Auto Added by WPeMatico

From The South December 2025

/in , /by

As we roll into December we see the bulk of 2025 quickly receding from view behind us and the

holiday season fast approaching. To me, the Brotherhood experienced during our recent

Thanksgiving collation helped clearly mark the start of the season (a “shout-out” to W:.Matuszak

for his fine culinary expertise!). And with three newly minted Brothers joining our ranks in

Smithtown 1127 as EA, I am truly looking forward to seeing them advance through their degree

work during the coming year on their way to becoming Master Masons.

Fraternally,

Dominic J. Ciardullo (JW)

The post From The South December 2025 first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.

From the South November 2025

/in , /by

From the South

The month of November typically conjures-up thoughts of the Thanksgiving holiday – traditionally a time to get together with family and friends to reflect upon the blessings in our lives. As Masons we are even more fortunate, in that we need not wait for a holiday; we have the opportunity to gather with our Brothers twice a month at Smithtown Lodge. In fact, pick a day of the week and you’re bound to be able to find a Lodge to visit somewhere within the Suffolk (or  Nassau) Masonic Districts. All you need to do is show up and there are brothers to welcome you with a smile and open arms – now that’s something to be thankful for!

Fraternally,
Dominic J. Ciardullo (JW)

The post From the South November 2025 first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.

October 2025 From the South

/in , /by

I would like to congratulate all the Brothers in the Medford Square Club for a very successful Oktoberfest this past weekend! The MSC provided a fun and inviting backdrop for their fund-raising party by arranging the hall in a Biergarten-style layout, with authentic German food and beer selections. A significant number of our brothers rose to the occasion by dressing in lederhosen and Bavarian Alpine hats and engaging in “traditional” toasts and song, making it extremely easy for the rest of us to get into the spirit of Oktoberfest!

Just one more example that “many hands make light work” – and oftentimes great fun as well!

Fraternally,
Dominic J. Ciardullo (JW)

The post October 2025 From the South first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.

August 2025 from the South

/in , , /by

As summer is now in full session, the furthest thing from most of our minds is the thought of memorizing Masonic Ritual work. For me, the thought of memorizing anything (most of you already know how bad I am at remembering names) makes me tend to put-off doing so for as long as possible. But I’ve realized that procrastination and “winging it when the time comes” only makes me more anxious about not being prepared – and also tends to give less than optimal results…So I’m trying something different this summer; I’m actually following a variation of the advice I used to give to my students. The human brain tends to operate by repetition, and has an easier time remembering things that it has been exposed to repetitively over a period of time (which is why we find that “cramming” for an exam – or in this case cramming to memorize the Ritual – rarely works out the way we wish).

So here is my Ritual memorization experiment this summer: I arise 15 minutes earlier each morning and simply read straight through the appropriate section(s) of the material pertaining to my part. I repeat this from 5 to 10 times in a sitting. I don’t actually try to memorize anything at this point, but the repetition allows the material to slowly sink into my brain, subconsciously making me more and more familiar with the material. I repeat this process for a few days before actually trying to memorize it. After that I utilize my 15 minutes each day to actually start memorizing the material. I’ll let you know how it works out! But for now, I’ve achieved the most difficult part…I’ve started the process and it’s become part of my morning routine.

For me, 15 minutes of less sleep each day is a reasonable trade-off that results in more confidence (and more importantly, less stress) that I’m better prepared to contribute as a successful team member. And if I still miss a word here or there, I know that my Brothers are there to help me along. To paraphrase an old Vince Lombardi quote, “Strive for Perfection, Settle for Excellence.”

Fraternally,
Dominic J. Ciardullo (JW)

The post August 2025 from the South first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.

May 2024 From the South

/in , /by

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

The post May 2024 From the South first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.

February From the South

/in , /by

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

 

The post February From the South first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.

January 2025 From the South

/in , /by

As the 2024 Masonic year comes to an end, we reflect on the accomplishments we achieved in the form of education from our master. Going forward into 2025. I’m really excited about hosting the school of instruction that will cover the floor work for upcoming degrees. Brothers, let’s make an effort for all of the offices to come out to the rehearsal and all of the brothers that have key parts in upcoming degrees to show up for all rehearsals. Smithtown lodge has a very good reputation for putting on excellent degrees. Be safe, my brothers and have a happy new year!

 

S W Stuart H. Smith

The post January 2025 From the South first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.

December From the South

/in , /by

Now that Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is ahead of us, I want to thank brother Ed Matuszak for preparing such a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. We have done investigations on two petitioners and have one more to go. So, it looks like we will have three prospective candidates going through our first- degree in February. I want to remind everybody that January 8. I am hosting a school of instruction at Smithtown Lodge pertaining to the floor work associated with the degrees. If it’s OK with the master, I’d like to have two rehearsals prior to the school of instruction so we look sharp at the school of instruction and we will look that much better when we perform the actual degree. Be safe my brothers and happy holidays!

J W Stu Smith

The post December From the South first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.

November 2024 : Form the South

/in , , /by

Hi to all of the brothers of Smithtown Lodge from the south. The Lodge is still pretty quiet and we’re ramping up for a good year. We have one perspective candidate that has been investigated and another one in the works. It looks like we will definitely have two candidates for our first degree this year. Other than that not much to report. Things are going well and moving right along. I am planning to have two rehearsals prior to the first- degree coming up so we can give the candidates the best Masonic experience that’s associated with the ritual. The cigar and bourbon night went well thanks to Steve Koferl offering his house and we had a very good turnout. Be well, my brothers and see you at the next meeting

JW Stu Smith

The post November 2024 : Form the South first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.

October 2024 From the South

/in , , /by

I would like to give kudos to the Worshipful master and brothers of Smithtown Lodge on their opening and closing after we came back from the summer break. I travel to a number of larges since we came back to life and I give Smithtown not because I’m biased a 99% Grade on the way we handled the ritual opening and closing. Keep up the good work and we will shine like always. I’m looking forward to seeing two new possible brothers coming into the craft in the months to come.
J W Stu Smith

The post October 2024 From the South first appeared on Smithtownlodge1127.