Dear Dedicated Members for Change,
“All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.” This old proverb traces its history back hundreds of years, and was first recorded in James Howell’s “Proverbs in English, Italian, French and Spanish” in 1659. It means that without time off from work, a person becomes both bored and boring. The proverb can be morphed to apply to a Lodge of Odd Fellows as follows: “All meetings and no fun, makes the Lodge a dull place.” And that means that if all the Lodge does is hold a monthly meeting, the Lodge becomes boring and the members get bored. And certainly, nobody in the next generation wants to join a boring Lodge.
The point is – a Lodge does not have to be boring. In addition to meetings, the Lodge can be a vibrant and energetic place with social events and community support activities, both inside the Lodge Hall and outside in the community. To give you an idea of a non-boring Lodge, below you will find the calendar of meetings and events for Davis Lodge #169 for the month of March 2020. This calendar is typical of the monthly doings in the Lodge.
Obviously, a Lodge does not need to offer such a vast and eclectic series of activities. But if a Lodge were to offer even three or four activities – apart from meetings – in a typical month, it cannot be accused of being “boring”. And non-boring Lodges become highly visible in the community, attract new members – and grow.
F – L – T
Dave Rosenberg
Past Grand Master
Jurisdiction of California
Sunday, March 1 – Davis Odd Fellows Lodge Classic Film Festival shows the third film in the Winter 2020 series featuring spy thrillers: “Pick-Up on South Street” with Richard Widmark. Enterprise Film Critic will be on hand to give the back story of the film and answer questions. Doors open at 6:29 pm. There is no admission charge and its open to the general public. Popcorn is free. For more information, contact Dave Rosenberg.
Thursday, March 5 – Club Night at the Lodge, starts at 5:30 pm in the Lower Hall. Dinner is served around 6:05 pm. Tonight’s dinner is Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders (Veggie alternative is BBQ Jackfruit Sliders), served with Baked Beans, Green Salad with House-Made Dressing. Trivia Master is Raleigh Klein. Trivia starts around 6:35 pm.
Thursday, March 5 – Thursday Live! music at the Lodge in the Upper Hall. Presenting the Lorin Rowan Trio – Progressive Americana – featuring guitarist/singer-songwriter Rowan (Rowan Brothers) with his finger pickin’ acoustic roots in folk/rock and world music, complementing his clear tenor vocals, backed by fellow musicians Ken Emerson and Dick Bright. Doors open at 7:01 pm and the show starts at 7:31 pm. It’s free and open to the public. Donations for the musicians are always welcomed.
Friday, March 6 – Odd Fellows Gaming Committee meets on the first and fourth Friday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. Meetings will be in Matthew Elliott’s apartment. Primary focus will be 1990’s retro video gaming, and board games are also available. And members, pledges, and guests interested in gaming are cordially invited. Contact Matt for the address and to get on the email list for gaming.
Saturday, March 7 – Come to Father Paddy’s Irish Public House at 435 Main Street in Downtown Woodland to watch and support our own “Team BaldFellows”. Cheer our team on as they shave their heads in support of children with cancer and research to eradicate childhood cancer. Event starts at 12 noon and Team Baldfellows will be up for “the shave” around 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 8 – It’s time for Second Sunday Odd Fellows Bingo. Doors open at 12 noon and Bingo play begins at 1:00 p.m. The beneficiary is the Davis Parent Nursery School (DPNS). Cost is $20 for a Bingo packet (or $12 for the economy pack) to play all afternoon. Contact Alice Stewart for more information.
Sunday, March 8 – The Odd Theatre Committee will attend a matinee performance of DMTC’s “Camelot”. Contact DMTC to get a ticket. The group meets in the lobby before th show and then gets some dinner after the show. All welcome. If you would like to join the group, please contact Nancy Schrott.
Sunday, March 8 – A special program of the Classic Film Committee. “An Evening with the Critic” – cinema is the topic – Q&A with Davis Enterprise Film Critic Derrick Bang. Plus a few Academy Award nominated shorts (animated and live action) will be shown on the big screen. Open to the general public. Free of charge. Doors open at 6:29 p.m. in the Upper Hall.
Monday, March 9 – Hall Board meets in the Committee Room, starting at 5:15 p.m. For more information, contact Hall Board President Dave Rosenberg.
Monday, March 9 – Odd Needlecrafters meet from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Committee Room. All experience levels welcome. Contact Kathy Hemness for more information.
Tuesday, March 10 – The Odd Fellows Movie Matinee Committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month, to see a matinee movie at a local theater. Contact Diane Steele for information on times and location and/or to get on the email notification list.
Thursday, March 12 – Club Night at the Lodge, starts at 5:30 pm in the Lower Hall. Corned Beef & Cabbage, Roasted Potatoes and Carrots, Green Salad with House-Made Dressing. Dinner is served around 6:05 p.m. Trivia Master is Matt Elliott. Trivia starts around 6:35 pm.
Friday, March 13 – The Odd Fellows FLT Committee (Fine Liquor Tasting) gathers this evening, starting at 7 p.m. to taste fine Ports, at the home of Sharon Hale and Dawn Student, 1500 Union Drive, Davis. Members, pledges and guests are invited. A $20 contribution is requested. More info contact Howie Spero.
Saturday, March 14 – Davis Odd Fellows Lodge #169 Second Saturday Breakfast and Meeting. All invited. Complimentary breakfast is served at 8:45 a.m. and the meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. Contact Noble Grand Diana Schmiegel for more information.
Saturday, March 14 – Davis Encampment #21 monthly meeting begins around 10:45 to 11:00 a.m., soon after the conclusion of the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge meeting. Contact Chief Patriarch Doug Hatton for more information.
Tuesday, March 17 – Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Pub Quiz. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner (Corn beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots) is served at 6:30 p.m. $12 covers dinner, wine and beer. There will be a pub quiz with prizes. You must RSVP to Dave Reed, but you can pay at the door.
Thursday, March 19 – Club Night at the Lodge, starts at 5:30 pm in the Lower Hall. Dinner is served around 6:05 pm. Breakfast for Dinner tonight – Pancakes and Syrup, Sausages, Country Potatoes, Scrambled Eggs and Fruit. Dinner is served around 6:05 p.m. Trivia Master is Sean Davis. Trivia starts around 6:35 pm.
Friday, March 20 – Odd Fellows Wine Club gathers tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. at the home of Stella Ruiz, 1765 Mariposa Circle, Davis. Bring your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Blanc and an appetizer to share. Open to members, pledges and their guests. Contact Robin Dewey for more information.
Monday, March 23 – Davis Rebekah Lodge meets this evening. There will be a salad buffet starting at 6:15 p.m. Rebekahs will then adjourn to a formal meeting in the Upper Hall starting at 7:30 p.m. The Rebekah Assembly President Marilyn Nichols will be making an official visit to the Davis Rebekah Lodge this evening. Attire is business casual. Contact Noble Grand Sheryl Cambron for more information.
Wednesday, March 25 – Canton Davis 4th Wednesday Meeting. Meeting begins at 5:45 p.m. in the Committee Room and should end around 6:15 p.m. Contact Captain James Bledsoe for more information on the Canton.
Wednesday, March 25 – Davis Odd Fellows Lodge 4th Wednesday Meeting. Join us for the social hour at 6:15 p.m. with complimentary snacks, wine, beer and soft drinks in the Lower Hall. The formal meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Hall. Contact Noble Grand Diana Schmiegel for more information.
Thursday, March 26 – Club Night at the Lodge, starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Lower Hall. Dinner is served around 6:05 p.m. This evening’s dinner is Fried Chicken (the Veggie alternative is Falafel) served with Mashed Potatoes, and Green Salad with House-Made Dressing. Trivia Master is Dave Rosenberg. Trivia starts around 6:35 p.m.
Friday, March 27 – Odd Fellows Gaming Committee meets on the first and fourth Friday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. Meetings will be in Matthew Elliott’s apartment. Primary focus will be 1990’s retro video gaming, and board games are also available. And members, pledges, and guests interested in gaming are cordially invited. Contact Matt for the address and to get on the email list for gaming.
Saturday, March 28 – Odd Fellows Cigar Lounge gathers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the home of Bob and Beth Dovi to enjoy a fine cigar and even better conversation. Open to members, pledges and their guests. The Dovi address is 1816 Titian Place, Davis. Bring some muchies to share. Contact Dave Rosenberg for more information.
Sunday, March 29 – Odd Fellows and Pledges are invited to the Celebration of Life, in the Lower Hall, starting around 1:30 p.m. to remember our sister Barbara Langer, who just passed away from complications of pneumonia. Join Barbara’s husband and long-time Odd Fellows Barry Melton, family and friends to honor her memory and life
Long range Major Events 2020 calendar dates:
April 4 – Breakfast with the Bunny at the Lodge
April 11 – 150th Anniversary of the Institution of the Davis Lodge
April 18 – Picnic Day Pancake Breakfast at the Lodge
April 18 – Davis Odd Fellows Lodge Float is in the Picnic Day Parade
April 19 – 6th Annual Storytelling Extravaganza at the Lodge
April 23 – Taste of Davis at the Lodge
May 20 – Grand Lodge and Rebekah Assembly Sessions begin in Modesto
June 24 – Initiation of the Odd Fellows Summer 2020 Pledge Class
September 5 – (Tent) Odd Fellows Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament
October 18 – 2nd Annual Zombie Bike Parade
October 18 – Grand Encampment and Military Council meet in Visalia
October 28 – Initiation of the Odd Fellows Fall 2020 Pledge Class
November 1 – Annual Davis Chocolate Festival
December 12 – Annual Breakfast with Santa at the Lodge