Craft Masonry in Orange and Rockland Counties, New York

lodge continued to meet at the Odd Fellows Hall, better known as the Amity Opera House, until 1916. The lodge concluded its
probationary period during that 1st year and on June 6th, 1903 was granted its charter.
There are several stories pertaining to the naming of Athelstane Lodge although there is no official record. On several occasions
during our history, speakers have dealt with this subject and the following explanations are recorded. In 1917, while speaking on the
passing of Br. Edward M. Ehlers, the Master, in his remarks to the lodge,
said that it was Brother Ehlers who had chosen the name. In 1928, at the
25th Anniversary of the lodge, Past Masters remarked that the meaning of
Athelstane in old Anglo-Saxon, was ‘noble stone’ and was probably the
reason for choosing it for the name of the lodge.
At the 50th Anniversary, the speaker referred to Alfred the Great, 1st King
of England. His grandson, Athelstan, was crowned in AD 924. Two years
later he commissioned his brother Edwin, to organize the 1st Grand Lodge
of Masonry at the City of York. This made King Athelstan the 1st Grand
Patron of Masonry. The reader may have his choice of any of the above.
In 1915 an option was taken on the property on the corner of Main Street
and Funston Row. Not without opposition however, for the owner at the
time was a brewery from Paterson, NJ, and some of the brothers thought
it in bad taste to make the purchase. On June 22, 1916 the purchase was
finalized and Athelstane Lodge came into possession of its 1st meeting
hall. It was not a Masonic Temple, but the income derived from the stores
located on the street level helped to maintain the new lodge through some
lean years.
During those years at the Main Street address, much remodeling was
done to insure an appropriate Masonic atmosphere but the lodge always
looked forward to having a true Masonic Temple. In 1967 the dream was
finally realized.
Past Masters
2009-10 Alexander Mulgrew
2008-09 Thomas Sassone
2007-08 David Richards
2006-07 Louis M. Irizarry III
2005-06 R:.W:. Bruce Klein
2003-05 R:.W:. Louis M. Irizarry II
2002-03 Harry F. Anderson
2001-02 Harry E. Kramer
1999-01 R:.W:. Peter J. D. Dedel
1999-00 Harry E. Kramer *
1998-99 V:.W:. Scott A. Klein *
1997-98 Thomas P. Walden *
1997-99 R:.W:. C.F. William Maurer III
1994-97 R:.W:. Glen L. Weinberg *
1995-97 R:.W:. Mel Birnbaum
1993-95 R:.W:. Joel Rosenwasser
1992-94 V:.W:. Scott A. Klein *
1992, R:.W:. Mel Birnbaum
1987-88, 1990 Anthony Urbinato
1986,1989,1992 George Bielski
1984, V:.W:. Scott A. Klein *
* Tappan Zee Lodge No. 1125
1984, 1991 Richard H. Fassberg
1983 Gerald P. Rickard
1981 Harold N. Eder *
1980-82 Barry Ronner
1979 Eugene Foladare, DSA *
1979 R:.W:. Marvin R. Gess
1977 R:.W:. Giles M. Purvis
1976 Norman J. Greenberg *
1976 R:.W:. Harold J. Dresdale
1975 R:.W:. Martin Lindenberg
1974 Sander A. Lefkowitz *
1973-74 Erwin L. Robbins
1972 Leonard J. Plotch *
1985 Henry Morris 1972,
1971 R:.W:. Eugene W. Erickson
1969 Charles K. Dunlop *
1969 Allan P. Oster, D.S.A.
1967 Henry Chait *
1965 Murray Kaplowitz *
1958 Robert Maidman *
M:.W:. Neil I. Bidnick affl.
R:.W:. Robert Blanke affl.
R:.W:. Daniel E. Jonas affl.
R:.W:. Ronald J. Steiner affl.
Alvin M. Russell affl.
Stuart Sindell affl.
Arthur S. Vener affl.
R:.W:. Harry Sky affl.
Jay Helfgott affl.
George Liberis affl.
Nathan Metlitz affl.
M:.W:. Carl J. Fitje Hon.
R:.W:. Charles Antzelevitch Hon.
R:.W:. Hon. Benjamin Gilman Hon.
R:.W:. Albert E. Mealey Hon.
R:.W:. Norman E. Moon Hon.
http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/Executive/RC_CE_Bio.html
C. Scott Vanderhoef, born and raised in Rockland County, is an environmental attorney who was elected in
2009 to a fifth, unprecedented term as its County Executive. He was first elected in 1993 after successfully
campaigning on a platform that emphasized running County government more like a business.
A graduate of Tappan Zee High School, Vanderhoef earned a B.A. in History from Alfred University, an M.A.
from Columbia University Teachers College and a law degree from Pace University Law School in White
Plains. He taught environmental law at St. Thomas Aquinas College and has been a guest lecturer at
Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Vanderhoef received an honorary Doctor of
Laws degree from Dominican College of Blauvelt and a Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Thomas Aquinas
College. He has written and published articles on environmental and land use issues.
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