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.

R.J.K.F.C Educational Program - R:. W:. and V:.W:. Steve Joyce - Masonic Formation - February 26, 2014

This is an absolutely amazing program. As many Masons know there is a national movement towards restoring Freemasonry as the life changing mystery school that it was always intend to be. This movement has many faces and much like Masonry many voices and opinions. R:.W:. Joyce's program highlights the process of internalization that is expected from a man that enters our organization. What is really amazing about this program his R:.W:. Joyce highlights the practices as well ash the expectations from the Lodge and those interested in membership. I cannot say enough good things about this lecture. R:.W:. Joyce added much deeper content from when he gave it at the Western New York Lodge or Research. Ever being the showman he ended the program with an upcoming part two to his program. Looks like we will be inviting him back next year for part two. I cannot wait to have him back over.

Wor. Daniel J. Di Natale

Opening Slide

Amazing Quote 

Left to Right - R:.W:. Steve Joyce, Wor. Daniel J. Di Natale, Bro. Donald Monheim

Wor. D at the bar

Mr. President

Buffalo Trace is the new Official Beverage of the Lodge

Brothers around the bar before the communication. 

Wine with Neal! February 23, 2014

Classy french fries with Champaign. 

The Kaminskis 

Das Kiems

Mr. President - Bro. Donal Monhiem

The group in Neal's Wine Room - Brand new and expanded location. 

The Chapins

The Hornbegers

The Master and his lady

The red light only adds to the atmosphere of group dinning.

Bro. Keim, in what maybe the best photo I have taken of him. 

Bro. Ben gives it two thumbs up. 

The man himself - Bro. Neal 

Back by the popular demand of the ladies of Harmonie Lodge is "Wine with Neal." Even more exciting than trying new wines this event was held in Bro. Neal's amazing new location on 5272 Main Street Williamsville, New York 14221. Braking from his last tasting Bro. Neal did a simple wine and food paring. It was wonderful and his gluten free brownies are amazing. His home made fries were pretty delicious too. The Brothers and their ladies had a blast Bro. Neal always puts on a good show. Like last time the group went out to dinner after the tasting. Dinner with the family was a wonderful way to end the evening. Also like last time the ladies have again demanded another night with Neal. Do your best to come on out to the next one!

Wor. Daniel Di Natale

Eggertsville Grand Island Lodge No. 1138 - American Patriots Table Lodge - February 18, 2014

What could be more fitting of American Masonry than to celebrate our Brother Patriots? The Brothers of Eggertsville Grand Island Lodge No. 1138 in celebration of the 282nd Birthday of Brother George Washington and all those brave patriots that have served this country held a Table Lodge in their honor. I have attended many Table Lodges and this Patriots celebration is very unique to Erie County Masonry a true EGI original. Wor. Koller and Bro. Seigal (the cook) put on a wonderful event. The food was very well done and the Table Lodge program was a true celebration of our Brothers that gave their all in service to our country. I very much look forward to next years!

Wor. Koller reads the roll of Patriots 

Bro. Siegal does what he does best! Masonic chef and kitchen guru. 

The food! 

Wor. Hough and Wor. Koller

Honored Past Masters of EGI

Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 358 - 3rd Robbie Burns Night - January 27, 2013

The Supper Gathers

The Brothers of Harmonie Support the 358

Wor. Gus Cambell Filling the Cannons

Wor. Storck and Lady Storck

Wor. Gus Cambell Welcomes Us

Wor. Gus Cuts the Haggis

The Haggis is Pipped in

Wor. Di Natale Reads the Poetry of Bro. Robbie Burns

This event has quickly become a signature Masonic gathering for 1st Erie Masons. Wor. Gus Campbell, Master of Ancient Landmarks Lodge No. 358, hosted a wonderful Burns Supper. This Scottish tradition is held on the birthday the famous poet Robbie Burns each year. His poems are read aloud and good fellowship is shared by all those that share in hearing his words. Like any good Masonic gathering there is food. The meal covered all the standard Scottish food and yes the legendary and delicious haggis. This was a wonderful night. The Lodge ttys to keep it small and with about 40 Brothers and their ladies it was just perfect. I highly advice you check this event out next year. Well worth you time and to my understanding this is the only Masonic Burns Supper in either Erie Masonic District. 

Wor. Daniel J. Di Natale

Brother Nonso Ilogu's Going Away Party - DBGBs on Allen January 10, 2013

Good Bye Brother! Soon to be Bro. Nonso Ilogu, M.D - In Center of photo

Mutual love and support are the very foundations of the Craft. The Lodge is both sad and delighted to bid farewell to Brother Nonso Ilogu. He as worked diligently the last few years to get into medical school and has been accepted. Sadly, the school is far off in Mexico.  The Lodge is going to miss him dearly. he is a solid man and Mason and though he has only been a member for the last few years, the loss of his impact and good work in the community will be felt.

To see him off, the Brothers gathered at Duke's Bohemian Grove Bar on Allen (http://www.dukesbohemiangrovebar.com.) This killer bar is owned by one of our newest members and has been a hangout for the Brothers that live in the city for years. It was an amazing time and the Brothers and their ladies came out enforce to see Brother Nonso off.

The Lodge knows that nothing but success is in Brother Nonso's future and we look forward to seeing him back in Buffalo in the summer.

Wor. Daniel J. Di Natale  

The Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club - Year Kick Off and Election of Officers - January 8, 2014

2014 R.J.K.F.C Officers - Bro. Peter Schank - Secretary - Wor. Daniel J. Di Natale - Treasurer - Bro. Donad Monheim - President 2012 - 2014 - Bro. Joshua Keim - Vice President

It is hard to believe that the Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club is 9 years old this year. Some much has changed and each year the club gets a little bigger and a little more active. That is saying a lot as it is easily the most active and largest Fellowcraft club this side of Albany. Even the chill of the "polar Vortex" could not keep Brothers away from the club. With the bad weather we still had 20 Brothers from all over 1st Erie that came out and enjoy the strong fellowship of the club.

The R.J.K.F.C had the task of selecting our next year's leadership. I am proud to announce that Bro. Donald "Steamroller" Monheim is once again the club's president, his second term. Our long time Secretary , Bro. Joshua Keim, was elected to Vice President. Being the Junior Warden of Harmonie his is no stranger to the kitchen and it seems there is no escape from it for him! Bro. Peter Schank was elected as club Secretary, a job he didn't even know he wanted until he was elected. I was elected Treasurer for the year as Bro. Nonso Ilogu is off to medical school. We are so proud of him!

it is going to be a wonderful year!

Wor. Daniel J. Di Natale

Ken-Ton Lodge No. 1186 - First Buffalo Table Lodge 1/1/2014

Master and Grand Poobah Wor. Eric Kocsis 

The Table Lodge stirs. 

Bro. Kaminski was there. 

Wor. Di Natale and Wor. Kocsis mighty Buffalos from Buffalo

Bro. Mark Donnelly is the mightiest of BUFFALOS FROM BUFFALO and designer of the Ken-Ton Fellowcraft Club Logo. 

The Buffalos from Buffalo meet with the Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club. Whats better fez or horns? 

Bro. Mark Robson rocks the Table Lodge 

The Glass! Easily one of the best giveaways at a Table Lodge in awhile. 

A Table Lodge is a very special and wonderful event for any Lodge. Seeing the popularity of Table Lodges in 1st Erie warms my heart, as we have been doing them for a long time now. Our Brothers at Ken-Ton seeing what a Table Lodge can do held their first one ever on the 1st of the year. This was a wonderful Buffalo style Table Lodge. The work around the Table Lodge was built with a Buffalo flair that was just killer touch.  Yelling "Lets go Buffalo" was said with every toast. You just cannot beat that. To make this night even more special the proceeds of the evening were donated to the family of the late Brother Raymond Riviera (Senior Warden of Ken-Ton) who passed socking and suddenly last month. The Ward A. Peterson Fund by my order gave matching funds to those stated as raised at the Table Lodge. Brothers helping Brothers and their families that is what the Ward is all about. 

This was a wonderful Table Lodge. I very much look forward to their 2nd! 

Wor. Daniel J. Di Natale 

For those that missed the event you still can buy a glass and help the family of Brother Rivera.  Please contact Wor. Kocsis at Ekocsis80@yahoo.com. They are $10 and the proceeds go to help towards the relief of his family.