Members, households, buddies and supporters of the Brooklyn-headquartered Unbiased United Order of Mechanics, Pleasant Society, Western Hemisphere, Inc. (IUOM) gathered at Glen Island State Park, New Rochelle on Aug. 16 for the Order’s annual Household Day sponsored by the Government Committee of Grand Council.
It was picture-perfect climate for this annual gathering of fraternal members, households and buddies who started arriving at about 10:00 a.m., with actions ending at 6:00 p.m.
Members of the Planning Committee, beneath the management of Grenadian-born Chairman, Eddie Radix, was assigned the duty of chairing the committee, which comprised 5 District Grand Jurisdictions in New York Metropolis– Alpha District Grand Lodge #1, Ben Hur District Grand Lodge #1, Brooklyn District Grand Lodge #1, Composite District Grand Lodge #2, and King Solomon District Grand Lodge #1.
There was additionally the New England District Grand Lodge #1 for Connecticut/Massachusetts.
“We need to make it possible for the members and their households and supporters have a superb time,” mentioned District Grand Grasp Jamaican-born Herald Saunders, chief of the Composite District Grand Lodge #2 and Host District for this 12 months’s Household Day in welcoming visitors.
“Hon. Radix has labored very onerous with members of his committee to make sure that the day might be successful,” he added, thanking the Deputy Grasp of the Order and members of the Government Committee of Grand Council for his or her presence and for giving Composite District Grand Lodge the chance to host this 12 months’s Household Day.
“To all our relations, supporters and buddies and particularly our sponsors, I need to lengthen an enormous thank-you to your continued help”, Saunders continued.
Musical leisure was supplied by Tri-Sonic Sounds, with maestro Jamaican-Chinese language DJ extraordinaire “Popeye” on the controls, who was ably assisted by his compatriot music coach/mentor Tyvious Stephenson, additionally a member of the Order.
Company danced to Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz, Salsa, Reggae, Calypso, African and different genres of music.
Scrumptious West Indian breakfast and lunch had been served by the Committee’s Neighborhood Desk headed by St. Lucian-born Cynthia Wilkie.
The Day was additionally filled with fun-filled actions and video games for each kids and adults.
Video games included sack race, egg and spoon, domino, Frisby, observe and subject, District Grand Grasp’s Stroll, hula hoop and domino contest.
There have been additionally free gives-away with lengthy traces on the Mechanics Spinning Wheel.
Winners and contributors had been introduced with trophies and medallions introduced by members of the Government Committee.
Jamaican-born Rt. Hon. Glenver Jones, Grand Deputy Grasp of the Order, apologized for the worldwide chief, his compatriot, Rt. Hon. Errol G. Collins, Most Worshipful Grand Grasp, who was absent attributable to household engagement.
Jones launched all 5 District Grand Masters of NYC Metropolitan Space in attendance: District Grand Grasp Jamaican-born Herald Saunders of Composite District Grand Lodge #2 and chief of the Host District for 2025 Household Day; Panamanian-born District Grand Grasp Kenneth Ponder of King Solomon District Grand Lodge #1; Jamaican-born District Grand Grasp Sylvester Gibson of Alpha District Grand Lodge #1; Guyanese-born District Grand Grasp Myrthland Ince of Brooklyn District Grand Lodge #1; and Panamanian-born District Grand Grasp Federico Beaumont of Ben Hur District Grand Lodge #1, together with some members from the New England District Grand Jurisdiction, who had been current within the absence of their District Grand Grasp.
“As we speak, we’ve got all of the Government Councilors in attendance, besides the Rt. Hon. Errol G. Collins, Most Worshipful Grand Grasp, and Rt. Hon. Leighton Dingwall, Government Grand Secretary,” Jones mentioned. “Final week, we had been within the Cayman Islands for a District Inauguration. At the moment, there have been 22 District Grand Lodges worldwide, and with the inauguration of the Cayman District Grand Lodge. As we speak, I’m happy to report that we now have 23 District Grand Jurisdictions worldwide.
“Household Day is coming again,” he added. “Do you’re feeling it? Is everybody having a superb time?”
The gathering responded resoundingly, “sure”.
with applause from the viewers. “Sure” he continued, “I really feel it myself”.
Jone mentioned “the sisters are taking up,” stating that, previously, “the brothers had been at all times the champion domino gamers, however, as we speak, have a look at what is occurring. We’ve got a workforce of two sisters from my district, Composite District Grand Lodge, rising as winners of the event”.
Composite District Grand Jurisdiction took residence the Domino Championship Trophy, with dynamic duo, Cynthia Wilkie and Jerrel Radix, rising successful workforce within the event playoff with Ben Hur District, Alpha District and King Solomon District Grand Jurisdictions.
Beaumont was declared winner of the District Grand Grasp’s Stroll.
“Total, it was an fulfilling day”, mentioned one customer from Connecticut. “This isn’t my first time coming to Household Day with my buddies. I at all times really feel welcome, and there may be at all times loads of meals to go round”.
Reflecting on the day’s actions, Jamaican-born Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, IUOM Neighborhood Liaison to the Government and member of the Alpha District Grand Jurisdiction mentioned: “It was loads of work, however very rewarding.
“The Committee labored very onerous to make it possible for this Household Day was successful,” she instructed Caribbean Life. “I like to see the kids having fun with themselves with their households and the interactions with members at our annual Household Day gathering
“It’s a stunning day; the climate actually held up,” she added. “Our Order is sort of a little United Nations; there are members right here as we speak from many of the Caribbean islands and different elements of the world. And, as we speak, we’re celebrating beneath one umbrella of the Unbiased United Order of Mechanics, as one massive pleased household.
“It’s a day of enjoyable, camaraderie, laughter, networking, good meals and good vibes,” Robinson-Goldson continued. “We stay up for extra participation in 2026.”
