by Bea Peterson
Van Rensselaer Star Lodge No. 400 celebrated its Annual Ladies Appreciation and Awards Night on Saturday, April 17, at the Grange Hall in Hoosick. Lodge Master Bruce Hansen welcomed members and guests and the invocation was given by Jason Dzembo, Hudson-Champlain Regional Assistant Grand Lecturer. Everyone enjoyed a roast beef dinner with home made pies served by members of the Grange.
District Deputy Grand Master Alan Valente thanked everyone for coming and noted it was a great turnout of members. He called the Hoosick Masons the “biggest little Lodge” in his District. “It is the smallest Lodge in the District, but it has the biggest heart and the biggest history,” he said. Lodge No. 400 dates back to 1856. Valente noted that many who served in the Revolutionary War, including George Washington, were Masons.
Girl Scouts Honored
Girl Scouts Kristin Bird, Somer Cook and Samantha Skott of Troop 1415 received Girl Scouts’ highest honor, the Gold Award,
earlier in the day Saturday. The Masons recognized that outstanding achievement in the evening by presenting the Scouts with pins and certificates that honored them for their accomplishments.
Service Awards
Anson Kipp and Maurice Andrew received scrolls and pins honoring their 25 years as Masons. Robert Cook was honored for 40 years as a Mason. Also honored for 40 years was Samuel Cottrell who was unable to attend the event.
The evening concluded with a beautiful Flag Ceremony presented by the Lumiere Chapter, Constellation Girls and Benediction by Jason Dzembo.
