The Magpie Mason is an obscure journalist in the Craft who writes, with occasional flashes of superficial cleverness, about Freemasonry’s current events and history; literature and art; philosophy and pipe smoking. He is the Worshipful Master of The American Lodge of Research in New York City; is a Past Master of New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786; and also is at labor in Virginia’s Civil War Lodge of Research 1865. He is a past president of the Masonic Society as well.
The lodge in Port Jefferson proposes to transfer its property to the municipal government, local news media reported last Friday.
The Village of Port Jefferson is located on the North Shore of Long Island and is the hometown of Suffolk Lodge 60. The idea is to convey the property to the village for the purposes of historic preservation and community use. TBR Newsmedia, a website for local news, says Mayor Margot Garant announced discussions with the lodge are underway to transfer ownership to create “a theatrical education studio.”
Suffolk 60 was warranted by Grand Lodge in 1796; naturally, it is among the oldest in the state, and it employs “Ancient York Masons” in its appellation.
patch.com
The building at issue had been a Presbyterian church before the lodge purchased it in 1910. (News coverage of the proposed deal with the village described Suffolk 60 as a “Masonic church,” economically achieving both annoyance and humor in two words.)
Suffolk Lodge 60, AYM
Also meeting in this building is Suwassett Chapter 195, an Observant Royal Arch chapter. I am unaware if these Masonic groups will have a covenant in the contract that will permit them to continue using the building or if they will relocate, but I’ll update this edition of The Magpie Mason when I find out.
How will your lodge celebrate St. John’s Day this time? I hope you’re planning something cool like this:
Suffolk Lodge 60 will host “a traditional English Festive Board or Table Lodge” on the EA° this Thursday. (Okay, I think they mean Table Lodge. Many Masons think the two terms are synonymous, but they are not. If, for example, a degree is involved in any way, you’re at a Table Lodge, because it’s a lodge.) Starts at 7 p.m. Menu: roast beef, roasted turkey, potatoes, vegetables, apple pie à la mode, with, of course, powder for the canons. Also a cash bar. The “tariff” for the affair is only $20. Contact the secretary here to book your seat. The lodge just marked its 223rd anniversary on December 7. Vivat! Brethren, don’t forget the tobacco. And don’t forget to sing this: