Old Timers’ Night 2018

by

“Barn Lodge” / Old Timers’ Night and Awards for 2018

As in years past, our “Barn Lodge” / Old Timers’ Night was a huge success.  This is our final Lodge meeting for the year.  We gather outside or in a secure building like a barn. This year we all met at the East Aurora Fireman’s park tucked way in the middle of East Aurora and surrounded by sinking ponds.  We keep this meeting casual in honor and memory of the Brethren who helped to shape the rural, farming town of East Aurora and the surrounding areas, plus it gets hot!

Several Brothers shared in the fellowship and Brotherhood.  Some old faces we haven’t seen in quite some time returned for the festivities.  We gave out a 25, 50, 60 and 65 years of service awards.  Some Brothers could not make it because of last-minute obligations or health.  We miss them dearly and hope to see them soon. However, two of our Entered Apprentices joined the fun. They are scheduled to be Raised next year.  Keep an eye on this website or Facebook page for updates to help bring our newest Brothers more light.  

Brother Andy received an Excellence in Community Service award for starting and growing the Brother of the Bread program which collects non-perishable foods from manufacturers and delivers them to food pantries from Niagara Falls to Syracuse.  This program is grown quickly with the help of Lodges from several districts.  We hope to spread this program across New York State and further if possible.  For more information please see the Brothers of the Bread webpage or Facebook Page.

After Lodge, we all enjoyed some hot dogs and meatballs prepared by Brother John.  He even pulled out the secret baked beans recipe for the occasion.  Yes, we do have secrets.  After dinner Brother Dave announced the lucky winners in our raffle and by then everyone was ready for a well-deserved rest.  

We parted in the usual way, better men for being brought together and ready to continue our work through the summer months. The Lodge is going “dark” for the summer but you can always find a Mason in the community.

From The East – Old Timers’ Night

by

Brothers,

At our last communication, the officers for the upcoming year 2018-2019 of Blazing Star Lodge were installed.  It was a nice ceremony with a few friends in attendance. The new Erie DDGM was also in attendance. We had cake and fellowship afterward, all in all, a successful evening.

 

Our next communication is the last one for the current term. It is our old timers night. This year it will be held at the East Aurora Fireman’s Field just off Pine Street in the village. It is also awards night with many long-time Masons being honored.  The dress is casual there will be a small business meeting with a cookout to follow. Come on out and reacquaint yourself with your brothers and meet the new ones.

Fraternally and respectfully,

W:. Capron

11/14 Communication R:.W:. Bradley’s Washington Presentation

by

Brethren,

What makes Masonry the best time-honored and most respected fraternal organization today as in the past? Our ritual and fundamental beliefs as men and Masons.

The Grand Lecturers Convention was held last night at Western Star Lodge in Lackawanna. R:.W:. Kessler put on an excellent presentation pertaining to the opening and closing of a lodge on either the first or second degree. When Lodges start using the North Star program it takes longer for Brothers to pass thru degrees as they need to prove proficiency. The idea behind the different openings/closings is to have our Entered Apprentices and Fellow Craft present for opening and closing rituals to engage them early on in their Masonic journey. Engaging them early and keeping them involved is one way to help our membership retention. This is a look into the future of Masonry. If nothing ever changes it usually just fades away.

The M:.W:. Gilbert spoke and said “It’s ok to visit the past once in a while, but you can’t live there. If you don’t look to the future and adapt you won’t succeed”. Masonry needs to evolve and adapt with the changing times.

The opening on the first or second degree is completely at the Master’s discretion. There are minor ritual changes. So officers be forewarned it may be a good idea to look it over, not saying we are going to do it at the same time not saying we will not.

Our next communication will consist of finance committee reports, which will move right along into our program of the night the R:.W:. Keuther giving us a Washington presentation. He will be in period dress as he puts on his program. I am sure it will be very informative and educational. R:.W:. Keuther is a very energetic and engaging speaker. For anyone who has not heard him speak before I would highly recommend being there, and for those who have you already know it will be a good time.

I am looking forward to an educational enjoyable evening. I hope to see as many as possible there. Recommit and become more involved. Our long-term Masons have so much knowledge and teaching they can offer to the next generation of Masons. We are not just Masons while we are at a communication or a function, or for an hour or a day, we are Masons for life.

W:. G.S. Capron