Sickness & Distress,
News and Glad Tidings (16)

	You will be happy to know that for the third consecutive year, Shakespeare Lodge was awarded custody of the DDGM's Membership Bible. The Lodge shared custody last year with Goldenrule-Clermont-McKinley, but this year Shakespeare has sole custody. RW Stenrick Adams made the announcement April 21 at the Sixth District Annual Charity Ball.  The DDGM's Membership Bible is a recognition of the work done in our District Lodges to bring Light to good men. The Lodge which raises the most Brothers in the previous calendar year is recognized for its work, and may use the Bible for any of its Lodge activities during the year. Congratulations to Worshipful Bob Anthony, his officers and the entire Lodge!
	Our annual table lodge was an event to remember.  We honored all our new Master Masons.  It was a feast and festive occasion.  We read Masonic poetry, recounted days gone by in the Lodge, toasted our oldest and newest Brothers, and emptied our cannons continuously.  In this photo, Brother Gil Ferrer recalls his visit to a Lodge in India recently.  Congratulations to all!
	Brother Jack Patterson is making the local news again, with his work with the Manhattan DA's Office.  Jack was profiled recently in a case where over $3.6 million was stolen from the Office of the City Comptroller through electronic funds transfers.  Jack was the lead investigator. Great work, Jack!
	Brother Adam Riback is doing well, following his recent operation.  Wish him the best on his new weight reduction program.
	We have a new addition to the Shakespeare family.  On March 24th, Brother Scott Mayer and his wife Annie landed at Newark Airport with their new daughter, Keshi.  Scott and Annie flew to China to welcome Keshi into their home.  We all share in their joy in their lives.
	Congratulations to Brother John Maalouf.  He has been named as one of the Nation's Top 10 Lawyers in the area of International Trade & Finance Law.
	Congratulations to the next group of Master Masons in Shakespeare. Worshipful Bob Anthony sat in the East and Obligated Brothers Craig Shirey, Willifred James, Jimmy Zaitoun and Dennis Ecal on March 15. The Degree team did a superb job, as echoed by our visiting DDGM, RW Stenrick Adams.  Please reach out to these new Master Masons and welcome them to the Lodge!
	Glad Tidings! There has been a new addition to addition to the Duran family! Tatiana Angelica Duran born March 6th 2007 at 12:25pm (almost High Noon) 6lbs 11 oz and 19 inches long. Baby and Mommy are both doing great.  Congratulation to Brother Julio Duran and his wife, Evy!
	Distress:  Susan Thomas will be having shoulder surgery on January 16 in Florida.  She'll be out of commission for about a month.
	Glad Tidings from FC Brother Scott Mayer:  "On behalf of my wife and myself, I would like to share some wonderful news with you all.  Yesterday afternoon, my wife and I received our “match” for our upcoming adoption of a baby girl from China. Keshi (our name for her) was born on Feb 8, 2006 and is waiting for us in Guangdong province. . . we should be traveling in about two months.  Needless to say, we are very, very excited!"
	Shakespeare's degree team put on a spectacular Fellowcraft Degree on January 4.  Brother Julio Duran was in the East, while RW Sheldon Richman delivered a stirring Middle Chamber lecture.  Each of the members of the team is to be congratulated.  Our new Fellowcraft, Brother Valdemar De Lima, commented afterwards:  "It was special night for me and a very beautiful ritual and experience. I'm getting ready for the next step already. This experience was priceless and I thank you for all the effort that each and everyone put into it."
	Congratulations to our new Fellowcrafts! Brothers Daniel Kratka, John Maalouf, John White, Scott Mayer and Daniel Valles were passed on December 7. Past DDGM's sat in all the chairs to confer the degree, including a stirring rendition of the Middle Chamber lecture that none of us will soon forget.
	Brother Anthony Echevarria and his wife, Margie, gave birth to twin boys November 28! Mother and twins are doing well; Daddy's condition is still uncertain!
	Our Organist, RW Stanley Schimmel, left us to play his music for the GAOTU.  Stanley died Friday, September 15, and there was a Masonic Memorial Service on September 18.  Stanley joined Shakespeare in 1989, and provided musical decorum Lodge functions and degrees.  He moved from his bench at the Organ to the Oriental Chair with no song or dance for the Lodge. He organized a delegation of Brothers and Ladies to travel to Alexandria to attend the Public Installation of RW Sheldon B. Richman as Master of Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120. He appointed and oversaw the arrangements committees for the 125th Anniversary and Grand Representative Presentation ceremonies.  He was appointed Grand Organist by MW Carl Smith and served four Grand Masters.  Stanley is survived by his wife, Mary Duran.  We will miss Stanley.

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