The last formal meeting of the year is always a bittersweet event especially for the outgoing worshipful master of any lodge. There’s a sense of finality to his journey occupying the Oriental Chair that, as any past master knows, has hopefully moved the lodge forward, fostered stronger bonds among his brethren, and paved the way for a brighter and better ensuing year.

Such a meeting carries a heavier meaning if it’s also the last degree of the year, as was the case last Thursday when the brethren passed brother Doug Kirkbride to the Fellowcraft Degree.

And while it was WB Joseph Piazza’s final meeting as worshipful master, the degree was also important for honored Brothers James “Ironblood” Elam and Matt Richardson, junior warden and junior deacon of the lodge respectively, who were qualifying for their elected and appointed offices for 2020.

Honored Brother Elam conferred the degree with honored Brother Richardson assuming senior deacon duties. Both performed admirably well; their individual performances now qualify them to sit as senior warden and senior deacon for the incoming year, respectively. Expect more from these brothers as we move forward into 2020.

The second section of the degree saw veteran performers such as WM-Elect Ian Cawley giving his ever-stellar rendition of the staircase lecture, WB Piazza and his infamous hand-pounding version of the G lecture, and WB Dale Palileo capping the evening with the charge.

The lodge now looks forward to its installation celebrations on the 21st of December. and a St. John the Evangelist Day celebration on the last Thursday of the month.

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