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    The Brooklyn-headquartered Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere, Inc. (IUOM) held its day-long, annual Family Day Picnic at the picturesque Glen Island State Park in New Rochelle on Saturday, Aug. 8. “The weather is perfect,” said Hon. Herald Saunders, Sr., the Jamaican-born District Grand Master of the Composite District Grand Lodge #2 and host for the 2026 Family Day Picnic, sponsored by the IUOM Executive Committee of Grand Council.   “We had a wonderful time last year”, said Saunders in welcoming members of the Order, families and friends, who attended the event decked out in their district colors. “Right Hon. Errol Collins, (Jamaican-born) Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Order, has seen it fit to have Composite District as the host once again for this annual affair.  “This year, we have lots of games, trophies, medallions and other prizes, and surprises for the young and the young at heart,” he added. “We want you to enjoy the day, the food, the music, (and) meet and greet the brothers and sisters and their families – those whom we have not seen for a long time – and let us have a real fellowship.”   Glen Island Park said on its website that it is now a 105-acre waterfront recreational area, with a “rich history” dating back to the late 19th century. Originally part of a larger 130-acre site, created by merging the main island with fill areas, Glen Island Park said it was once one of the first theme parks in the United States.    Saunders said members from all five District Grand Jurisdictions in New York City attended the event and supported it by appointing members from their jurisdiction to serve on the planning committee.  Besides himself, Saunders said those present were Jamaican-born District Grand Master Sylvester Gibson of Alph District Grand Lodge #1; Panamanian-born District Grand Master Federico Beaumont of the Ben Hur District Grand Lodge #1; and Guyanese-born District Grand Master Hon. Myrthland Ince of Brooklyn District Grand Lodge #1. Saunders said Hon. Kenneth Ponder, the Panamanian-born District Grand Master of King Solomon District Grand Lodge, was absent because of family matters. Members of the Planning Committee included Hon. Eddie Radix, the Grenadian-born chairman, who noted that members were “clearly identified” in white T-shirts, with the Order’s logo “vividly imprinted.” In thanking Planning Committee members, Saunders said they extended themselves “beyond the call of duty,” making special mention of the sisters, Wilkie, Charles, Robinson-Goldson, and Hodges-Griffin.   The Rt. Hon. Glenver Jones, the Jamaican-born Grand Deputy Master of the Order, commended Saunders for planning another Family Day event. Jones said he looked forward to enjoying himself, as always.  “It seems as if the gathering this year is much bigger than last year, as we have three buses coming in from Brooklyn,” he said.    Collins said, “It has always been a pleasure to take time out to fellowship with fraternal brothers and sisters, their families and friends. “I feel a sense of gratitude knowing that, during this administration, we have been able to consistently host this Family Day for our brothers and sisters, families and friends to enjoy,” he said, lauding Saunders and the other District Grand Masters of the New York Metropolitan area. [caption id="attachment_85084" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Jamaican-born Right Hon. Errol Collins, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Order, addresses event. Jamaican-born Right Hon. Errol Collins, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Order, addresses event.Nelson A. King[/caption] “I feel very proud to share this day with you all, as this is the last family day for the current administration of the Executive Committee of Grand Council,” Collins added, urging members to begin planning for the next triennial international convention to be held in Belize in October. “May you and your family and friends all have a wonderful day, and may the Great Geometrician of the Universe continue to bless and keep us all,” he continued.   Mouth-watering Caribbean dishes — including roast breadfruit and saltfish, barbecue and jerk chicken, rice and peas, spinach and carrot rice, and souse — were  served from the Community Table headed by St. Lucian-born Sis. Cynthia Wilkie, Grenadian-born Sis. Jerrel Radix and Wendy Charles. Adults and children participated in several activities, including Sack Race, Egg and Spoon, Track and Field, Hula Hoop, Domino and the “Big Belly Man” contest. Hon. Federico Beaumont of the Ben Hur District Grand Lodge #1 again won the District Grand Master’s Walk.   An added attraction and the most popular game this year was “Where is My Tail." In this game, adults and children participants were blindfolded, while they tried to identify the donkey’s tail with a number, dancing to wide musical genres played by Grenadian-born Bro. Wayne Augustine, owner of “Master Mix Gus.” [caption id="attachment_85083" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, right, gives direction to a participant in the game, Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, right, gives direction to a participant in the game, "Find the Donkey’s Tail."Nelson A. King[/caption] They included pop, rock, hip hop, R&B, jazz, salsa, reggae, calypso and African music. Sisters Wilkie and Radix, members of the Order, once again won the Domino competition, receiving trophies donated by Hon. Irving Turtin of the Brooklyn District Grand Jurisdiction and Hon. Anthony Bonnett of the Alpha District Grand Jurisdiction.   Second Runners Up in the Domino Tournament, Venerable Fred Bob and Ms. Hernias, guest of Venerable Cardew, received trophies donated by Hon. and Sis. Hector Hemans of Brooklyn and Composite District Grand Lodge #2 and Hon. Marlon Madden, also of Composite District Grand Lodge #2.  Venice Brydson, non-member of the Order and wife of Hon. Michael Brydson, district Grand Deputy Master of Alpha District Grand Lodge #1, received a special presentation.    [caption id="attachment_85085" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Venice Brydson, right, non-member of the Order and wife of Hon. Michael Brydson, district Grand Deputy Master of Alpha District Grand Lodge #1, receives a special presentation from Hon. Herald Saunders, Sr., the Jamaican-born District Grand Master of the Composite District Grand Lodge #2 and host for the 2026 Family Day Picnic, and Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, the Jamaican-born IUOM Community Liaison Officer. Venice Brydson, right, non-member of the Order and wife of Hon. Michael Brydson, district Grand Deputy Master of Alpha District Grand Lodge #1, receives a special presentation from Hon. Herald Saunders, Sr., the Jamaican-born District Grand Master of the Composite District Grand Lodge #2 and host for the 2026 Family Day Picnic, and Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, the Jamaican-born IUOM Community Liaison Officer.Nelson A. King[/caption] In making the presentation, Saunders thanked Mrs. Brydson for assisting, for the second year, Sis. Robinson-Goldson in coordinating the games and activities.  “Your skills would do well in our organization,” he said, urging her to consider becoming a member of the Order.  Winners and participants in the games and other activities were presented with trophies and medallions. Presentations were made by members of the IUOM Executive Committee of Grand Council. “This is great! I am having so much fun,” exclaimed the grandson of guest Charmaine Williams, who drove from Brooklyn with her two daughters and granddaughter. “Look — I won two medallions!”  Children also received free give-a-ways of back-to-school supplies.   “This was another labor of love,” Robinson-Goldson, the Jamaican-born IUOM Community Liaison Officer, told Caribbean Life about the Family Day. “Every year, we try to incorporate additional games to enhance and improve our activities.   [caption id="attachment_85086" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, the Jamaican-born IUOM Community Liaison Officer, right, front, with recipients of trophies and medallions with their children. Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, the Jamaican-born IUOM Community Liaison Officer, right, front, with recipients of trophies and medallions with their children.Nelson A. King[/caption] “This year, I think the most enjoyable ones were the ‘Big Belly Man Contest’ and ‘Find the Donkey’s Tail,’” she added. “This is the Order’s way of giving back to our community and expressing our gratitude to the families and friends who have supported us throughout the year.   “I feel very grateful to my brothers and sisters, who have stepped in this year as sponsors of some of our trophies and medallions,” Robinson-Goldson continued. “My thanks and appreciation to the committee members who have made sacrifices and commitments during the planning and execution of this event.  It is truly a team effort.”  The IUOM is a 269-year-old international fraternal organization, with branches in 28 countries, including the US (primarily in New York, Florida, Connecticut and Massachusetts), Canada, England, Holland, Suriname, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, St. Lucia, Belize and Cayman Islands. 
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