S The
amaritan
Vol. 13
Grand Master
2019~2020
Issue 2 • Summer 2021 • Free
Manny Sosa
2020~2021
An Of ficial Publication of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of New Jersey
In Rememberance • Man of Merit 2015
Brother Fernando Pita Álvarez
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o talk about Brother Pita brother is not easy, and we have to document ourselves with stories or records found in archives. Fernando Pita Alvarez was born in Guines, Havana, Cuba on October 18, 1936. One of 7 children to Ignacio and Mercedes, from an early age has dedicated himself to woodworking, making wagons for hauling sugarcane and manufacturing yachts, marine boats and making furniture. Being himself a master at woodwork he always encourages his assistants by saying “Woodwork is of Masters” and inspires them to always do a better job. He married Sister Maria Emilia Alvarez and from which marriage they procreated a son named Francisco. They have three grandchildren named Fernando, Flavia and Fabian. “The hinges of a door should be as perfect as a key in a lock”. Brother Pita is tireless which is why, rightly so, his assistants are left exhausted with fatigue and hunger during work because their teacher, Brother Pita, does not know about time or hunger or thirst. This I know for a fact because I have worked with him and his desire for perfection when completing a carpentry job can lead to despair for those of us that do not know carpentry.
ablar sobre el hermano Pita no es fácil, y tenemos que documentarnos con historias o registros encontrados en los archivos. Fernando Pita Álvarez, nació en Güines, en La Habana, Cuba el día 18 de octubre de 1936, hijo de Ignacio y de Mercedes formando una familia de 7 hermanos, desde muy joven se dedica a la carpintería, la elaboración de carretas de tiro de caña, fabricación de yates y botes marinos, y a la hechura de muebles para casas, el trabajo de carpintería es de maestros y siendo Fernando Pita un maestro en el arte de la madera siempre le dice a sus ayudantes maestros, para darle ánimos a seguir en el giro de la ebanistería y para hacer un trabajo mejor. Contrajo matrimonio con la hermana María Emilia Álvarez, de cuyo matrimonio procrearon un hijo nombrado francisco, tienen 3 nietos nombrados Fernando, Flavia y Fabián. La junta del marco de una puerta debe de quedar tan perfecta como una llave dentro de una cerradura, el maestro Pita es incansable, con razón los ayudantes van quedando rendidos de cansancio y hambre en su trabajo, pues el maestro Pita no
...his assistants are left exhausted, with fatigue and hunger... Brother Pita does not know about time, or hunger, or thirst.
Brother Pita left Cuba on February 10, 2000, settling in the city of Union City where he remains to date. Fernando Alvarez Pita joins the order on October 15, 1956 at the Lodge Arango y Parreño No. 64 of Guines, Havana, Cuba. During his fraternal career he has belonged to several institutions, including the Lodge Carlos Manuel de Cespedes No. 126, Guines Encampment No. 11, the Canton Amor y Justicia No. 10, Rebekah Lodge Hijas de Mayabeque No. 72, and Youth Lodge Leandro Rodriguez Hill No. 27. On April 27, 2000 he joined Alvarez Del Portal Lodge No. 285, then Michael Popik Jr. Encampment, and Rebekah Amor y Verdad No. 118 of Union City, NJ. During his fraternal life he has held various positions. Secretary of Records and Correspondence, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Grand, Noble Grande. In Grand Bodies of Grand Lodge of Cuba he was in different committees. District Deputy Grand Master, Chief Grand Patriarch, General Inspector of the Order, Commander in Chief, and Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge of Latin America during the years 1987 and 1988.
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His distinguished wife, Maria Emilia Alvarez, is also an active member of the Rebekah Amor y Verdad No.118 and was also President of the Rebekah Assembly of Cuba. In his social life Fernando Pita joined the Cuban Red Cross reaching the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and awarded two Medals of Merit. What else we could say about Brother Pita if already the following words say it all? We must not forget the reminder that his brothers in Cuba wrote. The following was written by Isidoro Sánchez Cordero. Fernando why do you go and leave your country behind? Don’t forget you leave thousands of brothers behind. But, we know you will continue our dream honoring God and Jose Marti. But as long as you continue to be as you there will never be a door that closes in our hearts for you. You lead thru a path that has more light than shadow. That is why you are so named ‘El Valle Mayabequino’ which flourishes your destiny, and since luck is crazy, ‘there’ Pita continued on page 6
tiene horas, ni hambre, ni sed, así lo he comprobado yo también, cuando he tenido que ser su ayudante, la perfección en la terminación de un trabajo de carpintería que esté realizando el hermano Pita, puede llegar al desespero del que lo observa si no conoce la carpintería. El hermano Pita salió de Cuba el día 10 de febrero del 2000, radicándose en la ciudad de Union City donde permanece hasta la fecha. Fernando Pita Álvarez ingresa en la orden el día 15 de octubre de 1956 en la logia Arango y Parreño # 64 de Güines, La Habana, Cuba En su carrera fraternal pertenece a varias instituciones, entre ellas la logia Carlos Manuel de Céspedes No. 126, Campamento Güines No. 11, al Cantón Amor y Justicia No. 10, a las Hijas de Mayabeque No. 72, a la Logia Juvenil Leandro Rodríguez colina No. 27. El día 27 de abril del 2000 se afilia a nuestra Logia Álvarez del Portal # 285, seguidamente al Campamento Michael Popik Junior y a la logia de Rebecas Amor y Verdad No. 118 de Union City. En dicha vida fraternal ha ocupado diversos cargos, Secretario de Actas y Correspondencia, Secretario de Finanzas, Tesorero, Vice Grande, Noble Grande. En los Grandes Cuerpos de la Gran Logia de Cuba en diferentes Comisiones. Diputado Gran Maestro de Distrito, Gran Patriarca Jefe, General Inspector de Rama, General en Jefe, y Gran Sire de la Gran Logia de la América Latina durante los años de 1987 y 1988. Su distinguida esposa, María Emilia Álvarez, también es mimbro activa de la rama de Rebecas, quien en Cuba llegó a ocupar diferentes cargos hasta llegar a ser Presidenta de la Asamblea de Rebecas de Cuba. En su vida social Fernando Pita ingreso en la Cruz Roja Cubana alcanzando el grado de 2do teniente y condecorado con 2 Medallas del Mérito. Que más pudiéramos hablar del hermano Pita si ya en estas palabras está dicho todo pero no debemos de olvidar el recuerdo de sus hermanos en Cuba. Fernando porque te vas y de tu patria te alejas no se te olvida que dejas miles de hermanos atrás sueño que allá seguirás honrándole a Dios, y a Martí mientras que sigas así como hasta ahora lo has hecho no habrá una puerta en mi pecho que se cierre para ti Te marchas por un camino con mucha más luz que sombra por eso tanto te nombra Pita continúa en la página 6
Originally compiled for The Samaritan Nov./Dec. 2015 • Compilado originalmente para The Samaritan noviembre / diciembre de 2015 The Samaritan
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Thank You, Manny 2.0! You Kept The Torch Lit!
The Samaritan
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Welcome to
The Samaritan An Official Publication of the New Jersey Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The ODD Light of Manny 2.0
.O I.O .F.
International
PRESS Association
Promoting Odd Fellowship through Positive Communication
Beth Obiedzinski-Garvin Editor/Art Director
Laura Baehr-Wooton Proofreader
Steven Wooton Fact Checker
Cover: Grand Master Manny Sosa File Photo
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Welcome
New Members
© 2021 New Jersey Grand Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of The Samaritan Committee, except in certain noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permissions, email request to: ioof_nj@comcast.net, attn: The Samaritan. Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarism is intentional theft and will not be tolerated. All written work submitted for publication will be verified by QUETEXT.com. If an article has been plagiarized, the submittor will be notified and the proper actions taken.
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ODD Treats & NCK Bakers
Grand Master Memories......................................... 3 Debbe McClelland Grand Secretary
Mailing Address: 4527 Rt. 130 South Burlington, NJ 08016 • U.S.A oddfellows22@comcast.net 609.386.0025 or 609.519.8504
GRAND LODGE MEETINGS First Saturday of each month at 9:00 am
ODD Insides........................................................... 5 Good of The Order.................................................. 7 Obituaries............................................................ 2,6 Canton Corner........................................................ 5 New Members......................................................... 7 Medford Lodge No. 100.......................................... 7 New City Kids......................................................... 7 The Samaritan
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Odd Insides
I
n preparing for the 188th NJ GL Session, end of the term in New Jersey, it’s difficult to ignore the big pink Covid-19 elephant in the room. This past year has really put the spotlight on many areas of our lives that the word normal doesn’t seem to have much meaning with so much change occurring. The one thing that has remained a constant for me is the good work that NJ IOOF membership has been able to continue, and here comes the phrase of the century, ‘despite Covid restrictions’. This issue of the
Canton o r n e r
with Steve Wooton PGM, PGP, Captain (R) Ridgely Canton No. 5 Clerk
H
ello from Ridgely Canton No. 5! New Jerseys’ Highest Branch of Odd Fellowship, The Canton, also known as the Patriarch Militants. Membership is open to an Encampment member who has attained the Royal Purple Degree. The name “Patriarchs Militant” conveys the two-fold idea of peace and soldierly valor. This branch is semi-military in character and formed solely for the purposes of chivalric display. Members are admirably fulfilling its mission through the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” dedication ceremonies held in Washington DC, Canada and other military dedication ceremonies conducted by Odd Fellows in various countries worldwide. If you are interested in becoming a Chevalier, please contact me at wooton335@comcast.net. We would love to have you join us at our next meeting which will be held October 2, 2021, 1pm at the GL Hall.
DEADLINE for the next
The Samaritan
July 25, 2021
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We will Remember Sometimes things have to break before you can fix them.
Samaritan, The Session Issue, is usually jam-packed averaging 32 pages of columns, photos, upcoming events, and of course, the GM photo montage of those very special moments. This issue is eight pages. But amidst all this stuff, the good, the bad, the broken, I’m grateful to my sisters, brothers,
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and friends who continued to carry on and share their experiences with the Samaritan staff. I heard someone say during my time during quarantine, “Sometimes things have to break before you can fix them.” (Google says it’s a Kami Garcia quote.) Hearing that put everything
into perspective for me. Instead of trying to figure out the why of what has happened, I felt a great deal of hope because the why doesn't matter, what matters is, IT can be fixed. As NJ begins to gain momentum in reopening, I’m looking forward to all that Odd Fellowship has to offer. I’m hopeful that not only can we fix ourselves, but we get back to the giving 110% in our quest to help others. I don’t know any other organization that is better at fixing than than us. In Friendship, Love, & Truth, Beth
History Will RemembeR In twenty years time...
People will not ask the children of 2020 if they caught up with their studies. They will not ask them what grades they made, despite the year off school. They will ask them with wonder ‘what was it like?’ They will ask them ‘how did you cope?’ ‘How did you feel?’ ‘What do you remember of those days?” They will listen in awe to the tales of clapping on doorsteps for the medical workers. They will sit open-mouthed to hear of daily walks being the only life we saw and how much we missed human contact and gatherings. They will be amazed to know about empty supermarkets, online concerts, birthdays spent on a screen and a life lived inside. They will listen then sit back with amazement and say, ‘Wow. You went through so much.’ So think about what you would like your children to take away from this whole year. Tell them they are not behind. Tell them they are not missing out. Tell them they are extremely special indeed and they will be forever made stronger by this unique time. Tell them catching up is not even a thing because they have grown so much in so many other ways.
The Samaritan
Remind them too of the fun stuff, the family jigsaws, the window rainbows, the zoom bingo. The feeling of safety and togetherness amidst the chaos. Let them take that thought with them through life.
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Change the narrative now and it will travel far. Tell the children they are not behind. They are special. They are special. by Donna Ashworth From History Will Remember When The World Stopped: poems from a pandemic
Robert Francis Lemon Robert F. Lemon passed away comfortably at his residence on January 3, 2021. Bob was born on December 4, 1934. He grew up in Linwood and graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1953. In 1955, he married Mary Lou Snyder. He began his career in public service as a dispatcher for Egg Harbor Township and in 1965, he became Egg Harbor Township’s first full-time Code Official and spent 33 years in that role. He served as the President of the Building Officials Association of NJ from 1986-1988; a member of the Building Official Code Administrators Board of Directors from 1992-1997 and was awarded the Wilbur H. Lind, Building Inspector of the Year Award (1988). He also taught at Atlantic Community College. Bob spent 18 years as a member of the Atlantic County Disabled Citizens Advisory Board. He was awarded special recognition for that role in 2010 at the Donald J. Sykes Award Ceremony. He joined the Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company in 1960 and was a Lifetime Member.
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ernando Pita entered everlasting rest on Monday, January 11th, 2021 at Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ. Of Union City, NJ he was born in Guines, Cuba. to his parents Ignacio Pita Darieas and Mercedes (Alvarez Miranda). He leaves behind his devoted wife Maria E. Pita (Alvarez) and his loving son Francisco Pita. He will be remembered by his adored grandchildren Fernando, Flavia and Fabian Pita, and his dear siblings Alberto, Maria and Ignacio. He is a proud member of the NJ Independent Order of Odd Fellows. ~ Barquin Funeral Home, LLC
Pita continuó de la página 2
Bob was a proud member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Lodge No. 213, since November 23, 2005. His hobbies included photography (for which he won several awards), woodworking, and traveling around the country in his RV. Bob is predeceased by his wife Mary Lou, brother (Thomas) and sister -in-law (Bernadette). He is survived by daughter Donna (Richard) Burger and son Robert (Patricia) Lemon of EHT; grandchildren Richard (Stephanie) Burger, Heather (Michael) D’Addario, Deven Burger, Kelly Burger, and John (Chelsea) Burger and 11 great-grandchildren; niece Fran (Mark) Ludwick and nephew Charles (Kelli) Lemon and his loyal cat, Bootsie. His Odd Fellow Memorial Service was offered Saturday, January 9th at 12 noon at The Godfrey Funeral Home of Egg Harbor Township, NJ where friends attended from ten o'clock until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company or the Ocean City Humane Society. The Samaritan
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el valle mayabequino que florezca tu destino como que la suerte es loca allá donde más se evoca la palabra porvenir ojalá puedas vivir con la sonrisa en la boca En el norte hermano espero que te endulce el corazón con estos versos que son de Isidoro Sánchez Cordero que allí siembres un cantero como aquí de flores buenas para que no encuentres penas por debajo de tu piel llévate toda la miel más dulce de mis colmenas Aunque no sigas aquí estrechándome la mano yo sigo siendo el hermano que no se olvida de ti mas dejas dentro de mi la pena más infinita tu ausencia Fernando Pita nos hace bastante mal a la casa fraternal el mejor horcón le quitas. ~Trabajo confeccionado por Pastor Hipólito Román Borges
Pita continued from page 2
where the word ‘future’ is evoked, we hope you will live with a constant smile on your face. My Brother, I hope in the North your heart will sweeten with these verses from Isidoro Sanchez Cordero. May you plant good flowers as you did here so that you never find sorrows under you skin and may you take all the sweetest honey from my hives. Although you may not be here shaking my hand, I am still your Brother and will never forget you. Your absence will leave us with infinite sorrow, Fernando Pita, and the strongest support will be missing from our fraternal house. ~Work compiled by: Pastor Hipólito Román Borges
Good of the Order
New Jersey Carries on
Medford Lodge No. 100 made a donation to the Walter Cavanaugh Food Bank (WCFB) operated by the Medford Lakes Lions Club. Geirr Stende, Noble Grand of Medford Lodge (left) and Ian Ruegg, President of the Medford Lakes Lions Club are seen in the photo below exchanging the $1,000.00 donation. The WCFB provides to those in need in the greater Medford Area (including Medford Lakes, Medford, Shamong, Tabernacle, and Vincentown). Great Work Everybody! Photo courtesy of Ken Boyles
Welcome our newest members to the IOOF NJ Family! Vicki Friedman of Amity Lodge No. 166 (sponsor Jeff Pennell, GH), Mary Lou Ward of Union Lodge No. 213 (sponsor Jim Smith, VG), and Sandy Smith of Union Lodge No. 213 (sponsor Jim Smith, VG).
Good Things Come to Those who Bake
Photos by Karen Dilsizian, NCK
Our friends at New City Kids held a Baking Life Skills Class that was a huge success! Ten participants learned how to make blondes, cookies, donuts, and cinnabuns over the five-week course. The teens picked up the ingredients in the insulated bags donated by IOOF NJ then headed over to ZOOM to receive their cooking instructions. We think next year there should be some IOOF NJ judges to sample the finished products… The Samaritan
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of New Jersey 4527 Route 130 South Burlington, NJ 08016 Summer • Session Issue 2021
What’s so ODD about helping others? Want to know what makes us so ODD in New Jersey?
t: C heck u s out a 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
rself ... Are you ODD enough? u o y k s a n d A