WHO ARE THE ODD FELLOWS?
Records of the Order shows that in the mid 1700’s existed, in London lodes of laborers and mechanics, calling themselves “Ancient and Honorable Legal Odd Fellows.” In their meetings, one Penney a week was contributed to a fund for relief of the poor. In 1813, at Manchester, the Order was and named Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1819 Thomas Widley obtained the charter for Washington Lodge #1 in Baltimore, Maryland. The principles of our Order are “to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan.” In addition to formal lodge meetings, many activities are used to practice the principles of Odd Fellowship. Homes for the youth and elderly, these facilities have been widely and gratefully used by many, many members of our Order as well as many who are not members. The homes have a skilled care unit for those who need it, these homes are located in Napa, California called the Meadows, and the other at Saratoga, California, also included at Saratoga is the
