The Brothers of Warwick Lodge No. 544 F & AM recently took part in ceremonies unveiling a memorial plaque, honoring some 435 Warwick area residents who were part of the 4th Regiment of the Orange County Militia during the Revolutionary War. Recognizing the important role of the Masonic Brotherhood during the War, the brothers of Warwick Lodge used the proceeds of their annual Lobsterbake to provide the startup funds for the memorial.

The plaque was a project of the Warwick Historical Society, and one of the Society’s members, Bro. Gary Randall, was a key supporter of the project. Bro. Randall is also a descendent of one of the 435 Militia members. Working with Dr. Richard Hull of Columbia University, and Betty Hurd, of the Warwick Valley School District, they carried out important research that answered a centuries old mystery, what happened to the almost 1,000 Missing in Action after the battle of Fort Montgomery? Many were members of the 4th, and had headed west to the Warwick Area after the battle.

Taking part in the unveiling were the Master, W:. Luke Gordon, W:. Peter Goydich, W:. Phillip Herbst, W: William Howell, Jr., W:. Daniel Janes, Bro. Randall, Bro. Anthony Sartori, Bro. Jerry Sommer, and R:.W:. Joe Leo.

Masters and Wardens Meeting
The Masters and Wardens will meet at Jerusalem Temple Lodge on Monday December 11th at 7:00 p.m. Please note this is a return to our usual meeting location. The meeting will be held prior to the School of Instruction which will convene at 8:00 p.m. Important information about the new policies regarding dispensations will be discussed, please make sure your Lodge is represented! The trestleboard for the School will be tips on how to learn and teach ritual, followed by some holiday cheer and cards. Please bring your Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts for this informative evening. We hope to see everyone there!

No ORDMA Meeting This Month
Just a reminder, the Orange-Rockland District Masonic Association will not meet this month buyt be sure to check out the info about upcoming ORDMA activities in the box below!

ORDMA Holiday Party
Everyone is cordially invited to join the Orange-Rockland District Masonic Association (ORDMA) as we gather for our Holiday Party at Hoffman Lodge in Middletown on Saturday December 30th. This fun-filled, family-oriented event will begin at 4:00 p.m. and end around 9:00 p.m. with an Italian buffet dinner served at 6:00 p.m. The cost is only $5 per person with children under 12 joining us for free! A full schedule of activities is planned for youngsters and oldsters alike including a magician, treasure hunt, video room, and family games. Please take this opportunity to see what our District Association is doing to promote fellowship and family involvement! Masons, prospective Masons, and their families are encouraged to attend, you do NOT have to be a member of ORDMA! An RSVP to Wor. Bob Morlang would be appreciated.

ORDMA Dinner Dance
Mark your calendars! The annual ORDMA Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday March 17th at Anthony's Pier Nine in New Windsor. The evening, which will feature a full cocktail hour, dinner, live music, and dancing is only $55 per person. We are supplementing the price with journal ads to make it easier for people to attend, but hope you will encourage your Lodge and local businesses to support ORDMA's charitable projects by purchasing an ad. For more information on tickets or ads, please contact Wor. Bob Morlang or Bro. John Gebbia.

ORDMA Calendars Now Available!
When we said 'mark your calendars' just now, did you have to stop to remember where yours is? Well, look no further, the 2006-2007 ORDMA Calendars are here! These handy pocket calendars contain all of our District's Lodge and Concordant Bodies meetings, important events, Lodge and District officers, and directions to our Lodges. The calendars cost $5 each and the proceeds go to support our District's community service and charitable efforts, including our new District child ID system. To obtain a calendar, contact any of ORDMA's officers. They make great stocking stuffers for your Brothers!

Frank M. Totton Essay Contest
The Grand Lodge Youth Committee is now accepting essays for the 2007 Frank M. Totton Essay Contest. The cut-off date is Jan 10th 2007. The topic is " How have advances in technology affected our daily lives?" The contest is open to all High school seniors who are sons, daughters, grandchildren or a member of the extended family of a Master Mason in the State of New York, and who anticipates attending an accredited college in the the fall of 2007.

The winner is customarily asked to read the essay the first day of Grand Lodge in May. The winner and sponsor are also invited to the Grand Lodge VIP Dinner with a room at the Grand Lodge Convention hotel on Sunday evening, before Grand Lodge convenes Monday. The form is available on the Grand Lodge web site (www.nymasons.org) and any questions can be directed to RW Cary Cohn and the Grand Lodge Youth Committee.

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 December 11th at Jerusalem Temple Lodge at 8:00 p.m. The trestleboard for the School will be tips on how to learn and teach ritual, followed by some holiday cheer and cards. Please bring your Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts for this informative evening.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!

When asked how he came to be a Mason, President McKinley explained:

"After the battle of Opequam, I went with the surgeon of our Ohio regiment to the field where there were about 5,000 Confederate prisoners under guard. Almost as soon as we passed the guard, I noticed the doctor shook hands with a number of Confederate prisoners. He also took from his pocket a roll of bills and distributed all he had among them. Boy-like, I looked on in wonderment; I didn't know what it all meant. On the way back to camp I asked him:

'Did you know these men or ever see them before?'
'No,' replied the doctor, 'I never saw them before.'
'But,' I persisted, 'You gave them a lot of money, all you had about you. Do you ever expect to get it back?'
'Well,' said the doctor, 'if they are able to pay me back, they will. But it makes no difference to me; they are brother Masons in trouble and I am only doing my duty.'
"I said to myself, 'If that is Masonry, I will take some of it myself.' "

We are saddened to learn that Barbara Trosin's Mother has passed away in a nursing home in Campbell Ford, Ontario, Canada. Sympathy cards may be sent to our Past Grand Master, MW Edward Trosin, and Barbara at
1 Elmwood Park West
Tonawanda, NY 14150-3314
The Orange-Rockland District extends its heartfelt condolences to Barbara and MW Ed Trosin for their loss and we will keep them in our prayers.

We are also distressed to hear that Wor. Wayne Flavin has recently been ill and we wish him a speedy recovery. Wayne is the Master of Jerusalem Temple Lodge and our District's Community Involvement Chairman. We ask everyone to keep him in your prayers as well.

Master Mason Degree Assistance Needed
Jerusalem Temple Lodge requires assistance with a Master Mason Degree on Saturday January 27th. Speaking and non-speaking roles are available. The degree will begin at 9:00 a.m. with breakfast preceding it at 8:00 a.m. If you can assist, please contact R:.W:. Joe Leo.

Master Mason Degree Assistance Needed
West Point Lodge requires assistance with a Master Mason Degree on Saturday January 20th. Speaking and non-speaking roles are available. The degree will begin at 1:00 p.m. with lunch preceding it at noon. If you can assist, please contact the Lodge.