S
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Vol. 10
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Issue 3 • Autumn 2018 • Free
Meet.2 Ou.3r.3 Fo.2ur.3-Legged.2 Friend.2,
Len.3n.2y.4!
An Of ficial Publication of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of New Jersey
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Welcome to
The Samaritan An Official Publication of the New Jersey Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
A Four-Legged Odd Fellow?
Please send any and all IOOF related news with any identifying info to ioof_nj@comcast.net This is YOUR magazine so any comments or suggestions are always welcome, too!
Our success depends on YOU! .O I.O .F.
International
PRESS Association
Promoting Odd Fellowship through Positive Communication
Beth Obiedzinski-Garvin
Pastor Roman Photographer
Jim Stiles Proofreader
Steven Wooton
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P.2a.3t.4r.2ia.3r.2ch.6
x
Editor/Art Director
ch Matriar
Fact Checker
Cover Photo: Meet Lenny Photo by Shane Guymon
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Odd Fellows Who Mean Business Debbe McClelland Grand Secretary
4527 Rt. 130 South Burlington, NJ 08016
United States of America oddfellows22@comcast.net
609-386-0025 or 609-519-8504 GRAND LODGE MEETINGS First Saturday of each month at 9:00 am
Grand Master Message............................................ 3 Grand Patriarch Message........................................ 4 Events...................................................................... 6 Hire An Odd Fellow................................................ 7 The Samaritan
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Photo by Vicki Burger
Raul takes some time out from his busy schedule to enjoy some blue claws at the SGL International celebration of 200 years of Odd Fellowship in the US. Raul and his wife Adis, on board the NB6 float at the 2018 Milltown 4th of July Parade. Photo by Tom Calabrese
A message from
The Grand Master
Thank You!
G
reetings to all my Brothers and Sisters, Once again I’ll like to thank you for electing me as your Grand Master. My year started great as I attended Grand Lodge Picnic. I was greeted by the members and friends in a very special way. I was able to greet all and spend time with each person there. I have been to many functions, and even started to do out of state visits. I hope that I’m able to fulfill my duties as thing get more complicated due to wanting to be everywhere. In Friendship, Love, & Truth, Raul Rodriguez, Grand Master
Back to School The Annual Back to School Uniform drive for low income students in Hudson County was held on September 6th. The photo below depicts the "calm before the storm" as brothers and sisters of Amor y Verdad No. 118 prepare for the arrival of 350 students! Special thanks to the NJ Grand Lodge, Grand Encampment, Alvarez del Portal, Sanchez Moya, and all the brothers and sisters who donated their time.
Photo by Pastor Roman
On August 9th, both Felix Claro and Carlos Lopez celebrated 50 years of Friendship, Love, & Truth!
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Photos by Pastor Roman
A MEssage from
The Grand Matriarch
Keeping The Encampment Tradition Alive
N
ow that Autumn is in full swing, it and How can I help? Think doesn’t seem possible that my instal- about it because we’ll revisit lation as Grand Matriarch was al- these questions at the end of this most six months ago. I’m happy to report that article. I had a full staff before the end of the Grand I was not able to attend Encampment meeting. My staff of Officers the Camp CHAT or for the 2018-2019 term is as follows: Tom Burlington Gift Calabrese, Grand High Priest; Guido Miof Life summer randa /Roman Cartagena, Grand Senior time events due Warden; Brian Simmons, Grand Junior to my Mother’s Warden; Grand Scribe, Steve Wooton; 80th Birthday Grand Treasurer, Bob Wooton; Grand Bash and subRepresentative, Steve Wooton; Grand sequent family Marshal, Pastor Roobligations. man; Grand Inside However, I was Sentinel, Debbe able to attend McClelland; Grand the Family AcOutside Sentinel, tivities Trenton Don't forget— Carlos Lopez; Grand Thunder Game Instructor, Guido and NJ Statewide If you refer to me Miranda; and AdviPicnic. If you’ve never been sory Officer , Manny as Grand Patriarch, to these events make sure you Sosa. The District get to them next year. Not Deputy Grand Ma- it's $ . to my fund, only are they FUN, but the triarchs/Patriarchs food is exceptional and the are: Maruchy LoThe Pinelands camaraderie can only be pez Arenas, Lafound at an Odd Fellow dies Encampment Preservation gathering. I’d like to perAuxiliary (No. 96); sonally thank the Picnic Alliance Lillian New, Ladies Committee (Ben Encampment Aux-
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iliary (No. 23); Fernando Pita, District 1: Encampment Nos. 11, 15, 117, and Brian Simmons, District 2 & 3: Encampment Nos. 1, 23, 30, 43, 60. Thank you to everyone who stepped up! If you’re reading this and aren’t a member of the Encampment, I have two questions— Why not?
Photos on pages 4 & 5 by Vicki Burger, Beth O.Garvin, and Pastor Roman
and Vicki Burger, Gary and Sandy Clemmens, Marcia Lopez Aruajo and daughter Chambelli) for their hard work and NOT having the pie eating contest. Special thanks to Guido and Marilyn Miranda for sending The Samaritan
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trays of delicious fresh pulled pork, rice, beans, and fresh yucca! On August 18th, Steve Wooton (GE Rep) and I headed down to Baltimore, MD for the Sovereign Grand Lodge (SGL) Session kicking off 200 years of Odd Fellowship in the United States. Also in attendance from NJ were SGL Rep Tom Calabrese, Grand Lodge Secretary Debbe McLelland with husband Al, and Rebekah Rep Vicki Burger. I heard a rumor that GM Raul and PGM Ben were at the Crab Feast hosted by Washington Lodge No. 1, the lodge where it all began in 1819. Steve and I have been making the trek to SGL Sessions for 10 years. This yearly international session has become somewhat akin to a Family Reunion although there’s a lot more work involved. The Session officially begins at 8 am in the morning and usually let’s out about noon, followed by a lunch, followed by committee meetings, committee meetings, and more committee meetings. For a detailed account of the proceedings check out the official report by our SGL Rep Tom Calabrese. The 2019 SGL session will be in Winston-Salem, NC when I will be Past Grand Matriarch (PGM) and will be able to attend the PGM meetings. Who knew there were so many of us? If you’d like to attend next year’s session in August, it’s an incredible learning experience. For info contact the GL Secretary or checkout the website at www.ioof.org. I suffer from “Winter Denial”, a self-diagnosed affliction that begins every year sometime after Labor Day. Fortunately, it wasn’t that bad this year, as I began attending some Odd parties and began making GE Official Visits (OV). My first stop was on September 9th to celebrate the 27th Anniversary of Sanchez Moya in West NY, NJ. There were over 80 people in attendance that was also open to the public. It’s always a pleasure to visit my sisters and brothers up North. It has been my experience, even before I became an Odd Fellow, to be treated like family. I am welcomed with open arms, fed really well, and once the music starts, everyone is up dancing! My September continued to be a busy month with two back to back GE OV’s— Sept. 21st at Catalina Garcia LEA No. 96 followed with Michael Popik No. 117 on the 24th. Unfortuantely, due to the passing of Brother Julio Mercer we combined the visits to one on Sept. 24th. My love and condolences to Julio’s family and friends. I sincerely have a lot of love and admiration for these Encampments due to their consistent display of generosity and hard work in maintaining the Order in all areas not just the Encampment. Let’s revisit the questions I posed in the beginning of
A MEssage from
The Grand Matriarch hour before French. Also, I was curious to see what it was about so the question I asked myself was “Why not?” If you’re still reading, why not check it out? I’ll help you in anyway I can. If I don’t have an answer, I’ll direct you to my own personal Scribe… Recently, I began wondering if members don’t join the Encampment due to the attitude of indifference toward the Encampment (and other branches of the Order) due to the prevalent “One Body” chant. I don't only hear it in NJ, it’s at a national level. What if we do become “One Body”? I’m not sure how I feel about condensing the Order. I see the benefits but I also see it have a concern on a grander scale. My concern is that presently we are not one body and we should work to uphold the Encampment tradition. We need to be diligent in our message and methods so the attitude of indifference creeping into the branches doesn’t follow us — should it occur that we do become One body — or our Order will simply become a fond memory. I look forward to seeing you around this great state of New Jersey! In Faith, Hope, & Charity Beth Obiedzinski-Garvin Grand Matriarch
~
...so the question
I asked myself was
Why Not? this message with regards to YOU dear reader, as to why you’re aren’t in the Encampment and how can I help? If you are involved, well, F,H,&C to you and see you soon :). I joined simply because I was asked. I decided since I already made the hour and half trip to my home lodge, French Lodge No. 89, I might as well make an evening of it and attend Arthur Baker Encampment No. 1. an
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H.2eeer.2r.2r.2e's.2 Len.3n.2y.3!
efore the end of Past Grand Patriarch Manny Sosa’s term, the Grand Encampment met and voted to sponsor a Vet Dog from The Guide Dog Foundation/America’s Vet Dogs (GDF/AVD). This is not the first time we have teamed up with the Guide Dog foundation. The Grand Lodge of New Jersey sponsored a Lab named Sarge after a long standing member of Amity Lodge. Lenny, is in memory of our Past Grand Master Len Burger (I'm not naming all of the positions he held in NJ and at the SGL but contact me and I'll give you Ben's number, email, or both). If anyone knew Len, they would know that military life was more than a job it was his PASSION. So it is only fitting that little Lenny will be aiding one of our Veterans. Currently he is in training and getting bigger every day. He will return to Smithtown NY for his final training. Then he will meet his new handler and they will train together. GDF/AVD is a great organization that is doing some great work. I have witnessed it first hand and was amazed at the facility, employees, and care taken with each dog. Their mission is to help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence. The service dog programs of America’s VetDogs® were created to provide enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, allowing them to
individuals, corporations, foundations, businesses, and service/fraternal clubs. Once they make the decision to get a service dog, applicants become part of VetDogs’ open and welcoming community. They are supported with an uncompromising commitment to excellence, from highly empathetic and certified trainers to a meticulously constructed curriculum. VetDogs teams each student with the dog that’s right for them – and the power of their bond makes ordinary moments extraordinary. Crossing the street independently becomes a moment of liberation. Traveling alone becomes a welcome adventure. Embracing new experiences becomes an everyday occurrence. If you would like to make a donation or need further information about GDF/AVD you can reach out to them at www.vetdogs.org. ~Steve Wooton D AV F/ GD y of Certificate courtes
once again live with pride and self-reliance. Not only does a service dog provide support with daily activities, it provides the motivation to tackle every day challenges. VetDogs trains and places service dogs for those with physical disabilities; guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision; service dogs to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder; hearing dogs for those who have lost their hearing, and facility dogs as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog; however, all of VetDogs’ services are provided at no charge to the individual. Funding comes from the generosity of
Join Us!
Have Minion Will Travel PGM Ben Burger and PGP Manny Sosa are seen here on their last trip together in June 2018 on an official visit to Medford Lodge.
December 2018
3 December 1: ECF Christmas Party (South), For info: Steve Wooton 856-217-6382 3 December 2: Jingle Bell Run, Metuchen, NJ 08840. For info: Emily Meyers at emeyers@arthritis.org or call 856-673-1362
The GL of the IOOF NJ and it’s respective Ongoing 2018 lodges, promotes and hosts many events 3 Fifth Wednesday of the Month: Ridgely Canton No. 5, Burlington throughout New Jersey and the country. The Lodge, 4527 Rt. 130 South, Burlington, NJ 08016. Please contact following list is representative of some but Steve at wooton335@comcast.net or 856-217-6382 not all activities, fundraisers, and assorted Odd events that we’d love for you to attend. Don't forget to end your event info!
2018
And while you’re at it, bring a friend!
Deadline for the
The
November 2018
3 November 10: Union Lodge No. 213 Beef & Beer, Farmington, NJ, Contact Wayne Dilks 609-927-8362 3 November 11: Testimonial Dinner for NJ GM Raul Rodriguez. For info contact GL 609-386-0025 or 609-519-8504 The Samaritan
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December 8, 2018 6
Odd FellOws m
Accounting/Bookkeeping
Electrician
Accountant
Ted Morris Ted’s Electric & HVAC, LLC
accountingservicesbymarie@yahoo.com
28 Fountain Ct, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 www.tedselectricllc.com
Marie Rogerson
Rogerson’s Accounting & Bookkeeping 609-203-8638
Commercial/Industrial/Residential
856-418-8709
Financial Planning
Art/Graphic Design
Beth Obiedzinski-Garvin
Michael K. O’Connor
Active Hub Design
TFS Wealth Management 732-758-9300, ext. 214
Artist/Graphic Designer
Where Art and Technology Meet
609-294-0237
justelizabeth@aol.com
Financial Planner
moconnor@tfsweb.com www.wealthtfs.com
Marketing Services
Camera Repair
Pastor Roman
Mario B. Guzman, Jr., CEO
Specializing in Film Cameras
Secure Marketing Inc.
1409 Eleventh Street Noth Bergen, NJ 07047
609-816-7951
Roman Camera Repair 201-866-4673 camerasyes@aol.com
Crochet/Jewelry
Dot Planer
Handmade Jewelry & Crochet Items
2045 Lowell Avenue Mays Landing, NJ 08330
securemarketinginc@gmail.com Massage Therapy
Maritza Rodriguez
Licensed Massage Therapist NJ: 18KT01247200
Sellers of Purple
Modalities Include: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial, Aroma Therapy & Custom Massage
Dot 908-494-1441
mmrodriguezLMT@gmail.com
baby gifts, afghans, shawls, sweaters, poncho, slippers, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, & more!
sellersofpurple1614@gmail.com Entertainment
Beep Beep the Clown, LLC with Jeff Pennell
Balloonist, Magician, & Clown for all Occasions 609-893-0240 www.beepbeeptheclown.com
201-912-5424
Model Building
Hire Music/Music Instruction
Humberto Sanchez
Composer/Arranger/Teacher
Guitar • Piano • Percussion • Voice
786-319-2698 • 786-362-0926 rafastra@gmail.com humbertosanpe.h@gmail.com
Optometry
Dr. Peter K. Anderson
Eyecare, Eyeglasses, and Contact Lenses
Advanced Eyecare Center 215-946-8478 doc@drpeteranderson.com www.drpeteranderson.com
Pest Control
Orlando Ricardo, Jr.
Residential - Commercial - Industrial
Flash Exterminating Co., Inc.
406 36th Street • Union City, NJ 07087
201-348-1324 Fax: 201-864-0038
Real Estate Services
Mayra Cabrera Pardo Broker Associate
Keller Williams City Views Realty Office: 201-592-8900 Cell: 201-694-5711
mayra.cabrera.pardo@gmail.com Residential/Commercial Garage Doors
Jeff Pennell
Circus Model Building Programs
The History/Art of Circus Model Building
For your next Meeting or Special Event
609-893-0240 jpdoor@hotmail.com
Jeff Pennell
Installation and Repair
Jersey Pines Overhead Doors 609-338-5683 jpdoor@hotmail.com www.jerseypinesgaragedoor.com
What’s so ODD about hiring an Odd Fellow? Not a thing that we can think of, so we started a business listing featuring services, talents, and occasional hobbies for hire of our brothers and sisters. Email your listing info to IOOF_NJ@comcast.net. You will receive
a confirmation call so any listing without a phone number will not be published. We publish every two months so listings must be received a month prior to publication. Questions? Call Beth at 609-294-0237.
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of New Jersey 4527 Route 130 South Burlington, NJ 08016 Autumn Issue 2018
What’s so ODD about helping others? Want to know what makes us so ODD in New Jersey?
Chec k us o ut at: www.IOOFNJ.org • www.facebook.com/IOOFNJ
family
creative
women
youth
reliable help
hope
volunteer
humanity
respect harmony
universal justice fun
love truth
faith unity leadership universal justice relief fellowship honorable
research
what iscommunity an odd fellow? charity friendship men
visit the sick bury the dead educate the orphan relieve the distressed
I am an Odd Fellow! I believe in the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of man. I believe in Friendship, Love and Truth as basic guides to the ultimate destiny of all mankind. I believe my home, my church or temple, my lodge, a nd my community deserve my best work, my modest pride, my earnest faith, and m y deepest loyalty, as I perform my duty , to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan" and as I work with others to build a better world, because, in spirit and in truth, I am and must always be, grateful to my Creator, faithful to my country and fraternal to my fellow-man; I am an Odd Fellow!
faith
pro active
education conscientious devlopment universal fraternity
self... Are you ODD enough? And ask you r