Letter of Communication 10/07

LETTER OF COMMUNICATION, October 11th, 2007

Dear Brother,

You are cordially and fraternally invited to a
STATED COMMUNICATION

on Wednesday, October 11th at 7:00 P.M. in the Doric Room,
8th Floor, Masonic Hall, 71 West 23rd Street, New York City

Agenda: Lodge of Rembrance for Worshipful Brother James Hulse
Presentation of Past Master's Apron to W:. Dratva
Talk on the Murals of Masonic Hall by Bro. Bill Gibbons

Opening Gavel at 7:15

Fraternally

W:.Charles Boyce
cboyce@cck.net 347-613-6225

Attested by: W:. Leon Calafiore, Secretary
lcalafiore@aol.com 718-655-5970

GROUP PHOTO September 2007

Front: Bro. Richard Goodwin, W:. Leon Calafiore, Bro. Herman Estevez,
W:. Jean Jacques de la Verriere, Bro. Nakiim Bey, Bro. David Nilsen,
Second Row: W:. Daniel Gruber, W:. Thomas Nugent,
Bro. Alessandro GagliardiBro. Samuel Kinsey, Bro. Ason Bey
Back Row: Bro. Bruce Fields, Bro. Bill Gibbons, Bro Arch Dixon,
W:. Charles Boyce, W:. Gene Dratva

FROM THE EAST

Dear Brothers,

Last month our regular communication was a jam-packed evening of Masonic brotherhood. I asked our Past Master, W:. Dratva, to sit as Tiler for the first half of the meeting. While he was occupied, the Lodge took up a collection for a gift for the recent addition to his family. He was truly surprised and touched. Afterwards a Lodge of Instruction was conducted. A few general topics were discussed and a Q&A session followed, answering some of the more abstract aspects of our traditions, such as how the columns in the South and West are used and where the tradition comes from. Later, a group photo of the Lodge brothers was taken by our expert photographer, Bro. Bruce Fields. Finally, we ended the night with a collation at a unbelievable BBQ resturant, orchestrated by our Junior Warden, Sam Kinsey.

While we had quite an eventful evening, the events for the month were far from over. A social excursion to the Bavarian Beer Garden in Queens occurred the following week. Eight of our brothers had a delightful night of food, drink and music. Of course, this will not be an unusual occurance. This month, Bro. Bill Gibbons will be presenting a Lecture on the Murals in the Masonic Hall, a Past Master's apron will be presented and we will do our duty for W:. James Hulse, who recently ended his worldly toil. A social event is planned for the following week, a different cultural dinining experience. Check your email or come to the October meeting for more information. I am sure Bro. Kinsey will have an interesting collation planned for after the meeting and it would be a pleasure to see you all there.

Fraternally,

W:. Charles Boyce
Master, Mariners Lodge

FROM THE WEST

Dear Brothers,

Last year many brothers expressed dissatisfaction with the way our Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts were prepared. This year we have a chance to do things right! We'll be meeting regularly with new brothers to review the Q's & A's and discuss various apects of Masonry. Luckily, Grand Lodge has provided us with an excellent resource to help educate new brothers. The Lodge System of Masonic Education, also known as LSME is a series of lectures to be given to candidates, EAs, FCs and MMs. The lectures are well written and informative. They are available in a booklet published by Grand Lodge. Come to our next meeting to get one. Every Mariner should take the time to read it. You'll be sure to learn something. I know I did.

Once you have familiarized yourself with the material, I hope you will consider helping us to educate the new brothers. We will be reading or reciting the lectures for them. The more of us participate, the lighter the burden will be on each brother, and the more fun we will have with it. The LSME course fills a huge gap in our educational efforts. Grand Lodge has provided us with some great material, now it's up to us to use it! Please join us in this effort. Our Senior Deacon, Bro. Alessandro Gagliardi will be orgainzing the educational program. Contact him at alessandro@gagliardi.name if you want to participate.

Fraternally,

Bro. Bill Gibbons, Sr. Warden

FROM THE SOUTH

Dear Brothers,

September was a great month for Mariners, especially in the South. After a well-attended and interesting communication, the brothers of Mariners repaired to Righteous Urban Barbecue where we refreshed ourselves with "burnt ends," hot sausage, chicken, a whole smoked pork butt, and all the traditional fixings. The event was deemed a considerable success. We are fortunate to be within walking distance of two of New York City's best barbecue spots, and a collation later this year will take us to Texas-style brisket specialists, Hill Country. September also had wonderful weather for outdoor dining, and quite a few Mariners found themselves at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria for a social outing of Czech food and drink.

Don't miss out on other fun and interesting Mariners events this year! If things like brick oven pizza with braised lamb, preserved lemon and oregano or wood-roasted penne with roquefort and croutons sounds interesting, be sure to join us for October's collation. We'll also be announcing this month's Mariners outing at the communication.

Fraternally,

Bro. Sam Kinsey, Jr. Warden

CALENDAR

Oct 10th:
Stated Communication, Lodge of Rembrance for W:. James Hulse,
Presentation of Past Master's Apron,
Lecture: Murals in Masonic Hall by Bro. Bill Gibbons
Nov 7th:
Officers meeting First Degree rehearsal.
Nov 14th:
Stated Communicaton: FIRST DEGREE
Dec 5th:
Officers meeting .
Dec 12th:
Summoned Communication. District Deputy Visitation, Toys for Tots collection.
Jan 2nd:
Officers meeting Second Degree rehearsal.
Jan 9th:
Stated Communication: SECOND DEGREEE
Feb 6th:
Officers meeting
Feb 13th
Stated Communication: Lecture by Bro. Gagliardi "The Importance of Ritual"
Mar 5th:
Officers meeting: Third Degree rehearsal.
Mar 12th:
Stated Communication: Lectures on a variety of fraternal organizations. Bro. Kinsey on College Fraternities, Bro Gagliardi on the Golden Dawn and Bro. Bey on the Memphis Rite.
Mar 22:
SPECIAL COMMUNICATION: THIRD DEGREE AND DRAMA
Apr 2nd:
Officers meeting
Apr 9th:
Stated Communication: Lecture, The History of Mariners by W:. Calafiore.
May 7th:
Officers meeting .
May 14th:
Stated Communication: Lodge elections.
Book Drive for Kids.
Jun 4th:
Officers meeting
June 11th:
Stated Communication: Installation

HOROSCOPE August-September by W:. Leon Calafiore

Aries (Mar21-Apr20): Keep an eye on small things of importance before they get away from you; passports falling behind the stove, hearing aid falling down the storm drain. If you are a sum of your parts, minimally, you should know where they are. The same applies to you finances; collect what is owed.

Taurus (Apr 21-May20): Staggering insights rise up from your fevered thoughts like bubbles from a Jacuzzi nozzle. Resist the urge to pass them out to others, like cheap cigars from expectant fathers. They are merely the result of Mercury swinging back and forth opposite your sign, stirring things up.

Gemini (May 21-June 21): You get to dress as a dramatic, tragic figure of legend. This is not because something dramatic or tragic will transpire, but you are entitled to cut a dignified figure as you stalk your next challenge. Hunter-gatherer firs will incur the wrath of PETA. Best to hunt in the dark of the Moon November 17.

Cancer (June 22-July 22): There must be more to this cycle of fall festivals then pumpkin scraping and turkey plucking; but not for you. Enjoy you time of service to others. You will be admired, as it is not attached to work release or conditional discharge.

Leo (July 23-Aug 22): The veil between the worlds grows thin, dead letters, dead presidents, conspire to trip you up. If you have allowed your finances to get slightly out of trim, knuckle down and tend to your own needs before others.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 22): Before you can proceed forward with whatever new affairs of the heart you have set your mind to, Saturn plants a firm hand on your shoulder, and bids you examine loves you have lost first. I would be better to delay embarking on unscheduled trips during this period of contemplation.

Libra (Sept 23-Oct 22): A complicated plan almost comes to fruition in October, but falls short on or about the 26th. Fret not; just consider it a practice run for a much more elegant, and successful solution, which should be implemented Nov 2nd, as the Moon swings your way again, in stealth mode.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Being of two minds will be taken to new extremes when the Moon squares Neptune October 26. Both Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin (or reasonable facsimiles thereof) will fight for control of your indomitable will. Sit back, this too will pass.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21): The autumn season should bathe your face with contentment as your grateful subjects gaze up to you on your throne. At the very least, others will admire, not despise, your calm assurance. Be generous with kind words, and a helping hand.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19): My darlings, to live is to accessorize. While you are not bereft of substance, a canny eye will spot the real finds October 10 and November 14, or thereabouts. Like any cagey ant, you should lay up a cash reserve before those dates, then shop until you drop. Cheers!

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18): This will not be a period to make any sudden moves from your present situation, as far as romance is concerned. Don’t do anything different, no surprises hold pat. If possible, pretend you haven’t read this. Say nothing.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20): If considering a costume for the holiday season, reflect on the suitability of dressing as a piñata. There’s a strong possibility you were one in your previous life. This will manifest the last week of October, when Mercury opposes Pluto. You won’t be alone in this feeling, so make sure the best treats will spill out of you when you crack.

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