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RICHFIELD SPRINGS – On
Tuesday April 11th, Richfield Springs Masonic Lodge
welcomed home one of its members after a two-year tour as a Grand
Lodge Officer. Ronald Hess, Jr. was appointed and commissioned by
Edward Trosin Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York in
2004 as Grand Director of Ceremonies for the Grand Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons in the State of New York. The Lodge honored him in a
homecoming celebration.
The evening started off with a
dinner at the Tally Ho Restaurant and by 8:00 p.m. that evening over
50 Masons had marched down Main Street to the Masonic Temple where
the homecoming ceremony and celebrations began.
At the beginning of the
celebration Douglas S. Rhyde of Richfield Springs, was honored with
one of highest awards from the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons. He received The Dedicated Service Award, which is an award
that is granted to Members of the Masonic Fraternity who go above
and beyond their expected service. Mr. Rhyde was rewarded for his
dedicated membership in which he rendered over 40 years of faithful
service to the Lodge and the community.
The evening continued with a
presentation about Molecular Research presented by Edward Newsham,
PhD, Director and Secretary of the Masonic Medical Research
Laboratory in Utica. Mr. Newsham discussed some of the research
that is being performed in the Research Lab. He described in detail
the molecular study on cardiac tissue that affects the human heart.
The Research Lab hopes that with further research they may aid in
the prevention of heart attacks and other forms of heart
malfunctions and diseases. If you wish to find out more about their
great research and scientific studies please visit their website at
www.mmrl.edu
The evening concluded with Ronald
Hess, Jr. speaking about his 25-year affiliation with the Masonic
Fraternal Family. He began his Masonic career through its youth
programs, which he is a member of. Eventually he followed in the
footsteps of past generations in his family by becoming a Mason
himself. He spoke about how he enjoyed his position with Grand
Lodge and how he gladly took upon the tasks of Masonic Education,
Membership Retention and Development. He later discussed the many
accomplishments and goals that were achieved in the Otsego –
Schoharie Masonic District while working with his other team leaders
from the district. Mr. Hess concluded his testimonial by thanking
his Grand Lodge colleagues, Past Grand Lodge Officers, the District
Deputy Grand Master William Mason, and the members of the Richfield
Springs Masonic Lodge for their support.
The District Deputy Grand Master
made his remarks and gave the status of Freemasonry in Otsego –
Schoharie Counties and acknowledged many of the accomplishments that
were made.
The district leaders commended
Mr. Hess for his duties that were well done, and then he was
presented an award by Richard Shypski, the Worshipful Master of
Richfield Springs Lodge, for his achievement and welcomed him back
home. |
