R\W\Richard Torrey

District Deputy Grand Master

Onondaga District

 

 

We all know that April showers bring May flowers, well to put it into Masonic terms it also brought us new leadership in our Lodges, our District and in our Grand Lodge. Congratulations go out to all the newly elected and appointed Officers in our Lodges in the district. At the 229th Annual Grand Lodge Communication we also elected our new Grand Lodge Officers for the State of New York. Congratulations and Grand Honors go out to our new Grand Master of Masons for The State of New York; The M\W\ Vincent Libone. Our new Grand Line is as follows: Deputy Grand Master The R\W\ James Sullivan, Senior Grand Warden The R\W\ Thomas McMullin, Junior Grand Warden The R\W\ Charles P. Uhle, Grand Treasurer The R\W\ William Thomas and Grand Secretary, The R\W\ Gilbert Savitsky. Although we look forward to our Fraternities future we still need to remember and acknowledge our past. With that said, I would like to wish our Past Grand Master MW Edward G. Gilbert the very best of health in the years to come, and he and his wife best wishes in all their future endeavors. We as a Fraternity are very grateful for your leadership and dedication to our beloved craft. In our very own District we have had two very hard working and dedicated Brothers lead our District over the past two years. R\W\ Kevin J. Parker and R\W\ Roger Novak, you’ve displayed what it takes to be good leaders and I sincerely wish you both the very best as well, thank you.
To this years newly invested Worshipful Masters, you will soon be installed in your Station in the East and your Brethren in your lodge will look to you for your leadership to make your lodge grow and thrive during your term. The Grand Lodge Committee on Leadership and Education Services has developed a terrific tool to help you succeed as Master of your Lodge. This new education class is called “THE MASTERS CHAIR”. R\W\ Jim McNeal will be conducting this class on Saturday, June 12th at 9am at Crossroads Lodge #520. All new Masters in the district are required to attend this training class. On that same day, I will be having my district meeting with all the Masters as well. This program is very informative and a helpful tool for you to be a good leader in your Lodge. This is not just for new Masters; we are encouraging all the Masters elect to attend in the district. We can learn from each and every Master at this class. Look for more information in Jim’s article. I am looking forward to meeting all of you on that day.
St. John’s Day weekend will be on June 25th & 26th on the campus of the Masonic Care Community on Bleeker St. in Utica. I’m hoping that a lot of brothers and their families from around the district come on Saturday to enjoy all the festivities and witness the Public Installation of the Grand Line Officers and your District Officers.
The Onondaga District will be hosting the Grand Lodge Scholarship Awards on Sunday, July 25th at the Masonic Memorial Center in North Syracuse. The Onondaga District Apron Presentation Dinner will be held on Sunday, August 22nd at 5pm at Wysocki’s Lakeside Manor in Cicero, NY. Please contact R\W\ Kevin Parker @ 458-9098 for your reservations. We will again be at the New York State Fair with the Safety ID. Your new Safety ID Chairmen are W David Bailey form Morning Star #524 and Bro. Ralph Haney Jr. from Liverpool/Syracuse #501. The State Fair will run from August 26th-Sept 6th. Your Chairman will be getting in touch with each Lodge to ask for your assistance in staffing this important event. Please help out when called upon, thank you.
The Grand Lecturer R\W\ Charles Toombs has scheduled our Districts Grand Lecturer’s Convention. It will be held at Memorial Lodge #648. A delicious Turkey dinner will be served at 6:30pm. Reservations will need to be given to R\W\ Ron Waterbury @ 635-9196 or V\W\ Ed Sinay Jr. @ 699-4769 by September 1st. I am looking forward to a good turnout.
In Closing, I am very excited about serving the Onondaga District as DDGM for the next two years. I believe our leadership in the District is strong and I’ve put together a strong core of Brothers from around the District to be on the Official Family. So, the Official Family and I are excited to begin our new term and serve the Onondaga District to the best of our abilities.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer and I will see you at the Grand Lecturer’s on Friday, September 10th.
Richard M. Torrey