2026 Grand Encampment Sessions and Department Council”
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 …
Yee-haw! Bolos were back big time at Western Wear Day at the 2025 Grand Lodge Sessions in Reno, Nevada! And True Fellowship Lodge no. 52, IOOF met this need, raising over $1,000 as it sold dozens of True Fellowship Bolo Ties to Odd Fellows from across the state (and even the nation), selling bolos to …
A Meritorious Service Jewel is considered the highest award in Odd Fellowship. By Sovereign Grand Lodge code, they can only be awarded by a Grand Lodge, Grand Encampment, or Department Council. And grand bodies are limited in the number they can award based on their number of members. It is reserved for those who render …
This year, we had several members of our district who took the step of running for one of the elected offices at Grand Lodge. Each of them was invited to share a little about themselves and what they hoped to accomplish. Adam Potolsky, our new Grand Warden, has a separate article. Connie Hall: Rebekah Childrens …
The first years as a member of the Independent order of Odd Fellows I spent focused on my lodge and what I could do as a member. Because the lodge, like many in the great state of California, was small and lacked the membership to build from, I was quickly put into the line to become noble …
Even though it goes without saying that Mason Wolf is an exemplar of Odd Fellowship, sometimes it is important to embarrass him just a little bit by pointing out that his home Lodge community at True Fellowship Lodge no. 52 is very proud of his accomplishments. At Grand Lodge Sessions, he not only completed his term …
At Sessions this year, among all the many bills, resolutions, motions and elections, one action stands out both for its audacity, and its potential implications for the future of Odd Fellowship in California. The very last thing we voted on, a resolution crafted from the floor of Sessions itself rather than submitted in advance, concerns …
Read more “Saving our Buildings, our History, and our Order: The Ukiah Resolution”
On Friday May 16 at Sessions, I was surprised and honored when Grand Master Dave Reed called me up on stage, along with Marcus Marino of Davis Lodge #169. He had 3 Grand Master’s awards to hand out: myself, Marcus, and Jack Cain of Upper Lake #241 (who unfortunately was unable to attend). In his …