3rd Degree of Masonry - March 29, 2014

Brothers, This marks a momentous occasion for Harmonie Lodge No. 699. Not only were we able to welcome four wonderful men into the fullness of Masonic light but we did it in true Harmonie style. Over the last two years of my Mastership the Lodge has undergone a capital improvements campaign. We basically replaced every item needed during our Masonic work with more modern and durable items. The crowning achievement is the completion of the 3rd Degree regalia seen in this photo. It took two years to finish and required the talents of Bro. Geoff Haige and his wife at http://www.threadsoftime.com. They with our input designed and produced every item in the photo. The Lodge wanted to keep to our German roots and make something that would be unique to us. With that in mind we tried for a German medieval look that came out just amazingly.

The regalia means nothing without good work. The Brothers smashed it out of the park with this Degree. The Right Worshipful DDGM was in attendance and commented that his was one of the finest Degrees he has ever seen. I have to agree with him. It was spot on. This Degree also solidified the Lodge earning the Henry G. Meacham Ward for being able to preform all 3 Degrees without help from Brothers outside our Lodge's membership. Something that sounds way easier than it is!

Lets not lose what is most important. We welcomed four amazing men into full membership. The work impressed upon their minds how transforming Masonry is. They only get one set of Degrees and I know that these Brothers will take away an experience of a lifetime.

Wor. Daniel J. Di Natale

The Degree Team - DDGM - Our Newest Master Masons

9th Annual Ward A. Peterson Memorial Event - March 26, 2014

Thank goodness the weather was good! It took two more weeks then we thought because of the surprise blizzard earlier in the month but the event went off and with a huge bang! This was easily the largest and most success Ward Event we have ever done. After nine years that is saying something. For those that do not know. About four years ago, I with the other officers of the Lodge and Fellowcraft Club reestablished the benevolence fund, The Ward A. Peterson Benevolence Fund. This fund was founded to help Brothers and their families in their darkest times and it has done that. This fund has helped widows, kept Brothers in their homes and even helped in the relief efforts after Sandy in NYC.

The Ward Event is the signature fundraiser held each year in memory of Right Worshipful Ward A. Peterson. He was always the first to support a Brother that needed the help and we continue that with this fund. Each year the event grows and this year was no different. We doubled the size of the fund and had well over 50 Brothers and guests. The Brothers really went to task and the prize table was the best by far this year. The food brought to us by Bro. John Balk was just amazing - bacon covered glory. I am so proud of the Lodge and the Sweet Home Masonic community for making this so successful.

This event attracts many men some interested in the Craft or simply wanting to know more about what it is their relative does at the Temple twice a week. Each year we have a display table with artifacts and items concerning Freemasonry. This year I pulled out all the stops with the best display I have done yet.  The feedback was very good and we will have the table again next year. Hopefully with a few new Buffalo Masonic items.

I really want to thank those that donated. We had well over 100 items on the raffle table! Brothers, I could not keep track of the donations. Please let me know who donated so I can write a thank you to them and get them up on the blog for a big public thanks. Their support made the generosity of our Brothers and guests possible.

Wor. Daniel Di Natale

The spread

Even more! 

Bro. Fabian is ready to go!

RW Peters and BRo. Samul

Bro. Webb knows how to dress! Everything we ate had bacon on it.

This maybe the best picture of Bro. Korta ever. 

The money changers. Bro. Kaminski Wor. Di Natale Wor. Shutlz 

We filled the room! 

Bro. "Bull" Siegal eyes the prizes. 

Mr. President Bro. Monheim walks it. 

Bro. Balk our very talented cook and bacon wizard. 

Wor. Storck knows what to go for. 

Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 358 - 3rd Degree of Masonry - March 24, 2014

Each Brother in this picture is a Senior DeMolay

All DeMolays in the Storck Home - Proud Father W:. Storck - Left Son - Bro. Andy Storck Right - Bro. David Storck

The Master Wor. Gus Campell with his news Master Masons Bro. Andy Storck and Bro. Eric Foster

Each 3rd Degree is a  special occasion. Each is infused with the deepest meanings and teachings the Craft can offer. This 3rd Degree went even deeper. It is amazing to see a father raise a son to the Sublime Degree but when the father raises his Demolay Son that is even more special. The Storck family has the deepest ties to the Craft, each is dedicated to the Craft. It was wonderful to see Brother Andrew Storck be raised to Sublime Degree. I know he will do amazing things in our grand order. 25 years in the making comes Brother Eric Foster. He too is a DeMolay and has been very much involved in all things that. he just never crossed into Freemasonry until this year. It is wonderful to have him.

It was incredible to see the support Ancient Landmarks has in the DeMolay community. It explains why we have seen such an explosive growth in the amazing organization in Western New York.