‘The ALR concludes another year’

   

Bill Sardone photo

I hereby wrap up the Magpie month of June with an update from The American Lodge of Research. We met last night for our Installation of Officers and to hear one research work.

RW Bro. Ron, a perennial grand rank guy in New Jersey, who also is a New York Mason, returned to the lectern to tell us the truth, “maybe,” about the Morgan Affair. I don’t mind admitting I wasn’t looking forward to this. The Morgan Affair, despite being a long and complicated story that intersects with a variety of historical threads—including, however improbably, U.S. political history—nonetheless is a well covered topic that everyone knows about. Or so I thought.

Ron surveyed the brethren present to assess their knowledge about it, and I was surprised to see a good portion of the room raise their hands to signify they didn’t know what it was. Therefore, Ron’s presentation was a bigger success. I won’t recount his findings of facts because I still think practically everyone knows the basics of the tale, but his paper delves beyond those basics, and he even got me interested with some of the secondary points he discovered. Nicely done.

Then, it was time for the Installation. W. Bro. Michael, who has been a Worshipful Master so many times that I get chest pains just thinking about it, is our new Master. The Magpie Mason continues to Peter Principle his way upward, so now is found in the West. Bro. Yves (whose name, we just learned, does not have the French grammatical liaison between the first and last names) is in the South. Bro. Michael now is found at the right of the Worshipful Master; Bro. Daniel, who wowed us in March with his philological work, is Junior Deacon. Bro. Dave and Bro. Praveen—God bless ’em—remain at the Treasurer’s and Secretary’s stations. I think that’s everyone. (Our bylaws permit us to seat more officers. We just need more Active Members to seek the mantles.)

MW Bill and Bro. Thomas.

A great surprise was meeting Bro. Thomas, who I found somewhat accidentally via the QCCC website because he serves as the Local Secretary for New York. He also is an experienced lecturer who travels to and from Hungary, speaking on Freemasonry in that nation. It seemed natural to me that he might want to attend our meetings, so I invited him, and now he’s getting involved with us. My marketing background isn’t going to waste!

We saw several new faces, in fact. Bro. Chris was raised to the Sublime Degree a few months ago, and already is seeking out Masonic education. And there were others with whom I didn’t get much chance to chat.

MW Bill congratulates PM Conor.

Arguably, the most memorable moment came when MW Bill Sardone, who I think of pretty much as our godfather, thanks to how mightily he contributed to our relaunch two years ago and for attending our meetings since, invited Past Master Conor to the East for a special presentation. In recognition of his own outstanding leadership during these two years of rebirth, Conor received a special Past Master jewel—One of a kind! Ain’t no other PM of The ALR gonna get one!—crafted by Bro. John Bridegroom himself.

The ALR seal at center.

Despite being put on the spot, Conor rendered a gracious acceptance speech, during which he shared a funny story of how his mother had asked if the lodge wouldn’t present him an award for all his hard work. He explained to her that it’s an honor to serve, but now he can show her he has been presented a nice trophy after all.

In other news, the upcoming book of transactions is still upcoming. It’s my fault. I’m sorry. I’m slowly making progress in the editing. And an altar cloth! I volunteered to have one made, stipulating that I’d rather avoid the thick, plush velvet type, because they are expensive and kind of difficult to fold for storage, and instead will procure a simple blue cotton version. I figured it would be simple to commission something from a local tailor. It’s not that easy, apparently, but I’ll get it done, and will unveil it at our next meeting in October on a date to be announced.

In the meantime, look for us on Zoom, where we will supplement our Stated Communication schedule with periodic online discussions. Magpie readers will be the second to know when these events are announced.