Masters Message January 2023
Hello My Brothers,
As we reflect on another year gone by, we can’t help but think of the past. Whether feeling good, bad, sad, or glad, these experiences prepared us to be who and where we are meant to be today.
Our December communication was a wonderful, warm, and Fuzzy night, literally. We conducted business and had a delicious dinner with an amazing heartwarming presentation from Vintage Pet Rescue. Kristen along with her volunteers from VPR give us a glimpse of the day-to-day operations at the shelter. We were also blessed to have eight of their beautiful senior four-legged residents join us! It was an honor and a privilege for our lodge to donate a check in the amount of $5000 to this incredible organization. The funds donated were the result of money raised during our raffle at our Christmas holiday party, the Grand Lodge charities matching grant program, and a donation from our lodge. I invite everyone to follow them on Facebook and visit their website to follow the wonderful work they do for these amazing dogs!
We were honored to receive a visit from our MWGM Robert A. Palazzo and Lady Val, who brought with them a friend of theirs, Susan from Cross Anchor Animal Rescue of RI. Susan received a check in the amount of $2000 to benefit her organization. These particular funds raised were the result of another successful raffle at the Grand Lodge fall festival and a matching grant from Grand Lodge Charities. Congratulations!
Last month, we held our annual Christmas holiday party at the Alpine country club where we had approximately 125 people in attendance. It was a classy, relaxed night filled with love, cheer, and great food. Our raffle to benefit VPR was extraordinary. Special thanks to Lady Dina, Spain restaurant, Cafè Itri, Casali liquors, W:. Cooper, and Alpine Country Club for their donations. $1700 was raised within a couple of hours. Thank you all for your generosity!
Our annual holiday food basket drive was an incredible success! This year we assembled and donated food baskets to 80 families in need. What a wonderful feeling! Thank you to our committee and everyone who helped make this happen. Bravo! It was a beautiful, feel-good morning!
Our communication this month will be Wednesday, January 18, at 5:30 pm. This will be our Fellow Craft degree. We will be conducting this degree on our two candidates. Our officer line is working diligently to make sure we have a great degree as always. Be sure to join us that evening as we will also have the pleasure of listening to our Senior Deacon recite the middle chamber lecture.
As always, I ask everyone to please keep an eye out for any animal in need or distress. We are their voice!
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened”
Grazie Fratelli Miei ... ... ...
John B. Paliotta
Worshipful Master