As I look out of my warm and comfortable room at the Masonic Care Community in Utica, NY, and see the lightly falling snow and the twinkle and sparkle of the Holiday Lights in the distance; I look forward to ushering in another joyful season of Christmas and Hanukkah.

It has been a very trying time and tough ordeal these past several months, but your prayers, good will and words of encouragement have healed and inspired me, and I can safely say that my long journey home is clearly within sight. Without question, this season I have much to be joyful and thankful for, especially, your unceasing outpouring of love, concern and support for my family and I. Thank you my Brothers.

As we reflect upon the many blessings each of us have received, let us not forget those many brave men and women currently serving in our Armed Forces, many of whom answering the call of duty, will be in foreign lands separated from their loved-ones during this Holiday Season. Remember them with prayer as you break bread with your family at the Holiday Table, knowing that they are preserving the freedoms we all hold dear.

On behalf of our Deputy Grand Master, R:.W:. Brother Vincent Libone and Ginny, all of the Grand Line Officers and the Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge of New York, Babe and I extend our warmest and most sincere good wishes to each of you, your families and friends to have a peaceful, wonderful and blessed Christmas and Hanukkah. May the year ahead be filled with good health, prosperity and much success.

May God Bless you, may God Bless our young men and women of the Armed Forces, may God Bless our fraternal Brotherhood, and may God Bless our beloved country, the United States of America.

With kindest fraternal regards,

Edward G. Gilbert
Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York

Dear Brethren:

Be it known that at the Conference of Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries of North America, held from February 14 through February 18, 2009, the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of the State of New York and the Grand Lodge F.A. & A.M. of the District of Columbia entered into discussions concerning the resumption of fraternal relations between our two esteemed Grand lodges.

Therefore as a result of these cordial and amicable discussions, or differences were resolved contingent upon further deliberations to follow with explicit regard to the fraternal relations and future intercourse appertaining to our District Grand Lodge of Syria - Lebanon, the Lodges in Lebanon warranted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and the Lodge in Lebanon warranted by the Grand Lodge F.A. & A.M. of the District of Columbia.

In good faith and with this understanding, the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of the State of New York restored Full Masonic Relations and Mutual Recognition with the Grand Lodge F.A. & A.M. of the District of Columbia effective February 18, 2009.

Gilbert Savitzky,
Grand Secretary-PGT

Editorial Note:

Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Home will review solicitations submitted to The Empire State Mason magazine and will determine if they will be printed in the ESM and what the Lodge, District or committee will be charged. Prices are based on the full-page solicitation rate of $2,500.00 per full page. All solicitations must be prepaid before they appear in the magazine.

Also, no forms will appear in the magazine. Forms can be downloaded from this website.

Also Photos of Newly made Mason are not permitted to be shown in the ESM or any other publication until the individuals become Master Masons.