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It is time once again to begin a new masonic year. As your District Deputy Grand Master I will again be visiting every lodge and bringing our Grand Masters message and some masonic light as well. Many of you expressed an interest in having another exciting game to play this year. I received much feedback on my last game and had to ponder long on what to do to improve it this year. One of the biggest disappointments was hearing that our younger Brothers did not want to travel to play in last year’s game. So I thought long and hard on what sort of a game I could create that would get these Brothers involved, but not require them to travel. I created a puzzle game that would require Brothers from different lodges to team up to solve, but that could be done via email or social networking and was quite pleased with it. Use last year’s cipher to decode the following to get started (NOTE – If you are new or did not play last year the document describing the process can be found here: http://osdmasons.org/article133-DDGM-Masonic-Grail-Quest-Geocache-Challenge and the question on the coin was “What makes you a Mason?”) Get the new challenge: Game 2 Letter With Graphics

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

Click on photo to download full resolution.

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-