Happy Birthday to Us....

Greetings Brethren All,

Through some strange calculation of fate Nor'easters fell on the first and third Wednesdays of the month of March and prevented our coming together in fellowship.  I hope you weathered the storms and are faring well -- and are ready to return to our labors as we look to bring in new brothers into the Craft!

March was not a total bust.  We were able to see Bro. Brian Latorre passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft at John Jay Lodge on March 14th.  Congratulations to Bro. Latorre on his achievement!  And much thanks to the brothers of John Jay to afford us the opportunity to bring our brother one step further on his journey.  It was a festive evening as we also joined with brothers from Huguenot Lodge to see some of their brothers pass as well.  Also, thanks to our brothers,  Bro. Senior Warden, Andy Papademetriou, Bro. Andrew Haight, Bro. Frank Vaccari, and Bro. Ramon Viruete, among others, who were there to support Bro. Latorre!  (I apologize if I missed a brother -- I was under the weather that evening and was not able to stay long.  Let me know and I'll shout out to you on the web version of this message!)

My brothers, we have some very important events coming up as we look toward the home stretch of this Masonic season.

April 4, 2018 - Degree of Entered Apprentice.  6 pm collation. 7 pm gavel.  Please be properly attired in business suits; officers, formal attire and gloves.  RSVP to Bro. Junior Warden, Peter Genovese, at pcgenovese@gmail.com.

April 6, 2018 - White Plains Lodge will be 159 years old!

April 18 2018 - Grand Lecturer's Convention at Tarrytown Temple.  There will be no meeting at White Plains that evening.  All officers must attend.  All brothers are welcome and encouraged to attend.  This is a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of ritual and meet brothers from the !st and 2nd Westchester-Putnam Districts.

April 24, 2018 - Joint Degree of Master Mason at Kisco Lodge -- I would like officers to make every effort to support our brothers who are to be raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.  Come out to Kisco Lodge to support Brothers Latorre and Viruete!

April 28, 2018  - the District Dinner Dance.  At our last Table Lodge we formally announced the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, W Les Horrell, and our Mason of the Year, Bro. Peter Genovese!  Both are well deserving of these honors and I hope you will join me in celebrating their achievements by not only congratulating them personally, but joining us in the formal celebration of these awards at the Second Westchester-Putnam District Dinner Dance on Saturday April 28 at the Westchester Manor.  Cocktails will start at 7 pm and the dinner will be served at 8 pm.

The cost per person is $90.  You should let me know if you are planning to attend and mail a check to W Palazola, payable to White Plains Lodge No. 473.  Make a note that this is for the District Dinner Dance.

The Westchester Manor is at 140 Saw Mill River Road in Hastings-on-Hudson.  Please let me know ASAP if you are planning to attend.  We need your full name as well as your guest's full name for the place cards.

I wish all brothers a Happy Passover and Easter.  If you do not celebrate, I hope you are finding a sense of renewal with the coming of spring.   In addition to the religious meaning of these holy days, they are also of Masonic significance for those of us who will recall and hold fast to the promise of Eternity.

I look forward to seeing you in Lodge!

S.'. & F.'.,

Raphael Wong
Master
White Plains Lodge No. 473 F & A M