Odd Fellows of Rockville Centre

Oddfellows Long Tradition

2011-12-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

Rockville Centre Lodge 279 of The Independent Order of Odd Fellows donated turkeys to the Recreation Center’s food drive for distribution to local organizations and families. Lodge 279 has been involved with both local and national charities since 1888. From left are John Pucciarelli, Mike McFeely, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Anthony Brunetta, Noble Grand Tom Bogue and Carl Weeks.

Reposted from the RVC Herald

Congratulations to our new officers!

2011-10-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

We would like to welcome our Tom Bogue to his office as Noble Grand for Rockville Centre Lodge, as well as his slate of officers for the new term. The ceremony was short and sweet and we all offer our congratulations to:

Tom Bogue, Noble Grand
Dave Ajello, Vice Grand
Jon Lass, Secretary
Mike McEnerney, Treasurer
Aaron Kupferberg, Past Grand

Our next meeting will be on October 19th.

Summer Meeting Wed. 8/17

2011-08-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

This is a bill pay meeting and planning on events for September will be discussed. Meet us there at 7:30pm

Nassau District Annual Picnic

2011-07-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

Odd Fellows, please join us on Saturday July 9th for a day of fun and food at Wantagh Park. That's at 1 King Rd. Just south of Merrick Rd. off Woodland Ave. in Wantagh.

The fun starts early (10:00am) and lasts well into the afternoon. RVC supplies the drinks and Mineola supplies the food. Hosted by District Deputy Grand Master Ed Pyne.

New Link! The Odd Fellows New York State page

2011-05-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

If you want to see how many lodges we have in the state of New York, visit the new IOOF Grand Lodge NYS page at
http://ioofnygrandlodge.org/Lodges.html

Kentucky Derby Party on May 7th

2011-04-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

That's right, it's back. The lodge will be having our annual Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday, May 7th at 3:00pm

Admission is $20.00 - neat casual attire preferred.

Watch the race live from Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY and sip on a mint julep while you bet on the races.
Bet $5.00 on any horse in all the day's races.

A list of contenders can be found here.

Purchase a $20 raffle ticket for the chance to win a brand new flat screen LCD HD TV. Only 100 tickets will be sold, so you have an excellent chance of winning.

Lodge #279 on Facebook

2011-04-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

Odd Fellows we have entered the Facebook era, primarily so we can upload more photos of our events and have a wall to post Brothers opinions. If you visit our Facebook Page, you'll find our latest photos of the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Celebration. If you'd like to join our NEW Facebook Group Page, then you can post your comments on the wall. Just to make things interesting we have an older Group page that has long been ignored.

St. Patricks Day Parade and Celebration in RVC

2011-03-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow the Odd Fellows will be marching in the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade. Brothers please dress accordingly and meet us at 12:30pm at the LIRR parking lot on Sunrise Hwy (near the corner of North Forest Ave.) After the march we'll be at the lodge for our Celebration. Admission is $20. per person, enjoy delicious food and beverages. Kids are admitted free.

We will also enjoy our annual performance from the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band.

Purchase a 50/50 raffle at the door! All proceeds go to our charity Happiness is Camping. Come join us!

Welcome new members!

2011-02-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

We would like to acknowledge the newest members to Lodge#279 in the initiatory degree: Eugene Marquardt, Frank Sweeny and Jim Supple.

Welcome and please be present at our next meeting on February 16th at 7:30pm. After a whirlwind of social events our next is perhaps our biggest. The annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration to benefit Happiness is Camping on March 19th.

AFC-NFC Party Photo Gallery

2011-02-01T14:20:00.001-08:00

Despite the Jets loss, it was a great party. Thanks to brother Richard Kareckas for the photos.

The Class of 2011

2011-01-31T06:47:00.000-08:00

We had a great 2011 kickoff party at The Hempstead Country Club. Many thanks to Brother Sal Palazzolo (for the prep) and Dave Ajello (for the invitations). This has started off to be our best year ever - our next meeting 2/2 at 7:00pm will be an initiatory degree ceremony for our newest members (Weather conditions permitting).

Congrats to The Jets

2011-01-17T07:02:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the AFC championship game, NY Jets. For all those doubters of Mark Sanchez: If the truest judgment of a quarterback is wins and losses, then maybe this guy is pretty good. How does a 4-1 playoff record sound? Several Brothers and friends met up at the lodge last night to partake in the football festivities. Thanks to Brother Andre Farr for cooking the yummy wings and other goodies. We look forward to a great AFC-NFC day next weekend.

If you haven't notified Brother Ajello of your RSVP for the Holiday party - this is your last chance. Contact him asap.

Witnesses to The Boston Massacre

2010-12-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

Well, the Jets fans came out in force Monday night at the lodge, and the home team threw up a stinker. On the plus side Brother Andre Farr did an excellent job with the food and the drinks were cold.

This Saturday some brothers are planning to visit Boss Crokers in Wantagh to drop off toys for The John Theissen Children's Foundation. Toy drop offs can be done from 4pm to 7pm.

Welcome new Brothers!

2010-11-24T18:32:00.000-08:00

We would like to congratulate the newest members of the lodge, in completing the initiatory degree:

Anthony Pedone
Joseph Maher
Christopher Zelles
Michael McFeeley
James O'Brien

As Brothers we trust that you will attend regular meetings and make our lodge your "home away from home" as we are bound in friendship, love and truth.

The Odd Fellows Centennial Gallery

2010-11-18T12:58:00.000-08:00

Our Centennial Celebration was on November 6. Many thanks go out to Brother John Pucciarelli for planning and organizing this successful event and Brother Rich Kareckas for the photos. We even made the Long Island Herald newspaper! Click here for details.

Memories of our Belmont Summer...

2010-09-26T22:22:00.000-07:00

Finally got around to posting this first attempt at video by my son, so forgive the shakey-cam style. It was a great birthday for Carl and Maureen got a song too!

Welcome Brothers to the 2010-2011 session

2010-09-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

We welcome all Brothers returning from an eventful summer, with a lot on our collective plate this year. Plans to roll out our Centennial Celebration are underway and details will be given at the next meeting.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday Sept. 22 at 7:30pm and officer elections will be held.

The District Picnic at Belmont Gallery

2010-07-26T22:02:00.000-07:00

District Picnic is coming to the Belmont

2010-07-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

Get ready for excitement! Wear your Lodge golf shirts and come on down to The Belmont this Saturday, July 17th.

Racing Conditions

Belmont Driving Directions

The Odd Fellows Memorial Gallery 2010

2010-06-13T22:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Brother Marshall Brooks for the photos.

Subway Series at The Lodge

2010-05-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

After an informal showing of hands, some of us will be showing up at the lodge this Sunday (5/23) to Watch the Mets vs. The Yankees at 8:00pm. If enough people come we'll break out the BBQ wings!

Thank you, Brothers!

2010-05-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

Our Memorial Service on 5/5 was a moving tribute to all our brothers, especially the honoring of Lewis F. Buttacoli with a few tunes from Wantagh Pipe Band Pipers. Photos of the event will be coming soon. Our next meeting will be this Wednesday May 19th at 7:30pm - see you there.

The Kentucky Derby Gallery

2010-05-04T06:38:00.001-07:00

Click on the photo to see it without any cropping.

Meeting coming up 4/21

2010-04-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

Please attend our next meeting on 4/21. Just a reminder: Coming up on May 1st - Our annual Kentucky Derby party! 3-7pm $15 admission. Win a big flat screen TV and win the races!

St. Patrick's Day Celebration Galley

2010-03-29T08:57:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Brother Jon Lass for the photos. I'd like to thank all the brothers involved who helped make our event another success. Next Meeting will be April 7th at 7:30pm

Next Saturday: The Odd Fellows St. Patrick's Day Celebration

2010-03-13T16:02:00.000-08:00

Our St. Patrick's Day Celebration is on Saturday March 20, 2010 at 1:30pm Join us to benefit Happiness is Camping with traditional Irish food and a performance from the Wantagh American Legion Bagpipers. Bring the whole family! Admission is $20.00 per person

The Lodge is located at 235 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre.

Join our 50/50 Raffle and win big $$$$ - Raffle tickets are only $5.00 each and the drawing will take place toward the end of the afternoon.

The Odd Fellows will also march in the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade prior to the celebration.

Nassau District Meeting This Wednesday

2010-03-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

Brothers,

Our next meeting will take place at the Lodge at 7pm. Please arrive by 6:45. We need to begin promptly, because following our meeting we will be having the Nassau District meeting, hosted by our own District Deputy Grand Master Mike Zurell. That meeting begins promptly at 8pm. Please be aware that dress code is more formal for such meetings.

Next Meeting 2-17-10

2010-02-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

Please be advised that our next meeting is this coming Wednesday, February 17th at 7pm, gavel down by 7:30. There are some key things to discuss, as we approach the "busy season" for our Lodge. Number 1 priority now is to sell those 50-50 raffles for our upcoming St. Patrick's Day Celebration on March 20.

Honoring the memory of Brother Lew Buttacoli

2010-01-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

On some terrible news, Mineola Brother Lew Buttacoli passed away last night. May he rest in peace. The funeral will take place at Cassidy Funeral Home in 156 Willis Ave., Mineola 516-746-6222. We (the Odd Fellows) will have our service on SUNDAY NIGHT at 7:30pm Please come own on Sunday to help perform this service.

AFC-NFC Party this Sunday!

2010-01-21T12:08:00.000-08:00

You are invited to attend the annual AFC-NFC Championship games at the Lodge this weekend on the big screen. The Jets vs. Indy at 3:00pm and Viking vs. The Saints at 6:40pm. Admission is $20. There will be refreshments and snacks, and we'll order dinner when all have arrived. Bring a friend or bring the wife, either way come and wish Reggie Wayne a speedy trip to Revis Island!

St. Patrick's Day Donation Widget

2010-01-15T19:55:00.000-08:00

Brothers and friends, it's not to early to start our fundraising efforts for our Odd Fellow charity Happiness is Camping. If you know anyone who would like to contribute to our cause please direct them to this site widget, all contributions will be sent together through the lodge. Thank you.

Happy New Year Odd Fellows!

2010-01-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

Our Next Meeting is this Wednesday on 1/6/10. There is a lot of talk about a Jets "Wild Card" Party this Saturday at the lodge. We have 50/50 tickets for our March event ready for sale, so take a group of tickets and get started. What do you think?

Happy Holidays for 2009!

2009-12-13T20:16:00.000-08:00

Next meeting is this Wednesday (12/16) at 7:30pm.
Thanks to Brother Ajello for chairing the X-Mas Party Committee, and for the setup, Brother Farr for purchasing the libations, Brother McEnerney for the soups, salads, and sandwiches, Brother Pucciarelli for the appetizers, Brother Palazzolo for providing added ambiance with the smoke machine, Brothers Farr, Ketler and Lass for helping with the cleanup, and Brother Rees for doing his best Elvis.

Odd Fellow Manuals now free on Google

2009-12-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

Normally these old volumes on Odd Fellow ritual and customs are only available via ebay or in a dusty attic somewhere. Using Google you can now read these Odd Fellow texts directly without even owning them. Take a gander at The Odd Fellows Manual, History of Odd Fellowship om America, History and Manual of Odd Fellowship and Revised Odd Fellowship Illustrated.

Meeting Wednesday night -- you must RSVP to the Holiday Party by then.

Next meeting Wednesday

2009-11-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

Brothers, if you'd like to attend the Holiday Party on December 12th at 7:00pm, please RSVP by this next meeting on Wednesday. It will be a special night at the lodge and we'll all enjoy a great night of food and fun. So come to the next meeting a make your reservation!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T20:29:00.001-08:00

The lodge had a successful donation of turkeys to the Rockville Centre Rec Center last week on 11/21. Many thanks to all the brothers who attended, especially Brothers John Pucciarelli, Dave Reese, Scott Ketler, Andre Farr and Dave Ajello for picking up the turkeys and food. The brothers also cleaned up the lodge hall a bit afterwards, so it was a productive day for all.

Meet at The Recreation Center in RVC this Saturday.

2009-11-19T12:00:00.001-08:00

Please meet at the Rec Center between 11:00am - 12:00am -- we will drop off our Turkey donations and our photo will be taken. Afterwards we will come back to the lodge to do a quick clean up and house keeping. I look forward to seeing all the brothers as meet to help feed less fortunate families this season. Thanks.

New Officers will be elected on October 7th

2009-10-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

All Brothers please the meeting on Oct.7th when your new officers will be sworn in by the District deputy GM. Meeting starts promptly at 7:30pm

Have a great summer.

2009-07-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

Informal meeting will take place on July 17th at 7:30pm

Derby Photo Album

2009-05-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

new IOOF site!

2009-05-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Just noticed that the The Sovereign Grand Lodge website - ioof.org has been redesigned and it's got a much better professional look. It also has other information about the National programs and events of the IOOF.

Yeah! The Kentucky Derby was a success!

2009-05-08T19:23:00.000-07:00

Everyone had a grand time at the Kentucky Derby party last week. The lodge even did okay on it's first try. Some folks got lucky with the horses and others did even better. This is sure to be an annual event for RVC#279. Those mint juleps will be sorely missed.

IMPORTANT!

This Saturday (5/9/09) there will be a reception for The Sovereign Grand Master of the State of New York, Raymond Holguin at 7:00pm. Please attend this very important meeting hosted by District Deputy Grand Master Stephen Janicek of Mineola Lodge.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration Photos

2009-03-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

Free website - Wix.com

St. Patricks Day Parade and Celebration!

2009-03-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

Please join us this Saturday 3/21 for the annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration. We will be marching at 11am -- get details from Noble Grand Mike Zurrell.

Welcome Brother Mike McEnerney!

2009-01-22T06:20:00.000-08:00

We had a good initiation yesterday and welcome new brother, Mike McEnerney to the lodge. We also added a new lodge to our links page (Elgin Lodge #12) in response to an e-mail from their Noble Grand, Jim Turner. I also updated our contact page with the latest officer roster. I expect a lot of great things in 2009, beginning with the planning for our St. Patrick's Day Celebration and The Kentucky Derby Day Project. Remember, attend meetings and get involved! It's what you make of it!

FLT

AFC NFC Party this weekend!

2009-01-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

It's that time again OddFellows. AFC NFC partytime. Admission is $20. You can bring your friends or your wives to join us at the lodge hall, and see the games. There will be plenty of food and drink, too. Root for your favorite non-NY team this year and get the lowdown here.

Party starts at 2:30pm on Sunday Jan.18th

Don't Miss it!

Please bring in your payment

2008-12-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

Please bring in your payment for the Holiday party at the next meeting 12/17.

November Odd Fellow News

2008-11-11T06:06:00.000-08:00

Lots of activity this month, so let's stay on top of things:

Sat. 11/22 is the donation day at the RVC rec. center. We are still collecting food donations before lodge meetings. Lodge members should be bringing in food to donate (canned goods and other non-perishable items). We will be meeting at the Rec Center from 12 noon to 1:00pm for the photo op and to make the donation delivery. following that, we return to the lodge for lodge cleanup

Sat. 12/20 is the tentative date for the 2008 christmas party. time, location, and price are still being determined.

Dues are now past due. Please submit your dues in the form of a check for $50

VOTE!

2008-11-03T09:47:00.001-08:00

Welcome Back Odd Fellows!

2008-09-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Unlike the stuffy old group shown above, we aim to make this the best year ever for our order. Don't fall behind, as annual dues are due on the first meeting of October. Next meeting will be on the 17th of September and Noble Grand Mike Zurell has agreed to do the cooking. I wonder what it will be... come to the meeting at 7:30pm and find out!

District Picnic and Mineola Fishing Trip

2008-08-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

According to the latest flyer. the date is finalized:

THE NASSAU DISTRICT PICNIC will be on

Saturday August 23, 2008

at Lido Beach under the Mushrooms

And the ANNUAL MINEOLA FISHING TRIP

is Saturday August 30, 2008

contact Dominic if interested - they need a head count asap.

Have a Happy Summer!

2008-07-07T19:24:00.001-07:00

Enjoy some Street Fair Photos!

Summer RVC Street Fair coming!

2008-06-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

In our last major event of the season, The Oddfellows will be particvipating in the Rockville Centre Street Fair, Sunday June 22. We would like to see as many odd fellows representing as possible. We will have brochures and be selling water. Don't miss it!

The Parade Photos by Rich

2008-04-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

The Rockville Centre Parade on March 29th

2008-03-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

Our first RVC Parade march will be on Saturday March 29th. This is our attempt for more recognition within the town of Rockville Centre. It is very important every member attend this event. If you can't make it for any reason, contact another brother and have him go. Also please bring family members (wives and kids) too. To help make Oddfellowship visible the brothers of Mineola Pacific Lodge are also invited to this historic event.

We will all meet at the RVC Rec Center parking lot on Oceanside Road (north of Sunrise Highway) between 10:30 and 11:00am that day (there is parking around the railroad station). Members and family attending will get a FREE Oddfellows embroidered sweatshirt for attending and marching in the parade.

Any Questions? Contact Aaron at akupferberg@hotmail.com

We need Odd Fellows at this Parade! Will John Belushi inspire you all?

Happy Holidays from the Odd Fellows

2007-12-18T18:54:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great time at the Christmas party. Thanks to the Mineola bros. for another good year of Oddfellowship. More photos to come.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all the Brothers of RVC for participating in this years charity turkey drive for the Rec Center this year. This is what Oddfellowship is all about!

Thanks to all the brothers who attended

2007-10-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

It was a small but intimate gathering last Saturday night (10/20) for our 2007 Smoker. Bothers from both RVC and Mineola lodge attended. A good time was had by all and many good stories will be shared. To those who could not attend, you really missed a great evening of brotherhood, hockey and baseball that night.

Our next meeting will be on Wed. November 7th - please attend.

It says in the bylaws, no Yankee fans allowed to join the lodge.

2007-09-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

Only kidding Pooch. Prepare for our next Odd Fellows meeting. Much congrats goes to our new members completing degree cememonies last Saturday.

Remember this Wed. at 8:00pm - we'll talk about upcoming events for the year, the installation of new officers and Don't forget your yearly dues are due this meeting! It'll be $50. so don't make me come after y'all.

New York Times story "A Grand Gathering, but One With a Solemn Note" By Dan Barry

2007-08-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

DENVER
As with most matters of Odd Fellowship, nearly every aspect of the
annual convention of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows must adhere to protocol. The dais for the
officers' banquet, for example, must be two-tiered and able to
accommodate 50 people, important on the bottom, really important on the top. Seats for the sovereign grand master, the deputy sovereign
grand master, the sovereign grand warden, the sovereign grand
secretary and the sovereign grand treasurer. Seats for the leaders
of the two uniformed branches, the Patriarchs Militant and its
Ladies Auxiliaries. A seat for the president of the International
Association of Rebekah Assemblies, established when the Odd Fellows
long ago recognized "the need for a woman's touch."

Here they are now, the officers and their escorts, proceeding
solemnly through the grand ballroom of the Adam's Mark Hotel as the
sovereign grand musician plays `Pride and Gallantry' on the piano.
Six hundred people rise to their feet, more than a few with some
difficulty.

Robert Robbins, the soft-spoken sovereign grand master whose
yearlong tenure ends with this convention, takes his honored place.
His black tuxedo is adorned with an eye-catching medallion of merit
and the grand master medal he will soon relinquish. His jewelry is
modest, given the glint of Odd Fellows bling in the room.

Gazing out upon this gathering of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, all
about to dine on small portions of beef or salmon, he sees a bobbing
sea of gray and white. In this crowd he is practically a stripling,
at 69. Since his installation as top Odd Fellow, Mr. Robbins has
warned that this order, dedicated to caring for the widowed, the
orphaned and the needy, is in a `state of crisis.' Members are dying
by the thousands, local lodges are closing by the dozens, and actual
participation among the 289,000 members is dropping. If the people
sitting before him do not heed his call to replenish the ranks, they
will be the Odd Men and Women Out" defunct, extinct, done. "Unless
we can do something to turn the membership losses into significant
gains in the next couple of years," he says later, "we may be at a
point where we can't recover."

Once we were a nation of joiners, and so many joined the Odd
Fellows, a fraternal organization whose name stems from an English
journalists observation in 1745. He found it odd to see fellows,
rather than the aristocracy, helping widows, orphans and one
another. The name stuck, oddly.

In many communities, you can still find an old I.O.O.F. building, a
place of some mystery, where the rituals would include acting out
the story of the Good Samaritan. Members were to apply that story to
real life by aiding their brothers and sisters, chipping in to pay
burial costs, for example. You merely had to express belief in one
Creator to be eligible; atheists and pantheists need not apply.

Odd Fellows tended to frown on alcohol, loved bestowing medals on
one another, and reveled in seeing their sword-carrying, uniformed
brothers, the chevaliers of the Patriarchs Militant, march in Main
Street parades. In their small worlds, Odd Fellows mattered.

Then came social changes to dull the appeal of fraternal
organizations. Tighter government regulations forced the Odd Fellows
out of their signature cause, orphanages, while baby boomers found
all the pomp and secrecy to be, um, silly. Several years ago, after
contentious debate, the Odd Fellows allowed women (!) into their
ranks, but that has done little to stem the decline.

It's gotten so bad that many members of the Patriarchs Militant are
too old to march anymore. "Because a lot of them can't even walk",
explains one chevalier, who includes himself among the non-parading
ranks.

Still, here the Odd Fellows are, in Denver, 1,000 strong and not so,
coming together from many states and a few countries on an expansive hotel concourse with many large meeting rooms, thus accommodating
those using wheelchairs and walkers and cutting down on the chance
for escalator mishaps.

At times the concourse is still, as private meetings focus on bylaw
changes and membership crises, the protocols of medals and the
worthiness of certain charities. Rituals have their occasional
glitches, as when the Mardi Gras music of a Rebekahs gathering in
one room filters into a memorial service being held by the uniformed
branches in another.

But when those meetings break, the floor becomes awash with color,
much of it radiating from the distinctive dress of the Ladies
Auxiliaries: white nurse dresses, white shoes and white gloves,
offset by purple-and-gold capes, purple-and-gold sashes, and purple-
gold-and-white yachting caps. You know them when you see them.

Facing his brothers and sisters at this night's banquet, the grand
sovereign master cannot help but wonder what will become of his
beloved order.

Here is Hank Dupray, 63, a former sovereign grand master from North
Carolina who guided the order into establishing an orphanage in
Cambodia.

Here, too, is Harrell Shoultz, 84, a retired farmer from Indiana
who, with his wife, LaVern, just pledged $50,000 to that orphanage.

And here is Mike Easley, 64, who arranged this convention with his
wife, Linda. His mother became seriously ill in the early 1950s,
leaving him and his three brothers to spend years in a fine Odd
Fellows orphanage. He says that he is simply giving back now and
mentions in passing that his mother lives today in an Odd Fellows
retirement home.

A toast then, to all national leaders of the world, as is Odd
Fellows custom. Another toast, to all fraternal leaders of the
world. Dinner, remarks, benediction, recessional to the strains of
the `Battle Hymn of the Republic'. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs
everywhere, good night.

Online: Audio and photos of the Odd Fellows convention in Denver at
www.nytimes.com/danbarry.

Say Goodbye to Summer...

2007-08-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

First Meeting of September
Will take place at the lodge on Wed. Sept. 5th at 8pm

Plan Ahead: On 9/15 - we have a Degree Rally at 9:00am

On 9/19 we have our second Sept. Meeting., so please attend!

Last Meeting before Summer break!

2007-06-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow at 8:00pm --- We vote on Officers for next year! See you there!

Reception for The Grand Master

2007-06-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

About that time, Dave was wondering where his beer wandered off to. Anyway, here are the pictures from our Reception for the Grand Master Eugene Nemchenkin last month. We all had a great time and our lodge hosted all Nassau and Suffolk IOOF lodges for this event. Pooch did an outstanding job with the food as usual and many thanks to Rich for the great job on the photos. Click on the photos link to see more.

District Picnic is on July 15 at Lido Beach! Our last big event for the year before summer break!

Welcome New Members!

2007-06-08T07:07:00.000-07:00

The Lodge congradulates new members John Grim and Andre Farr! We completed initiation last Wed. and are glad to have these guys on board. As our year winds down, we still have our next meeting on June 20th at 8:00pm -- don't be late!

Next Meeting June 6 at 8:00pm

2007-05-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

Initatory for Second and Third Degrees are coming!

Memorial Service Photos plus more!

2007-05-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

We have photos of the Memorial Meeting that took place on last meeting. Click on this link to see them. Thanks Rich, for all the photos -- and Pooch who did a great job with the food as usual. The brothers from Mineola ran the ceremony and Vice Grand Zurrell read his part well. This is an important event where Odd Fellows honor the dead - it's one of our sacred duties and thanks to all who attended

Next Saturday on May 19th is the Nassau and Suffolk District Reception for the Grand master, Eugene Nachamin. This is hosted by the District Deputy Grand Masters, Richard Backofen (Nassau) and Robert Farruggia (Suffolk). As the hosting lodge for this event we would like a decent turnout of our own brothers. It starts at 7:00pm at our lodge.

Next meeting is this Wed. at 8:00pm - we will discuss new lodge business critical to our future! Please attend.

Memorial Meeting this Wednesday!

2007-04-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

Please be prompt and dress formally for our memorial meeting this Wed. at 8:00pm sharp. If anybody can arrive at the lodge earlier it would be good to help with set-up.

Restoration Saturday - The Aftermath

2007-04-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

It's a shame I couldn't get more than one other person's help with the attic cleaning (Thanks Rich). However, we did organize one room and discovered some cool stuff (like Grand Lodge Books from 1909) and watched some TV. Obviously, we will try this event again at some point in the future.

The RVC Chamber of Commerce meeting will be on Tues. 17th -- if anyone wishes to go let me know.

Upcoming events - get involved!

2007-04-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

First I'd like to thank all the brothers involved in this year's St. Patrick's Day celebration. We raised lots of money for charity and had a great time doing it!

Special thanks to Chef John "Pooch" Pucciarelli and Dave Rees for the excellent food. You can see the photo album of the event (photos provided by brother Rich Kareckas) by clicking on this link.

Some important events coming up:

Sat. April 14th - Restoration Breakfast - come to the lodge at around 11:00am and help clean up the attic space a bit, and enjoy some fresh donuts and coffee while you're at it. Dress in clean-up clothes.

Wed. May 2nd - District Memorial Service - 7:30pm we honor the Odd Fellows who have passed away this year. Dress in formal wear for this meeting. Note: This is an open meeting, you may bring guests.

Sat. May 19th - Nassau District Meeting - More information coming soon.

Also much applause to our Noble Grand, Sal Palazzolo, who is now also District Deputy Grand Master. Way to go, Sal! Our next lodge meeting is on Wed. April 18th - get involved and come to meetings!

Note: If you have any comments or suggestions, click on the link below and let me know what you're thinkin'

St. Patty's Day Celebration

2007-03-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

Visit the Oddfellow's Hall on Saturday March 24, 2007 and join us to benefit "Happiness is Camping" and enjoy a full brunch spread with traditional Irish food, listen to Irish music and enjoy a performance from the Wantagh American Legion Bagpipers.

Admission is $20 per person (kids are free) - Raffle tickets for our 50/50 raffle are $5.00 each

It all starts at 1:00pm after the RVC parade. This is our 10th year Celebration!

BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER!

2007-02-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

Be an active member,
The kind that would be missed.
Don't be just contented
That your name is on the list.
Do attend the meetings
And mingle with the crowd:
Don't stay at home
And crab both long and loud.
Do take an active part
To help the lodge along.
And take time out to visit
A member who is sick.
Don't leave the work for just a few
And gripe about the clique
There is quite a program scheduled
That means success if done,
And it can be accomplished
With the help of everyone.
So Attend the meetings regularly
And help with hand and heart,
Be an active member
And take an active part.

Think this over, Member
Are we Right or are we Wrong?
Be an Active Member
Don't just belong

MEETING WED. FEB.7 8:00PM

Go Bears! Go Colts! NEW photos are finally here!

2007-01-21T18:57:00.000-08:00

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Photo by Rich Rich Kareckas

The lodge had a great AFC-NFC party! Many thanks belong to Rich, Dave, and members of the AFC-NFC Committee. Also thanks to Rich, we have new photos in the photo section of this website. Click on the link to the right and take a look. It has shots of the 2006 Holiday party and we expect it to be full with more photos in the upcoming weeks. By the way, thank god for the Colts squeezing out a win tonight!

Our next meeting will be on Feb. 7th at 8:00pm -- we will start preparations for the biggest event of the year for our lodge, the St. Patty's Day festival. Join the committee and get involved!

Next meeting, it's a New Year!

2006-12-26T18:47:00.000-08:00

Yup. It's 2007 already. Our next meeting will be January, 3 --- so get over your holiday hangovers people, we have work to do! Just a quick look back on the site soon, we will get photos of the great holiday party the brothers from Mineola invited us to. Thanks guys!

Coming up is planning for our big AFC-NFC Championship party in High Definition! January 21-- don't miss it!

Welcome New Oddfellows!

2006-12-10T22:07:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful initation ceremony and now four new brothers are part of the Rockville Centre lodge. Welcome:

Anthony Mazzitelli
Jonathan Lass
Scott Ketler
Bobby Whelan

We look forward to seeing you all at future meetings and events. Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 20.

Annual Holiday Party Coming Up!

2006-11-28T04:41:00.000-08:00

We will join our brothers at Mineola Lodge at PIccola Bussola Restaurant in Mineola on Saturday December 9th at 7:30pm You must be reserved for this event to attend. Contact brother Ajello at the lodge if you haven't arleady reserved your space.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 6. Just a reminder that we are doing an intiatory degree! WE NEED ALL BROTHERS TO ATTEND.

Turkey Delivery Day

2006-11-19T19:22:00.000-08:00

turkey delivery
Photo by Rich Rich Karacas

Members of Rockville Centre's Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 279 stand with Anthony Brunetta as they present cases of turkeys to the Recreation Centre's annual drive to provide turkey dinners for those in need at Thanksgiving. From Left are Noble Grand Sal Palazzolo, Past Grands Dave Reese and Carl Weeks, Recreation Center director Anthony Brunettta, Past District Deputy Grand Master John Pucciarelli, Tom Bogue and his son Conner and Secretary Dave Ajello.

Brothers, remember our next meeting is December 6, so please attend. If you have not paid your dues yet, here is a chance to redeem yourself. Remember, our holiday party is Dec. 9 in Mineola. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A Great Night followed by dissapointment

2006-10-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

The last lodge meeting on Oct. 18 was followed by a great game - as the Mets beat the Cards to advance to Game 7 of the NLCS. It was a great night to see brothers old and new. On the other hand, the Mets ended up losing the series to the Cards the next day. Oh well... better luck next September.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, November 1 at 8:00pm

Installation of Lodge #279 Officers

2006-10-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

We had a great turnout at our lodge last week. A special thanks to the members of Mineola lodge for performing the ceremony. As usual, Brother Pucciarelli did a great job with the catering. Brother Rich Karacas has taken some nice photos of the event. You can view them here. Our new officers are:

Nobel Grand - Sal Palazzolo
Vice Grand - Michael Zurell
Treasurer - Thomas Bogue
Secretary - David Ajello
Financial Secretary - Aaron Kupferberg

I saw a few brothers I have not seen in a long time. Welcome back! We want to make our lodge a comfortable place for all our brothers to meet. During the 2006-2007 year our lodge will have many exciting social and charitable events. We want you to get involved - so come to the meetings! Our next one is October 18th.

The Sept. 20 meeting review

2006-09-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

Much like the lonely Maytag repairman, if very few brothers show up at our meeting - we don't get enough accomplished. If our fellow brothers attendance were as dependable as Maytag, I would have alot more to talk about here.

However, despite this we need everyone to attend the next meeting on October 4th, for Officers Installation. Also yearly dues deadline is this meeting. I will send out notices next week to the membership. On a quick note: If your dues from last year have not been paid you will be getting a member suspension notice.

Next Meeting is Sept.20

2006-09-11T21:08:00.000-07:00

New members need to initiated soon! We need to plan for our future and let the lodge continue to grow by evaluating the prospective members. A more detailed agenda will follow on this site after this meeting. Please submit your yearly dues payment at this upcoming meeting - after October your dues will be late and I will send out the dreaded reminder slip in the mail!

Things are cooking at the Lodge!

2006-08-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

Things are cooking at the Lodge!
Originally uploaded by doctoraok.

Our first Meeting of the new year (06-07) will be on Wednesday, September 6, 2006.

Don't be late. We have some new officers this year that really want to "shake things up alot" this year and make it a better lodge for everyone. We expect more members to get involved as well. A reminder to any members who haven't paid yearly dues for last season (you know who you are) - you will be removed from our membership roster in October.

"Singin' in the Rain" The Rockville Centre Street Fair

2006-06-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

So this past sunday (6/25) the Odd Fellows set up a booth at the annual Rockville Centre Street Fair. We were planning on selling ice cold bottles of Poland Spring and giving away some giant Hercules pens. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate - and the monsoons kept most of the vendors and crowd away from the street fair. I think we sold all of 6 bottles of water and everyone involved got drenched - however, we had excellent participation from the lodge and enjoyed the time we spent there. Thanks to all involved, Dave, Tom, Rich, Scott, Sal, etc.

Our next meeting will be an informal July card game. Details coming soon. Enjoy the summer!

Raconteur or Odd Fellow?

2006-06-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

As shown in the current issue of GQ Magazine. We have a photo of Jack White (White Stripes) and Brendan Benson, who are members of the super-hot rock band The Raconteurs. As you see, in the blow up of the photo Jack is holding the IOOF Guide to Odd Fellowship manual. So, are the Raconteurs also Odd Fellows? The GQ article does not mention anything about it - however it makes a good recruiting image! Thanks to Mike Zurrell for finding this one.

Remember, next meeting is our last one before summer break, Wed. June 21 - we will finalize our RVC Street Fair plans. The Hercules pens have arrived! Brothers who attend our next meeting will get a FREE pen. These huge pens WILL get us noticed around the community!

Photo by Keiron O'Connor

The IOOF District Picnic 2006

2006-06-12T19:59:00.000-07:00

district3
Originally uploaded by doctoraok.

It was beautiful day - with perfect clear blue skies at the Mineola Lodge. The Mineloa Odd Fellows were excellent hosts and it was good to see everyone and shoot the breeze. The brothers all enjoyed lots of excellent food and plenty of refreshments. Many thanks to the brothers who attended to make the picnic a success. To see more photos of the event click here

IOOF Nassau District Picnic at Mineola Lodge

2006-06-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, June 11th

Grab a folding chair and head out to Mineola-Pacific Lodge for a day of food, fun and awesome Barbeque! The event starts at 10:00am and continues into the afternoon. See you all there!
The Lodge is located at 236 Willis Ave. in Mineola

Oddfellows Memorial Service

2006-05-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Oddfellows Memorial Service
Originally uploaded by doctoraok.

Last Wednesday we had our Oddfellows Memorial to honor the brothers and sisters who passed away this year. NY Grand Master Carmine Manzolillo attended and read the main service. He was assisted by brothers Dave Ajello, Rich Kareckas, Dominic Oreste and our Noble Grand Sal Palazzolo. Mineola Noble Grand Michael Hillkewicz also attended. It was a good service and the food was again excellent, thanks to brother John Puccharelli. To see photos of the event taken by Brother Rich Kareckas click here

Degree Rally coming soon!

2006-05-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

At the memorial service we will need to discuss with
Mineola Lodge a degree rally for our and their members to receive all
degrees. In the past we would hold it on a Saturday morning.

Odd Fellow Pens

2006-05-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

Odd Fellow Pens
Originally uploaded by doctoraok.

Here are two designs for odd fellow pens I can have made. It takes about 5 business days and both pen designs cost about the same. Let me know what you think.

DON'T FORGET! MAY 17 (this coming Wed.) is the IOOF District Memorial Service. It starts at 8:00pm Come early if you want, but don't come late! Oddfellows from all over Long Island will be there!

IOOF Memorial Service on May 17th

2006-05-04T04:41:00.000-07:00

Next meeting is the Annual IOOF Memorial Service. This is an open meeting at 8:00pm. We honor the memory of those Brothers and Sisters who have died since last years service in May 2005.

Please make your best effort to attend.

MEETING RECAP: Our last meeting was very informal and many issues were brought up including looking forward to June's events, which include the Nassau District Picnic and the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce Street Fair.

Next meeting May 2

2006-05-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

Our next meeting is at 8:00pm at the Lodge.
Please come on time! Thanks!

Welcome to the new site!

2006-05-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

In an effort to make the Oddfellows web site more accessible to more computers, I have created this blog.