Dear Odd Fellows and Pledges,
1. The Odd Fellows’ Injury Report. I just got word that two of our members sustained some serious injuries. Last week Dave Morris feel off a ladder and broke his pelvis, six ribs and his ileac. He was in surgery for seven hours. But there’s more! The very next day, during the heavy storm, Randii MacNear broke her shoulder, so she couldn’t even go see Dave. Randii can be reached at rmacnear@hotmail.com and Dave Morris can be reached at davemorris.morris@gmail. com if you want to check in with them. I’m sure they could use some help with meals.
2. Reach Out to Senegal. One of our members – Mariel Garcia – is finishing up a two-year stint with the Peace Corps. She has been assigned to Senegal, in West Africa. Mariel recently wrote to us and requested some help. Her focus has been malaria and Ebola prevention projects. But recently she took a break to help build a fence for the health post in her village. The fence will help them plant a garden and trees. Mariel is asking for financial help to complete the project – apparently your donations are tax deductible for 2014 (if done before December 31). Please write to Mariel directly and she will give you an on-link link for your donation. Mariel can be reached at marielcristinag@gmail.com.
3. Breakfast with Santa a Great Success. We completed our 9th annual Breakfast with Santa last Saturday, and once again, it was a great success. Over 350 children and adults enjoyed the event – which went smoothly. Thank you to over 50 Odd Fellows and Pledges who helped in so many ways. I wish to particularly highlight the help of our long-time Santa Doug Hatton (and “Mrs. Santa” Margee Hatton), Debbie Friend who coordinated the stage decor for Santa, Steve Lopez, Rea Nakanishi, Amy Hodam, and Jeff Oblinger, who were the kitchen chefs for all three seatings, Sharla Cheney, the volunteer coordinator, Dave Rosenberg, the volunteer wrangler and chief of publicity, and Alekka, Michael and Elsie Fullerton who stayed after everyone else had departed to help me put the Breakfast with Santa decorations away.
4. Other Major Events Coming Up. Now that Breakfast with Santa is done, we turn our focus to other major events coming up. We have Breakfast with the Bunny on April 4, 2015. Also Picnic Day is April 18, 2015 – we have two events that day – the annual Picnic Day Pancake Breakfast, and we will be in the Picnic Day Parade with an Odd Fellows float! And we have a big event coming on April 30, 2015 – our annual Taste of Davis. If you wish to volunteer to help on one or more of these great events, please contact me right away, and I will put you in touch with the chair of the event!
5. Less Than 3 Million Steps to Go. We are now even closer to our goal of 50 million collective steps as a Lodge. It’s within our reach! As of last night, the step count is 47,086,803. Only 2,913,197 steps to go and we meet our goal. If you have steps to report, please get them to Dave at daverose@jps.net. 50 million steps equals 25,000 miles – or once around the Earth.
6. Bingo Committee Could Use Three More Volunteers. We have a very active Bingo Committee in the Lodge that organizes Bingo on the second Sunday of the month. The Committee donates proceeds from Bingo to local community and charitable groups – some $8,000 per year is donated. In 2015, the Co-chairs of the committee are Jean-Paul Montreuil and Jeff Oblinger. (Thank you to the 2014 Co-chairs: Salie Yin and Eric Davis.) We have a number of active members, BUT we need at least three more volunteers for this committee is 2015. The committee will train you. Do we have volunteers? If so, please contact me. And the first Bingo of 2015 is on Sunday, January 11, benefiting “Team Davis” – activities for young people with special needs.
7. River Cats Oddventure. Charles Filmer is organizing another “Oddventure” – this time a River Cats game. Charles is reserving a block of tickets to see the Rivercats play the Memphis Redbirds on May 21, 2015, at Raley Field in West Sacramento. Tickets are $20 each. The Oddventure is open to members, pledges, and guests. Even though the game isn’t till May, payment will be due in January. Contact Charles Filmer at clrfilmer@sbcglobal.net for more information or to reserve your seats.
8. Club Night at the Lodge This Thursday, December 18. Don’t forget the weekly Club Night at the Lodge this coming Thursday, December 18, starting at 5 p.m. in the Lower Hall. Dinner is available at 6 p.m. And it’s Trivia Night with prizes and Trivia Master Dave Rosenberg.
9. Caroling Again This Year on December 17. Dave Reed has organized caroling again this year. The date is Wednesday, December 17. Those who wish to carol meet at 7 p.m. at University Retirement Community, 1515 Shasta Drive. For more information, contact Dave Reed at dreedng@gmail.com.
10. Odd Fellows Wine Club Meets on December 19. Mark your calendars for Friday, December 19. The Wine Club meets at Lea and Dave Rosenberg’s home, , Davis, for the annual Holiday Wine Club gathering. It begins at 7 p.m. Bring your favorite red, white or bubbly, and an appetizer to share.
11. New Year’s Eve Party at the Lodge. The Lodge will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Party for member, pledges and the community. Over half the 225 tickets have already been sold! Tickets ($40 per person) are available on line at www.showclix/events.MumboGumbo1231 and also at Avid Reader Active and Common Grounds. Doors open for the NYE party at 8 p.m. on December 31, music begins at 9 p.m. (featuring Mumbo Gumbo) and there will be a champagne toast at midnight on January 1, 2015. There will be music and dancing in the Upper Hall, and the Lower Hall will be open in a quieter venue for folks who want to watch NYE shows on the big screen TV and dine on gumbo and cornbread. For more information, contact NYE Committee Chair Juelie Roggli at juelrog@gmail.com.
12. RSVP Now for Our Annual Installation & Awards Dinner. The annual dinner and awards event is Saturday, January 17, 2015. Tickets this year are very low in price: $15 for members and pledges and $19 for guests. There will be entertainment, awards and the installation of elected and appointed officers of the Lodge. Dinner includes four buffet stations. RSVP now to save your seat. Members, pledges and guests are cordially invited. RSVP to Renee Liston at reneeliston@gmail.com.
Lea Rosenberg
Noble Grand