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 231st 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 Officer and R.W.James McNeal, Crossroads Lodge #520 has been selected as District Deputy Grand Master. Congratulations to all 4 brothers and we look forward to your future leadership in the Onondaga District.
For those Brothers and/or surviving spouses of Master Masons who have children or grandchildren who are graduating from high school and/or continuing their education in college, the New Year also brings to mind the filling out of Scholarship forms. The EAP Committee must receive the Grand Lodge Education Assistance Program Scholarship application no later than April 1. Grand Lodge has sent out these Scholarship packets to each lodge Secretary. This year the Scholarship Awards presentation will be at the Masonic Memorial Center in North Syracuse on Sunday, July 8, 2012. Registration will begin at 11am followed be the presentation program beginning at 12pm. Refreshments will be served following the presentation by Centerville Chapter #185 Order of the Eastern Star. Over the past 16 years, more than 10,000 students have been awarded grants totaling over $9,000,000. Best of luck to all applicants.
The 231st Annual Communication of Grand Lodge will convene on May 7 & 8, 2012 in NYC. Once again, the Oswego District is arranging Hotel and Transportation for those wishing to join us. The bus will depart from Canton Lodge, Longway’s Truck Stop in Watertown, Memorial Lodge in North Syracuse, and Cortlandville Lodge on May 6th returning on Tuesday May 8.The costs have increased a bit this year. The hotel will again be the Wyndham Garden Hotel on West 24th St. right across from Grand Lodge. The cost for the trip will be $370 per person/double occupancy for 2 beds in a room, $350 per person/double occupancy for 1 King Size Bed. Our bus will also provide free transportation to the Grand Master’s Dinner on Monday evening for those who wish to attend. (dinner reservations will be made on your own). Rooms are being held on a first come, first served basis. A deposit of $190 will hold your room. ($180 if paid by 2/29/12). The balance will be due by 4/1/12. Payments received after April 1 will incur a $10 late fee. Please make your reservations with me if you would like to attend and I will send you the reservation form to fill out and send back to me with your deposit. Make your checks payable to Richard M. Torrey so that I may send R.W. John Krauss one check with all the reservations made from the Onondaga District.
Transportation cost will depend on how many people ride the bus. If we don’t fill the bus, there will need to be an increase in total package cost.
May the Great Architect of the Universe keep you in his care until we meet again.
R\W\ Richard M. Torrey