Lodge updates

Brethren of Western Star Lodge,

I am writing to you to inform you that we have taken steps to secure a second meeting place for our meetings. This secondary meeting place is Reading-Trinity Lodge #27 in Redding, CA.

Some background explanation is in order. The idea of a secondary meeting place has been discussed amongst the members for quite a while for two overwhelming reasons. First being the physical makeup of our lodge building is inherently difficult for many members to navigate. The stairs from the entryway to the Lodge room are an obvious impediment for those with mobility issues. Equally, the stairs from the kitchen to the restrooms, while not as steep, are still insurmountable for some. When the two are combined, it renders the journey impossible to these brothers and family members. Due to the nature of Western Star’s historical status, improvements to remedy this problem aren’t within reason due to building codes and we know that our building could not withstand the scrutiny of current building code compliance. Secondly, given the age of our building, there is no telling when it will become no longer useable. With the lack of a “foundation”, one decent sized earthquake could prevent us from entering the lodge due to safety concerns. This scenario is just cause for a contingency plan. This plan, to have a place to hold meetings “in case” has been the goal of several Masters of the lodge for many years.

These two primary issues have paved the way for us to investigate an alternate meeting place. I say “alternate” and “secondary” because our primary meeting place as indicated in our Charter is Western Star Lodge in Old Shasta. Reading-Trinity Lodge is a building within our community that checks all the boxes. It is a single-story building with amenities that suit our needs, such as restrooms and kitchen accessible to all, level, off highway parking and our brethren at Reading- Trinity Lodge have offered to rent to us on an as needed basis for $100 for each day we use it.

During the aftermath of the Carr Fire we met at this lodge building. We simply brought our charter, the dispensation that allowed us to meet there, and our officer implements. For the time that meeting was underway, we met as Western Star Lodge. The only change in the current scenario is that we now have a standing dispensation signed by our Grand Master, The Most Worshipful Art Salazar authorizing us to meet at either Western Star or Reading-Trinity Lodges.

Having said all of this, my plan is to hold our Stated Meetings at the Redding Family Masonic Center. Our date and time has not changed, only the location for this time period. It is my intention to gauge the influence the accessibility of this building has on membership attendance and to maintain the relationship with Reading-Trinity Lodge so we may maintain the aforementioned contingency plan.

Our stated meetings will continue to be held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm with dinner at 6:30pm. We will meet at the Redding Family Masonic Center at 195 Masonic Avenue, Redding, CA. beginning February 4, 2025 through December stated meeting on December 2, 2025.

I ask that you reach out to me with any questions or concerns relating to this or any matter.

Donald H. Black

Master