The Knight Light. Knights of Pythias. 23 Spring hollow, Roslyn NY Meeting Schedule Page 8. ChaNCEllOR COMMaNdER S MESSSaGE

Transcription

1 NORTh ShORE lodge #824 Knights of Pythias. 23 Spring hollow, Roslyn NY (516) december 2014 Volume 12 No. 2 Editors PACDGC Sir Ronald Degen PC Izhak Sirota Chancellor Commander PC Arthur Getzel Vice Chancellor PC Izhak Sirota Prelate Arie Bauer Master of the Work PC Sidney Weber Recording Secretary PACDGC Sir Ronald Degen Treasurer PDGC Anthony Rivers Financial Secretary PC Jerry Geier th Drive Little Neck, NY (718) Master at arms Rod Birnbaum Inner Guard Jack Malkin Outer Guard Asher Rynski Three Year Trustee Mark Kilmnick Two Year Trustee Mark Kilmnick One Year Trustee Elliott Frankel Grand lodge Rep. GT Robert Banks alt. Grand lodge Rep. PDGC Anthony Rivers Membership PACDGC Sir Ronald Degen Collation Chairman Arie Bauer Meeting Schedule Page 8 The Knight Light ChaNCEllOR COMMaNdER S MESSSaGE The past few months have been enormously exist. Many boys at the age of 12 or 13 years had eventful for our Lodge. September brought a what we call adult responsibilities. Lodges often fabulous picnic. There was good food, helped such kids. During that era the idea of camaraderie and fun had by all. Best of all, providing such children some relief by giving them mom nature gave us an almost perfect day. In a few weeks in the country at a camp or some form the last month, we had a great chicken dinner of recreation came to the fore. and then a holiday party with music and my A hundred years have brought a lot of progress personal favorite Ben s Deli. Many of us and yet we still have many children who still need could not eat the next day. help. In the year 2015, there are still millions of The New Year is upon us and 2015 is American children who have never experienced bringing an important change to the Lodge. Our the joy of camp, the fun of playing on a team, and first January meeting will be in our new the lessons of scouting. Many are not only headquarters. The property is on Little Neck Parkway right near Temple Torah. Once, the property was a nursery when this part of Queens was mostly rural farmland. Some parts of the property hark back to a time a century ago. But do not worry; our new Castle Hall will have the amenities of the 21st century. Yet, when I first saw the property, I started to think about what America was like in, let s say, In that year, there were thousands of lodges throughout this nation serving many different religious, ethnic and cultural groups. It was a time when many immigrants worked hard for meager wages. It was a time in which television, computers, and smart phones were not even in the dreams of science fiction writers. Though the radio existed, its commercial heyday was yet at least more than a decade away. For entertainment, the wealthy did have the newly invented phonograph, but many knew how to play instruments and made their own music. Others spent hours reading, but most people at that time would gather together in some fashion for company and friendship. Fraternal lodges often served that purpose. In addition, it was a time when the government furnished few services and lodges had the added function of providing charity and benevolence. Lodge brothers would support one another during times of trouble or crisis. Members would be there to provide a helping hand. If someone needed help, the lodge would be there to provide moral as well as some financial support and help. At that time, many lodges often dedicated themselves to helping children. A century ago many children especially immigrant children often were destitute and had to work at a young age to support their families. The concept of teenage culture did not physically hungry, but also hunger for an education. There are still many children who have debilitating illnesses or suffer from disabilities. That is why lodges are still important. We still are needed to raise money to help all who are in need especially children. In a world that is more self-centered and in which many often think more about things than people, lodges are still needed to practice simple acts of altruism. I urge everyone to dedicate himself in the coming year to doing some good work and to encouraging others to join us in helping our fellow man. Fraternally, WE RE MOVING PC Arthur Getzel Harvest Mission Center sold its building and moved to a new location and we re following along. Starting with our first meeting of 2015, we will be meeting at Little Neck Parkway. The new Castle Hall is located near Temple Torah. If you re going north on Little Neck Parkway, just pass the Long Island Expressway and make a right turn right into a dirt driveway, which is one block after the Expressway and before Temple Torah. There s plenty of parking, so come on over and see our new digs. BE THERE!

2 ThE EdITOR SPEaKS For more than 30 years, I have been either the Assistant Editor or one of the Editors of the Knight Light. During that time I have written close to 200 editorials. So what could I possibly say to inspire you if I have not written it yet? Nothing. Therefore, I will dispense with the pleas to come to meetings or to get men to join the Knights of Pythias and I will tell you why some of your Brothers and I come to meetings. The faces keep changing and few of the men who attended meetings when I first joined the Order almost 38 years ago still show up in Yet, some things have not changed. We still talk, listen to each other, and laugh. We help each other out. We give money to charity. We attend funerals and visit each other in the hospital. We do so many things in life because we must or because we feel an obligation to do it. But no one makes a Brother attend a lodge meeting. So, if you come to a meeting, you will only see men who want to be there. Those are the men with whom I enjoy spending an evening. A week later, you won t even remember the TV show you watched last Tuesday night. But if you come to a meeting, you might think back fondly of the Camaraderie, Collation, Conversation and Comedy that you enjoyed with your Brother. BE ThERE, BUT ONlY IF YOU SO ChOOSE!!! ThE last MEETING OF ThE YEaR 2014 On December 23, 2014, North Shore Lodge held its last meeting of the year. It was an Executive Board meeting. I am happy to report that the only thing that we accomplished was having a great time. Instead of meeting at Sinai Chapels, we convened at the Century Super Buffet a Chinese restaurant in Queens Village. For once, Arie could relax and did not have to prepare the collation or serve anyone (except himself, since it is a buffet). Anyway, the evening was a total success and, perhaps, the best Executive Board meeting North Shore Lodge or any of its predecessors YOU ShOUld have BEEN ThERE! GRaNd lodge CORNER Last year, from a culinary point of view, Grand Lodge held the best Grand Chancellor s Dinner and the Humanitarian Fund sponsored the best brunch in the history of the Knights of Pythias. Why? The answer is the caterer at Temple Avodah. If you want to partake in a feast of a dinner and a sumptuous brunch, please keep Saturday evening, June 20, 2015, and Sunday, from 11:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M., May 30, 2015 open. Details will follow in the next Bulletin. GRaNd lodge WEBSITE If you want to learn a little more about Grand Lodge and see pictures of the Grand Council, just go to You will see how the Knights of Pythias serves the community with so many charitable endeavors. North Shore lodge #824, Knights of Pythias 2 ThE PICNIC WaS a PICNIC What a streak! Our 10th Annual Picnic is now history and it was a rousing success. Good weather, good food, good company and a good time had by all were the order of the day. Well, who doesn t like a picnic? Who doesn t like getting together with friends? Who doesn t like a hotdog and a hamburger cooked on an open fire? If you do and you did something about it, then you must have been in Cunningham Park on Sunday, September 7, 2014, enjoying the picnic. What? You missed it? Well, don t worry; the 11th Annual Picnic is scheduled for September 20, It will be the first time that the picnic is not held on the first Sunday after Labor Day. A conflict with the Jewish Holidays prompted the change. Hope you can make it. dinner FOR dgc MIChaEl KERNER The Deputy Grand Chancellor for the 52nd District, to which North Shore Lodge belongs, is Michael Kerner of Majestic Lodge. He visited us on October 7th and did a fine job of delivering the Grand Chancellor s Message. His homecoming was held on December 3rd at Majestic Lodge and was attended by more than 75 Brothers. He will be honored on May 19th at the 52nd District s Annual Man of the Year Dinner. Details, and news of a certain subsidy, will follow in the next Knight Light. Meanwhile, please keep the date open. BE ThERE!!! a TURNING POINT FOR ROBERT BaNKS Robert Banks is switching careers and just took on a new job as an Agent for New York Life. Because of the time demands it makes on him, he no longer can serve as Grand Treasurer and resigned from that position. Robert has assured us that he will remain an active member of North Shore Lodge. In fact, he will be our Grand Representative at the Grand Lodge Convention next summer. We wish Robert much success in his new endeavor. PlEaSE PaTRONIZE OUR advertisers We are grateful to our advertisers for using the Knight Light to reach consumers. North Shore Lodge, in turn, asks you to patronize them. It is the only way to say thank you. SECONd NOMINaTIONS and ElECTIONS Our second meeting in May is being moved up from May 19th to May 12th, so as not to conflict with the 52nd District s Man of the Year Dinner. BINGO NIGhT IS BaCK! YES! Due to popular demand, bingo is back. On April 21, 2015, we will hold an Open Meeting and we will play bingo. It s an open meeting, it s cheap, and it s fun. Won t you join us? PaSSOVER WINE We re doing it again. On March 17, 2015, we will have our annual Passover Wine meeting at which we distribute free Passover Wine to all paid-up Brothers who attend. What s more, you don t have to be Jewish. BE THERE!!!

3 3 North Shore lodge #824, Knights of Pythias happy NEW (TaX) YEaR! an UNSUNG hero By PC Barry Lisak, IRS Enrolled Agent Who keeps the Douglaston Welfare Association running? Who arranges for the picnic permits each year? Who visits our First and foremost, I want to wish all my readers a happy and cemetery to make sure that everything is in order? Who peaceful New Year. Your s and calls are appreciated. It s prepares a calendar for the Brothers? Who attends just about that time of year again. The income tax filing season has begun every meeting? Who prepares the Knight Light, so that it is and important documents should be arriving in the mail. Even photo ready to be printed? Who presides over the Executive though your return is not due until April, getting an early start Board meetings? Who so often has a constructive comment or will make filing easier. a new idea? Who arranges for food to be delivered to the family Here are the Internal Revenue Service s top tips that will help who is sitting Shiva for a Brother or a member of a Brother s your tax filing process go smoother than ever this year. family? Who oversees our cemetery? Who fields countless 1. Start gathering your records. Round up any documents or telephone calls from Brothers and others with questions? Who forms you ll need when filing your taxes: receipts, canceled makes arrangements with our landlord for the meetings? Who checks and other documents that support income or deductions does many other things which just don t come to mind? you re claiming on your return. The answer is Izhak Itzy Sirota. 2. Check your mail. W-2s (make sure you receive one for Thank you. every job) and 1099s will be coming soon (by Feb. 15); you ll need these to file your tax return. ThE FUN CONTINUES 3. E-file. After 23 years, the IRS e-file has become the safe, easy and the most common way to file a tax return. Last year, The number of participants in our post-meeting poker nearly 122 million people used IRS e-file. games, like the fun of being part of it, continues to grow. If you 4. Filing options. There are many different options for filing can stay out until 10:30 on Tuesday nights, you really should see your tax return. You can prepare it yourself or go to a tax how great it can be. BE THERE!!! preparer. Give yourself time to weigh all the different options dues are IN ORdER and find the one that best suits your needs. 5. Consider direct deposit. If you elect to have your refund Dues for the year 2015 are due by January 1, In fact, directly deposited into your bank account, you ll receive it faster than waiting for a paper check. Best of all, combine e-file with direct deposit and get your refund in as few as 10 days. many lodges don t even send the dues notices out until close to the end of the year or even the beginning of the next year. Of course, they don t have a Financial Secretary like PC Jerry 6. Visit the IRS website. The official IRS website Geier. Because of his efficiency, as of the November 25th ( is a great place to find everything you ll need to meeting, the Lodge had already collected 2015 dues from 152 file your tax return: forms, publications, tips, answers to members. Thank you, Jerry, for continuing to do your job so frequently asked questions and updates on tax law changes. well. 7. Check and re-check. Don t rush. We all make mistakes when we rush. Mistakes will slow down the processing of your abundance By Jesse levine return. Be sure to double-check all the Social Security numbers and math calculations on your return as these are the most common errors made by taxpayers. POEMS BY JESSE levine PC Jesse Levine served as Chancellor Commander during the Pythian Year and was a regular attendee at our meetings. On July 1, 2006, he passed away after a tough illness. Besides, his loved ones Ruth and Lawrence he left a legacy of poems. Because the poems are both moving and a tribute to one of our fallen Brothers, each month we print one for your enjoyment and to make sure that we remember a wonderful man. Thank you, Jesse for continuing to enrich our lives. happy NEW YEaR North Shore Lodge wishes all its members and their families a Happy New Year and a healthy, happy and prosperous Abundance, a word from my long ago past, A time when I thought, everything would last, That time and energy would never end, But as I grow older, there s much less to spend. So am I different from any other? Definitely not, for none of us did bother, To think of the future that lies beyond. Played with Sarah, a sweetheart of seven, Did the best I could, it seemed like heaven. We walked and talked of many things. She ran and jumped, as though pulled by strings. Her energy level went from even to high. At times I thought she would leap into the sky. Then she tired, and we sat, For my energy level had gone flat. Sarah, sweet Sarah, my youth has fled, The Abundance I had is just in my head. I will always think young, that is true, For when I see youngsters run, In my mind I run too.

4 Digital Brochures Online Corp. Website Design, Newsletters, Journals, Brochures, Logos, Fliers Izhak Sirota 23 Spring Hollow, Roslyn, N.Y North Shore lodge #824, Knights of Pythias 4 Please Patronize Our Sponsors horace harding EXPY, FRESh MEadOWS, NY N o r t h S h o r e l o d g e R e c o m m e n d e d Funeral director Bro. Michael Resnick (800) ) (718) One of the few remaining family owned businesses... Independently Owned and Operated by the Resnick Family Where Legal Advice is an Art Elder Law & Estate Planning Medicaid Eligibility, Trusts, Wills, Special Needs Planning, Estate Administration, Guardianships Offices in: Queens, Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn ELDER LAW ESTATES

5 5 North Shore lodge #824, Knights of Pythias Please Patronize Our Sponsors Ronald d. degen Attorney at Law 225 Broadway new York, n.y (212) NORTh ShORE lodge If you would like to place an ad here call or go to for information and rates

6 In the October 1990 issue of the Knight Light, Mike Flam, Ike Roffman, Daniel Deckler and Ira Lugener contributed the articles reprinted below. It seems that not much has changed over the past 25 years. ChaNCEllOR COMMaNdER'S MESSaGE I was thrilled when I read last month's Knight Light and learned about the many special events being sponsored by Grand Lodge. My wife Jean, the Black Jack Queen of Trump Castle, can hardly wait for the trip to Atlantic City. By the time she is through helping Donald out, he won't have to worry about bankruptcy anymore. I hope I can still say the same for myself. Seriously, the trip is the best money can buy, or should I say that no money can buy, because it is free! You pay $20 by check made payable to the Pythian Humanitarian Fund and you get back $15.00 in cash and $5.00 in food. I would be interested in hearing a reason why anyone planning on going to Atlantic City would not take advantage of this offer. Fraternally, North Shore lodge #824, Knights of Pythias 6 NOSTalGIa CORNER PC MEYER (MIKE) FLAM IT SEEMS TO ME by Ike Roffman Recently a Brother asked me why Douglaston Lodge doesn't run fund-raising functions such as art auctions, bus trips to Atlantic City, and weekends in the Catskills. I told him the answer was very simple. We can't get the participation necessary to make these functions successful. I think getting our members to participate in Lodge activities, fund-raising or otherwise, should be one of our three major concerns. (The other two are membership retention and enrolling new members.) Our open meetings and even our free dinner meetings bring out only a few more members than our regular meetings. It seems to me we ought to try something different: a Sunday breakfast at a diner or restaurant for our Brothers and their wives or girlfriends. Those who are too tired, after a day's work to attend an open meeting or dinner meeting, might very well attend a Sunday breakfast. We would charge one dollar a person, payable in advance so we would know how many people to expect, and the Lodge would subsidize the rest of the cost. After the breakfast we could discuss what kind of activities would interest those present, so we could plan for the future. The Sunday breakfast idea can also be used in a membership drive wherein Brothers bring prospective members. Aside to the Editor: I was toying with the idea of asking the readers of It Seems to Me to let you know what they think of the "Sunday breakfast" idea, but I was afraid that judging by the number who would respond, you might want to cut my pay. To My Brothers: I was pleasantly surprised when I read PC LM Herman Berkowitz' column last month and learned that the attendance at the second meeting in June was so low. I wasn't so pleased to find out that the collation was still at its best and that he had such a good time. I'm glad for Herman that he enjoyed himself, but why does he have to tell everyone? Doesn't he know that it is only with poor attendance that we will spend less money at meetings and have more money available for benefits? Yes, my Brothers, it takes a dying Order to properly provide for the dying. Another problem is all the money that is being spent on the Knight Light. Who wants to read about fantastic trips to Atlantic City, jai alai for just $149 per couple and dinner meetings? (which weren't in last month's Bulletin, but are sure to rear their ugly heads any time now). A two-sided sheet of paper with the little news we have on one side and my letter on the other would certainly suffice. So write a letter to the Editor and let's change things around here. Fraternally, IRA S. LUGENER ATLANTIC CITY We're going to Atlantic City, Atlantic City here we come. They got some great slot machines there and we're gonna get us some. You might take a train, you might take a plane, but if you're smart, you'll come with us again. We're going to Atlantic City, Atlantic City here we come. The Knights of Pythias has a special that will suit everyone. Yes, my Brothers, the buses are filling up and heading south to the casinos of Atlantic City. The details are set forth in the flyer printed in this Bulletin. I dare anyone to find a better buy. To be sure that we get a bus to leave from our area, please call me right away with your reservations Fraternally, PDGC LM DANNY DECKLER another WONdERFUl holiday PaRTY When you put Arie and Ben s Deli together, you have to make a great dining experience. So it was with our annual Holiday Party. We celebrated early (on December 9th), in order to avoid a conflict with the first night of Chanukah. The collation and company were colossal, the music was enjoyable, and a fabulous, fun-filled evening was enjoyed by all (that is, all who attended). If you missed out, for your sake (and ours), I hope that you will join us next year. EXECUTIVE BOaRd MEETINGS For umpteen years and then some, we have held Executive Board meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Since so many of the Brothers who attend regular conventions also go to Executive Board meetings, it was decided that we may not need to meet that often. Therefore, whether or not we have an Executive Board meeting at the end of the month will be decided at the second Convention of that month, which takes place on the third Tuesday of the month. Because we do not meet during President s Week, the February Executive Board meeting will be held. If in doubt, please give one of the regular attendees a call before going out.

7 7 North Shore lodge #824, Knights of Pythias IRa S. lugener NEW GRaNd lodge OFFICES To My Brothers, As a senior statesman of the Knights of Pythias, I must tell you that from the Supreme Chancellor on down to the most recently installed neophyte, no one knows how to increase membership; that is, no one except for Uncle Ira. My three-step plan is guaranteed to succeed. First, instead of reducing initiation fees and dues for prospective Brothers, we should raise them. Who wants to join a group that is begging for members? Instead of holding dues down, we should double them. Even if one-half of our Brothers leave, the income will still be the same and the expenses will be lowered. Second, we should limit membership (or at least appear to be doing so). People stand in line for days to buy a new phone. Why? They want what they cannot have or what other people want. Imagine the attention and members we would get if we posted a sign that stated Limited Number of Membership Applications Available on January 10th and then paid a few people to start standing on line a week earlier. A couple of telephone calls to the media would bring us the attention that we need. Soon the line would be circling the block several times. Third, liven up the meetings. We don t need more speakers to tell us about retirement, social security, and pre-planned funerals. You can read about them on the internet. Just remember the lines from the movie, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Eddie Valiant asks voluptuous Jessica Rabbit, Seriously, what do you see in that guy? (goofy Roger Rabbit) She responds, He makes me laugh. Once we get new members, we need real entertainment to keep them coming. I think I ll start a Draft Ira for Supreme Chancellor movement. Oh, I am so good. Fraternally and Sincerely, Ira S. Lugener The editorial policy of the Knight Light is the sole responsibility of the editors and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of North Shore Lodge No. 824 or it s officers. Copy will be accepted by the editors during any meeting. We reserve the right to decide which copy to print and when. Only typed copy is acceptable. The editors and North Shore Lodge do not vouch for the accuracy or the validity of any legal or financial advice that may be published. The editors hope that the opinions expressed will be taken in the spirit in which they were written and that the readers will realize when we jest and that no real criticism is intended. IN CaSE OF EMERGENCY douglaston Welfare assn. Inc. Greater Queens Benevolent assn. Izhak Sirota, President Anthony Rivers, Vice President Jerry Geier, Secretary/Treasurer In Case of death call Sinai Chapels Glen Oaks Welfare assn. Call Cemetery Direct Howard Margulis, President Abe Yachbes, Vice President Joel Bergenfeld, Secretary In Case of death call David Goldstein Great Neck Benevolent assn. Inc. In Case of death call Gutterman's Free Community ambulance Service Little Neck-Douglaston Community Ambulance Corps Bayside Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps Bay Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps Flushing Volunteer Ambulance Corps Glen Oaks Volunteer Ambulance Corps For more than 10 years the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of the Domain of New York has been located in Garden City Park, New York, above the former Charlie Brown s restaurant. Last June Grand Lodge moved to new offices at 71 South Central Avenue, Valley Stream, New York The telephone number remains NECROlOGY It is with deep sorrow and regret that we offer our sincerest sympathy to our Brothers and their kin upon the demise of dear members or their families. JaNET linden Widow of PC Barney Linden September 27, 2014 RUTh MaRKMaN Wife of Brother Leon Markman September 27, 2014 BROThER albert WhOll October 5, 2014 SUSaN BaUER Wife of Brother Arie Bauer October 10, 2014 BROThER BERNaRd devack November 11, 2014 BROThER MURRaY ZWERdlING December 4, 2014 BROThER ludwig G. TUTSCh December 18, 2014 We thank thee, O Lord for their companionship and the sweet memories they leave behind. May their souls be bound up in the Bond of Eternal Life and may their families know no more sorrow. Amen or 911

8 NORTH SHORE LODGE #824 Knights of Pythias. 23 Spring Hollow Roslyn, NY Phone: Over a Century of Service Founded on Friendship Charted for Charity Built Through Benevolence If fraternal love held all men bound how beautiful this world would be. Meeting Schedule CONVENTIONS ARE NORMALLY HELD EVERY FIRST & THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7:45 PM Harvest Mission Center Little Neck Parkway Little Neck, NY Executive Board Meetings are held at Sinai Chapels Horace Harding Expy, Fresh Meadows, NY at 8:00PM * Meeting dates and locations are subject to change. Jan. 6 Regular Convention 20 Regular Convention 27 Executive Convention Feb. 3 Regular Convention 24 Executive Convention Mar. 3 Regular Convention 12 Regular Convention 19 Man of the Year dinner 24 Executive Convention apr. 7 Regular Convention 21 Bingo! Bring friends (Open) 28 Executive Convention May 5 Memorial Night, 1st Nominations 12 Regular Convention, 2nd Nominations 26 Executive Convention June 2 Installation (Open) 16 Regular Convention BINGO NIGhT IS BaCK! YES! due to popular demand, bingo is back. On april 21, 2015, we will hold an Open Meeting and we will play bingo. It s an open meeting, it s cheap, and it s fun. Won t you join us? 7:45 PM harvest Mission Center little Neck Parkway little Neck, NY Membership Application New Applicant [] Renewal [] Full Name: Address: Apt. City: State: Zip: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone: Address: annual membership is from January 1, thru december 31 of same year. annual dues are $ Make checks payable to North Shore lodge #824. For information kop@littleneck.net