The lovers of good music will be pleased to know that Monticello Lodge is considering seriously the purchase of a Hammond organ and don't be surprized some evening soon if you find music makers J. Maxwell Knapp, Blake Bates or Charles Atwell manipulating the ivories and providing a type of entertainment most all of us enjoy.

A committee consisting of our Master, John G. Bruce; Wor. Bro. Knapp and Bro. Bates has been authorized to inspect and have been given power to purchase a used Hammond organ originally sold for $1,200 but now available for $750.

Under a plan oulined by Wor. Bro. Bruce the organ would be purchased joined by the Kiamesha Chapter of Eastern Star and Monticello Lodge, each paying $375.

Due to the possibility that the organ would not be available at a later date and it being necessary to raise funds for this purpose the committee was given permission. by the Lodge to borrow the $375 from the Lodge relief fund with the understanding that it be repaid with interest.

Although committee approval of the organ is all that is now needed we must not overlook the fact that money will be borrowed from our relief fund if other funds do not become available before the organ is purchased.

Realizing this fact a number of the brethren already have either given or pledged to the extent of $205.00. This added to the $36 received from the sale of histories brings the total to $241.00.

Contributions already have been received from: Leland Silvieus $10; Emory Stalker, $10; Alvin O. Benton, $10; William Horton, $10; Arthur Fox, $10; Frank Taylor, $5; Hugh R. Richmond, $10; C.P. Stanton, $10; Alva Unkenholz. $10; George Gregory $10; Earl Stratton $10; and Wor. Bro. Harry Resnick $10.

We hope to have another copy of the Gavel in the mail before too long and it would be gratifying if we can add a few more names to this list. Mail your checks to the organ committee in care of Blake Bates whose address is Monticello, N.Y.; J. Maxwell Knapp, who lives at Hurleyville, or Frank Armstrong, the organ fund treasurer.

Remember that the proceeds from the sale of Lodge histories will be deposited in the organ fund.

If you are interested in knowing the history of Masonry in Sullivan County as well as the history of your own Lodge you should own a copy of this book.

An Orla Prestige II electric organ, model #204, was purchased second-hand, in the name of Monticello Lodge No. 532, on May 20, 1988 by R.W. Harold Knapp from Orange County Piano & Organ, Route 211, Middletown. The purchase price was then $1,095, with the trade-in of a Kimball Moonglow organ. The Orla Prestige instrument was of Italian make, and when it stopped working in in 2001 after the passing of R.W. Harold, replacement parts proved difficult to obtain.

Among other capacities of service in the Lodge, R.W. Harold Knapp was the organist not only for Monticello Lodge, but also for Fallsburg Lodge No. 1122 and Port Jervis Lodge No. 328 until he passed away February 11, 2001 at the age of 76.

On January 14, 2002, V.W. Charles Paty, who has served the Lodge faithfully for many years as Treasurer, moving over a few feet to the right of his regular station to tickle the ivory keys when needed, surprised the brethren by accompanying the initiation ritual of Bro. Victor J. Marinello with musical strains. It had been over a year since an organ graced the northeast corner of the Lodge.

[LODGE HISTORY]