These are the events of Masonic year 2006-2007.
May 7th, Good Samaritan Lodge won the attendance trophy for the highest number of people present at tonight's Lodge of Instruction for the THIRD MONTH IN A ROW! We now proudly display the coveted "green 4-leaf clover" trophy at our Lodge and are required to return with as many Brethren we can for the next Lodge of Instruction to retain possession. Thank you to all who come regularly; we couldn't do it without you! LET'S KEEP THIS TREND GOING!
May 2nd, Brothers Ian Moss and Antonio Deodato took their second steps as Fellowcrafts. Brother Dave Craigie performed a very difficult ritual perfectly during the evening (left). Also, we recognized Brothers Nils Nordberg, Wallace Hayward, Arthur Curtis, Henry Libby and Elmer Lincoln as 50 Year Veterans of Good Samaritan Lodge. Their family and friends also joined them at the Lodge for Member Appreciation Night. Congratulations to everyone!
April:
April 21st, Good Samaritan Lodge took part in the Lucky 13th's District Wide MYChIP held at the Woburn Mall. Seven Lodges were represented, as well as some clowns from the Aleppo Shriners who came to help.
April 7th, the Brethren of Good Samaritan Lodge attended Ye Olde Table Lodge in Honor of Wor Charles J. Moore. Fellowship and entertainment was had by all who took part!
April 4th, Brother Ian Moss took his first step as an Entered Apprentice this evening. He will be joined by Antonio Deodato for their second steps next month as Fellow Crafts!
April 2nd, Good Samaritan Lodge won the attendance trophy for the highest number of people present at tonight's Lodge of Instruction for the SECOND MONTH IN A ROW! We now proudly display the coveted "green 4-leaf clover" trophy at our Lodge and are required to return with as many Brethren we can for the next Lodge of Instruction to retain possession. Thank you to all who come regularly; we couldn't do it without you! LET'S GO FOR THE THREE-PEAT!
March:
March 7th, Good Samaritan Lodge and Mount Horeb Lodge of Woburn conducted a Joint Fraternal Visit of the DDGM this evening. Both Lodges had candidates to raise to the Sublime Degree, and the evening was enjoyed by all! Wor Don Scribner was presented a Certificate of Commendation by the Grand Lodge for serving two consecutive years as Worshipful Master (top, left). Good Samaritan and Mount Horeb divided the ritual work amongst its respective Officers; while our Brethren got to know the Brethren of Mount Horeb Lodge, since we both meet on the same night and never have the opportunity to interact often. We were also honored by a surprise visit from the Widow Son #28 Lodge of Most Worshipful Prince Hall Masons (bottom, right). There were 65 Masons present for dinner and 80 present for the Visitation and Degree Work (top, right). After all the dust settled, 5 new Master Masons have joined the Fraternity (3 from Good Samaritan, 1 courtesy candidate from Olive Branch Lodge, and 1 from Mount Horeb); congratulations to them (bottom, left)! This is a tradition that both presiding Masters have agreed to continue, as Good Samaritan Lodge will go to Mount Horeb Lodge next year for the Fraternal Visit.
March 5th, Good Samaritan Lodge finally won the attendance trophy for the highest number of people present at tonight's Lodge of Instruction! We now proudly display the coveted "green 4-leaf clover" trophy at our Lodge and are required to return with as many Brethren we can for the next Lodge of Instruction to retain possession. Thank you to all who come regularly; we couldn't do it without you!
February:
February 24th, a blood drive was held in Stoneham where we collected 35 pints of blood for the American Red Cross. It was also Good Samaritan Lodge's turn to volunteer at H.E.L.P. in Malden. Rt Wor Earl Cole and Bro Curt Nitzsche (left) render assistance by making sure a walker is in good working order, while Wor Don Scribner and Bro Eric Robitaille (right) make repairs on wheelchairs and crutches. Thanks to all who volunteered that day!
February 19th, several members of Good Samaritan Lodge traveled to the Masonic Home in Manchester, NH to recognize and present Wor Charles J. Moore (our Senior Past Master) with a 50 year Past Master's Commendation (top, left) and Pin (top, right). Rt Wor Tom Welman, District Deputy Grand Lecturer, District No 2, (top, left) represented the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire and joined us in this special occasion. Great friendship and brotherhood was felt that day, and Wor Moore was very touched!
February 7th, our three Entered Apprentices in the Rt. Wor. Richard W. Burgess Class took their second step in Freemasonry and have become Fellowcrafts. Please come visit them next month as they are raised to Master Masons! Later on that evening, Good Samaritan Lodge held a St. Valentine's Dinner and Dance. The atmosphere and music were a delight to all who attended. Also, Wor Mike Alves announced a new friendly competition by way of Traveling Trowel. It is 3 feet long and it will start at Good Samaritan Lodge. The Lodge who then visits us; with at least one Appointed Officer, one other Brother (not a Past Master), and one newly raised Brother (or currently learning the Degrees), may take the Trowel back to their home Lodge. In the event of more than one Lodge competing for the Trowel, it will go to the Lodge with the greatest number of required personnel. Good luck to all!
January:
January 3rd, we welcomed into our Lodge three new Entered Apprentices in the Rt. Wor. Richard W. Burgess Class: Bro. Harvey C. Shirrmacher, Bro. Stephen C. Phillips and Bro. Michael J. Byrne. We have a fourth, Nathan D. DeHoyos, who will be taking his first step at the North Reading Lodge, and then he will join them in the coming months in their quest to become a Master Mason.
December:
December 16th, was our Lodge's time to volunteer at Hospital Equipment Loan Program (H.E.L.P.) in Malden, MA. It's a worthwhile charity where we accept donations of new or used hospital equipment, repair it if needed, and loan it out to anyone in the community who needs it free of charge. Below, Jonathan and Jim Baxter (left) adjust the controls on a walker and Ken Downey (right) replaces the brakes on a wheelchair.
November:
November 11th, our Semi Annual Texas Hold 'em Poker Tournament for Charity was won by Bro Scott Fillmore! He took first prize of an embroidered Masonic Jacket, Rich Maggio and Rich Maggio Jr won second and third prizes. Congratulations to them and thanks to all who entered and played as we raised $150 for charity! Our next poker tournament will be on Saturday, March 17 from 2pm-6pm at North Reading Lodge.
November 1st, Brother John Anthony Farese was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. All Officers performed outstanding ritual, including an excellent Canadian Charge by the Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden, Richard B. Burgess. Wor Mike Alves presented John with a Masonic sword; and he and the Senior Deacon, Wor Jack Hickey, shared a cake honoring this event and Jack's birthday!
October: 21st, our first MYChiP of this Masonic year was held in the Stoneham Town Hall. It proved to be a busy day as we successfully identified 235 children! Congratulations and thanks to all who attended a very worthy cause. The children were identified by fingerprinting by the Stoneham Police Department (top left), a videotaped interview by Bro Brad Van Magness (top right), a tooth imprint and DNA swab by volunteer dental assistants in Stoneham (bottom left), and all identifying materials returned to the parents for the family's record by Bro Neil Hill (bottom right).
October 14th, in conjunction with the Reading Knights of Columbus, we sponsored another blood drive here in Reading. Thanks to all who participated and lent a hand as together we raised 74 pints of blood for the American Red Cross!
October 7th, our Lodge held its Annual Open House Day to attract membership to our Lodge.
October 4th, Brother John Anthony Farese "gained regular admission with the Middle Chamber" and has been passed to the Fellow Craft Degree. We are all anticipating his raising to the Master Mason degree next month.
September: 6th, Tonight, Brother John Anthony Farese witnessed an excellent ceremony and became our newest Entered Apprentice. We look forward to October as he will witness the Fellow Craft Degree.
August: 27th, We participated in our annual Installation of Officers. It was a memorable event as our Master Donald Scribner "passes the torch" to Michael Alves. He presented Mike with a pin (bottom right) that was presented to him by Paul Craigie when the two Lodges merged. Wor. Bill Medugno performed the ritual (top right and left) to properly install Mike, and Rt. Wor. Earl Cole (bottom left) performed the "charge" to the newly installed officers. Congratulations to all!
