The Masters Travels:

Recently, I had to take a business trip to Houston, TX and Baton Rouge, LA. When I was informed of the dates that I would be traveling, I consulted the websites of the Grand Lodges of Texas and Louisiana and was able to find a Lodge that met in each city that corresponded with my travel dates

On August the 4^th, 2016 I visited Reagan Lodge No. 1037 in Houston, TX. (http://www.reaganlodge1037.org/)

.

The Lodge was having its first communication with its new Master, W :. Stewart Anderson, after a tour of the building we sat down to a dinner of homemade brisket with all the trimmings, true Texas cuisine at its finest!

 W :. Stewart Anderson on the right and Yours Truly on the left. 

Later that same week, my travels had taken me on a 5-hour drive to the East where I visited St. James No. 47 in Baton Rouge, LA. (http://www.stjameslodge47.org/) St. James is a Lodge with a great history and has been in operation since 1844 save for a short period at the end of the Civil War. 

  

While visiting, I was granted the opportunity to observe a proficiency examination, a Brother was turning in his Fellow Craft in preparation for his Master Mason Degree, later that evening I was also fortunate enough to see First Degree conferred.  While the work does differ between Grand Jurisdictions, it is still similar in many ways and this makes visiting other Lodges a learning experience. 

As I stated earlier, the Lodge did not meet for a short period at the end of the Civil War.  War being what it is brings great disruption to many things.  Unfortunately, during that period the Lodge itself was looted and some of its history was lost to the ages. However, one of the older Past Masters showed me something that many members of this Lodge that were present did not even know what  they had in plain sight.  At  the Junior Wardens station we have this gavel brake.

 

And underneath, we have an inscription.

This was looted by Union troops at the end of the war when they occupied Baton Rouge, it was recovered close to 60 years later by a Lodge #9 in Pennsylvania and returned to its home! 

On the left, W :. Jeffrey Maynor and Myself on the right.

Brothers, as a Master Mason it is your right to travel to other Lodges whether locally or when in a different country or state.  It is always a learning experience and your Brothers are waiting for you when you get there.  There are no strangers in Freemasonry, just Brothers you have not met yet.  

A few words of advice when traveling out of your Jurisdiction.  If you have advance notice of a trip and you will have time to visit a Lodge or concordant body, always contact the secretary ahead of time.  You can easily find this information on either that Jurisdictions Grand Lodges website, or on the Lodges website if they have one.   Also, you can obtain a certificate of good standing from your Grand Lodge as well, this piece of paper can save you and the Lodge that you are visiting a great deal of time.

Fraternally,

W :. Benjamin Kaminski

Master, Harmonie No.699

On Wednesday, July 27, 2106, members of Harmonie lodge no. 699 –O.M.- and guest -good Masons all-

gathered together in order to celebrate part of or of our Lodge’s German heritage by hosting the annual

German Table Lodge (GTL). The GTL is a time for our brethren to feast and toast to the health of our

Lodge, our Brethren, our Fraternity, our Loved ones, and our Country. It is by far a favorite tradition of

many a Mason!

For those of you unfamiliar with the Table Lodge, it is unlike the usual Festive Board, as the Table Lodge

is modeled after early Masonic meetings in Europe and America, which were literally held at the table.

Historically, these types of meetings were standard practice for many of the colonial Masons of early

America, and in fact were common in the homelands of our founding members.

While this type of meeting fell out of fashion around the turn of the 19th century in favor of a more

formal meeting, many continental European lodges maintained this tradition. It is from contacts that

our brethren made in German lodges that this tradition of the Table Lodge has been brought to our

home here in Buffalo, New York.

Now, it is true that several other Lodges throughout Erie County hold similar events, but only Harmonie

Lodge presents an unparalleled feast of traditional German (Bavarian) food, drink, and music. This

year’s magnificent feast was no different and it was expertly prepared and catered by Harmonie’s own,

Bro. J.J. Alfieri and his staff at Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar (DBGB), which is located on Buffalo’s Allen

Street.

This year’s menu included a variety of taste bud teasing appetizers, such as fresh Rye Breads, Limburger

Cheese, Liverwurst, several different kinds of Pickles, and Pickled Onions. As not to be outdone by the

delightfully delicious apps, the main courses included mouthwatering Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Sauerkraut,

Brussels Sprouts, with a side of sweet Applesauce. It is safe to say that no one left hungry!

On tap for the toasting were Buffalo Kölsch 716 and Rusty Chain, which are two beers both brewed

locally at the iconic Flying Bison Brewery. Now, Buffalo Kölsch 716 is a clear, all-barley pale ale with a

bright, straw-yellow hue similar to a standard German pale lager. Kölsch is a beer brewed in Cologne,

Germany. Rusty Chain is a medium-bodied Vienna style amber beer. It has a soft nutty, malt flavor with

a hint of caramel, with just enough German hops to balance the finish. Not only did these Buffalo

brewed beers fit perfectly well within the theme of the evening, but they also poured perfectly into the

beautifully crafted Harmonie 699 –O.M. - toasting goblets. Of course, if you missed the event and would

still like to purchase your very own Harmonie 699 –O.M. - toasting goblet, please feel free to contact VW

Daniel J. Di Natale.

Prior to the toastings, the meeting was opened by Harmonie’s own Wor. Ben Kaminski. In the true

spirit of the evening, Wor. Kaminski wore his traditional German Lederhosen! Of course, our most

recent Past Master, Wor. Joshua Keim got in on the fun by taking on the ceremonial position of

Harmonie Brewmaster or Braumeister. The special ceremonial position of Harmonie Braumeister

comes with great responsibility and specially designed Braumeister apron.

Helping to hold down the head table was a list of Masonic Who’s Who including Right Worshipful

Michael E. Storck –Proctor, Right Worshipful Richard Morley - Senior Grand Warden, Right Worshipful

John Koller – Grand Sword Bearer, Very Worshipful Donald Williams- AGL, Right Worshipful John

Backhaus- District Deputy Grand Master Cattaraugus, and last but certainly not least is our very own

Right Worshipful Daniel J. Di Natale, District Deputy Grand Master Erie. Of course, there were many

visiting Brother’s on hand to help toast the night away and we are always thankful for their continuing

support of this wonderful Harmonie tradition. Here’s to you Brothers, Prost!

Now, if you missed this Table Lodge and want to get in on all the fun, please follow the link below to info

on the upcoming City of Light Table Lodge!

http://harmonie699.org/members-only/2016- city-of- light-table- lodge/

-Bro. Jonathan M. Korta

German Table Lodge 2016

On Wednesday, July 27, 2106, members of Harmonie lodge no. 699 –O.M.- and guest -good Masons all- gathered together in order to celebrate part of or of our Lodge’s German heritage by hosting the annual German Table Lodge (GTL).  The GTL is a time for our brethren to feast and toast to the health of our Lodge, our Brethren, our Fraternity, our Loved ones, and our Country.   It is by far a favorite tradition of many a Mason!

For those of you unfamiliar with the Table Lodge, it is unlike the usual Festive Board, as the Table Lodge is modeled after early Masonic meetings in Europe and America, which were literally held at the table.  Historically, these types of meetings were standard practice for many of the colonial Masons of early America, and in fact were common in the homelands of our founding members.  

While this type of meeting fell out of fashion around the turn of the 19th century in favor of a more formal meeting, many continental European lodges maintained this tradition.  It is from contacts that our brethren made in German lodges that this tradition of the Table Lodge has been brought to our home here in Buffalo, New York.

Now, it is true that several other Lodges throughout Erie County hold similar events, but only Harmonie Lodge presents an unparalleled feast of traditional German (Bavarian) food, drink, and music.  This year’s magnificent feast was no different and it was expertly prepared and catered by Harmonie’s own, Bro. J.J. Alfieri and his staff at Duke's Bohemian Grove Bar (DBGB), which is located on Buffalo’s Allen Street.    

This year’s menu included a variety of taste bud teasing appetizers, such as fresh Rye Breads, Limburger Cheese, Liverwurst, several different kinds of Pickles, and Pickled Onions.  As not to be outdone by the delightfully delicious apps, the main courses included mouth watering Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Sauerkraut, Brussels Sprouts, with a side of sweet Applesauce.  It is safe to say that no one left hungry!

On tap for the toasting were Buffalo Kölsch 716 and Rusty Chain, which are two beers both brewed locally at the iconic Flying Bison Brewery.  Now, Buffalo Kölsch 716 is a clear, all-barley pale ale with a bright, straw-yellow hue similar to a standard German pale lager.  Kölsch is a beer brewed in Cologne, Germany.  Rusty Chain is a medium-bodied Vienna style amber beer.  It has a soft nutty, malt flavor with a hint of caramel, with just enough German hops to balance the finish. Not only did these Buffalo brewed beers fit perfectly well within the theme of the evening, but they also poured perfectly into the beautifully crafted Harmonie 699 –O.M. - toasting goblets.  Of course, if you missed the event and would still like to purchase your very own Harmonie 699 –O.M. - toasting goblet, please feel free to contact Right Wor. Daniel J. Di Natale.

Prior to the toastings, the meeting was opened by Harmonie’s  own Wor. Ben Kaminski.  In the true spirit of the evening, Wor. Kaminski wore his traditional German Lederhosen!  Of course, our most recent Past Master, Wor. Joshua Keim got in on the fun by taking on the ceremonial position of Harmonie Brewmaster or Braumeister.  The special ceremonial position of Harmonie Braumeister   comes with great responsibility and specially designed Braumeister apron.    

Helping to hold down the head table was a list of Masonic Who’s Who including Right Worshipful Michael E. Storck –Proctor, Right Worshipful Richard Morley - Senior Grand Warden, Right Worshipful John Koller – Grand Sword Bearer, Very Worshipful Donald Willamis- AGL,  Right Worshipful John Backhaus- District Deputy Grand Master Cattaraugus, and last but certainly not least is our very own Right Worshipful Daniel J. Di Natale, District Deputy Grand Master Erie. Of course, there were many visiting Brother’s on hand to help toast the night away and we are always thankful for their continuing support of this wonderful Harmonie tradition.  Here’s to you Brothers, Prost!  

Now, if you missed this Table Lodge and want to get in on all the fun, please follow the link below to info on the upcoming City Of Light Table Lodge! 

http://harmonie699.org/members-only/2016-city-of-light-table-lodge/

-Bro. Jonathan M. Korta 

Brothers and Battle - Artifact display - Wed Jul 13, 2016

W:. Dan Liptak of Livingstone #255 gave a brief and very informative presentation on the history of Freemasons in the military - including the likes of Von Steuben, "Hap" Arnold, Audie Murphy and many other notables.

Some of the artifacts he brought with him were an indian katar, a WW1 US medical jacket, a Japanese rising sun flag, a model 1832 foot artillery sword, WW1 trench art and a number of other items.

There was also a brief discussion about military masons and buffalo history.  A great time was had by all, and Harmonie was very pleased to welcome her visitors.

Beer vs Wine - Wed May 18'th, 2016

For those members in attendance this night - it was a GREAT program. After our meeting, we met downstairs for fellowcraft and a friendly competition between two brothers of Harmonie Lodge. Bro. Neil Kratzer representing The Wine Room and Bro. Ryan Bonnett of Consumers Beverages decided to go head to head in a pairing of Beer vs Wine for three rounds.

Food was prepared by the staff DBGB's/Gypsy Parlor under Bro. JJ Alfieri's eye, and consisted of bratwusrt and sauerkraut, Pierogi with caramelized onions and roasted brussel sprouts.  The spread was just short of Harmonie's legendary German Table Lodge.

There were 3 rounds of competition - one to pair with the sausages, one for the pierogi and lastly one for dessert.  The wine's represented were:

1. Molino a Vento - Rosato dry rose from scily
2. Paul Anhuser Blanc de Noir - white Pinot noir.
3. And Rosato sweet Italy red.   

The beers were:

1. Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold. 
2. Brooklyn East India Pale Ale.
3. Ballast Point Calm Before the Storm.

After 3 rounds Beer just edged out wine with a score of 2 to 1. Although - honestly, that night EVERYONE won. Hopefully these two will be up for a rematch next year.