Here is another item I picked up at the Shu Shu Gah Lodge #24 TOR last weekend for my NYS Section Conclave collection. At first I just thought I would have to ask for help on narrowing down the year of the event.
So I started researching on 1997 NE Realignment Page of the OA Section list web site. I was surprised to find only the following seven lodges listed for Section NE-3B:
- Ktemaque #15
- Half Moon #28
- Nacha Nimat #86
- Ganienkeh #19
- Wakpominee #48
- Loon #364
- Onteroraus #402
I dug through my unordered collection and found the pocket patch, which was dated (1998), but what caught my eye on both this patch and the neckerchief was the 8th Lodge.
Ajapeu Lodge #351, is from Vermont and I never thought that it was part of any NY section, unlike the Connecticut Lodges which have been part of NE-3A and now NE-2C have over the years.
The 1999 NE-3B Section Conclave patch does not show Ajapeu Lodge #351, and otherwise matches the lodges listed on the OA Section List.
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“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.†– Winston Churchill
If I were to take a guess, I would say that the turtle is from the impending merger of Ganienkeh #19 and Wakpominee #48 to form Haudenosaunee #19, whose totem was a turtle. This may also explain the phrase “Brothers Change, But Traditions Remain.”
I would also say that portions, if not all, of Ajapeu #351 were invited to the attend the event, perhaps because of one lodge’s proximity to the other. Similar to the joint conclave of NE-3A and NE-3B in 1995.
This, of course, is just a hypothesis.
Ajapeu 351 was definitely moved to NE-1A as a result of the ’97 Realignment. However, VT does have close ties with upstate NY, and was in NE-2A from 1989-94. It’s certainly possible that they sent a small contingent to visit; however, being listed on the patch means (at least to me) that they officially attended, even being out of that section– which does happen.
I believe that they also attended their NE-1A conclave in 1998. The only picture I can find of that year’s patch is very hard to read. It does list nine lodges, but I’d like to confirm that the numbers do include 351: http://www.oasections.com/docs/NE-1A%201998%20conclave%20pp.jpg
I’ll post any new info I can find.
-RH