| From The East Courtlandt Lodge #34 F&AM |
| MARCH 2010 FROM THE EAST “Human nature is universal.” Socrates Once again I find myself at the threshold of another From the East. What to write that it has not already been said or written? When it comes to masonry and masons the task is not so difficult, it is a complex one. The fact is that basically everything has already been said and written. This is true if you communicate with veterans Masons. Coil’s informed us that “it has been said that more books had been written about Masonry than about any other subject,” (Literature of Freemasonry, page 380, Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia). He (Coil’s) also concluded that such statement might be an exaggeration. Further on he mentioned that more than eighty thousand (80,000) titles has been written in Europe alone, in the U.S. it is said that the count is about one hundred thousand (100,000) titles about the craft or related to the craft and Masons. Every year the production continues. The weather is always an excellent beginning. It is done as an introduction to a good conversation among Brothers and also for the benefit of those Brothers living out of our area. On a Thursday, couple week ago (2-7, 2010), -it was cold in the morning, then it did rain during the day, then it did snow and during night time it was very cold, all in the same day. It was a day to remember! February was, well February. Hey, it is winter! As some of you know by now, our Lodge room on the third floor of the Elk’ s Club, the heating system has been out of commission for the past couple years. For that reason we meet on the second floor. Like in the old days we improvised a Lodge room. We pulled tables and chairs from there to here, we improvised an altar, and the officers take their station and places. At the end of the night we take care of our business. That’s all. In our first meeting in February 4, 2010 the meeting was twofold. We dealt with how to pay homage to our Brother Gene Glaser. It was an interesting discussion where each and every Brother present participated. The second part of the work of the evening was the presentation by Rt. Wor. Brother Paul Matthews, who delivered an interesting presentation on Jephtah, a Judge of Israel (who gave us the pw of the Fellowcraft Degree, Middle Chamber Lecture). The meeting was attended by the regular Brother. On our second meeting of the month on February 18, 2010 we paid homage to a very likeable Brother, a good and disciplined Mason, Rt. Wor. Brother Gene Glaser. Brother Gene Glaser will be moving to the Lone Star State of Texas. In fact he is spending a few weeks with us to put his affairs in order before moving to Texas to join his family for good. Even though he will be living in the Lone Star State of Texas his presence will always be here with us among his Brother Masons in Westchester. The work of the evening was attended not only by the Lodge Brothers and the District Brothers but by the Past Grand Master Most Worshipful and Gene’s friend Most Worshipful Brother Neal Bidnick. Brother Bidnick gave an account of this friendship that goes back more than two decades. Also present was D.D.G.M. Peter A. Flihan lll. Who (also) gave his account of Brother Gene’s Masonic life in the First Westchester-Putnam Masonic District. In recognitions of their affection for the Brothers of Courtlandt Lodge No. 34 for Brother Gene, they named a new Lodge program after the Brother. The Camp Turk Summer Program was named Gene Glaser Camp Turk Gene Glaser Summer Program. It was done in recognition to our brother excellent example as a Mason in our district and out of it. The Lodge room was mainly a show of emotions, good friendship and brotherly love. In essence that is what masonry is all about. My very thanks go to all the Brothers of Courtlandt Lodge No. 34 for a work well done. To all the Brothers, Worshipful Brothers and Right Worshipful Brothers from the District, to Mrs. Kathryn Wears (Gene sister) and Mrs. Bárbara Cardelli-Arroyo, to all, thank you very much. Now, the month of March promise to be an interesting one. On March 4, 2010 the Entered Apprentice Degree was canceled. Instead we held business as usual and the work of the evening was a presentation by Rt. Wor. Brother Paul Matthews about a Brother Mason who was buried twice. On the second meeting of the month, we will be conferring the Fellowcraft Degrre upon two Brothers which made suitable proficiency in the previous degree. Note: My Brothers the Lodge dues for this coming Masonic year had already been mailed to all the Lodge Brothers. It will be good if you mail your dues to our Secretary as soon as possible. The Grand Lecturer Convention will take place at the Yorktown Masonic Temple on March 12, 2010 (it is a Friday); it is sponsored by the Briarcliff Lodge No. 1155. For those new Brothers in the District this is an excellent opportunity to get to know your Masonic District and its Brothers. Also many questions will be answer by the Grand Lecturer. This is a unique event. If you need direction on how to get to Yorktown Tempe, or if you need direction give me a call (914-588-0188, 337-1366). I will be glad to assist you my Brother. See you soon in the District. Fraternally, Wor. Miguel Arroyo-Colόn Worshipful Master |
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