Kismet Temple was chartered in Brooklyn, NY, as the 37th Shriners temple in 1888. Over 130 years later, Kismet Shriners moved around from place to place until they finally settled down at its current location in Massapequa. Kismet currently has over 350 members and growing. They take their obligation very seriously and, as Shriners, pledge to integrity, virtue, nobility of character, and to support the world’s greatest philanthropy (Shriners Hospitals for Children). Their members spread awareness of the Hospitals and their varied specialty services, which treat all children, regardless of their ability to pay. They have a very devoted and active “Roadrunner” club. These Nobles drive many patients and their families to and from the Hospitals as needed. They also have an operational unit of “Kismet Clowns.” If you are lucky enough to see them perform, you will see how much joy they spread.

There is always something fun and exciting happening at Kismet Shrine. They just had their annual “Fezzing Ceremonial,” open to friends and families. They had just welcomed six new Nobles into the Shrine at that ceremonial. We, as Freemasons, love to call the Shrine “the fun arm of Masonry.” This is why Kismet usually couples their ceremonials along with holidays. They just combined Cinco De Mayo with their initiation to add to the fun, and all had a great time. Kismet Shrine holds fundraising functions and events throughout the year, so please visit KismetShriners.org.

A big thank you to Bro. Miles Maier, Oriental Guide, for all his help and hard work in our great fraternity!

And if you have a story about a Shriner or how the Shrine impacted your life, please send it to me. I would love to help spread your story as well.

So, this story starts with my first trip to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. My Aunt and Uncle were members and got my father, two sisters, and me excellent seats and reservations to the members’ lounge, which is the only way to spend intermission at the opera. As we are going to our seats, I see an older couple sitting next to us that we were in their 80s, by my guess. Being an Upstate New Yorker and new to opera, I am taking it all in.

Virtually everyone was decked out in their best dress, fur was flying, and the jewelry was sparkling even in the pitch black of the opera house. And as a Freemason, I am always on the lookout for a hint of who might be a Mason in my vicinity. Does the guy next to me have a pin, a ring, a set of cufflinks, or some other almost hidden speck of Masonic light on them? And as if two Cheerios in milk, sure as anything, the gentlemen next to me has a very classy but reserved masonic ring on his hand. I do not say anything to him and notice that as they were getting up to enjoy their intermission, I see his wife struggle a little as she navigates the walk to her side of the aisle.

My family exited from the opposite side because we went to the members’ lounge to enjoy some great wine and snacks. Not soon after, I had to use the men’s room and somehow got lost backstage and found myself in the changing room… a story for another time. After I regroup from that little excursion, it is time to get back into our seats, and again I see the wife of my Fraternal brother struggle a bit to get into her seat. The show is now over, and we all must file in a sea of people down these very dark and small stairs to leave the building. So, I wait a min and extend my arm to the woman and say may I have the pleasure of helping you down these awful stairs? I am sure her husband was not aware that we were brothers but said thank you so much to me. But the hilarious part happens at the bottom of the stairs outside the building. Her son, whom I had no idea was with them because he was in the row behind us, says to his mom, “Mom are you picking up men at the Opera again.” To this, I smile, flash my ring to him and his father and say I just wanted to make sure she was taken care of, and I hope you all have a great night.

Now I did not do this for any thanks or recognition, but to act in a way that I hope a fellow person or brother would work for my family if I were unable. Is this a rule in our fraternity? No. Is this done for personal, political, or financial gain no? It is just a tenant of our obligation to look out for our extended family. I know many brothers worldwide have similar stories on both sides of this story, and I would love to hear yours if you have one. In closing, my brothers and friends, please get out there and travel. I would love to read your great traveling story and share it on Craftsmen Online to inspire others to do the same. Email me, here. Safe travels!