Sickness & Distress,
News and Glad Tidings (3)

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	Many thanks to Bro. Ben Hoff of Highland Park, NJ, who presented a wonderful lecture on the history of Masonic ritual in our December communication.
	The Lodge donated $1,000 to the Grand Lodge's World Trade Center Fund in December.
	RW Abe Berk has a new address, and has asked that we post it, and that all call him: 22603 Camino Del Mar Apt 1312 Boca Raton, FL 33433 (561) 347-6294
	Congratulations to RW Sheldon B. Richman, who was installed as the District Deputy Grand Master of his Virginia district. A large New York contingent made the trek to Alexandria for his homecoming in Andrew Jackson Lodge on November 15. Part of the delegation included RW Dan Semel, RW Cary S. Cohn (our DDGM), W Harold Besser, DSA, W Walter Schraeter, DSA, W Bill Thomas, Bro. Richard Seid and Bro. Edward Gingold.
	We were so happy to have Bro. Harmon Weston, of St. Johns #29, MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, sit in lodge with us in November. This marked the first time since our two Grand Lodges exchanged mutual recognition that we have been so honored. W Bill Thomas reciprocated by sitting with Bro. Weston in his own lodge several days later.
	Happy 93rd birthday to RW Abe Berk! Abe's natal celebration was September 15, and he was in wonderful spirits when I spoke with him.
	Walter and Maria Schraeter hosted the lodge for a Saturday BBQ at their new home in Milton NY. Lots of fun and familiar faces, including Sid Gittelson, Nick Ferraro, the Pelikows and Bessers, Barney/Rhea/Michael Daniels, Carl Liss, Bernie Liss, Bill Thomas, Ihsan/Elizabeth Toksu, and of course our Master, Bob Byer. I know there are others who I have not included, but our Secretary was not present to take minutes. Look in our photo album.
	W Sy Pritz, our Master in 1941, was moved to tears during our September 6 communication, along with many of the veterans who attended his commemorative event on September 6. The most telling moment was when Sy talked about staying young, and the enthusiasm he still has for live. "The tragedy of life is when a person dies while he still lives," Sy commented. It's obvious that Sy will live forever. Many Past Masters, including RW Abe Berk (who attended by cell phone), remembered Sy's tenure as Master and his legacy. Look in our photo album.
	Sy asked that he not receive any commemorative item from the Lodge, and that any brother should send a check to his fund: Samuel P. Pritz Scholarship Fund c/o Dean Allen Formicola The School of Dentistry Columbia University 630 W. 169th Street New York, NY 10032
	Sad Tidings: W Bill Thomas' mother had another stroke on August 11 following some surgery. He's with her in Florida for a few days. Please keep Millie Thomas in your prayers.
	RW Daniel Semel has been appointed Prince Hall's first Grand Representative near the Grand Lodge of New York effective July 30, 2001. MW Solomon Wallace of Prince Hall has been appointed our Grand Lodge Rep to Prince Hall. Dan withdrew as Grand Representative of Ireland, and anticipates he will be replaced as Grand Rep to Ireland by our Grand Master, MW Carl J. Smith.
	Give Him A Petition! Many of our communications have a by-line reading "Sorrowful announcement, etc." On this occasion however the line must read: Joyous announcement is made of the birth of a 6th grandchild in the Schraeter family. A son, Daniel Cory, to Paul & Miriam Schraeter, on Tuesday 31 July 2001. Daniel is a possible candidate for Shakespeare in 2022.
	W Walter Schraeter, DSA, went to the Annual Tappan Summer Retreat recently. Here's his report: At Tappan (which incidentally is a lovely place tantamount to a retreat), there were about 40 odd people in attendance, most of whom are usually active in district affairs. I have known them all because they were active participants way back when I had been on the lecture circuit in the 60's and 70's, all old friends. So for me it was actually old home week. There was ample table and chair comfort and an abundance of junk food available. People brought their own picnic and barbecue provisions and shared their larder with one and all. There was much talk about an up-coming grand master's get-together in September at Tappan which will include a catered meal. I had a nice time with old friends and I do look forward to a repeat performance in September. Needless to say, "Wish you were here."
	Our Grand Master will attend the Sixth District's First Florida Reunion Breakfast. Event will be at 9 am, January 23, in West Palm Beach. W Walter Schraeter, DSA, is coordinating activities in Florida. More information to follow. Please mark your calendars
	Many happy congratulations are in order for RW Sheldon Richman, who has been honored to be named DDGM for District 1A in Virginia for 2001-2002. The Lodge will set up some special plans for November or December in Shelly's honor.
	Shelly's glad tidings are tempered with sadness, however. His cousin, RW Raymond Shapson died on July 16 from complications caused by an aneurysm; he had been hospitalized for about 60 hours. Ray was raised in Shakespeare Lodge in 1970, was installed as Master for 1978, was appointed A.G.L. in 1979 (served with Marty Epstein and Sam Williams), was appointed Grand Representative of Wisconsin in 1984, and served on the Board of Directors of the Sixth Masonic District Association of Manhattan Inc. for two three-year terms. He moved to Florida permanently in 1990. He is survived by his wife, Faye, a daughter, Sandra Price, and her husband, a son, Dennis, and his wife, and two grandchildren. Expressions of sympathy may be made through donations to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund by calling RW David Rosenthal at (212) 673-4133.
	Our annual reunion at the Evergreen Restaurant honored our immediate Past Master, W  Bill Thomas. Advised to wear asbestos underwear, Bill received accolades from the likes of RW Dan Semel, RW Sheldon Richman, RW David Rosenthal, and our poet lauriet, W Milton Pelikow, DSA. See the pictures in our 2001 Summer Reunion Photo Album
	Congratulations to RW Cary S. Cohn, our District Deputy, who has been named to chair the Grand Lodge's Committee on Youth!
	W Walter Schraeter, DSA, continues to work in his own quarries. We all know that he moved upstate recently. Now he has arranged to have his street named after himself! He now lives on "Schraeter's Lane!"
	RW Abe Berk was the big hit at the local "Senior Prom" on June 1, when he was named "King of the Prom!"
	Our May 2001 Annual Summoned Communication was the best attended in quite some time. Visitors included our District Deputy, RW Brother Cary S. Cohn, and Staff Officer, RW Bernard Rashes, DSA. W Neal Teeman from Maimonides Marshall and Brother Robert Anthony also joined us.
	The Master's farewell address was well-received, as he memorialized the many works which the Lodge accomplished this year. [Read the Master's Annual Report, 2001]
	W Bill Thomas conducted a special Memorial Service for brothers who had gone to the Great Celestial Lodge this past year.
	Following annual reports, RW Daniel Semel conducted the election of officers for the years 2001-2002. Brother Robert S. Byer was elected Master, with Brothers Ihsan Toksu and Richard Seid sitting in the West and East. E-mail them your congratulatory remarks.
	The new Master promised to continue developing work from the past year. His first major project is a commemorative for RW Sy Pritz, Master of 1941, scheduled for the September Communication.
	The Summer Reunion will be Thursday, July 12, at the Evergreen Restaurant, 10 East 38th Street. RSVP to RW David Rosenthal.
	We have another purple apron among us! The Right Worshipful Stanley Schimmel was appointed Grand Organist for the Grand Lodge of the State of New York! We congratulate him on this special honor which the Grand Master has bestowed upon our beloved musician.

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