Dear Brick Donor,
It has been two years since the dedication of our Masonic Center. I am committed to installing every memorial brick which has been donated in a more timely manner. My goal is to have the inside memorial wall completed by years end and to design and install the memorial walkway and courtyard shortly thereafter.
Part of the reason for the delay has been that Masonic symbols were promised on every brick at no additional cost. Almost every donor chose this option such that over a dozen symbols had to be offered. None of these symbols were in the manufacturer’s art library and were considered to be “custom” artwork. The set-up fees and placement would have added thousands of dollars to the cost. Also, adding a symbol to each brick would have decreased the print space available such that many dedications would no longer fit on the brick. Finally most of these Masonic symbols, when sandblasted on a 4×8 brick, would lose detail and not look well. Because these symbols were promised but could not be implemented, the project just foundered.
On my motion, the MTA has voted to scrap the Masonic symbols on individual bricks. In lieu of this we will purchase a larger 8×8 brick with its appropriate symbol for each Masonic body that has purchased a brick. These larger bricks will be placed among the individual bricks on the inside memorial wall. Certain requested donor bricks will, when possible, be clustered around the appropriate larger brick.
Some may be disappointed that placing a symbol on the brick just is not doable. I hope that in the Masonic spirit of charity and love, the will forgive us our error and allow us to move forward. For those who cannot, a full refund will be given if requested on or before September 2nd, 2014. After that, the bricks will be purchased and no refunds will be considered. A request for refund should be mailed to me.
Respectfully,
Michael S. Marrone
Chairman:Donor Brick Committee
1958 Wexford Rd
Palmyra, PA 17078
York Rite Masonic Bodies 