K n i g h t t a l s e l y

VOL 45 #2OCT 2

020

NEW CITY ORANGETOWN LODGE 854

Knights f Pythias

SUN. 11-DOKK Executive Board at

9 AM Airmont DinerTUE. 13-

Lodge Zoom Meeting7:30pm

TUE. 27-Dinner at New 304 Diner

7:30pm TBD.

As we begin the start of a new year, I hope that everyone is well. We have all gone through a very difficult time with the pandemic and I send my condolences to anyone who lost

someone due to Covid-19 or for any other reason. I can only hope and pray that everyone has a better year to come and that each of you

continues to be well. Condolences are sent to the family of PGC Sheldon Blitz who passed away on September 11, 2020 at the age of 85. The Grand Lodge Procla-mation can be seen on line. On Sunday, September 13th our lodge had an in person meeting in the backyard of PDSC Sir Michael Sukenick’s home. This enabled us to have a ritualistic

meeting where we were able to conduct business and elect officers. I would like to thank Michael for his hospitality in hosting the meeting. At this meeting I was elected to serve our lodge in the capacity of Chancellor Commander. I take this obligation seriously and assure you that I work hard for the benefit of the lodge. The lodge will next meet on Tuesday, October 13th at 7:30 PM via Zoom. The Zoom meetings have worked out well as it provides the opportunity for out of state members to join the meeting and reconnect. I would therefore like to invite all of our out of state memb-ers as well as in state members who are not able to attend meetings for whatever reason to join our Mon. Oct.19 District Zoom meeting. See p5

Happenings

F R I E N D S H I P B E N E V O L E N C E C H A R I T Y

o c t o b e r

Zoomin’ at ya !

“Message from Chancellor CommanderCDGC Steven Gold”

Bruce Sicherman invites you all to our Zoom meetings

every month on the third Mon. at 7:30 pm.

TOPIC: 72ND DISTRICT

2020 - OCT 19, NOV 16, DEC 21,

2021 - JAN 18, FEB 15,

MAR 15, APR 19, MAY 17, JUN 21,

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PYTHIAN C STLE HALLS THROUGHOUT THE USA

This historic 3-story brick and stone Pythian Castle was built in Portsmouth Virginia about 1897-8 for

the Atlantic Lodge, Knights of Pythias. It was designed by architect Edward Overman in the Romanesque Revival style of architecture. Like many multistory (See p 8)

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T H O U G H T S

!From Schwart z!“

“

I feel obligated to express my opinionon the most serious

issue that has arisen since I joined the Pythian Order over 20 years ago. I, and many other Broth-ers, are not willing to risk getting Covid 19 in order to protect the sanc-tity of our rituals. To me, the thing thatmakes us special is our allegiance to, ”FCB”. The “B” is not as important as it oncewas. It does not attract new members, but itdoes keep some old ones paying dues. TheFriendship and Charity are what make us true Pythians, especially 21st Century America, where many people seem to be out only for their narrow self interest. However, now we have a split between Brothers who want to meet in person and Brothers who, like me, weigh the risk and benefit of everything we do since the Pandemic started. To me, taking any risk of contracting Corona Virus to have live in person meetings because the Grand Tribunal decided that we cannot fully function on Zoom, makes no sense. The fear of compromising our sacred rituals, is truly antiquated. We don’t even do the old theatrical initiations any more and no

one is out to steal our other rituals. There exists a possibility that one or more members may get sick and even die to preserve a Ritual that serves no purpose in the Pan- demic altered world that we live in. I hope that I am wrong and that no one does get sick or dies from meeting at an in person event in a backyard or going to the GL Convention at Antuns or even going out for dinner right now. Doing any other risky in person activities so that we can keep our secrets is just not worth a single Pythian life. I person-ally am taking calculated risks by working and going to stores etc, but I weigh the risk and the benefit of each activity. I also religiously wear a mask, wash my hands, keep social distancing and avoid crowds along with avoiding other actions that create added risk. Personally, I see risk without any benefit from attend-ing live Pythian meetings until I develop immunity to Corona Virus. Other Brothers who feel as I do or disagree with me should write to Nate to add your thoughts on this life and death issue. Fraternally Yours,

Dan Schwartz

Sept. 21, the 46th District Past Chancellors' Asso-ciation via Grand Lodge. THEY ZOOMED IT

Sept. 23, at Grand Lodge Convention in Queens Village the number of attendees was limited. All signed a form attesting to lack of exposure to Covid, and being symptom free. Temperatures were taken. Social distancing and masks strictly adhered to. THEY MET.

Thursday through Tuesday, October 1 through 6, Supreme Convention at Liberty International Airport Marriott Hotel, Newark, NJ New dates April 29 - May 4, 2021. THEY RESCHEDULED

Monday, October 5, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Grand Coun-cil Meeting (By Invitation ONLY) THEY’RE ZOOMING IT

How Grand Lodge is handling attendance at Lodge functions.

Ultimately we are responsible for... all of us.

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To Zoom... ...Or What?

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I will see to it that all views get published in an upcoming edition of the Knightly Tales. Just email me at nafiar@aol.com ... or regular mail me at Nate

Fiarman, 217 Strawtown Road, West Nyack, NY 10994. The Editor

Scholarship OfficersPres-PDSC Sir Michael Sukenick VP-Dr. Joel Klein Sec-PACDGC Bruce Sicherman Treas-PDSC Sir Roger Siegel Change Of Address? Tell PACDGC Bruce SichermanSunshine Committee Chairman - TBDGrand Lodge: www.kopny.com Supreme Lodge: www.pythias.orgKnightly Tales Staff

Editor - Nate Fiarman 914-715-2176 nafiar@aol.com - Knightly Tales is in the mail, and also online at our website http://kop854.org Benevolent Association - In case of death Notify: President - PGC ST Alan Ast (H)634-7891 (W)638-9344 Rec-ommended Chapel Hellman Memorial Chapels 845-356-8600The advertisements in Knightly Tales are to the best of our knowledge

accurate representations of the products and services offered. However, no en-dorsement by New City-Orangetown Lodge, Knights of Pythias is intended or implied. Directions to Castle Hall, Street School Rte 59 to Rte 304 N. Left on Congers Rd. Right on N. Main St. Continue 2-3 miles to Clarkstown Rec. Complex. Take 2nd or 3rd left turn. Entrance is behind War Memorial Park.

3

Chancellor Commander,CDGC Steven Gold dgcsteveg-old@gmail.com c 845-597-5141h 845-238-3939

Vice Chancellor, PCDGCSir Ronald Klare 845-774-8879 eggklare@yahoo.com

Master of Work, Alt. GL Rep PDSC Sir Michael Sukenick 914-596-1155, 845-634-8837 sirmike2012@

Fin Sec/Treas PACDGC,Bruce H. Sicherman, bsich@optonline.net 845-634-0180 c.

Master At Arms George Grey845-352-6456geocal23@yahoo.com

Cemetery Chairman Grand Lodge Rep ST Sir Alan Ast 845-834-7891 aaast@aol.com

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS NEW CITY/ ORANGETOWN LODGE 854Officers 2018-19

Inner GuardPACDGCDr. Joel Klein 634-5885 jmklein1019@yahoo.com

Recording Sec PDGC Dan Schwartz 942-5846 selectsls@aol.com (C) 914-261-6299 P.O. Box 416, Thiells, N.Y. 10984

Outer Guard GC Randy Silverman

STATE OF NEW YORK

Prelate ACDGCAlan Rosenfeld 973-492-5700alanrosenfeld@verizon.net

Two Year TrusteePDGC Jeff Nulman 354–5365 socceref14@aol.com

...AND WHAT’S MORE...THEY STILL LOVE US !• Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100 • You can open all your own jars. • Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. • Every-thing on your face stays its origi-

nal color. • The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades. • You only have to shave your face and neck. • Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. • You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. • You can ‘do’ your

nails with a clipper.• On a lighter note, here’s something we can all agree on: the vaccine should be tested on politicians first. If they survive, the vaccine is safe.If they don’t, the country is safe. The IMan

Three Year TrusteePC Lou Morris914-715-5915poppimomo@aol.com

One Year TrusteeGVC Harvey Rosensheinfoodsvce@optonline.net845-425-3059

CORONHA

The way to aKNIGHT’S Heart FOOD EDITOR PDGC CHEF JEFF WIESEN

“What’s cookin’ at my house?”

Banana Bread

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Ingredients / Utensils• 1 stick butter (unsalted preferred)• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour• 3 over-ripe bananas • 1/2 cup white +1/2 cup brown sugar (Stevia can be substituted)• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract• 1/2 cup of milk (any type)• 2 eggs (beaten)• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon• 1/2 tsp. salt• 1 tsp. baking soda• 1 tsp. baking powder• 1 cup chopped walnuts __________________ • 1 glass /metal loaf pan 5”x 9”• Electric or hand mixer or whisk• 1 med and 1 lg mixing bowls

directions1. Set oven on bake at 325 degrees. 2. Grease pan with butter and sprinkle flour lightly on bot-tom and sides.3. In the medium bowl, combine white and brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly.4. In the large bowl mix the beat-en eggs, butter, vanilla extract, bananas and milk.5. Combine ingredients together

in the large bowl.6. Mix the chopped walnuts into the bat-ter and pour into the loaf pan.7. Garnish with wal-nuts on top.8. Place in the pre-

heated oven at 325 degrees for 70 min.9. Remove and let cool.10. Use a knife and score around the perimeter to ease the removal of the banana bread when fully cooled after 20-30 more min.11. Slice and refrigerate.

“Enjoy! I bet you won’t have any leftovers!”

Like a good neighbor stay over there.• So in retrospect, in 2015, not a single person got the right answer to “where do you see yourself 5 years from now?”• WARNING Bars need your help. We can only open at 1/3 of our capacity! Those who cannot drink for 3 are kindly asked to leave their place to the PROFES-

SIONALS !! • Are you practicing safe six? (feet that is)• During the Middle Ages they celebrated the end of the Plague with wine and orgies. Anyone know what’s planned at the end of this one?• The 11th Commandment. Thou shalt not Covid thy neighbor’s life... wear thy mask.• My friend went out on this date again. He said it took him 3 dates

to get under her mask.• And who disguised as Clark Co-rona, keeps Howie Edelstein very safe and looking sharp.

CORONHA HUMOR

Holy Challah! Challah is a rich eggy bread baked every week for the Jewish Sabbath. It is usually oblong and braided. However, for the Jew-ish New Year, Rosh Hashana, it is

baked round. This symboliz-es the year which is round. It represents that idea. It looks like a crown, for crown-ing God as king on Rosh

Hashana. It also represents the circle of life- having no beginning

nor end. I hope you enjoyed my challah recipe in the September issue. You don’t have to be Jew-ish to to love challah. Remember, it makes delicious french toast! Yummm! Wishing good health and happiness to all. Chef Jeff

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Bruce will be sending out the zoom link and meeting ID shortly but if you do not receive his email, contact Bruce and he will provide you the information you need to join the zoom meeting. On October 27 we will have

an open dinner out at the New 304 Diner. However, due to the current restrictions on restaurants, we anticipate having to have smaller tables in order to comply with current restrictions. As we get closer

to the date, we will send an email with additional information. However, in order for us to properly plan, I ask that you email me at dgcstevegold@gmail.com if you plan on attending so proper arrangements can be made. In closing, I look forward to the time when we can once again meet in person on a regular basis and for us to get back to a somewhat normal situation. Until then, continue to be well and please take the proper precautions to stay safe.

CC Steven Gold, CDGC

“Message from Chancellor Commander CDGC Steven Gold”

CONTINUES The Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias of the domain of New York mourns the passing of

our esteemed brother, Past Grand Chancellor Sheldon Blitz on Septem-ber 11, at the age of 85. Sheldon joined The Order in 1956 and became an active member of Criers Lodge for approximately 64 years. In 2004 Supreme Lodge conferred Life Membership upon him. Our deepest and sincerest sympa-thies to the Blitz family on the pass-ing of Past Grand Chancellor Shel-don Blitz. He will surely be missed. SEE PROCLAMATION ON LINE

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NEW CITY ORANGETOWN LODGE 854

Knights f PythiasKnights f

Pythias K n i g h t t a l

s e l y

PYTHIAN C STLE HALLS CONTINUED

urban fraternal buildings built in the late 19th early 20th centuries, its street floor was rented out for retail and office spaces while the upper floors were reserved for lodge use. Sold by the Knights in 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Today the ground floor is a Mexican eatery.