By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
Rim of the World Masonic Lodge # 711 held its 75th annual installation of officers at the Masonic Center in Twin Peaks on Dec. 27, the date for the Feast of St. John, which they celebrated after the installation ceremony.
Since the weather was very favorable for December, there were seven visiting Past Masters from other lodges visiting this installation. The lodge room was filled with Masons, visitors and guests witnessing the installation of officers. The Hiram Award is one of the highest honors a Mason can receive and there were seven Hiram Award recipients attending this installation.
The Lodge was honored by having installing officers come up the mountain to perform the installation. As each officer was installed, they were informed of their responsibilities by the installing officer and presented with the badge of their office by the master of ceremonies. The ceremony was formal, filled with ritual and performed with dignity.
The installing officers: Master of Ceremonies John Channon, Installing Officer Frank Lee, Worshipful Master Richard Pumerantz and Installing Chaplain Dave Schonland.
The installing officer for the evening was Frank Lee, a Past Assistant Grand Lecturer for Grand Lodge. His manner of presentation of the installation ceremony was quite impressive to the members and visitors in the lodge room. The master of ceremonies was John Channon, the Inspector of Division 8. Dave Schonland was the installing Chaplain. All three lent a special dignity to the formal ceremony.
Frank Lee handing the gavel to Richard Pumerantz.
The elected officers installed were Past Master Richard Pumerantz as Worshipful Master, Johnny Royal P.M. as Senior Warden and Chester Olson P.M. as the new Junior Warden. Installed as Secretary was Kenneth Witte, P.M. Douglas Highland was absent, so he will be installed in January as Treasurer. The appointed Officer of Chaplain, Clint Waugh, will also be installed in January.
Other appointed officers installed that evening were Clifford Beacham as Senior Deacon; Sean Devine as Junior Deacon; Past Master Johnny Wells as Marshall; John “JT” Price as Junior Steward. The Organist for the next year will be Jon Olson and the Tiler will be Manuel “William” Martinez.
After the installation, the Feast of St John was held in the lodge’s dining room. This year, it was prepared by Paula Marzicola, who was referred to as the “lifeblood of the lodge,” assisted by Tanya Michel. What a feast it was with a quarter roasted chicken and dressing, scalloped potatoes, green beans with bacon and onions, corn pudding casserole, a green garden salad, soft drinks, coffee, water and teas. For dessert a four-inch-high marble cake from Goodwin’s Market highlighted the fact that this is the 75th annual installation of officers for Rim of the World Lodge.
The “Toast to the Flag” was given by Brother Johnny Royal, who describes himself as a storyteller in his heart. While living in London, he saw the Grand Lodge of England and became interested in its history and the group’s good works, encouraging him to join the Masonic Order in 2008. Since then, it has been his lifelong journey exploring the Masons from many perspectives. Since he is a filmmaker, he created a film on the topic of Free Masonry. He believes Masons bring out the best in mankind. When Royal moved to the mountains several years ago, he joined the Rim of the World Lodge.
The Rim of the World Masonic Lodge has had many of the mountaintop’s leaders as its members for decades. It is known there are many Masons who have moved into the mountaintop area in the past few years. They are always invited to come and get involved in the fellowship offered at the Rim of the World Lodge. Their stated meetings are the first Wednesdays of each month at 7 p.m.; all Masons from other lodges are invited to attend. The lodge hosts a dinner for members and their guests before the meeting at 6 p.m. but an RSVP is requested so enough dinner is prepared by their chef, Paula Marzicola.
Rim of the World Lodge #711 Free and Accepted Masons, which was chartered 75 years ago in 1950, is located at 26012 Highway 189 in Twin Peaks, behind the historic logging wagon. Its handmade custom log furniture is unique among lodges and can be visited when attending the farmers market on Thursdays – just ask.
The lodge is always welcoming to new members or those who would like to know more about the Masonic Order. Membership is open to men 18 and older who have good character and intention and who believe in a Supreme Being. Men of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome. “Masonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization. It is guided by the enduring belief that each man has a responsibility to make the world a better place. For 300 years, Freemasonry has enhanced and strengthened the character of individual men by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity and the search for truth – within themselves and the larger world.”
For anyone who is interested in learning more about Masonry, any member would be happy to answer their questions. To become a Mason, you must ask to join as they do not recruit members. The Lodge is fortunate to be able to allow their parking lots and building to be used for the weekly farmers market every Thursday, year-round, weather permitting, so that is always a good time to go and talk to some of their members about the Masonic Order. They also rent their building out for events and receptions.
To learn more about the Rim of the World Masonic Lodge, see their website at https://lodge711.freemason.org/. For additional information, email them at rotwmasons711.org, or call them at (661) 549-2179 and speak with their Secretary, Ken Witte, or leave a message on the answering machine.
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