Orange-Rockland Masons Online

On behalf of our Grand Master and our Grand Lodge, I would like to thank and congratulate the Lodges that conducted Interfaith Services and Breakfasts last weekend. We know how much work you put into bringing this special part of our 225th Anniversary celebration into your communities and we appreciate your efforts. Many of the services, which also commemorated the events of September 11th, 2001, were poignant and emotional, and you did a magnificent job of conveying many of the principles and tenets of our Craft to your guests.

The second part of the 225th Anniversary celebrations in our District are continuing in our Lodge rooms throughout the month as our Lodges hold our In Lodge Rededication programs. Simply put, this is an opportunity for every Brother to rededicate himself to the principles and ideals of Freemasonry. In addition to reciting your three Obligations and receiving the Master Mason Degree Charge again, you will also have an opportunity to reflect on the Craft and its place in your lives. I urge you to consider the words of the Masonic Compact when you do this, a reflection of the ideals that we stand for, those of patriotism, religious tolerance, personal community service, charity, integrity, education, the importance of our ritual and the value of one's word. Nowhere in our obligations or this Compact are we instructed of the importance of boilers or screen doors, of real estate or politics. While a roof overhead is necessary to conduct the business of the Lodge you, my Brothers, ARE the Lodge. I hope each of you reading this will pick up the phone and call a Brother that you haven't seen in awhile and invite him to your Lodge's rededication. Don't forget to bring your Masonic Bibles for a special bookplate, and every Brother in attendance will receive a special commemorative pin.

Please remember three important events in our District that are detailed elsewhere in this issue: Masonic Family Day at Tappan will be held from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the George Washington Historical Site in Tappan, NY. We need some Brothers to help us man the grills for a few hours as we offer a barbecue at family friendly prices along with Colonial games, reenactors, and crafts. The ticket deadline is Monday for Masonic Family Day at West Point (see below). Get your orders in NOW! Finally, please be sure to let your Brethren friends, and family know about the District Apron Representations on Sunday October 1st. Details are below.

I hope to see you all at the Pig Roast or at Tappan this weekend. Have a great week!

District Apron Re-Presentations

Brethren, Family, and Friends of Freemasonry,

You are cordially invited to the Public Apron Re-Presentations and Ceremonies honoring the Grand Lodge officers of the Orange-Rockland District

R:.W:. Joseph R. Leo, District Deputy Grand Master
R:.W:. David L. Blasch, Grand Director of Ceremonies
R:.W:. Ronald W. Stoveland, Grand Representative (State of Oregon)
R:.W:. Charles Nagel, Grand Representative (Baja California, Mexico)
V:.W:. John W. Cola, Assistant Grand Lecturer
V:.W:. Scott A. Klein, Assistant Grand Lecturer

Date: October 1, 2006
Time: 12:00pm – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Walden Fire House Social Hall
Old Orange Ave., Walden, N. Y.
Cost: $15.00 each, Buffet Luncheon
Children under 12 Free
Jacket and tie, no aprons required

We hope that you will join our Grand Master, members of the Grand Line, and the Brethren of our District on this special day. Payment in advance is requested so that we can plan the luncheon, but you can RSVP by phone until September 27th. The important thing is having you there!

RSVP by September 27 to:
Clifford Medley
30 Maidstone Dr.,
Walden, N. Y. 12586
(845) 778-5075
cmedley@hvc.rr.com

Sponsored by Wallkill, Hudson River, Jerusalem Temple, Goshen, and Athelstane Lodges.

DISTRICT NEWS

Child ID System Fundraiser
The Orange-Rockland District is trying to raise funds to purchase its own Child ID system, which now consists of a laptop computer, camera, fingerprint digitizer, printer, etc. These systems cost about $2500 and while Grand Lodge now owns over a dozen units, demand is strong, and we'd like to have one in the District. ORDMA is working to subsidize the purchase and we are asking each Lodge to consider contributing $125 toward the cost. Individual donations are also greatly appreciated with any surplus going toward the purchase of supplies. Please make out and send your checks to Jerusalem Temple Lodge with 'Child ID' in the memo field. If you have any questions, please contact

Masters and Wardens Meeting
The Masters and Wardens will meet at Jerusalem Temple Lodge on Monday October 9th at 7:00 p.m., and we look forward to hearing reports about the 225th Anniversary Interfaith Services and Breakfasts being held around the district on September 10th. The meeting will be held prior to the School of Instruction which will convene at 8:00 p.m. The trestleboard for the School will be the Entered Apprentice Degree. We hope to see everyone there!

Masonic Family Day at Tappan
You and your families are cordially invited to join our Grand Master and his Line on Sunday September 17th at noon as we celebrate Masonic Family Day at Tappan. Held on the awe inspiring grounds of the DeWint House at the George Washington National Historic Site, this day will have activities for the whole family to enjoy. Tour the grounds which can only be called a Masonic arboretum, visit the home used by George Washington as his headquarters several times during the Revolutionary War, and talk with costumed re enactors. Bring your kids to learn Colonial crafts and play Colonial games, and watch a puppet show. Instead of a expensive formal brunch, we'll be serving hamburgers and hotdog's at family-friendly prices. Help is needed by Brothers from the District but we're only asking for a few hours to help with set up and to man the grills. If you can help out, please contact the DDGM or come to the next ORDMA meeting if you can. We'd love to see you there!

Masonic Family Day at West Point
Join us again on Saturday September 30th for Masonic Family Day at West Point with all new activities at very old prices! We've kept the price of the day down to last year's price while providing even more fun for you and your families! Last year's price of $31 per person now includes not only your ticket to the football game of Army vs. Rice, but also seating under a huge tent with tables and chairs right alongside the scenic Hudson River. Family members who do not wish to attend the game can enjoy the day at this scenic location with crafts and activities for the kids for $10. Parking passes are $5 and you are urged to carpool as spots are limited. Coffee and pastries in the morning and watermelon and cold drinks throughout the day are included in the basic pricing, and a chicken barbecue with all the fixings is available for $7.50, or being your own picnic lunch to enjoy down by the river. For more information, click here.

Orange-Rockland Child ID Training
It is regrettable that our Community Service chairman, Wor. Wayne Flavin, was the only Brother from the District who was able to attend the training on the new Child ID system last weekend. With the new system now in place, it is imperative that every Lodge participating in the Child ID program have a team trained in the use of the new computer-based system. To facilitate this, a training session will be held on the morning of Saturday October 28th at the Cornwall Masonic Temple in Mountainville, NY at 10:00 a.m. All Lodges are encouraged to send a team to the training, and some other local service and law enforcement organizations have been invited to join us for this training.

Brotherhood Fund Meeting
R:.W:. Robert Stack, Chairman of the Masonic Brotherhood Fund, and members of his team will be at Hoffman Lodge in Middletown, NY on Saturday November 4th to train local Lodge and District chairmen in the procedures necessary to organize and run a successful Brotherhood Fund campaign. Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., and is expected to run about two hours. It is important that every Lodge be represented by its Brotherhood Fund Chairman or another designee at this meeting.

2006 DDGM Visits
It's almost that time again! The District Deputy Grand Master, RW Joe Leo, and and his traveling road show will be coming soon to a Lodge near you! Are you ready? Know what to do? We'll cover all the protocol at the School of Instruction on Monday September 11th. To view the schedule, please click here.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Hudson River Lodge Annual Pig Roast	Saturday September 16th 12:00 pm	info \| contact
Walden Day Parade (Wallkill Lodge)	Saturday September 16th 10:00 am	contact
Masonic Family Day at Tappan	Sunday September 17th*	contact
DDGM Visit to Hudson River Lodge	Wednesday September 27, 2006*	contact
Connecticut FC Degree Exemplification (West Point Lodge)	Friday September 29th at 7:30 pm	contact
Masonic Family Day at West Point	Saturday September 30th	contact
District Leaders Apron Presentations	Sunday October 1st at 12:00 pm*	contact
Wallkill Lodge Entered Apprentice Degree	Wednesday October 4, 2006	contact
DDGM Visit to West Point Lodge	Thursday October 5, 2006*	contact
Masters and Wardens Planning Meeting (Mountainville)	Monday October 9th at 7:00 pm	contact
District School of Instruction (Mountainville)	Monday October 9th at 8:00 pm	contact
DDGM Visit to Cornerstone Lodge	Wednesday October 11, 2006*	contact
Port Jervis Lodge Master Mason Degree	Friday October 13th*	contact
Jerusalem Temple Lodge Entered Apprentice Degree	Saturday October 14, 2006 9am	contact
DDGM Visit to Athelstane Lodge	Tuesday October 17, 2006*	contact
DDGM Visit to Warwick Lodge	Tuesday October 24, 2006*	contact
DDGM Visit to Port Jervis Lodge	Friday October 27, 2006*	contact
Child ID Training	Saturday October 28th 10:00 am	contact
Wallkill Lodge Fellowcraft Degree	Wednesday November 1, 2006	contact
DDGM Visit to Stony Point-Wawayanda Lodge	Wednesday November 1, 2006*	contact
Brotherhood Fund Training Meeting	Saturday November 4, 2006	contact
DDGM Visit to Goshen Lodge	Monday November 6, 2006*	contact
DDGM Visit to Naurashank Lodge	Friday November 10, 2006*	contact
Jerusalem Temple Lodge Fellowcraft Degree	Saturday November 11, 2006 9am	contact
Grand Master's Ball - Long Island	Saturday November 11, 2006*	info
Masters and Wardens Planning Meeting (Mountainville)	Monday November 13th at 7:00 pm	contact
District School of Instruction (Mountainville)	Monday November 13th at 8:00 pm	contact
DDGM Visit to Wallkill Lodge	Wednesday November 15, 2006*	contact
DDGM Visit to Hoffman Lodge	Tuesday November 21, 2006*	contact
Wallkill Lodge Master Mason Degree	Wednesday December 6, 2006	contact
DDGM Visit to Jerusalem Temple Lodge	Saturday December 9, 2006	contact
ORDMA Family Holiday Party	Saturday December 30, 2006	contact
ORDMA Dinner Dance	Saturday March 17th, 2007	contact
* Denotes a dinner will precede or follow the meeting or event. Please check with the contact for details.

IN-LODGE REDEDICATION PROGRAMS

Each Lodge has been asked to conduct an In-Lodge Rededication program in September as part of our celebration of the 225th Anniversary of Grand Lodge. A special commemorative pin will be sent to participants at these special communications by Grand Lodge. Please remember to being your Masonic bibles. The following dates have been announced. If you can't make the ceremony at your own Lodge, please try to attend another, and bring another Mason with you!

Athelstane	Tuesday 9/19	Naurashank	Friday 9/22
Cornerstone	Wednesday 9/27	Port Jervis	Friday 9/8
Goshen	Monday 9/18	Stony Point-Wawayanda	Wednesday 9/20
Hoffman	Tuesday 9/19	Wallkill	Wednesday 9/20
Hudson River	Wednesday 9/13	Warwick	Tuesday 9/26
Jerusalem Temple	Saturday 9/23	West Point	Thursday 9/7

SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION

The Orange-Rockland School of Masonic Instruction will convene on the second Monday of each month, at locations around the District. Instruction will rotate on a monthly basis between Ritual, Grand Lodge educational programs, and seminars on topics like Leadership and Communication.

Our next School will be held on Monday October 9th at Jerusalem Temple Lodge at 8:00 p.m. The work on the trestleboard will be the Entered Apprentice Degree. A brief Masters and Wardens meeting will precede the School at 7:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact the DDGM. We'll see you there!

HELP WANTED

Master Mason Degree Assistance Needed *Note Date Change*
Port Jervis Lodge requires assistance with a Master Mason Degree on Friday October 13th. Speaking and non-speaking roles in the Drama are required. The degree will begin at 8:00 p.m. with dinner preceding it at 6:30 p.m. If you can assist, please contact Wor. Joe Ryder.

Masonic Family Days are Coming
Masonic Family Day at Tappan will be held on Sunday September 17th and Masonic Family Day at West Point will be held on Saturday September 30th. Both of these events, sponsored by our Grand Lodge, will take place in the Orange-Rockland District and we are looking for volunteers to help with them. Both afford opportunities to socialize with your Brethren, and to introduce family and friends to the Craft. If you can help with either, please contact the DDGM.

Wallkill Lodge invites the Brethren of our District to join them in marching in the General Montgomery Day Parade in Montgomery, NY on September 9, 2006, and the Walden Day Parade in Walden, NY on September 16, 2006. For more information, please contact the Master, Wor. Robert Schroeder.