The District Website has moved

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Sometimes you outgrow things, so you have to adapt and move if necessary. The District Website, suffolkmasons.com, has moved to a new host. Realizing that this may bore some, I’ll summarize as much as possible. As the District website grew and had more capabilities added to it, well, the old host (server) it was on just wasn’t delivering, but the price was right, so we kept it there. Continual tinkering with settings and apps to make it all work correctly and smoothly was a constant challenge.

There was a lot of feedback when it came to navigating and the functionality of the site. Finally, the decision was made to move the site to a more robust host that could handle all the functions and then some that we wanted the site to have. A full e-commerce host that was more responsive to support requests and able to handle the site the way we would like it to be.

It took about 2 weeks to complete migrating all and test, and reset functions, but it is now all complete. So, for those who are interested, here are some of the finer details.

  • The site is now hosted with WP Engine – A fully fledged e-commerce host
  • All Suffolk District BAND events are aggregated into the Suffolk District Event Calendar daily – https://suffolkmasons.com/events/
    • If you enter an event on the District Band Calendar, it will be ported over to the District Calendar on the website.
    • So, if you are not inclined to join BAND, you can always check the events calendar, and you will see all events there on a website instead of an app.
  • The Community calendar and community tickets have been updated, tested, and are completely functional.
    • This means you can log in, create events, sell tickets, and the payouts go to your PayPal account (it is recommended you set up a business account for your lodge or organization to use here, along with adding the tax ID of the entity for tax purposes). This is all automated, so you control the event.
  • PayPal – The site uses PayPal as its merchant service for the purpose of collecting and distributing payouts for tickets. However, nobody needs to have a PayPal account to use the service. If you choose to you can add your payment info securely to PayPal’s Fastlane service or not. If you choose not to, you can use the standard Credit/Debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, on an Apple device, Apple Pay to purchase tickets for an event. If you have a PayPal account, add your email on the FastLane, and it will fill in your details automatically.
  • Tickets in general – all should find the experience much quicker and smoother overall. Once a ticket is set on the site and open for purchase, click the number of tickets you wish and get tickets. We do set tickets with required info for each attendee, so if you are buying multiple tickets, a name and a unique email will be required for each. The tickets are sent to this email, and it allows the organizers to see the report on who and how many are attending.
    • We have added a new function called “Wait listing”. This can serve the purpose of alerting those interested in your event before tickets go on sale or when sold out, in case there is an opening or cancellation. you can see a sample of that in use here -> Potunk Lodge’s 100th
  • RSVPs – yes, I know among Masons this is a four-letter word. But you can add an event that is an RSVP and get an automated attendance list, and it’s free, with no fees attached. How good and pleasant it is for Brethren to respond to an invitation and let their brothers know they intend to come to their event!
  • District News – each Monday morning, an email will go to subscribers with any new event added the previous week, as well as any new stories/articles, etc. If you subscribed, thank you. If you want to unsubscribe, see the bottom of the email to do so, and you won’t get this anymore. Please don’t report as junk, as this gums up the sender service.

There is more to come, hopefully for the betterment of all. We are also looking for individuals to submit articles of interests to the District. You can type it up and send it to webmaster. Please include pictures and submit in Word document or similar so it can be parsed and not have to be re-typed.

The real purpose here is to help bring the District even closer to all. All in one place to get info, get tickets, help individual Lodges sell tickets to their events and ensure a smooth process for all of it. We hope you use the resource and take advantage of the technology.

We are always looking for feedback on how it’s going and any improvements or suggestions. Feel free to comment on post/events or send an email to the webmaster and we will see if we can change it or make it happen.

Coming Soon! – A more mobile friendly version of the website for those who only use their phone to check websites

May 2024 From the South

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Brethren,

I want to commend the brothers of Smithtown Lodge for pulling off a great degree even though we had to have a few feelings. But as Smithtown Lodge always does, the brothers all banded together and was able to advance two brothers to Fellowcraft. Plan for next month is to have a combined third degree conferred on the brothers at Suffolk 60 Lodge. My plan in the south is to have a little more education before we go dark if the masters trestle board has room for the extra activity. If so I would like to cover the Masonic funeral ritual. In closing, let’s try to keep the momentum going through the summer by getting together at least four times. This way we could hit the floor running in September. With Ferency and zeal I remain

Stu Smith JW

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May 2025 From the West

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Brethren

Spring is here—time to rise from hibernation and pick up those suits from the cleaners! With only a few stated communications left in the season, let’s come together in friendship and brotherly love.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at this month’s events, including elections and the Lodge of Remembrance.

 

Fraternally,
Edward Matuszak
Senior Warden

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May 2025 From the East

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Brethren,

As we approach the end of the Masonic year, it’s a time to reflect on the accomplishments we’ve made together and look forward to the opportunities ahead. May will be an important month for our Lodge as we finish strong and set the stage for another year of growth and brotherhood.

On May 14th, we will have Moving Up Night, which gives our soon-to-be-elected brothers a chance to try out their new positions and prepare for the responsibilities that lie ahead. This is a fantastic opportunity to ensure a smooth transition and to engage in the leadership development of our Lodge. Following this, we will conduct our Election of Officers for the upcoming year. Your participation in this election is vital as we choose the leadership that will guide our Lodge into the next chapter.

Then, on May 28th, we will hold our Annual Lodge Report, where we will hear updates and reports from the various committees on the progress we’ve made over the year. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our successes, discuss areas for improvement, and plan for the future. Later in the evening, we will have the Lodge of Remembrance, a solemn ritual where we honor and remember those we have lost this year. This will be a reflective and meaningful moment for our Lodge, as we pay tribute to our departed brethren.

Your involvement in these events is crucial to our success as a Lodge. Let’s continue to show our commitment to Freemasonry by participating and supporting one another as we wrap up this year and prepare for the year ahead.

Fraternally,
W:. William Hanson
Worshipful Master

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District Traveling Gavel makes the rounds and a tour of duty

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The Gavel in operative and speculative Freemasonry has a similar meaning and varies in its use. The Masonic gavel is an emblem of authority used by the Master of the lodge to show his executive power over the assemblage by punctuating its actions.

In this capacity, order is maintained and a structured outcome to the proceedings is achieved.  The common gavel is also one of the working tools of the Entered Apprentice.

Operative Gavel

In the operative stonemason era, the common gavel was a tool used to hew (break) the rough edges from the stones (ashlars) so that they would fit perfectly into place.

English Masonic Gavel

Speculative Gavel

In speculative Freemasonry, the Masonic Gavel is used to symbolically divest the heart and consciousness of all the vices and superfluities (excesses) of life in order to ready ourselves as if we were living stones, open to be shaped into a spiritual being that is pleasing to our Creator.

Not An Auctioneer’s or Judge’s Gavel

The lightweight, rounded-end gavels, such as the one below, commonly used by auctioneers and presiding judges, are inappropriate for use in a Masonic lodge.

 

Auctioneers Gavel

A Masonic gavel should not be confused with the Setting Maul, which is one of the working tools of the Fellowcraft.  The setting maul is a heavy wooden hammer with which the operative mason set (knocked) the polished stones into proper alignment.

Traveling Gavel

Many jurisdictions and/or districts have a Traveling gavel program to promote visitation and a bit of friendly competition. The rules are somewhat similar from place to place. In general, the visiting Lodge, who wish to take the gavel, need to have a certain number of brothers and come to a stated communication of the possessing lodge and notify the Master that they are there for the gavel in advance of the meeting. etc., etc.

The Suffolk District Traveling Gavel has its rules as well. The last changes to the rules were to ‘simplify’ them a bit. In years past it was a requirement that most if not all the elected and appointed officers are present at the meeting to take possession. This could be sometimes difficult for a lodge to do in more recent times. The ‘rules’ are changed now and then and last time by the Masters, Wardens & Deacons Association. If you are unfamiliar with the current rules you should head on over to the Traveling Gavel Page right here > Suffolk District Traveling Gavel

On this page you can also learn some addition history and check-out the leaderboard. Each ‘season’ begins in September and Runs through April and recognition of the most possessions at the District Dinner.

If you are planning on attending the Suffolk District Dinner, make sure you have your tickets as they will not be selling any at the door. You can get those here > 2025 Suffolk District Dinner

As of this writing Potunk Lodge #1071 has possession of the Suffolk District Traveling Gavel and the District Dinner is quickly approaching. As it tradition it’s a lot more fun if the gavel has pictures of its travel. Below are the travels of the Suffolk District Traveling Gavel currently.

Brothers have fun and DO travel and attend meetings of other lodges as your cable tow allows.





February From the Secretary’s desk

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My Brethren,

 

Hope you’re first month of 2025 has treated you well!  As I learn the ropes of my new role as Secretary, you will observe that the 2025 dues were a bit tardy in getting mailed out.  At this point, all Brothers should have received your dues notices.  We have made them payable by QR code, which is on the notice itself.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

 

In addition, we have begun to have informal Past Master’s Meetings on the 2nd Monday of every month.  The next one will be February 10th, 2025 at 6:30pm with an officers rehearsal immediately following.  All Past Masters and Line Officers are encouraged to attend the meetings moving forward.

 

Finally, as Secretary, I am working on putting together new protocols and SOP’s for the lodge around various topics such as candidate interaction, officer duties and responsibilities, etc.  These are not meant to be the work of an individual member and should have input from all Brothers interested in doing so.  So if you have any ideas on how to improve our Lodge, please reach out.  Once drafts of each topic are available, I will share with the lodge for comment and feedback.

 

Fraternal Regards,

W:. Scott K. Parry

Secretary, Smithtown Lodge No. 1127

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February From the South

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I would like to start off by saying that the first- degree we performed at our last meeting, was impeccable. I like to give my thanks to Bro. Gleb who did the Marshall work for the first time at Smithtown Lodge. All of his placements of the brothers in their proper places were just like we rehearsed. That’s why, it is important to get out to the rehearsals, especially if you have a speaking part or a part in the actual degree. I want to also mention that Gleb did a great job with the working tools which again was his first attempt Performing this ritual piece at Smithtown Lodge. Last but not least I would like to give special thanks to W:. Bill Montzouts on an outstanding  performance rendering the ritual work of the first degree charge! In summing up I would say the work of the evening was some of the best I’ve seen in the district in a long time. I am not trying to be biased by that statement, but if you travel as much as I do, you see a lot of strange things. Be safe, my brothers and keep up the good work.

J W Stu Smith

 

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February 2025 From the West

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Brethren,

Happy ground hog day, well who really knows if we are going to have a early spring or not. We all need to show our support for an upcoming District Deputy visit. I would like to congratulate the new  masons completing their first Degree.

Let us embrace these opportunities with enthusiasm and continue building our fellowship and dedication.

Fraternally,
Edward Matuszak
Senior Warden

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February 2025 From the East

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Brethren,

As we enter the month of February, I want to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation for each of you. The energy and commitment you bring to our Lodge is what makes us strong, and as your Worshipful Master, I am excited to continue our journey together in the new year.

First, I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Vincent Buffolino, Dennis P. Mirante, and Michael Pyzikiewicz, who were initiated as Entered Apprentices  in January. We are proud to welcome them into the ranks of our craft.

• February 26th, we will complete their initiation with the presentation of the historical lecture for the First Degree, which was postponed from the degree. Let us all come together to show our continued support and celebrate their journey in Freemasonry.

• February 12th marks our annual visit from the District Deputy Grand Master, R:.W:. Robert J. Licata. This visit is a significant occasion for our Lodge, providing an opportunity to hear from our District leadership and engage with the broader Masonic community. I strongly encourage all brethren to attend, as your presence will make this event even more meaningful. This visit is a reminder of the greater Masonic family to which we belong, and it’s a time for us to reflect on the state of our Lodge and the progress we’ve made together.

Your attendance, participation, and commitment are what makes our Lodge strong. Let’s continue to work together to ensure that we make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Fraternally,
W:. William Hanson
Worshipful Master

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