July 24th was a HOT day, record Temperatures were forcast. But that's a lot better then a rainy day for a picnic. So it is no surprise that over 50 Brothers, their Ladies and Families found their way to the German Masonic Park, Tappan for our Annual Picnic.

Attendance at the picnic is always changing, not so much in numbers, but who makes it one year but not the next. Three of our five EA made it to the picnic this year, that alone is a great turnout. There are also always a few Brothers visiting from other Lodges, and this time we had the Schiller Lodge Picnic on the same day which makes for some masonic mingling.

Breakfast was a little bit delayed, Chef Mike was busy trying to install a ceiling Fan, which would have made the heat a lot more bearable. Unfortunately, the powerline must have been damaged and the project had to be abandoned for some future Work Crew. However, the Egg Sandwiches were delicious and you could smell the Bacon everywhere.

There were a lot of activities to be witnessed or to participate in. In one corner you would see some expert Chess game, in another a game of Skat. From far away you could see people in the shade of Trees exchanging masonic ideas for the Lodges and district. But the real action was on the Volley Ball Field. If there is a Ball game, you know were to look for Brother Thomas Demery. This time he had some help from his two son's who just joined the Lodge - or perhaps it was opposition since one of his juniors was on the other team.

After a workout like that, everyone is might hungry and by Three O'clock we finally had the Grill going. Brother Bodo took the first shift of Burger Flipping, who was soon assisted by Brother Tom and and Brother Don. Added were Bratwurst and Kassler Rippchen and Hot Dogs. Many Ladies brought Salads, Fresh cut Fruit and Home made Sweet Delights.

You wont believe how much Water people can drink on a Hot Day like this. Luckily we had the Beverages well prepared and there was plenty of everything. Brother Louis Sieb has been our beverage supplier for so many years now, how could we do this without him?

By 6 PM most of the clean up was completed and people started to leave. I think our Volley Ballers were still playing by Monday morning ...

Events like this one take a lot of work from a lot of people. It is great to see people jumping in to get something done and helping out. So my special thanks for this years Picnic go to Bodo Urban for working the Bar and Brother Don Gorham for manning the BBQ.

Everyone had a great time, lets do this again next year. Or even better - on Sunday, October 3rd is the Traubenfest - a District wide Fund Raiser at the Tappan Park. Lets all come out and support this event.