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Southern California might not appear to be a hotbed of activity for geese—but there are many winter days when thousands of visitors drop out of the migratory Pacific Flyway to spend a little vacation time in local lakes and watercourses.

In homage to our feathered friends, the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose was established by members of the Insurance Industry in St. Louis 95 years ago. Today, there are 62 "Ponds" (chapters) in the U.S., three in California and others in foreign countries.

There’s nothing stagnant about these Ponds, which tend to be volunteer-minded and devoted to various charitable causes.

"The Honorable Order of the Blue Goose was founded so that anyone associated with the Insurance Industry can gather to talk matters connected with our industry and socialize," reports Dick Philippsen, education coordinator for the Westlake Village-based California Pond, which boasts 109 members. Other state Ponds are in Sacramento and San Diego.

Philippsen’s group’s annual charity event this year is a golf tournament at the Cascades in Sylmar set for April 20. The California Pond supports the Junior Blind, with 5 percent of the Pond’s dues earmarked for the International Special Olympics. The group meets quarterly and its next gathering will be at Taix Restaurant in Los Angeles and will honor the Gray Geese, Pond members who have been flocked together for 25 years or more.

And yes, female members are embraced. As surely as the old order changeth, The Honorable Order of the Blue Goose elected to admit women back in 1989.

Further information on the California Pond is available by calling Philippsen, an independent adjuster, at 818-707-2475.