THE BICENTENNIAL YEAR 1976-ARTHUR ALEXANDER PASQUINELLI

Open installation was held on Monday, January 16, 1976. 1 had the honor and privilege of being installed by the Grand Master of Masons in California and Hawaii, The Most Worshipful John F. Roberts Jr. - Master of Ceremonies - Worshipful Donald R. Kidder and Installing Chaplain - The Reverend Howard Daulton.

The 1976 installation was a very unique one in that after the officers were installed I was presented with a straitjacket by Worshipful Leo B. Mark, Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Lodge of California. Worshipful Leo and the Grand Master wanted to see if an Italian could function without use of his hands. You know I had a very difficult time. Golden Rule's installation was attended by more than 300 people. It was the largest attendance of any of the installations in the Valley. Past Master's attendance was superb.

The year of 1976 started out very well. The Lodge was very busy performing degree work, and attendance was at a very high. At the end of the year we had put on 12 - first degrees - 10 - Second Degrees and 8 Third Degrees. In May my Senior Warden resigned, which caused the Junior Officers to have to advance 2 stations before the end of 1976. It would be a difficult task to accomplish, but our officers were up to the task and all had advanced 2 stations by the end of November.

In June we had to raise our Membership Dues to $27.00 annually. To date our dues have remained the same. During 1976 the Lodge contributed the most money it ever had to the Masonic Homes Endowment Fund. We should all be very proud of this accomplishment and continue to support our Masonic Homes.

The participation and turn out at all of the Lodge functions including the picnic, Columbia trip, Pot Lucks and Widow's Program were outstanding.

By the end of 1976 the Lodge had pretty much settled in its new temple, and things were going along pretty smoothly. 1976 was a prosperous and most rewarding year for Golden Rule Lodge and it was an honor to have served as its Master.