Awaiting Investigation:
Mr. William Bontempts          Mr. William Portilla,
Mr. Leonard Gottlieb              Mr. Edwin Siegel                     
Mr. Frank L. Parker                Mr. Stephen A. Siegel                                     

Awaiting the Degree of Fellowcraft:
Brother Jeffrey Balleste,  Brother Alejandro Bertin,
Brother David C. Bogart,  Brother Evan A. Haymes,
Brother Jonathan Leccese,  Brother Peter Leccese,

Awaiting the Degree of Master Mason:
Brother Frank M. Melita,  Brother Robert Palumbo Jr.,
Brother Steven Petrillo

FROM THE EAST� 

We held a Second Degree at last Thursday's meeting. I want to thank everyone for coming; attendance was excellent. Congratulations to our new Fellowcrafts, Brother Frank Melita, Brother Robert Palumbo Jr., and Brother Steven Petrillo.   I want to thank V\W\Charles L. Schueler, Jr. for performing the part as Master that night. He was outstanding as always.  I also want to thank R\W\Martin Dashevsky and W\Ernst Lorenz for filling in at the last minute for Brothers who could not be with us that evening. Brother Larry Bernard was also excellent with the Middle Chamber Lecture. Actually, the whole Degree Team did a terrific job. Thank you all for your time and effort.

A HISTORICAL NOTE:   #106   

     by Brother Matt Palmeri - Historian
Who was the first American to orbit the earth in a space craft?
Brother John H. Glenn Jr., on February 20, 1962. In 1964 Glenn petitioned and was elected to receive the Masonic degrees in Concord Lodge No. 688 of Ohio.  For varying reasons, it would be August 19, 1978, before he would become a Master Mason.  On that day the Grand Lodge of Ohio officers conferred each of the three degrees on him. He then became a full fledged member of Concord Lodge.

Sad Tidings:       
Brother Jon Barral's daughter Ruth, is now home recuperating from an intestinal infection.
Glad Tidings:     
Brother John Andrades's wife Coleen,is recuperating from a successful knee surgery.
Brother Larry Barnard's wife Dolores,is now home recuperating from successful surgery.

The Mason of the Year Dinner is next month. Tickets are going fast. Brother  Larry Barnard is Harry S Truman's Honoree. This will be an exciting evening, one that you will be sorry if you miss. See the Secretary for a ticket.

Monday, March 5^th, James W Husted-Fiat Lux Lodge # 1068 will host the Grand Lectures Convention. It will be an interesting event as well as instructional. All Brothers are invited. Officers, please let me know if you can or can not be present.  All Officers have to be there in order for us to  receive the Potts Award.

On Thursday, April 5th we will be meeting at Kismet Temple. The Queensborough Lodge will be having a Third Degree Drama in full costume. The Master, W\Al Dittmer is allowing us to attend this special event. To see this Drama performed is rare. I hope every brother takes advantage of this invitation

The success of our Lodge depends on YOU! Support it and be active.
 

Fraternally yours:

Abe Fichtenbaum

W\ Abe Fichtenbaum

Masons During the Civil War   

Written by: John Howey

Another example: L.J. Williams of Harvard, New York, enlisted in the 114th New York Volunteers at the beginning of the Civil War. He received the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft Degrees in Downsville Lodge No. 464 prior to his leaving home. 
Later during the war he was captured and imprisoned near Savannah, Georgia. While in the prison, he communicated with his friends in the North. His lodge in New York through the proper officials got in touch with Zerubbabel Lodge in Savannah and stated that they would consider it a favor if the lodge in Savannah would confer the Third Degree on the Fellowcraft Brother Williams. 
One night Brother Williams was taken from the prison and conducted to the lodge room in Savannah. He only had his blue tattered uniform to wear, a token of his sympathy with the cause he believed in. The officers of the lodge were all in Confederate gray. Although on opposite sides in the struggle going on on the battlefields of the South, they were all Brethren. He was then and there raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason and acclaimed a full Brother and friend to those who wore the gray. 
Later that night Brother Williams escaped. When asked about his escape he would "smile peculiarly. You might put it down as an escape, but it wasn't an escape strictly speaking. They put me in a boat and carried me off some distance. Then they deposited me on neutral soil between the lines." From there Williams was able to find his friends. Williams never knew who exactly helped him escape. He considered it as their secret and it was never disclosed. Williams stated: "I know exactly to whom I may attribute my escape, His name is Hiram."

R\W\ Martin Dashevsky
Secretary
93 Plymouth Road
Plainview, N.Y. 11803
516.433.6123
E-Mail: carmar@worldnet.att.net

W\Abe Fichtenbaum
Master
79 Hillsdale Ct.
Hillsdale, N.J. 07642
201.664.1916
abeaf@email.msn.com

FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK ...

While updating Grand Lodge records, I came across the fact that Brother Mordecai Fisherman had all three degrees in Zealous Lodge the same night. This took place on Nov. 16, 1943, during WW II, but I felt it was still an unusual occurrence. I requested of Br. Fisherman if he might want to share his experience, and the following is a transcript of the letter he sent in reply.

Dear Brother,
Thank you for your letter. I am enclosing a copy of the Lodge notice that informed the brethren of my being 'raised' all in one night. ( I have copy for archives). I did not know it was going to happen until I met with my uncle W\Henry D. Halperin at the Temple on 23rd St. He is the one (past master) who arranged the dispensation with the 8th District (should be Grand Lodge).
I remember that another uncle, Henry's brother, a past master of Cashan (?) Lodge, Harry J. Alperin, put me down at the 3rd gate, and Henry raised me. I was in something of a daze during the ritual, and really unaware of the 'knockdown', being h--dw----d until it happened. The following day I was on my way back to the Pacific, via the Canal Zone.  I'm 87 this year and memories grow dim, but that is one night in my life I'll never forget.
Sincerely, and Fraternally, (signed) Mordecai Fisherman."

The conferral of the degrees on a deserving brother is something that makes a lasting impression.. That is why it is so important for the participation of the full Lodge to show the new brothers how important an event it is.

MASONIC EXHIBITION     

by Brother Alan Rosenberg

Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City will present a new exhibition "Colonists, Revolutionaries, Builders: Freemasons in America" (March 15 - December 31, 2001) on the contributions and importance of Freemasonry in colonial and Revolutionary America. This exhibition will inform the public of  the important contributions that Masons made in forging an identity for the early republic, shaping the ideals of government and leadership, and for debunking the mythology surrounding the Masons!!!!!!

To The New Masons Lady   

R\W\ Rita L. Hauser
Past District Deputy Grand Matron , Richmond District,
Order of the Eastern Star of the State of New York (  in the year 2000)

I am very happy to have this opportunity to enlighten the ladies of the new Masons as well as all the Masons about a fraternity to which both can belong.

The Order of the Eastern Star was established in 1868 by Robert  Macoy ,33^o of New York City.  The first chapter was in New York State, Alpha Chapter #1, still in existance and meeting at 71 W. 23^rd Street. He organized chapters throughout the United States and Scotland.   His published ritual is used in all chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star.  Minor variations exist  in some states, however the principles are all identical.

items from the 38 New York Eastern Star  Districts are also available. It is an enormous bazaar with many raffles for sale for really fabulous gifts.  Many include monetary prizes as well. These are donated by the various districts.

There are many fun activities in which the sisters and brothers engage.  Among these are pot luck dinners, Chapter and District Chinese auctions and jamborees with numerous beautiful prizes , guest speakers, theater parties, receptions for Grand Line and Grand Officers as well as the Official and Social Visit of the Grand Matron and Grand Patron just to name a few The Grand Matron's position is equal to the Grand Master of Freemasonry.

The Order of the Eastern Star is not a religious organization.  It is based upon the individual's belief in a Supreme Being.  The teachings are lessons for daily living exemplified by five heroines of the Scriptures:  Adah, Ruth,  Esther, Martha and Electa. Masonry is founded upon the principles of brotherhood and charity.  The Eastern Star is likewise based on the same principles of charity, truth and loving kindness. Membership is open to all women (minimum age is 21 years) with or without Masonic affiliation and to all Master Masons.  The men can attend our  meetings even  if they are not members of the Order.

There is a regular procedure for becoming a member, very similar to that for Masonry.  A petition is presented to a chapter, followed by an investigation and balloting by the chapter. At initiation, each candidate is voluntarily sworn to secrecy. There are secret signs and passwords of recognition which must never  be revealed, even if membership should cease.

Each chapter has officers in different positions who work their way up the line (as in Masonry) The person in charge of the chapter is the Worthy Matron, just as the Lodge has the Worshipful Master. Members can become as involved as they wish.  This is an organization that will reward you with fellowship, friendship and a lifelong association with an extended family. If you are a Grand Line Officer, Grand Officer, or Grand Representative, you get the chance to travel  not only  within New York State as a representative of your District, but you will also travel outside of your state to visit other jurisdictions. Many members of the order will follow these officers during their travels.

New York has an arrangement with the State of Vermont, This is a  fun weekend  where brothers and sisters can enjoy themselves and return home having made many new friends who  otherwise never would have  met. There will be memories that will last a lifetime  which will bring back moments of joy.. Another event called the Gathering of the States involves many of the neighboring states convening for a weekend

The Order of the Eastern Star is an international organization that works toward helping the community in various ways--walk-a-thons for the challenged children of the community, collecting clothing and food for the homeless, giving gifts to seniors and nursing homes different times of the year.  On a larger scale, the chapters also help New York State communities that have suffered natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, ice storms, fire, etc. We have an emergency relief fund to assist members who find themselves in temporary financial straits.

There are scholarships for eligible Eastern Star  members and their families for higher education,  There is also a separate nursing scholarship.

In Oriskany, NY (about 9 miles from Utica) is the Eastern Star home and hospital as well as facilities in Pounder Hall for assisted and independent living.  Members are able to apply for residence there. We also support a day care center on the grounds of the Home.  Every year on the fourth Saturday in July, there is a pilgrimage to Oriskany (similar to the June St. John's Day pilgrimage to Utica.)  During this time the grounds are open to the public for tours. Items made by the people at the Home can be purchased. Numerous

.  If you are interested in joining a chapter of Eastern Star, they are located in NYC, Long Island as well as beyond our borders. For more information, contact me by  phone, mail or e-mail listed below. Please indicate in the subject line Eastern Star Membership.

Wouldn't you like to join an organization that does so much good for others, an organization that is a counterpart of the male Masonic fraternity? One sister has repeatedly said, "Joining the Eastern Star has been the best gift I have given myself. I am only sorry  that I didn't join earlier."     

R\W\ Rita L. Hauser
47  Copley Street
Staten Island,  NY 10314
E-mail  -  (busylady701@aol.com)