Olive Branch No. 16 Grand Lodge Of New Jersey, F & AM

*Scotchtoberfest is BACK!* Join us for a strolling, table-side tasting presentation, complete with food pairings and informative discussions. $50/person. Drinks and cigars are on us! Open to Brother Masons and their friends 21 or older! We will also be holding a 50/50 and our usual basket raffles! Tickets can be paid for at the door via cash, check or credit card or purchased online at paypal.me/OBL16. For more information, please email tasting@olivebranchlodge.org. See you there! Sláinte! "The proper drinking of Scotch whisky is more than indulgence: it is a toast to civilization, a tribute to the continuity of culture, a manifesto of man's determination to use the resources of nature to refresh mind and body and enjoy to the full the senses with which he has been endowed." - David Daiches

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM - Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Join us for our 3rd annual evening of Wine-ucation by Brother Matthew Knice (from Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits) as he explains and shares 6 Spring wines from around the world paired with culinary selections.

Tickets are $50/person and can be purchased at the Lodge or at paypal.me/OBL16. Tickets must be purchased by April 15th; no tickets sold at the door. Seating is limited!

This event is open to Masons, Friends and Family; 21+. Please drink responsibly.

See attached flyer for more information.

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

We are again participating in Freehold Borough's St. Patrick's Day parade this Sunday, March 17th, 2024. We hope you can join us!

Here' s the coordination information should you be able to:

1. Muster on McLean Street at spot #27 by 11:30AM (Around the intersection of McLean Street and Kiawah Avenue)
   1. ​Carpool from the Lodge at 11AM to the St. Rose of Lima Parking Lot
   2. Grand Marshal Induction Ceremony is at 12PM at the American Legion at 62 West Main Street
   3. Parade steps off at 12:30PM
   4. Parade ends at Elks Point
2. Open to Masons, Family and Friends
   1. Wear Green and Brothers wear your Aprons! Kilts welcome!
3. After Events from 1-6PM
   1. Check out the attached image for more information,

See you there! Sláinte!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

Not slow down the great momentum our Lodge has made over the past few months with a number of successfully attended events and fantastic evenings of Fraternity and Fellowship, we’ve got another full schedule ahead of us for March as you can see in the attached Trestleboard. Aside from our regular communications this month (come out for the one on the 26^th to hear another great presentation by RW Dan Xavier, PGC!), we’re attending our OES Sisters’ Master Mason night, marching in the Freehold Borough St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and gearing up for our 3^rd Annual Wine Tasting Event! Plus, there’s many more fun things on the horizon!

If your cable tow allows, come join us and see all the excellent things happening at Olive Branch Lodge!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers, as a reminder: Renewal Fees for the Artificer's and Builder's Clubs are due by March 1st, or your spot will be forfeit.

The Artificer's Club (Mug Rack) renewals for 2024 is $35.00. Please see Bro. Spike Thompson to settle up. After March 1st, open spots will be $50, and Bro. Thompson will work out the details with you of getting you a mug. Cash preferred.

The Builder's Club (Glass Rack) renewals for 2024 is $25.00. Please see WB Ken Long to settle up. After March 1st, open spots will be $50, and WB Long will get you a name plate for your cubby. Cash preferred.

Thank you!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

By order of WM Olden, our regular communication scheduled for tonight (2/13/24) is still on. Our parking lot will be plowed later this afternoon once the snow stops falling. If you’re joining us this evening, please travel safely.

Dinner is at 6:30PM (Pizza). Gavel drops at 7:30PM. Our agenda consists of an FCX, EAX, and business of the Lodge. Fellowship afterwards if you wish to stay.

Be well!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.or

Brothers,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of WB Jeffrey Kennedy, Past Master 2017 from Caesarea Lodge #64. WB Kennedy passed away Thursday, February 8^th, 2024.

https://www.shorepointfh.com/obituary/Jeffrey-Kennedy

A Masonic Funeral Service will be held for WB Kennedy on Monday, February 12^th, 2024, at 6:45PM at Shore Point Funeral Home, 3269 State Route 35, Hazlet. For those that are attending, please arrive between 6:15PM and 6:30PM so that there is enough time to organize. Dark suit, no name badge and little or no lapel pins. WB Robert Poling is the point of contact for this service (732-264-4030; popsqd@msn.com).

Please join Caesarea Lodge to pay this last tribute to our fallen Brother.

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380

secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

Join us on Sunday, February 25th for a great event focusing on Brother George Washington!

Doors open at 8:30AM with breakfast at 9:00AM. Tickets are $10/adult in advance, $15 at the door. Requested donation of $5 for children.

This event is open to friends and family of Freemasonry,

See the attached flyer for more information!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers all,

Due to the current storm conditions, tonight's regular communication is cancelled. 

Please be safe and we'll see you at Lodge next week or at our regular communcation on the 23rd. 

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

Over the weekend, the controller board for the furnace for the downstairs died. Thankfully, WB Ken was at the Lodge Sunday and noticed an issue with the room temperature. A repair/replacement is in the works but, for the time being, we are using large space heaters to warm the downstairs that are holding the Fellowship Hall steady at about 65°.

If you're prone to being colder than normal, you may want to prepare accordingly.

Safe travels and see you tomorrow evening!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

This coming Tuesday, December 5th we will be having dinner at our normal time of 6:30PM. At 7PM we will bring the holiday decorations down from the attic and work on readying the Lodge for the festive season. At 8PM we will have a Past Masters only rehearsal for the Qualifications Ceremony upstairs in the Lodge room. 

Please join us at our last causal evening before the installation. Friends and family are more than welcome to come for dinner and help us decorate!

Hope to see you soon!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Good day, Brothers!

Attached please find October’s Trestleboard for your use. We’ve got some great events lined up for this month including two Brothers speaking at the Lodge, supporting the American Legion at their Car and Truck Show and, everyone’s favorite: Scotchtoberfest! Please join us for any of these events as your cable tow allows! See you at Lodge soon! Prost and Slainte!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Please join OB16 on Tuesday, September 26^th at our regular communication as we put our knowledge to the test with Masonic Jeopardy hosted by RW Roy Simpadian!

Dinner is at 6:30PM, Gavel drops at 7:30PM, Fellowship afterwards. Best of luck on those daily doubles!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Good afternoon, Brothers!

Welcome back from our summer refreshment! We’ve spent the past few weeks preparing for our upcoming advanced stations EA degree as well as enjoying Fellowship and Fraternity as much as possible. If you weren’t able to join us during the refreshment, we hope you’ll be able to travel out for any of our events coming up over the next couple of months (especially our 8^th Annual Scotchtoberfest!).

Be well and we’ll see you on the level soon!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

WB Ken Long is asking for assistance to refinish (re-epoxy paint) the Fellowship Hall floor in August. If you're available any of the following dates/times, please come and help. We had a lot of fun doing this a few years ago and, as always, many hands make light work!

• Clear/Prepare Room: Friday,August 11th @ 7PM
• Re-epoxy Floor: Saturday, August 12th @ 9AM
• Reset Room: Sunday, August 13th @ 9AM

If you can assist, please speak to WB Ken directly. Thank you!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

We will be having an Emergent Communication on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 @ 7:30PM for the purpose of examining Fellowcraft Brothers. The Lodge will open so that the examinations start directly at 7:30PM. Immediately following the closing of the communication, we will have our final rehearsal for the Outdoor Master Mason Degree (to be held on 7/22/23).

Dinner will be at 6:30PM and attire is to be Business Casual (khakis/slacks and polos).  Officers, please advise WM Curcia if you cannot attend. 

Thank you.

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

WB Ken Long is looking for some assisting in cleaning up the parking lot ahead of the BBQ on 6/24. If you are available, please meet at the Lodge on Saturday, June 17th between 9am-10am. He's hoping to be done within 2 hours.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 ./ secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Brothers,

Gothic Fraternal Lodge No. 270 F&AM and the Tall Cedars Trenton Forest is hosting a Masonic Clay Shoot on Sunday, October 15th, 2023, at the Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays located in Coplay, PA. They have reached out and asked that we send the attached event PDF should anyone wish to attend. Should you have any questions about the event, please contact:

RW Michael Pylypiak, PM, Secretary
Gothic Fraternal Lodge No. 270 F&AM
 
(609) 273-5525 | gf270secretary@gmail.com
https://www.gothicfraternal270.com 

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

(Secretaries’ & Treasurers’ Association – President)

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Please join Olive Branch Lodge #16 on Monday, May 29th, 2023, as we march in the 149th Freehold Borough Memorial Day Parade. This is open to all Masons and their families (district- and state-wide). Attire for Brothers is a polo (Masonic preferred), khakis and aprons.  OB16 Officers will wear their jewels as well.

The route is approximately 1.6 miles long from Brinkerhoff Avenue, up Main Street to Murray Street and then down to the Court House. We will have a limited number of seats available in vehicles for those that cannot walk the parade route.

The schedule for the day is:
 
- Meet at the Lodge after 8:00 AM (2 Dutch Lane Road, Freehold).
- Carpool/drive directly to Park Avenue School (280 Park Avenue) no later than 9:15 AM.
- Walk about two blocks to muster area: #61 (near RW Dan Xavier’s house at 52 Brinkerhoff Avenue. RW Dan has graciously offered to have some breakfast fare out).
- Memorial Caisson starts at 9:45AM, remainder of the parade starts at 10:00 AM.
- Casual Lunch/BBQ at the Lodge shortly after the parade ends (about 12/12:30PM).

Alternatively, you're welcome to attend the Memorial Service at Elks Point (73 East Main Street) at 8:30AM and then it's a short walk thru town to the muster location.
 
Any questions, please let me know. We hope you to see you there!
 

Fraternally,

 Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

732.305.0380 / secretary@olivebranchlodge.org

Join us as we welcome Summer with a BBQ and Beer Exchange afternoon! 

Menu includes: Burgers, Hotdogs, Chicken, & Clams!

Bring your favorite craft beer(s) to share! You might wind up with a mix pack of deliciousness! We'll have tableside ice buckets for BYOB bottles and cans as well as non-alcoholic beverages for kids and adults.

Additionally, we'll have a $5 Entry Cornhole Tournament, Gift Raffles & a 50/50 Pull!

This event  is open to Brother Masons, and their Family & Friends.

Cost is $20/adults, $10/kids under 15. You can bring/send in cash or a check to the Lodge or pay using PayPal (paypal.me/OBL16). 

Any questions, please contact Bro. Matt Kuziemski (908.692.3121).

See you there!

Brothers,

We are excited to announce our first-ever "Olive Branch Open" Golf Outing, which will be held on August 31st at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Colts Neck. It is sure to be a great event just in time to close out the summer refreshment!

There are 3 choices to participate: as a golfer, as a non-golfer, and/or as a sponsor. Please download the attached form and send it in with your payment by August 10th. Any questions, please contact Brother Al Yodakis.

Looking forward to seeing you on the links!

Fraternally,

Adam Reich, PM, Secretary

732.305.0380 | secretary@olivebranchlodge.org