Dear Odd Fellows and Pledges,
1. Wotta Birthday Party. Last Monday, April 13, our Lodge celebrated our 145th “Birthday”. The Lodge Hall was open to the public for the 145th anniversary of our charter, dating back to 1870. There was food, drink, music and tours. Him & Me (including Kurt Roggli) entertained us during the birthday celebration. And Senator Lois Wolk attended, presenting the Lodge with a Joint Resolution from the California Assembly and State Senate, honoring the Lodge. Over 100 local residents attended, including the descendants of Jacob Horning – the very first Noble Grand of the Lodge, way back in 1870. Dave Rosenberg chaired the event, and he was delighted to receive 5 applications from citizens wishing to join the Lodge.
2. Picnic Day Pancake Breakfast a Roaring Success. Since the mid-1950’s our Lodge has been hosting the Picnic Day Pancake Breakfast, open to the public. We did it again this year, and well over 100 local residents attended, including lots of children. The cost was only $5 per person, and kids under 5 ate free. We brought in $562 at the door. Co-chairing this event are Jeff Oblinger and Tony Marigo. And thank you to the many Odd Fellow volunteers who helped in the cooking, ticket selling, serving, decorating, and cleaning.
3. The Best Picnic Day Float Ever. Our Picnic Day Parade Float this year was amazing! It featured a huge red heart with two arms and hands reaching out and was themed “Helping Hands from the Heart of our Community.” It also featured a recreation of the iconic glass blocks of the Lodge. It was so cool that it won a big award!! Our Davis Lodge Float was named “Best Theme Representation Float” in the parade (this year’s parade theme was “Heart of the Community”). The Committee members, under co-chairs James Bledsoe and Janis Rosenberg, have been building that float for weeks. Lots of Odd Fellows and family members rode the float or walked next to it in the parade! Duff Devine, complete with fez, drove the truck. And thanks, again, to Doug Hatton for loaning us his flatbed. I attaching a photo of the award-winning float to this report!
4. Lodge Meeting This Wednesday. Don’t forget, the Lodge has it’s Fourth Wednesday Evening meeting this Wednesday, April 22. Social hour starts at 6:15 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. This is a social meeting so Pledges are cordially invited to the social hour and the meeting. Zita Demaree is bringing the appetizers for social hour and the bar with be open.
5. Club Night on Thursday Features Trivia. This Thursday, April 23, come by for “Club Night at the Lodge”. Trivia Night is back (with Trivia Master Dave Rosenberg) and prizes for the winners! Plus, Chef Julie will be serving Breakfast for Dinner (chicken-fried steak, country potatoes, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, salsa and cheese). The bar will be open with special member prices.
6. Wine Tasting Trip to Amador. Last chance to buy tickets for the trip! Just one week to go, but space is still available on the bus to Amador County for wine tasting. The day-trip is Sunday, April 26. We have a bus and will visit the beautiful wine country and three wineries, plus have a picnic lunch. Also, the wine trivia quiz with great prizes. All this for $30. Contact Dave to reserve your seat at daverose@jps.net.
7. Taste of Davis Tickets on Sale. Our Lodge sponsors and hosts “A Taste of Davis” on Thursday, April 30. This is our 6th year hosting this event! Tickets are now on sale, at $20 per person, but going fast. We have 26 vendors who will serve their food, wine, and beer at the Odd Fellows Lodge Hall. Tickets are going fast. You can buy tickets at Avid Reader Active in Downtown Davis, at Common Grounds in South Davis, and at the Lodge. Also, on line purchases at http://www.showclix.com/event/taste. Thank you to our Taste of Davis Committee. This is a BIG social event in Davis, and we expect well over 200 attendees.
8. Retirement of Mona Prieto. Dave and I attended the retirement of Mona Prieto on Friday night, after 37 years in law enforcement. She was Deputy Commissioner of the Highway Patrol in her last position. Mona was the first female motorcycle patrol officer in the history of the CHP. She broke a lot of glass ceilings. Congratulations, Mona, and have a great retirement. Mona and her husband, Ed Prieto, the Sheriff of Yolo County, are both members of the Lodge.
Lea Rosenberg
Noble Grand