January 9, 2013 - Return of the Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club

Brothers,

Harmonie is privileged in that we operate year round. No dark period for us only a few weeks around the winter holidays and then back into the quarry. The R.J.K Fellowcraft Club has been meeting for the last 8 years and has been wonderfully successful. The R.J.K is responsible for the lighter side of our Masonic activities from fellowship outings and fundraisers the R.J.K has it covered. It even caters to the hungry minds when the Lodge is not operating offer wonderful Masonic education in a less formal atmosphere.  

On January 9, 2013 the club held is annual election of officers. It was the most contested election we have ever had, which is wonderful. The Brothers selected the men that they felt would best lead them in the coming year. After the vote was held the Brothers selected:

President: Brother Donald Monheim
Vice-President: Brother Zachary Burgess
Secretary: Brother Joshua Keim (Re-elected for a fourth term)
Treasurer: Brother Nonso Ilogu

What a wonderful group of men group of men to lead the 2013 fellowcraft season. We have a lot of events planed and many more coming. make sure to keep up with events at the Fellowcraft website fellowcraftclub.org.

Hope to see you there,

W:. Dan Di Natale

2nd Degree Tracing Board Lecture - November 28th 2012

Dear Brothers,

I am still catching up on the Lodges happenings. Good news, I am almost caught up in reporting. On November 14, 2012 Harmoanie Lodge passed seven Brothers to the Degree of Fellowcraft. It was an impressive Degree executed near flawlessly by Bro. Michael Peter Guzack our Junior Warden. This was his first run in the East and I have to say I was very proud of his work.

As part of the proficiency work at Harmonie candidates to the Craft must attend Tracing Board lectures.   It is here that the novice to the Craft is imparted deeper esoteric knowledge and understanding about our beautiful work. On November 28, 2012 Bro. Guzack lead the Lodge in open discussion on the 2nd Degree Tracing Board. Bro. Guzack made the choice to use the Gregory Steward 2nd Degree Tracing Board to drawn his lessons from. This board, in my opinion, in one of the deepest and most complicated boards. It pulls symbols from alchemy, kabbalah and many other deep esoteric philosophies and practices. It inspired much lively discussion.

If you have never attended a Tracing Board lecture, please come. It is a wonderful Masonic tradition that fell to the wayside in the US. In recent years it has become one of the most important focal points in Harmonie Lodge's return to true Craft Masonry.

Around the quarry,

W:. Daniel J. Di Natale

November 10th - Western New York Lodge or Research - Bro. Joshua Keim Speaks on the "Lewis"

The "Lewis" something European Masons know about but we American Masons have limited exposure to. Bro. Joshua Keim brought his work on the subject to the Western New York Lodge of Research to enlighten us on this neglected topic. It was an Bro. Keim's first educational program and as member of the audience I was very impressed. Bro. Keim lectured on not only the operative nature of the Lewis but the ritual origin of it in Masonry. The practice of making the son of a Mason a member was something I knew about but methods used were not something I had ever heard of until Bro. Keim spoke on it. Bro. Keim went deep into Egyptian Rite and French Rite Freemasonry and how deeply important the Lewis was to their practice.

I would advise talking to Brother Keim about his work. It was wonderfully put together and engaging. I have been a more then a few Discussion groups this topic brought on some wonderful conversation. 

W:. Daniel J. Di Natale

November 26th - Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 358 American Table Lodge

Brothers,

My sincerest apologies for not keeping on the Lodge happenings. With the holidays and flu epidemic it has been very hard to keep things up. Thankfully, I am well again and though I enjoy the holidays I am  happy to see them over.

On November 26th, Brothers Monheim, Chapin and I had the pleasure of sharing Ancient Landmarks Lodge's American Table Lodge. It was a wonderful time, wonderful food and stellar fellowship. The toasts went long into the evening. I was again given the honor to speak to the Brethren about our rich Buffalo Masonic heritage. It was an an absolute pleasure to share this evening with Landmarks. I look forward to their upcoming Burn's Supper and Kipling Night.

W:. Daniel J. Di Natale

Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort

On the morning of Saturday, November 10, Brothers Ben Kaminski, Eric Jacisin, and Tim Borowski departed Buffalo. The were followed shortly after by W:. Jim Mirusso of Living Stone Lodge with yet another vehicle. This small convoy was headed for the downstate New York area in vehicles laden down with much needed supplies in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Thanks to their efforts, as well as organizational prowess of Brother John Budowski, two pickups and trailers, as well as a van, were loaded to capacity with clothing, diapers, cleanup supplies, nonperishable food, and numerous other necessities. The brothers that went brought back stories that I can only describe as humbling. I need not tell most of you of the dire situation in that area, and Bro. Kaminski informed me that things were even worse across the river. Nearly all of the supplies went to a relief center, with the remainder going to a brother in need that lost the first floor of his home to the flooding.

But don't take my word for it, Bro Jacisin sums it up better than I could ever hope to:

Imagine arriving at a collection site after dark with 50 cases of donated cereal from General Mills. We got help from NYPD to unload the cereal. By the time we parked the empty vehicles the cereal was moved into the production line and half was gone. Imagine bumping into a small little girl clutching a box of Luck Charms that you had just delivered. She was so happy to have her favorite cereal again even though she had NO milk and no home to go back to to eat it, but she had HER Lucky Charms DAMN IT!! It damn near brought me to my knees. We gave at least one person a glimmer of hope in that "crater." The street was filled with people because their home are all condemned and they have nowhere to go yet.

With that, I just wanted to thank EVERYONE that contributed, and there are so many of you. Special thanks go out to General Mills for their gracious donation of fifty cases of cereal, and V:. W:. John Allen of Tompkins Lodge #471 for opening his home to our brothers for the weekend.

That being said, if anyone is still looking to contribute, we are coordinating further relief efforts in conjunction with Mariners Lodge. We will be passing the hat at the upcoming communication. If anyone would like to contribute that will not be attending, please contact any officer of Harmonie, and we will see that your donations make it to those who need it most.

October 27th - Masonic Tour of Buffalo - Return to Forest Lawn Cemetery

What an amazing turn out, even in the rain and the cold. We had fifteen Brothers, visitors and our ladies at the tour. This was our second trip back to Forest Lawn and I feel out most successful. Bro. Chapin and I covered a wide range of Masonic history that took place in Erie County. Special thanks need to be given to Right Worshipful Peter Filim, a docent of Forest Lawn, in helping with the tour. He is a wonderful guide and helped us tell the story of Masonry in Forest Lawn. We should also thank Forest Lawn Cemetery for allowing us to visit and use this historic site to educate  the public about the rich masonic history found in Erie County and Buffalo New York. I very much hope to return in the future. Our plan for next year is to extend the tour back to Downtown Buffalo and show the Masonic sites that once stood and still stand in our amazing city. Check out the website as we have many pictures from the event and even a few videos.

Harmonie Hosts Debate Night - Standardized vs. Non-Standardized Ritual Work - October 24th

Brothers,

On the 24th our Senior Warden, Brother Ryan S. Bonnett squared off against W:. Nathan A. Shoff, Past Master of Harmonie, in the arena of civilized debate. We ran a debate night about three years ago where again W:. (than Brother) Shoff and I debated the Templar origins  of Freemasonry, pro and con. It was a well received program and the Brothers have been asking for another. On the 24th we hosted our Debate Night Standardized vs. Non-Standardized (For - Bro. Bonnett - Against W:. Shoff). It was a ripping debate and Harmonie was honored to host five visiting Brothers for Ken-Ton Lodge No. 1186. Both of our debating scholars had persuasive and well thought arguments. In the end though the Brothers voted and found W:. Shoff's argument the winner. Winner or loser, this is not the value of this debate, it was the amazing back and forth questions that really impressed me. It is not often that a whole Lodge is taking part in conversation, with the event we very much were. I cannot wait for our next debate. I am already working on the topics.

W:. D  

Visitation to Ancient Landmarks Lodge - 3rd Degree October 22nd of Masonry

Brothers from Left to Right - W:. Robert Tyler, Master of Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 358, Brother David Storck, Lewis of W:. Michael Storck, W:. Michael Storck, Past Master Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 358 - 2011, W:. Daniel J. Di Natale, Master of Harmonie Lodge No. 699 

Brothers,

On October 22nd the Master and Wardens of Harmonie Lodge No. 699 witnessed the raising of Bro. David Storck. This 3rd Degree was special in that Bro. David is the son of Worshipful Michael Storck, our very good friend. It was moving to see father raise son to the sublime Degree. I very much hope to be able to witness it in our Lodge, well as soon as our sons are ready (another 19 years or so!) 

From what the Brothers of Ancient Landmarks told us, this was the first time in memory that the Master and Wardens from a visiting Lodge came at once to witness a Degree. I can say that it was our honor and minus rank or station none of us would have missed it. As it is said "Harmony is the support of all institutions, especially this of ours."

W:.D  

Masonic Memorial Service at Elmlawn

Dear Brothers,

On October 20th, 2012 I had the distinct honor of holding a Graveside Masonic service held at the Masonic Section of Elmlawn Cemetery. This was not held for any specific Brother but a service to remember all those that have passed to the Grand Lodge Above and have been laid to rest at this location. If you have not visited this Masonic burial site you really need to take the time and visit. This is one of three major Masonic Graveyards in the Buffalo (Acacia Park and Forest Lawn are the others). This site is unique in that the Brothers whom designed this memorial built freestanding Lodge Room out of stone in the center of the site.

We took many pictures as this site is very poorly documented as part of our Masonic heritage. We will be expanding a section of the webpage to document the Masonic sites of Buffalo hopeful this will spur help in saving our history. Harmonie can't keep going it alone. Sadly, it is quickly showing its age and the stone is starting to crack. Elmlawn have done wonderful things to help keep up the Memorial but we as Masons need to start taking the time and helping too. These are our honored dead and they need to be shown dignity. We had ten Brothers out on this cold day to honor our dead. It was a very special ceremony to be part of.  

"Observing the Craft" W:. Andrew Hammer's Lectures at Enchanted Mountain Lodge

Image from Left to Right - Bro. Nick DeBergalis, S.W - R:.W:. Timothy Nolan - W:. Andrew Hammer - Bro. John Backhaus  

Panorama of the amazing Olean Masonic Temple Lodge Room 

Overhead of the Olean Masonic Temple 

Brothers,

What an amazing evening. On October 16th, the Brothers of Harmonie had the honor of escorting W:. Brother Andrew Hammer, our Lodge's 1st Patron, to Enchanted Lodge Mountain Lodge No. 252 in Olean, New York at the amazing Olean Masonic Temple. This event was hosted by the 309 Society and what an evening it was. The lecture given by W:. Hammer was moving and motivating. The progression of the restorative Masonic movement is sweeping the country. Lodges inspired by W:. Hammer's work , like Harmonie, were once considered the outliers. Today the movement is becoming much more common and the return to real Masonic practice is becoming a true force for change.

If you have not heard Brother Hammer speak or have read his book, get on it. His book is amazing and hearing him speak is a true privilege.  I would also advise you on taking a trip out the Olean Temple. It is well worth your time. The Lodge is a site to see and easily the most impressive Lodge room I have see this side of the State.   

Around the Quarry,

W:. D 

Bro. Bonnett presents "The Masks of Masonry"

What an innovative and refreshing program. On September 26th our Senior Warden Bro. Ryan S. Bonnett presented his program the "Masks of Masonry". This was one of the best program I have seen in a long while. Bro. Bonnett covered the jungian inspired archetypes and who they are represented in the Lodge. Bro. Bonnett has a flair for using pop culture references in his program, and with amazing effects. I very much hope he takes his outlined power point presentation and fills it out to a full paper. As always, Bro. Bonnett's work invoked much discussion around the Festive Board. I personally do not know what could be asked for in presentation of Masonic works.  

2012 Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club "Bullets and Brotherhood" Shooting Event

Dear Brothers,

What an amazing weekend! I was only able to attend on Saturday to Sunday but if that is any indication  of the time we had, that would be amazing. We had 15 Brothers (from three Lodges) visit to the event, we even had a few Brothers we have not seen around the Lodge in years come on out to this event. All in all, this was the best attened shooting event we have ever had. The food was wonderful, the Fellowship legendary and my next day recovery slow!

Special thanks must be given to Brother Ben Kaminski for letting us use his amazing Hunting Grounds. Thanks also need to go to our appointed President of the RJK, Brother Dennis McMullen. His work with others in the club allowed this to be one of our strongest events yet.  We are still collecting videos and pictures from the event. If you have some please send them over to the Master so I can get them up.