From the East
I hope that as you read this you and your family are doing well.
I am winding up my second month as Worshipful Master and I must admit it is going really fast. I almost feel like there is not enough time to complete all that I have in mind, learn all that I want to learn, and experience all that sitting in the East has to offer. As always I am very appreciative to my officers for the amount of time, work and effort that they have put in thus far, and the things that they want to accomplish.
For those of you who are wondering what I mean by what we are trying to accomplish—Currently as a lodge, myself and my Wardens have worked on a plan to keep building upon last years accomplishments and pushing on with this year and the following years. The plan for the future of the lodge looks strong and very promising.
I want to congratulate Brother Papy on successfully giving back his Master Mason catechism on February 9th. This Brother will certainly be a bright spot in Fellowship Lodge’s future.
As for our EA Brothers. They have all been working really hard and are about ready to give back their EA catechism.
One of the pleasures that I have had thus far as Worshipful Master was the experience of meeting and spending time with a Worshipful Master from Beirut, Lebanon. Brothers, if all our lodges had Brothers as educated and with such energy for Masonry as Worshipful Nabil Eid we would have as big a membership and participation as he has in his lodge.
Brothers and Sisters please continue to promote Masonry if you know someone who is even slightly interested, don’t hesitate to give them my contact information. I enjoy speaking with and helping guide men through this great Fraternity. For those Brothers that have not been to lodge in a while I encourage you to come back, come see how the lodge has changed and how it is being run now. So that you can speak highly of your lodge and that “no contention should ever exist, except that noble contention of who best can work and best agree”.
Also send me more email addresses so you can continue to get the Trestle Board via email.
Fraternally
Adalberto Torres “Junior”
From the West
I hope my message finds everyone in good health. I would like to challenge every brother to extend a petition to a potential brother this year. If you have not attended a stated meeting this year, please come out, and support your current officers. Also, if you have any fund raising ideas, please come to Lodge and share them with your brothers.
Please take the time to educate non-masons about Masonry, and invite potential members to our dinners, or third Saturday Breakfast. If you need anything, please let me know what I can do to help.
Fraternally,
Sean Fontaine SW
From the South
I am glad to say that we worked around the election folks on our meeting nights. The first Masonic information day was a success and look forward to more. March 14th we are having a YARD sale starting at 9:00 AM—til with spaghetti dinner from 11:00 AM—2:00 PM. This is co-hosted with Palma Ceia Lodge and the proceeds go to the First Lady’s Special Project. Practice is going well for an up coming Fellowcraft Degree, check the website for when it will be. Our first meeting in March will be the Right Worshipful DDGM, Woody Newcomb’s visit. We are planning a great meal for that night so come on out and meet the DDGM and enjoy the food and fellowship.
Fraternally,
Steven Plotz JW
From the desk of the Secretary
Brothers we still have some brothers who are delinquent in their 2009 dues. If you did not receive a dues notice, please let me know so I can get one to you. Or, you can just send in your dues and I will get your dues card to you. The dues for 2009 were $100.00 + $3.65 (pennies program optional) or $103.65. Our 2010 dues are $100.00 + $7.30 (pennies program) or $107.30. The reason for increase in the pennies program is that Grand Lodge voted to increase them at the last grand communication.
Brothers there are many of you that have not paid your 2010 dues and those dues is what we need to operate and maintain the lodge for the 2010 year. With a budget of around $40,000 a year and 300 members at $100 each you can see the need for your dues. Soon delinquent notices will be going out, so if you have not paid your dues please send them in.
The following brothers I have not been able to find in any way, so I need your help in locating them: Frank Puig, William Jones, Thomas G. Fisher, John H. Wiggins,
Stephen Edson PM/SEC
From the Chaplain
First off , I ask you to keep the former chaplain, Brother Lewis McCaffrey and his family in your prayers as his mother-in-law is not doing well. Next Willie Ray Starlling, one of our past Masters is fighting cancer while recovering from back surgery. Last , we need to keep the families of Walter Heinrich, former Hillsborough County Sheriff and William “Bill” O’Neal members of Fellowship Lodge in our prayers since they went to be with the great architect of the universe on February 15th, 2010 and February 18th, 2010 respectively. In order for me to do my job as Chaplain I MUST have your sickness and distressed reports as soon as they happen. All of the information needed to contact me is found on the Trestle Boards, on the left side of the front page.
Jerry Torgerson, P.M. Chaplain
Departed Brothers & Sisters
Fellowship Lodge
Walter Heinrich
Steven M. Woods PM
Amaranth
Eastern Star
White Shrine
Past Masters Column
As a dual member of the fraternity at South Gate # 731,Fort Wayne, Indiana I was Master 2003. During this brief year I arranged twelve live Masonic Awareness lectures.
Titled:
In the Beginning there might have been Rosslyn Chapel Scotland.
A Vision for the Fraternity, The York Rite, Big me & little God or Big God & little me?, The Youth of the Masonic Family
Ancient Landmarks: Principals that set Boundaries., Five points of Life: The Eastern Star\, The Scottish Rite: What is it ? What are its Objectives ?, National Sojourners: What’s it all About ?, Where have we been and where are we going ?
A Masonic Overview
The origin of certain lies and misconceptions about Freemasonry
Additionally I visited Alexandria-Washington Lodge #22, & Fredericksburg Lodge # 4 in Fredericksburg, Va. for a joint Lodge celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Raising of our Illustrious Brother George Washington on August 2, 2003. I visited his Lodge room and had the opportunity to hold the Trowel that was used in laying the U.S. Capitol cornerstone. Furthermore all of the above activities were overshadowed when during my term I raised 16 men to Master Masons, one being a Brother of Color. This act was in my mind the true exemplification of Freemasonry in action, as it should be. The proudest moment of my term in the East. So Mote it Be.
Albert H McClelland, PM, PMS
Memorial Lodge No. 23
Brothers and Sisters Memorial Lodge is set up to perform memorial services for a deceased Sojourner and assist local Lodges in Masonic memorial and funeral services. With 17 Lodges in Hillsborough county we only have a few attend the services. We need more to help in these services and to become members so we can contact you when a service is needed. Membership is open to any member of any Lodge and the dues are only $5.00 per year.
Come to the 3rd Saturday breakfast at Fellowship Lodge and attend Memorial Lodge following the breakfast. Breakfast starts at 8:00 AM and Memorial Lodge is at 10:00 AM.
MASONIC INFORMATION DAY
This event was a big success with nearly 100 in attendance. Petitions were handed out to those interested in becoming a mason after the program presented by R.:W.: Gil Wiesman, R.:w.: Woody Newcomb and R.:W.: Houston White. The committee will be planning another one at a different lodge in the future.
From our Sisters
Amaranth
Meetings
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 7:30 PM
CENTURY COURT #58 ORDER OF THE AMARANTH
GRAND COURT OF FLORIDA AD BOOK
Cathy Edson, Associate Matron was appointed Chairman of the Ad Book sales. Anyone one wishing to place an ad in the ad book for Grand Court can contact Cathy at 961-5289 for information. Grand Royal Matron, H.L. Janet St Jacques and Grand Royal Patron, S.K. Steven Weinkrantz will hold the 62nd Annual Session of the Grand Court of Florida “Winds of Hope” Session at the Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk, 1515 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
The cost of the ads for the ad book are :
Full Page: $40.00 5"H X 4"W
Half Page: $25.00 2.5"H X 4"W
Quarter Page: $15.00 1.25"H X 4"W
Send camera ready ads to Cathy Edson, 3105 Lakestone Dr, Tampa, FL 33618 along with your checks made payable to: Grand Court Session Committee.
Thank you to all who participated in the Advance night on February 17th. It went very well and a good time was had by all. Our next meeting on March 3rd will be the election of officers. We will have a covered dish dinner before the meeting at 6:00 PM. Please come join in the fellowship and help in the choice of who will be serving our organization next year. If you are interested in serving as a officer, on a committee or in any other capacity, please let us know.
Our installation of Officers will be held on April 11th at 3:00 PM at Fellowship Lodge. This will be an open Installation and everyone is welcome to attend. If you have never seen an Amaranth Installation, this is a good opportunity for you to do so. Our Royal Matron, H.L Arlene Nelson and Royal Patron, S.K. Norman Nelson would like to take this opportunity to extend their gratitude to all who have served this year both as officers, committee members, and behind the scenes in other capacities. Thanks for making this a successful and fun year for all of the members of Century Court #58.
Eastern Star
Meetings
2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 8:00 PM
Our Chapter Election of Officers was held on February 24th. Sister Patrice Barker, Worthy Matron elect would also like to have a Palm Club meeting on February 28th at 3:30 PM at Fellowship to help plan our new year. All members are invited to attend. Our Installation of Officers will be on March 13th at 7:30 PM. Everyone is invited to attend since this will be an open Installation.
Our Worthy Matron, Patti Wood and Worthy Patron, James Wood express their thanks to all who have been willing to serve this year as officers, committee members or in any other capacity. Thanks for a successful year.
Mark your calendar: March 7th—Lois’s Sharps and Flats Dish & Donation, Desoto Chapter; April 10th —Mystery Dinner Theater, Leslie Chapter (see Patrice Barker for tickets).
Order of the Eastern Star Step Back in Time Degree
February 6, 2010 saw our Order step back in time and perform the ritualistic opening, initiation and closing of 1866 to raise money for our WGM Sylvia Morrow’s Special Fund. The degree was performed in Tallahassee #119 Chapter and they raised $3000.00 for Hospice and Palliative Care. The Tampa Bay area was amply represented in the performance: Patrice Barker, Palma Ceia #243 served as Worthy President (WM); Judy Covey, Gulf Beach #241 & Palma Ceia #243 served as Conductor (Conductress); Pat Barker, Palma Ceia #243 served as Treasurer; Alisha Sickler, Magnolia #101 & Palma Ceia #243 served as Chaplain; Lois Mock, Desoto #201 served as Organist; Elizabeth McAbee, Friendship #209 served as First Patron (Adah); Michelle “Mickey” Wise, Desoto #201 served as Fourth Patron (Martha); and Sharon Marshall, Magnolia #101 served as Guard (Warder). The officers were all dressed appropriately for the era in long black skirts, white blouses and black shoes and the Lodge room was set up according to the time. It was so different, yet so similar. Everyone did a fantastic job in their performance and the members seemed to really appreciate all the hard work. Just an example is that the Star Point lectures of today are only about a third of what they use to be, there was no Worthy Patron, Associate Matron, Associate Conductress or Marshall al of their initiatory work was performed by the Worthy President, Vice President and Conductor. We hope to put this on again next year over on the East Coast for Sister Lois Wolfe and we hope everyone can attend.
Patrice Barker, PM
White Shrine
Meetings
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7:45 PM
Official Inspection along with Largo Shrine was held on Feb.8th at Lebanon Shrine. Inspecting officers were Joan Denman, SWHP, and E Ed Brown, SWOS. A Dutch Treat at Sam Seltzer’s was enjoyed before the meeting. Everyone did a great job and we can be proud of our Shrine.
We will have an Installation Practice on February 28th at 2:00 PM. If you have been asked to serve in a station for the ensuing year, please make every effort to attend. Our Election of Officers will be held at the March 1st meeting. Please come to the 6th-Installation of Officers on March 6th at Fellowship Lodge at 6:00 PM . This is an open installation and everyone is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served after the Installation.
Mark your calendars for 2010 Supreme Shrine May 3– 6, 2010 in Orlando. Please contact Lillian Haslinger, Secretary for details.
Worthy High Priestess, Yvonne Orcutt and Watchman of Shepherds, Ken Orcutt express their gratitude to the Officers, committee members and those who have served as pro-tems during the year. Thanks for a great year.
March 2010
1st, 15th—White Shrine 7:45 PM
2nd,4th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 25th —Degree Practice
3rd, 17th—Amaranth 7:30 PM
6th—White Shrine Installation 6:00 PM
8th—Neighborhood Crime Watch Meeting
9th, 23rd—Stated Meeting 7:30 PM
10th, 24th—Eastern Star 8:00 PM
13th—OES Installation of officers 2:00 PM
20th—3rd Saturday Breakfast 8:00—10:00 AM
26th—Masters and Wardens 7:30 PM
27th—Easter party at Zendah Grotto 1:00 PM
April 2010
1st, 6th, 8th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, 29th —Degree Practice
4th—Easter Sunday
5th, 19th—White Shrine 7:45 PM
7th, 21st—Amaranth 7:30 PM
11th—Amaranth Installation 3:00 PM
12th—Neighborhood Crime Watch Meeting
13th, 27th—Stated Meeting 7:30 PM
14th, 28th—Eastern Star 8:00 PM
17th—3rd Saturday Breakfast 8:00—10:00 AM
23rd—Masters and Wardens 7:30 PM