Sickness & Distress,
News and Glad Tidings (4)

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	Under the category of history, we received the following from the grandson of our 1925 Master, W Morris Moses Beskind: "By accident, I came across your web site. My grandfather Morris M. Beskind was your Lodge's Master in 1925. Not surprisingly, I was fascinated by your history section. Perhaps one of my earliest childhood memories was of the beautiful grandfather clock given him after he served as master. You may be interested to know that after his death at age 100, the clock passed to his oldest son, D. Herbert Beskind (age 86), who lives in Washington, DC and takes excellent care of the clock.... Donald H. Beskind"
	I was fortunate enough to have a chance encounter with our original Great Lights. That's right, the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses which Shakespeare used when it was first constituted in 1874. W  Michael Gold, DSA, is holding it in safekeeping, and displayed it while on a recent visit to his home. It was such a moving moment! This was the bible used by our founding Lodge members. I have included a photo of it in the Lodge's Photo Album, with a copy here.
	During a special communication in Allied Lodge on April 16, we initiated Lasha Gegechkori as Shakespeare's newest Entered Apprentice. And only two days earlier, on April 14, his beautiful wife gave birth to their first child, Alexander. It was after his initiation that we gave Brother Lasha a petition for initiation for Alexander! Alexander was rather excited to meet his mommy and daddy, as we weighed in at a hefty 8 pounds 11 ounces! Congratulations, Brother Lasha and Yana! And many thanks to the brothers to came to the degree: Bill Thomas, Ihsan Toksu, Robert Anthony, and another new EA, Brother Christopher Winnicki. Brother Anthony made the bible presentations, with Brother Winnicki assisting him.
	Brother Jacob Levy died in 1951. His great granddaughter found our website to learn something of the man she never knew. I did some research, and the very interesting report is here.
	And we have another Entered Apprentice! Brother Lasha Gegechkori was initiated at a special communication in Allied Lodge on April 16. Lasha is a professional translator. All three of our EA's will be passed to the degree of Fellowcraft at a Shakespeare special communication on May 23. We will also pass two brothers from Allied and Maimonides-Marshall. RW Sheldon B. Richman will return to the stellar role in the Middle Chamber.
	Welcome back to our snowbirds! Michael & Marsha Gold, Micky & Edna Pelikow, Walter & Maria Schraeter all came back from Florida with glowing tans that would make a dermatologist roll over.
	RW Bernie Rashes, Grand Director of Ceremonies, presented Masonic Military Service Awards to W Harold Besser, DSA, and W Bill Thomas at the April communication. Along with W Walter Schraeter, they recounted something of their military odysseys.
	Many guests from the GL of New Jersey in April. W Brother Stewart Thomas of Alpha Lodge joined us, along with three of his brothers. The Lodge extended its customary hospitality, and is invited to a FC degree being done by Alpha Lodge on May 8. Several of us plan to attend.
	We welcome Brother Robert Anthony, who affiliated with us from Watertown Lodge. Brother Anthony has been a regular sojourner with us, and has been a part of many lodge work. He has been a part of our EA degree team. W. Bill Thomas is honored to have presented his petition.
	Another petitioner! We are hoping this trend will continue! Please do your part by bringing new brothers into the Lodge.
	The GAOTU has another of our brothers in His care.. RW Brother Marty Klein joined the Celestial Lodge in February. We held a Lodge of Rememberance during our March communication.
	Brother Ernest Fanwick is still in intensive care with a very serious blood infection. He is expected to remain in the hospital through March. W Carl Liss visited him recently, and learned that Ernie had had a stroke during a procedure. His right side is affected for the time being. Carl says that Ernie tries to talk, but he had difficulty understanding him. Ernie gets therapy daily, and hopefully will rebound.
	Ernest was raised 54 years ago. His birthday was February 28, and he'd appreciate a note. Write to him in care of c/o Moses Nathan 1900 Consulate Place Apt 1204 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
	Please help us to honor our veterans in April. Here's a list of those brothers we hope will join us for this special night: 65 years Morris B. Morris (2002) 60 years Abraham J. Berk (2002) Abraham Berman 55 years Irving Brill (2001) Samuel J. Gould (2001) Harold Kaplan (2001) LeRoy Kramer (2001) Edward Metz (2001) Abe Perlman (2001) Irwin Silver (2001) Howard Wolf (2001) Arthur Zigas (2001) Richard Felman (2002) Frederic Goldsmith (2002) Charles H. Gordon (2002) Arthur Kaplan (2002) Jerome Lawrence (2002) Martin Raskin (2002) Alvin Ross (2002) Robert Weatherston (2002) 50 years Isidore Gross (2001) David Silverman (2001) Irving Goldenberg (2002) 25 years Kenneth Wagner (2001) Robert Wagner (2001) Jeffrey D. Bross (2002) Gary Messinger (2002) Louis J. Summer (2002)
	Two petitions for affiliation are in the hands of the investigating committee. We're happy to see petitions on the Secretary's desk. See the Trestleboard for details.
	Our degree team performed the Entered Apprentice ritual in a manner worthy of the name "Shakespeare" - as the name of the Bard and as the history of our lodge suggests. We are now working towards the Fellowcraft degree. Special note goes to Brothers Adam Mackler and Robert Anthony for the exemplary work on the ENTIRE Q&A section!
	W Walter Schraeter, DSA, assembed about 35 suntanned brethren and wives/girlfriends for our annual Florida reunion on February 11. Our poet lauriate, W Mickey Pelikow, DSA, warmed our hearts with his tribute to life. RW Shelly Richman told us of his travels through Virginia as DDGM. W Bill Thomas made presentations to a number of our veterans. Sadly missed was RW Abe Berk, who was unable to join the throng. See the photo album for some great pictures.
	We are saddened to belatedly learn that Bro. Nat Ressler has been passed to the Grand Celestial Lodge. Nat died almost a year ago in February at his home in South Florida. The Lodge has forwarded its condolences to his family.
	Shakespeare honored its tiler in January 2002 during our Third Annual Table Lodge. RW Enrique Castillo has been our faithful tiler since 1991. He has prepared each of the current officers for their degrees, and has been their wise counsel as they moved through the chairs. Enrique's evening was one we shall not forget, with visitors from other Lodges, as well as our DDGM and the Grand Director of Ceremonies. Sadly missing was Enrique's close friend, RW Sheldon B. Richman, who sent some inspiring words which were read by WM Robert S. Byer. Enrique responded in kind and warmed our hearts. (Read Shelly's and Enrique's comments)
	From Our Tiler, on the occasion of his honor night in January: "Dear WM: I want to express through this Communication and with all my heart and sincerity my thanks to your Committee, all brothers and to YOU for all the efforts making the Table Lodge honoring me, your Tiler, unforgettable. Thanks for your friendship, brotherly love and affection; it is indeed highly appreciated and reciprocated. God bless you and Barbara, and may this year, 2002, be better than the past, greatest in good will, prosperity and fruitfulness in all of your doings, especially to all brothers of Shakespeare Lodge." RW Enrique Castillo, Tiler
	Condolences from the Lodge go to RW Sheldon B. Richman and Bro. Sidney B. Winograd on the death of their uncle, Mr. Jack Richman, who was laid to rest in Wethersfield, Connecticut on January 6.

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