Rural Lodge Regular Communication
It was a busy night at the Regular Communication on Thursday 6 April as we hosted about 40 visitors from  Floral Park Lodge, NY, led by their Worshipful Master, Wor Leo Cortizo Jr. Not only that, but in the first part of the EA degree, we held proceedings in two lodges simultaneously – one in the main lodge room conducted by Wor Lonnie Piper, with two candidates, and the other which was held upstairs with three candidates and conducted by Wor David Smith. We held a reception in the Library for the ladies from New York and or own ladies, while the men watched the proceedings in the main lodge room. We were favored with the presence of MW Arthur Johnson, PGM of Massachusetts, and by MW Roger Read, PGM of Connecticut.

Left: The ladies’ wine and cheese reception in the Library

After a banquet served by the gentlemen of DeMolay, the ladies retired to a hands-on presentation on flower-arranging by Alice Carlson, and the men gathered in the main lodge room for the business meeting and the conclusion of the EA degree on the five candidates.
Taking the conclusion of the work, Wor Lonnie Piper as Master was able to greet his own son in the East. Brother Matthew Piper is one of our candidates, and Wor Lonnie was able to greet him as ‘My son, my brother’. Such moments are landmarks in the life of Freemasons, and it is a great privilege to pass on the tradition first-hand to your own son.

It was a great pleasure to see the lodge room so replete with brethren, and it gave all of us a good feeling to see such perfect floorwork, with paced and well-delivered ritual. Our visitors expressed their gratitude, and were intrigued by the execution of the work. One of them remarked that it was interesting to see the differences between Massachusetts work and that of New York – ‘the same but different’.
The conviviality continued after the degree work, as all gathered in the lower apartments for the collation.
The hard work of the WM and his officers resulted in a fine evening that was enjoyed by all!

Left: In the East, Wor David Smith and the District Deputy Grand Master, RW David Elsner welcome Lou Cortizo Jr

Such excellence of ritual is a result of dedicated work by the officers of the lodge. Rehearsals take place every Monday evening at the QMB, starting at 6:30pm. All Master Masons are invited to come along on any Monday evening either to assist the officers as a ‘dummy candidate’ or to enjoy the company of others.

The DDGM and the Master of Floral Park Lodge, Wor Lou Cortizo Jr.