Archives: Visiting Thornhill Lodge
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Forestdale Heights Lodge Archives: Visiting Thornhill Lodge |
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We came to listen, learn and observe. On Saturday, February 22, three members of Forestdale Heights Lodge, including Ruth Pupko, my wife Lisa and myself came out to a monthly meeting of Thornhill Lodge. We watched how they run their monthly meeting and listened to the guest speaker, Darryl Goldstein talk about his life growing up in South Africa. It was an interesting talk and I came away with one conclusion – Darryl Goldstein has led a very interesting life. At the start of the evening, which was attended by 30 people, several people including Thornhill Lodge president Carey Drutz and Stan Horowitz, a former president of FHL and current member of Thornhill Lodge, welcomed us. We also met a few former members of FHL, including Paul Kates, the brother/brother-in-law of two of our dearly beloved past presidents, and Morris Stein. I noted that Thornhill adheres to a more formal meeting routine and that Carey ran the entire meeting in just over 15 minutes. Before the meeting got underway, a candle lighting ceremony was held and they called the three guests from Forestdale Heights up to light the third candle. During the meeting, Carey reported on a meeting held earlier in February with leaders from FHL and the benefits that could come from our two lodges working together. He also announced that his lodge was welcoming two new members. After a short break, the speaker was introduced and talked about his life in South Africa in about 60 minutes. Do I believe there is a future for some a united Forestdale Heights and Thornhill? Quite honestly, I don’t know. There are some differences. Where we combine our social dinners with monthly meetings, they hold separate Dinner Circles once a month where they go out to eat. Snacks are served at the monthly meetings. I realize though that this is a tiny difference. I know that it was an interesting enough evening and that I want to give it another shot. All being well, I want to attend their next meeting on March 21, when the guest speaker will be Sam Carmon, talking about New Initiatives in High Tech. Jeff Rosen
 The meeting was professionally done as Carey went through calling on all the committee members to give their reports. The evening was well attended and Jeff, Lisa and I felt very welcomed, especially since we were given the honour to light the third candle. The speaker spoke really well and brought in his medals; scrapbooks, uniform etc. I certainly learned new facts about South Africa and this makes me appreciate Canada even more. In conclusion, we are invited to their future events, we should invite them to ours, and who knows...whatever will be, will be!
All the best,
Dear Thornhill Lodge 2994 Members, After careful review of our current health concerns, the executive of the lodge has determined that we must suspend all programming and meetings for the next two months as a minimum. Please note that immediately we are cancelling the March 21, 2020 and April 18, 2020 events. As time progresses, we will address whether we can have another event in May. Regardless of the venue, please note that we have postponed the May 23, 2020 Installation of Officers and Gala. This can be addressed at any future time. If warranted and we are able to meet in May, we will prepare a substitute program. For the moment, Rita and I have agreed to stay on as Presidents, until we can address the new officers and the installation for the 2020/2021 year. Our Executive will continue to meet via email and telephone, and we will advise you of any news and events as they emerge. Thank you and stay healthy,
Respectfully, |