Freemasons Party for Food Gatherers - Success!
The 3rd Annual Freemasons Party for Food Gatherers is now legend! Last Nov 5th this fantastic happening took place at Ypsilanti’s Corner Brewery. Freemasons from around the area and many community members were out in force for a night of fun, food and fundraising for Food Gatherers. A small army of volunteers: masons, family, friends, plus our volunteer DJ Todd - made it all possible!
With matching funds to be provided by the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation (MMCF), the event raised a record amount of…
$3755.00 - Yes, a new record!
In 2010 more than 43,900 people — including more than 14,000 children and 6,500 seniors—received emergency food each year through Food Gatherers’ network of emergency food pantries and meal sites.You can be proud of the part YOU played in helping others.
A special THANK YOU to our local business sponsors. Be sure to support them, like they support us!
Freemasons Party for Food Gatherers, Nov. 5
You, all your friends, and EVERYONE are invited to a fundraiser party to benefit Food Gatherers - an Ann Arbor food agency that works to prevent hunger. Food Gatherers does this by collecting and delivering over 7 tons of food per day to those in need in the greater Ann Arbor area.
Due to hard economic times, Food Gatherers needs our help - with either financial or non-perishable food donations. This party is how you can help this important local effort that directly affects our area, and have a great time doing it! Last year we raised almost $4000 that was then converted into TONS of food. Let’s see if we can do even more for Food Gatherers this year - bring a cash or non-perishable food donation to help make a difference.
Your donation will be MATCHED by the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation!
Saturday, November 5, 7:30-11:30 pm
This year we’re at the fabulous CORNER BREWERY in historic Ypsilanti!
Corner Brewery, 720 Norris Street, Ypsilanti, MI Map
Fun ~ Food ~ Music ~ Friends ~ Fighting Hunger! 
Facebook event page, invite your friends!
Download, print and post a flyer for the event: http://ow.ly/6Mxv9
Master’s Letter | November 2011
Dear Brethren and Friends,
The Masonic year is swiftly coming to a close! I and the officers of Ann Arbor-Fraternity No. 262 would love to see you in Lodge at our next Regular or Special Communication, before the busy holiday season is upon us. Our next Regular Communication on November 2nd will be productive, including our annual memorial service and Lodge officer elections.
Degree work will continue on November 16th - as we bring at least two more Brothers into the Craft. This year, we have been privileged to raise 12 Master Masons, and bring another 9 men into our Brotherhood. Our Brothers are learning, growing, staying and contributing to the Lodge, bringing new ideas and energy to our Fraternity. In October, our Musician, Bro. Steven Simpson debuted music that he has specially written for our degrees at AAF262. It was breathtaking!
Masonry is everywhere you look or travel. Our Brothers have visited Lodges all over the Midwest and beyond this year, and we have had visitors from at least 2 other countries visit our own Lodge. Our visit to Redeemer Lodge No. 53 PHA was incredible - building upon a relationship that continues to grow through the years. By being a “traveling man”, you truly get to experience the universality of our Brotherhood - and learn that Masonry is lot more than the four walls you are used to seeing at meetings.
On November 5th, we will be having our 3rd annual “Freemason Party for Food Gatherers” at Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti. In our current economy, any assistance we can lend to our own community is vital. This event allows us to directly help those around us. Please bring a check and/or a food donation, and come out to have a great time! Last year we were able to contribute almost $4000. Let’s see if we can beat that!
Finally, please save the date of Friday, December 9, 2011 for our 2012 Officer Installation ceremony at Zal Gaz Grotto. It will prove to be a fun and festive evening!
From our Lodge to you and your families, we wish you the very best of health and happiness.
Warmest fraternal regards,
brian cors
Worshipful Master
UPCOMING EVENTS - From our Trestleboard
NOV 2 - Regular Communication | Memorial Service | Lodge Elections
NOV 5 - Freemason Party for Food Gatherers | Corner Brewery, Ypsilanti
NOV 12 - Day Trip | Michigan Masonic Museum & Library, Grand Rapids
NOV 16 - Special Communication [EA]
NOV 23 - Masters Table Dinner | Location TBA
DEC 7 - Regular Communication
DEC 9 - Officer Installation | Zal Gaz Grotto
Master’s Letter | September 2011
Dear Brethren and Friends,
I hope this summer has treated you all well! I know that I for one will be glad to be back in Lodge, after a short summer break. Please remember that our Regular Communication is the first Wednesday of each month, and our Special Communication is on the third Wednesday of each month. If you’ve not been to Lodge lately, please come join us - we have much going on!
This summer’s social events have been spectacular. Our families and friends have joined us at German Park picnics, a Tiger’s Game Outing - and of course, our 2nd Annual Tri-Lodge Picnic. 
Our annual September Masters Table dinner at Knights Steakhouse approaches on September 28th (Ladies too!). Please notify W. Bro Justin Krasnoff if you will be in attendance. It’s always a great night for us and our loved ones to reconnect after the summer break.
On September 7th we officially get back to work with our Regular Communication.
I am pleased to announce that we have several new candidates joining our Lodge - which will take us through the end of this Masonic year. We will be having a rehearsal for the EA degree on September 14th - as it will be conferred on three new candidates on September 21st. I expect October and November to also be busy with EA degrees. Brothers, remember the night you began your journey. Please come and personally give these new Brothers a warm welcome into Masonry.
Please keep October 8-9 open on your calendars - as we will be assisting in a Child ID program event to be held at Briarwood Mall. This is a great way for us to help families in our community, and to also let them know we are present and active. I personally assisted with one of these events and can tell you the families really appreciate what Masons do.
I am attempting to arrange a few outings for our Lodge. Destinations include Cincinnati, Ohio, a Saturday trip to Grand Rapids to visit the Michigan Masonic Museum and Library - and visitations to our Brothers at Redeemer Lodge No. 53 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Michigan and to Windsor Lodge No. 403 of the Grand Lodge of Canada to watch them confer degrees. By traveling we see how much is the same, and always learn fascinating things from the differences between our traditions. Details about these outings will be announced as they develop.
Finally, I wish to thank Brother George Lucero for his contributions both as Senior Deacon to our Lodge and his duties to other various Masonic organizations in the Ann Arbor area over the years. Brother George has been transferred to New Mexico for his job and is currently settling in at their new home. Our Lodge will deeply miss this Brother, as he begins this new chapter far away from us.
From our Lodge to you and your families, we wish you the very best of health and happiness.
Warmest fraternal regards,
brian cors
Worshipful Master
UPCOMING EVENTS from Our Trestleboard
- September 7
Regular Communication - Pittsfield Grange - September 9
Family Game Night - Zal Gaz Grotto Club - September 20
Book Club - Location TBA - September 21
Entered Apprentice Degree - Pittsfield Grange - September 28
Masters Table Dinner - Knights Steakhouse - October 8-9
Child ID Program - Briarwood Mall
What 262 did on its Summer Vacation
In the calendar of many lodges, the summer months are “dark”, that means: not much happening. AAF262 was only dark this year for the month of August, but by no means did we lack activity!
First off, Brother Erik Harclerode organized a lodge trip to Comerica Park to see the Tigers. And what’s better than an evening at the ballpark with our brothers and family? The same, with the Tigers trouncing the Cleveland Indians 10-1! Yes!
Next came the Master’s Table dinner, at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti. It was pouring rain while we sat outside under the back awning. Nevertheless, the craft was not dampened as we enjoyed masonic discussion over great brews and food. Good times.
On August 28th we participated in the 2nd Annual Tri-Lodge Picnic. This Event brings together the three best lodges in Michigan, Ann Arbor-Fraternity #262, St. Mary’s #4 PHA and Golden Rule #159. There was family fun and fellowhip, BBQ, games and our Brother Scott Yoders masonic pretzels! Who else has that?
On August 30, the Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction had it’s annual meeting of the Supreme Council in Chicago. Our Worshipful Brother Justin Krasnoff was one of two Valley of Detroit members to receive the 33rd degree. Achieving the 33rd is an honor that can only be bestowed and it is granted solely by the Supreme Council. “A 33° Mason is a Master Mason who has exhibited knowledge, passion and sacrifice to his craft”. Congratulations Illustrious Brother Justin!
Far right: Justin F. Krasnoff, 33°
If thats not enough, some of our members have be filling their spare time reading Septembers Book Club selection, “Observing the Craft” by Andrew Hammer, PM of G.W.’s lodge: Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22. From his book site: “Observing the Craft is a manifesto of sorts for the observant Mason, who seeks quality over quantity in every aspect of Freemasonry.” An interesting read for sure, it’s not too late to get your copy and join the book club on September 20.
See you in lodge as 262 kicks of an exciting September!
