Hi, friends! Sycamore had a big October. We welcomed five new members, voted in three more, and lined up a busy holiday season. With Thanksgiving almost here, we’re thankful for each of you, and we wish you and your families a warm and happy holiday. Here’s what’s coming up.
Mark your calendar
- Sun 11/8, 1:00 PM · Initiation for new members, at the lodge
- Mon 11/9, 6:30 PM · Social & Business Meeting (dinner 6:30, meeting 7:30)
- Fri 11/13, 7:00 PM · Peace & Pizza on Zoom
- Sat 11/14 · District 36 inter-lodge meet-up at our lodge
- Sun 11/15 · Young Musician’s Chamber Music applications are due
- Sun 11/29, 3:00–6:00 PM · Toys for Tots, Holiday Raffle & Bingo
- Sat 12/5, 6:00–10:00 PM · Sycamore Lodge 129 First Saturday Game Night
- Mon 12/7 · East Bay Symphonic Band Christmas open rehearsal and party at the lodge, open to members
- Thu 12/31, 7:00 PM · New Year’s Eve Gala on the USS Hornet with Gus Wedemeyer’s 3 O’Clock Jump Big Band. 3OJ is just one of the great bands who performed at the Summer Concert Series
- Jan 22–24, 2027 · Young Musician’s Chamber Music Weekend at the lodge
Help wanted: Toys for Tots, Raffle & Bingo
Our holiday party on Sunday, November 29 raises gifts and food for the Hayward Firefighters and Police child gift funds, Victory Outreach Oakland, and the Alameda County Food Bank. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and canned food, wear your ugliest Christmas sweater, and stay for three raffles and two bingo games.
Rachelle Wilkins is collecting raffle prizes now, and our Noble Grand is asking every member to come and lend a hand. To help or donate a prize, contact Rachelle at rlarm63@gmail.com or 925-203-0244. All the details are here.
Welcome, new members!
Five new members took all three degrees on Saturday, October 10: Edgard Gonzales, Geri Leon, Denise Funke, Nancy Fleshaur and Diarmuid Russell. Say hello at the next meeting.
Three more new members were voted in unanimously in October: Wendy Trinh, Jeff McCarthy and Jordan Skye.
Our next initiation and degree day will be Sunday, November 8 at 1:00 PM. Come cheer our new members on, and play a part in this important occasion. It’s informative and fun! To attend, please let Secretary Laura Brady know you’re coming so she can plan refreshments: secretarysycamore129@gmail.com.
News from the October meeting
- Dues are going up to $110. Grand Lodge raised its per-member fee to $85, and our bylaws set dues at that fee plus $25. The new amount starts with 2027 dues. We will send out your 2027 dues invoice soon.
- 2027 officer nominations so far: Jon Dickinson for Noble Grand, Marion Borst for Vice Grand, Denise Funke for Financial Secretary, and Ben Rowe and Ted Seitz for Trustee. No one has been nominated yet for Secretary or Treasurer. Nominations are open now. Interested? Talk to Marion.
- Chamber Music Weekend is a go. The lodge approved Ted Seitz and Cathy O’Connell’s weekend for January 22–24, paid for with money first donated for their summer chamber music program.
- Rose Parade float. Grand Lodge has asked lodges to donate toward the Odd Fellows float. We’ll take it up at the November meeting.
- New bank, no fuss. Comerica was bought by Fifth Third Bank, and Treasurer Gus Wedemeyer handled the whole changeover. Thank you, Gus!
Shout-outs
- Congratulations to Carl Gorringe, honored by the Alameda County Arts Commission for his work with the Sun Gallery.
- Gary Howe sends his thanks to everyone who worked on the 2026 Concert Series.
Around the Bay: what other lodges are up to
Odd Fellows lodges all over the Bay Area throw open their doors. Here are a few you can drop in on this month. Call ahead or check their sites, since schedules change.
- Fremont, Mission Peak Lodge #114: community dinner. Third Monday at 6:30 PM (Nov 16, Dec 21), open to everyone, and kids eat free. 40955 Fremont Blvd. missionpeak114.org
- Livermore Lodge #219: Community Craft Circle. Wednesday, Nov 11, 7:00–9:00 PM, then second Wednesdays. Free. Bring your knitting, sketchbook or whatever you’re working on. 2160 First St. Details
- San Jose, True Fellowship #52: First Friday Game Night. Fridays Nov 6 and Dec 4, starting at 6:00 PM. Free, and newcomers are welcome. 1035 Emory St. true52.org
- Half Moon Bay Odd Fellows: free dance night. First Saturday, 7:00–9:00 PM (Nov 7, Dec 5), sometimes with a short lesson to start. All are welcome. hmb-odd.org
- Cupertino Lodge #70: Kani Ka Pila (“Let’s make music!”). A Hawaiian jam on the fourth Wednesday, at the lodge or on Zoom. Open to all, donation requested. cupertinooddfellows.org
Around Hayward: help make our streets safer
The City of Hayward wants to hear from residents about plans to make three busy streets safer for drivers, cyclists and people on foot. You have until Friday, Nov. 13 to weigh in.
- Tennyson Road between Mission and Hesperian boulevards
- A Street between Hesperian Boulevard and Watkins Street
- B Street between Martin Luther King Drive and Watkins Street
See the designs and share your thoughts at safestreetshayward.org. Each street has its own “Provide your input” button. The plans go to the City Council in early 2027.
Why these streets? They’re part of the city’s High Injury Network: 14% of Hayward’s roads, but 75% of its traffic deaths and serious injuries. The work is paid for by a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant and is part of Hayward’s Vision Zero goal of no traffic deaths or serious injuries by 2050.
Every month
- Social & Business Meeting: second Monday. Social and dinner around 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:30 PM. Dinner is a $5 suggested donation; RSVP to Laura at secretarysycamore129@gmail.com.
- Peace & Pizza: usually the second Friday at 7:00 PM on Zoom, organized by Stephania Widger. For the Zoom link, email Stephania at oceankayak@aol.com.
- Requests & Dedications: Frank Goulart’s music Zoom, Monday to Thursday 12:00–1:30 PM and Friday 1:00–2:00 PM. Bring an instrument or just sing along. Email fgoulart@pacbell.net for the link.
- 2026 officers: Marion Borst (Noble Grand), Jon Dickinson (Vice Grand), Gus Wedemeyer (Treasurer), Laura Brady (Secretary), Susan Souza (Trustee, 2026–2028).
Got news?
Send news and photos to Julie at juliemac@pacbell.net by the 25th of the month.
Friendship, Love & Truth,
Sycamore Lodge #129 · Hayward Odd Fellows