Sunset Lodge has been proud to have so many of our members server our Fraternity with honor and distinction, but four of our members in particular have been singled out for recognition in our Lodge.

Murray J. Cooke served as Master of Sunset Lodge in 1979, after which Murray went on to lead the Royal Arch Masons as the General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International.

R. Stephen Doan served as Master of Sunset Lodge in 1975. He then went on to serve as Grand Master of Masons in California in 1993 and continues to serve Grand Lodge in his capacity on the Jurisprudence Committe and has recently accepted the vice-chair position on the board of the Institute for Masonic Studies.

David R. Doan served as Master of Sunset Lodge in 1993.  He then went on to serve as Grand Master of Masons in California in 2005 and continues to serve Grand Lodge as a consultant to the Trial Review Committee.

Larry L. Adamson served as Master of Sunset Lodge in 1989.  He currently serves the Fraternity as our current Grand Master of Masons in California.  Larry has also worked extensively with the Masonic Homes of California and with the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles.

A tribute wall to these outstanding Masons is being erected near the entrance to the Lodge Room.  When completed, it will feature their Masonic aprons and photos.  We hope to have the tribute wall completed by the time we host Most Worshipful Adamson at a reception in his honor this March.

On Saturday, January 17th, Most Worshipful Larry L. Adamson, Grand Master of Masons in California and a Past Master of Sunset Lodge was proud to install Rick Garcia and the 2009 Officers.

Assisting Most Worshipful Adamson were Most Worshipful David R. Doan, a Past Grand Master of California and R. Stephen Doan, also a Past Grand Master of California, both of whom served Sunset Lodge as Master.  Sunset Lodge is one of only two Grand Lodges in California to have three living Grand Masters, and the only Lodge in the state of California to have three members serve as Grand Master in less than 30 years.

Also on had was Worshipful Murray Cooke, who in addition to serving as Master at Sunset Lodge, is also a Past Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International.

Rick Garcia was installed as Master for 2009 in a beautiful installation ceremony.  Assisting Rick will be brother David Neal and Shay Mughame who will serve as Wardens for our Lodge in 2009.  Brother Hal Willis was installed as Treasurer and Brother John Barry as Secretary.

Additional 2009 officers are Brother Nicholas Kordani as Chaplain, Jim McGrath as Sr. Deacon, Warren Lewis as Jr. Deacon, Mike Messina as Marshal, Luis Menjivar as Sr. Steward, Craig Kamp as Jr. Steward and Vito Lapicolla as Tiler.

Following the installation ceremony, everyone retired to the dining room for refreshments and fellowship.

(Click on photos to view full size)

Sunset Lodge #369 will be holding our annual Installation of Officers on Saturday, January 17th.

Rick Garcia ( Master Elect) and the Officers for 2009 will be installed in a public installation ceremony by Most Worshipful Larry L. Adamson, Grand Master of Masons in California and a Past Master of Sunset Lodge.

Assisting Most Worshipful Adamson will be Most Worshipful David R. Doan and Most Worshipful R. Stephen Doan, also Past Masters of Sunset Lodge and who served California as Grand Master of Masons.

The Installation Ceremony will begin at 2:00 PM sharp, and will be followed by refreshments in the Dining Room.

Our Lodge has had a most successful year in 2008, under the leadership of Worshipful Konstantine Kabilafkas, and we look forward to continued growth and success under the skilled leadership of Bro. Rick and the 2009 Officers.

Date: Saturday January 17th, 2009
Location: 1720 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica CA
Time: 2:00 PM
This event is open to the general public
Dress: Tuxedo for Officers – Business attire for guests

On Tuesday, December 30th, Sunset Lodge was pleased to present the Hiram Award to Michael Wamback PM.

The festivities featured a “Maritime Kitchen Party” theme, paying tribute to Michael’s cultural heritage from Nova Scotia.  A delicious meal of fish & chips was followed by the award presentation in the Lodge Room.  After the formal presentation, those attending returned to the Dining Room for additional presentations, including a hockey jersey and a toast with a bottle of scotch that has been in the care of Robbie Robinson PM for more than fifty years.

The celebration continued with Bro. David Neal, our Sr. Warden elect and a fellow Atlantic Canadian from Cornerbrook Newfoundland, playing a selection of Irish and Maritime music.  Many of our younger members and friends got carried away with the event and started playing rhythm for David with their spoons, a very Maritime custom, and much to the delight of David and those in attendance.

In Atlantic Canada, and in particular in the fishing village where Michael grew up, the kitchen was the social center of the home.  Many of the homes were built in the 1800′s, and were often cold in the winter time.  A typical feature of these homes was a very large kitchen, which often features a large kitchen table, rocking chairs and other comforts.  The reason for this was that the kitchen stove, often baking bread or other necessities, kept the kitchen toasty warm on cold winter nights.

The tables for the event were decorated with traditional items found in most Nova Scotia kitchens, including Tetley Tea, evaporated milk and a plate of sweets.  Dress for the event was casual, in keeping with the theme.

Many of our guests stayed well into the evening, singing songs and telling jokes, just like a good kitchen party would have done in times past.  In particular, Murray Cooke PM, our other celebrated Atlantic Canadian in our lodge, seemed to take the opportunity to reminisce about his days of youth spent in Nova Scotia.

The lodge would like to thank those who assisted in presenting this wonderful event, in particular Robbie Robinson PM, Augdon Roberts PM, John Barry our Secretary, Konstantine Kabilafkas our Master and Harry Maslin PM our Inspector, as well as David for his music.