Onondaga County Masonic District

• A Showcase of Young Musicians

  Posted:   Wednesday, January 25, 2012
  
  

  Sunday, January 29th
  2-4PM
  In Tompkins Chapel
  
  Featuring Youngsters from the Mohawk Valley Region with amazing musical talent.
  
  $15.00 for Adults
  $5.00 Students under 17
  
  Refreshments will be served.

  
  Proceeds to benefit the Masonic Care Community
  
  Tickets will be available @ www.mccny.com or through the MCC Development office and the front desk of the Health Pavilion

• Fayetteville to host a Super Bowl Party

  Posted:   Wednesday, January 25, 2012
  
  

  Where:  Fayetteville Central City Lodge

  When:  Sunday, February 5th

  Time:  5:30 PM  (1 Hour before Kickoff)

  Please RSVP to Lynwood Bennerson's office at 315.478.5640.

  Fayetteville Lodge will provide basic food (pizza, wings, subs) and drink (soft drinks and some basic beer) but we encourage brothers to bring their beverage(s) of choice and a dish to share.

  Any questions can be directed to Lynwood.

• Jordan Lodge February 2012 Word Article

  Posted:   Thursday, January 19, 2012
  
  

  My Brothers,

  I was scrolling thru the pictures on my camera and came across some a I took of last winter.  What a difference  a year makes.  Last year by this time we had over 72" of snowfall.  This year our grass is still green and northern extremes like Rapid City, South Dakota makes the evening news by being warmer than Miami, Florida.

  As we progress into the winter months, the lodge experiences subtle changes which tends to stress the very fabric of the lodge.  These changes come primarily in the form of vacancies at various positions.  We see sidelines become sparser as our "Snowbirds" seek out the warmth of the South.  Sometimes a job will necessitate that an officer…  Read More

• Tully Lodge February 2012 Word Article

  Posted:   Thursday, January 19, 2012
  
  

  Brethren,

  Our first degree for four candidates will be held at our first meeting in February, so mark your calendars for February 9.

  Dues are coming in and our Brotherhood Fund chairman has been busy mailing out notices. A special thank you to Bro. Albert Lasda, DSA for chairing the Brotherhood Fund work at 90 years old this month (Happy Birthday Albert!). Let's keep Tully Lodge on top of the Brotherhood Fund percent donated list.

  See you in Lodge on the 9th.

• Konosioni February 2012 Word Article

  Posted:   Thursday, January 19, 2012
  
  

  The Konosioni Lodge #950 Holiday dinner is now a thing of the past. A good time was had by all that attended this festive event.

  Our next community effort was to help the Syracuse Housing Authority collect some 20 bicycles donated by Konosioni and about 350 new toys collected by Br. Rick Miori through his toy collection boxes throughout Syracuse. This event was held on December 21 at the Housing Authority Coffee Shop which was crowded with very many adults. Dignataries like  Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler who stood in for Mayor Stephanie Minor, our contact at SHA Michelle Haab and the children who were to receive the bicycles and toys as given out by the Syracuse Housing Authority. Many of…  Read More

• Memorial Lodge 648 February Word Article

  Posted:   Thursday, January 19, 2012
  
  

  Brothers we have started a new year and I would like to  invite all our Brothers back to Blue Lodge.  We have had a great start this year with a great line of officers working hard to perfect their ritual.

  In January we had a chance to see our future officers at work in the next chairs at Moving Up Night.  I hope you had a chance to see them at work.  I'm very proud of all their hard work this year.  January we started a new class of candidates with our 1st degree and I would like to welcome them into our fraternity.

  I hope you all will come out to attend our Past Masters Night, come to dinner and stay for a nice event and watch some of our great past masters at work.  We would welcome anybody…  Read More

• Sad Greetings - Floyd C Popp

  Posted:   Friday, December 23, 2011
  
  We are saddened to learn that RW Floyd C. Popp has laid down the working tools of a Mason on December 22nd. RW Brother Popp had proudly served this Grand Lodge as Grand Marshal from 1980 to 1982 during the tenure of MW Bruce Widger. He also served this Grand Lodge as a Custodian of the Work and later as an Emeritus Member of that esteemed Committee. RW Floyd Popp was a 68-year member of Memorial Lodge No. 648 in North Syracuse, NY, having been Raised on December 2, 1943.
  
  Our Grand Master, MW Brother Vincent Libone and Deputy Grand Master, RW Brother James E. Sullivan, extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and Lodge Brothers of RW Floyd C. Popp. May he find eternal rest in that house not made with hands in the heavens above...  Read More

• New District Line Officers for the Onondaga Distirct 2012-2014

  Posted:   Friday, December 16, 2011
  
  The Onondaga District Selection Committee has selected 3 Brothers who will be our next District Line Officers for the 2012-2014 Grand Lodge Masonic term starting after the 231st Annual Communication of Grand Lodge on May 7th and 8th. W William Toth, Morning Star Lodge #524 has been selected as Assistant Grand Lecturer; VW Ed Sinay, Jr., Memorial Lodge #648 has been selected as Grand Lodge Staff Officer and RW James McNeal, Crossroads Lodge #520 has been selected as District Deputy Grand Master.
  
  Congratulations to all 3 brothers and we look forward to your future leadership…  Read More

• Apron Presentation to RW Ralph Rushworth

  Posted:   Friday, December 16, 2011
  
  RW Ralph Rushworth, Grand Representative to the Regular Grand Lodge of Kingdom of Morocco and member of Memorial Lodge #648 was presented with his Grand Rep. Apron on Saturday, November 26. The event took place at the Fireside Inn in Baldwinsville, NY. A total of 50 guests were present including the Deputy Grand Marshal, RW John Krupp and his wife Jane and our Guest Speaker for the evening The RW James E. Sullivan, Deputy Grand Master and his wife Gail. All had a great time of fraternal fellowship, food and fun.
  
  Pictured from (l to r) RW James Sullivan, Deputy Grand Master;…  Read More

• Grand Master's Holiday Message

  Posted:   Friday, December 16, 2011
  
  My Brethren, ladies and friends of Masonry in New York ...
  
  By now you have probably received the Holiday issue of The Empire State Mason Magazine and I hope you have had a chance to read it. It contains many pictures and articles pertaining to our travels this past year, a great many events recorded by our Brethren and Lodges throughout the state and our annual Holiday Message.
  
  Nevertheless, I am delighted to have this additional opportunity to electronically forward our greeting to you and your loved ones on behalf of Ginny and myself, Gail and DGM RW Jim Sullivan, and our entire…  Read More

• Morning Star January 2012 Word Article

  Posted:   Friday, December 16, 2011
  
  Happy New Year My Brothers,
  
  We have had a busy month and a good one. First there was our Official Visit and it was very good. The food was great thanks to the Order of Eastern Star #289. Congratulations to the Officers on a great job and you made me proud. The DDGM, Richard Torrey was very pleased and impressed with our work. He and his officers gave us some great information. I am please to report that everyone had a good time. It was also sad to here that Richard had to have emergence gall bladder surgery but is doing well and on the road to recovery. Get better soon and good luck.
  
  Our Table Lodge of Instruction was a great success and we had a great time. I would like to thank everyone who came and who participated. We even…  Read More

• Jordan January 2012 Word Article

  Posted:   Friday, December 16, 2011
  
  Brethren: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! Here we are well into December and have yet to receive measurable snow. By this time last year we had already received 47 inches of snow.
  
  On December 7th five brothers from Jordan Lodge #386 attended a 1st Degree at Skaneateles 522. Brother Dick Platten and W.: Dave Baird presented the Q's and A's and did a beautiful presentation. W.: Walter Schloop filled in as Marshall, while Brother Todd Platten and W.: Steve Baird served as conductors. Four new brothers were initiated for Skaneateles #522 and I wish to thank W.: Tim Gannon and the Brothers at Skaneateles #522 for a great evening.
  
  Our own 1st Degree is scheduled for Jan. 16th with dinner to begin at 6:30 PM and lodge…  Read More

• Nortrip January 2012 Word Article

  Posted:   Friday, December 16, 2011
  
  Greetings,
  
  I hope everyone had a great holiday with family and friends. I want to thank the brothers who helped deliver the Christmas Poinsettias.
  
  Our Official Visit has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 26, 2012. Dinner will begin at 6:30pm and the meeting will follow at 7:30pm.
  
  Please RSVP your dinner reservations by contacting me at 432-5455 by January 21st. We will have a presentation on Masonic War Veterans by RW Dennis Breheny at our first meeting in January. This will be a tiled meeting with refreshments to follow.

• Tully January 2012 Word Article

  Posted:   Friday, December 16, 2011
  
  Brethren,
  
  Many exciting things are happening at Tully Lodge #896! I am excited to report that we have four potential candidates for the Entered Apprentice degree work, scheduled for our Lodge on January 26th. We have revised our trestle board as follows:
  
  Jan 12 Regular Meeting
  Jan 26 First Degree
  Feb 9 Regular Meeting
  Feb 23 Second Degree
  Mar 8 Tri-Lodges
  Mar 22 Third Degree
  April 5 Possible Brother-Bring-A-Friend Night
  Apr 12 Move Up Night
  Apr 26 Surviving Spouses Dinner
  May 10 Elect Officers
  May 24 100th Anniversary Celebration
  June 14 Install Officers
  
  You will note the 100th Anniversary Celebration on May24th! Many hands will make light work for this exciting event, as…  Read More

• Liverpool Syracuse Lodge Holiday Events

  Posted:   Friday, December 16, 2011
  
  Brothers, The annual Christmas party will be Dec. 19th, Social begins at 6 PM, Dinner at 6:30 PM, and the Christmas program at 7:30 PM. The Cost is $15 Per Person. Bro. Drew D' Angelo will be cooking the meal. Reservations are required so please contact W.: Ralph Haney at 315-277-5088 or by email at rhaneyjr@aol.com.
  
  Breakfast with Santa will be Sat. Dec 17th from 10:00 AM to Noon. Please bring out your families. The event is free to attend and open to the public. Santa will be handing out socking to the kids and Bro. John Blair will have his trains running.
  
  Thanks
  
  W.: Ralph Haney Jr

• Military Lodge Recieves the Traveling Gavel

  Posted:   Friday, December 16, 2011
  
  Military Lodge recieves the traveling gavel from Liverpool Lodge at their regularly stated communication on December 5, 2011.

• The Traveling Gavel

  Posted:   Friday, November 25, 2011
  
  The Traveling Gavel being presented to Richard M. Torrey, DDGM by W Alex Vasilec, Master of Fayetteville Central City Lodge #305. The traveling gavel, which has resided at Fayetteville Lodge for some time will now be on its way to The Grand Lecturer?s Convention to start the new cycle. At the Convention, Liverpool/Syracuse Lodge #501 had the best attendance for the evening. Therefore, the Traveling Gavel now resides at Liverpool/Syracuse #501. Pictured above from l to r: RW James McNeal, Grand Director of Ceremonies: W Alex Vasilec and Richard M. Torrey, DDGM.

• Grand Lecturer's Homecoming Convention

  Posted:   Friday, November 25, 2011
  
  On Friday, November 18th The Grand Lecturer RW Charles Toombs held his final homecoming convention in the Onondaga District. This event was held at Liverpool/Syracuse Lodge #501. A roast beef dinner preceded the convention with a total of 142 brethren present, by far the most attended convention the Grand Lecturer has had during his 4-year tenure. It was a wonderful night of ritual and fellowship. Richard Torrey, District Deputy Grand Master for the Onondaga District, presented two gifts to the Grand Lecturer on behalf of all the brethren from the district, an engraved plaque in…  Read More

• A letter from Konosioni Lodge

  Posted:   Sunday, November 20, 2011
  
  To Brothers, Brothers all:
  
  The Syracuse Housing Authority has requested community support to provide toys and bicycles for the hundreds of resident youth located throughout the city of Syracuse.SHA serves nearly 1500 low income houses.
  
  In these challenging times Konosioni Lodge #950 lead by Worshipful Master Rolf Schwedes has pledge to Syracuse Housing Authority to help support the Holiday giveaway.
  
  In addition to collecting toys this year the lodge has began efforts to solicit donations of new Bicycles to be distributed at the December 21st Holiday Party at The Pioneer Homes .
  
  The idea to solicit donations of bicycles this year came from the program staff that believes bicycles would promote healthy activity…  Read More

• Liverpool-Syracuse December 2011 Word Article

  Posted:   Sunday, November 20, 2011
  
  I would like to thank all of the 55 Brothers that came out in support of the recent Third Degree. Additionally, I would like to give a special thanks to those who assisted in our Third Degree. We now have four new Master Masons and a new record of Brother's attending a degree.
  
  R. W. Thomas McMullian, Grand Senior Warden of the State of New York, and three of his lodge members were also in attendance. Bro Warren was very proud to help raise his son.
  
  The Grand Lecture's Convention was very well attended. The final total was over 140 Brothers that came out for the last upstate convention that R. W. Chunk Toombs, Grand Lecture of Masons, will hold.
  
  I would like to give a special thanks to R. W. Chuck Toombs for the many…  Read More

• Jordan December 2011 Word Article

  Posted:   Sunday, November 20, 2011
  
  Brothers,
  
  By the time this article appears in The Word, the Grand Lecturer's Convention will have passed. I wish to thank Bro. Bob Kimberly for filling in that evening as Marshall. Bob serves in that position in lodge and does a fine job. Bob became a Master Mason one year ago, and has been a faithful member right from the beginning, attending lodge meetings regularly and pitching in at lodge functions wherever he is needed. It's great to see new brothers become so active and keep our lodge vibrant.
  
  Also worthy of that distinction is Bro. Athonis Pines and Bro. John Meixner. Both have been very giving of their time at lodge functions and we sincerely appreciate their contributions.
  
  I recently heard that birthdays are…  Read More

District Officer Word Articles

From the District Deputy

Fraternal Greetings,

The Onondaga District Selection Committee has selected 4 Brothers who will be our next District Line Officers for the 2012-2014 Grand Lodge Masonic term starting after the 231^st Annual Communication of Grand Lodge on May 7 & 8. W. Joe Maslak, Jordan Lodge #386 524 has been selected as Assistant Grand Lecturer; W.William Toth, Morning Star Lodge #524 has been selected as Assistant Grand Lecturer; V.W.Ed Sinay, Jr., Memorial Lodge #648 has been selected as Grand Lodge Staff…    Read More

From The Staff Officer

Greeting Brothers.

Can you believe it is February already? Training in the district is going great, we even have some Lodges requesting classes be held in their home Lodges which I think is great. This shows genuine concern for our craft along with a real thirst for light in Masonry. This month we are conducting an MDC course at Crossroads Lodge on the 11th and 18th - if you would like to attend contact me and we will get you in. During the Official Visits I often mention the other side of these courses - fellowship.…    Read More

From the AGL

Well, by the time this article makes it to you, I can only imagine the kind of winter it’ll be.  However, with the 2^nd half of the Masonic year upon us hopefully also means that the Lodges are working through another round of degrees.  With degrees come ritual practices.  My Brothers I strongly encourage you to have more than one rehearsal for all your ritual work.  One practice should be reading the ritual and working through the floor work.  This means reading out loud in…    Read More