On Saturday, September 9th, 2017 Orient Lodge of Freemasons held their 156th installation of officers. The night was filled with friendship, family and brotherly love. The installing suite was a great group of Mason's who made the ceremony unbelievably enjoyable. The newly installed Master of Orient Lodge, Wor. Gary Cullaz is a great man who is dedicated to preserving the tradition of our lodge while creating new ones. As the newest “Past Master” I’m excited to experience the '17-18 Masonic year and all it has to offer. I’m confident the charter I handed the new Master will be preserved and honored today and tomorrow. Worshipful Cullaz and his great line of officers are motivated, talented and eager to carry the lodge to new heights. Thank you brethren for the opportunity to serve as Master of Orient Lodge. I’m honored to have been given the challenge and to have helped inch our way closer to greatness. Fraternally. Wor. Rob Disario
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Norwood Masons to MGH Blood Donor Center Nearby the Norwood Theater
Norwood, MA - August 15, 2017 - The Massachusetts General Hospital will hold a Norwood Community Blood Drive, on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Sponsored by the Norwood Masons, the blood drive will be part of the annual Norwood Day activities in Norwood Center. The Bloodmobile will welcome donors outside the Norwood Theater at 109 Central St. from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome and appointments are encouraged. Visit norwoodblooddrive.eventbrite.com to register. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain additional height and weight requirements. Today the MGH Blood Donor Center provides the approximately 75,000 blood components necessary annually to transfuse patients at MGH and other nearby medical facilities. In addition to serving the patient population at MGH, the MGH Blood Donor Center also provides blood and blood components to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Shriners Burn Institute for Children, the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and MassGeneral for Children. Blood is supplied by volunteer donors – people who realize the ongoing need for lifesaving blood. Every September more than 16,000 people attend Norwood Day, which features live local entertainment, crafters, food from area restaurants and vendors, trolleys, sidewalk sales from local merchants, information booths from local organizations, kiddie rides, and town department displays. More information is available on the Recreation Department page at www.norwoodma.gov. Follow Orient Lodge @Orient_Norwood, or visit www.orientlodge.org for more information. The Freemason's Fair is tomorrow! The first in what hopes to be an annual event begins at 10am on June 24th. The Masonic lodges in both Westwood and Norwood have joined forces to provide games, entertainment and fun for the entire family. This FREE event hopes to promote a family friendly environment in Norwood Center.
So, please stop by during the day and have some fun. Cynthia Derrane Selected Among 33 Norwood Nominees; Teachers Honored for Classroom Innovation and Creativity NORWOOD -- May 5, 2017 -- World language teacher Cynthia Derrane today was named Norwood Teacher of the Year, capping off a celebration held at the Norwood Masons building to honor 33 Norwood teachers for their classroom innovation and creativity. The Norwood Teacher of the Year awards recognize teachers for the dedication and commitment to the education of Norwood students. This is the 11th year that the Orient Lodge of Masons has organized this annual awards program. Thirty-six nominations were entered, most by parents and several by students, on behalf of 33 Norwood teachers. Derrane was nominated by Norwood High Principal Jonathan Bourn, who wrote about Derrane’s stewardship of the high school’s Global Citizenship Program. The program, which is also co-coordinated by Teacher of the Year nominee Jennifer Orlinski, strives to heighten students’ appreciation of diversity and enlarge their capacity to contribute in an increasingly interconnected world through interdisciplinary academic study, community service, and international travel. Students present findings of their research and work to the high school community near the end of the school year. Upon completion of the program, students receive a special commendation on their transcript and are recognized at graduation. Bourn noted that the program is unfunded but thrives under Derrane’s commitment. Derrane and Orlinski presented about the program's efforts at the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE) conference earlier this year. Derrane also arranged a multi-school, interdisciplinary Design Thinking Challenge with global study partners Youth Futures International and Education First. As part of her award, Derrane receives a $1,000 award in addition to an award plaque. Norwood High School also receives a $1,000 charitable donation and a plaque for the school building. All nominees received a certificate and a $100 gift card for Sky Restaurant of Norwood. The 33 nominees, representing St. Catherine of Siena and every school in the Norwood Public Schools system, are: Balch Elementary: Darlene Follett, Elisabeth Kelly, Janice Garrity, Julie Cayer, Kathleen Duseau, Nicole Smith, Patricia Wheeler Callahan Elementary: Jill Wood, Katie Lambrenos, Michael Downs, Sara Ryan Cleveland Elementary: Jane Catalano, Lawrence Smith, Nancy Landfield Coakley Middle School: Joseph Oliver, Sara Seals Norwood High School: Cynthia Derrane, Jennifer Orlinski, Jeb Brunt, John Quinn Oldham Elementary: Kaitlyn Lang, Stephanie Andrews Prescott Elementary: Maura Belanger, Janice El Bach, Sadie Bishop St. Catherine of Siena: Marisa Ferrara, Rosanne Dulong Willett Early Childhood Center: Daisha Sullivan, Jennifer Hanley, Julie Lampron, Karen Wilson, Tish Donovan Earlier this year nominations were solicited from the community; each nomination attested to their nominee’s innovation and creativity, ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, and work on special projects and initiatives. A jury comprised primarily of educators not from Norwood schools reviewed each essay with nominee names redacted, scoring each on the above criteria to select a winner. Originally conceived by the Exchange Club of Norwood, Orient Lodge now proudly organizes the annual event. Previous Teacher of the Year Award winners include: 2016 - Laura Tolman, Willett Early Childhood Center 2015 - Lindsey Bell, Prescott Elementary 2014 - Dr. Michael Crowley, Norwood High School\ 2013 - Michael Finnerty, Prescott Elementary 2012 - Nora Glynn, Norwood High School 2011 - Scott Maffei, Oldham Elementary 2010 - Laurel Cawley, Prescott Elementary 2009 - Debbie Shook, Oldham Elementary 2008 - Kathryn Benson, Norwood High School 2007 - Sean Richardson, Balch Elementary Follow Orient Lodge @Orient_Norwood, or visit www.orientlodge.org for more information. 33 Norwood Teachers Honored for Classroom Innovation and Creativity; Norwood's Teacher of the Year to be Named May 5 NORWOOD, Mass. -- March 22, 2017 -- Thirty-three Norwood teachers will be honored for their work in the classroom at the annual Norwood Teacher of the Year Award Reception on Friday, May 5, at 5:30 p.m.
Hosted annually by the Orient Lodge of Masons, the Norwood Teacher of the Year awards recognize teachers for their dedication and commitment to the education of Norwood students. Tickets for the Norwood Teacher of the Year Award Reception are limited and available for purchase for $20. Visit http://norwoodtoy.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets. The reception will be held at the Norwood Masons Building at 76 Day St. The nominees, representing St. Catherine of Siena and every school in the Norwood Public Schools system, are: Balch Elementary: Darlene Follett, Elisabeth Kelly, Janice Garrity, Julie Cayer, Kathleen Duseau, Nicole Smith, Patricia Wheeler Callahan Elementary: Jill Wood, Katie Lambrenos, Michael Downs, Sara Ryan Cleveland Elementary: Jane Catalano, Lawrence Smith, Nancy Landfield Coakley Middle School: John Roussos, Joseph Oliver, Sara Seals Norwood High School: Cynthia Derrane, Jennifer Orlinski, Jeb Brunt, John Quinn Oldham Elementary: Kaitlyn Lang, Stephanie Andrews Prescott Elementary: Maura Belanger, Janice El Bach, Sadie Bishop St. Catherine of Siena: Marisa Ferrara, Rosanne Dulong Willett Early Childhood Center: Daisha Sullivan, Jennifer Hanley, Julie Lampron, Karen Wilson, Tish Donovan All nominees will be honored at the reception, and receive a certificate and a gift card for Sky Restaurant of Norwood. One teacher selected by a blind jury will be named Norwood Teacher of the Year and receive a cash award as well as a charitable school donation in their name. Hor d'oeuvres will be served. Originally conceived by the Exchange Club of Norwood, Orient Lodge now proudly organizes the annual event. In 2016 Laura Tolman, a preschool teacher at the Willett Early Childhood Center, was honored as Teacher of the Year among 24 teachers. About the Orient Lodge of Masons Founded in 1861, Orient Lodge F. & A.M. is a lodge of Freemasons based in Norwood, Massachusetts and active in many community endeavors. Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternity, comprised of adult men of good character. Its body of knowledge and system of ethics is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve himself while being devoted to his family, his faith, his country, and his fraternity. Follow Orient Lodge @Orient_Norwood, or visit www.orientlodge.org for more information. Nominations are now open for the 11th Annual Norwood Teacher of the Year Award Program. All full-time Norwood teachers are eligible for nomination. Take a moment to recognize the teachers for their extraordinary work. Nominations close March 17.
All full-time teachers working in a Norwood school during 2016-17 are eligible for nomination. Blind judging will be conducted by members of the community. Judges will consider nominees' innovation and creativity, ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, and work on special projects and initiatives, as articulated in your nomination essay submitted here. A reception will be held in honor of all the nominees on May 5 at the Masonic Building on 76 Day St. in Norwood. The winner will receive an award and cash stipend; every nominee will receive a restaurant gift card. A donation will also be made to the winner’s school in honor of the award winner. Past Teacher of the Year winners may be nominated and will be honored at the May 5 reception, but are not eligible to receive the award or cash stipend. Last year Willett preschool teacher Laura Tolman was selected Norwood Teacher of the Year from among 24 honorees. Wednesday, January 11th, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Get a glimpse of the history of Freemasonry in Norwood through the lens of a legacy left by previous generations. Freemasons in Norwood are marking the 100-year anniversary of the Masonic Building on Day Street, where a few months ago they recovered a time capsule that had been placed under the cornerstone during the building’s 1916 dedication. Attend their January 11 presentation to hear firsthand about the men behind the photos, documents, and news stories that have been preserved in the capsule for more than a century. To sign up, please call the library at 781-769-0200 x110 or 222, fill out the form below, or visit the Reference or Information Desk. Contents from the time capsule will be on display in the lobby of the Morrill Memorial Library from January 4-30, 2017. Discover pictures and documents dating back to 1803, and how they’re part of a living history and tradition that Norwood’s Freemasons continue to carry on today. The need is constant, and it's a time of year for giving back. That's why we're hoping you'll take a few minutes to come to our Red Cross Thanksgiving weekend blood drive.
It's planned for Saturday, November 26, from 9 am-2 pm. That's Small Business Saturday too, so if you're planning on shopping Norwood Center, take a minute to stop by the hall and see us. It wouldn't be a Masons event if there wasn't food involved, so stop by for pancakes and coffee. Walk-ins are welcome, but we would love to know that you're planning to come, so please take a minute to register online in advance, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS, A Letter From the Master of Orient Lodge:
I think it goes without saying that Saturday's open house / donation day was an absolute success. I've attended every open house for the last six or so years and can not remember a more lively, entertaining and fun open house than this one. About halfway through the morning I stopped what I was doing and looked around to take an overview. We had friends in the hallway laughing and joking, visitors inspecting the time capsule contents, guys playing pool in the pool room and people coming through the door with bags of donations. This truly was a great collaboration of the district lodges and the community. Now, this success could not have been possible without the time vested by several individuals working as a team. Eric Shute, Mark Bush, Gary Cullaz in addition to other Orient Lodge members were instrumental in getting the building ready and preparing the space for visitors. In addition, Scott Davis, Chris Rogers and the Time Capsule committee donated hours of their own time to preserve the contents of the capsule, identify each piece and make them available to view. Inviting Norwood Public Access and keeping them abreast of what was happening was invaluable with regard to public outreach. NPA was there and filmed the entire process of opening the smaller capsule and interviewing members. In addition, the committee has scheduled upcoming dates to display the items at other locations like Norwood Public Library in January for the public to see (stay tuned for that event). Also, the hard work of Wor. Rich Ryder who went through painstaking efforts to get the word out about donation day which included having the banner stretched over Washington St. The momentum was carried to the following Saturday where Grand Lodge dedicated the Joseph Warren statue at his grave site at Forest Hills Cemetery. This was another great day in not only Mass Masonry but in the 6th district. Again thank you for everybody who attended the open house and I look forward to seeing you at our next regular scheduled communication on November 14th. Respectfully, Wor. Robert J. Disario Donations Support Local First Responders, Food Pantries;
Features First Public Showing of Recovered 1876 Time Capsule Contents Norwood, MA - September 19, 2016 - The Norwood Masons will host their annual donation day to support Project Smile and the Ecumenical Community Food Pantry of Norwood during an Open House on Saturday, October 15, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local Masons will also be exhibiting the contents of a century-old time capsule during the event. Project Smile supplies items to local police and fire departments that may be provided to children in traumatic situations. The Ecumenical Community Food Pantry of Norwood serves more than 350 families in the towns of Norwood and Westwood. The Masons will be collecting new and small stuffed animals, small toys, crayons, children’s books and canned goods during the drive. The donation day is part of Norwood Masons’ observance of “Square & Compasses Day.” More than 230 lodges across Massachusetts will open their doors on October 15, offering tours and providing an opportunity for the community to learn more about Freemasonry. The Norwood Masonic Building is located at 76 Day Street. For more information about Project Smile and the Ecumenical Community Food Pantry of Norwood, visit projectsmile.org and norwoodpantry.org. Time Capsule Exhibit and 1876 Time Capsule Opening This year marks the centennial celebration of the Norwood Masonic Building, and as part of its observance of the anniversary, members of Orient Lodge in Norwood this past June recovered a time capsule that was placed at the lodge building in 1916. The time capsule included records, photographs, newspapers and more, all of which unfold to tell a story of the growth and expansion of both Norwood and of Freemasonry in the community. Also included was a smaller time capsule that had been originally been placed in 1876 at the former Masonic lodge room at Village Hall on Washington Street. The 1876 capsule has remained sealed to date, and will for the first time in more than 100 years be opened on October 15. All are welcome to attend. The opening will begin at 10 a.m., and contents that are uncovered will be on display through 3 p.m. that day. Freemasonry provides opportunities for fellowship, charity, education, and leadership while creating friendship and understanding among men without regard to their nationality, religion, race, background, or opinion. More information is available at massfreemasons.org. Follow Orient Lodge @Orient_Norwood, or visit www.orientlodge.org for more information. |
Blog AuthorOrient Lodge's blog is written by Officers, Members and other contributors who observe the craft. This blog is used to update our members on upcoming events, past events, meeting recaps or other Masonic endeavors. Please feel free to comment or add to any discussion or even ask a questions about Orient or Freemasonry in general. Archives
April 2023
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