On the evening of Monday, January 19th, Cupertino Lodge hosted Mountain View Lodge, True Fellowship Lodge, Saratoga Lodge, Philotesian Rebekah Lodge, and Clara Rebekah Lodge for a Dinner Installation lead by Grand Warden Adam Potolsky, District Deputy President Debra LaVergne, and District Deputy Grand Marshall Izzy Mahon. This was the largest Joint Installation for Odd Fellows …
At the end of January, True Fellowship 52 was pleased to welcome 4 new Odd Fellows to the Degree of Truth, in a ceremony that helped convey the deep teachings of our Order through the use of symbols. Receiving the degree were Tatiana Kuvaldina and Victor Gonsalves of Mountain View 244, Joey Bennett of Livermore …
On November 23, 2025 some 30 California Odd Fellows travelled through time and space to arrive in London on December 24, 1856 – the perpetual date frozen in time and sentiment at the charming Great Dickens’ Christmas Fair, located at the Cow Palace in South San Francisco, CA. The yuletide Odd Fellows came dressed in our …
Members of True Fellowship 52, Sara Bruce, Kat Powell, Scott Spence, and Debbie and Mason Wolf, decorated a tree in the Enchanted Forest at San Jose’s Christmas in the Park. This was our second year participating, and again we decorated out tree with Odd Fellows symbols, a triple-links chain, and a skeletal Santa. Our location …
On Thursday, November 13th, Barnes Encampment #77 hosted Grand Patriarch, Wendell Watson, and Grand Marshall, Shirley Watson. The evening kicked off with a delightful dinner with a Thanksgiving theme. The beautifully decorated room and table scape put everyone in a festive mood to welcome all of our guests. A chicken-centered potluck dinner was enjoyed before …
Context 1856 was a year of civic formation in the Santa Clara Valley. The Odd Fellows charter that became today’s True Fellowship Lodge No. 52 dates to January 1856. Telegraph wires had already linked San José to San Francisco, and steamboats connected the city to the Bay through the port at Alviso. Nearby, the New …
September 5-7, 2025 was only my second time visiting Yreka for the cave degrees. It was interesting being there when some wildfire smoke was afoot, and as COVID rates were continuing to rise. I arrived halfway through the Odd Ball, changed into my dress, and from there the camaraderie and ritual fun continued. Thanks to …
September 20, 2025 had an exciting start at the Volcano Historic Lodge, IOOF in the Gold Rush town of Volcano, California! Approximately 60 Odd Fellows from across the Western United States including myself, Sister Jane Beckman, Brother Charlie Sweeny, & Brother Mason Wolf from True Fellowship Lodge no. 52, IOOF in San José came together …
It’s the 16th of September and everything is getting ready. Tomorrow the Grand Master is coming. A delicious dinner of Tri Tip is being prepared, cooked by Ben Shuler and assisting hands. Debbie Shuler is in charge of the dining room with help. Decorations of Sunflowers and cats to please Rita, you know. Can’t wait …
Read more “Grand Master Rita Cooper’s Official Visit to True Fellowship 52”
On Friday, August 15th Debra LaVergne and myself (Debbie Shuler) departed from San Francisco Airport to Chicago O’Hare Airport where we met up with fellow traveler Mel Astrahan. We all then proceeded to the Airport of Charleston West Virginia after a 5 hour layover. Luckily Debra and I had United Club passes available. Upon arriving …