Let me cite for you some of our work and accomplishments over the past year:

	In June, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky commissioned the Master and Wardens as Kentucky Colonels.
	Our July Summer Reunion was punctuated with laughter and stories, as we honored the immediate Past Master, Worshipful Bernard Liss, at the Evergreen Shanghai Restaurant.
	In September, we had the first public installation of our officers since 1994.
	We honored many of our veterans in October, but I am most happy to have presented 50-year pins to Worshipful Harold S. Besser, D.S.A., Worshipful Milton Pelikow, D.S.A., and Worshipful Walter Schraeter, all three of whom were raised under the watchful eye of RW Abraham J. Berk in 1950. Tonight I am proud and happy to return to the three of you for your own personal collections the petitions you submitted to join our beloved Lodge over 50 years ago.
	Our Lodge witnessed another worthy Brother earn a purple apron in 1999. Since he was busy as Master of Andrew Jackson Lodge #120 in Alexandria, R:.W:. Sheldon B. Richman, Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Pernambuco near the Grand Lodge of New York, was received formally for the first time in October. Shelley was Master when I was initiated, and he escorted me through the Middle Chamber. My heart swells when I hear the term "Right Worshipful" as he is introduced.
	In November, our Grand Master presented his message through our District Deputy Grand Master, the RW Brother Cary S. Cohn, who honors us tonight, along with our Staff Officer, RW Brother Bernard Rashes, DSA, Grand Director of Ceremonies.
	And have the halls of our hallowed Lodge ever heard anything like our Holiday Music in December? I doubt that anyone was prepared for the mirth and merriment of the Master's own Philadelphia Jug Band.
	One of our most enlightening evenings included the January visit by the US Secret Service, whose topic of "Electronic Crimes and Identity Theft" kept us glued to our seats in the Colonial Room far later than normal.
	I had never been to a Table Lodge before, but it seemed like a fitting way to honor our 25-year Past Master, Worshipful Brother Isidore Kratka. The Officers worked for weeks on end to make certain that this would be a February night Izze would always remember. And it was a night none of us will forget - including our Brother Junior Warden, who learned how significantly Bombay Sapphire Gin can improve one's skills in any language! This was Shakespeare's Second Annual Table Lodge - the last being in 1987. I understand the incoming officers plan to perpetuate this as an annual event.
	Also in February, I visited our suntanned brothers for our Florida reunion. Worshipful Walter Schraeter and Right Worshipful Abe Berk hosted me for a day that shall live forever in my memory.
	In March, we had an important lesson on contemporary theories on the origins of Masonry. Brother Ben Hoff, whose mother lodge is in New Jersey, made an impressive presentation of the first part of his research. Everyone expressed a great deal of interest in this topic, and Brother Hoff has offered the incoming Master the second part for a future communication.
	The most important item on my personal trestle board was the Dedicated Service Award for the senior member of a dynamic trio, Worshipful Walter Schraeter. Abe Berk told me that this was the culmination of all his work, as Walter joined Harold and Mickey. I am most proud to help Abe with the fulfillment of a part of his life's work in the quarries of Freemasonry, as we honored Walter in April.
	We met before Grand Lodge in May this year, and RW Brother Daniel Semel, Judge Advocate, gave us a sneak preview of what we could expect. He spent quite a bit of time going over his work of the past 13 years as Chairman of the Grand Lodge's standing Committee on Unity. Grand Lodge thunderously approved the resolution on recognition of Prince Hall in New York. Dan received an extended standing ovation for which we are very proud
	And finally tonight we recognized the appointment of the RW Brother Stanley Schimmel as Grand Organist of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York.

Here are a few things I accomplished this year:

	I appointed myself as our Lodge's Webmaster, and set up our web site. I designed it to be a historical document, a recitation of our present labors, and a blueprint for future work. I am asking the incoming Master to allow me to continue working in these cyber-quarries.
	All five line officers completed the District's Leadership Program.
	All five line officers participated in the Grand Lecturer's Convention.
	I succeeded in getting the Grand Lecturer's convention in Shakespeare Lodge for 2002 - the first time since 1991.
	Shakespeare was the only Lodge with 100% line officer participation in the Staff Officer's planning convention.
	I wrote a History of Shakespeare for the Grand Lodge Committee on Buildings and Lodges, which will be included in a forthcoming book on all New York Lodges.
	The Senior Warden and I worked with the District's annual Holiday Party for our children and grandchildren.
	For the first time, I attended the Sixth Manhattan District's Annual Charity Ball.
	I traveled and worked in foreign countries, and sat in many Lodges in several Grand Jurisdictions. I had the opportunity to personally exchange tokens with Grand Masters in New York, Virginia, Tennessee, Colorado, and two Grand Masters in Maryland.
	Those travels included sitting in Mt. Hermen Lodge in Greenbelt, Maryland with my oldest and dearest friend, Worshipful Brother Michael Hurm. Mike introduced me to the joys of Freemasonry, he raised me, and I was with him when he was installed as Master of Mt. Hermen Lodge.
	I also sat in Andrew Jackson Lodge with Right Worshipful Sheldon B. Richman - my mentor and, this year, my right-hand in publishing our monthly mail out.
	I studied our archived records, both Lodge minutes and other documents. I found our original charter, and have put it into a frame. I present it to you now. I instituted the practice of wearing a hat while seated in the East. I can find no documents that any Shakespeare Master has ever worn a hat. It is a time-honored tradition in Masonry that I encourage my successor to continue.
	Our officers wore tuxedos for most of our communications - not because we had to, but because we are proud of our beloved Lodge. We wanted our brothers on the sidelines to know that.
	And have you noticed that I wore a different colored cummerbund for each of our communications?
	It seemed to me that if the Master wanted to communicate directly with the Brothers of the Lodge, then he should take an active role. Accordingly, I decided that I would write most of the monthly mailing. I had so much that I wanted to say! At times, my editor had to keep me down to a few important thoughts, and discouraged me from meandering with my monthly musings.
	Two years ago when I sat in the South, I asked the Past Masters if I could help shape my own administration by assisting in the selection of the officers. I wanted to see something special on our Altar, and successfully lobbied for Brothers Bob Byer and Ihsan Toksu to sit in chairs immediately behind me. I am Catholic; Bob is Jewish; Ihsan is Moslem. On our Altar tonight you see three Great Books representing wisdom for each Stationed Officer. I challenged them personally to look for Light as we traveled Eastward together. I am proud to see their accomplishments. This is the first time in the history of our Grand Lodge that any Lodge has displayed simultaneously these three Great Books on its Altar.

But I was not able to complete all the work on my trestle board. There is still some unfinished business. Most significantly, we did no degree work while I was sitting in the Master's chair. The ability to perform ritual in an exemplary manner has been the hallmark of this hallowed Lodge since it was constituted. In addition, our numbers are dwindling. In the past ten years, Shakespeare has had a net decrease in members of 169. I challenge my successor to make degree ritual a priority. Even if we bring fewer brothers into the Lodge, we must at a minimum maintain our proficiency.

Tonight, I complete my stewardship of the Oriental Chair. I look around the Lodge, and I'm quite pleased with my accomplishments. I smile as I see my line officers, each of whom took his respective seat with the understanding that together we were boldly going where we had not gone before. I am extremely proud of each of them.

I specifically thank my Wardens, Brothers Robert Byer and Ihsan Toksu, and Deacons, Brothers Jay Liss and Richard Seid, for all they have done this past year. They worked on ritual as well as laboring outside the Lodge. Each of them participated in District events that have continued to give luster to the name "Shakespeare."

Our Tiler, Right Worshipful Enrique Castillo, has been our faithful guardian at the door of the Colonial Room. But his role is greater than observing the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers. Enrique has constantly counseled this Master and has coached the Officers on their ritual. He is the reason why our Lodge furniture is always in order and ready for business. To our Tiler, I say, Muchas Gracias.

No Lodge can function without a Secretary. We have had many notable secretaries over the years. RW Stephen Rubinstein has been punctual in his reports and fastidious with his minutes. More than once I turned to Steve to advise me on how to proceed in Lodge and District business. Thank you, Steve.

RW Sheldon Richman has done more than a yeoman's job with our monthly meeting notices. He is a wordsmith of the highest caliber, and has helped me to mold my notices to you. Shelly has also been my mentor. He offered advice when I asked for it . . . and when I should have asked but didn't. That is a hallmark of true Masonic friendship.

My most treasured reward from this year is the friendship with a brother who sat in this same Oriental chair 51 years ago. I first met RW Abraham J. Berk in February 2000 on my first trip to our Florida Reunion. I was still the Senior Warden, and he was just beginning to mark his Golden Anniversary as our Master. We carried on a regular dialogue by telephone, and we met again at the next reunion in February 2001. To this day I can truly say that the greatest source of Light that I have received in Masonry has been from Abe. His sage advice on dealing with Lodge and District issues, as well as personal matters, has been a hallmark in my continuing travels.

But whatever growth we have seen is a direct result of the fertile ground in which you, my brothers, have planted seeds. My staff of officers has followed my lead, and we have worked together in all our endeavors. We have developed a bond that does not solidify except under the experience of working together towards a common goal. I quote from our communication of April 6, 1950, where Worshipful Abraham J. Berk said:

"One of the finest fruits of Masonry is friendship. Acquaintances are easily made, and many, aside from our Masonic, grow into abiding friendships. However, there is a definite reason for the solid foundation upon which Masonic bonds are made and increased. Men who have in common the gifts of Masonic teachings, who share alike in such a glorious adventure, who make sacred obligations at the same Altar, lay the groundwork for enduring friendships, and of such fiber they have a spiritual strength beyond the power of description."

Abe also told me to write down throughout the year the things that I was learning, and to read them at our annual communication. I've been doing just that, and here is some of the Light to which I've been exposed this year:

	I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
	I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he handles three things: A rainy day Lost luggage And tangled Christmas tree lights.
	I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
	I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."
	I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
	I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
	I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
	I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
	I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to BE one.
	I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
	I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
	I've learned that people need a little something to make them smile. People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.

And so, my Brothers, as I prepare to step down and serve my successor as zealously as he served me, I sincerely thank each of you, from the depths of my heart, for the privilege of having served you and the Lodge. I shall cherish these months of labor with both pride and pleasure. I know that I have done my best to take my place among the 103 illustrious Masters who preceded me.

To my successor and his staff, I offer my complete support and wish them a very successful year.

"2001 - A Masonic Odyssey." And, my brothers, this has indeed been an odyssey.

May the Great Architect of the Universe bless each of you, and bless our beloved Shakespeare Lodge.

Respectfully submitted,

W William J. Thomas, Master