From the West

My Brothers,

I’ll be honest. I’ve been wrestling with what I’m feeling lately, because I know ego is the
enemy and that “pride cometh before the fall.” But what I’m experiencing is a lot of pride
in our lodge.

It was a year ago last April, right after the Brass for a Cause event, that our Worshipful
Master Bob Curwen was suddenly struck ill and nearly died. But here he is a year later,
damn near his old self! Sitting in the East, looking strong and capable, conducting an
excellent Fellowcraft Degree under inspection for Brother Tom. I don’t know if “pride” is
the right word for what I felt watching that. But it’s close.

And once again this April, AA142 held a successful charity event, led by Bro. Anthony’s
child Indi Nunes, with a presentation by Bro. Mark Yurkiw of Temple 65. Although my
cable-tow pulled me away, by all accounts it was a wonderful evening, with thousands
of dollars raised for humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people. We should all be very
proud of what Indi has accomplished.

We have reestablished meaningful relationships with important stakeholders in this
community the Senior Center, the Easton Arts Council, and we’ve changed our
individual Red Cross Blood Donation locations to donate at the Easton Library for
maximum visibility. These kinds of relationships remind people why Masonic lodges
matter. We aren’t just a scary building on the hill near the center of town; there are good
men who gather there. Brother Holms spoke with a woman in the community who said
exactly; it’s nice to be noticed.

We have hosted several brothers from other lodges, and they all say something similar:
AA142 is doing it right. Our Full Moon Fellowships have become a recognizable brand.
I’ve heard it myself while traveling. “Oh, that’s the lodge that does the Full Moon stuff.”
Masonry draws men from every walk of life, every race, every background, but inside
these walls, they are just brothers. Our lodge exemplifies that and that energy doesn’t
go unnoticed. Brothers from other lodges have chosen to affiliate or visits us regularly;
It’s nice to be noticed.

And the reach of this lodge extends further still. Brothers of AA142 serve as District
Deputies not only here in the First, but in the Third as well. Beyond that, our brothers
hold, or have held, key positions within appendant bodies, carrying our lodge culture to
the Grand Lodge level and outward across the broader Masonic family, sharing their
experiences with other Blue Lodges across Connecticut.

What’s particularly gratifying to watch is the generation that is replacing me. I see our
young brothers out in the world: teaching, dancing, serving their country all the while
carrying the spirit of AA142 with them. And though Indi may not be A.F. & A.M., what a
wonderfully Masonic spirit she possesses.

None of this happens without brothers who show up and give something of themselves,
their knowledge, their skills, their time, their gifts. The positivity I’m feeling is the
outcome of our collective energy, each brother doing his part to the best of his ability,
pulling together in the same direction. No one man can take credit for that. It belongs to
all of us.

But here’s the thing about being told you’re doing it right: you can get a big head. “Good
enough” creeps in. None of the good stuff happens spontaneously. So don’t get a big
head, brothers. Just keep doing what we do but do it better, and more often. And the
lodge will thrive.

Kraig W. Gray

Senior Warden

From the South

Greetings my Brothers,

Our kitchen has been seeing some great improvements recently with the newest being
two new vent hoods being installed with TransitionsCT providing the funding! With that
said, it has been my pleasure along with the support of several brothers providing good
meals for our stated communications and other events. We are almost halfway through
our year and we have several great events planned for our Brotherhood and then some.
Please don’t forget next months Chili Cook-off and all Brothers are encouraged to please
participate. We are planning on great weather and utilizing our patio and fire pit.

In reviewing our kitchen budget for this year, we have already exceeded our funding for
2026. Just a very friendly reminder that your contributions are extremely important in
supplementing the costs of the wonderful meals being prepared at this time. At this point
I plan on continuing the preparations of the meals our Lodge has become known for
however my cable tow is only so long.

Fraternally,

J. Rick Cipot 

Junior Warden