ONEONTA - On June 17th 2006 The Otsego -
Schoharie Masonic District Masters and Wardens Association held
their Dedicated Service Award Recipients Banquet at the beautiful
S.U.C.O. College Camp.
The banquet was held once again in honor of all
past and current Dedicated Service Award Recipients. This years
recipients are: W.'. Douglas Rhyde from Richfield Springs # 482;
W.'. Duane Trask from Laurens # 548; and W.'. Bruce R. Reed from
Schenevus Valley #592. All three were in attendance and were
introduced by District Deputy R.'. W.'. Peter J. Lindemann upon
which a standing ovation was afforded them.
The Brothers and their families enjoyed a program
presented by Judith Sherman who for nearly twenty years has been
researching and bringing to life the art of one of the most
important members of the Iroquois Clans, the Storyteller. The
Storyteller travels from village to village and longhouse to
longhouse, retelling the stories that have been handed down through
the generations explaining why things are as they are in nature,
mythology and spirituality. Judith portrays Listening Woman, a
Mohawk Storyteller from the mid 18th century and has been
entertaining and educating young and old alike as to how the
Iroquois maintained their history and beliefs with no written
language. Those in attendance enjoyed stories of The Creation, How
the Chipmunk Got It's Stripes, The Story of the Half Blanket, and
several more.
Listening Woman also had an interesting outdoor
display for people as they arrived and shared many other insights
into the 1700's Mohawk way of life.
President W.'. Richard Sherman gave a brief
report on the accomplishments of the Masters and Wardens
Association, and expressed his deep appreciation to that small and
dedicated group of Brothers who had served with him, and cast them
as highly probable future DSA recipients.
Brother Alex Brannan read the DSA Honor Roll, and
R.'. W.'. Bill Mason spoke to our guests about the stringent
criteria in earning the DSA Award. Brother Bill said, "in my opinion
it is the most precious apron of all given out by Masons." He
introduced R.'. W.'. Alsion L. Aumick newly appointed Grand Steward
for our District, and R.'. W.'. Peter J. Lindemann newly appointed
District Deputy of our District.
R.'. W.'. Aumick introduced himself to those in
attendance as the District Education Officer and announced some of
the new and innovative educational offerings available.
R.'. W.'. Lindemann was the keynote speaker and
introduced the new DSA recipients.
At the end of the night W.'. George M. Sydlar
Sr., the most recent Past Master from Oneonta #466, was presented
the Masters & Wardens Association President's Service Award. The
President informed the audience that all of the active members of
the Masters and Wardens Association had worked hard and dedicated
themselves to the DSA Banquet project, but W.'. Sydlar had, for the
past two years, been the moving force behind the Dedicated Service
Award Banquet. Brother Sydlar has given countless hours of his time
to search out and contact as many of the DSA recipients in the
District as possible often at his own expense, designed and printed
both programs, and is always actively pursuing ways to make the
program better for those being honored. President Sherman said,
"Brother Sydlar's hard work and persistence exemplified the exact
qualities of those being honored for Dedicated Service".
See pictures below...
