AUDUBON-PARKSIDE LODGE #218 HISTORY - 2025 
 

The 2025 Masonic year began quieter than 2024. In early 2024 we were wrapping up our time at our old temple in Audubon, whereas in early 2025 we were firmly rooted in Laurel Springs Masonic temple.  

 

In January, the oriental chair was occupied by Worshipful Brother Elfreth one last time, due to the Worshipful Master being ill. The Lodge received a letter from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, specifically the medical history museum, thanking the Brethren of Audubon-Parkside Lodge for its donation in 2024 of a dispenser from the restrooms in the old building. They appreciated that medical history didn’t wind up in a dumpster or landfill, and as of now is now on display on its website, and in the future will be permanently displayed in the women's history museum once it's built. 

In February, we raised our new Brother, Sean Mcnutt, who has helped drop the average age of our membership while bringing another fresh face to our Lodge, eager to learn. The lodge and volunteers put on an excellent degree, and carried on Audubon-Parksides tradition of doing it on a Saturday, making it a fun social event with a catered breakfast and lunch after. The degree was well attended by Brethren of the district and visitors.

In March, the lodge enjoyed an official visit from the Right Worshipful District Ritual Instructor, Vincent Capone, and we realized that the lodge needed to give Right Worshipful Kenneth Carpenter, District Deputy Grand Master a new calendar. 

 

In May, the lodge was delighted with a great presentation from Worshipful Brother James Perrin. 

 

In June, the Worshipful Master held a casual dress regular communication, as our lodge has traditionally done since 2021. We also executed an excellent Fellowcraft degree for brother Isidoro “Izzy” Laude.

Over the Summer, the Lodge worked extremely hard to “train up” our young Master Masons to participate in the second section of the Master Mason Degree at the 18th District Grand Lodge of Instruction in September. Worshipful Brothers Talarowski and Powell, alongside Right Worshipful Brother Capone worked together to facilitate the rehearsals and rosters. 

 

In September, the Brethren of the 18th District did a great job with their respective assignments at the GLI, however the young Brethren of Audubon-Parkside shined in exemplifying a great 2nd section of the Master Mason degree. We were given high marks, and in this historians opinion, very few mistakes. 

 

In October, the oriental chair was occupied by Worshipful Brother Tom Thurber due to the Worshipful Master being away on business, whom also gave a presentation on George Washington and Grog. 

 

In November, the Lodge held its annual election of officers. Worshipful Brother Talarowski was elected once again to serve in the East, with Brother Steven McCormack to serve in the West and Worshipful Brother Tom Thurber to serve in the South. Brother Dellapia and Worshipful Brother Powell were re-elected to their positions as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. 

In December, as we sit at this moment, we continue on a positive trajectory for Audubon-Parkside Lodge. A young Worshipful Master, a committed and experienced core of Past Masters, many white apron Brethren in the officer line to serve the lodge, a Brother Fellowcraft to be raised to the Master Mason degree, and a pipeline of 4 men awaiting initiation. Our goal over the last few years as friends and Brothers of Audubon-Parkside Lodge #218 was to keep our friendship strong and together, and our circle growing, and we have succeeded at that.

Our ancient Brethren did not build the temple in a day, and so do we follow in their footsteps to continue to build and shape our Lodge one day at a time.

This concludes my report

 

William Powell, PM

Lodge Historian