MW Jeffrey M. WilliaMson Grand Master of the Grand lodGe

SUMMER 2016

MW Jeffrey M. WilliaMson

Grand Master of the Grand lodGe of free & accepted Masons

in the state of neW york

THE EMPIRE STATE MASON MAGAZINE “Way of Life” SUMMER 2016 2

MW Jeffrey M. WilliaMson,Grand Master

From the Grand east

My Brothers, there are simply no words to express the indescribable emotions and feelings to be elected and

installed as the 105th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. It is without a doubt, one of the highest pinnacles of my life and I am truly grateful to the brethren of this Grand Jurisdiction for giving me the unique opportunity to serve our Brotherhood. I promise that with the help of the Great Architect of the Universe, I will perform this duty in a spirit of fairness, openness, inclusiveness and brotherly love.

As New York Freemasons it is important to understand that we are all stewards of this great Fraternity. We are an interdependent society and what each of us does in our respective Lodges affects us all. From Massena to Jamestown, from Long Island to Niagara Falls we all share a mandatory obligation to practice and promote our “Way of Life” and impart our time-tested teachings to our newest votaries. Over the course of history our beloved Fraternity has faced some serious challenges and we have always risen up to overcome adversity. My Brothers, the time has come to address our issues and work to improve all facets of our organization.

My motto for this term is a “Way of Life.” A Freemason practices courtesy and civility in society, honesty and fairness in business, kindness in the home, pity and concern for the unfortunate, resistance toward evil, help for the weak, forgiveness for the penitent, love for one another, and above all reverence and love for God. Freemasonry is many things, but most of all, it is a “Way of Life.”

The overarching symbol for our Grand Lodge Masonic Trestleboard is the North Star. What is the significance of the North Star? The North Star doesn’t change locations. It is steady and reassuring, something you can always count on. It is the only fixed point in the night sky and is a sure reference for setting one’s course. On the new Grand Master’s lapel pin the letter “G” is emblazoned in the center of the star to remind us of the Great Architect of the Universe.

New York Masons have begun the process of rejecting mediocrity and complacency within our Lodges. Instead, we choose to set a new course: To rejuvenate and upgrade our Lodges; address our continuing membership challenges; to change, evolve and reshape our jurisdiction; while at all times keeping our eyes fixed upon the steady and reassuring values of our kind and gentle Craft.

The genius of Freemasonry lies in its ability to transform itself through succeeding generations. While never straying from its core beliefs, it regenerates itself anew, making itself meaningful and relevant to the present generation. As stakeholders of this Institution, we must all be held to the highest standard in providing excellence within the Masonic experience and I am deeply committed to achieving the goals and objectives that have been placed before us.

Although Grand Lodge has many outstanding and worthwhile charities, Carla and I choose Wiley Hall to be our official charity for this term. Wiley Hall is located in the beautiful Masonic Care Community in Utica, New York and is the very manifestation and embodiment of our Masonic Obligation. There you will find a loving environment that takes care of our Brothers and Sisters. All proceeds from the Grand Master’s lapel pins and “Way of Life” wrist bands will benefit Wiley Hall. Please consider a generous donation that will enable us to lift up the spirits of our residents and add value to their stay.

Freemasons are builders and the Craftsmen are most energized when work is properly laid out on the Trestleboard by the Master Builder. Over the next few years we are counting on you for your support and resolve to make these designs come to fruition. The world desperately needs what Freemasonry has to offer. Our very existence on this planet would be more pleasant and uplifting if the world would simply embrace our “Way of Life” and the resulting actions, which emanate as a force for good from our gentle Fraternity.

May God bless our men and women in the Armed Forces. May God bless America. And may God’s richest blessings be yours.

Vision Statement: “Where a united and highly motivated Brotherhood, working together to achieve quality and excellence in the Masonic experience, will be recognized as a premier and world class institution.”

CONSULTANTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 65 / number 2 / sUMMer 2016

subscription $6.00 Domestic, $15.00 foreign per year. subscription free to all members of constituent lodges of the Grand lodge f. & a.M. state of new york. Copyright ©2016 by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and asylum fund. all rights reserved. reproduction by recognized Masonic organizations is permitted with credit. all others must obtain written permission. Published quarterly in spring, summer, fall, and Winter months by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and asylum fund, 71 West 23rd street, ny, ny 10010-4149.

THe eMPire sTaTe Mason (issn 0013-6794 Published at 71 West 23rd street, ny, ny 10010-4149). Periodicals postage paid at new york, ny and additional mailing offices.

TRUSTEES OF THE MASONIC HALL AND ASYLUM FUND

Publisher The Empire State Mason

is an Official Publication of the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund.

Edited by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons

of the State of New York for the members of the Masonic Fraternity

and their families.

Grand Master and his Lady,Jeffrey and Carla Williamson Officers and cOmmittees:

Grand east . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Grand secretary (Be it Known) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 - 15Masonic Care Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Webmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Masonic Brotherhood fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27awards Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Grand Chaplain’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29international order of the rainbow for Girls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30new york DeMolay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Masonic Medical research laboratory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Grand lodge educational assistance Program (eaP). . . . . . . . . . . . 34Grand Historian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35acacia Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36years of service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-44Dates to remember and submission Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Grand lecturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

IN THIS ISSUEfeatured HigHligHts:elected Grand line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 8appointed Grand line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Distinguished achievement award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16st John’s Day schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Committee on youth - Totton essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Grand Master Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Grand Master’s Ball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Grand Master’s family Day at West Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Grand Master’s Day at Camp Turk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Grand Master’s Cruise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Jeffrey M. WilliaMson Grand Master – editor in Chief

Joan C. BoWerassistant editor

CHarles CaTaPanoDeputy Grand Master

riCHarD s. Morleysenior Grand Warden

niCHolas J. PaoliCelliJunior Grand Warden

PeTer a. fliHan iii

Grand Treasurer

PaUl M. rosenGrand secretary

loraine DiBleyGraphic Designer

PosTMasTer:Please send address changes to:

The empire state MasonCirculation Department

71 West 23rd streetny, ny 10010-4149

Periodicals Class Publication no. 568741-(800) 362-7664

Website at www.nymasons.org

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elected Grand line 2016 – 2018

Grand master

mW JeFFrey m. Williamson

MW Jeffrey M. Williamson of Akron, New York is the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted

Masons in the State of New York. Brother Williamson is proud to be a thirty-eight- year member of Western Star Lodge No. 1185 in Lackawanna, NY. He served as Master of Buffalo Lodge in 1984 and 1985 and District Deputy Grand Master of the Second Erie District in 1998-2000. He also served or chaired several District and Grand Lodge Committees and enjoys Honorary Memberships in several sister Lodges, as well.

Active in the entire York Rite, Brother Williamson OPC, KYGCH, has presided in all the major bodies, serving as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter RAM, State of New York in 2010-11 and Northeast Deputy General Grand High Priest, General Grand Chapter RAM International 2013-2015. In the Scottish Rite he is a Past Sovereign Prince of the Valley of Buffalo and a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.

He and his wife Carla have been married for forty-three years. They have two married sons and two granddaughters. Brother Williamson is also a past Clerk of Session and a member of Alden Presbyterian Church.

Professionally, Brother Williamson recently retired from Ferguson Electric in Buffalo. New York. He completed almost twenty-five years of service as a Project Manager and Licensed Master Electrician.

In the little spare time he has, Jeff enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, which includes fly-fishing and traveling. He was also active in breeding, training and competing with AKC hunting Beagles and finished four field champions, including one International Field Champion.

Brother Williamson is very excited for the opportunity to lead the brethren of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. He welcomes the opportunity to make a difference in our Craft.

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THE EMPIRE STATE MASON MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016 5

elected Grand line 2016 – 2018

deputy Grand master

rW charles catapano

RW Charles Catapano was Raised in Wantagh Lodge 1112 (now Wantagh Morton 63), 1st Nassau District in

April 1985. Since then he has held many positions within the Lodge and District, including Master in 1993, Treasurer from 1993-2014, District Deputy Grand Master in 2008-2010 and Assistant Grand Lecturer from 2012-2014. Currently, he serves on various Grand Lodge committees and just completed his term as the 2014-2016 elected Grand Treasurer.

Brother Charles is retired from the New York Police Department, Fiscal Management Division. He has an MBA in Finance from St. John’s University and has worked in the financial and investment industries. He is presently Assistant Director for Campus Security at Northwell Health at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, comprising three major hospitals. He is responsible for budgetary and fiscal needs in addition to management of more than ninety security officers.

Charles is the proud father of three children. Christopher is an NYPD Police Officer; Matthew is a college student and licensed NYS EMT; and Jessica is a rising Senior in high school and Past Beloved Queen of Sunrise Triangle 146. All three are Camp Turk alumni. RW Charles and Donna love sharing their lives together, enjoying their travels and adventures and are looking forward to many more.

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elected Grand line 2016 – 2018senior Grand Warden

rW richard s. morley

Junior Grand Warden

rW nicholas J. paolicelli

RW Richard S. Morley of Delhi, New York is the Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in

the State of New York. Brother Morley is proud to be a twenty-one-year member of Delhi Lodge 439 in Delhi. He served as Master in 2001 and Secretary from 2004-2008 and 2010-2013. He was District Deputy Grand Master of the Delaware District in 2008-2010 and Assistant Grand Lecturer from 2010-2014.

Brother Richard is a recipient of the Dedicated Service Award, served as President of the Delaware District Past Purple Association and Vice-Chairman of the Delaware District Masonic Safety ID Program. In 2014 he was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New York.

Active in Royal Arch, Delaware Chapter 251, he served as High Priest for four years and is presently the Secretary. He is a member of Cryptic Masons 87, Oneonta; Norwich Commandery 46 Knights Templar; the United York Rite College 129; and Allied Masonic Degrees, Charles Smith Council 324.

He has been married for forty-eight years to Nancy Goodwin Morley and they have three sons, all of whom are active Masons. They enjoy two daughters-in-law and two grandchildren. In the community Brother Morley has served as Elder and Trustee as a member of First Presbyterian Church in Delhi.

Brother Morley was born and raised on a dairy farm and has been a farmer most of his life. He was inducted into the National Dairy Shrine in 1971. Retired from farming in 1987, he joined the Teamsters 445 in Newburgh, NY. He again retired in 2003, due to health concerns, and is now a proud Cancer Survivor.

Brother Morley is very active with family, following grandchildren in sports and other activities. As a lifetime farmer he grows a variety of vegetables in his garden and furnishes many friends with delicious homegrown vegetables.

RW Nicholas J. Paolicelli, 65, is a retired Licensed Master Electrician with Local Union No. 3, I.B.E.W.

His distinguished thirty-three-year career has spanned the capacities of Foreman, General Foreman and Superintendent. He served as Apprentice Training Instructor before being elected to the I.B.E.W. Local Union 501 Examining Board. He was subsequently appointed Vice-Chairman of the Community Services Committee, liason for United Way Charities and union fundraising efforts for Toys for Tots.

Brother Paolicelli was Raised into the Craft seventeen years ago and is a 2016 recipient of the Wendell K. Walker Award. He belongs to both Yorktown Lodge No. 1154 and West Point Lodge No. 877. He has actively served the Grand Lodge as Worshipful Master, District Deputy Grand Master, Deputy Grand Standard Bearer, Grand Standard Bearer and is currently the elected Junior Grand Warden. RW Paolicelli looks forward to serving our Fraternity in that capacity.

He also participates in both York and Scottish Rite bodies as well as in the Shrine.

Nicholas and Pamela, his wife of twenty-nine years, are members of St. John the Evangelist Church. They count among their blessings four children and four grandchildren, to whom they are very devoted and with whom they spend their time, when not attending to labors of the Craft.


elected Grand line 2016 – 2018Grand treasurer

rW peter a. Flihan

Grand secretary

rW paul m. rosen

RW Peter A. Flihan, III is the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of New

York. A member of Briarcliff Lodge No. 1155, he served as Master from 2004-2006 and as District Deputy Grand Master of the First Westchester-Putnam District in 2008-2010. A member of many concordant and appendant bodies, he also served on Grand Lodge Committees, as Junior and Senior Grand Deacon and is a proud Honorary Member of DeRuyter Lodge No. 692.

Graduating with a degree in Economics from Fordham University, Brother Flihan was first a foreign currency broker. He then built a successful international manufacturing company over fourteen years before leaving to become a commercial actor. He has been an active volunteer firefighter for more than a decade, including service as a Captain of a Hook & Ladder Company. He has also served on the vestry of two Episcopal churches, chairing one as Senior Warden. Married to his wife for over twenty-five years, Peter and Dina are the proud parents of two adult children.

RW Paul M. Rosen has been the Master of his Lodge, Fraternity Dunderberg 942 in the First Westchester-

Putnam District four times. Paul has also been the District Deputy Grand Master for that District. He served six years as a Trustee of the Masonic Hall and Home, the last two years as their Treasurer. Paul has had the distinct pleasure of serving as Grand Secretary for the past two years. He thanks the entire Grand Lodge for the overwhelming support shown by his re-election to a second term as Grand Secretary.

The office of the Grand Secretary is the service arm of the Grand Lodge. When you call the office of the Grand Secretary you either speak to him or receive a call-back from him or the appropriate member of his staff. Brother Paul is proud that during the past two years he has overseen a change in efficiency and speed in the office of the Grand Secretary.

That office is the portal to the Grand Lodge for all our Masonic Brothers from jurisdictions within the U.S. and around the world. Brother Rosen has represented you in a way that enables you to feel pride in the office of the Grand Secretary. The impression left on visitors will establish how they feel about the Grand Lodge of New York. Rosen believes you should feel secure in the impression created.

Brother Rosen, as Grand Secretary, works full time in that office. He comes to the job with the training of his profession as an attorney. He remembers the oaths that he took at the altar and the ethical requirements placed upon him as an attorney. He is guided by the moral teachings of both, to the benefit of his Brothers.


elected Grand line

Grand line ladies

Row 2 (l-r) Peter A. Flihan III, Paul M. RosenRow 1 (l-r) Richard S. Morley, Charles Catapano, Jeffrey M. Williamson, Nicholas J. Paolicelli

(l-r) Dina Flihan, Pam Paolicelli, Donna Brower, Carla Williamson, Nancy Morley, Clare Rosen


appointed Grand line

John B. Haslam, Sr., Tiler and his wife Anne

James R. Kintzel, Grand Marshal and his wife Linda

Richard J. Kessler, Grand Lecturer and his wife Joanne

Richard W. Bateman, Grand Pursuivant and his wife Eleanor

Anthony F. Adamo, Deputy Grand Standard Bearer and his wife Laurie

James MacConnell, Grand Standard Bearer and his wife Marsha

Richard H. Swann, Jr., Deputy Grand Marshal and Laura Johnson

Christopher J. Hough, Senior Grand Deacon and his wife Donna Estrich

Alonza Lloyd, Sr., Junior Grand Deacon and his wife, Joan, absent


Be it KnoWnMay 20, 2016

Grand secretaryrW PaUl M. rosen,Grand secretary Masonic Hall 71 West 23rd street new york, ny 10010212/337-6644

TO: The Officers of the Grand Line, All Permanent Members, District Deputy Grand Masters, Grand

Sword Bearers, Grand Directors of Ceremonies, Grand Stewards, Grand Chaplains, Trustees of the Masonic Hall & Asylum Fund, Directors of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, Trustees of the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York, Elected Grand Post of the Masonic War Veterans, Commissioners of the Commission of Appeals, Grand Lodge Committee Members, All Officers of the District Grand Lodge of Syria – Lebanon, Grand Representatives of other Grand Lodges, Assistant Grand Lecturers, and to all Worshipful Masters, Senior & Junior Wardens and Secretaries of each Lodge under the Jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge:

BE IT KNOWN, that at the Two Hundred and Thirty-fifth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, held at the Masonic Hall in New York City, on the 2nd and 3rd days of May, 2016, A.L. 6016, the following Brethren were elected, and proclaimed Grand Lodge Officers for the ensuing year:MW Jeffrey M. Williamson . . . . . . . . . Grand MasterRW Charles Catapano. . . . . . . .Deputy Grand MasterRW Richard S. Morley . . . . . . . Senior Grand WardenRW Nicholas J. Paolicelli . . . . . . Junior Grand WardenRW Peter A. Flihan III . . . . . . . . . . Grand TreasurerRW Paul M. Rosen . . . . . . . . . . . . Grand Secretary

ALL OF ThE ELECTED OFFICERS named above were duly installed on Tuesday, May 3rd at the Two Hundred and Thirty-fifth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, held at the Masonic Hall in New York City, upon the Historic George Washington Inaugural Bible of St. John’s Lodge No. One.

COMMISSIONERS OF ThE COMMISSION OF APPEALS elected or reelected were: MW Joseph S. Crociata, Jr. (PGM GL-DC), for three years in place of RW Stanley Parness, Deceased; RW Gilbert C. Ferrer, for three years in place of RW Jeffrey W. Halbreich, term expired; MW Joseph S. Crociata, Jr. (PGM GL-DC) for Chief Commissioner; and RW Jeffrey W. Halbreich for Commissioner Emeritus. Continuing in unexpired terms are: RW Howard E. Bonsaing (2018), RW Jay S. Dankberg (2017), RW Joseph A. Quarequio (2018), RW Michael R. Siegel (2017) and RW Albert Trezza (2017).

TRUSTEES OF ThE MASONIC hALL AND hOME elected or reelected were: RW Keith Heinrich, for three years in place of RW Manuel Abad, term expired; RW G. Michael Morris, for three years in place of RW David F. Stoy, term expired; RW Joseph J. Saglimbene, for three years in place

of RW Alfred B. Dais, term expired; RW David F. Stoy for Trustee Emeritus; and RW Manuel Abad for Trustee Emeritus. Continuing in unexpired terms are: RW G. Stephen Getman, President, (2017); RW Kurt Ott, Vice President, (2017); RW Nathan D. Lipper, Treasurer, (2017); RW David P. Spencer, Secretary, (2018); RW Paul D. Reitz, (2018); and RW Michael J. Siegel, (2018).

DIRECTORS OF ThE MASONIC MEDICAL RESEARCh LABORATORY elected or reelected were: RW Vincent Cunzio, for three years in place of RW Sheldon D. Stachel, term expired; RW David J. Menegon, for three years in place of RW Amado J. David, term expired; RW Alvaro F. Quiroga, Vice President, for three years in place of RW Alvaro F. Quiroga, term expired; RW Sheldon B. Richman, for one year in place of RW Arthur P. Fisch, resigned; RW James D. Swan, Jr., for three years in place of RW H. Joseph Heath, term expired; RW Victor G. Webb, for three years in place of RW Victor G. Webb, term expired; RW H. Joseph Heath for Director Emeritus; and RW Sheldon D. Stachel for Director Emeritus. Continuing in unexpired terms are: RW Arnold Auerbach, Treasurer, (2017); RW Michael A. Chaplin, (2017); RW David D. Goodwin (2018); RW Paul A. Guerrero, Secretary, (2017); RW Richard J. Miller, Jr., (2018); RW Virgilio S. Quijano, (2018); RW Peter J. Samiec, (2017); RW Francesco Santoni, (2018); and RW David F. Schneeweiss, (President & Past Chairman), (2018).

TRUSTEES OF ThE ChANCELLOR ROBERT R LIVINGSTON MASONIC LIBRARY OF GRAND LODGE elected or reelected were: RW Andrew B. Hengst, Jr., 2nd Vice President, for three years in place of RW Andrew B. Hengst, Jr., term expired; RW Stephen S. King, Treasurer, for three years in place of RW Stephen S. King, term expired; RW Demetrios G. Melis, for one year in place of RW Jon-Paul Kidwell, resigned; RW Richard J. Powell, for three years in place of RW Richard J. Powell, term expired; RW Marlon Thomas, for three years in place of RW Scott D. Peat, term expired; RW David F. Velkas, for three years in place of RW John Patrick Deveney, term expired; RW R. Curtiss Montgomery II for Trustee Emeritus; and RW Scott D. Peat for Trustee Emeritus. Continuing in unexpired terms are: RW Edward A. Chiani (2018); RW Pierre de Ravel d’Esclapon, 1st Vice President, (2018); RW S. Marlon Gayadeen (2018); MW Edward G. Gilbert (2017); RW C. F. William Maurer III (2018); RW Richard C. Mills, Secretary, (2017); RW W. Bruce Renner, President, (2018); RW Frank C. Rice II (2017); and RW Erik M. Strohl (2017).

DIRECTORS OF ThE MASONIC WAR VETERANS OF ThE STATE OF NEW YORK, INC. elected or reelected were: RW William J. Welsh, Commander General, for one year in place of RW William J. Welsh, term expired; RW


Donald R. Kunego, First Lt. Commander General, for one year in place of RW Donald R. Kunego, term expired; Brother John P. Rowan, Second Lt. Commander General, for one year in place of Brother John P. Rowan, term expired; W Robert T. Mantia, Third Lt. Commander General, for one year in place of W Robert T. Mantia, term expired; and Brother Carl R. Hoyt, Sr., Fourth Lt. Commander General, for one year in place of RW Brian E. Will, term expired.

GRAND LINE OFFICERS appointed or reappointed were: RW James R. Kintzel, Grand Marshal; RW Richard H. Swann, Jr., Deputy Grand Marshal; RW Christopher J. Hough, Senior Grand Deacon; RW Alonza F. Lloyd, Sr., Junior Grand Deacon; RW James R. MacConnell, Grand Standard Bearer; RW Anthony F. Adamo, Deputy Grand Standard Bearer; RW Mark E. Koltko-Rivera, Grand Historian; RW Richard J. Kessler, Grand Lecturer; RW Steven Adam Rubin, Judge Advocate; RW Michael E. Storck, Proctor; RW Richard W. Bateman, Assistant Grand Secretary and Grand Pursuivant; RW John Haslam, Sr., Grand Tiler; RW Eric S. Howd, Grand Organist; RW Jordan I. Kaplan, Grand Organist; RW Stephen A. Rumpf, Grand Organist; RW Francis K. Wilcox, Grand Organist; RW Gilbert Savitzky, P.G.T., Grand Secretary Emeritus; MW Gary A. Henningsen, P.G.M., Grand Secretary Emeritus; RW Harvey A. Eysman, Proctor Emeritus; and RW Joseph A. Quarequio, P.G.T., Grand Tiler Emeritus.DISTRICT GRAND LINE OFFICERS FOR ThE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF SYRIA - LEBANON appointed or reappointed were: RW Armen Isphahani, District Grand Master; MW Leon G. Zeitounalian, (Honorary PGM – Grand Lodge of Armenia), District Grand Secretary; and RW Raffy H. Timonian, Liaison Officer & District Grand Secretary Emeritus.AWARD PRESENTATIONS:

ThE hENRY G. MEAChAM AWARD to be presented at each Grand Lecturer’s Convention of each District to the representatives of qualifying Masonic Lodges by the RW Richard J. Kessler, Grand Lecturer. Qualifying Lodges are to have conferred or exemplified the Three Degrees of Masonry within the Masonic year using only their own Lodge members. Honorary Members are not credited for the purpose of qualifying for this award. A complete listing of recipient Lodges appears in the Grand Lecturer's Report published in the Annual Report Booklet distributed at the Grand Lodge's Annual Communication and will be published in the Grand Lodge Proceedings of 2016.

ThE hOWARD W. POTTS AWARD, which gives recognition to those Lodges that are credited with having their top seven officers in attendance at their District’s respective Grand Lecturer’s Convention, will be presented to the Lodge at a subsequent communication of the Lodge by the Assistant Grand Lecturer of their District. A complete listing of recipient Lodges appears in the Grand Lecturer’s Report published in the Annual Report Booklet distributed at the Grand Lodge’s Annual Communication and will be published in the Grand Lodge Proceedings of 2016.

ThE GRAND MASTER’S AWARD OF APPRECIATION was presented to RW Paul D. Reitz, Trustee of the Masonic Hall and Home, for his dedication and expertise toward

improving the functionality, comfort and appearance of the Masonic Hall in New York City.

ThE JACOB MORTON MASONIC AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE was presented to Brother Michael J. Peters, the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Military Outreach, for outstanding service on behalf of our Veterans and Brothers at Arms.

ThE PERMANENT MEMBERS CERTIFICATE was presented by Grand Master Jeffrey M. Williamson to MW William J. Thomas, (Junior) Past Grand Master on the occasion of his Homecoming on Saturday, May 7, 2016. A Permanent Members Certificate will be presented to RW Charles P. Uhle, Past Senior Grand Warden, at a future event to be announced.

ThE GEORGE PETER MEDAL was presented to RW Michel A. Timonian, District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Syria-Lebanon, for his extensive, loyal and faithful service to this Grand Lodge.

ThE WENDELL K. WALKER MEDAL was presented to RW Jeffrey W. Halbreich, the Chief Commissioner of the Grand Lodge Commission of Appeals, for his extraordinary devotion to the principles of Masonry and the integrity of the Craft.

ThE WENDELL K. WALKER MEDAL was presented to RW William M. Sardone, the Grand Senior Councilor of DeMolay International and the Executive Officer of the New York State Order of DeMolay, for his extraordinary devotion to the principles of Masonry and undivided support of our youth.

ThE WENDELL K. WALKER MEDAL was presented to RW Jeffrey M. Williamson, the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of the State of New York, for his extraordinary devotion to the principles of Masonry and loving stewardship of our beloved Craft.

ThE ROBERT R LIVINGSTON MEDAL was presented to RW Richard T. Schulz, the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Convention Committee, for his dutiful commitment and service to our Grand Lodge and for his many years as a congenial host and ambassador of New York Freemasonry

ThE ROBERT R LIVINGSTON MEDAL was presented to RW Steven Adam Rubin, the Judge Advocate, in recognition of his tenured and steadfast professional ethics and fidelity to the Grand Lodge and the Office of Grand Master.

ThE ChARLES h. JOhNSON MEDAL was presented by the newly elected and installed Grand Master to MW Edward R. Trosin, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of the State of New York, for his rendering of distinguished service to the Fraternity during his Grand Mastership.

ThE ChARLES h. JOhNSON MEDAL was presented by the newly elected and installed Grand Master to MW William J. Thomas, (Junior) Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of the State of New York, for his rendering of distinguished service to further the good name of the Craft, its principles and purposes during his Grand Mastership.

ThE GRAND LODGE MEDAL FOR DISTINGUIShED AChIEVEMENT was presented to Most Worshipful Daniel M. Semel, Judge Advocate (1978 to 2015), Chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Unity, Honorary Past Grand

Be it KnoWn continues

continues on page 12


Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, and Grand Representative of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York. The Citation was read by MW Bruce Widger, (Senior) Past Grand Master and previous recipient of the Grand Lodge Distinguished Achievement Medal. The Grand Lodge Medal for Distinguished Achievement was presented by the Grand Master during the daytime Tiled Session of the Annual Communication on Monday, May 2, 2016. I. NEW PROPOSALS & REPORTS:ThE GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE recommended the passage of the following proposed 12-month Fiscal Year 2016 - 2017 Budget of the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of the state of New York (June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017):Operating revenue & Other SuppOrt:

Fees & Dues $1,344,397Lodge Services (Net) 110,000

tOtal revenue & SuppOrt: $1,454,397Operating expenSeS:

Annual Communication $173,500Print & Distribution of Proceedings 22,000Transition to New Grand Master 13,000Salaries and Related Costs 903,169Grand Lodge Office Expense 158,380 Grand Lodge Officer’s Travel 136,800Grand Lecturer’s Costs 41,000Committee Expenses 163,450Insurance 102,000Other Masonic Endeavors 74,500

tOtal Operating expenSeS: $1,787,799Change-net aSSet BefOre nOn-Operating

revenue and Other SuppOrt: ($333,402)nOn-Operating revenue & Other SuppOrt:

Investment Income $150,000Grand Lodge Fund 3,000 Legacies 0Other Income (Net) 181,100

tOtal nOn-Operating revenue & Other SuppOrt: $334,100

Change in Net Assets $698grand tOtal SurpluS / (defiCit) $698

The above proposed budgeT was approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.

1) ThE GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON ChARTERS recommended the acceptance of the following addendum to the Committee’s Report as published in the Annual Report Booklet and distributed at the Annual Communication:

a) Phoenix Lodge 115 has petitioned the Grand Lodge to remove its location and assignment from the Livingston District and to be now located and assigned to the Steuben District, effective April 12, 2016.

b) Van Rensselaer Star Lodge 400 has petitioned the Grand Lodge to remove its location and assignment from the Rensselaer-Schenectady District and to be now located and assigned to the Washington District, effective April 12, 2016.

c) Ratification of the decision rendered by the Masonic Trial Commission that the Charter of the Lodge of the United Services 1118 be declared Forfeited due to its financial and operational improprieties in violation of the Constitutions and Masonic Law.

The above addendum To The reporT and recommendaTions were approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.1) ThE GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON MINIMUM

AGE FOR PETITION had recommended at last year’s Annual Communication held in May 2015 that the question on determining the legal age to Petition a Lodge for Initiation be tabled until the next Annual Communication of Grand Lodge to allow time for more study and discussion on the subject. After due consideration the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence disapproved of this motion, and recommended that it not be approved. However, the Grand Lodge voted in favor of redefining the definition of Lawful Age on a Petition for Initiation and Advancement to 18 Years of Age generally for all petitioners.

The above moTion defining LawfuL age as 18-year-oLds was approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.II. NEW PROPOSALS AND FIRST READING

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO ThE CONSTITUTIONS:

1) ThE GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONS recommended the passage of the following proposed amendments to the Constitutions:Section 109.1 of the Constitutions to be amended to add that Elected Grand Lodge Officers must be a Past Master of a Lodge within this Jurisdiction.Section 110 of the Constitutions to be adapted to consolidate the following Masonic Districts:a) To Consolidate the Albany District and the Rensselaer-

Schenectady District to be known as the Old 17th District.

b) To Consolidate the Livingston District and the Genesee-Wyoming District to be known as the Letchworth District.

c) To Consolidate the Saratoga-Warren District and the Washington District to be known as the Saratoga-Warren-Washington District.

d) To Consolidate the Clinton District and the Essex District to be known as the Clinton-Essex District.

The above proposed adapTaTions were approved on The firsT voTe of grand Lodge.1) AN ADDENDUM TO ThE FIRST VOTE APPROVAL

GIVEN TO SECTION 110 OF ThE CONSTITUTIONS AS NOTED ABOVE:the MaSOniC JuriSprudenCe COMMittee and the Judge advOCate seek clarification of Section 504 of the Constitutions, which reads, “The Masonic Districts shall remain as now organized, subject to alteration by the Grand Lodge at any Annual Communication.”By the favorable Vote of Grand Lodge, it was confirmed that Section 504 of the Constitutions was established with the Masonic Districts in mind for organizational and administrative purposes and that the quantity, change

Be it KnoWn continues from page 11


or alteration of Districts does not materially affect the Constitutions. As such, the ratification and final approval of proposed consolidations of Masonic Districts are therefore completed with a favorable Vote of Grand Lodge at a single Annual Communication.

The above cLarificaTion was approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.III. APPROVAL OF SECOND AND FINAL READING OF AMENDMENTS TO ThE CONSTITUTIONS:

1) ThE GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONS recommended the passage of the following proposed adaptations to the Constitutions:a) To Consolidate the First Manhattan District and the

Sixth Manhattan District to be known as the First Manhattan District.

b) To Consolidate the First Nassau District and the Second Nassau District to be known as the Nassau District.

c) To Consolidate the First Oneida District and the Second Oneida District to be known as the Oneida District.

d) To Consolidate the First St. Lawrence District and the Second St. Lawrence District to be known as the St. Lawrence District.

The above proposed adapTaTions were approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.IV. WIThDRAWAL OF NEW PROPOSAL AND AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTIONS:1) The proposed amendment to Section 112 of the

Constitutions giving the Title of Right Worshipful to the elected Commander General of the Masonic War Veterans has been withdrawn from consideration by the author, RW Paul E. Rudnicki, Grand Post Masonic War Veterans of the State of New York.

The above proposiTion was wiThdrawn.V. WIThDRAWAL OF NEW PROPOSAL AND

AMENDMENT TO ThE RULES OF ORDER:

1) The proposed amendment to Section XI, Paragraph 24 of the Rules of Order changing the Internal Audit Committee from a Special Committee to a Standing Committee, and as such changing the Committee’s name to the Compliance and Assessment Committee has been withdrawn from consideration by the author, MWWilliam J. Thomas, Grand Master.

The above proposiTion was wiThdrawn.vi. reJeCtiOn OF NEW PROPOSAL AND

AMENDMENT TO ThE RULES OF ORDER:1) The proposed amendment authored by MW William

J. Thomas, Grand Master, and recommended by the Grand Lodge Constitutions Committee and the Masonic Jurisprudence Committee, to add Section III.1 to the Rules of Order as follows: “The deadline for declaration of candidacy for our elected Grand Lodge Officers shall be the First Monday in March. Lodges shall discuss candidates and advise delegates of their preferences,” was rejected by the vote of Grand Lodge.

The above proposiTion was reJecTed by The voTe of

grand Lodge.vii. the grand lOdge COMMittee On COrreSpOndenCe

& relatiOnS reported that the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Washington State and the MWPrince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois have accepted our proposal of full recognition. With the recommendation of the Commission on Recognition of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, we have suspended relations with the Grand Lodge of the Valle de Mexico due to allegations involving irregularities with its procedures and intrusion of sovereign territory.The confusion caused by two Grand Lodges in Paraguay utilizing the same name was addressed, examined and rectified by the Commission on Recognition of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, whereby the determination was made to grant singular recognition to the Gran Logia Simbolica del Paraguay of which MWEdgar Sanchez Caballero currently presides as the Grand MasterWith the recommendation of the Commission on Recognition of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, we have established relations and are in amity with the Grand Lodge of the Ukraine.

The above reporT of The grand Lodge commiTTee on correspondence & reLaTions was approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.viii. the COMMittee On reStOratiOnS tendered their

Annual Report stating that there were two applications received during the 2015 calendar year, which concerned the matter of Mr. Edward M. Gundersen, Expelled, and Mr. A. William Bodine, Expelled. Upon review of the facts in each case, and considering the impact of these matters upon the integrity and reputation of the Masonic Fraternity, it is the recommendation of the Committee on Restoration that both of the aforementioned individuals NOT be restored to the Rights and Privileges of Masonry.

The above reporT of The commiTTee on resToraTions was approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.IX. the COMMittee On MaSOniC JuriSprudenCe recommends

the passage of the Resolution on Raffles and 50-50 Drawings authored by MW William J. Thomas, Grand Master, which reads as follows: Resolved, that the Edict of December 31, 1936 by MWJacob C. Klinck and subsequent Edicts, Resolutions and Pronouncements related to Gambling are hereby revoked, rescinded, modified and/or amended as follows:Lodges, Districts, Associations, Concordant and Related Bodies, as well as organizations whose membership may be based upon Masonic affiliation are hereby permitted to engage in Category 3 Raffles and 50-50 drawings, as permitted, defined and governed by local law, and the laws of the State of New York and the New York State Gaming Rules for Charitable Gaming. No such entity is permitted to operate Bingo, Bell Jar, ‘Las Vegas Nights’, etc. {Category 3 Raffles, as defined by the N.Y. GMU Law Section 190-A; NY Code-Section 190-A; Raffles and




the Division of Charitable Gaming, Reference Guide and Section 4620.22 of their Rules for details regarding raffles operation.} The above noted bodies are prohibited from engaging in public advertising of the above activities, including but not limited to the outside of the Masonic Building or on or about the premises outside the building; Lodges, Districts, Associations, Concordant and Related Bodies are charged with complying with the mandates of this Resolution and all local and New York State Law; The utilization of Raffles and 50-50 Drawings are permitted only for the support of Lodge charitable functions or for support of the building association or other associated organizations; District Deputy Grand Masters are directed to continuously monitor compliance with this Resolution and to notify the Grand Master immediately upon identification of issues, which are inconsistent with its proper implementation;Any and all prior Edicts, Resolutions and pronouncements regarding Gambling not inconsistent with this Resolution remain in full force and effect.

The above resoLuTion was approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.x. the Judge advOCate recommends the approval of the

following Resolution propagated by the MW William J. Thomas, Grand Master, which reads as follows: “Resolve, that any and all business and work be permitted in Lodges working in any of the Three Degrees of Masonry in the presence of such Entered Apprentices and/or Fellow Craft as the Worshipful Master in his discretion may admit within so long as the same shall not reveal the secrets, esoteric material, emblems and lessons of a higher degree.”{It should be noted that this Resolution does NOT change the opening or closing of a Lodge, which shall remain on the Third Degree.}

The above resoLuTion was approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.XI. the COMMittee On MaSOniC JuriSprudenCe in summary

presented the report of the said Committee and made the following observations: The Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence is charged with protecting Masonic Law, Policy, and the Practices of the Grand Lodge, which is in our Constitutions, Rules of Order, Code of Procedure, and Masonic Law. The Committee is comprised of your Past Grand Masters who take this duty very seriously.Grand Lodge, as much as it is a Fraternity, it is also a Business. Any decisions to be made regarding changes that are proposed to the laws governing its operation must be made with a look at preserving our Craft, which sets us apart from other fraternal organizations.A body of law such as our Constitutions to remain consistent throughout the years cannot be constantly amended or changed simply to comply with social changes or lack of modernity. Our Constitutions contain our important principles.

As such, the Masonic Jurisprudence Committee continues to approve the work in the area of fiscal responsibility by our Grand Master. This Committee is extremely pleased that the Grand Lodge Proceedings are up to date with only this particular session (Year 2016) to be printed after its conclusion. This Committee supports continuing the reshaping of Districts into a more streamlined structure within Grand Lodge, and with this decision to appoint one District Deputy Grand Master for two or more Districts, when no Brother has been recommended for the position.* The Committee approves of the Grand Master’s letter dated August 10, 2015, regarding the nomination of candidates and a deadline for applications.

* The above paragraph of The reporT of The masonic Jurisprudence commiTTee was presenTed as a separaTe issue under The proposed amendmenT To secTion iii.1 of The ruLes of order, which had been reJecTed by The voTe of grand Lodge.

In addition, the Committee approves publishing biographies and pictures of candidates, so that Lodge Brothers know who the candidates are, can see their faces, and be able to make an intelligent choice in selecting the future leaders of our Craft prior to attending the Grand Lodge.This Committee also approves of the Grand Master’s directive dated March 12, 2015, regarding the application for District consolidations.The Committee also approves of the Grand Master’s edict issued on December 8, 2015, which came about because it was brought to the Grand Master’s attention that there was a growing tendency by various members of the Craft through electronic, digital, and static media to capture and record Masonic activities, Ritual Work, and business as well as the Minutes of the proceedings of a Tiled Lodge. Grand Master William J. Thomas’s edict states in part: “The recording, printing, or publication in any form, electronically, digitally, or statically, whereby the use of words, symbols, or graphic imagery, intended to reveal or record the esoteric ritual or confidential business of the Lodge or its participants in any manner as being unlawful and may not in any circumstances be permitted.”The Committee recommends that Grand Master Thomas’s December 8, 2015 Edict be upheld.This Committee strongly continues to recommend, as it has previously, that emphasis be placed on membership and retention to try to get ahead of the problem of net losses in membership, especially in the area of non-payment of dues. The Masonic Jurisprudence Committee represented by its Chairman, MWCarl J. Fitje, Past Grand Master, respectfully asks that the Committee’s Report together with parts of this report that were previously presented both today and yesterday thereof be approved and spread upon the Minutes of this Proceedings.

The above reporT of The masonic Jurisprudence commiTTee was approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.xii. the COMMiSSiOn Of appealS tendered their Annual

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Report concerning five cases. In summary, (a) in the matter of Mr. Walter S. Cook III, the Trial Commission’s Decision was amended to Expulsion; (b) in the matter of Brother Michael H. Horowitz, the Trial Commission’s Decision of Suspension was affirmed; (c ) in the matter of W Charles D. VanDeMark, the Trial Commission’s Decision was affirmed; (d) in the matter of Mr. Rahul Dev Manchanda, the Trial Commission’s Decision was affirmed; and (e) in the matter of RW Carl F. Rymski III, the Trial Commission’s Decision of an additional seven (7) years Suspension is vacated.

The above reporT of The commission of appeaLs was approved by The voTe of grand Lodge.

The Grand Master caused the names and numbers of those Masonic Lodges to be read that were reported by the Accounting and Registry Departments of Grand Lodge as delinquent in filing the previous year’s Grand Lodge Per Capita Dues, Grand Lodge Fees, Annual Returns (Census Report) and/or Certificate of Elections required by the Constitutions. The said-named Lodges that remain delinquent as of May 31, 2016, will be subject to the suspension of their respective Charters by order of the Grand Master.

the grand MaSter annOunCed that, in accordance with Section 103 of the Constitutions, the Most Worshipful Grand Master would convene the 236th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge at the Masonic Hall, New York City, on Monday, May 1st and Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017. The Grand

Master further announced that the Minutes of the 235th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge would appear in the published Proceedings of this Grand Lodge.

the grand MaSter CauSed the names of the Grand Master’s appointments for the offices of the Appointed Grand Line, District Deputy Grand Masters, and Grand Lodge Staff Officers to be read as taking effect on May 3, 2016. Further it was announced by the Grand Master that the Appointed Grand Line, the District Deputy Grand Masters and Grand Lodge Staff Officers would receive their commissions, or letters of appointment or reappointment at the public Investiture Ceremonies to be held at the Masonic Care Community in Utica, New York, on Saturday afternoon, June 25, 2016, during the St. John’s Day Weekend.

there Being nO further BuSineSS, the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Jeffrey M. Williamson, closed the 235th Annual Communication of Grand Lodge on May 3, 2016.

Given under my hand and Seal of the Grand Lodge of New York, this 20th Day of May 2016, A.L. 6016.

Paul M. RosenGrand Secretary


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The Distinguished Achievement Award celebrated its début in 1934.

In the many years that have transpired since that noble event, the members of the Grand Lodge Distinguished Achievement Award Committee have had uncommon opportunities to select and extend an invitation to a Brother who lives and breathes Freemasonry. Accepting this prestigious award today is a senior member of the Craft who has proven over these many decades that he is the very embodiment and essence of Freemasonry.

Today, the committee in tandem with the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York has this unique opportunity to pay tribute and homage to the longest serving Judge Advocate in recent memory, Most Worshipful Brother Daniel M. Semel, who like the mariner’s sextant on a great ship has kept our Grand Lodge on an even keel, charting our journey within due bounds of the Constitutions and Masonic Law.

Leadership, Integrity, Service and Brotherhood are the hallmarks of our Honoree’s membership of 57 years in our beloved Craft. Brother Daniel M. Semel was born in New York City in 1934. He grew up in Cedarhurst, Long Island, graduating from Lawrence High School. After graduation, he attended Brown University where he was active in many facets of college life, serving as advertising manager of the schools daily paper, a judge on the Student Disciplinary Court and member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. (ROTC) of the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from Brown University in 1956 with an Artium Baccalaureatus (A.B.) Degree. Following graduation, he attended Colombia Law School, graduating in 1959.

Immediately after completing the New York State Bar examination he reported for active duty in the U.S. Air Force, serving in Texas and Alabama. Following his active duty service, he

completed the remaining years of a six-year military commitment in New York as a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Brother Semel established in 1960 his law office in the Borough of Manhattan and in 1967; he was admitted to the New York State Bar, the local Federal District Courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court. For more than half a century, Brother Daniel Semel has been a member in good standing of the New York City, New York State and American Bar Associations, serving on numerous committees of each Bar Association.

Our Honoree was a pioneer in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He began arbitrating insurance claims and has served as an insurance industry arbitrator for five decades. In February 1981, Brother Semel’s efforts as an arbitrator were the subject of a full-page profile in the National Law Journal. Attracting the attention of the United States Federal District Court for both

the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, Brother Daniel Semel was selected as a member of its first group of neutral evaluators and mediators to be added to their panel of Arbitrators.

With a lifetime of some 57 years devoted to the law profession, Brother Semel is certainly no stranger to the principles, ethics, and moral values instilled as the standard of conduct amongst the practitioners of the legal profession. Running parallel it should come as no surprise that our Honoree this morning would also be destined to journey along a path leading to Freemasonry.

Launching his Masonic career within the same timeframe as his legal profession, Brother Daniel Semel was raised a Master Mason on May 21, 1959 in New York in Shakespeare Lodge No. 750 of the Sixth Manhattan District. Brother Semel served in every Station and Place in Shakespeare Lodge No. 750 before becoming the Lodge’s Worshipful Master multiple times in 1969, 1991 and 1996-97.

The year 1974 marked a historic and singular event in Masonry, when our Honoree led a dozen Masons including six African Americans to petition this Grand Lodge for dispensation to form a new Lodge in the Sixth Manhattan District. Until that historic year there had been no Lodges within this jurisdiction with a preponderance of African Americans as members. Moreover no recognized Grand Lodge at that point in time had ever chartered a Lodge half of whose petitioners were African Americans. The dispensation was granted under the auspices of the Honorable and Most Worshipful Arthur Markewich, then Grand Master.

Distinguished Achievement Award2016

CITATION(Abridged Version*)

MW Brother Daniel M. SemelAttorney at Law

Hon. Past Grand Master – PHGL of NYJudge Advocate (1978-2015)

* A complete and unabridged copy will appear in the Appendix of the 2016 Proceedings of Grand Lodge or by requesting the same from the Office of Grand Secretary.


He then appointed Brother Semel, as the Worshipful Master, authorizing him to form Allied Lodge “Under Dispensation.”

On May 25, 1975 Allied Lodge No. 1170 was constituted by the entire Grand Line with many dignitaries attending from upstate New York, together with adjoining Jurisdictions as well as representatives from overseas Grand Lodges. Brother Semel was installed the first Worshipful Master of Allied Lodge 1170; 41 years later he remains an active and integral dual member of Allied Lodge.

The year 1976 witnessed the Right Worshipful Brother Daniel M. Semel receive the appointment of District Deputy Grand Master of the Sixth Manhattan District by then Grand Master Albert W. Schneider, a former New York State Judge.

In 1978 a vacancy occurred in the office of Judge Advocate caused by the unfortunate demise of Right Worshipful Norman Roth. Then Grand Master William R. Punt wisely saw fit to appoint Brother Daniel Semel to the office of Judge Advocate, an office he held faithfully for 37 years until 2015.

Brother Semel has been a member of the Grand Lodge Constitutions Committee closing in on forty years. He was awarded the Charles Henry Johnson Medal in 1998 and the Chancellor Robert Livingston Medal in 2001.

In the mid-1980’s Brother Semel approached the Leadership of Grand Lodge proposing recognition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Numerous meetings were held over the next several years, gaining support from the elected officers of Grand Lodge and approval from the Masonic Jurisprudence and Constitutions Committees. In 1988 Brother Semel proposed the establishment of the Unity Committee at the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge held in Niagara Falls. The Grand Lodge Committee on Unity was sanctioned and given official approval by the Grand Lodge and charged with opening a dialogue with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Brother Semel was then appointed the Chairman of the Unity Committee, a post he has held close to his heart ever since.

Right Worshipful Daniel M. Semel ignited a spark of enthusiasm that encouraged our Grand Lodge to enter upon a new era containing significant opportunities to embark upon a path that leads our beloved Fraternity ever closer to a purer harmony and toward a more perfect union with our fellow brothers. Within this Grand Jurisdiction of the State of New York, Freemasonry achieved a long awaited and long overdue historic milestone, when in May of 2001 mutual recognition and affinity came to fruition between the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York and the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of the State of New York.

In an act of solidarity, Brother Semel vacated his office as Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, a prestigious post he held since 1993 to become the first Grand Representative of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York. In celebration and admiration of the key influence that Brother Semel had in launching the process of mutual recognition between the two Grand Lodges, he was bestowed with a unique and highly imposing honor.

In 2011 our dear Brother was unanimously elected an Honorary Past Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York.

In addition to the legal profession and his love of the Craft, Brother Daniel Semel has had a lifetime interest in industrial technology. A “scratch” model builder in his youth, he has for more than fifty years collected, restored, and preserved vintage wood working tools and machines. Most Worshipful Semel has donated and loaned numerous artifacts from his collection for extended display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC and elsewhere.

A member of the Early American Industries, Brother Semel has served this association as its officer and director. Presently, he Chairs the Early American Industries Awards Committee.

On the domestic side of life, Daniel M. Semel, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, has been happily married to his lovely bride Nell for 52

years. Their union was blessed with three children, Deborah, a teacher, Jennifer, a physician and Benjamin, a lawyer. They are also blessed with six grandchildren.

Nell and Dan are active in their community, where they founded a local civic association, of which they both have served as presidents.

They are also founding members of the upper East Side Community Emergency Response Team and they both are licensed New York City Tree Pruners.

Dan and Nell are members of the Congregation of Temple Israel in Manhattan, where Brother Semel has served as an Officer and longtime Trustee.

On one occasion, Dan let it slip that his first cousin is the celebrity icon, “Mighty Max” Weinberg, the famed rock and roll drummer of Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band as well as the Bandleader of the Conan O’Brien Late Show. Although we would not expect to see our adventurous Brother’s name enrolled into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame like his first cousin, the name of Daniel M. Semel is indeed worthy of being placed upon Freemasonry’s highest roll of honor.

In presenting his last official report as our Judge Advocate in May of 2015, Most Worshipful Daniel M. Semel addressed this Grand Lodge in his typical, concise, and reserved manner saying: “I have served nineteen Grand Masters and half of them have passed on. We have here almost all of the current ones that are with us. I would like to extend to them, from the first to the current Grand Master, my appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to serve this Craft as Judge Advocate. It has been a distinction I am quite proud of. I have managed to keep all of the Grand Masters as my friends, even though they know oftentimes I had to say, ‘No, you do not have the power to do that...’, but that goes with an attorney’s territory. I am very, very fortunate to have had this job. I wish that my successor has the pride and distinction and the joy that I had... I am grateful for this opportunity to say good-bye as Judge Advocate.... it has been a good run and I thank you all very much!”



St. John’s Day 2016 On the campus of the Masonic Care Community in Utica

Friday, June 24, 2016 7:00 a.m. - District Deputy and Staff Officer training at Round Lake Camp 9:00 a.m. – Noon - AGL meeting in the Administration Bldg. Auditorium 9:30 a.m. -The Ladies Program at Acacia Village 10:00 a.m. – Noon - Brotherhood Fund Meeting (in the Meditation room of the Health Pavilion) 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. - Past Grand Masters Meeting (in the Meditation Room of the Health Pavilion) 2:00 p.m. - Ladies Tea with residents in Wiley Hall12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. - Support our Fundraising Dunking Booth! (see details in the St. John’s Day article in this magazine)

5:00 p.m. - Jewish Services in the Harry Ostrov Synagogue followed by Oneg Shabat

6:00 p.m. - Country BBQ on the Great Lawn for all Masons and their families.

Dusk - The Lights of Honor from the Great Lawn (see details in the St. John’s Day article in this magazine)

Saturday, June 25 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. - Vendors on the Great Lawn9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. - Dunking Booth Fundraiser9:00 a.m. - MCC Cardiac Care Program in the Rehabilitation Center of the Health Pavilion10:00 a.m. - Grand Line Coffee Tours with the Residents, Health Pavilion Atrium10:00 a.m. – Noon - Campus Tours of Acacia Village, Wiley Hall and the Health Pavilion10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - District Deputy and Staff Officers in the Chapel11:00 a.m. - MCC Ambassador Reception in the Foyer of the Administration Building11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. - Fritz’s Polka Band on the Great Lawn1:00 p.m. - Masonic War Veterans Wreath Laying Ceremony in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Bldg.2:00 p.m. - Parade from the Health Pavilion to the Daniel D. Tompkins Chapel2:30 p.m. - Investiture Service in Daniel D. Tompkins Chapel4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. - Digital Square Meeting in the Meditation Room of the Health Pavilion

Sunday, June 26 9:00 a.m. - Sunday Services at Daniel D. Tompkins Chapel 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - Brunch in the Wintergarden of the Health Pavilion 1:00 p.m. - Scholarship Awards in the Administration Building Auditorium

For updated details on the weekend go to www.mccny.com/about us or call Kathy at 315-798-4768.


mosT worshipfuL danieL m. semeL

we haiL, we saLuTe and procLaim youThe recipienT of The highesT honor

The grand Lodge of free and accepTed masons

of The sTaTe of new york

can confer on anyone:

The disTinguished achievemenT award

in The year 2016which wiLL now be presenTed by our

mosT worshipfuL grand masTerwiLLiam J. Thomas

may 2, 2016commiTTee on disTinguished

achievemenT award

gary a. henningsen, chrmnbruce widger

carL smiThvincenT Libone

approved:may 2, 2016

wiLLiam J. Thomasgrand masTer

Distinguished Awards continues from page 17

committee on youthrW Cary s. CoHn, state chairMan (516) 781-1157 [email protected]

MW Frank M. Totton served Grand Lodge as Grand Master during the years 1948 and 1949. He hailed

from the Fifth Manhattan Masonic District. Over fifty years ago, in his honor, an essay contest was established. The Fifth Manhattan District Association Endowment Fund currently funds it, with ten prizes awarded to the top essays. The Youth Committee of Grand Lodge administers this contest. Next year’s essay contest topic is “Why is a free and independent news media important?”

On behalf of the Grand Lodge Committee on Youth, it is an honor and pleasure to announce the First Place winner of this year’s Frank M. Totton Essay Contest: Zachary Eric Williams, of Ballston Spa, New York. He is the son of William R. Williams Jr., who hails from Rising Sun 103, Saratoga Warren District. Zachary himself happens to be the current State Master Councilor, DeMolay NY.

Totton Essay winner named

What is civility? The origin of the word civility can be traced back to Latin and old French and related to citizens or citizenship. Philosophers, historians, authors, politicians, and many others like them have defined civility in many different ways. George Washington even defined civility at the age of sixteen when he wrote his 110 Rules of Civility. Civility today means formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech. I choose to define civility and show how it influences our lives by relating it to the Seven Cardinal virtues of DeMolay.

These virtues are filial love, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanness, and patriotism. One could say that civility begins at home as it is taught to us by our parents. In DeMolay we learn the importance of filial love or love and respect towards your parents. Reverence to sacred things teaches us to hold true to our own faith and belief in God. Courtesy teaches us to be as polite and kind to strangers as we

would be to friends. Comradeship also goes along with civility in the sense that we learn the importance of Brotherhood. Fidelity or faithfulness teaches a DeMolay to stand true to what you believe in. A DeMolay is taught that cleanness goes beyond bodily cleanness to signify the importance of living a clean and upstanding life in thought, word and action. The final virtue of patriotism or love of country prepares young men to become good citizens.

These seven virtues have helped me develop a sense of civility and to recognize why it is important in our lives. Whether, I help a young DeMolay with his ritual work or homework, serve my school community as a Student Council Officer, help my family rescue an injured dog, be a leader in New York DeMolay, or just hold the door open for a stranger; civility is at the heart of it all. To me, civility is what makes me the young man I am today and allows me to know why it is so important in all of our lives.”

Zachary Eric Williams

2016 Totton Essay winner

Civility: What is it, and why is it important in our lives?


masonic care communityrW G. sTePHen GeTMan, President

Board of TrusTees of The Masonic hall and hoMe

On December 28, 1923 the Trustees of the Masonic Home and Asylum Fund, at the urging of Superintendent

William “Pop” Wiley, purchased 472 acres in northern Oneida County from Mary Dallarmi. In the middle of this property was Round Lake, a site Wiley thought would be an ideal getaway for the children and adults cared for at the Masonic Home in Utica. The first summer, a group of boys from the Home went to Round Lake to work to repair existing buildings and construct additional ones. On August 9th of that year, all the children of the Home came to Round Lake for the first of what would be many wonderful summers in the Adirondacks. Over the decades since 1923, the Trustees have acquired additional land so that the Round Lake property now includes 1,565 acres of woodlands and a 51-acre lake.

A dedicated staff led by Andy Croniser does a remarkable job maintaining this property throughout the year. Many of the fifty-one camp buildings and structures have stood on the grounds for decades and are in need of repair. The regular staff receives help from the Grand Lodge Camp Turk Committee each spring to get the property ready for the Camp Turk sessions. This year there will be additional assistance from the Naval Junior ROTC Program at Notre Dame High School. Under the leadership of Camp Turk Chairman RW David Stoy, the Committee works year round with Administrator Mollie Denslow to ensure that everything is in place for the six weeks of camping each summer.

During the past two years, support for all our youth has been a focus for Grand Master William J. Thomas and First Lady Susan Taylor Thomas. Grand Master Thomas has encouraged the Trustees to find ways to stimulate growth in the Camp Turk program. Under the guidance of Trustee RW Paul Reitz, plans were laid out to renovate bathrooms at a cost of almost $450,000. The children who participate in the Camp Turk

Program, as well as other visitors to Round Lake, will sleep more comfortably with new mattresses valued at more than $100,000, purchased at a fraction of that cost thanks to a grant obtained by Controller Denise Wright-Scott.

Throughout the year, the property at Round Lake and Camp Turk operations benefit from the professional staff at Masonic Care Community under Executive Director Rob Raffle. On March 31 the 2016 Camp Turk Cocktail Classic raised more than $20,000 for scholarships and equipment needs for the Camp Turk Program. A committee led by Nikole Kelly put together an evening to remember. The Trustees appreciate the hard work of the committee and all who supported this second annual event. The money raised will help children who might not otherwise be able to attend the camp program to enjoy the Adirondack experience and enrich the experience while they are there.

On Labor Day weekend this year, the members of the Masonic Home Kids Association will again gather at Round Lake for their semi-annual reunion. Although not related by blood, these individuals are related by their shared experiences while children of the Home. Another article in this magazine recounts the time Joe LeBlang and his brother Al spent living in Utica. They had lost their father and their mother, who moved from New York City to Utica to be near them, was unable to care for them alone. Both LeBlang brothers joined Masonry and became successful men, husbands, fathers and grandfathers. Joe, who now lives in Florida, attended one of the January Sojourner luncheons and received his sixty-year apron.

For the last ninety-three years, the Trustees have maintained the Round Lake Property for our Masonic Home Kids and now for the Camp Turk Summer Program. Although Round Lake is also used occasionally for strategic retreats and training by MCC and our Fraternity, it is underutilized. The Trustees are committed not only to the continued improvement of our facilities at Round Lake, but also to finding ways to expand our use of this remarkable property.

Round Lake and Camp Turk

The Masonic Home Boys who were the first to work on Round Lake Camp in the summer of 1924.

The 2014 meeting of the Masonic Home Kids Associationat Round Lake


This story was chronicled in the Gleason Genealogy 1607-1909. It

indicates that the Chief ’s last name was Brant, a Freemason.

“Jonathan Maynard, second son of Jonathan and Martha (Gleason) Maynard was a graduate of Harvard University and Sgt. in Capt. Drury’s Company at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was subsequently Lieut. in the same Company. In 1778 he was Lieut. in one of Col. Ichabod Allen’s Companies and on May 30th of that year, while stationed near West Point, he with a small party went on a foraging excursion. When at

a considerable distance from the camp they were attacked and captured by Indians. They were taken some distance further from the American lines and all the party tomahawked excepting Lieut. Maynard. Recognizing the uniform as that of an officer, the Indians took him to their chieftain, whose name was Brant. It was decided to burn the captive, and all preparations were accordingly made, when as a last resort, Lieut. Maynard gave the Freemason’s sign of distress, though ignorant of the fact that any of those present were members of that organization. It so happened that the

chief was a Freemason, and recognizing the sign, ordered the execution postponed.

Lieut. Maynard was later taken, with other prisoners, to Quebec, where he was held until December 1780, when he was exchanged. The next month, January 1781, he rejoined his company at West Point, and in the same month was promoted to the Captaincy and continued in the service until November 19, 1782.”

Brother Bruce H. Gleason has been a member of Gouverneur Lodge 217 since April 16, 1957. He has served as Master of the Lodge, District Deputy of the First St. Lawrence District in 1974 and has been the Treasurer of Gouvernuer Lodge for forty-one years.--Editor

rW roB raffle, executive Director

Masonic care coMMuniTy of new york

[email protected]

masonic care community

The Masonic Care Community takes great pride in providing an open and welcoming atmosphere for all; a place our

residents call home. We care for people across the generations, from childcare to long-term care for the elderly. We intend to continue to welcome those in need with open arms, but with the changes in our world where safety is concerned, we must be ever vigilant about the health and safety of our residents and guests. To that end, MCC has implemented a variety of new security measures throughout the campus outlined below. It is our responsibility to take all reasonable security measures, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

The main entrance to the Health Pavilion will be locked from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. A receptionist is on duty 24/7 and will buzz visitors into the building after hours. All visitors must sign in and wear a visitor’s badge. The entrance to the Health Pavilion through the garage will be locked at all times. A courtesy phone is available in between the external and internal door of the garage to call the front desk in order to gain entry. The tunnel system, which extends from the Health Pavilion to the Chapel, will also be locked in the evening and can only be accessed with a special badge. Those badges will be attached to Memorial Building keys.

We ask that all visitors, including our Masonic Brothers, pick up their room keys at the reception desk in the Health Pavilion. This will allow our security staff to remain in the

booth and available to attend to any campus issues. It also creates one central location for key pick-up and return. Visitors are asked to leave the make, model and license plate of their car with us upon registration so we can easily identify vehicles that should not be on the campus. Those staying in the Memorial Building are asked to park in the lot located behind the gym, which has a direct, easy entrance to the facility. Please do not drive your vehicles on the lawns or sidewalk.

The Masonic Care Community hosts many events on campus, which may draw large crowds. A number of non-profit agencies hold their fundraising events on campus and we present our own events such, as St. John’s Day, “Music on the Lawn” and our very popular “Wings and Wheels” Car Show. We are proud to have a facility that allows us to offer community events, but we also understand that they require heightened security measures.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation during this time of transition. Other changes, such as securing unmanned gates to campus, are forthcoming. The team here at Masonic Community has worked diligently to make these changes in a thoughtful and deliberate manner to ensure that all residents, staff and visitors are safe and secure. If you have any questions at all, or have special needs that require accommodation, please do not hesitate to contact my office or MCC Security.

New Security Measures at Your Masonic Care Community

Jonathan Maynard(born in Framingham, MA – May 22, 1752)

By RW Bruce H. Gleason


From the WeBmasterBro. KenneTH JP sTUCZynsKi, coMMunications coMMittee

Grand LodGe of the state of new york

webMaster

nyMasons.orG 716/241-1329 [email protected]

Over the last two years the Communications Committee has done amazing things. Digitally, we reach more

Brothers than ever through Social Media and the Atholl list. Our newsletter, “Hiram’s Highlights,” now brings together the best news from District e-newsletters. And the net of the Internet catches gentlemen wishing to become Brothers in record numbers.

In working to bring substance to the Craft’s web presence at the District level, I’ve made Brothers across the state into friends. I’ve turned a generous opportunity from Grand Master Thomas and now Grand Master Williamson into some of the most fulfilling work I’ve ever imagined to do. I’ve learned that working as a TEAM in Masonry is truly a wonderful Way of Life.

Such work does not reboot every two years. The new chapter was being written before the old was finished. With webmasters in place in almost all Districts, we can now connect Lodges and bodies into a functioning web of mutual dependence and support. It’s not about websites, but people. People need to know and be able to contact people in the dissemination of information, expectation and expertise. People need to be accountable, while being given the tools they need to work this “craft within the Craft.”

From the simple idea of holding a “Webmaster’s Conference” last St. John’s Day, we formed a square club of Brothers interested in using digital media for benefit of the Fraternity. It was standing room only. This year we will be meeting again

in Utica, at a larger venue to reflect on the progress of the last year. Topics will include mobile-friendly web design, calendar management and photography. But it’s not all technical. We are also planning a presentation of pins and maybe a few surprises.

But wait, there’s more. We recognize that technology can improve our lives and it is not limited to the young. The Masonic Care Community is using digital tablets and music players to Skype relatives and for music therapy, entertainment and brain-exercise activities. Just as our Lodge work does not end at the last gavel, our digital work does not end when we power down our computers.

Therefore, as an initiative of our growing Digital Square Club, I hereby challenge each District to donate at least one Microsoft digital tablet, and each Lodge donate an iPod and headphones for use in the Masonic Care Community. Donations may be sent directly to MCC’s Director of Development, Victoria Cataldo, or if in time, brought to St. John’s Day.

Furthermore, I challenge every webmaster to take one day out of his year to visit Utica and work personally with residents to get the most benefit in their quality of life using technology. Remember, it’s not about the tools, but the people using them.

Let’s turn little screens into wondrous bridges. For the full and current details of this initiative, go to http://NYMasons.org/2016/digital or feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Recently, Fortune Lodge held a fundraiser for Greg Van Note and

his family. Greg was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure and is in need of a kidney transplant. Greg is the son of RW David Van Note, a member of Fortune Lodge. We sent out a request for donations throughout the Erie Districts and we also held a fundraiser. With our combined efforts, we were able to present Greg with $3,600.

(l-r) Amy Van Note; Greg Van Note; RW Albert Luss, Chairman; and W David Bindig, Master

Fundraiser a success


masonic care communityViCToria CaTalDo,director of deveLoPMent Masonic care coMMuniTy

315/[email protected]

We all want our legacy to have an impact on the people and causes we cherish.

One way to ensure your legacy is to support the work of the Masonic Care Community for future generations through a gift in your estate. This past April, we recognized Mr. Arthur VanRooyan, who left a remarkable legacy at the Masonic Care Community with an estate gift of just over $1 million dollars. Mr. VanRooyan has provided funding to continue the mission that has remained the same since 1893: “To support, nurture, and educate those whose lives we touch by providing exceptional care and services with compassion and pride guided by the Masonic Principals of Brotherly Love, Truth, and Integrity.”

In conjunction with the receipt of his gift, MCC has launched the Pote Legacy Society. It was named in recognition of Brother Greenfield Pote, who offered the first dollar to MCC and began the process to build and maintain a home for Masons, their wives, widows and orphans. This is our way of honoring those who commit to increasing the quality of life for the residents of MCC. The mission has expanded since the dates of Greenfield Pote, as the Masonic Care Community is open to all, but the compassion and pride with which the services are provided has never wavered. The Pote Legacy Society membership is comprised of those members of our philanthropic family who have contributed to the Masonic Care Community through planned giving,

allowing this commitment to continue for years to come. These distinguished supporters are recognized in a way they find to be appropriate to acknowledge the tremendous impact they have had on the Masonic Care Community and those we serve. Although we may not all have the means to support MCC at the level of Mr. VanRooyan, there are a number of ways to become a member of the Pote Legacy Society.

If you wish to learn more about how you can leave a legacy and ensure the future of the Masonic Care Community, contact me at [email protected] or 315/798-4703.

What Will Be Your Legacy?

l to r: RW Rob Raffle, Executive Director, MCC; Victoria Cataldo, Director of Development; MW Jeffrey M. Williamson, Grand Master; RW G. Stephen Getman,

President of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Home

On Friday, April 1 Harmony Lodge 241, of the Queens District, held a Masonic Youth Night.

In attendance were members of Sunrise Triangle and representatives from Rainbow and DeMolay and officers of Harmony Lodge 241.

Specifically included are W Emmanuel Morley, Master; RW William Sardone, Executive Officer of NYS DeMolay; and DDGM (Queens) RW Joseph Saglimbebe. Mrs. Pam Melchert is Senior Advisor Triangle and Mrs. Maragret Schultz is Advisor to Rainbow.

Lodge holds youth night


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Mason’s Booster Brick Page

Deadline for Submission: October 7, 2016 Check made payable to: “Masonic Brotherhood Fund” All proceeds to Benefit Wiley Hall

In addition to the electronic copy, please enclose copy of ad and check to: John Haslam Sr. , 20 Harding Avenue, Kenmore, New York 14217-1408

Grand Master’s Ball

M.W. Jeffrey M. Williamson Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York

2016 Grand Master’s Ball

M. W. Jeffrey M. Williamson & Lady Carla look forward to greeting you on Saturday, October 22, 2016

————————— at the

Adams Mark Hotel 120 Church Street

Buffalo, New York, 14202 716.845.5100

5:30 p.m. 6:30 pm Cocktail Hour: Open Bar with several cheese & fruit stations.

Dinner to follow with music and dancing Choice of Entrée: Chicken Wellington

12oz Grilled NY Strip Steak Crusted Baked Halibut Filet

Dress -Formal Attire $85.00 per person

Adams Mark Hotel has reserved

25 rooms for Friday, October 21st 50 rooms for Saturday, October 22nd, $119.00 plus tax (Two Double Beds)

$139.00 plus tax (Executive level w/King Bed)

Reservation are under Grand Master’s Ball Reservation Deadline - October 1, 2016

to receive this special rate (Hotel reservation must be made directly to hotel)

Please mail your meal reservations below and check made payable to: “Brotherhood Fund” Grand Master’s Ball Committee

c/o Mr. King Mix, 248 Poinciana Parkway, Cheektowaga, NY 14225-5212 For questions please direct them to: Mr. James Kintzel @ 716.652.0501 * E-mail: @ [email protected]

Please reserve _________ seats @ $85.00 per person. Total Amount of Check: $_______ (Do Not Send Cash)

Full Name: __________________________________ Current Office / Title: __________________________

Spouse or Companion’s Full Name: ____________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________ City: ____________ St. ________ Zip Code ______

Choice of Entrée: Chicken Wellington _____ 12oz Grilled NY Strip Steak_____ Crusted Baked Halibut Filet_____

You are cordially invited to our:

(Made payable to: “Brotherhood Fund”)


Grand Master’s Ball

M.W. Jeffrey M. Williamson Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York

2016 Grand Master’s Ball

M. W. Jeffrey M. Williamson & Lady Carla look forward to greeting you on Saturday, October 22, 2016

————————— at the

Adams Mark Hotel 120 Church Street

Buffalo, New York, 14202 716.845.5100

5:30 p.m. 6:30 pm Cocktail Hour: Open Bar with several cheese & fruit stations.

Dinner to follow with music and dancing Choice of Entrée: Chicken Wellington

12oz Grilled NY Strip Steak Crusted Baked Halibut Filet

Dress -Formal Attire $85.00 per person

Adams Mark Hotel has reserved

25 rooms for Friday, October 21st 50 rooms for Saturday, October 22nd, $119.00 plus tax (Two Double Beds)

$139.00 plus tax (Executive level w/King Bed)

Reservation are under Grand Master’s Ball Reservation Deadline - October 1, 2016

to receive this special rate (Hotel reservation must be made directly to hotel)

Please mail your meal reservations below and check made payable to: “Brotherhood Fund” Grand Master’s Ball Committee

c/o Mr. King Mix, 248 Poinciana Parkway, Cheektowaga, NY 14225-5212 For questions please direct them to: Mr. James Kintzel @ 716.652.0501 * E-mail: @ [email protected]

Please reserve _________ seats @ $85.00 per person. Total Amount of Check: $_______ (Do Not Send Cash)

Full Name: __________________________________ Current Office / Title: __________________________

Spouse or Companion’s Full Name: ____________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________ City: ____________ St. ________ Zip Code ______

Choice of Entrée: Chicken Wellington _____ 12oz Grilled NY Strip Steak_____ Crusted Baked Halibut Filet_____

You are cordially invited to our:

(Made payable to: “Brotherhood Fund”)


KaTHy ConTino-TUrner,director of coMMunications and MarketinG

Masonic care coMMiuniTy [email protected]

masonic care community

Welcome, June. This is the time of year when your Masonic Care

Community hopes all Brothers from New York State will make plans to visit during the annual St. John’s Day weekend. This year we have a few changes, and we hope that you will make plans to come to Utica. A schedule of events can be found in this magazine or by going to our website at www.mccny.com/aboutus

On Friday the District Deputies and Staff Officers will head to Round Lake Camp, the home of the Camp Turk Summer Program, for their training. This will give those Brothers who have not been to camp the opportunity to see this tremendous resource up close and personal. Back on our main campus in Utica the wives of the District Deputies and Staff Officers, as well as members of the Grand Line Ladies, will be joining Carla Williamson for a brunch at Acacia Village. Carla’s program will be followed by tours of the campus and we are so pleased that Grand Master Jeffrey Williamson and Carla have selected our Wiley Hall as their charity this year.

On Friday afternoon there will be a dunking booth on the Great Lawn, designed to raise money for MCC. If your Lodge or District has someone you would like to dunk…for a price….contact our Director of Development Victoria Cataldo at 315/798-4703 or by email at [email protected]. We have a number of volunteers, including Grand Master Williamson, who are willing to get wet for a great cause.

The evening events begin at 5:00 p.m. with our Jewish Services in the Harry Ostrov Synagogue and Oneg Shabbat immediately following. At 6:00 p.m. we are going to shake things up a bit with a country barbecue on the Great Lawn. The Nelson Brothers will be performing and there will be plenty of space to dance the night away while enjoying the companionship of your Brothers and their families. As always, the picnic is open to all Masons and their families who are attending the St. John’s Weekend activities.

We hope all of you attending the picnic will purchase a light and remain on campus for the Lights of Honor. This year, in addition to the standing luminaries, we will have sky lanterns that will be launched at dusk by those who have purchased them. The Lights of Honor is a fundraiser that has been on-going at the Masonic Care Community since 2009 and raises money for resident activities. You can make a donation in memory of or in honor of someone. The lights will be placed on the sidewalk surrounding the Great Lawn and the sky lanterns will be launched from the center of the lawn. You can download a Lights of Honor form in advance by going to www.mccny.com/events or contact Victoria Cataldo at [email protected].

On Saturday there will be campus tours, vendors on the Great Lawn and entertainment provided by Fritz’s Polka Band. As in past years, we invite Lodges and Districts to participate by setting up a small tent on the Great Lawn. You can sell items or just talk about what your District is doing to support the tenets of this Fraternity. Contact Kayla at [email protected] for details. The Masonic War Veterans will hold their wreath-laying ceremony at 1:00 p.m., followed by the march to the Daniel D. Tompkins Chapel and the annual Investiture Services.

Our weekend concludes on Sunday with a Christian non-denominational service in the Daniel D. Tompkins Chapel at 9:00 a.m., followed by brunch in the Wintergarden from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. At 1:00 p.m. the Masonic Scholarship Committee will give their awards to students during a program that will be held in the Administration Building Auditorium.

We invite all our Brothers to visit the Masonic Care Community in Utica, which has been caring for people since 1893. Come and see first-hand the good works of Masonry.

Mark Your Calendars for St. John’s Day Weekend!


When the Masonic Care Community (formerly known as the Masonic Home and School) opened its doors May

1, 1893, it was a haven for seniors as well as children. The Masonic Home Kids, as they were known, had lost either one or both parents. The Utica facility not only gave them a safe place to live, but also educated them and in many cases paid for their college education. The last children to live here left in 1982, but their legacy led to the creation of our award-winning child care center, where children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old are not only nurtured, but also prepared to enter kindergarten.

One of the more exciting opportunities of having a child care center on your campus is that it allows our kids to interact with our seniors through the inter-generational program. There are numerous activities each week: the group makes valentines; colors and paints, reads stories and enjoys each other’s company. The children also participate in a variety of campus-wide programs. Many of our seniors do not get to see their grand or great-grandchildren weekly, and many of our child care children are in the same boat. Life is so busy, visiting grandma or grandpa every week just isn’t possible. So these kids and our seniors fill a need for each other.

Jay Snow, the Director of Community Life, says, “Our seniors look forward to the intergenerational programs each week. We find that both the kids and our residents get so much out of each other.” Director of our Child Care Center, Elizabeth Reardon, concurs. “Our program extends across campus. The kids visit our independent living community Acacia Village, our adult residential home, Wiley Hall, and

the skilled nursing residents of the Health Pavilion. We put on back-to-school fashion shows; we participate in our Veteran’s Day program and the annual Senior Olympics. Having the intergenerational programming provides benefits on so many levels. We are so fortunate to have it on our campus.”

The Masonic Care Community Child Care Center has sixty-six children ranging from 8 weeks old to 5 years old. It is open to our MCC staff as well as the community. We have even had the grandchildren of some of our residents utilize its services. The center benefits the parents with quality child care but also benefits our children with learning experiences that will follow them throughout their lives. The seniors who live on the Masonic Care Community Campus also benefit from the children, interacting with them in a variety of events and programs. Bringing the young and old together is priceless.

Intergenerational Programs at theMasonic Care Community

By Kathy Contino-TurnerDirector of Communications and Marketing

The Campaign is coming to the end of its year in June and we are looking forward to the new Campaign starting.

Our new Grand Master will continue support with an energetic and creative approach to the Brotherhood Fund. He has made Wiley Hall in the Masonic Care Community a focal point for donations.

I can remember when I first visited a Brother there. His name was Clarence McNaughton and he was a past Secretary of the Lodge I belong to. I was impressed back then with the individual living spaces, the joint dining room and the sense of his being at home away from home. The Trustees have improved the whole structure with larger living quarters, more activities for the residents and space to enjoy it all.

I urge all Brotherhood Area Chairmen, Lodge Chairmen and Brothers to visit the campus and see for yourself how the residents are treated. It will inspire you. Just one day: That’s all it will take of your time and the rewards will be heartwarming. On a selfish note, it might inspire you to donate more when you see this wonderful facility.

I will be at the campus for St. John’s weekend. I would enjoy meeting many of the Brothers who are involved with the Brotherhood Fund, face to face, so I can personally thank you for the hard work and effort you give to make the Brotherhood Fund work. I would be remiss if I did not also thank the Grand Secretary’s office and the staff of the fund for their service to us.

rW BrUCe TesTUT, chairMan [email protected][email protected]

masonic Brotherhood Fund


aWards committeerW GeorGe r. WaCoB, chairMan

[email protected]

This year there will be a few changes in the requirements for the Dedicated Service Award. The committee will

continue to provide information through its Empire State Mason magazine article and information and forms on its webpage at the Grand Lodge website.

The committee will be accepting 2017 Dedicated Service Award Recommendation Forms in September, 2016. At the end of August a letter with updated information, timetable and forms will be sent to the DDGMs, Staff Officers and Secretaries of Lodges.

Dedicated Service Award Requirements for 2017 (changes in bold print)

The Dedicated Service Award Program enables Lodges to obtain Grand Lodge recognition for Brothers and Past Masters who continue, year after year, to support their Lodges and their District with their presence, time and talent by attending Lodge and District meetings, and participating in Degrees and programs, with or without holding office. This does not exclude Past Masters. These are the Brothers who often serve to inspire and motivate others to emulate their examples of true Masonic dedication.

The guidelines provide that a Brother be a member of the Fraternity for at least ten years. A Right Worshipful, a Very Worshipful and those who are reasonably expected to be recommended for the Purple are not eligible and should not be recommended for the DSA. Current Masters and current Secretaries are not eligible.

The committee scrutinizes each recommendation. Every item must be completed and the form appropriately signed and the Lodge Seal affixed. Accurate ages and years of membership are requirements for Grand Lodge statistical purposes and cannot be omitted. If the applicant has dual or plural membership, please list all Lodges. Attach the Member’s Profile from the MORI System. If the Lodge is not on the MORI System a copy can be obtained from the Grand Lodge Registry Department. Attach any additional pertinent information to the form.

The committee is interested in facts supporting each recommendation, not conclusions such as “he is a dedicated Mason.” What has the Brother done that demonstrates his

dedication to his Lodge and the District? Equal consideration will be given to a Brother’s support of his District and District Programs. Masonic affiliations and community endeavors may be considered only if they are in addition to his regular Lodge and District work.

One nominee per year per Lodge is permitted. Nominations are to be sent to the Awards Committee by November 12, 2016: George R. Wacob, Chairman, Committee on Awards, 13 Floyd Street, North Babylon, NY 11703-1808.

A District’s allotted awards will be no more than one-fifth of the Lodges in a District per year (as of the last Grand Lodge Convention), to the nearest whole number. That is, l/5 of 16 = 3 awards, l/5 of 17 = 3 awards and l/5 of 18 = 4 awards.

Nominations are reviewed in December. The committee will inform District Deputy Grand Masters of nominations received from the Lodges and the committee will communicate with the Grand Master. Lodges will be notified of the Grand Master’s decisions at the beginning of February. If desired, and with appropriate notice, a committeeman may be able to help make the presentation and relate the history of the Award.

The form of the Award is a distinctive white apron with silver and purple trimming. The certificate, signed by the Grand Master, should be framed before presentation to the recipient.

The Community Service Awards (DeWitt Clinton, Jacob Morton and GL Certificate of Excellence in Service to the Community) have no cutoff date and will be processed as they are received. The Lodge and DDGM will be notified within a short period of time if the nominee has been approved to receive one of these awards. Metropolitan: RW Gregory Noulas, Vice Chairman; RW Joseph T. Entler Mid-State: RW Thomas L. Jenison; RW Robert L. Hogan, Jr. Hudson-Champlain: RW Charles E. Knapp, Jr.; W Alfred W. Fergerson Western: RW William H. Greene; RW Douglas D. Airth

New Requirements and Instructions for DSA Award


rW & reV. CHarles M. roBerTs, Grand chaPLain eMeritus


Grand chaplain’s corner

The following thought is a paraphrase of a sermon I once heard and I believe it is very apropos for our Masonic

living for today.“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your

own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5, New International Version)

Every word that comes out of our mouth comes from a thought, whether consciously or unconsciously. Our thoughts, values and beliefs will make us or break us. Our mind has incredible power, so be careful about what you are thinking. If we think good thoughts, our words will be good. At every point right living begins with right thinking. Each of us has a unique perception of the world we live in. This is because we have created it: by our past thoughts.

The Bible says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) The spiritual battle is always in the thought–world. True spirituality always begins inside our thought–world. When we think right thoughts, we do right things and we have right feelings. But when we think wrong thoughts, we do wrong things and have wrong or unpleasant feelings. The key to triumph in the spiritual life is learning how to take control of our thoughts and align our thoughts with God’s Word. The secret of righteous living is right thinking. While it is important to speak in line with God’s Word, to have strong faith, and operate in Biblical principles in order to be victorious, victory begins with the way we think. Our life goes in the direction of our most dominant thought. You cannot expect to be kind, gentle, loving, or patient without thinking the right things. You also cannot expect to live a life of victory without thinking the right thoughts.

Whenever we have a negative thought that seeks to depress us, we must immediately cast it down, think on God’s Word, and speak His Word. What kind of thoughts should we have then? The Bible admonishes us, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). We must read God’s Word in order to get it rooted deep in our heart to think the right things. Psalm 119:11 states, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Plant God’s Word deep in your heart in order to think the right thoughts. Someone rightly said,

“Plant a thought and reap a word; plant a word and reap an action; plant an action and reap a habit; plant a habit and reap a character; plant a character and reap a destiny.”

These words are profound. They describe in detail our life journey and the significance our thought-life has on our future. We must learn to be selective with the thoughts we allow to circulate in our mind. God’s Word instructs us to do this. Every thought has an agenda, to shape our philosophy of life and prompt us to move in some direction. We must filter our thoughts with truth. Otherwise our feelings will control our minds and eventually produce words and actions that take us in a direction we will finally regret.

To move in the direction God intended we must begin by finding out what God thinks. In Isaiah 55:8 we read: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.” As you and I think about His thoughts we will find that His Words begin to shape our thoughts and words. Actions will follow. Good habits will form and shape our character and destiny.

I definitely believe our Fraternity promotes and instructs us to walk in the way of the Lord and to become enlightened and to gain insight to a new way of life. Does not the Fraternity state we receive men and hopefully make them better men? Therefore, my brethren, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Amen. So Mote It Be!

Bower Recognized for DedicationJoan C. Bower

On March 4, 2016 I was invited, along with my daughter Elizabeth Guminski, to the Grand Chapter RAM dinner in Albany. We were guests of Grand

Master MW William J. Thomas. We dined with Grand Marshal RW George D. Emmons and his wife Maureen.

I was thoroughly surprised when RW Emmons escorted me to the podium and MW Thomas presented me with a framed Grand Lodge Certificate of Appreciation for my dedication and years of service working on The Empire State Mason magazine. I enjoyed working alongside my husband, RW Ronald N. Bower, and I have continued since his passing. It has been a labor of love.


Another Rainbow year has come to a close. It began with the celebration

of our 75th Grand Assembly sessions in April 2015, celebrating our past and embracing our future, and culminated this April in our 76th Grand Assembly sessions, Arctic Adventure, which we enjoyed at a new venue, The Villa Roma Resort. Our Grand Worthy Advisor Danielle challenged each of us to Find Our Heart Song this year, reaching deep inside ourselves to listen to the music that is unique and special to each of us, understanding what makes us who we are, why being a part of this Rainbow and greater Masonic family is so important, and doing what we can to make ourselves and others happy. We traveled New York State, across the Rainbow world, to Masonic concordant

bodies, Winterfest youth weekend and even to a chicken-wing eating contest. We came together to help one of our own in need, as we worked hard to Help the Hendersons in many unique ways and provide love and support to such a special family.

Grand Assembly will be the time for the 2015 Grand Officers to complete their year. We are expecting Rainbow visitors from many different states and Canada to be in attendance. We will give reports on the year including our scholarship fund, charity projects of the local assemblies, Grand Officers project and Grand Worthy Advisor’s travel video. There will be a cavalcade of flags, parade of the Grand Representatives in costumes representing their jurisdictions and ritual competitions. Hungry,

hungry penguins, signature scavenger hunts and Rainbow Family Feud will be included in the entertainment. We will say, “until we meet again” at our memorial service, to those we lost during the year. We’ll celebrate the

Rainbow careers of some of our girls as they move from active membership

Hannah Nelson, 2014 Jr. Past Grand Worthy Advisor; Danielle Paynter,

2015 current Grand Worthy Advisor; Samantha Miller, 2016 Elected Grand

Worthy Advisor

2015 Grand Officers at Homecoming in Babylon • February 17, 2016

INTErNATIONAL OrdEr OF THE rAINBOw FOr GIrLS IN NY

Mrs. Gale Gould

supreme inspector in ny35 Maple street

auburn, new york 13021Phone: 315/253-8206

e-mail: [email protected]: www.nyiorg.org

: facebook.com/ny rainbow

OrGANIzATION OF TrIANGLES, INC.

Mary Madison

state Director

email: [email protected]: http://ootny.org

: facebook.com/ooTny

NEw YOrk dEMOLAY2150 Bleecker street, Utica, new york 13501

rW williaM M sardone office 315/798-4922 executive officer fax 315/798-4798 [email protected] Website: nyDemolay.org

: facebook.com/nyDemolay

: Twitter.com/nyDeMolay

: nyDeMolay

Rainbow Grand Assembly

Rainbow continues on page 31


There is no doubt that the way to make DeMolay grow is to be starting new Chapters.

In some cases that could be restarting old Chapters. That is just what happened in Rochester, New York. A Chapter that had been “dark” was brought to light as DeMolays and

Advisors from all over New York State converged to induct new members.

Team efforts usually have a happy conclusion. And this was a team effort. Now, let’s start more.

to majority status and gleefully welcome new members at Initiation. We will say a tearful, but grateful thank-you as the 2015 Grand Officers retire, then bounce back with renewed hope as we welcome a new Grand Worthy Advisor, Samantha, and slate of officers as they invite us to “Experience the Magic of NY Rainbow.”

This past year our state Charity project, “Reach Out and Read”, has been embraced by the members across the state as they participated in fundraising efforts and collection of new and gently-used books for children up to age 6 to promote early literacy and

love for reading. We are so thankful for the support of our Masonic family in helping us to achieve our goals. Before we even get to Grand Assembly, we can announce that we have collected over 1000 books and over $3000 to donate to this worthwhile charity. Stay tuned for what the girls choose as this next year’s state charity. Our goal of Kids Helping Kids continues to enhance the lessons of Charity and Service to all.

We are thrilled to announce that our NY Rainbow Facebook page has over 1400 likes so far, and we invite all to follow us there. Check our revamped website, www.nyiorg.org, for more

information on what’s going on in the world of NY Rainbow. We also have newly printed brochures that we would be happy to make available to any Lodges or Chapters that are interested or holding open house programs in their communities. We can come and speak with your group on the benefits of sponsoring a youth group in your District. Just contact our Supreme Inspector as above. It does take some time and effort, but it’s the most rewarding benefit you can give to yourself and your community.

DeMolay New Chapters

Rainbow continued from page 30


DaViD f. sCHneeWeiss, MBaMMrL President

Board of direcTors

[email protected]/432-1893www.mmrl.edu

masonic medical research laBoratory

Dr. Jon Cordeiro, a twelve-year veteran member of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory scientific staff,

has assumed the scientific leadership position for the ensuing period until a new Director of Research can be named. David F. Schneeweiss, President of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory (MMRL) Board of Directors, said, “Our aggressive national and international search to fill the Director of Research position has resulted in a great number of inquiries. In addition, we have received a significant number of leads through our network of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry colleagues. We are delighted that Dr. Cordeiro is willing to step into this leadership role formerly held by Acting Director of Research, Dr. Matthew Betzenhauser. We are sorry to lose Dr. Betzenhauser and congratulate him on his new position with Albany Molecular Research, Inc. in Buffalo, NY.”

Dr. Cordeiro replied, “I am honored by this appointment and look forward to helping the Laboratory during this transitional period. Our scientific staff remains productive, having submitted several grants and scientific papers for publication. New administrative and scientific staff members

have been hired and I look forward to working with the Board of Directors in any way that I can to facilitate this search.”

Cordeiro named Interim Director of Research

Combined Service: 79 years and counting

This year marks Judy Hefferon’s 43rd and Robert J. Goodrow, Jr.’s 36th employment anniversary. Both have seen and experienced many challenges, changes and growth during their tenure at the MMRL. Our scientific achievements and growth as a highly respected research institution are the result, in part, of research assistants like Judy and Bob, who are ingenious and industrious and willing to adapt their skillsets to new challenges and technologies. A laboratory like ours becomes truly creative and productive when those who labor within develop a

special bond that becomes a part of the very fabric of our being. The MMRL is indeed fortunate to have individuals with such a long and storied tenure as part of our family.

“When I first started, scientists used cameras to record the electrical function of heart tissue displayed on oscilloscopes. One of my responsibilities was to develop the film for the scientists who, in turn, manually measured the arrhythmias or electrical activity. Back then it would take several months to analyze experiment results; today results are instantaneous with the use of computers but still require evaluation by the scientist. We used to place our experimental tissue chambers on sand to lessen vibrations; today they ride on pneumatic tables cushioned by air. Today, I am responsible for all scientific graphics that appear in our scientific literature as well as posters that are used by the scientists when they present at symposia or elsewhere on behalf of the Laboratory. I continue to enjoy my work and the many friendships that have evolved over the years. It is nice to go out after hours and have a beer or two with colleagues who are also my

friends,” said Judy.“I can remember when the MMRL

had seven different research programs: Cardiology, Hypertension, Cancer, Gerontology, Vision, Blood Substitutes and Muscular Dystrophy,” said Bob Goodrow. “We did not have computers until the late eighties and the equipment we have today is much more sophisticated. I have experienced tremendous opportunities for growth and increased responsibilities. The ability to do experiments with scientists trying to discover the underlying mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias from single heart cells to working with stem cells, recording data and examining the effects of pharmaceutical compounds on their respective electrical activity is fascinating. I also feel privileged to be an author on many scientific papers, abstracts and chapters emanating from the MMRL.”

The MMRL was dedicated in 1958 and sustained by the brethren of the Grand Lodge of New York. Today it enjoys the support of several Grand Lodges across the United States and Freemasons around the world.

n n n n n

Dr. Jonathan Cordeiro, Interim Director of Research


What are your kids’ plans this summer?

Boys’ Camp Girls’ Camp July 3rd – July 9th July 24th – July 30th

July 10th – July 16th July 31st - August 6th July 17th – July 23rd August 7th – August 13th

$500 per week (sign up for 1, 2 or 3 weeks)

For more information & availability call 315/392-2081or

visit us on the web!

www.CampTurk.org

Join us on FacebookCamp Turk

Follow us on Instagramcamp.turk


rW MiCHael sHiPMan, chairMan 516/[email protected]@aol.com

Grand lodGe educational assistance proGram

The public announcement and presentations to the recipients of the 2016 Education Assistance Program will take place at the following locations:

Sunday, June 26, 2016 Saturday, July 9, 2016 Saturday, July 9, 2016 MCC Administration Building Auditorium Beukendaal Lodge Masonic Memorial Center 2150 Bleeker Street 22 Schonowee Ave. 648 Centerville Place Utica, NY 13501 Scotia, NY 12302 North Syracuse, NY 13212 At 1:00 p.m. At 12:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 10, 2016 Sunday, July 10, 2016 Saturday, July 16, 2016 Webster Lodge 538 Ismailia Shrine Grand Lodge Building - 3rd Fl. 30 Orchard Street 1600 Southwestern Blvd. 71 West 23rd Street Webster, NY 14580 Buffalo, NY 14224 New York, NY 10010 At 12:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. At 12:00 p.m.

Presentation Schedule 2016

All brethren, recipients and guests are cordially invited to attend the 2016 Education Assistance Program Presentations at the above locations and dates. The Grand Master and representatives of the Grand Line will be present at these presentations and will continue the tradition of congratulating the students and families. The programs will start promptly at the above times. The Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Home, who have funded this program for the children, grandchildren and widows of our Fraternity, will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be served.

Special thanks go to the many Lodge Secretaries who assisted the students with their applications. We thank the

District Deputy Grand Masters for their assistance in securing and assisting at the above locations.

As we move past its twentieth year, the committee wishes to thank all of the people who have been involved in this outstanding program. Your Grand Lodge and the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Home have assisted over 12,500 students with grants, now totaling over $11 million, in their pursuit of higher learning. All brethren and their families are welcome to be part of these special events. Help us congratulate the children, grandchildren and widows of the members of our Fraternity. Make reservations with your District Deputy if you would like to attend.

Brothers recognized for years served

Farmers Lodge 553 recognized three Brothers for their years of service.

James L. Mayne is a 55-year member; Fred Tilbe has 62 years; and Carl Higgins is another with 55 years.


rW MarK KolTo-riVeraGrand historian


From the Grand historian

The Lodge history is a venerable Masonic tradition. Here are four reasons why every Lodge should publish its

history:1. A Lodge history makes the ideals of Freemasonry more

concrete. Our abstract ideals come alive when one reads about how one’s Lodge helped Brothers with medical bills, presented a widow with groceries or provided materials for a local school. Concrete action is where our ideals become reality.

2. Publishing a Lodge’s history can build cohesiveness within the Lodge. Reading a Lodge history gives all members of the Lodge a more vivid sense of themselves as having a common heritage and purpose. A published history changes “Masons promote reason and education” into “my Lodge supported a local preschool.”

3. A Lodge history can be an inspiration for the present. Past Lodge members’ statements of lessons they learned as Freemasons, and stories of relief, service and compassion, inspire today’s Lodge members—and may provide ideas for future Lodge activities.

4. A Lodge history may point out hazards for today’s Masons to beware of. Lodges must face challenges and sometimes make mistakes in doing so. Challenges that Lodges have had to face—in difficulties between Brothers, in budgets or planning for activities, in reacting to external events—often carry lessons from which the Lodge today could benefit.

As an example, let’s consider GLNY’s Albion Lodge 26 (now merged into St. John’s Lodge 1, AYM), which published a centennial Lodge history in 1904. This history describes how Albion survived the anti-Masonic period following the disappearance of William Morgan in 1826:

The prosperity of the Lodge continued from its organization [in 1804] almost without interruption, until the great anti-Masonic crusade of 1827 …. During the Morgan persecution, the Lodge bid defiance to the traducers of Masonry and proceeded to elect members and confer degrees.… In 1843 the members seem to have lost heart, for we find but four brethren were present to elect officers. So discouraging was the outlook that the surrender of the charter was decided upon. But W. Brother George Davis, of Holland Lodge, No. 8, who was present, urged the four brethren to hold on …. His advice prevailed, and a most successful effort was made to put the Lodge in good position.

From this time forward, the Lodge continued to progress most favorably. The four brethren made heroic efforts to increase the membership.

Here we see a Lodge reduced almost to extinction, deciding to keep at their work in the quarries. They could not have known on that dark day in 1843 that the worst of the anti-Masonic period was over. They revived a Lodge that existed independently for more than a century yet to come, before merging with another Lodge in the late 20th century. There’s a lesson here for all of us. It is only those who persevere through the darkest part of the night who enjoy the company of their fellows in the dawn. Lodge histories can be inspirational.

W Master of Albion Lodge when the centennial history was published.

Why Write the Lodge history?


Acacia Village receives several inquiries per month from people looking for Assisted Living. Acacia Village is not

Assisted Living, we are Independent Living and there are important distinctions between these two types of housing. When people call in, it’s important to determine which type of senior housing they are looking for and best suits their needs. In order to live in an Independent Living community, like Acacia Village, an individual must be able to take care of himself without additional assistance. When someone calls or visits looking for Assisted Living we usually start out by asking a series of questions to determine if Acacia Village will be a good fit. For example, we’ll ask people if they are able to take care of their own personal needs. Are they able to dress themselves and take care of their own hygiene? Are they able to administer and keep track of their own medications? It’s very important for everyone to know that we don’t provide any medical services at Acacia Village.

If folks call looking for Independent Living we might ask if they are getting tired of the upkeep on their current home. Would they like to have more free time to pursue their interests? Are they interested in making new friends? Would they appreciate not having to cook every meal? If they answer yes, then they might want to explore the Acacia Village lifestyle a little more.

At Acacia Village we encourage folks to make this move while they can really enjoy the way of life we offer. I often tell people it’s better to make this move five years too early than five minutes too late. If they wait until there is a crisis, then chances are they might need a higher level of care.

Studies show that people who live in an independent residential community, such as Acacia Village, age more successfully than their peers and they maintain their independence for a much longer period of time. This is due to a variety of factors that we call components of healthy living.

The first is physical activity. We’ve all heard the phrase “use it or lose it.” At Acacia Village the residents can choose from a variety of wellness classes including yoga, Tai Chi and water fitness, plus they can walk inside during inclement weather and enjoy the walking trails on our beautiful 400+-acre campus during the spring, summer and fall. We also have a wellness center complete with fitness equipment and an indoor pool, spa and sauna.

The second component is social interaction. Living here is like being part of a tightly knit small town. We have several clubs and groups including book clubs and chorus. Residents also get together for coffee on Wednesday afternoons and for cocktails on Friday before dinner. We also have multiple rooms where our folks can host small and large gatherings. Whether they want to host fifteen people for dinner or host a

large anniversary celebration, it’s easy to arrange. Number three on the list is cognitive stimulation. Acacia

Village neighbors get together for weekly trivia and card games. They enjoy on-site lectures and presentations. Others enjoy putting jigsaw puzzles together, while others work on the “Acacia Village Voices,” our community newsletter. Movies are shown regularly in our theater and we have over four thousand books available in the library. Some of our residents even facilitate educational classes for their neighbors.

The final component of healthy living is spiritual fulfillment. We offer transportation to Tompkins Chapel on our Masonic Care Community campus and other area churches on Sunday. Several Acacia Village residents also travel to the MCC Health Pavilion on Tuesdays for a Catholic Mass. We have a group that also gets together each week for bible study. At Acacia Village neighbors love to help each other and they find that to be very fulfilling, also. Others are busy volunteering in the community.

Independent Living provides active adults more independence than living at home because it frees them from the bulk of household chores and maintenance. Residents come and go as they please. They are welcome to have family and friends come and visit. They can entertain and cook in their own apartment or treat their guests to a meal in the café or dining room. Small dogs and cats that fit the pet policy are at home here, too. Overnight guests are welcome to stay in a resident’s apartment or they can book a modest room on campus based on availability. Our residents can participate in many activities or none at all.

Acacia Village is strictly a rental community so there is no large up-front entrance fee, as you might find at other Independent Living Communities. Please call us so we can answer any questions you may have. Better yet, come and visit. When you do, talk to people who live here; you’ll find that most of them will say they wish they had moved here sooner. If you’d like to learn more about the Acacia Village lifestyle contact us at 1-800-593-3353. Take a video tour on our website at www.acaciavillageny.com.

linDa rae aVolio, retireMent counseLor

acacia VillaGe

[email protected]

acacia VillaGe

Acacia Village is Independent Living


GRAND MASTER’SFAMILY DAY AT WEST POINT

Saturday, September 10, 2016Army vs. Rice

(Limited to 200 tickets)

Tickets: $30.00Parking: $15.00 (per car)Parking: $25.00 (per bus)

Get your order in early!We will be Tailgating inPARKING AREA “H”

Arrive early for good parking spot. Maps will be provided with your tickets.(Bring your own food and drinks.)

*(Subject to change)

Parade of Cadets on the Plain Football Game starting Time: *9:00 a.m. *12:00 p.m.

(Buses provided to game & parade)

All ticket orders must be sent with check to:Charlie Catapano

2410 Farmers Ave. #1Bellmore, NY 11710

Phone: 516/314-8156 and e-mail: [email protected]

Checks made payable to: Grand Lodge of New YorkCutoff Date with Money - August 5, 2016


years oF serVice

86 Years 85 Years 84 Years

0487 Normal Arthur T. Long

0051 FiDelity Donald Ellis Gibson 0107 North Star Carlton G. Van Ornum 0120 hamiltoN Edwin F. Riedel 0173 moNroe Robert A. Ellis

0389 margaretville Lester A. Rosa 0404 CoNStellatioN Fletcher Parker 0406 humaNity Reginald Wagmaker 0473 White PlaiNS Leonard W. Schlichting

0479 BoyD Henry Huson 0575 olive Wilbur R. Renskers 0755 SavoNa Ray J. Faucett

0843 Star oF the eaSt Charles H. Ryan 0956 SPartaN Frank B. Wigley 1174 SCheNeCtaDy Robert C. McCartney

0009 uNity Kenneth E. Brooker 0023 haNCoCk-Dirigo-aDelPhi Bernard I. Chenkin

0195 FraNkliN Albert E. Hornby 0255 liviNg StoNe H. Albert Koerner

0470 CortlaNDville George W. Samson 0533 rouND hill Charles Winston Loudon

0588 CarPeNter-emaNuel Jack Trainer 0634 SCotia James Lowell Kopper

1003 oraWauPum Lionel Weinstein 1065 JuStiNiaN Morton Ingram

0097 reNovatioN Lloyd F. Cliff 0139 milNor Wilbur M. McCormick0161 erie John E. Paplow 0729 aNChor-aStoria Jack Leopold 0827 harlem valley Lawrence E. Stark

0487 Normal Nicholas Choyce Sr

0063 WaNtagh mortoN C Richard Gunzer

76 Years 75 Years

0020 mouNt moriah Cyril H. Hermele 0176 Salem toWN Harold W. Axton 0922 amoS-Fort greeNe Arthur Sanders 0923 taDmor Louis H. Eickhoff 1022 emulatioN Norman Johnson

0107 North Star Robert G. Hubbell 0224 orieNtal-FaxtoN William Pritchard 0565 guiDiNg Star-aNgle Robert A. Shawn 0611 St. JohNSville Michael F. Mancusi 0682 NuNDa StatioN Duane A. Wolf

0684 BerNe Frank W. Warner 0774 laNSiNg Victor R. Lewis 0913 heightS Donald K. Smith 1114 NathaN StrauSS Leonard Litwin

71 Years

72 Years

80 Years

0586 iSlaND City William T. Johnston

0010 kiNgStoN Robert A. Shultis 0167 BaiNBriDge-aFtoN Frank A. Doolittle 0180 hiram Fred H. Hale Jr0320 uNioN Star Charles B. Swartz 0486 golDeNrule

ClermoNt mCkiNley Eugene K. Nemoytin 0541 BraSher Wesley E. Kingsley Jr 0613 WellStoN Harold F. White 0915 BeukeNDaal Elbert J. Weller 0922 amoS-Fort greeNe Milton Radutzky

73 Years

83 Years

0295 CataraCt Willis J. Mather

74 Years

0022 uNity loDge Robert C. Shaw 0044 eveNiNg Star Andrew Campbell 0075 eveNiNg Star George A. Pearson 0085 Bethlehem Marvin Crystal 0087 vaN reNSSelaer James M. Handford Kenneth H. Near 0109 valley-SimeS

James A. Reitz 0145 mouNt moriah William E. Schobeck

0157 trumaNSBurg Kermit Leonard 0160 SeNeCa river Bruce C. Dunham 0161 erie Stuart F. Osborne 0165 mileS J Howard Wynn 0172 ChaumoNt Medford W. Schnauber 0178 CorNerStoNe Seymour Dember 0181 little FallS David J. Champion

0217 gouverNeur Hilliard G. Seaker 0219 Summit H Allen Kolpien 0230 WellSville John J. Rigas 0265 SPeeDSville-NeWark

valley Marvin V. Mcneil 0283 BeaCoN Herbert N. Bryant 0297 alexaNDria Richard R. Macsherry 0341 ClyDe Roland C. Hurlburt

0362 valatie Lars C. Johnson 0374 moNumeNtal Claude W. Potts Jr 0379 oaklaND Norman O. Smith 0412 hoFFmaN Robert J. Tyrrell 0455 NeWPort Ernest J. Darrow 0466 oNeoNta James G. St John 0473 White PlaiNS William F. Young 0501 SyraCuSe Robert E. Osborne

0535 ameriCuS Roy A. Christen 0539 Fayette Lewis H. Kime 0548 laureNS Harold E. Rogers 0554 WorkiNg Harold E. Bedford 0557 JameS m. auStiN George E. Story 0588 CarPeNter-emaNuel John W. Burt 0611 St. JohNSville Carleton F. Rider Laverne E. Weaver

70 Years


70 Years continues

0615 youNgStoWN Wilbert J. Mariner Jr 0626 FraNkliNville uraNia William Neil Hunt 0627 Wallkill David C. Lustig Jr 0646 reD JaCket John K. Hall

0664 amiCaBle Robert H. Brown 0722 Fame John Rehbach 0751 la uNiverSal Hilario R. Iturbe 0776 reliaNCe George Kenneth Ginter Frank William Zimmer

0787 gaSPort Floyd Chaplin 0794 mouNt DeFiaNCe Walter A. Clarke 0796 Dolgeville Arthur Knapp Richard G. Schuyler 0805 CoriNthiaN temPle Vernon E. Collier

0826 SutherlaND Edward O. Helwig 0839 athelStaNe Ernest P. Cassis 0863 DuNWooDie Norman Finkelstein 0892 QueeNSBoro Warren J. Rockwell

0915 BeukeNDaal Leroy H. Flesher 0919 DaNte Peter J. Girardi 0950 koNoSioNi Richard D. Bean 0970 JohNSoN City Edward G. Ott

65 Years

0013 aPollo-kiNg SolomoN’S Stanley F. Peak 0019 miDWooD FortituDe Arthur W. Hagstrom 0020 mouNt moriah Elliot Dorfman 0023 haNCoCk-Dirigo-aDelPhi Martin Burger 0063 WaNtagh mortoN James A. Munday 0085 Bethlehem Edwin H. Sperber 0095 uNioN-Cooley Robert R. Lutz 0103 riSiNg SuN Samuel Sid Gordon 0128 ogDeNSBurgh-aCaCiaN Dean A. Pearson 0130 Port ByroN Elmer Kilmer JrRobert Rude 0132 Niagara FroNtier

Gordon M. Grant 0144 hiram Robert G. Minnoe 0145 mouNt moriah Donald M. Englestad 0149 au SaBle river Robert L. Bennett 0154 WakaN-huBBarD Harold F. Connor 0163 eraC Clarence J. Vanderzell Jr. 0165 BooNville-uriel C Lee Fickbohm 0166 ForeSt John F. Hadden

0167 BaiNBriDge-aFtoN Seward G. Gilbert 0178 CorNerStoNe Robert S. Tobias 0201 geNeSiS Robert W. Smith 0217 gouverNeur John M. Scozzafava 0224 orieNtal-FaxtoN John M. Haynes Robert K. Wittman 0238 orieNt David E. Hodge 0252 eNChaNteD mouNtaiNS Richard H. Hausknecht 0284 heritage Jerry L. Giacomini 0285 george WaShiNgtoN Charles H. Wahler Jr 0287 CoNtiNeNtal Alfred T. Behrens Jr 0295 CataraCt Charles R. Perry 0302 NorWiCh Wilson P. Bailey 0304 SChiller Siegfried Karl Harisch 0305 Fayetteville CeNtral City Earl W. Scofield Jr 0312 CaPital City Kenneth W. Padgett H Lester Wendell 0333 WeStBrook Carlton L. Wanzo 0335 WiDoW’S SoN Peter F. Fingar William M. Mesick

0349 PeCoNiC James F. Homan 0377 ruShville Donald E. Palmatier 0394 CoBleSkill Edward Pavlic 0404 CoNStellatioN Shelby G. Sliker 0413 WeSt Star Kenneth E. Kohlhagen 0417 WaDSWorth Frederick Gillespie 0426 NorthFielD Frederick J. Halik 0434 PleaSaNtville hiaWatha Charles William Coldwell 0438 marathoN

Harlow Abbott0475 Batavia Gordon R. Marsham 0478 South DaNSville-WaylaND John O. Faulkner 0480 WeBotuCk John F. Campbell 0514 ZioN Edwin D. Dickson John K. Wakeman 0517 FroNtier Owens D. Grogan 0532 moNtiCello Richard B. Gregory 0543 trilumiNar Francis R. Greene 0546 JamaiCa QueeNS village Jerome E. Shaw 0548 laureNS William W. Frone

0549 WarSaW William E. Jenkins 0575 giBSoNBurg John Clayton Callihan 0575 olive Tunis H. Clawson 0580 gleN Cove Francis L. Uhlendorf 0581 WiNFielD James C. Steenbergh 0588 CarPeNter-emaNuel David Elias 0647 aurora grata-Day Star Edwin D. Wood 0659 otSeliC valley Lawrence D. Harvey 0687 oSWegatChie Roger M. Petrie 0698 herDer William P. Foltmer 0702 WeStCheSter John A. Moriarity 0713 SoCial Langford W. Dobbins 0714 WielaND William G. Pfeil 0716 hoBaSCo Frank N. Reynolds 0729 aNChor-aStoria James G. McCann 0778 livoNia C. Acker Smith 0795 PoiNt oF light Harlow K. Abbott 0799 oriSkaNy Richard C. Wood 0806 matiNeCoCk Theodore V. Summers Jr

0837 heSPeruS Donald G. Hart 0839 athelStaNe Donald F. Liebert 0842 traNSPortatioN George F. Manthey 0846 BuFFalo-lakelaND Bruce F. Hawkes 0849 North WooDS Albert W. Brussel John P. Hall Theodore L. Harwood Willard L. Payne 0855 PaumaNok-Port WaShiNgtoN Edward George Mcilhenny 0863 DuNWooDie Richard S. Watt 0879 CharleS W. CuShmaN Richard H. Eisenhauer 0880 BreDaBliCk Clyde H. Stagner Jack D. Van Meter 0882 yoNkerS Arthur E. Nichols Jr 0890 JoShua Robert Bloomberg Leonard Taubenblatt0890 Pilgrim Morton J. Koplo 0911 maSter BuilDer Thomas A. Hughes 0936 kilWiNNiNg-SuNSet George P B Outzen 0942 FraterNity-DuNDerBerg Leonard Brown 0944 uNiverSity Barden Conroe 0956 SPartaN Martin A. Olsen


0981 amherSt William A. Skinner 0982 WooDhull Earl C. Valder

1001 St. markS-PhiletuS Glenn N. Clark 1009 ServiCe Donald Victor

1016 Floral Park John M. Kern Jr 1041 BrotherhooD Ralph Cohen Theodore Newler

1057 SPriNgFielD garDeNS Leo Kagan William H. Kramer 1066 harry S trumaN Murray H. Warschauer

1111 WeSt SeNeCa Wilfred P. Becker 1126 South Shore-loNg BeaCh Gerald J. Rappoport

65 Years continues

011 loDge oF aNtiQuity George A. Jorgensen 0013 aPollo-kiNg SolomoN’S John K. Bailey George Osganian 0014 aNCieNt temPle William H. Mink Sr 0019 miDWooD FortituDe Stanley Jaffe 0021 WaShiNgtoN Robert P. Butler 0047 utiCa Forrest R Kelly 0049 WatertoWN Norman R. Ahlheim 0054 hayDeN loDge Joseph Clyde Miller 0055 graNville Robert Stewart Mason 0056 SteWart maNor-St alBaNS Donald E. Crow Jack Rivlin 0063 WaNtagh mortoN Walter H. Rucks 0070 eNterPriSe Lyle Albert Sisson Jr 0075 eveNiNg Star

George W. Moore Jr 0084 amSterDam George W English 0085 Bethlehem Arthur Schiff Clifford J. Scoons 0095 uNioN-Cooley Lawrence D. Train 0118 aDDiSoN uNioN Kenneth H. Ball 0124 auBurN Ralph C. Best Virgil H S Switzer 0127 lake City Leigh O. Holliday

0128 ogDeNSBurgh-aCaCiaN Richard I. Ellis 0134 loWville Donald F. Virkler 0147 WarreN Richard C. Palmer 0154 WakaN-huBBarD Sherwin Isaacs Frank B. Mehlenbacher Jack A. Milligan 0163 eraC Burton A. Ross 0172 ChaumoNt Stewart B. Smith 0174 thereSa Douglas C. Gleason 0178 CorNerStoNe Joseph G. Brown Jr 0195 FraNkliN Norman N. Christensen 0199 laFayette Franklin W. Saxton 0200 thomaS Raymond Edwin Barton 0200 garoga-SiNCerity Kenneth E. Pedersen 0201 geNeSiS Vincent E. Graziosa Douglas Miller 0203 muNN Lawrence Clark Stanley Roth 0205 PhoeNix Donald C. Natoli 0209 NatioNal Philip H. Nelson 0211 PoCahoNtaS Kenneth K. Watkins 0224 orieNtal-FaxtoN Wayne H. Smith 0232 kiNg SolomoN-BeethoveN Paul Pops

0240 highlaND Park Gordon W. Hipko 0252 eNChaNteD mouNtaiNS Jack R. Sutley 0252 mt. vieW John O. Thompson 0262 PhoeNix William H. Good 0266 PoughkeePSie Sterling B. Bishop 0267 Fort eDWarD Malcolm L. Ogden Sr 0270 oNeiDa Charles W. Meakin 0297 alexaNDria William H. Plimpton III 0298 FiSh houSe Gary C. Montanye 0301 DuNkirk-iroNDeQuoit Frank C. Haugh 0305 Fayetteville CeNtral City Wesley K. Lane Paul B. Ostergaard 0306 CuBa-FrieNDShiP George F. Francis 0320 uNioN Star Rodney R. Rittenhouse Richard John Spangenberg 0334 Cherry valley Ralph L. Bailey 0343 roNDout Melvin Mones 0359 raNDolPh Donald Frink 0364 horSeheaDS olD oak Herbert E. Marshall 0391 Salem Frederick H. Sweet 0399 maiNe Robert R. Hart 0402 CreSCeNt John Aarnio

0412 hoFFmaN John A. Goldstein John S. Volpe Jr 0413 WeSt Star Richard C. Sikes 0419 arCaDe John P. Bleistein Louis C. Domes 0438 marathoN Robert C. BirdLaVerne Dann Marlin R. White0442 WiNDSor Charles D. La Barre 0445 CaSSia Harvey Chertok 0458 Shekomeko Herbert Redl 0463 lamoka John Robert Allen Edson N. Howell 0466 oNeoNta Fred G. Hickein 0472 DryDeN Herman Lunn Wilcox 0476 FairPort-FloWer City Stanley M. Friedman Leonard S. Simon 0487 Normal Thomas Mamalis 0501 liverPool SyraCuSe Russell J. De Laubell Frederick H. Wyker 0508 herSChel-argyle Gerald I. Morehouse 0517 FroNtier Charles G. Cheyne Owen L. Murray 0520 CroSSroaDS Robert O. Maud 0521 liBerty Bruce W. Denman 0527 akroN A. Gregory “Gutgsell”, Jr.

0531 FultoNville John A. Brookman 0532 moNtiCello Lawson Rutherford 0533 rouND hill William Forster 0546 JamaiCa QueeNS village Robert N. Jaeger John P. Selda 0568 St. CeCile Alan Login 0586 iSlaND City George E. Duke William J. Rooney 0588 CarPeNter-emaNuel Eugene S. Fried Burt Rose Otto Salmon Kenneth A. Schwindt 0589 NauraShaNk A J. Harrington 0604 girarD PerFeCt aShlar Jack J. Rozenberg 0611 St. JohNSville Fred Wagner 0616 CaZeNovia Charles L. Davis 0645 riverheaD B John Ross 0647 aurora grata-Day Star

Anthony T. Arlis 0648 memorial Charles F. LaRonde Ronald W. Robinson 0650 amBoy-rePuBliCaN Elston M. Ecker 0653 JohN Jay Frank Cartin Mark A. Goldman 0660 roCheSter Wesley J. Beard

60 Years


0664 amiCaBle Donald C. Cantwell Russell B. Myers 0682 NuNDa StatioN Donald L. Thompson 0689 What Cheer Ernest Leon Labrake 0694 BlaZiNg Star Edward J. Thrun 0699 harmoNie Robert Lee Coe Jr0701 BeaCoN light Malcolm E. Vroom 0705 aCaCiaN John H. Wilson 0716 hoBaSCo Joseph Lowell Patterson 0722 Fame Gerald E. Trega 0729 aNChor-aStoria Raymond N. Palmer 0738 miZPah Rudolph L. Scherer 0751 la uNiverSal Ramon Rodriguez

0755 SavoNa Henry W. Morse 0757 Silver Harry M. Haubert 0776 reliaNCe Benedict Ernest Matheis 0784 kiNg hiram John T. Cowell 0788 FortuNe Edward J. Wood 0806 matiNeCoCk George R. Keene 0808 guiDiNg light-olymPia Lawrence B. Klein 0820 oN Da Wa Lewis O. Slocum Jr0827 harlem valley Derek T. King 0834 lake PlaCiD Donald G. Edgley 0839 athelStaNe Murray Harris Kaplowitz Sam Weinberger

0842 traNSPortatioN James E. Baer 0846 BuFFalo-lakelaND Joseph G. Streamer Jr 0859 CollaBergh-raDium Ernest R. Frutiger 0867 DamaSCuS Tommy N. Oliver 0890 JoShua Wilfred Greenberg Michael J. Weinberger 0917 ima Edward Berk Herbert Lapchin Stanley J. Zeitz 0922 amoS-Fort greeNe Edward Tager 0944 uNiverSity Frank Nania 0948 PerSeveraNCe-SuBurBaN Joseph Krasner 0958 moriah Leslie M. Rudolph

0966 JeSSe l Cooley Robert C. Readel 0969 CraFtSmaN roBertSoN Bernie Kolacki 0977 amityville Murney E. Lewis Jr 0985 miNeola Robert A. Kuhn Warren Rowlands Gerard C. Wuttke 0992 holliS Frank Padavan 1009 ServiCe City geBa Charles Adler Maurice M. Berger Howard F. Gordon 1037 viCtoria Sea gate

Charles Salzhauer 1055 verNoN Charles H. Milling 1057 SPriNgFielD garDeNS Lester H. Albers Edward L. Clogston

1068 JameS W. huSteD-Fiat lux Irwin J. Silberman Frank Tornone 1088 Charlotte-CoriNthiaN John L. Grosshans 1118 loDge oF the uNiteD ServiCeS Capt Robert A. Biller James T. Hixson 1122 FallSBurg

Harold Diamond Norman Nosenchuck 1132 keNmore John R. Van Son 1136 SleePy holloW Ronald Herbst 1174 SCheNeCtaDy Dominick J. DiNola 1175 FelloWShiP John J. Basile Sr Donald G. Vannatter

60 Years continues

55 Years

0003 mouNt verNoN James Joseph Finke 0005 maSterS Clark Baldwin Daggett 0006 St. George’s David Lawrence Monroe 0010 kiNgStoN Robert A. Lasher George H. Swart 0019 miDWooD FortituDe Robert Elliot Thompson 0034 CourtlaNDt Ralph E. Irving 0044 eveNiNg Star Arthur R. Carr Jr 0055 graNville William Paul Wright 0060 SuFFolk Walter C Parsons 0063 WaNtagh mortoN Warren Eric Lellbach Frank Harold Rowan

0065 morNiNg Star Robert Pfitzenmaier 0073 loCkPort John F. Collins Thomas A. Goodwin 0075 eveNiNg Star Kenneth H. Deitcher 0083 NeWark Donald L. Pfromer 0084 amSterDam Martin A. Hanna 0095 uNioN-Cooley Charles Raymond Shepardson 0098 ColumBia Frederick W. Freidel 0109 valley-SimeS Richard B Lippincott 0114 uNioN George R. Starr 0115 PhoeNix Warren Collier 0120 hamiltoN M. Bruce Prindle

0131 myrtle-JeFFerSoN Robert W. Bradley 0134 loWville William R. Hirschey Lawson M. Virkler 0136 mexiCo Arthur J. Babcock 0138 otSego F Robert Simmons 0145 mouNt moriah Jack C. Sandstrom 0149 au SaBle river William Lowell Thwaits 0150 SauQuoit Richard S. Owens 0152 haNover Richard Leroy Bradigan 0159 PultNeyville Glenn R. Haugh Robert N. Hopkins Kenneth Vandewalle 0163 eraC Ivan R. Sanzel

0195 FraNkliN Stephan E. Le Moine 0200 garoga-SiNCerity F Lee Walters 0200 garoga-SiNCerity Glen D. Webster 0203 muNN Edwin Kletzel 0211 PoCahoNtaS Bernard R. Horle 0219 Summit Benjamin A. Sharman 0224 orieNtal-FaxtoN Allen F. Bonapart C William Hoke 0240 WaShiNgtoN Philip R. Diefenbach 0241 harmoNy Martin H. Shore 0247 toNaWaNDa Erhard Moeller 0250 WillarD SylvaN grove William F. Bowen

0258 maCeDoNia Francis W. Shields 0270 oNeiDa Bernard Eugene Ranz 0273 FraNCiS leWiS Hans Mense Alfred E. Urban Jr 0275 DoriC SylvaN grove George Noroian 0276 mohaWk valley William V. Crim 0284 heritage William Thomas Hind 0289 St aNDreWS George T. Yamada 0292 PariSh uNiteD Donald R. Hill 0294 CaNaNDaigua Donald A. Stanton 0302 NorWiCh George Burgess Jr 0304 SChiller Herbert Friedrich


0305 Fayetteville CeNtral City Grant Edward Talbot Jr 0306 CuBa-FrieNDShiP Jerry Faulkner 0309 huDSoN river Linford Amalo Snyder Jr 0333 WeStBrook Charles R. Banker 0358 QueeN City-ChriStoPher g. Fox Edwin H. Schneider 0368 CrotoN John R. Saxelby 0375 Niagara Clifford A. Gauda 0392 SoDuS Eugene A. DeWispelaere 0395 amBer Eli R. Sochia Edward H. Warren 0397 ivy E. William Whittaker 0399 maiNe Richard John Misulich 0403 CommoNWealth-greeNPoiNt John Wilkes 0415 PulaSki William G. Farrington Walter W. Smith 0417 WaDSWorth Charles E. Morris Charles G. Wolz Jr 0425 WarreNSBurgh Wolfgang R. Schumacher 0426 NorthFielD Leon Lawrence Behnke 0437 WamPoNamoN Barry L. Vaughn 0445 CaSSia Solomon D. Hoffman Saul Horne 0464 DoWNSville Arthur N. Horton Bernard Nocella 0466 oNeoNta Donald A. Fowler 0468 CatSkill Irwin Schloss Richard Schloss

0475 Batavia Donald N. Boyce 0487 Normal Collins E. Osburn 0491 SChoharie valley Eugene W. Dietz 0501 liverPool SyraCuSe Alfred S. Leblang 0517 FroNtier Lyle L. Cook 0520 CroSSroaDS Warren E. Barth 0521 liBerty Eugene L. Doetsch 0526 heNrietta Robert Warren Knorr 0533 rouND hill Nelson E. Johns 0541 BraSher Carl B. Goodrich 0551 raNSomville Douglas J. Harrington William L. Helwig Joseph D. Whitt 0553 FarmerS Carl F. Higgins James L. Mayne 0554 WorkiNg Herbert C. West 0555 DiamoND thiStle Edward W. Faulhaber 0565 guiDiNg Star-aNgle John Bernard Cassidy 0575 olive Garry Leroy Davis William Arthur Rossiter 0582 WaWarSiNg Robert C. Judson 0589 NauraShaNk Richard J. Evans Richard Alan Nozell Sr 0590 roSe Kenneth L Clum 0612 hillSDale Frederick W. Hennig 0622 CeNtral SQuare Donald Francis Dixon 0627 Wallkill Donald Manning Broas Gerald Edmond Broas Walton Willson Ribbecke

0634 SCotia Maurice B. Deschler 0639 SomerSet Rodney G. Stroyan 0648 memorial John J. Cooper Merwin J. Giddings Gordon W. Knapp 0680 viCtor Samuel J. Miller Jr 0694 BlaZiNg Star Gordon Earl Offhaus 0699 harmoNie David S. Tiftickjian 0701 BeaCoN light Herbert Leroy Degroot 0703 gavel-troWel Steven Zuckermann 0710 riDgeWooD Richard F. Tiedemann 0711 CorNerStoNe Ramon F. Alzamora 0738 miZPah Edward M. Bellemare Jr George D. Campbell 0750 ShakeSPeare Nicholas Ferraro 0751 la uNiverSal Antonio Goncalves 0753 JuStiCe Paul Sosnick 0755 SavoNa James C. Allen 0757 Silver Theodore James Welch 0765 voN meNSCh Lothar Burkhardt Hans Joachim Pohlmann 0766 oCCiDeNtal John W. Evans 0774 laNSiNg George D. Isaac John R. Moravec 0776 reliaNCe Walter L. Palmer 0785 Niagara river loDge

Dale H. Ellsworth Otto Hurst 0787 gaSPort Robert Goodenough

0793 BaByloN William Dalgarno 0799 oriSkaNy Daniel Steven Rieben Kenneth C. Rieben Lawrence S. Rieben 0804 moreNo valley William Grebinar 0808 guiDiNg light-olymPia Stephen R. Ostrow 0818 melroSe William Orlo Davis Alan H. Hooker Richard S. Sortore 0819 ComPoSite Bert N. Price 0822 lyNBrook-maSSaPeQua William P. Hackett 0830 euNiCe Arnold Edward Palmer 0835 highlaND Albert H. White 0839 athelStaNe Edwin F. Murdock Jr William B. Steinbach 0846 BuFFalo-lakelaND Herbert R. Berlin 0849 North WooDS Allen Lee Stripp 0854 arChimeDe-roma Salvatore Badalamenti 0859 CollaBergh-raDium

Charles D. Kirstein 0863 DuNWooDie Robert H. Woodward 0877 WeSt PoiNt William Terry Kirkpatrick 0879 CharleS W. CuShmaN Bert W. Simon Jr 0896 tully Lynn Carleton Bloodgood 0904 NetherlaND Marvin Harvey Kushnick 0911 maSter BuilDer J Peter Burr 0912 great killS Richard E. Hagermann Martin D. Kiefer 0917 imaHerbert Cantor

0922 amoS-Fort greeNe Robert S. BresslerAnthony B. Hellman 0926 marioN Max Albertson 0934 JoSePh WarreN-gothiC Theodore Webb 0942 FraterNity-DuNDerBerg Paul H. Eberlein 0948 PerSeveraNCe-SuBurBaN Norbert Schecter 0958 moriah Joseph L. Lee 0965 geNeva John G. Wright 0968 Philo-mouNt SiNai Howard Alan Volpert 0970 JohNSoN City uNity Thomas Lee Bushnell 0981 amherSt Charles W. Walker 0985 miNeola Thomas M. Tuckhorn 0992 maNetto Brook holliS Stephen J. Kolesar 1000 PuBliCity Frederick Jonassen 1001 St. markS-PhiletuS Charles J. Mackey 1009 ServiCe City geBa Sheldon Ferber 1022 emulatioN Harold L. Meacham 1030 larChmoNt Raymond E. Hahn 1037 viCtoria Sea gate Melvin Lubins Arnold Marshel 1041 BrotherhooD Joseph Wisnicki 1057 SPriNgFielD garDeNS John E. Hassell 1068 JameS W. huSteD-Fiat lux Wilson Aboudi 1088 Charlotte Robert Paul Kennedy

55 Years continues


1097 alliaNCe Alan Curtis Cook 1107 haStiNgS Thomas WG Robertson 1111 WeSt SeNeCa George E. Killian

1127 SmithtoWN David C. Gluck 1129 helleNiC - Plato William M. Spanakos 1132 keNmore Mathew Fords Roger

1138 eggertSville-graND iSlaND James H. Buterbaugh 1147 Carroll David B. Wilcox

1153 moDiN Robert Daniel Stack 1154 yorktoWN Harry Karagozian John Karagozian 1167 SiBeliuS Henry E. Reinhardt

1174 SCheNeCtaDy Bartolo B. Conte Lowell M. Hawes 1178 great valley Charles A. Fluent

55 Years continues

50 Years

0001 St. JohN’S Joseph J Bohrer Louis Andre Mettey 0002 iNDePeNDeNt royal arCh Wayne D. Mundy 0004 St. PatriCk’S Neil K. Empie 0008 harmoNy Robert E. Preston 0013 aPollo-kiNg SolomoN’S Richard H. Stefanazzi 0024 uriel William Bennett 0034 CourtlaNDt Paul J. Kastuk 0044 horNellSville Stephen H. Conderman 0048 ark James H. Baldwin Jr Robert Hallock 0060 SuFFolk Donald T Scholl Jr0063 WaNtagh mortoN Douglas T. Michalek 0066 riChmoND aQuehoNga Donald G. Finkel 0079 hamiltoN Barton D. Leneker 0083 NeWark George E. Nichols 0085 Bethlehem Edward W. Goldman Arnold Proskin 0087 vaN reNSSelaer S Robert Bennett Robert G. Stark 0090 FraNkliN Frederick Voehringer 0103 riSiNg SuN Robert B. Ernewein

0111 St. laWreNCe Claude A. Palmer 0112 SteuBeN Gary L. Waldo 0121 QueeNSBury Paul G. White 0126 eaSterN light Robert R. Geers Glenn D. Shapley 0127 lake City Robert H. Wood 0128 ogDeNSBurgh-aCaCiaN John B. Kennedy Jr 0129 SaNger Gilbert A. Kemp 0131 myrtle-JeFFerSoN Donald M. Howell 0132 Niagara FroNtier Walter G. Greig 0134 loWville Frederick W. Carpenter 0136 mexiCo William F. Martin 0145 mouNt moriah Walter R. Barker Jr Donald C. Peterson 0147 WarreN A Robert Banker 0150 SauQuoit John R. Christiansen John H. Potter 0157 trumaNSBurg Daniel I. Parrish 0159 PultNeyville Jay A. Peters 0166 ForeSt Joseph A. Bartelo Herman K. Lasch James E. Trabits 0168 CorNiNg PaiNteD PoSt Hilton B. Champaign 0172 ChaumoNt Leslie K. Comins

0173 moNroe M. Donald Darrohn III 0182 kNiCkerBoCker Gerald Adelberg Morton Weinstein 0195 FraNkliN Enrique Castillo 0199 harmoNy Heinz Krause 0211 PoCahoNtaS Frederick L. Riegel 0219 Summit Joseph R. Orton 0223 romaN-hatheWay Lance Brian Broat 0224 orieNtal-FaxtoN Wayne L. Allen Francis A. Clarke Jr Ronald F. Saville 0229 orioNa grove Max R. Smith 0230 WellSville Douglas E. Nicot 0231 CaNaStota William M. Wilcox 0232 kiNg SolomoN-BeethoveN Marc Appelbaum 0240 WaShiNgtoN Norman J. Wehrung 0241 harmoNy Hugh L. Ripton 0246 arCaNa David Choueka 0252 eNChaNteD mouNtaiNS Cletus N. Rankin William Barry Wasson 0259 SiSCo August F. Carlsson Russell A. Lapine 0271 ChaNCellor WalWorth Nicholas D. Ziozis

0284 ameriCa Ambrose R. Laverdi Raymond M. Manuel 0287 CoNtiNeNtal Charles Disalvo 0303 SylvaN Robert D. Lewis 0305 Fayetteville CeNtral City Paul E. Hiltbrand 0306 CuBa-FrieNDShiP Fred Fay Dean Harry O. Minns 0309 harvarD Dennis J. Haines 0323 amity Ronald J. Kucinski 0347 CliNtoN-hamPtoN Lawrence H. Vallette 0351 SPriNgville Huston K. Myers 0356 uNiteD BrotherS Erich E. Hoyer 0364 horSeheaDS olD oak Gordon C. Samson 0365 goSheN Erwin Demberg Richard Mather 0375 Niagara Joseph B. Bower Sr0376 oNtario Donald E. Sinclair Jr 0379 oaklaND John S. Coffey 0381 hugueNot John Bilodeau 0383 NortherN aurora Ford Gilbert Paddock 0389 margaretville Harold B. Roese 0392 SoDuS Duane E. Grinnell Donald D. Johnson

0396 DePoSit Charles C. Proffitt Clayton H. Warner Jr 0397 ivy George E. Farmer 0399 maiNe Leon R. Osborne 0404 CoNStellatioN Cletis E. Shoup 0411 Candor James R. Block 0414 SCriBa Carl L. Shaw Jr 0425 WarreNSBurgh Harry R. Spahn 0426 NorthFielD Laurimore P. McConnell Robert J. Ratliff 0434 PleaSaNtville

hiaWatha Walter H. Anderson Louis J. Canaras 0449 maNahatta Richard Gondiosa 0458 Shekomeko Russell Kilfoyle Richard R. Moysey Samuel H. Shaffer 0466 oNeoNta Francis Hinkley 0471 tomPkiNS Edward K. Woodhouse 0477 WilDWooD Richard H. Whitmarsh 0491 SChoharie valley William L. Doe Bruce J. Palmatier 0494 JePhtha Frank L. Nantista 0506 roDmaN Donald B. Shaw


50 Years continues

0508 herSChel-argyle John D. Earl 0527 akroN William F. Gilbert Howard A. Sweet 0529 mouNtaiN Jens Sirset 0532 moNtiCello Robert W. Breen Clifford C. Horton Stanley Tremper 0541 BraSher Vincent E. Keckison 0542 gariBalDi Joseph A. Peloso 0545 CoPerNiCuS Richard Miller 0551 raNSomville David E Shire 0555 DiamoND thiStle Dimitri Sywyk 0557 JameS m. auStiN Ronald A. Fisher 0564 SaNDy Creek Wendell W. Rowell 0575 olive William John Wiggers 0581 WiNFielD Robert W. Armstrong Robert W. Chase 0584 aShlar Thomas A. Little 0588 CarPeNter-emaNuel Alan J. Berk 0589 NauraShaNk Salvatore A. Arico 0615 DomiNioN Roy M. Priestley 0619 eagle Richard N. Bohner John R. Frost 0620 CliNtoN F. Paige-BereaN Richard H. Briggs 0622 CeNtral SQuare William T. Hegarty

0645 riverheaD Robert P. Haller James F. Jordan 0659 otSeliC valley G Richard Dodge 0664 amiCaBle Richard A. Alexander 0667 ChurChville Rolf W. Schelle 0672 William Farr Charles Clayton Clark 0680 viCtor John T. Betts William B. Betts 0691 meriDiaN Alvin F. Sattler 0696 PeaCoCk David F. Crandall 0701 BeaCoN light James Nelson Glover Jr 0702 WeStCheSter Harold J. Engstrom Jeffrey R. Shearman 0708 kiSCo Thomas G. Barclay 0711 CorNerStoNe Angus Mackenzie 0722 Fame Joseph C. Cere Heinz Gunkel Robert C. Thompson 0737 gutteNBerg William F. Sandmeyer 0740 allemaNia Hermann Bornemann Walter G. Peter Heie O. Simonsen 0740 allemaNia Conrad R. Sump 0741 SoCial FrieNDShiP Allan C. Bedell 0750 ShakeSPeare Stewart S. Gross 0779 Clio Stephen L. Burritt 0784 kiNg hiram Paul D. Corliss

0791 liviNgStoN maNor Theo D. Felter 0794 mouNt DeFiaNCe Michael Wm Brown 0796 Dolgeville Harry J. Carter 0797 SeNeCa William H. Schafer 0801 SiDNey James A. Barnhart 0805 CoriNthiaN temPle James W. Gisleson 0810 uraNia Donald H. Fegley 0813 heBroN Bernard Rosenberg 0814 SCoNoNDoa Sherrill Robert W. Finch 0818 melroSe Gary D. Hutchison 0819 ComPoSite Emanuel Klibaner 0822 lyNBrook-maSSaPeQua Robert C. Cox 0826 SutherlaND Richard A. Wilke 0839 athelStaNe Henry L. Morris 0846 BuFFalo-lakelaND Bruce J. Moden Peter A. Susi Carl E. Swan 0854 arChimeDe-roma Gerald Joseph Anzalone 0855 PaumaNok-Port WaShiNgtoN Donald P. Wefer 0875 heNDriCk huDSoN David S. Borm 0877 WeSt PoiNt Conrad W. Flickenschild Henry C. Flickenschild 0890 JoShua Theodore Berkowitz Martin Popick

0892 QueeNSBoro Franz Kraft Robert R. Scherer 0915 BeukeNDaal William J. Shultis 0923 taDmor Robert W. Loch 0934 JoSePh WarreN-gothiC Neil H. Berke 0944 uNiverSity Guy Henry Banta 0950 koNoSioNi Harrison R. Homer 0958 moriah Eugene Cohen Marshall Rockford 0974 Sea & FielD #3 Richard B. Broyles 0975 BethPage Herbert M. Brunson Jr Oskar G. Danielson 0977 amityville Howard E. Lawson 0992 maNetto Brook holliS John C. Barth 1009 ServiCe City geBa Richard Broadman 1022 emulatioN Kenneth W. Dotzour 1035 SamaritaN-eterNal Bennet Silver Lawrence M. Simms Robert E. Urowsky 1037 viCtoria Sea gate Alexander E. Fisher Joel S. Fishkind 1043 Bay Shore Erich Hoffmann William C. Jara 1057 SPriNgFielD garDeNS Michael A. Rerecich 1066 harry S trumaN Arthur Eaton 1068 JameS W. huSteD-Fiat lux Martin H. Zuckerman

1071 PotuNk William G. Armstrong James E. Downs 1088 Charlotte-CoriNthiaN Harvey R. Butts Victor L. Gundrum 1101 PartheNoN Stylianos L. Coutsodontis 1107 haStiNgS Michael P. Skok 1122 FallSBurg Barry M. Feldman Irwin R. Gitlin 1126 South Shore-loNg BeaCh Alan L. Bloch 1127 SmithtoWN William K. Hamilton

1130 la guarDia Radcliffe D. Johnston 1132 keNmore Richard C. Atkinson William S. Miller 1143 valley Stream Clarence F. Sanford 1147 Carroll David F. Anderson Milton G. Smith Jerald L. Weber 1154 yorktoWN

William W. Geis Jr 1174 SCheNeCtaDy

Richard M. King Norman R. Olsen 1176 CorNerStoNe Arthur J. Reid 1179 milleNNium Lawrence Earl College Robert Dennis Gervan Norman L. Schneider 1180 DrumliN SQuare Leonard E. Clark 1902 NeW york No. 2 Abdulkader Kabbani 1905 SuleimaN No. 5 Majeed Habib Chammas


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JUNE 2016 5 4th Manhattan Dist. Philippine independence Day Parade – nyC 6 idaho night – James W. Husted – fiat lux lodge 1068 - nyC 7 fraternity Dunderberg lodge 942 – 100th anniversary rededication – Tarrytown, ny 12 schenevus Valley lodge 592 – 150th anniversary rededication – schenevus, ny 17 erie Districts Joint apron Presentation – Hamburg, ny 18 forest lodge 166 – 200th anniversary rededication – Dunkirk, ny 24 – 25 st. John’s Weekend – Utica, ny 26 eaP scholarship Presentations – Utica, ny 1 p.m. 29 Cattaraugus – Chautauqua – allegany Districts Joint apron Presentation – olean, ny

JULY 2016 9 eaP scholarship Presentations – schenectady, ny 12 p.m. 9 eaP scholarship Presentations – syracuse, ny 5 p.m. 10 eaP scholarship Presentations – rochester, ny 12 p.m. 10 eaP scholarship Presentations – Buffalo, ny 5 p.m. 16 eaP scholarship Presentations – nyC 12 p.m.July 28 – aug. 1 GM’s Cruise to st. Johns, n.B.

AUGUST 2016 6 GM Day at Camp Turk 11 niagara-orleans District Homecoming & apron Presentations – lockport, ny 14 Philanthropic lodge 164 – 200th anniversary rededication – Camden, ny 20 st. Patrick’s lodge 4 – 250th anniversary rededication – Johnstown, ny 26 – 28 Grand line Meetings at Camp Turk

First row (l-r): Brother Frank Franchard, Roman Hathaway 223; WM Carl Klossner; Brother Tim Brennan; RW Andrew Getty, DDGM, Second Oneida;

Brother Jim Blanchard; Brother Edmund Girtler, Jr.; Brother Theodore Riehle, Jr.Second row (l-r): SW Wayne Beckingham; W Albert Brussel, DSA;

Brother Adam Junod, Roman Hathaway 223; Brother Scot Gaffney; Brother Justin Masters; Brother Larry Ventura.

Third row (l-r): Brother Dean Pohl, DSA; W Tom Cooper, Eden Lodge 477, Eden, Indiana; Brother Jim Pohl; Brother Tory Dunn; Brother Doug Clark;

Brother Joe Stefanko, Jr.; Brother Thomas Smedley, DSA; and Brother Thomas Beckingham.

North Woods Raises new Master Masons

North Woods Lodge 849 Raised two Master Masons on Thursday, March 3 in the Lodge room at North Woods Community Center in Old Forge, New

York. The candidates, before undertaking the Degree, proved their proficiency in the presence of their Brothers by answering the necessary questions from the Fellowcraft Degree. Two Brothers from Roman Hathaway 223 and a visiting Brother from Eden Lodge 477, Eden, Indiana enjoyed the evening and helped fill in as craftsmen.

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From the Grand lecturerrW riCHarD J. Kessler,Grand Lecturer [email protected]

This past year the various lectures of the Entered Apprentice Degree were covered in the Grand Lecturer Conventions.

As the year progressed it was evident that much time was spent on the esoteric and philosophical meaning of the Apron Presentation. This encouraged me to more fully cover this very momentous instance in a Mason’s life. I hope that this extended explanation encourages you to continue your search for Light.

When you were initiated you were ceremonially presented with the lambskin or white leather apron. In ancient times, it was believed that everything in the universe was composed of combinations of the four basic elements: earth, air, fire and water. It is interesting to note that the traditional symbols of these four elements are contained on the Master Mason’s apron: earth is represented by the rectangular base of the apron, air is represented by the color of light blue contained in the trim, fire is represented by a triangle with the apex pointed up and water is represented by a triangle with its apex pointed down in the same manner as the apron’s flap. This is a further reminder of the universal nature of Freemasonry. Even though in New York State, our aprons are pure white, the reference to the light blue trim is pertinent to the importance of the apron.

The rectangular shape of the apron teaches us certain lessons. The four right angles teach purity, truth, sincerity and honesty, which are the generally accepted foundations of morality. The four sides of the rectangle represent the four cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice.

The triangular nature of the flap is interesting for several reasons. First, the triangle is the ancient symbol of the Deity in many religions. The apex pointed downward can be taken to denote the watchfulness of the Deity and the descent of benevolence and knowledge to created matter, or man. It is also a reminder of the generally accepted threefold nature of the Deity.

The five exposed angles of the apron when worn are emblematical of the five points of fellowship. The three angles of the triangle, the five exposed angles of the worn apron, and the sum of the four sides of the rectangle and the three sides of the triangle being seven gives us a reference to the three, five and seven steps of the flight of winding stairs to the Middle Chamber. This of course brings to mind our three Grand

Masters, the three Degrees, the five orders of architecture, the five senses of human nature and the seven liberal arts and sciences.

Finally, may you ever wear this apron with pride, and rest assured: if you never disgrace this apron, it will never disgrace you. Much of this information was available on many Masonic websites.Q. In the opening of Lodge, who is exempt from giving the

password to the Deacons?A. The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens,

Treasurer and Secretary are exempt when they are in their proper places in Lodge. In addition, all current Grand Line Officers and Permanent Members are exempt when sitting in the East.

Q. Who of the officers of a Lodge must be present at a Grand Lecturer’s Convention in order to qualify for the Howard Potts Award?

A. The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Senior and Junior Deacons and Senior and Junior Masters of Ceremony must be in attendance.

Q. One of my appointed officers has moved out of the area. Can I qualify for the Potts Award with the remaining six officers?

A. No. You as Worshipful Master can appoint and install a replacement for the officer who left the area. With his attendance at the Grand Lecturer’s Convention, with the other six officers, you can then qualify for the Potts Award.

Q. Our Lodge is located near the border of another jurisdiction where the age to join the Fraternity is 18 years. Is he able to visit and participate in our Lodge communication?

A. Yes, any member of a Grand Lodge with which our Grand Lodge enjoys fraternal relations may be admitted, as long as he can prove his membership, usually with a dues card. The 18-year-old issue has been eliminated. At the 235th Annual Communication of Grand Lodge on May 3, 2016, the vote to allow 18-year-olds to join the Fraternity was passed.

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLEBrotherhood Fund

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Grand Master’s Day at Camp Turk

August 6, 2016 Have you ever been to Camp Turk? Well now is the time to come! Bring your family and friends and future campers to Camp Turk. You are all cordially and fraternally invited to join with Grand Master Jeffrey M. Williamson at Grand Master’s Day at Camp Turk, which is hosted by the Camp Turk Committee. This year’s fun-filled Grand Master’s Day will take place Saturday, August 6, 2016. This is during the girl’s camping season.This is an excellent opportunity to visit and observe activities at one of the jewels of Grand Lodge. We would like to have you bring some children who will be able to attend camp in the near future so they can see the camp and become familiar with the camp programs. You will notice the steady improve ments to the camp grounds, buildings and the variety of programs offered to the campers, thanks to the Trustees, the generosity of the New York State Masons and the Camp Turk staff. The Committee hopes you will take this opportunity to see for yourself what a great and magnificent place Camp Turk has become.

RESERVATIONS are a MUST! 315/392-2081 or email [email protected]

NOTES FOR VISITORSNo dogs allowed

No smoking allowed

Grand Master’s Day at Camp TurkAugust 6, 2016

Schedule of Events

11:00 a.m. Guests arrive 12:30 p.m. Barbecue (everyone is welcome)

*Please remember to make a reservation 1:30 p.m. Carnival on the Athletic Field: Games, face painting, sackraces, dunking booth, etc. 4 p.m. Guests leave

Grand Lodge of New York’s 2016 Grand Master’s Cruise to Canada from NYC

July 28 - August 1, 2016 onboard Carnival Sunshine

Join the Grand Master as we sail on a voyage to visit our neighbors to the north. Relax on this four-night, fun-filled adventure onboard Carnival Sunshine from New York City.Explore the cobblestone streets of picturesque St. John, New Brunswick and its rich nautical history. Or venture to the Bay of Fundy where you may even sight a whale or two! By joining the Grand Master’s Cruise, you will be among Brothers, families and friends, and you will enjoy exclusive events and amenities available for the Grand Master’s group only! In addition, for every cabin booked in our group, JPS At Your Leisure Travel will make a donation to support the residents of Wiley Hall, part of the Masonic Care Community.

Pricing* Inside staterooms starting at: $662 pp Ocean view staterooms starting at: $732 pp Balcony staterooms starting at: $852 pp

• *Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include cruise fare and all taxes and fees.

• Prices quoted are based on availability at time of booking.

• Additional stateroom categories, single and third/fourth party rates are subject to availability at time of booking.

• A $150 per person deposit is due at time of booking. • Final payment is due May 20, 2016. • Insurance is additional and strongly recommended. • Airfare and pre/post cruise packages are available

upon request.

Masonic Cruises support Masonic causes!

ItineraryDate Port/City Activity Arrival Depart July 28 New York, NY 4:00pmJuly 29 Fun Day at Sea CruisingJuly 30 St. John, NB Docked 8:00am 6:00pmJuly 31 Fun Day at Sea Cruising Aug 1 New York, NY Docked 8:00am

For more information and to make your reservation, contact:

Judi Stern JPS At Your Leisure Travel

[email protected] 917/692-3806

MW Jeffrey M. WilliaMson Grand Master of the Grand lodGe

Documents

Transcript of MW Jeffrey M. WilliaMson Grand Master of the Grand lodGe