From the East
Brothers and Sisters,
I hope that with this newly found warm weather many of you are finding that the high amount of pollen is not stopping you from enjoying the great weather! This year in the East has not by any means slowed down, nor do I want it to! Full speed ahead we go. To our distant Brothers who are curious on some of the great things happening at your lodge, I try to give regular updates via email and if you want to get those on a more consistent basis please email me so that I can add your email to the list. New happenings in the lodge: Well five of our fire fighters have been passed to the degree of Fellow Craft and are currently working hard on getting their catechism done. We have 6 men who received their first degree in Masonry April 20th with 4 more waiting to see how the Craft will ballot on them. We had some high numbers at April’s breakfast and look to continue with that into May. We had an EA degree on Tuesday April 20th and the second is going to be on Tuesday May 4th. We have a Master Mason degree set for Saturday May 8th We will certainly need many Brothers as we can have at all of these degrees and their practices and in my next article I will give you the dates for other degrees. If there is anything that you want to know or something that we as a lodge have not given to you please let us know. I truly look forward to meeting each of my Lodge Brothers at least once this year and more if possible.
Until we meet stay safe and keep us informed on how you are doing.
Fraternally,
Adalberto Torres “Junior” WM
From the West
I hope my message finds everyone in good health. We have been very busy with accepting new petitions. I hope the momentum continues, and we continue to accept additional petitions throughout the year. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please bring them to Lodge for one of our Dinners, or Third Saturday Breakfast, and let them meet Brothers, and join in on the Fellowship. I look forward to seeing more Brothers come back to Lodge, and if you need any assistance in getting to Lodge. Please contact one of 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
My Brother’s
I am pleased to announce that on April 20th We brought 6 new Brother’s into our Lodge and on May 4th, we will be bringing 5 more. As far as fund raising update we are still working out some details and as soon as I can I will send more information. Men, get your bowling shoes ready because we are going to challenge The rest of District 22 to a Bowling Tournament more details coming soon.
Well that’s all the South has for now. May God bless each and everyone.
Steven Plotz JW
From the desk of the Secretary
First I would like to congratulate our 6 new brothers initiated on April 20th and look forward to initiating 5 or 6 more on May 4th followed by a Master Mason Degree on May 8th, which the Grand Master has on his calendar.
Dues have slowed way down on coming in, so those brothers who have not paid their 2010 dues will be getting a delinquent notice next month.
So far I have had to replace some 2010 dues cards, because of them not being received. Again if you have paid your 2010 dues and not received your 2010 dues card let me know by phone or email so I can request a new one from Grand lodge.
Stephen Edson PM/SEC
From the Chaplain
Our chaplain emeritus Lewis McCaffery lost his mother-in-law last month. We need to keep the Greenslade family in our prayers with all their health issues.
If you know of any sickness or distress let the Master, secretary, or myself know. We all know power of prayer, so let us increase the power of prayer and we can let the person know with a card too.
Jerry Torgerson, P.M. Chaplain torgystoy1@aol.com
Prayer List for all our Brothers and Sisters:
Manuella Valenti (She has moved to an assisted living facility.)
Norman Nelson, PRP, Century Court (Norm is on dialysis 3 times a week )
Olga Kelly, PM Palma Ceia Chapter
Departed Brothers & Sisters
Fellowship Lodge
Amaranth
Eastern Star
White Shrine
THE OLD MASTER
He was sitting in a wheelchair, looking down at the lawn,
I thought he might be asleep, then I saw the old man yawn.
I told him I’d come to visit, A big smile lit up his face,
He said it’s not very often, people visit this old place.
Pardon my manners young man, as he offered me a chair,
Would you like a glass of tea, it’s on the table over there.
I begged off the offer, but I said I have a surprise,
I’ve come to take you to Lodge, you should’ve seen his eyes.
You know I’m past master, about three or four times,
He said as a matter of fact, I can work any chair in line.
I felt proud to push his chair, as we headed for my car,
I had already checked him out, and signed his pass card.
When we drove into the lot, you should’ve heard the cheers,
I had a lump in my throat, down his cheek rolled a tear.
The lodge was filled with brothers, who had come to celebrate,
Our guest of honor had arrived, the Star had baked a cake.
We made a special presentation, that brought laughter and tears,
For tonight our wise old master, had completed sixty-five years.
With countless years of service, in this lodge in his hometown,
He did it all with a gentle heart, and the strongest grip around.
His tired old voice cracked, but his mind was sharp and clear,
As he took the microphone, sitting there in his wheelchair.
We all sat down at tables, with hot coffee in our cups,
He said I’d like to take you back, to when I was just a pup.
You see, there’s been times, this old lodge almost went dark,
We were down to just a few, and some didn't know their part.
But we kept on working hard, and doing everything we could,
To get more men interested, in the craft of brotherhood.
Oh there’s all kinds of things, that’s changed over the years,
But younger men not coming in, is one of our biggest fears.
You see it was different then, than it is this day and time,
I remember how strict it was, you didn’t dare cross the line.
About asking a man to join, when you knew he was good,
God and family came first, this the lodge understood.
We had to wait until he asked, about how to become one of us,
Then we could tell the truth, about fellowship, honor and trust.
We worked hard and did our best, to be good examples among men,
We all know from reading the Bible, there’s not a man without sin.
So we’d take the best men, and gently show’em the light,
Just look at all the brothers, that showed up here tonight.
If I could live my life all over, and I could rewrite every page,
I’d hit a few bumps a little softer, but there’s nothing I would change.
Each time I was asked to teach, Oh it made me feel so good,
To lead you gently to the light, until I knew you understood.
I love you all my brothers, I enjoyed being there for you,
And I’ll tell each one tonight, you’ve been there for me too.
He talked for half an hour, as we traveled back in time,
He had taken us on a journey, and we hung on every line.
It was late when we got back, but he was still wide awake,
As I pushed his wheelchair inside, he gave the nurse a piece of cake.
Until the old master is called, to the grand lodge on high,
His memories will be filled, with the celebration tonight.
A few years have come and gone, since we honored him that night,
The old master even helped me, raise my grandson into light.
His kind and gentle manner, stands tall among the best,
Today he made the final journey, we laid the old master to rest.
Announcements
May 4th—EA Degree dinner 6:30PM and Degree starts at 7:30 PM
May 8th—Fireman’s MM Degree with Lunch at 12:00 NOON degree at 1:00 PM we hope that firemen can fill all the chairs.
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.
From our Sisters
Amaranth
Meetings
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 7:30 PM
The Installation of Officers on April 11, 2010 at Fellowship Lodge was a very nice event. We would like to thank all those that helped to make it a special occasion and hope that all who attended felt the same. Our last meeting in April was Obligation Night. SK Steve did a good job, despite the poor attendance due to a conflict with OES Grand Chapter where a good number of our officers were in attendance. Please try to attend the first meeting in May. Due to a conflict with Supreme Shrine in Orlando, we will again have a good number of the officers out, so we need the support of everyone who can come. HL Dorothy Long will be serving on the throne. The last meeting in May will be our Memorial Service. Grand Court Session will be May 26-29, 2010 in Jacksonville, FL. HL Cathy and SK Steve Edson are looking forward to representing Century Court #58 as your new Royal Matron and Royal Patron. On June 2nd, we will honor our grand appointments and HL Joan Hundley has refreshments. On June 16th the Father’s Day Program will be given by HL Georgia Deshong, AM and HL Francis Jones has refreshments. Please keep SK Norm Nelson and HL Arlene Nelson in your prayers. They are both having some health issues and would appreciate your thoughts and prayers. We are also saddened by the loss or our Masonic Home Pop, Wally Renauld. He will be missed. We hope we will be seeing more of you this year. Please try to come out and support your Court. If you need a ride let us know or if we can be of any help to you, please call us.
Eastern Star
Meetings
2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 8:00 PM
Our meeting on April 14th was our Chapter Birthday program and PM’s and PP’s were honored by serving in the stations. Serving were WM Judy Covey; WP Steve Whidden; AM, Patti Wood; AP Steve Wood; Conductress, Ivy Cranford; AC, Elaine Brandl; Secretary, Patricia Barker; Treas. Cathy Edson; Chaplain, Bob Thibodeaux; Marshall, Leslie Alonso; Adah, Rachel TerZino; Ruth, Lillian Haslinger; Esther, Clarice Smith; Martha, Olga Kelly; Esther, Helen Beberstein; Warder, Steve Edson, Sentinel, Fred Shelton; and Musician, Anne Donlin. Sister Clarice Smith our only active charter member gave a brief history of the Chapter for our 59th Birthday Celebration. Grand Chapter was held April 20-22 in St Augustine, Florida. We are happy or maybe the word should be “ecstatic “ to report that our own Judy Covey was elected as Associate Grand Conductress on Thursday, April 22nd. Congratulations and best wishes from all the members of Palma Ceia Chapter for your journey through the Grand Line. We love you and look forward to sharing your journey with you. Our School of Instruction will be on May 7th at 7:30 PM. Please let Sister Patrice Barker, WM if you are unable to attend. If we have more than 4 line officers out, we will have to repeat the school. Meeting on May 12th will be Grand Chapter Reports, Honor Mothers and Grand Appts by Jo Combs with refreshments by Bob Thibodeaux. May 26th is stated and refreshments by Patricia Barker. June 9th is stated with refreshments by Cathy Edson. June 23rd is Landmarks by Joann Wilson; Brother’s Night, Honor Fathers & Flag Tribute by Bob Thibodeaux; Refreshments by June Dobbs. Please keep our Sisters Opal Johnson, Olga Kelly, and Manuela Valenti in your prayers.
White Shrine
Meetings
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7:45 PM
There will be no meeting on May 5th due to Supreme Shrine in Orlando. There are quite a few of the officers and members planning to attend this event from May 3– 6th. On May 17th, Soj. James Long will present our Memorial Day Program and we will celebrate our Shrine birthday. Refreshments will be served by all elected officers. The meeting on June 7th will include a Father’s Day Program by Dorothy Long and Cathy Edson is refreshment chairman. On June 21st we will hold Affiliated Night given by Lois Lastinger and refreshments by Debra Kimbril. We hope to see more and more of you coming out to our meetings. We need the support of all the members to make this a successful year.
Soj. Lorna Stone and the finance committee will be planning some upcoming fund raisers, so keep your ears and eyes open for what is coming up and help with your contributions and attendance.
May 2010
3rd—6th Supreme Shrine
3rd, 17th—White Shrine 7:45 PM
4th - EA Degree dinner 6:30 PM Degree 7:30
6th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 27th —Degree Practice
8th - Fire Fighter's MM Degree lunch 12 Noon Degree 1:00 PM
5th, 19th—Amaranth 7:30 PM
10th—Neighborhood Crime Watch Meeting
11th, 25th—Stated Meeting 7:30 PM
12th, 26th—Eastern Star 8:00 PM
15th—3rd Saturday Breakfast 8:00—10:00 AM
21st—Masters and Wardens 7:30 PM
26th—29th Amaranth Grand court
31st—June 2nd Grand Lodge
June 2010
7th, 21st—White Shrine 7:45 PM
3rd, 10th, 15th, 17th, 24th—Degree Practice
2nd, 16th—Amaranth 7:30 PM
14th—Neighborhood Crime Watch Meeting
8th, 22nd—Stated Meeting 7:30 PM
4th, 23rd—Eastern Star 8:00 PM
19th—3rd Saturday Breakfast 8:00—10:00 AM
25th—Masters and Wardens 7:30 PM
29th— Family night covered dish dinner 6:30 PM