Sycamore Lodge Re-Chartered
Sycamore Lodge #129 is back in town! In April 2010, the Hayward Odd Fellows Lodge was re-established, continuing a history that dates back to 1866 in Hayward.
Sycamore Lodge had been lying vacant for at least 2 years. The previous incarnation of Odd Fellows had disbanded, and the building was on the verge of being sold, when local historian and attorney Frank Goulart and his counselor wife Julie Machado, along with Odd Fellow Dan Honniball hatched a plan to re-establish the Lodge. At Thanksgiving dinner 2009, an idea was born to pursue the Hayward Lodge’s re-opening.
Because of Frank and Julie’s connections with the local art and music communities, the concept was put forward to meld traditional Odd Fellows good works with bettering the community through an additional focus on the Arts and Music. There is some thinking in the Odd Fellows organization today that Lodges have a better chance at flourishing when members are united in common interests, so this seemed a viable marriage.
Two Open Houses allowed people to see the beautiful historic building, built in 1868-9. Meetings were had with Grand Lodge, the owner of the building, to determine the possibility of re-establishing the Hayward Lodge. A membership drive was held to see if there was interest in the community. More.....
Member Visions for Hayward Odd Fellows
The vision of the Sycamore Lodge is that through friendship, love and truth we will create, promote, support, and nurture fine art in Northern California. We will provide venues for the visual and performing arts that will also serve as charitable events for artists in need. We will be a resource to the community to aid in their compassionate and
humanitarian efforts. We will be odd fellows. –Ken Elliott
I would love to see it become a hub of cultural and social outreach venues for Hayward. A place where the people who care about things (that improve/inspire
mankind) can find like minded people and put together shows/programs and promote them to the general public; hopefully inspiring others to become people who care and get involved. --Mimi Bauer
