Good Friends in Lakewood Land,
First and foremost, a warm thank you and shout out to everyone who in one way or another, supported ALL of our local fish fry events here in Lakewood and in nearby communities. Whether you were a worker or an eater, (or in my case, both!
) much good was done, and many dollars were raised for the various good causes.
Particularly, the members and leadership of Lakewood Masonic Temple would like to thank you all for supporting what I think may well have been our most successful year ever.
From the standpoint of fund raising, this is always nice, but our Masonic community has always set our sights much higher. To be a Mason, one must first believe in God, and serving others. Masons won't tell someone HOW to believe in God. We are not a religion, but rather a fraternity of God-respecting people. Masons individually have their own beliefs in God, as their own faith traditions have taught them. People of many faiths are therefore members of Freemasonry. They are also generally very active in their churches, synagogues,or other faith traditions, and in the life of their community.
Masons historically leave their particular political or religious opinions at the door of the Lodge, so as to discover what well-meaning people can do together when they are not fighting about their differences. Shriners (an organization comprised of Masons) have their many hospitals supporting burned or orthopaedically impaired children. The Masonic Knights Templar offers free trips to the Holy Land for pastors, as well as having a charitable eye foundation. Other Masonic groups support diabetes research and many other worthwhile endeavors.
Musicians from Mozart, to me
have been Masons, and indeed, music was a big part of our fish fry events. This year we had a little bit of everything from live classical to jazz, to folk, country, and of course, rock too! Some of the area's best known musicians dropped by this year for fish and fun. Thanks to all of them!
Again, thanks to you all for supporting this stunningly beautiful and historic Masonic Temple in the middle of Lakewood, with it's great ballroom used for swing and contra-dance, and for civic gatherings, church services, and many other events. For those who took the tour and saw our marble grand staircase, and the Lodge room that has been virtually unchanged for a century now, you know what a treasure we share here.
The Lodge room and Temple will again be open for your inspection during Lakewood's summer holiday event.
For those interested in membership in the Masonic family, it would first be necessary that you ask a Mason, or a member of the Eastern Star. (if you are a lady)
Masons, by an old tradition, do not ask people to be members. People who are interested in membership must take that initiative on their own.
Looking forward to seeing and serving you all at next year's fish fry!
Back to the banjo.
