Freemasonry Tradition Continues In Pulaski

PULASKI, NY – The tradition of Freemasonry dates back to the earliest days of the U.S., a fraternal organization that counted among its members many of the founding fathers.

This tradition continues today in Pulaski’s F&AM Lodge 415 and all over the continent, with members dedicating their time and energy to the betterment of the communities in which they reside.

An unassuming brick and mortar building located at 28 Broad Street has been the longtime home of this ancient fellowship, but the scope of service reaches far beyond the four walls of this structure.

“We try to support a number of local charities, including but not limited to the Pulaski Community Cupboard, the Pulaski Community Endowment Fund, and the Sandy Creek and Pulaski (Ringgold) Fire Departments,” said Secretary of the Lodge and Past President Marvin Blachman. “We also provide a scholarship to graduating seniors from Pulaski, Sandy Creek and APW High Schools who plan to attend college or enlist in the military. We recently merged with the Sandy Creek and Williamstown Lodges, so we support these schools as well.”

The scholarship is awarded in memory of longtime Mason and Pulaski resident Perry Hastings.

“The Lodge also supports members that are facing difficulties, as well as their widows and offspring,” Blachman said,” Our members maintain their loyalty to the fraternity even after moving out of the area or becoming seasonal residents.”

The Pulaski lodge records approximately 90 members, with 20 or so continuing to enroll despite being unable to attend meetings or events.

The Masons chicken barbecue is a familiar sight to residents passing the Village’s South Park on the weekends.

“This tradition is one of our mainstays when it comes to fundraising, and we are very thankful for the Ringgold Fire Department for allowing us to store our trailer and equipment at the firehall,” Blachman said.

Meetings continue to be held, although the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the number of attendees and the Lodge employs social distancing and the wearing of face masks when gathering.

The exact origins of Freemasonry are unknown, but the widely held belief is that the fraternal organization began as a guild, or trade union, of stonemasons in the middle ages. Many of the symbols and hand signals used in Masonic rituals date back to this period. Documents from as far back as A. D.1330 mentions the group and its traditions.

Freemasonry became popular in colonial America, and after being brought across the Atlantic by immigrants from Great Britain the Fraternity experienced growth during the 1800’s and early 1900’s. Masons created, with their philanthropic contributions, many orphanages and homes for the needy during a period of history in which the government did not provide these services.

“The philosophy of masonry is built on the idea that this is an opportunity to make good men better,” Blachman said. “And a better man contributes to his community… We utilize our meetings and rituals to build men of character, and as an opportunity to teach each other lessons in morality. ”

“I am always able to rely on these brothers,”added Mason William La Veck. ”It’s a close knit family.”

Mason and current President of the Lodge Fred Dashnaw agreed.

“I have met so many men that I have looked up to, people that I may otherwise might not have gotten to know, and it’s been a really nice thing, meeting these men of good character,” Dashnaw said.

As a response to the pressures placed on the community by the COVID-19 pandemic, the members of F&AM Lodge 415 made additional donations this year to area organizations facing greater challenges.

“We knew that the Pulaski Community Cupboard and Oswego County Opportunities would benefit from some additional support during these difficult times,” Blachman said.

The members of Pulaski’s F&AM Lodge 415 plan to continue their good works and philanthropy, despite the challenges of the pandemic, and when we reach the other side of this difficult time, these men of character will march forward, teaching and sharing their lessons of morality far beyond the borders of a small North Country village.

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