For those who were Lodge officers, active members, or simply regularly-attending sideliners, the year 1979 in Golden Rule Lodge was one that will be remembered not for any particular major accomplishments or disasters, but for a goodly share of hard work, and for twelve months of the kind of warm and wonderful camaraderie and fellowship for which Golden Rule has become known far and wide!

The year's Masonic activities began officially on Monday, January 15th with the installation of Worshipful Master Ralph Simmons and his corps of officers. Something in excess of 300 guests were on hand to watch Past Masters Art Bruns and Don Kidder perform, respectively, the functions of Installing Officer and Master of Ceremonies. George Dolfin served as Host, and Bob Whitlach was Installing Chaplain. Both of these gentlemen are, of course, Past-Masters of Golden Rule Lodge. Other officers installed were Don Cross, Senior Warden; Frank Olds, Junior Warden; George Dolfin, Treasurer; Jim Hillis (P.M.), Secretary; Karl Jolliffee, Chaplain; Tom Baker, Senior Deacon; Howard Jay Coffman, Junior Deacon; Jim Rankins, Senior Steward; Bryan Pulliam, Junior Steward; Norm Simons, Organist; Mike Lopez, Tiler; and Ray Boaz (P.M.), Marshal.

The twelve months of 1979 saw Golden Rules' officers confer seven Entered Apprentice degrees, eight Fellowcraft degrees, and seven Master Mason degrees. The Lodge was active socially during the year, too, with members, their families, and friends on hand for the Family Potluck in February, and Public Schools Observance and Constitution Observance coming along later in the year. In May, we travelled to the Mother Lode Country for what has become known as the "Columbia Week-end", except that in May of '79, we switched and went instead to Jackson, Ca. We established our week-end headquarters at Holiday Lodge in Jackson, and utilized the old Masonic Temple in Volcano, Ca. to confer the degree of Master Mason on Brother Rick Weaver. The Lodge Room in Volcano remains just as it was during the Gold Rush - illuminated today, as it was in 1849, with kerosene lamps! This, of course, makes the room very warm during daylight hours, but -- Wow! - did we have atmosphere!

One other social activity that was changed in 1979 was the annual Lodge Picnic, which had been held at Vasona Park in Los Gatos for several years. That facility, as it turned out, was unavailable, so we went instead to San Jose's Kelley park. The place was clean and well-equipped, and parking was nearby and adequate. The food, games, and fellowship were all excellent. It was, once again, a successful, enjoyable event!

In retrospect, 1979 was, for Golden Lodge, another very successful year. It was marked by neither spectacular accomplishments nor dismal failures, but it will be remembered by those involved as a year when the "Masonic Tie" was strengthened and honored through the labors and fellowship of the Craftsmen (and their families) who participated in Golden Rule's 1979 activities!