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Greetings Brethren,
I hope all of you are well and coping with the frigid weather. Hurry up Spring!!!
In spite of the cold, we had a busy first month of the Millennium.
Our baked ham dinner was a rousing success. We served around 200 guests who seemed to all have a terrific time enjoying the culinary expertise of our kitchen crew. That, by itself, is reason to be pleased, but there was more making it a good event for our Lodge. The participation and teamwork that went into selling the tickets, getting ready for the dinner, serving it up and then cleaning up afterward was terrific. Many hands made for light work (and good fellowship). It proved that we can do it cheerfully and painlessly. Thanks to all who made the dinner so successful.
Mother Nature did succeed in fouling up our plans to raise three Brothers to the Master Mason Degree on the 26th.
I know you probably may not receive this in time but, I'm holding a Special Communication of February 2nd at 7 PM to raise these very patient Brothers. Please plan to attend and help them celebrate the event.
Our Brotherhood Fund contributions continue to come in and that's goodness. But, we are still well below 50%
participation. I hope that you will consider making a contribution as soon as you can. The amount is not important. Every dollar counts so please participate!
The Ladies of the OES will be happy to know that they now have sole possession of the space that was formerly the secretary's
office at our Lodge. The new secretary's office has been furnished and is finally in use. Stop by and take a peek at it. Thanks to all who helped make the move.
Our regular communication on February 9th is also the official visit of our Assistant Grand Lecturer, VW Brother Steve
Henry. Steve is a very enthusiastic and dynamic speaker and I'm hoping that you will all find time to come, listen and learn. I'm certain he'll make it an interesting evening.
The communication on February 23rd promises to be interesting also. We
will be holding our first "Table Lodge" in several years! For those of
you who have never attended one, be prepared for good food, lots of toasting and a fun time. We'll have a very brief business meeting followed by dinner and
fellowship. That evening we will also take the opportunity to hold the annual Hendrick Hudson Association election of Trustees.
The sale of ads for the Charity Ball is well underway and Worshipful Brother Ford Franklin has his team out scouring for
private and business ads. He needs more help in identifying businesses that don't necessarily have a storefront but, would be willing to take out an ad. Please consider taking out your own ad or
upgrading the one you took out last year.
Remember, a healthy chunk of the proceeds come back to our Lodge for distribution to local charities. That's how we managed to give $1,000.00 to the Red Hook Ambulance Drive last year. Of course, you'll want to reserve April 1st for attending the Ball. I understand that this year there will be a full sized "big band" to entertain us. Anyone still own a zoot suit???
I can't guarantee it yet, but I'm working on having an Irish sing-a-long in March. Watch this space...
It's often forgotten or overlooked that we sponsor a number of different programs that are targeted at our youth.
Everything from essay contests and scholarships to Little League, Camp Turk and fishing contests. If you have young ones, or know of others who do, that might be interested, please let us know.
DID YOU KNOW???
You probably know that Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart was a Mason. During the last year of his life, 1791, he wrote one of his
most famous operas, "The Magic Flute" which is loaded with Masonic symbolism.
The last piece of music he wrote that year was his "Requiem" which he dedicated to Masonry. But did you also know, that the librettist for "The Magic Flute", Johann Emanuel Schikaneder (there's a mouthful), was also a Mason? Anybody know of any heavy-metal rock musicians that are Masons?
DATES TO REMEMBER
- 2/02/00 Special Communication, 3rd Degree, Lodge opens at 7 PM
- 2/08/00 Building Committee meeting at 7 PM, all are welcome
- 2/09/00 Stated Communication, official AGL visit, Lodge opens at 7:30 PM
- 2/23/00 Stated Communication, "Table Lodge", Lodge opens at 6:30 PM, dinner at 7:15
- 3/08/00 Stated Communication
- 3/11/00 Corned Beef Dinner, please sell and sell more tickets
Jules Riedel, julesr@netscape.net
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