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The parking lot has been paved in time for our Awards dinner on Monday June 26.

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Good morning Brothers and friends. Happy Monday!

This past Saturday we held our 1st annual District Charity Gala at Justine's in Cobleskill. I'm pleased to share that our event hosted 30 people and was a success! The food was spectacular, drinks were flowing, great music and we all enjoyed fellowship and time with our guests. Most importantly, we were able to raise $220 to donate to Victim's of Traumatic Brain Injuries. Brother Steve Garreau and I are already planning next year's event, and will finalize details to share with you all in the fall.

We had such a great time, we have already booked our district summer party at Justine's for the last weekend in August. This will be a clam bake, and all are invited. We will share more details in the spring, but I am hoping we have a large turnout!

Keep your eyes on the district calendar for upcoming degree work and events around our district. It seems as more Lodge's are utilizing the district email system to keep everyone informed with their communications and events, and this is great. KEEP IT COMING!

The District Association (formerly Masters and Wardens Association) and Charities Corporation will be holding a combined meeting in late February / early March. We need to discuss changes to the 2 groups, and finalize details for the Murder Mystery Dinner as well as get going on the golf tournament. I will confirm a date and time with our officers this week and will keep everyone informed. It is important that each Lodge be represented at this meeting.

Saturday 2/25 is our District Ritual Competition. Our AGL, VW Adam Sokolowski has provided details to each Lodge, and I'm sure will put out reminders soon. This year's work will be from the EA Degree, so all masons can participate.

Hope you all have a great week!

Brother Jeff Shellenberger

Good morning everyone, happy Cyber Monday! I trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and was able to spend some time with your loved ones.

Just an update for our district events and degrees-

Tonight, Schenevus Valley Lodge #592 is hosting a 2nd Degree, Lodge opening at 7:30PM. I am sure they could use help filing the sides, possible conductors, and making the Temple full for a good showing for their new FC's. Please contact their Secreyary Steve Ratner to confirm your attendance.

Next week-
Monday, Cobleskill Lodge will be hosting a rehearsal for their 1st Degree, which is scheduled for Tuesday evening. Please contact W. Kris Kinnear if you are able to make it.

Friday, 12/9 is our Masters and Wardens Association Meeting. Dinner is being served by Schenevus Valley Lodge, please contact RW Rick Scheiner asap to RSVP dinner. Meeting will be at 6PM, in Schenevus. On the agenda- finalizing details for our Charity Ball in January, working for the murder mystery dinner in April, and laying the ground work for the golf tournament. Also, our DDGM mentioned during his visits that our district will be going through changes soon. We need to start to prepare ourselves for these changes. Remember, ALL MASONS are invited, but voting power is reserved for sitting Masters and Wardens.

If you would like an event added, simply email Brother Bruce Van Buren with the details, and he is always quick to make changes. Also, you also receive my crazy Lodge email updates, and Brother Bruce always posts these online for all to read. Keep your message out there, get him info and we can spread the word.

I look forward to seeing everyone next week at the M&W Meeting. Be there and be square!

Brother Jeff Shellenberger

Last Nov class Nov 30th at 7pm.
The December classes are: 12/7 and 12/14.

In January classes switch to Thursdays.
January: 5th, 12th and 19th.
February: 2nd, 9th and 16th.
March: 2nd, 9th,16th and 30th.
All classes begin at 7 pm.

You may notice that I skip the 4th Thursday of the month.
Our church serves dinner at the Lords table every 4th Thursday.
I am the dish washer for our church.

R.W. Rick Scheiner GDOC
607-437-2465 Cell
r_scheiner at Hotmail.com

See OSMD

And the winner of the DDGM Grail Quest Geocache Challenge is...
Brother Jeff Shellenberger of Schoharie Valley Lodge #491 with a total of 21 coins! Congratulations Brother Jeff!!

Nov 15 was the last official DDGM Visit, Ted's homecoming to Cobleskill Lodge. It was a special event, with an amazing dinner to boot. Thank you to Worshipful Kris Canary for cooking for everyone, and hosting us all.

With his visits now completed for the year, RW Ted has opened up 'The Game' on our district website www.osdmasons.org. If you've collected a coin so far, you can now enter the code online and follow the instructions to find the treasures. Good luck to all, especially Team Adam Bilby.

Brothers and friends,

Last week, our Lodge hosted our annual Veterans Dinner, celebrating those who served our already Great Country. Attached is a picture from this event (the silver haired man sitting across from RW Ted Volkert is my father, Jim Shellenberger the 2nd coolest dude I know behind me of course) I am pleased to share this was attended by almost 60 people. I want to personally thank RW Jeremi Sherman and all the brothers who help make this event possible.

Looking ahead to this and next week-

Last week, Schoharie Valley Lodge #491 conferred the Entered Apprentice degree upon a new brother- Br. Rob Lediuzet. We had just shy of 30 brothers in Lodge and for dinner, it was certainly a sight to behold! We also welcomed visiting brothers from Unity and Franklin Lodge's along with being treated to a presentation from RW Jack Mulhall from Mass about the Masonic Camping Club.

I say it every year, many times a year, but special things are happening in #491. Our dinners are still good (despite our chef Paul Stoddard moving across the country), our fellowship is the BEST in the state, and our meetings are fun and unique every time we get together. If you haven't joined us in some time, I strongly encourage you to come back and check us out. Dinners are usually $10, which is a small price to pay for the amazing atmosphere you'll witness.

Our Worshipful Master, Randy Rathka, is undergoing surgery to correct a hernia and address some other smaller issues that have been plaguing him for 2+ weeks now. I expect him back at Lodge next month, ready to steal the gavel back from the usurper from the west.

Looking ahead-
Tonight 10/18- 5:30 PM
We will be hosting a practice / run through for the DDGM visit next week, along with working with Brother Rob on his proficiency. All are invited- we can chip in for a pizza or heat-up some leftovers.

10/25-
We will be hosting our DDGM for his official visit to #491. Dinner will be served at 6:00PM, the cost for this special dinner will be $20 / brother. RSVP's must be received by Todd Cipperly or Ken Zinnsar no later than Friday. Lodge will open PROMPTLY (Randy or Jeff) at 7PM. Come one, come all to hear this special message from the DDGM.

From around the district-
Tonight is the 1st degree for Otsego Lodge in Cooperstown.
Next Tuesday 11/1 is the 1st degree is Cobleskill
DDGM Visits-
10/25 Schoharie Valley
11/8 Richfield Springs
11/14 Schenevus Valley (the OTHER SVL)
11/15 Cobleskill

So that's it for now. I hope to see you all tonight and / or next week. As always- BE THERE AND BE SQUARE!

Brother Jeff Shellenberger
Warden of the West

R∴W∴Edward Newsham and W∴Bruce Van Buren presented W∴Howard A Stapley Jr with his 50 Year Service Award. Howard was Master in 1972.

Howard,

Howard & Bruce

Bruce, Howard & Betty