1953--I was stationed at Camp Gordon, GA initially as a morning report clerk in Co. 2 BTG, SigC, a basic training co. Later I became a military instructor in Teletype. As Corporal, I was allowed to live off base with my wife and so we did in Augusta, Ga. It was there, within "Magnolia Villa" at the corner of Walden Way (a room and boarding house that resembled a Souther Plantation) that we were introduced to two very elderly spinster Catholic sisters, Ms. Mary and Ms Nellie who operated the establishment. Breakfast and dinner were included and on Sunday, Southern Fried Chicken with all the trimmings and homemade ice-cream. I was not allowed to leave for reville until I had a full breakfast. Eventually I was reassigned to Ft. Hauchuca, AZ. and promoted to Sergeant. We packed our bags into our 1950 2-door Ford and said our goodbye to these two very dear individuals. I said, "Thank you Ms. Mary for being so good to us" She responded with what I carried with me the rest of my life and conveyed it to anyone who would listen. "It's not hard to be nice to nice people!" A truly profound statement and unknown to me at the time, very Masonic. When I eventually was released from active duty, my wife flew home in anticipation of our first born and I loaded up my car and started eastward, however I did take a detour to Augusta to see these two very special ladies for perhaps the last time. It was Sunday and I was in uniform. I parked my car and entered the pillared main entrace. Ms Mary was sitting by her self-appointed station, the telephone, where I last remembered her. Being about 85, she was nevr without her cane. She saw me, dropped her cane and ran as fast an old lady could towards me. As we hugged, she asked me, "Did you eat?" I said no and she escorted me into the dining room where she ordered the kitchen staff to delay cleanup to serve me. I felt like a king and we talked for hours. Ms. Mary asked, "Where are you staying tonight?" I said, "in a hotel somewhere". She said and this was the firt time she probably ever cursed, "Like hell, you are!" She fixed up a room for me for the night and I had a full breakfast the next day before leaving for home. My own parents could not have treated me or my wife any better. They have long since passed on, however they will always remain permenently and indeliblely attached to my "treasures of rememberences"-
About our honoree, William Donald Schaefer at our 210th Anniversary celebration on October 18, 2007
In 2006 when the “to be” 2007 Worshipful Master, Ronald J. Jacobson was planning his year, he informed me that he was considering honoring Brother Don on October 18, 2007. When I was given the task of inviting our honored guest to help us celebrate our 210th Anniversary of the founding of our Lodge, I felt flattered and honored. When he accepted, I was personally thrilled. When I was then asked to introduce him, my joy in having him with us was complete. The reason being that of my personal relationship with him, having served with him in the 457th General Hospital Reserve Unit under Colonel Conrad Acton, our Commanding Officer during my College days over 55 years ago. Our guest was a Major then and my Executive Officer. It was 1952 and I was to be drafted, however our guest in his own inimitable way, as a young aspiring attorney, wanted to keep me in the Hospital unit and pleaded my case to the Draft Board. We lost and I enlisted rather than lose my stripes that I had earned. Perhaps and I have no way of knowing for certain but that loss may have encouraged him toward public office rather than the practice of law?. His decision then turned out to be Maryland’s good fortune. The years passed. He went into public service and I watched with pride as he advanced to be elected and reelected to Mayor of Baltimore, Governor and Comptroller of the State of Maryland which is testament to his devotion to public service and to the best interests of the people of the State of Maryland. It did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. He may be deemed very controversial to some because of his very “down to earth” humor and the way he expresses himself, however as a dedicated public servant, he is very special, has few peers of equal stature, if any and will always be a part of my “Treasures of Remembrance” and a man of many earned titles.
my brethren please take note the installation of officers on january 15,2009 will be open to master masons only. the # in the bulletin is incorrect. please contact brothers bob rascovar 410-913-7210 or john eshnashari 443-858-8557 dinner at 6:15pm installation at 7:30pm. thank you harvey davidoff pm w.m. elect
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL MEMBERS AND GUESTS WHO ATTENDED INSALLATION LAST EVENING. THE TURNOUT WAS VERY OVERWHELMING. THE ROOM WAS LIT WITH EXCITEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM. AGAIN I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SUPPORT DURING THIS YEAR
Brothers, we now have a facebook page for Amicable-St. John's. If you are on facebook and are interested in joining our lodge page, look up Amicable - St. John's Lodge #25 A F & A M Cockeysville, MD . The Grand Lodge also has fan's page. Bro. Mike Nelson
Please check your e-mails, Bro Fred Tepper informed us about an unfortunate matter.We might be able to help. Also facebook is a very good idea, thanks Bro Mike, and thank you all for your attention.
Went to see Bro. Davidoff this afternoon. He looks good, is in good spirits and wants to thank everyone who have called and visited him in the hospital. He is surprised how many have wished him well. He has a long road ahead and needs all of our support. You can call him at 410-601-9000 room 3026. -Bro. Mike Nelson
Brothers, If you would like to join facebook and take part in the growing world of Freemasonry on facebook, go to www.facebook.com and sign up. It is free and you can make it as private as you want. Our Lodge has a page with updates, as well as The Grand Lodge and many more throughout the world.
On behalf of myself and Brothers at Amicable-St. Johns #25 I wish to extend most-heartfelt wishes to Bro. Paul Derman for a speedy recovery back to excellent health. Here's to seeing you at lodge soon!
And, to all my Brothers and your families -- a wonderful holiday season and happy new year. May 2011 bring us all good health, happiness, peace, a growing economy, and many moments together in Brotherly love.
From the Levin family -- Anita, Gabi & Ethan I extend our best wishes--
9 comments:
1953--I was stationed at Camp Gordon, GA initially as a morning report clerk in Co. 2 BTG, SigC, a basic training co. Later I became a military instructor in Teletype. As Corporal, I was allowed to live off base with my wife and so we did in Augusta, Ga. It was there, within "Magnolia Villa" at the corner of Walden Way (a room and boarding house that resembled a Souther Plantation) that we were introduced to two very elderly spinster Catholic sisters, Ms. Mary and Ms Nellie who operated the establishment. Breakfast and dinner were included and on Sunday, Southern Fried Chicken with all the trimmings and homemade ice-cream. I was not allowed to leave for reville until I had a full breakfast. Eventually I was reassigned to Ft. Hauchuca, AZ. and promoted to Sergeant. We packed our bags into our 1950 2-door Ford and said our goodbye to these two very dear individuals. I said, "Thank you Ms. Mary for being so good to us" She responded with what I carried with me the rest of my life and conveyed it to anyone who would listen. "It's not hard to be nice to nice people!" A truly profound statement and unknown to me at the time, very Masonic. When I eventually was released from active duty, my wife flew home in anticipation of our first born and I loaded up my car and started eastward, however I did take a detour to Augusta to see these two very special ladies for perhaps the last time. It was Sunday and I was in uniform. I parked my car and entered the pillared main entrace. Ms Mary was sitting by her self-appointed station, the telephone, where I last remembered her. Being about 85, she was nevr without her cane. She saw me, dropped her cane and ran as fast an old lady could towards me. As we hugged, she asked me, "Did you eat?" I said no and she escorted me into the dining room where she ordered the kitchen staff to delay cleanup to serve me. I felt like a king and we talked for hours. Ms. Mary asked, "Where are you staying tonight?" I said, "in a hotel somewhere". She said and this was the firt time she probably ever cursed, "Like hell, you are!" She fixed up a room for me for the night and I had a full breakfast the next day before leaving for home. My own parents could not have treated me or my wife any better. They have long since passed on, however they will always remain permenently and indeliblely attached to my "treasures of rememberences"-
About our honoree, William Donald Schaefer at our 210th Anniversary celebration on October 18, 2007
In 2006 when the “to be” 2007 Worshipful Master, Ronald J. Jacobson was planning his year, he informed me that he was considering honoring Brother Don on October 18, 2007. When I was given the task of inviting our honored guest to help us celebrate our 210th Anniversary of the founding of our Lodge, I felt flattered and honored. When he accepted, I was personally thrilled. When I was then asked to introduce him, my joy in having him with us was complete. The reason being that of my personal relationship with him, having served with him in the 457th General Hospital Reserve Unit under Colonel Conrad Acton, our Commanding Officer during my College days over 55 years ago. Our guest was a Major then and my Executive Officer. It was 1952 and I was to be drafted, however our guest in his own inimitable way, as a young aspiring attorney, wanted to keep me in the Hospital unit and pleaded my case to the Draft Board. We lost and I enlisted rather than lose my stripes that I had earned. Perhaps and I have no way of knowing for certain but that loss may have encouraged him toward public office rather than the practice of law?. His decision then turned out to be Maryland’s good fortune. The years passed. He went into public service and I watched with pride as he advanced to be elected and reelected to Mayor of Baltimore, Governor and Comptroller of the State of Maryland which is testament to his devotion to public service and to the best interests of the people of the State of Maryland. It did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
He may be deemed very controversial to some because of his very “down to earth” humor and the way he expresses himself, however as a dedicated public servant, he is very special, has few peers of equal stature, if any and will always be a part of my “Treasures of Remembrance” and a man of many earned titles.
my brethren please take note the
installation of officers on january
15,2009 will be open to master
masons only. the # in the bulletin
is incorrect. please contact brothers bob rascovar 410-913-7210
or john eshnashari 443-858-8557
dinner at 6:15pm installation at
7:30pm. thank you
harvey davidoff pm w.m. elect
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL MEMBERS
AND GUESTS WHO ATTENDED INSALLATION
LAST EVENING. THE TURNOUT WAS VERY
OVERWHELMING. THE ROOM WAS LIT WITH
EXCITEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM. AGAIN I
LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SUPPORT DURING
THIS YEAR
HARVEY DAVIDOFF-WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Brothers, we now have a facebook page for Amicable-St. John's. If you are on facebook and are interested in joining our lodge page, look up Amicable - St. John's Lodge #25 A F & A M Cockeysville, MD . The Grand Lodge also has fan's page. Bro. Mike Nelson
Please check your e-mails, Bro Fred Tepper informed us about an unfortunate matter.We might be able to help. Also facebook is a very good idea, thanks Bro Mike, and thank you all for your attention.
Went to see Bro. Davidoff this afternoon. He looks good, is in good spirits and wants to thank everyone who have called and visited him in the hospital. He is surprised how many have wished him well. He has a long road ahead and needs all of our support. You can call him at 410-601-9000 room 3026. -Bro. Mike Nelson
Brothers, If you would like to join facebook and take part in the growing world of Freemasonry on facebook, go to www.facebook.com and sign up. It is free and you can make it as private as you want. Our Lodge has a page with updates, as well as The Grand Lodge and many more throughout the world.
On behalf of myself and Brothers at Amicable-St. Johns #25 I wish to extend most-heartfelt wishes to Bro. Paul Derman for a speedy recovery back to excellent health. Here's to seeing you at lodge soon!
And, to all my Brothers and your families -- a wonderful holiday season and happy new year. May 2011 bring us all good health, happiness, peace, a growing economy, and many moments together in Brotherly love.
From the Levin family -- Anita, Gabi & Ethan I extend our best wishes--
Brother Alan Levin
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