Masonic Life Network

My Brothers:

Each year, a "Christmas in July" toy drive is held at Evergreen Lodge in Riverside; always in mid-July. The toys are collected for delivery to the Shriners’ medical center in Pasadena. It will come as no surprise that the event did not happen this July. However, a team of people is putting together an event in December. This will simply be a toy collection at Evergreen Lodge, for the same purpose. There will be no meal, no party, no Santa, and no elves – other than the volunteers who decide to dress up as elves. The drop off will probably take place outside and/or under the front covered patio, permitting social distancing. Only volunteers will be in the building, sanitizing and organizing the donations, then packing them in boxes for the trip to Pasadena.

Naturally, the organizers need assistance, particularly in (1) getting toys and (2) getting the word out. As for toys, the organizers are looking for new toys. Batteries should be provided for toys that require them, so that the toy will be usable immediately once it is given to a child. NO STUFFED ANIMALS ARE TO BE INCLUDED WITH THIS TOY DRIVE.

It is my request that each of the members of Temescal Palms Masonic Lodge (1) get the word out to their friends and family, and (2) prepare to participate by contributing a toy or two.

The toy collection is set for Saturday, December 12, 2020, from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Fraternally,

John G. Dickman, Mastet

In 1870 a group of Masons gathered frequently for lunch at the Knickerbocker Cottage on Sixth Avenue in New York City. At a special table on the second floor a particularly fun-loving group of men met regularly. Among the regulars were Walter M. Fleming, M.D. and William J. “Billy” Florence, an actor. The group frequently talked about starting a new fraternity for Masons – one centered on fun and fellowship, more than ritual. Fleming and Florence took this idea seriously enough to do something about it.

Knickerbocker Cottage on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan

Billy Florence had been on tour in France, and had been invited to a party given by an Arabian diplomat. The exotic style, flavors and music of the Arabian-themed party inspired him to suggest this as a theme for the new fraternity. Walter Fleming, a devoted fraternity brother, built on Fleming’s ideas and used his knowledge of fraternal ritual to transform the Arabian theme into the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.).

With the help of the Knickerbocker Cottage regulars, Fleming drafted the ritual, designed the emblem and costumes, formulated a salutation and declared that members would wear the red fez.

The first meeting of Mecca Shriners, the first temple (chapter) established in the United States, was held September 26, 1872. As word got out about the fledgling organization, membership grew rapidly, spreading across the U.S. In the early 1900s, membership spread into Canada, Mexico and Panama. Today, Shriners International is a fraternity with nearly 200 temples in several countries, thousands of clubs around the world and hundreds of thousands of members dedicated to the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth.

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If you have any question regarding this event, please call 213-388-3151, Mayra at Ext.379 or Natalie at Ext. 319