Help Protect Your Child Milford Masons Hosts CHIP Event

The CTCHIP program is a comprehensive child identification tool designed to give families a measure of protection against the ever increasing problem of missing children.The Connecticut Freemasons are bringing this fine program to communities throughout Connecticut at no cost to the families.

The Connecticut Freemasons Foundation working with other partnering organizations/agencies have upgraded CTCHIP equipment technology from VHS recording tapes to digital recording on mini-DVD-RAM discs as part of our ongoing commitment to children and families.This program will continue to be brought free of charge to every Connecticut family who wish to participate. This upgrade allows the re-packaging of the identifying items generated at CTCHIP Events into a smaller easy-to-carry and take-on-vacation "PURPLE PACK".

The Purple Pack includes a DVD Ram disk which has a video of your child and a still photo, your child's fingerprints, a dental impression and a dental swab.

To date the program has held over 350 CTCHIP events and has provided the parents of more than 40,000 children with identification packets. It is our sincerest hope that no family will need the resources provided in our packets, but if the need should arise, we believe the information contained in our "Purple Pack" will be instrumental to law enforcement agencies in recovery of missing children.

The Connecticut Freemasons schedule and bring this fine program to communities throughout Connecticut.

CTCHIP is a part of the National Masonichip network (www.masonichip.org) sponsored by the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America. All identifying items generated at CTCHIP Events are placed in a "purple pack" and given to the parent or guardian to take home for safe keeping.

If their child becomes missing, the pack can then be provided to law enforcement to aid in recovery and identification. The Connecticut Freemasons keep nothing but the permission form signed by the parent prior to participation in the event.

The Event will be held at Calf Meadow School from 2:00 - 4:00.

SCHIP Comes To Jonathan Law

SCHIP or the State Child Identification Program was recently held at the Jonathan Law High School last week. This program hosted by the Milford Ansantawae Freemasons, was a popular program brought to CT by Former Grand Master Walter Kaechele in 2002. Since then nearly 40,000 kids have been run through the program.

The scope and purpose of the program is to aid in the prevention and apprehension of felons who kidnap children. According to the schip website nearly 100 children are abducted and murdered each year. This program collects vital information that parents hold, and can provide to law enforcement in the unfortunate event their child goes missing.

The Schip kit, includes a DNA sample, a video of your child on CD, fingerprints, and suggestions on how to keep your child safe. This program does not support or endorse the placing of a microchip in your child, nor does it violate the privacy of your child's personal information. This program has won the approval and support of Governor Rell who called it a "wonderful program" when she was the guest speaker at the statewide Connecticut meeting of the Freemasons.

Thus far the program has been a mutual success to the public safety, community security, Masons, and Masonry alike. For a full list of upcoming scheduled events visit the state of CT website www.ctchip.org.

Startford Mayor James Miron Honors Fund Raising Efforts

Each year the fraternal lodge of Masons engages in fundraising activities to help various charities. The organization is put together and currently spearheaded by: (From Left to Right) Dave Urban, Rocco J. Frank, James Miron, Bruce Swan, and Tammy Trojanski.

Tammy is the representative of the charitable organization who benefited from our fundraising event. Her organization works with families in crisis that need emergency food and shelter, she works with several facilities including the Bethel center here in Milford.

This is our first official charitable donation and more are expected to come. If you know of anyone who needs help and could benefit from our support please contact me or Dave Urban for details. My Telephone number is (203) 247-HELP, Dave can be reached at (203) 377-6056.

We also have been pleasantly surprised with one of the most amazing opportunities ever. Mayor James Miron has indicated that he will run in next years Turkey Trot race. This will make Mayor James the first mayor to participate in our new town tradition of health and fitness. Our most sincere thanks to mayor Miron for helping us grow.

Todays event is expected to appear in the upcoming Stratford Star available at the town local library and residents.

6Th Annual Turkey Trot Race Bigger Than Ever!

The sixth annual Turkey Trot Race hosted by the Scottish Rite Masons and Daytime Lodge No. 144 was held at 8:15 A.M. Thanksgiving Morning 11/22/07. The race began at the Scottish Rite Festival Theater and ended in the same place it began.

The race is a 5K race with with 414 registered runners whose ages varied from 8 years old to 88 years. Rocco J. Frank Jr. is seen here addressing a crowd of 500 runners and spectators at the starting line on Main Street.The race results were documented by Hitekracing.com and the detailed results can be found at: http://www.hitekracing.com/results07/strat1122.htm

Dave Urban, an active mason, competitive runner, and this years race organizer called this years race "the most successful one yet and looks forward to the continued growth and support of all our contributors including Stockbridge Bakeries, who so graciously donated two very popular cheesecakes to be raffled off to the runners."

The event concluded inside the the Scottish Rite Theater where trophies were awarded for First, Second, and Third Place winners in each age category. These categories are also again divided by male and female. One unique trophy offered is the "Middle of the pack award" this trophy is awarded to the male and female who managed to complete the race at the exact 50% mark of all recorded runners.

This years overall top female winner was Christina Senft of Stratford CT. Christina is 23 and she completed the race in 19:42.

The top male winner was Matthew Janczyk of Bristol CT. Matthew who is 19 years old completed the race in 16.31

This 5K race will be scheduled again for next Thanksgiving morning 2008. If anyone wishes to enroll they should contact either Dave Urban, or Rocco J Frank Jr. at (203) 647-0380. Runners can pre-register or register the morning of the race, the cost is expected to remain the same at $35.00 per runner. Registrants only need to report to the Scottish Rite Festival Theater on Main Street in Stratford prior to 8:00 A.M.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a happy holiday this Thanksgiving. I plan to take some time away from writing and as part of winding down I will not be posting anything new until after the weekend. Hopefully all of you are enjoying a a fun filled holiday with lots of family joy and some great food.

Let us all take advantage of our time together to make peace with each other, strengthen our family bonds and renew our friendships.

As an additional reminder tomorrow morning at 7:00 A.M. is the Annual Turkey Day Trot. This is a short race with the proceeds donated to charity. We would love to have you and your family participate in our race. Should you decide to run bring yourself and friends to the Scottish Rite Theater on Main St. in Stratford CT. or call me for directions at (203) 247-4357. Food, Shirts, and trophies awarded.


Photo by Norman Rockwell