It was another busy week last week and it
doesn't look like things are going to change any time soon. We'll kick
things off on Monday evening with a Masters and Wardens meeting. Then
there are Degrees at Cornerstone and West Point Lodges this week, a
DDGM Visit at Hudson River Lodge, and we wrap up the week with Naurashank
Lodge's annual Dinner Dance on Friday and a Child ID program sponsored
by Athelstane Lodge on Saturday. I hope everyone will do their best
to come out and support all of these important events. See you next
week!
A Vetrans Day Message From Our Grand Master
My Brothers, family and friends:
As we approach Veterans Day on November 11th, I would like each of you
to pause in your daily routines and spend a few moments in remembrance
of those who have given their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms that
we do. The ability to meet and exchange ideas, engage in the Fellowship
of our Craft and not be afraid has been won for us and continues to
be protected by those who are members of our Armed Forces. They need
to know that we are here and thinking about them and appreciate what
they have done and are doing on our behalf. We acknowledge their dedication
to our country and appreciate all the sacrifices they have made and
continue to make.
Also please do not forget to remember their families that are at home
worrying about their loved ones, particularly as we enter this holiday
season. We all pray that they will return to their families and to us
soon and in good health.
To every Veteran, on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons of the State of New York, to our military men and women of our
armed forces past and present, we salute you. May the Great Architect
continue to watch over you and those you love! God Bless you -- and
may God continue to Bless the United States of America.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Neal I. Bidnick
Grand Master
DISTRICT NEWS
Masters and Wardens Meeting
The Masters and Wardens will meet at Jerusalem Temple Lodge on Monday
November 12th at 7:30 p.m. It is important that all of our Masters and
Wardens attend. Please remember that these meetings and this newsletter
are the primary coordination and communication venues in this District
and each Lodge is responsible for the information disseminated therein. If your Lodge is not represented, the officers are still responsible
for obtaining the information from other Lodges in attendance. Thus
attendance is expected of Masters and Wardens but everyone is welcome
to attend and we hope to see other elected and appointed officers
there!
Naurashank Lodge Annual Dinner Dance
Naurashank Lodge will will hold its annual dinner dance on Friday,
November 16, 2007 at The Manor House Restaurant on Blauvelt. This
popular event, a District favorite for 21 years, features an open
bar, choice of three appetizers, appetizers, and the fun and comradery
look forward to every year. The price this year is $39 per person
and tickets must be purchased by November 9th. No tickets will be
sold at the door. For more information, or to make your reservations,
please contact R:.W:. Dave Cranstoun at 845-623-3671.
Masonic Student Assistance Training (MSAT) Comes to Our Area
The Masonic Student Assistance Training Program is about to be held
in our area. For the second straight year, a three-day session will
be held at Hawthorne Cedar Knolls School in Hawthorne, twenty minutes
from the Tappan Zee bridge, on December 3rd, 4th, and 5th. The Program
trains teams of teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, nurses,
etc., (ideally a group of five or six per school) to help students
"at risk". The problem may be academics, health related issues, bad
attendance, attitude, drug or alcohol related, etc. What is novel
-- and highly successful -- is the team approach. It is appropriate
for elementary, middle and high school, public, private or parochial.
We have accumulated many testimonials about the program's success.
Typically, six or seven students are referred each year per each participating
faculty member; that would mean thirty-six or more students who would
get through their schooling and graduate.
The program is free to the school district, except to pay for any
necessary substitute teachers. Our Grand Lodge pays for professional,
outside counselors to run the course (Newman Stecher Associates),
and we provide lunch each of the three days. Obviously, a local venue
eliminates a three-day trip to Utica, where this is usually held,
plus motel, etc. If a school district is interested but uncertain,
we can arrange to have the responsible administrator attend for the
first day, to assist in deciding to attend a later session. We encourage
you, our Brothers, to make your local school districts aware of this
important opportunity ASAP.
UPCOMING CHILD ID PROGRAMS
Child ID System
The District Child ID System is available to Lodges who have two Brothers
trained in its use. These Brothers may sign out the system by contacting
Wor. Robert Morlang, Jr.. Please
allow a month in advance to reserve the system and allow the District
Committee to order the necessary supplies for your program. Please
remember that all unused materials must be returned with the system,
there is to be no stockpiling of supplies for future programs.
ORDMA NEWS
Next ORDMA
Meeting
The next meeting of the Orange-Rockland District Masonic Association
(ORDMA) will be held on Monday November 26th at a Lodge to be named shortly. A light supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by
the meeting and program at 7:30 p.m. All Brothers of the District
are invited and encouraged to attend!
ORDMA Holiday Party
You and your families are cordially invited to join ORDMA for its
annual Holiday Party which will be held at Hoffman Lodge on Saturday
December 30th. There will be plenty of family oriented entertainment,
children's activities, and good cheer. We hope you will join us!
ORDMA Dinner Dance
The annual ORDMA Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday March 15th,
2008 at Anthony's Pier Nine in New Windsor. Ticket prices are being
subsidized by journal sales again this year and will be $58 per person
or $110 per couple. We encourage you to assist us in selling journal
ads so that we can continue to subsidize the dinner and support our
District's community service and charitable programs. Forms will be
available shortly and you can direct any questions to Wor.
Bruce Klein. Please mark your calendars now!
* Denotes a dinner will precede or
follow the meeting or event. Please check with the contact for
details.
2007-2008 DDGM Visits
Athelstane Lodge No. 839
Tuesday October 16th, 2007
Cornerstone Lodge No. 711
Wednesday December 12th, 2007
Goshen Lodge No. 365
To Be Rescheduled
Hoffman Lodge No. 412
Tuesday November 20th, 2007
Hudson River Lodge No. 309
Wednesday November 14th, 2007
Jerusalem Temple Lodge No. 721
Saturday January 12th, 2009
Naurashank Lodge No. 589
Friday October 12th, 2007
Port Jervis Lodge No. 328
Friday September 14th
Stony Point-Wawayanda Lodge No. 313
Wednesday September 19th, 2007
Wallkill Lodge No. 627
Wednesday December 19th, 2007
Warwick Lodge No. 544
To Be Rescheduled
West Point Lodge No. 877
Thursday October 4th, 2007
SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION
The Orange-Rockland District School of Instruction is currently
in limbo because of a lack of requests to host it. If your Lodge
would like to hold a SoI program on a ritual topic of your choosing,
please contact the DDGM.
In the meanwhile, Jerusalem Temple Lodge will be hosting a monthly
School at 9:00 a.m. on the third Saturdays and Stony Point-Wawayanda
expects to start a School of their own shortly. Please contact
these Lodges for more details.
SICKNESS AND DISTRESS
Wor. Louis Irizarry III, Past Master of Athelstane Lodge and
a very hard working young Mason, has been in Nyack Hospital, where
he underwent an emergency surgical procedure. His father, Wor.
Louis Irixarry II, informs us that Louis is recovering and resting
comfortably. We ask everyone to keep Lou3 in your thoughts and
prayers.
The Optimist Creed
From Optimist International comes the "Optimist Creed,"
which many a man would do well to incorporate into his life: This
might be something to include in a Lodge newsletter, on in a Lodge
Education Program. As you read the 'creed' you might notice some
of it that will remind you of some of the Masonic Tenets.
The Optimist Creed
Promise yourself:
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you
meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything, and make your optimism
come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect
only the best.
To be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are
about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements
of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living
creature you meet a smile.
To giver so much to the improvement of yourself that you have
no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for
fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Copyright 2006-2007 Orange-Rockland
District, GLNY F&AM. All rights reserved.
Next ORDMA
Meeting