|
THE ANNIVERSARY YEAR
The year 1965 w marked by several special events. The
frontispiece of the Lodge bulletins was produced in color, the scene depicting
Captain Pateman’s sloop, “The Diamond”, sailing up the Hudson River; a special
medal was struck for each member as a souvenir of the occasion; W.’. Warren
Crawford and the elected and appointed officers were installed in their offices
and places by R.’.W.’. Lyle Johnson, Junior Past District Deputy Grand Master,
on Friday, January 5th. The annual dinner dance honoring the Junior Past Master,
W.’. Robert L. Bronnes was held on February 20th. The official visit of the
District Deputy Grand Master, R.’.W.’. Marvin Ross, was made on March 5th. One
of the real highlights of the year was the dinner dance held on May 1st, seated
at the guest table were R.’.W.’. Marvin and Mrs. Ross, R.’.W.’. and Mrs. J.
Henry Templeton, Jr., at that time the senior Past Master of Diamond, who we
regret to say passed away a few days later; Rev. G. M. Whitmore and the
Worshipful Master and Mrs. Crawford. This memorable event was very well attended
and was a great social success.
At the May 2 communication, the members with 40, 50 and 60
years membership in the fraternity were honored, the speaker on this occasion
being M.’.W.’. Harry Ostrov, Junior Past Grand Master of Masons in the State of
New York who delivered a very inspiring address. At a special communication
held on Saturday, September 11th, we were honored with the presence of The Most
Worshipful Clarence J. Henry, Grand Master of Masons in the State of
New York. This was a
memorable occasion for Diamond Lodge, who, in its hundred years of existence,
had been honored by the presence of the Grand Master-in-Office on only three
occasions, The Grand Master delivered a very eloquent address which was warmly
received by the members of Diamond Lodge and its many visitors. The Grand Master
was accompanied by his Grand Marshal, R.’.W.’. Howard W. Niven, the Grand
Treasurer, R.’.W.’. Edward Lowy and R.’.W.’. John M. Biggs, Senior Grand Deacon.
On October 1st, the Lodge again welcomed the members of Hastings Lodge on their
annual visit to Diamond Lodge and on October 15th following an annual custom
originated on April 20th, 1906, we played host to the Ladies at “Ladies Night”.
On November 5th our guests were our good friends and
benefactors, the members of Solomon’s Lodge of Tarrytown. On November 19th, we
had as guest speaker R.’.W.’. Walter G. Seely, member of the Grand Lodge Youth
Council, who delivered a splendid address.
As this material goes to press, plans are being made for
our annual Christmas Party to be tendered the children, in which in recent years
we have been joined by Irving Chapter, No. 526, O.E.S. and Hastings Lodge, No.
1107. F. & A. M.
Thus ends the History of the first hundred years of Diamond
Lodge, No. 555, F. & A. M. As we look in retrospect over this century, we are
proud and well satisfied as to its accomplishments and as the torch of
Freemasonry was handed to us by its forbears, so do we pass along this torch to
Diamond’s successors with the hope that it will be proudly carried high with
renewed vigor.
1965 to 1990
Sydney A. Fried, Historian
The story of Diamond Lodge from 1965 to 1990 has been
anything but static. Many important events have taken place, some for the better
and some for the worse.
Probably the most important event of the past twenty- five
years was the sale of our
Dobbs Ferry Temple in 1981
and the move by Diamond Lodge from the quarters it had built and occupied since
1924. For many years, it had become increasingly difficult to balance the
Temple’s income with its overhead. Increases in taxes, fuel, utilities, losses
of rental income and maintenance of an aging building, resulted in
ever-increasing deficits, in spite of flea markets, fairs and other fund
raisers.
For many years, mortgage costs had been financed by
building certificates, which had been purchased by the Brethren. Some of these,
determined by lottery, were retired annually, and the last one was paid off in
1971. A number of Brethren or their estates generously contributed the amount
represented by these certificates to the Lodge.
Later, there were drives for a painting fund, a carpet
fund, a kitchen fund, etc. Much painting, carpentry, electric and similar work
was performed by the Brothers of Diamond Lodge.
The monetary problems were worsened, or perhaps, due to the
fact that both membership and Lodge attendance were decreasing. In 1924, when
the new Temple
was dedicated, Diamond Lodge had 350 brothers. In 1956, when the Lodge’s
Centennial was celebrated, there were 255. In 1974, when the
Temple
was re-dedicated on its 50th Anniversary by Grand Master Arthur Markewich, there
were 176. At the start of 1989, the rolls dropped below 100 for the first time.
Not only were the rolls decreasing, but the average age was increasing, and many
had retired and moved away from the area. Others were too advanced in years to
take an active part in the workings of the Lodge.
The 97 members of Diamond Lodge in December 1989 had 61 zip
codes, and resided in 13 states; 53 in New York, 17 in Florida, 5 in
Connecticut, 4 each in California and New Jersey, 3 each in Massachusetts and
North Carolina, 2 each in Colorado and Pennsylvania, and 1 each in Delaware,
South Carolina, Virginia and Alabama.
Finally, in August 1980, it was voted to sell our Lodge
building. In March 1981, we moved to the Hartsdale Square Club where we remained
until the economy caught up to them and they were forced to sell their building.
This resulted in our move back to site of our Mother Lodge, Solomon’s, in
Tarrytown in June 1987.
Not every sad story has a sad ending. In this case, it
turned out that the ever present money problems we had in Dobbs Ferry were
solved by the realization and investment of the proceeds of the sale of the
Temple which, if
prudently preserved, should permit our Lodge to continue its work without
Brother Damocles interfering.
Thank you, Builders of the
Dobbs Ferry Temple. Your
Legacy is alive and well and back in Tarrytown, where it all began.
Another event to be noted, that occurred towards the end of
this fifth quarter of our existence, was the demise of Irving Chapter, OE.S.
These noble ladies, dedicated to the same principles and beliefs as we are, and
so helpful to us in many ways, found themselves unable to continue, even with
our help. Some joined other chapters, but Irving Chapter is no more.
The Latest, and very important change which occurred in the
past twenty-five years, took place at the last meeting of that period - the
official merger of Diamond Lodge No. 555 with Thistle Lodge No. 900. Thistle, a
Yonkers lodge, with whom Diamond has had the most cordial and fraternal
relationship over the years, found itself with an adequate treasury, a
membership of over 200 Brothers, some of the most proficient Masons in our
District, and yet unable to fill the complete line of Officers and barely able
to muster a quorum to conduct Lodge business on several occasions. Their 1989
Master was serving his fifth term in that Chair and their choices were either to
merge with another Lodge or surrender their Charter.
They approached Diamond Lodge about a merger, because of
our past relationship and their appreciation of our continued participation in
community service and Widows’ Program in spite of diminishing numbers. A year of
conferences, consultations with Grand Lodge about necessary procedures,
discussions and votes by both Lodges, finally resulted in the official formation
of Diamond Thistle Lodge No. 555, on
December 15, 1989.
This infusion of new Brothers, with their colorful and
popular plaid-clad Fellowcraft Degree team, the flag presentation ceremony,
their Robert Burns Night and all the rest of their traditions will surely make
Diamond Thistle Lodge No. 555, a vital Masonic institution.
Now that we have covered the big stuff, let’s go back to
1965 and see what Diamond Lodge has been up to since then. First, Let us pause a
minute to realize that the Lodge Communication at which the 1990 officers were
installed was No. 2869. That is TWO THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED and SIXTY-NINE
MEETINGS, since No. 1 was convened in 1865. Can you comprehend that figure,
realizing that it consisted of only one or two per month, with none in July or
August? We are truly old, not decrepit old, but traditional old, established
old, aged-in-the-wood old, solid old. We bear the standard created, nurtured and
loved by our Masonic forebears, and we dare not, for one solitary instant,
consider any possibility that we will not pass it on, undiminished, to our
successors, even to the 3,000th, even to the 4,000th Communication.
Throughout its history, Diamond has always promoted
Fellowship and practiced Charity, and sometimes combined the two, so that funds
raised by the first were used for the second. One project was a golf hole-in-one
contest. For a dollar, contestants got three tries, a coke and a hot dog, and
Dobbs
Ferry
Hospital
benefited from the proceeds. Boat rides, barbecues, musical shows, ladies
nights, New Year’s Eve parties, were only some of the well-supported functions.
Community service and contributions to the Research
Laboratory at Utica
were combined when Brothers participated regularly in the Ardsley Recycling
Program, and then turned over the fee received from the sale of the recycled
products to the Masonic Laboratory.
In recent years, Diamond has made substantial contributions
to the Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Volunteer Fire Departments and Libraries of
Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry and
Irvington,
as well as to Dobbs Ferry Hospital and the Rosary Hill Nursing Home in
Hawthorne.
Regularly, Diamond lodge was at the top of the First
Westchester-Putnam District for contributions to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund.
Every Easter and Christmas, the Lodge remembers its Widows
and shut-ins by hand-delivering gifts to those in the immediate area and by
mailing gifts and cards to others who do not reside nearby. Plants and flowers
are taken to Rosary Hill semi-annually to help brighten the Home and bring cheer
to the lives of its guests.
Over the years, Diamond has worked in conjunction with a
number of other lodges on different projects. A joint effort by Diamond,
Solomon’s and Hastings
to establish a DeMolay Chapter eventually succeeded after many years of effort,
but, unfortunately, the Chapter did not last. The Brothers of Diamond and
Hastings Lodges, for some time, combined in a Degree team. Hastings Lodge and
Irving Chapter, O.E.S., for many years, teamed up with Diamond Lodge to sponsor
an annual Christmas party for the children. The Brothers of Diamond Lodge
exchanged visits with Hopewell Lodge, a Bronx Lodge which met in the Dobbs Ferry
Temple until 1977.
Diamond made its presence felt in the First Westchester
Putnam District. From 1965 to 1990, Diamond Lodge had four District Deputies,
three Assistant Grand Lecturers and two Grand Representatives. Eight Brothers
were awarded aprons for Dedicated Service to the Fraternity. Other Brothers have
held office in both the District Association and the Masters and Wardens
Association.
A Masonic Lodge does not live in a vacuum. An understanding
of its activities must take the surrounding circumstances into consideration.
Not only is it necessary to be aware of what other Lodges are experiencing to
evaluate what is happening in our own Lodge, but it requires reference to
newspapers to relate what we do to what is happening in the community and the
world. During the period 1965-1990, the number of Lodges in the District
decreased from twenty- three to thirteen, by merger or surrender of Charter.
Nearly every Lodge suffered a substantial toss in the number of Brothers on its
rolls. Inflation raised its ugly head, savagely increasing the cost of
everything from postage stamps, to rent, to anything you can name.
Yet in 1965, the dues of Diamond had just been raised to
$25 and in 1990 the dues had risen only to $32.50, due primarily to an increase
in per capita paid to Grand Lodge. Do you know anything else that has increased
in cost only 30% in the last 25 years? Another timely comparison is the price of
the 100th Anniversary Dinner in 1965 - $9.00 - to the 125th Anniversary Dinner
in 1990 - $40.00 - about 450%.
The 100th Anniversary History noted that 29 Lodges,
including Diamond, were chartered by Grand Lodge in June 1865, and that all were
still in existence in 1965. In preparing this up-date, an inquiry to the Grand
Secretary revealed that alt but one were still in existence, although several
had merged with other Lodges. A letter was sent to all 27 of these brother 125
year old Lodges to inform them of our plans to celebrate our century and a
quarter birthday, inquire how they planned to celebrate this occasion and how
well they were carrying their age. Not one response was received, even though a
follow-up letter was also sent by the Grand Secretary to the Secretaries of each
of these Lodges.
GRAND LODGE APPOINTMENTS
Over the one hundred years of its existence Diamond Lodge
has been honored by many Grand Lodge appointments, a list of such follows: —
January 5, 1906 R.’.W.’.
Joseph Dunbar was presented with his commission as Grand Representative of the
Grand Lodge of Western Australia near the Grand Lodge of the State of New York.
January 16, 1922 R.'.W.'. A.
Proudfoot appointed Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons
in the State of New York.
June 1925 R.'.W.'. William Johnstone appointed District
Deputy Grand Master of the First-Westchester Putnam District.
June 1928 R.'.W.'. Herbert W. Jewell appointed Grand
Steward of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of
New York.
June 3, 1938 R..W.’. Seitz
appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the First Westchester-Putnam District.
June 1946 R. C. Blackmar appointed Grand Sword Bearer of
the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of
New York.
May 1952 R.’.W.’. J. Henry Templeton appointed Grand
Director of Ceremonies of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the
State of New York.
November 4, 1960 R.’.W.’. E.
Reginald Harris appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New
Brunswick near the Grand Lodge. of the State of New York.
June 1963 R.’.W.’. Lyle Johnson appointed District Deputy
Grand Master of the First Westchester Putnam District.
PAST MASTERS OF DIAMOND LODGE
Wilsea, Abraham 0. 1864-67,
1876
King, Daniel W. 1868-73
Lefurgy, Martin 1874-75
Dunbar, Joseph 1877-78
Nix, Adam 1879
Jewell, Thomas A. 1880-01, 1890-03
von Wallmenich, Charles 1882-83
McClave, John S. 1884-85
Gisner, Charles 1886
Wheeler, Jacob T. 1887-88, 1898-99
Fursey, John 1889
Dutcher, Edwin W. 1894-95, 1904
Drury, Mark 1896-97
McConnell, Charles 1900-02
Ravekes, John H. 1903
Johnstone, William 1905-06, 1909
King, George W. 1907
Lorenzen, Edmund I . 1908
Polhamus, Arthur 1910-11
Hemstreet, George P. 1912
Jewell Herbert 1913-14
Ravekes, Frederick W. 1915
Proudfoot, William 1916
Mathieson, Robert 1917
Seger, J. William 1918
Warren, Spalding E. 1919-20
Templeton, J., Henry, Jr. 1921
Campbell, Hector R. 1922
Simpson, Robert G. 1923-24
Raban, Frederick 1925
Benedict, Warren D. 1926
Palmer, August W. 1927
Kedney, William M. 1928
Abercrombie, Robert H. 1929
Hannan, James, Jr. 1930
Seitz, Anton 1931
Rudolph, Charles K. 1932
McGinness, John A. 1933
Mathieson, Roderick 1934
Rudolph, Harry G. 1935
Howe, Charles E. 1936
Edwards, Bertsil D. 1937
Blackmar, Arthur 1938-39, 44
Geis, Ernest 1940
Riefenhauser, Frank A. 1941
Thauburn, Bruce E. 1942
Kamke, H. Stuart 1943
Lindsey, William Z. 1945
Robbins, S. J. 1946
Brooks, LeRoy H. 1947
Harris, E. Reginald 1948
Philpott, Norman C. 1949
Wilson, Wesley L. 1950
Keller, William F. 1951
Blackburn, Philip W. 1952
Edwards, Orville D. 1953
Caldwell, Alvin V. B. 1954
Howell, Albert 1955
Derbyshire, John T. 1956
Turner, Matthew W. 1957
Leadbetter, Edwin J. 1958
Johnson, A. Lyle 1959
Elder, Harry C. 1960
Duda, Charles J. 1961
McPhee, Donald 1962
Rosvally, George C. 1963
Bronnes, Robert L. 1964, 67, 86-87
Crawford, Warren X. 1965
Lundy, James W. 1966
Gagliardi, Joseph 1968
Sinners, James N. 1969
McGraw, James L. 1970
Robertson, John P. 1971
Giroux, Martin J. 1972-73
Robertson, John P. 1974
Matthies, Charles E. 1975
Reader, Herbert 1976
Klein, Lawrence 1977
Battestin, Henry F., Jr 1978-79
Prescott, Henry E., Jr
1980-81, 88
Fellis, E. John 1982
Harris, Bernard 1983
Dreaper, Thomas S. 1984
Reader, Herbert 1985
Fried, Sydney A. 1989
1990 Diamond Thistle Lodge Officers
Master W.’. Gerald G. Buch, Jr
Sr. Warden W.’. Henry E. Prescott, Jr
Jr. Warden W.’. Robert E. Knesnik
Treasurer Bro. Edward Schmid
Secretary R.’.W.’. Henry F. Battestin, Jr
Chaplain W.’. Sydney A. Fried
Sr. Deacon Bro. Robert Blank
Jr. Deacon W.’. James M. Wilson
Senior M. of C. Bro. William H. Seery
Junior M. of C. Bro. Nelson N. Childs, Jr
Steward Bro. Mauricio A. Loo
Marshal W.’. Hugh C. Beveridge
Tiler Bro. Allan L. Townsend
Trustees Bro. Allan L. Townsend 1 year
W.’. Hugh C. Beveridge 2 years
W;. Sydney A. Fried 3 years
What about the future? As our 125th year dawned, so did a
lovely warm light on the horizon - the sight of a sizeable group of men on the
Trestle Board, most of whom having been introduced to the virtues of Freemasonry
by the Anniversary Master, W.’. Gerald Buch, the youngest sitting Master of
Diamond since the mind of man runneth not to the contrary.
Note the emphasis on YOUNG. Old may be experienced and
wise, but youth brings with it the vitality and the enthusiasm to encourage the
elders that this Lodge, which is a part of us, will continue eternal in the
Heavens, when we have passed upward and inward through the Pearly Gates.
As this material goes to press, we are looking forward to
the Official Visit of our Grand Master, M.’.W.’. Richard P. Thomas on November
16th to commemorate the 125th anniversary of our Lodge and to mark the
competition of the first leg of our second hundred years.
We can look back with pride and forward with hope, that the
high standards of Freemasonry have been and will continue to be a rule and guide
for our practice through life.
|
