Odd Fellows Outing to Dickens’ London!

On November 23, 2025 some 30 California Odd Fellows travelled through time and space to arrive in London on December 24, 1856 – the perpetual date frozen in time and sentiment at the charming Great Dickens’ Christmas Fair, located at the Cow Palace in South San Francisco, CA.  The yuletide Odd Fellows came dressed in our …

True Fellowship at Christmas in the Park

Members of True Fellowship 52, Sara Bruce, Kat Powell, Scott Spence, and Debbie and Mason Wolf, decorated a tree in the Enchanted Forest at San Jose’s Christmas in the Park. This was our second year participating, and again we decorated out tree with Odd Fellows symbols, a triple-links chain, and a skeletal Santa. Our location …

A Day in the Life: A San José Merchant in 1856

Context 1856 was a year of civic formation in the Santa Clara Valley. The Odd Fellows charter that became today’s True Fellowship Lodge No. 52 dates to January 1856. Telegraph wires had already linked San José to San Francisco, and steamboats connected the city to the Bay through the port at Alviso. Nearby, the New …

Wendell’s Visit to Barnes

On Thursday, November 13th, Barnes Encampment #77 hosted Grand Patriarch, Wendell Watson, and Grand Marshall, Shirley Watson. The evening kicked off with a delightful dinner with a Thanksgiving theme. The beautifully decorated room and table scape put everyone in a festive mood to welcome all of our guests. A chicken-centered potluck dinner was enjoyed before …

Report of GMC Week at SGL

On Friday, August 15th Debra LaVergne and myself (Debbie Shuler) departed from San Francisco Airport to Chicago O’Hare Airport where we met up with fellow traveler Mel Astrahan.  We all then proceeded to the Airport of Charleston West Virginia after a 5 hour layover.  Luckily Debra and I had United Club passes available. Upon arriving …

A New Season of Fellowship: Introducing True Fellowship 52’s Noble Grand

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters of the District. It is with a deep sense of honor and excitement that I introduce myself to you as the new Noble Grand of True Fellowship 52 Lodge. My name is Zandria Elbért, and I step into this role following the departure of our beloved brother, Andrew Crockett, who has …

Sorting Through Treasures

The Richard Brouse Degree Lodge (aka the cave degree) recently received a donation of degree props from Sierra Park, an HOA located next to the Three Links camp, which used to an Odd Fellows establishment, complete with its own lodge, Sierra Park Lodge no. 376. It did not last especially long. But when it ceased …

Third Degree at True Fellowship 52 in San Jose

On July 23rd, at True Fellowship Lodge no.52, IOOF, the Third Degree of Truth was conferred to six worthy candidates: Sister Liana Hildalgo of True Fellowship Lodge no.52 Sister Megs O’Neil of True Fellowship Lodge no.52 Brother Terrance Seddon of True Fellowship Lodge no.52 Sister Pamela Johnson of Cupertino Lodge no.70 Sister Helen Bobias of …

ON STEPPING DOWN: An Interview with True Fellowship 52’s Andrew Crockett

At the end of June, Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone announced that he would be resigning. This set off a chain of events that resulted in Andrew Crockett, Noble Grand for True Fellowship 52, feeling compelled to resign mid-way through his term. To help us understand this decision, as well as take a review …