Annual Meeting and Elections

On Monday, December 5th, the Lodge held its annual meeting and elections of officers for the ensuing Masonic Year. The following brothers were elected to these offices:

Worshipful Master - Jerry Lukowiak
Senior Warden - Dave Reed
Junior Warden - Jose E. Villalta
Treasurer - Clarence Joffrion
Secretary - Rowland Francis
Proxy - Guillermo Henriquez

Congratulations to these brethren! The Installation of the 2012 Officers will be held on Friday Dec. 16th. Please join us this evening. The ceremonies are open to friends and family.

Also, Nutley Lodge named its recipient for the 'Mason of the Year' award. Brother Domenick Abbate, our Senior Steward, won this very prestigous award after having worked so hard for his lodge. Throughout the year, Br. Dom showed up early at Lodge to prepare collation for the brethren. He went above and beyond his call of duty, and his hard work did not go unnoticed! Thank you brother!

The Master presents Bro. Dom with the 'Mason of the Year' Plaque

A Rough and Rugged Road to Travel...

On Monday, November 21st, 2011, Brothers Michael Flaherty, Rick Andrerson, Marco Ruiz, Sacha Wilson, Ivan Pedomo, and Michael Walsifer were raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. A packed lodge room with representatives from every lodge in the 8th Masonic District was observed. Also in attendance was R.W. Christopher S. Bollata, District Deputy Grand Master (who played the Seafaring Man). Masonic Birthday night was also observed. 

A little about the Third Degree:

The ceremony of the Third Degree differs completely from the first two. It is not concerned mainly with architecture, the liberal arts, and sciences, but with the eternal struggle between good and evil, temptations of life, and the triumph of conscience. At each degree, an explanation of the working tools of the craft is provided to the member as Freemasons now meet not as operative but symbolic Masons.

Having gone through the Third Degree which is a capstone of the fraternity, the member will have learned the true purpose of Freemasonry. It is not merely a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols, but a great lifelong adventure to search for that which was lost; the metaphysical and mystical quest being the craving to comprehend and unite with Cosmic Consciousness and achieve Enlightenment.

The Seafaring Man's Trip

The Seafaring Man's Trip recently occurred of which R.W. Ed Honchen snapped the following photographs. Looks like the boys had a blast!

Vivat! Vivat! Vivat!

It was a great night for our Lodge on Monday, November 7th, when our Grand Master, Most Worshipful William L. Morris, Jr., visited us as our Guest of Honor for our Annual Table Lodge!

Social hour began at 6:00 PM with liquid refreshments, finger foods, good conversations, and music! W.B. Nigel Duguid was our muscial entertainment for the evening. A fine job he did with the muscial selection. The table lodge opened at 7:00 PM. The kitchen staff consisted brothers Casey, Lou G., Michael W., Marco R., John P., and Mike G., and was spearheaded by Domenick!

We enjoyed a delectable five course meal consisting of appetizers, soup, salad, sorbet to clean the palate, pasta, meat load, and cake and cookies! Approximately 70 brothers attended the table lodge!
Our cannons were charged and fired all throughout the evening!

A special note was the attendance of W.B. Bill Doremus who came out to lodge for the first time this year.

In between courses, we enjoyed Seven Toasts proposed to the following:
1-To Our Country!
2-To Our Grand Master!
3-To Nutley Lodge No. 25!
4-To Our Visiting Brethren!
5-To Our Soldiers!
6-To Our Departed Brothers!
7-To All Freemason!

Another special and memorable night at Nutley Lodge! Check out the pictures below!

Table Lodge is opened

The Senior Deacon Attends to the Altar

The Worshipful Master explains how to toast

Charge the Cannons!

"Brethen on the Column of the North...."

The Grand Master fires away!

"To our Visiting Brethen!"

The Cannon!

The Middle Chamber

On Monday, October 31st, 2011, our Lodge held an Emergent Communication for the Fellowcraft Degree. Brothers Rick Anderson, Michael Flaherty, and Michael Walsifer performed thier Entered Apprentice proficiencies quite admirably, considering they were initiated just twenty-eight days prior!

As a Fellowcraft, you are symbolically and Masonically a builder.

In learning and education, we must listen if the work is to be properly transmitted from generation to generation. The life of Freemasonry depends on ears that are attentive.
An instructive tongue is necessary in order that knowledge be conveyed accurately. But the tongue teaches more that ritual. It informs Masons of the great truths and symbolism in Masonry. That makes good men better men.
The faithful breast is the repository for those few secrets entrusted to you as you progress through the three degrees in Masonry. It is also the repository of those ideals you should display in life and pass on to your Brethren, that they may learn and grow to be better men.
You have been given the tools to build your square, level and plumb.
You were taught the value of work.
You know the importance of acquiring knowledge. It is in sharing this knowledge that will make you richer and a builder in the sight of God.

Grand Lodge Reception at 'The Fiesta'

On Thursday, October 27, 2011, at the reception for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th Masonic Districts, at 'The Fiesta' in Wood-Ridge, many brothers from those districts were honored for their Grand Lodge appointments. Two brothers from our district were among many of the honorees: R.W. Christopher S. Bollata, DDGM, and our very own R.W. Dalton Mejia, DRI and Junior Past Master of our Lodge. The Grand Master and Elected Grand Line were in attendance. A room of about 450 guests, consisting of Masons, family and friends and 11 brothers from our lodge were also in attendance to support the honorees. R.W. Ed Honchen presented R.W. Dalton Mejia, after which he delivered a speech to the masses. It was a great evening for Masonry and for our Lodge. R.W. Mejia represented our Lodge very well. We are proud of you!

Master Mason Night at Nutley Chapter OES

The Nutley Chapter of The Order of the Eastern Star (OES) invited the members of our Lodge to their annual Master Mason Night. Several brothers from our Lodge attended on Wednesday, October 20th. The junior Past Most Worthy Grand Matron read this poem as a tribute to Nutley Lodge and Nutley Chapter:

MASTER MASONS’ NIGHT

We’ve set aside a special time to honor our Brothers tonight

As we greet our Master Masons, and we do so with delight

If it were not for our Masonic Brothers, no meetings could be hold

In order for us to assemble here, a brother must be present we are told

The Great Brotherhood in the service of Humanity has lessons that we hold dear

So tonight we would like to honor you and say thank you for being here

May we strengthen the bonds of friendship as we join in service with one another

To an Eastern Star Sister, we hold in esteem, each special Masonic Brother

May we forge ahead together as we show support in all we do

May Nutley Lodge and Nutley Chapter to each other remain true

'The Grave Scene of Hiram Abiff'

Br. Michael Neuberger and the Worshipful Master are pictured

On Monday, October 17, 2011, we welcomed to our Lodge Brother Michael Neuberger, Senior Warden of Loyalty Lodge No. 33 in Union, NJ. Br. Neuberger enlightened the Brethren with an electrifying presentation entitled 'The Grave Scene of Hiram Abiff' which captivated the Brethren in attendance. We will not go into the details of the presentation for obvious reasons, but rest assured, it was a great presentation!

Square & Compass Day

Brethren, on Saturday October 15th, it was Square & Compass Day throughout the State of New Jersey. As all lodges in the state, our doors were open to offer information and education  to the public about our glorious fraternity. A power-point presentation was offered to potential members introducing them to Freemasonry and Nutley Lodge. Two gentlemen submitted petitions to our Lodge. That in itself made it a successful day for Nutley Lodge!

Brothers (and one petitioner - bottom right) at S&C Day

From Darkness to Light

On Monday, October 3, 2011, Nutley Lodge initiated three new members and elected Brother John Picurro for dual membership into the lodge.

In the above photograph, Brother Entered Apprentices Michael Walsifer, Michael Flaherty, and Rick Anderson (left to right) are pictured with the Worshipful Master (center) and Br. Picurro (far right). The new initiates were presented with a single white rose, in accordance with old European Masonic traditions, and informed that it was hoped the rose would induce them to seek the hidden mysteries of our great brotherhood!

"The Evergreen is an Emblem of our Faith in the Immortality of the Soul"

Worshipful Brother Vincent T. Strumolo was summoned from labor on this earthly plane to the Celestial Lodge above by the Great Architect of the Universe on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.  W.B. Strumolo was Master of our lodge in 1960. The family requested a Masonic Funeral Service which took place on Sunday, Sept. 25th. Several Nutley brothers were in attendance to pay our brother this last tribute of our affection.

REST IN PEACE DEAR BROTHER

Annual CHIPS/Blood Drive in Belleville

On Saturday, September 24th, 2011, Nutley Lodge held its Annual CHIPS (Child Identification Program) and Blood Drive at the Senior Citizen Center in Belleville, NJ.

Br. Jerry Lukowiak tends to a chiild for identification

Several children were processed thanks to the Brethren below who attended to help out and land a hand in the community. Even R.W. Ira P. Drucks, of Livingston Lodge, stopped by to donate blood, as did a couple of our Lodge brothers.  Check out the pictures below!

R.W. Br. Drucks donates blood

Grand Lodge of Instruction

Thursday, September 22, 2011, saw the Grand Lodge of Instruction (GLI) for the Great 8th Masonic District. This year, GLI was hosted by Livingston Lodge No. 11. Our Lodge officers were charged with performing the 2nd Section of the M.M. Degree. Our Lodge officers, in their proper stations and places, performed quite admirably! Brothers Jose Enriquez, Donny Mourjane, and Pete Rizzolo stepped up and helped their Lodge. The Grand Instructor stated that "ritual is alive and well in the Great 8th Masonic District".  It was a great night for our district and a great night for our Lodge!

Brothers at GLI

The Lamp of Knowledge Lecture Series Resumes...

On Monday, September 19, 2011, Worshipful Master Ray Thorne of the New Jersey Lodge of Research and Education (LORE) No. 1786 visited our lodge to tell us about what LORE does. He explained to the brethren in attendance that LORE's purpose is to impart Light on the brethren though masonic research, study, discussions, and education. He then presented a well written paper on the world famous magician and Freemason, Brother Harry Houdini, which was well received by the brethren. The Worshipful Master then presented Brother Thorne with a book on Masonic symbolism entitled "The Freemason's Key" and thanked him for visiting our Lodge. Masonic Birthday Night was also observed. It is safe to say that after the rendition of "Happy Birthday", no one in that room will be winning American Idol anytime soon; regardless, another great night!

Annual Lodge Picnic!!!

On Sunday, September 18, 2011, we held our annual Lodge picnic at Kingsland Park in Nutley. It was a beautiful and picturesque September day! Brothers Ignacio Suarez and Domenick Abbate were our chefs for the afternoon. Of course they did not disappoint! Chicken, all types of meats, pastries, fruit salad, and much more was offered! Approximately 40 people attended the picnic. Friendly games of volleyball were played by several of the attendees, including brothers and their families and friends. We all had a wonderful time! Check out the pics below!

Kingsland Park in Nutley

Brother Clarence (no he is not dancing, he is serving the volleyball!!!)

Brother Domenick reaching for the ball

Big thanks to our chefs for the afternoon - Domenick & Ignacio