Dear Dedicated Members for Change,
The pandemic has hit the Odd Fellows all in ways, big and small. One of the major changes in our lives is the necessary lock-down of our Odd Fellow Lodge Halls. That’s a pretty hard hit for a social order like IOOF. But don’t despair! Many Lodges are coming up with new and imaginative ways to “meet” through zoom technology, to continue being social, and to continue doing good things for the community. The following Dedicated Members for Change (DMC) Newsletter may provide some ideas to you in terms of what you can still do during a pandemic. Below is a copy of the “Odd Gossip Page” emailed about once a week to the members, and prospective members, of Davis Lodge #169.
F – L – T
Dave Rosenberg
Past Grand Master
Odd Fellows
Jurisdiction of California
Dear Odd Fellows,
Here’s more “Odd Gossip” for your information and reading pleasure. Remember, this page is completely dependent on YOUR input. So make sure to send “Odd Gossip” in our direction. And remember, we only publish positive and uplifting information – nothing negative.
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Update from new Odd Fellow Theresa Hindle: Theresa got her new house and is in the process of moving things in next week, Thank you to all of those who provided her boxes and extra items that are no longer needed.
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Diane and John Steele have a double happy announcement: their daughter Avery and wife Jessica have relocated from Southern California to Davis! They bring with them their 2 black cats, Hyphen and Wednesday, shelter rescue dog, Professor Figgy Pudding aka “Figgy” and their now 9-week old daughter, Story Wonderland Steele. The happy grandparents are overjoyed and promise that there will be two new pledges very soon.”
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From Bill Grabert: Bill just came back from towing a trailer of stuff down on Friday and back on Sunday…
Matt Grabert, the bunny in “Breakfast with the Bunny” since 2015, has graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Civil Engineering and has moved to Encinitas to start his career with Swinerton Renewable Energy. He missed his final turn at being the bunny this year because it was canceled unfortunately (due to COVID). There is now an opening for the 2021 bunny!
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Alex Haider-Winnett has completed his time as a chaplain at Sutter Medical Center and has started a new job leading religious education programs for two Unitarian churches in the Bay Area. His wife, Christine, has just accepted a job as a palliative care chaplain at UC Davis Medical Center. They are planning on staying in Davis but are looking to move into a larger place in Davis soon.
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Our Brother Joel Mandel is recovering nicely from him knee surgery – glad to be home.
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From the “Crazy But True” Files: Our daily “Odd Trivia” column has now hit Quiz #144. That translates into 1,440 trivia questions since the “shelter-in-place” order went out. Your trivia master Dave Rosenberg asks “when will this end?” But the demand is still there. Members enjoy the daily dose of “Odd Trivia” and many send it along to friends and relatives. So, Dave says he will continue it until the day the lockdown ends and we can open the Lodge back up for members and the public!
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Here’s a message from Sheryl Cambron, Noble Grand of the Davis Rebekah Lodge regarding a Rebekah Lodge project: I delivered some donations of gloves, masks and cleaning supplies to Davis Community Meals and Barb Geisler delivered the same to Empower Yolo. We didn’t receive many donations but I would like to continue the effort since there will absolutely be a continuing need for supplies for at least the next 6 months. If you are grocery shopping, think about picking up an extra cleaner, roll of paper towels or sanitizer to donate. Or if you are ordering supplies online, please order an extra to donate. They are much needed and appreciated. (If you are ordering supplies online – you can have them delivered directly to one of the locations. Please let the recipients know to expect them.)
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And here’s a message from Diana Schmiegel, Noble Grand of the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge reminding everyone of our informal Lodge Zoom meet-ups on Thursday evenings, beginning at 6 p.m. All invited.
Topic: Odd Fellows Meet Up Aug / Sept
Aug 6, 2020 06:00 PM
Aug 13, 2020 06:00 PM
Aug 20, 2020 06:00 PM
Aug 27, 2020 06:00 PM
Sep 3, 2020 06:00 PM
Sep 10, 2020 06:00 PM
Sep 17, 2020 06:00 PM
Sep 24, 2020 06:00 PM
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Check out this link. Joseph Benton, a member of the Order, has created what he calls his “Odd Cast” (a take off on Pod Cast) which features three Odd Fellows you may know.
Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/eGFqzbIuMRE
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The Odd Fellows Blood Drive (working with Vitalant) is back at the Lodge on Tuesday, September 8, beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. The Lodge may be shut down for meetings and events during the pandemic, but we can still do a our share for public service and public health with a permissible use: A blood drive. Our last blood drive was an enormous success, our goal had been 40 usable pints and we wound up with 51 usable pints. So, we are doing it again – our new goal is 65 usable pints. The Upper Hall will be open and there are 80 appointment slots (note: the slots go fast). If you are interested in donating blood, mark that date and contact the organizer, James Bledsoe, if you want more information. James can be reached at bledsoe.davisioof@gmail.com.
Here is the link in case you want to sign up to give blood and help the community:
https://donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa/appointment/guest/timeSlotsGenExt?token=8LK7V2ggHhzM%2FcCTOv0M7JwD1qFalhQ7ZoWUpGgMo44%3D
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Here is a message from Dave Reed: This is a reminder that the COVID Relief Committee is still around and ready to help Odd Fellows. If you are a senior citizen or at risk, we are willing to purchase supplies for you. It is expected that payment will be made at the time of delivery.
Here is how you start:
1. Use request form or send me an email. The information we will need is your name, address, phone number, email address, and list of supplies needed. If you have a preferred grocery store, specify it. Typically, our volunteers will only go to one grocery store for you. If you prefer certain brands of supplies, specify. If no brand preference is given, the volunteer will use their discretion, which could include purchasing generic or store brands. If you request a prescription pickup, make sure the pharmacy has all the information they need and that the volunteer has any documentation they may need.
2. Filling your request. Our goal is to fill each request within 24 hours. When we receive a request, we will connect you with a volunteer and they will call to confirm details. If you have not heard from me or a volunteer within two hours of your request submission, feel free to follow up by email or phone call to me.
3. Delivery of supplies. The volunteer will deliver your supplies to you and will collect payment for the purchases.
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Our very efficient and organized Odd Fellows Lodge Financial Secretary Raleigh Klein reminds all members that (if you haven’t already paid your dues for 2020) they are due and payable. Contact Raleigh if you want to work out a payment plan, or if you need help paying your dues this pandemic year (all that will be handled privately and confidentially). You can pay your dues online at the Lodge website www.davislodge.org or you can mail your dues check to Raleigh at Davis Odd Fellows Lodge, 415 2nd Street, Davis CA 95616.
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And we always try to end with a little “sheltering-in-place humor”: “The longer this goes on, the harder it will be to return to a society where pants and bras are required.”
F – L – T
Dave Rosenberg
Gossip Wrangler