News

April 10, 2016 -Michael Centola and Bro. Ari Marcus represented Norfolk Lodge at the Needham Community Council (NCC) annual fashion show.  The show features members of various clubs and organizations in the Needham community modeling outfits from the NCC Thrift Shop.  The fashion show is an major fundraiser

for the NCC and also serves to promote the thrift shop, another revenue source for the Council.  

Michael wore a black tuxedo with a white shirt and multicolored bow tie.  Ari wore a navy blue double-breasted blazer with grey slacks, a light blue shirt, and blue tie (and proudly wore the square and compasses on his lapel).  Both were proud to represent Norfolk Lodge and our continuing support of the NCC's mission.

More information about the NCC can be found at 

http://www.needhamcommunitycouncil.org

On Saturday April 2nd several brothers from Norfolk Lodge braved the rain and cold to help with the Annual Needham Spring Clean up. This is an annual event where citizens from the Town of Needham help the Parks and Recreation department with the clean up of Needham after the harsh winter months. 

Over the past few years Norfolk Lodge has made an effort to give back to the Needham community. On Saturday the brothers assembled at the Lodge at 9:00 before heading over to Memorial Park across the street from the Lodge to begin the clean up.

A big thank you to all of the brothers who came out and gave up their Saturday morning to help out.

e

At the March 2016 Quarterly Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Most Worshipful Harvey J. Waugh, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, presented Norfolk Lodge with the Grand Master's Award.

Wor. Michael Centola and Wor. Ethan Gilson accepted the award on behalf of Norfolk Lodge. 

The Grand Master's Award is given to Lodge's who meets a number of different criteria which promote the tenets of Freemasonry such as fraternalism, community engagement, and activities in the Lodge. Wor. Centola and the officers of Norfolk Lodge continued with their ambitious plan to increase the lodge's activity both within Lodge and out in the Needham community, as well as engaging all of the members of the Lodge.

Norfolk Lodge was an active participant in District and Grand Lodge events, including Grand Lodge Communications, visits of the District Deputy, and donated to Grand Lodge charities; the officers visited the Masonic Home in Charlton. The officers also developed plans to increase Masonic Awareness in the community as well as plans recruit and retain members; as well as developing more social activities for the lodge.

Congratulations to the Officers of Norfolk Lodge on obtaining this prestigious award for a second consecutive year.

For the second year in a row Brothers from Norfolk Lodge and the Fifth Masonic District helped the Needham Community Council and Rotary Club serve Thanksgiving meals to Needham residents who otherwise might not be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.  

The Community Council feeds over 100 people in Needham, both by serving those who come to the meal at the Needham Masonic Building on Highland Ave and by delivering meals to the who are unable to leave their homes.

The Brothers of Norfolk Lodge assisted in setup and prep on the day before Thanksgiving, as well as serving the meal and cleaning up on Thanksgiving day.  Those Brothers who participated had a great time and would like to thank the Needham Community Council and Rotary Club for allowing them to assist in this great event.  We hope that this is a tradition that will continue for many years to come.

A wet and cool fall day didn't stop the members of Norfolk Lodge from attending the Harvest Fair on the Needham Common this past Saturday October 3rd.  For the second time this year the members of Norfolk Lodge had a booth at the fair and they provided face painting and popcorn to the public, as well as talk about the the work that Norfolk Lodge in the community of Needham.  It is a great opportunity for Norfolk Lodge to talk to the members of the community about the activities and goals of the Lodge 

It was a fun day and the members who attended had a great time.  The Lodge looks forward to participating in the event again next year during the street fair in June.

Building on the theme of family friendly events started last year on September 27th, a group of Norfolk Lodge members and their families visited Nashoba Valley Winery for a day of family fun and fellowship.  The day included apple picking in the orchard and then a wine tasting for the adults in the group.  

It was a perfect fall day to enjoy the outdoors with brothers and their families.  Everyone who attended had a great time, and Norfolk Lodge hopes this will become a yearly tradition.  The officers of the lodge hope to sponsor similar events in the future, stay tuned for more updates.

On Sunday September 13th at DeFazio Park in 

Needham, several members of Norfolk Lodge and their families took part in the Walk for Walker to benefit the Walker School.

Each year Norfolk Lodge donates money to this worthy institution but this year Norfolk Lodge also fielded a team in the Walk.  The members of the lodge were joined by our newest applicant, Rene.  

It was a great day despite the not so great weather, the members enjoyed each others company while they walked to support this worthy institution.  This event is a perfect example of the type of community event that Norfolk Lodge has been focusing on as well in the past year.

Norfolk Lodge presented a check to the Walker School for 500 dollars in August.  Through the recommendation of the Norfolk Lodge donations committee, the Lodge voted to contribute to the Walker School in recognition of the important work that it does in our community.  

Norfolk Lodge hopes that this contribution will assist the Walker School in continuing its mission of transforming the lives of children and youth who are facing complex emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges, by partnering with these children and youth, their families, and communities to nurture hope, build strengths, and develop lifelong skills.  

A group of Norfolk Lodge Brothers along with a couple of their family members accepted Bro. Marcello Laurindo's invitation to join him on his company's annual deep sea fishing trip on August 16th.  The fishing boat, the Lady Sea, operated by Gloucester Fleet, left port at 7 am.  On the way to the fishing grounds, we passed by a pod of dolphins and a basking shark.  The weather was beautiful with the sun shining without being too hot.

On the fishing grounds, we encountered strong tides which resulted in a lot of tangled lines, but everyone had some successful catches, despite competition from some blue sharks who were taking advantage of our hard work to get an easy meal.

It was an excellent and exhausting day.  The Lady Sea returned to port at 4 pm with her weary passengers returning having had a day of fun, fellowship, and coolers full of haddock, pollock, cusk, and hake.

Many thanks to Bro. Laurindo for providing this wonderful opportunity.