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Greetings Brethren,
I sincerely hope all of you are doing well and surviving a fairly mild winter.
It's no news to those of you that attend Lodge regularly that we have been very busy and that upcoming meetings will continue to reflect that we, fortunately, are an active
Lodge and, have a lot on our plate. If you haven't been able to make it to our meetings on a regular basis, you should know that we've hardly had time to conduct "regular business". We've been fortunate in that we have have been conducting numerous degrees for incoming Brothers, presenting contributions to local charities and focusing on Fellowship. If you haven't been around for a while and have thought "what's the point",
please come back. There are lots of new faces in the Lodge that you ought to meet. Who knows, you might find something in common with them and rekindle old friendships with those you haven't seen for a while. It's only a couple of hours a month and what the heck is on TV that beats shaking the hand of a Brother?
OK, time to mention a few things...
We've made marvelous progress with our Lodge modernization efforts and are thankful to the many Brothers who have pledged
their financial support to help us upgrade our Lodge's facilities. Pledge contributions are rolling in but we need those Brothers who haven't pledged yet to step up to the plate. Those of you in the
so-called higher income brackets ( professionals, legislators, IBMers and the like) think about it. Any amount helps!
Remember, that if you haven't pledged, any contribution you can afford is sincerely appreciated (and tax deductible). The tax deductible number for the IRS is for a 510(C) nonprofit organization and is #23-7579358. The number is unique to our Lodge.
We voted on and approved sending two young people (boy and girl) to Camp Turk this summer.
It's a nice feeling to know that we have provided a pleasant learning experience for two young folks in an equally pleasant environment.
Right Worshipful Brother Fred Grieve has been named the Dutchess District Admissions Counselor for the Masonic Home in
Utica. I encourage all of you who think they may have family who could be in need of utilizing the services of the Masonic Home to contact him at PO Box 424, Red Hook, NY 12571-0424. Phone 914-758-6028.
He has the info you might need to understand what it takes to take advantage of the Home.
Our degree work continues this year. We will conveying a 1st Degree on 3/10 (possibly two of them) and several 2nd Degrees
on 4/14. Please come to Lodge to either actively participate or witness the degrees. Think back how awesome it was when you went through them and how important it was to see so many Brothers present to
support and congratulate you. Please come by.
On February 22nd, several of us had the pleasure of being on PANDA TV (Channel 3) live. Brother Patrick Higgins, a
member of the Board of Directors of PANDA, arranged for us to explain our fraternity's involvement in the community. I've heard nothing but positive feedback about the event.
And it came from non-Brothers who I'm going to try and recruit.
In the category of "Did You Know"... did you know that the Red Hook VFW Post #7765 Ladies Auxiliary is collecting pull tabs
from cans for the Shriners Burn Unit in Boston? They are also collecting Campbell soup labels for the VFW's National Home. Think about reciprocating and collecting the labels. Get them to me and
I'll get them to the VFW.
I'm attaching a brief synopsis of a NY legislative proposal to provide real estate tax relief to Masonic Lodges. The
message is being circulated to all Lodges in NY State. Take a moment to read it and contact our elected officials to get this piece of legislation approved.
We've been asked to once again participate in marching in the Tivoli Days parade on 6/19. I know it's early notice
but the point is that we are recognized as an organization who can contribute to community pride by participating in events like this. Please put it on your calendar and join us in marching.
On 6/5/99 an Oklahoma Indian Fellowcraft Degree will be put on at Grand Lodge in NYC.
Bus transportation and box lunch will be provided for $38.00 per Brother. Busses will leave Rhinebeck Lodge at 8:30 AM. Again early notice and I haven't yet named a chairman for you to contact. But put it on your calendar. It sounds like a very interesting event.
Just a reminder about dues. They are due. Please make an effort to get them in as soon as you can.
There's a ton of other important stuff I could put in the Trestleboard but I'd just be repeating the minutes of our last
meeting. The way to find out what's going on is to come to the meetings.
I want to share with you my thoughts on Fellowship at the moment. Most of you know about the turmoil we've gone
through as a result of our Worshipful Master's inability to sit in the East.
It has been a challenge that the Past Masters of the Lodge have stepped up to without a grumble. They have filled in while I've learned what sitting in the West is all about. The point is, they have
never
stopped asking about how they might be able to help me out. It's a nice feeling to know that help is always there from the Brothers. I encourage you to participate in Lodge activities whenever possible. As a Mason, you can always expect help from your fellow Brethren. In reality, the help you receive might be commensurate with your
active involvement as a Mason. I know I mentioned this earlier in one of my first Trestleboards but, I feel strongly enough about this point to mention it again. Please get re-involved!!!
DATES TO REMEMBER
- 3/09 Building Committee Meeting at 7 PM
- 3/10 Hendrick Hudson Lodge Communication (1st Degree).. Lodge opens at 7 PM.
- 3/13 Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner
- 3/14 OES Education Session
- 3/15 Wappingers Lodge exemplification of 1st Degree as done 200 years ago. Contact RW Stu Kronk at 471-2650.
- 3/20 Charity Ball at Sheridan in Poughkeepsie.. contact Brother Mike Scott at 758-4344
- 3/24 Hendrick Hudson Lodge Communication... Lodge opens at 7:30 PM
- 4/01 Grand Lecturer's Convention at HHL #875
- 4/11 Communion Breakfast ($7.00 per person)
- 4/22 Master Mason of the Year Dinner at Mariners Harbor... contact Bill Crane at 758-4164
- 6/05 Oklahoma Indian Fellowcraft Degree at Grand Lodge of NY
- 6/14 Annual Golf Outing... contact RW Fred Grieve at 758-6028
- 6/19 Tivoli Days Parade
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