On the Town: Masonic Lodge installs new officers
As Billy Campbell arrived at the Burbank Masonic Lodge for last week’s 105th installation of the organization’s officers, he paused at the front door to reflect on his year of service as the lodge’s outgoing senior officer.
“It was a good year for us,” said Campbell, who has overseen Burbank Lodge 406’s operations throughout 2013. “We have seen our membership grow with 31 new members, provided some very enjoyable opportunities for our members and their families, and have seen great work done in regards to our commitment to the Raising A Reader program that encourages early literacy and family engagement by providing book sharing to families with young children.”
Accompanied by his wife, Lorrie, Campbell praised his better half for the support and encouragement she provided him during the past year.
“Every year, the lodge presents the outgoing worshipful master’s wife with a gift,” he explained. “This year, Lorrie asked that they not do that and instead make a donation to the Raising A Reader program.”
Entering the Glenoaks Boulevard lodge, Campbell was welcomed by Erik Adams, who, before the evening was over, would succeed him and take over the responsibly of the lodge’s operations in 2014.
“Erik will do a great job,” Campbell said. “He has proven to be so dedicated to our lodge and our work. That was extremely evident during our ‘Public School Night’ that he was in charge of. We all knew, by the way he handled that event, that he would be an excellent steward.”
Formed in 1909, the Burbank Masonic Lodge 406 actually pre-dates the city itself, which wasn’t incorporated until 1911. The office of worshipful master is the highest honor to which a lodge may appoint one of its members and is filled annually by a secret-ballot election.
While the annual installation ceremony has been one that has seen many men of various talents and backgrounds assume that leadership position, Adams may well be the first (and only) to have assumed the office with formal wear augmented by red, white and blue Superman socks.
The evening, emceed by Jeffrey Yates, saw Elvan “Al” Moen and Arthur Beddoe serve respectively as the installing officer and installing chaplain.
Along with the installation of Adams, Moen and Beddoe also dutifully installed 2014 elected officers Peter Babaian, Thomas Quiroz, Christopher Barnes and Norm Furman, along with appointed officers Rick Lake, Jeremy Chongco, James Laage, Leon Adkins, Jesus Valdiviezo, Angel Guerrero and Lee Broussard.
Among the special guests in attendance at the ceremony were members of Adams’ family including his wife, Stacy, son, Justin Fallon, and daughters, Stephanie Fallon and Taylor Rojas.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
