Brethren,
After one year since all in-person masonic gatherings were cancelled, we finally have a plan in sight.
On April 13th the Grand Master of California, MW Art Weiss, held a virtual Town Hall meeting to discuss our plans for a return to inperson Masonic meetings and events. During this meeting the GM's Reopening Directive and Reopening Guidance for Lodges were discussed. Beginning on April 15, 2021, California's reopening plan allows private events and meetings (with limitations) in counties assigned to the red, orange and yellow tiers (San Mateo County is in the orange tier). Based on CA's guidelines, the GM's directive allows, but does not require, lodges to hold inperson meetings and events beginning April 15, 2021.
Important points: Each lodge is required to develop a COVID-19 Site Specific Prevention Plan (SPP) which will be prepared by the Hall Association (in consultation with the Lodge). This plan will be followed by all Masonic Bodies that gather in the same building. The SPP will require pre-
based on the guest list for each and every event or meeting. All attendees must be tested (show documentation of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hrs. of event) or provide proof of full vaccination (all doses given and 2 wks. elapsed time since last dose) in order to enter the event. Our State mandate also requires everyone to wear a mask unless exempted.
The Officers of BL400 and our Hall Assoc. President briefly met right after the GM's meeting. Due to the labor intensive requirement of creating a SPP, we will not be able to have it ready in time to meet in -person in May. The soonest we could have an in-person Lodge meeting would be in June. This of course will also depend on how our county's COVID-19 statistics hold up. The medical community has legitimate concerns about coronavirus variants along with "pandemic fatigue" and how they may create a new surge.
We have been patiently waiting for one year and I believe there is no need to rush and should be cautious of opening too soon. We will keep everyone in the loop with updates and new information. In the meantime please stay safe and be guarded.
Fraternally and by the Square, A proud Member of BL 400, I remain,
Diaz, Jr., P.M. Master
A Site Prevention Plan for the Burlingame Masonic Center is currently being prepared by the Burlingame Hall Association and will be distributed before reopening for in person activities Please stay tuned.
Brethren All,
Another May has arrived. I just looked at my article last May; the message was bleak. This May, however, the picture looks quite different and happily so! The Grand Master has given us the green light and with limitations, we can meet in-person again! Now we can see the green light at the end of this dark, dank tunnel - finally! We knew this day would come; just a question of time, so here it is. Our May Stated Meeting must again be virtual. The rest of the year TBD.
Mother’s Day is celebrated on Sunday the 16th. We must never forget in the least the most important reason how we arrived here: our very Dear Mothers! A very special fete has been planned for our very special ladies. Stay tuned!
“Bros. Normal Vincent Peale and Peter Marshall, who would assume the duties as chaplains tonight, were in conversation with Peter and Victor DuPont and James and Nathan Rothschild.
“Gathered around the secretary’s desk was Bro. Rudyard Kipling discussing the evening’s agenda with Bro. Robert Burns who was to give the Charge assisted by Bro. Mark Twain (Samuel L. Clemens).
“The Grand Organist, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was discussing last minute changes with Bros. Gilbert and Sullivan.
“Bros. Clark Gable, Peter Sellers, Wallace Beery, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Brian Donleavy were discussing boxing with champions Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson, and “Sugar” Ray Robinson. Another small group consisting of Bros. John Wayne, Hoot Gibson, Tom Mix and Roy Rogers were listening to Bro. William T. Phillips (better known as Butch Cassidy).
“Founding Members, Bros. George Washington, Sir John A. Macdonald, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Benito Juarez, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin were all seated in the East. They have been joined by Sir Stamford Raffles (founder of Singapore).
Our very popular speaker series: the Grand Secretary, Allan Casalou, has agreed to give us a talk on Governor and Chief Justice and Brother Earl Warren at 7 p.m. on May 18th. He says he is looking forward to this as I’m sure we all are! And down the road, we will enjoy another talk by WB Carlos Diez on another interesting topic sometime in August or September.
On the 31st we usher in the beginning of Summer and all the fun that brings: a run in the sun, picnics, vacations hither and yon; your choice – all the rest, but to be safe – with masks. Things are looking up my Brothers!
And now…what you have all been waiting for – the final installment of our past Brothers’ Stated Meeting in the Celestial Lodge
Generals Omar Bradley, Jimmy Doolittle, George C. Marshall, John Pershing, and Douglas MacArthur take their seats next to Franklin Roosevelt, his cousin Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill. (All Masons)
“The lodge treasurer, Bro. Henry Knox was busy collecting dues from Bros. Thomas E. Dewey and William McKinley. The Worshipful Master, (and Brother) H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, has rapped the gavel to call the Lodge to order and our time to depart. With a last look back at this brilliant assembly, we might wonder what the public’s perception of Freemasonry might be if they were able to visit such a lodge.”
Well, Brethren, did you recognize some or perhaps most of these distinguished Freemasons of yesteryear?
With that I leave you until next month. As Yogi Berra famously said quite some time ago, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!” Stay well and safe yet Brothers,
By the Plumb, Barrie R. Copp Junior Warden
Brethren, I am pleased to be writing about how we are finally allowed to conduct meetings inside the lodge. Kindly let me know if anyone wants to practice so I can coordinate with the Worshipful Master.
However, the return to our lodge is not the only thing we get to celebrate this
LighterSideofMasonry
month; May 9th is also Mother
s Day! I hope you all have a good time honoring the mothers and mother-figures in your lives, and I hope to see you at the next stated meeting.
Also, I would like to remind you that there will be a DSI at 7 PM on May 26th.
By the Level, Dennis F. Silva Senior Warden
Have you heard the story about WB Jones who wanted to go hunting? He needed a dog and consulted a Brother Mason. That Brother, who sold dogs, gave him one, called JW.
"It's a very good dog," he said. "He knows a lot about hunting and you can truly rely on him."
Bro. Jones took that dog. One week later he returned it. "He's not too bad, but he doesn't seem to be very experienced. Haven't you got another dog?"
"Sure I have," said the Brother. "This one, for example, is called SW and he's a bit more experienced. Try him and if you don't like him, feel free to come back."
Indeed, our Bro. Jones returned the dog two weeks later. "He's quite good actually, but he's not what I'm looking for. Still I need a dog which is more experienced ."
"Well," said the Brother, "I can offer you a really experienced dog. He's called PM and you'll have a good time with him."
So, our Bro. Jones took the animal. Just one day later, he returned!
"What's wrong with him?" the Brother asked. "I haven't got another dog that is more experienced than this one."
"Well," WB Jones said, "he might be experienced, but all he's doing is sitting there and barking!"
