Saturday, April 24th was a big day for Florence Hing and her family. That was the day the Masons of San Mateo and Burlingame Lodge, and their friends completed the transformation of Florence’s house at 738 N. Humboldt Street in San Mateo. It was a warm, sunny day – perfect for painting. Joined by 8 high school girls, the house was painted inside and out.
   The outside of the house was painted by Dominic Gallagi and two of his men who volunteered to help their boss. We can’t thank them enough for their wonderful performance. The balance of the painters, under the direction of Command Sgt. Major Ron Edwards, painted the inside of the house. Ron even dragooned his grandson, Sebastian, to help. How the young man has grown! I noticed that the high school girls kept a close eye on his whereabouts!
   Officers’ Coach Tom Barth was in the thick of things, and kept an eye on our Master, Don Nelson, to make sure his work was right in the East. Dave Huston, our master electrician, got two men from the union to participate, and they basically rewired the house – now Florence can make toast and listen to the radio without blowing a fuse. David and Diane Jolliffe, our trim painters, had their work cut out for them, and fell to with gusto. Our master carpenter, Johnny Sanchez, despite just arriving from the Philippines – where he and Gina had been on a short visit to her family – decided to rebuild two porches and steps in the back of the house. All that good food while on vacation gave him lots of stamina! He was ably assisted by Jim Ritter, George Juelch [whose wife Laurie was doing painting], Jim Touchstone and Jim Shoemaker.
   Greg Sudmeier and his son Jeff, Efrem Prado and his sister Denise, John Swendsen and his daughter Celene, Jerry Monsanto, Richard Bettelheim, Alberto Jacinto were on the painting crew, along with the high school girls – Licia Ulufanua, Raquel Lange-Fernandez, Brandi Robertson, Audrey Inglis, Maya Poulson, Arielle Jones and Kristen Strem.
   Steve Higgins was there to handle heavy materials and lend a hand wherever needed, and Don Nelson brought a friend, Jim Rose, who also jumped right in. Bill Price, is now the designated plumber, since we lost our good Brother Dave Barr [our Supreme Grand Master called him home – a great loss to the Lodge]. Ruth Nelson brought cookies, and Jan Price was also there to lend a welcome hand.
   All in all, there were 41 participants, including the two electricians from the Hall and Dominick’s two men. A fine turnout!
   I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your hard work. At the end of the day, it all turned out beautifully, and Florence’s house now is another jewel of the 700 block on North Humboldt. She and her family were overwhelmed at the transformation – as she said “I feel like I have a new lease on life”. And it is all because of YOU, my Brethren and friends. Give yourselves a big pat on the back – you all deserve it!

Fraternally.......John Nelson