Harmonie Lodge Family Picnic - July 11, 2015

Wonderful family picnic! The Lodge for more then a few years got away from running family Lodge events. This was a huge mistake. Being with one another and our families is what makes this organization as special as it is. We had lots of little ones running around something that was very nice to see. We had to move the party to shelter 19 which was down from our usual spot due to construction and it was even better! Even with the Rolling Stones in town we had many Brothers and their families out, we welcomed Brothers from other Lodges as well and even had a few of our future EAs and their ladies out. We even hosted our D.D.G.M and his lovely lady. We had the bean bag game out and of you were lucky enough to play you surely got hustled by RW Dan Peters and Bro. Nick Hornburger. Thanks go out to Bro President Jon Korta and Bro. Vice President John Balk. They did a wonderful job. 

Masters of Harmonie visit Niagara Distilling Company - July 13, 2015

V:.W:. Di Natale and W:. J Keim visit Niagara Distilling Company

We couldn't just walk out with a case without putting in some work!

"No, Dan, you're doing it wrong!"

 

Beautiful label of 1812 Vodka

Guys! We got a distillery!

Ok, we didn't really, but a guy we know... Bro. Eric Heuser welcomed Very Wor. Dan Di Natale and myself to show off his grand venture; the Niagara Distilling Company on Ellicott Street in downtown Buffalo. The facility itself is still a work in progress, but the stills are in action, and product is flowing. Bro. Heuser hopes that by the end of the summer, the building will be complete with a 1500 square foot tasting and retail space, an outdoor patio, and of course, to offer tours of the distillery. The high quality of liquor they are producing is due to their all organic ingredients, sourced from farms locally and state-wide.

Those who have purchased tickets to our upcoming German Table Lodge are in for an additional treat; 1812 Vodka sampling! Bro. Heuser in his generosity gifted some bottles to the Lodge to share with the Brothers. I very much look forward to future trips to the distillery, and discovering new creations as this company grows. Thank you Bro. Heuser for the tour! Pröst!

You can visit niagaradistillery.com for more information

Can/Am Fellowship Night with Palmer Lodge No. 372 - July 8, 2015

Wor. Bro. John Newton, Master of Palmer Lodge #372
Wor. Joshua Keim, Master of Harmonie Lodge #699 O.M.

To commemorate the recent Canadian and American National Holidays, Harmonie Lodge hosted a Can/Am Fellowship Night, welcoming Brothers from our sister lodge in Fort Erie, Ontario. Wor. Bro. Clark Stickland, Past Master, and Wor. Bro. John Newton, Current Master, from Palmer Lodge No. 372 were gracious enough to pay us a visit. The night was a great opportunity for us to catch up with our friends from the North (or West, depending on your perspective), as well as learn a little more about Palmer Lodge. Wor. Bro. Newton delivered a lecture chock full of historical information on the Palmer family, especially Joseph and Lewis Palmer, for whom the Lodge is named after. In addition, Wor. Bro. Newton shared with us the Palmers' influence on the early growth of the city of Buffalo. The Palmer family were some of the first school teachers in Buffalo, and were the first tavern owners and inn keepers!

As Palmer Lodge is currently dark for the summer, a journey across the river will have to wait a few months. When they return to light in September, an opportunity will be at hand to see some Canadian ritual performed, when Palmer puts on a 1st Degree of Masonry. Further details will be shared once available.

It is always a wonderful sight to see visitors in our midst; I highly encourage my fellow Harmonie Brothers to travel to other Lodges as well. Take advantage of the fellowship and light that our fellow Brothers have to offer, and "behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell in unity".

July 4, 2015 - Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club and Zulekia Grotto No. 10 - First and Second Erie Independence Day Parade

Being persuaded that a just application of the principles, on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded, must be promote of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving brother.

[GEORGE WASHINGTON]

The Fourth of July is a very important day for all Americans, as it marks the birth of our country.  We proud Americans gather each year to celebrate this grand day with displays of national pride.  As Freemasons, we are very fortunate to be intertwined with the history of this great nation and we joyfully join in all the celebrations of this great land.  

This year, marks the second gathering of the First and Second Erie Masonic District families to march in the Lancaster Independence Day Parade, which attracts well over 5,000 people each year and this year was no different!  

This event has quickly turned into a matter of pride and honor for many of our Brethren and Masonic family members.  Like many events this year, there was an increase in participation from across the Masonic community.  This event had well over 20 participants from 5 different lodges, four Masters of Lodges (Transportation, Millennium, Eggertsville-Grand Island, and Harmonie), two leaders from our Masonic youth (Triangle and DeMolay), as well as having the most cars and floats in the parade (six in total).  Additionally, many of our Brethren, family members, and supporters lined the streets of this parade letting out grand cheers as our procession past.  It was a most wonderful moment to experience!  

I want to thank everyone that took the time to support this event either by marching in the parade, driving a car, pulling a float, helping to decorate, taking pictures, pushing cars out the mud, buying a tee shirt, cooking food, sharing a smile, loaning a screw driver, cheering as we past, running out and hugging a Brother you haven’t seen in years, or just by sending positive vibes.  To all of you that made this day so very special, thank you!    

Special thanks to Bro. and Past President of the RJKFC Donald Monheim for his help in organizing the event.  Additionally, I would like to thank Bro. Chirs Walters and his family for once again graciously opening up their home and being such amazingly wonderful host!  

I cannot wait for next year and hope to see you all there! 

- Bro. President of the RJKFC Jon Korta