Woodbridge Lodge presents awards

Woodbridge Lodge No. 131, Master George Lokey, presented awards to five community organizations as part of its 150th anniversary year. The organizations were recognized for their long-term service to the community and for their unique ties to Woodbridge Lodge No. 131, Free and Accepted Masons, which was founded at Woodbridge in 1858. Master of Ceremonies for the evening was John Herrick and the event was well attended by the lodge members, family and friends of the Woodbridge Lodge. Each community organization received a cash award of $1,000 as an expression of appreciation from the Lodge for their past work and to assist them in continuing their outstanding service to the community.

Awards were presented to the following:

Rob Wooton received the award for Lodi Memorial Hospital and he shared with the Lodge their plans for improving their service to the community. The Lodge recalled its participation in the foundation of the hospital.

Brent Newport, advisor, and Krystin McQueen, state farmer, of Lodi Future Farmers of America (FFA), explained the role of FFA in modern society. Herman Diekman, master of Woodbridge Lodge, 1932, was remembered as having an instrumental role in the founding of FFA in Lodi.

Glenda MacBride, of Woodbridge Grange No. 482, received the award and shared some comments on the vital historical role that the Grange has played in the development of rural America and the Lodi community.

Mary Reeves accepted the award on behalf of the Lodi Historical Society and commented on their role in preserving the history of the area. An unplanned appreciation of lodge member Ralph Lea then took place, when it was discovered that practically everyone in the room knows him in some capacity.

Chief Mike Kirkle, of Woodbridge Fire District, was unable to attend the event due to the pressures of a difficult summer and will receive the District's Award at a later time.

Lodge members are excited to welcome Richard Hopper, grand master of Masons of California to a special sesquincentennial celebration on Aug. 16. The event will be held at Woodbridge Lodge, which is located at 1040 Augusta St., Woodbridge. Freemasonry is a non-denominational philosophical fraternity, dedicated to the improvement of man and the community around him. For more information about Woodbridge Lodge and Freemasonry, call Frank Mills at 333-3711.