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Brothers....
We have had a truly exciting beginning to the new year.
For the first time in the history of the 17th. Masonic District and indeed, all of Florida (and possibly the entire country), we had brothers from a Scottish lodge join us in our installation ceremony. The brothers from Forfar & Kincardine Lodge in Dundee Scotland came across the "big pond" to join in our installation of officers. They did a tremendous job and it was a very special honor for us to have brothers who traveled so far to be with us. Worshipful Brother Ian Roache led his team of brothers, installing myself, presenting the colors, leading us in prayer and the officer's charges. The piper was a very nice added touch! This was a wonderful example of "Unity in Masonry". Many thanks to Bro. Ian Harper for arranging transport and entertaining the brothers while they were here.
Another "first" was the honor of having the Grand Master Most Worshipful Dale Goehrig sit in the East with us. I don't believe we have ever had a Grand Master attend one of our officer's installation. It was truly an honor. The Grand Master most graciously welcomed the Scottish brothers and presented them with his "special coins" to remember the occasion. The Scots were so impressed by Most Worshipful Goehrig's generosity and friendliness.
Our brother, Right Honorable Joe Ingram, was recognized for his 10 years as treasurer. He spoke so proudly of his service and is an inspiration to all of us.
Our Jr. Past Master David Garavano proudly received his new apron, jewel and case with his mother and daughter by his side.
Our thanks go our to R.H Steve Bynum and P.M.'s Ron Wetherell, Ralph Pugh, Bob Monroe, Don Martin, Burt Brim and R.W. Chet King for all of your help and support! Thanks to PM Dave Davis...thank goodness for photo shop!
And finally, the ladies of the Eastern Star...preparing the hall, organizing the meal...working so hard to ensure that we had a wonderful reception for the brothers and families...my thanks can never express just how much we appreciate you all.
Great new beginnings also took place in the lodge building itself. (And it's only February!) Our new Junior Warden, Art Johnson, headed the crew of brothers in completely revamping the kitchen. A huge job and it looks tremendous. Bro. Dave Rohr and Art are "cooking up" some great ideas that you will want to "dig in" to this year.
Brothers Jack Calo and George Guffey led the way in getting the preparation room and library cleaned out. Another "huge" job. When their work is finished, these rooms will once again provide the proper atmosphere for which they were intended
Brother John Miles is laying the groundwork for revamping our "Masonic Store" in Pegram Hall. The goal here will be to provide the brothers with easy access to a wide selection of Masonic accessories. More on this exciting development later!
Our web site master, Brother Trey Rapp, (who has just amazed us with his computer and graphics talents) has redesigned the trestle board page and is working on ideas to help the Rainbow Girls with a web site of their own. He will be working with Brother Miles in going "on line" with some of our Masonic accessories.
Brother Chris Benitez, our Junior Deacon, is starting a food drive project that will be both easy for the brothers to participate in and will give us some well needed exposure with the community.
Our Senior Deacon, Bro. Mike Diaz, has taken the lead in working with the degree teams and assisting Bro. Jim Hall with the study classes. Great work Mike and Jim!
Lights and music will be shared this year between Bro. Richard Leonard and Bro. Francois Mignon. Bro. Leonard intends to share with us his impressive knowledge of Masonic history in some of our education sessions. Bro. Mignon is revitalizing our music with selections that have caught the attention of many of the younger brothers. (By the way, which one's Pink?)
Our past Jr. Deacon, Jeremy Lanman, is assembling some terrific power point presentations for Masonic education this year. More on that next month!
Bro.Tom Kinsella will be our marshall this year. As one of our youngest brothers, Tom helps out at breakfast and is anxious to serve on lodge committees.
Our Senior Warden, Brother Randy White, says he will not be resting too much in the West. He is "overseeing" many of the activities and keeping us straight with the detail work. Bro. Randy leads the example of how to support your lodge and brothers.
Our new treasurer, Bro. Jim Guest, brings a lot of experience to the job and will play a key role in updating our procedures.
No lodge operates without the steady hand of a good secretary. So we've drafted R.W. Burt Brim for another year. I just hope I don't become the straw on the camel's back! Thanks Burt!
I have two goals for this year:
The first is to address the needs of the brothers of this lodge. Our ranks are becoming much more of a mix of both the younger and older brothers. We must address the needs of both. I want to find new ways in which we can support and in many cases, re-build our relationships with each other. Several brothers walked away last year...you know who you are...please come talk with me. Serving the needs of the all of the brothers of this lodge will be my first focus.
My second goal: we will be making efforts to realign our expenses, ensuring that we have a viable financial plan that will keep us going for several years to come. WM Wetherell will be a big help on this. (I'll supply the cigars!)
We will start with reducing our energy consumption through smarter use of our building and appliances. More on that as we go along.
Under the leadership of our new Jr. Warden and his Stewards, we are reducing / eliminating the use of the disposable Styrofoam cups and plates and plastic utensils. We will be rolling up our sleeves and hand washing cups and plates and silverware, just like we do at home. I estimate that using washable cups and plates in place of throwaway plastic could save us over a $1000. per year.
The first step in my first goal is to see to it that every brother of Pine Castle has a lodge pin. Of course this is not a difficult task for those who live locally and can stop by the lodge every now and again. I am speaking of you brothers who cannot come to lodge, because your health won't permit it, or that you now live out of town or state.
Our past master, Steve Owens and his son, our former Junior Warden, designed and had manufactured a beautiful lodge pin in 2006. As far as I know, this is the first lodge pin we've ever had. It has a square and compass with a sprig of acacia. I know that I am very proud to wear one, and I want all of the brothers to have one also. It will be a reminder of what you helped to build here at Pine Castle.
There will be absolutely no cost to you to receive this pin. All you need to do is to write a note to me and request one. It will be sent out in the mail. But I do ask one thing. In your note, please tell us how things are going for you. How is your family? What is it like where you live and what have you been up to since moving away? Are you able to visit a lodge in your town? I would very much appreciate a photo that we can post with your note on our wall of "Wayfaring Brothers". In the next month or so there will be a section of the trestle reserved just for your communications. This way we can get to know each other, even from a distance. Your lodge brothers here just want to show their appreciation of your support, mindful of the fact that you can no longer attend in person.
Brothers, the Masonic philosophy is a wise and righteous path for all men to follow. We need to invest our resources properly to continue this good work and ensure that your efforts and Masonic legacy is not lost.
And finally, my deepest appreciation to all of the brothers, near and far, for building such a fine lodge as Pine Castle #368. I remember that day, a few short years ago while driving by, I had a notion to stop in and see what went on in that building with the square and compass...and was welcomed to become one of you.
Stay in touch. Be good to yourselves. Be safe. God Bless.
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My Brothers,
I would like to thank you for electing me to the West. I look forward to serving the lodge in any way I can and assisting the worshipful master in his duties.
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My Brothers,
This year is going to be a challenge in helping the Lodge raise money to off set our rising cost of running our Lodge.
I sure hope that the Brothers are enjoying the meals before our meetings. Please come out and support our Lodge as our Pine Castle Chief (David Rohr) and I are doing the cooking, It's the real deal. We are also starting to plan our 1st Bar-B-Que on March 13th. and the tickets this year will be $7.00. We would greatly appreciate any of the ladies that can bring along their fine deserts as in the past, which is always a big hit at our bar-b-ques. The day wouldn't be the same without them or your presence. We will also need as many Brothers as possible to help out, so please see me.
Please come out to our dinners, bar-b-ques and breakfasts to help support our lodge.
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In January Pine Castle Assembly was very busy, we escorted at four Masonic installations. February 7Th at 4PM will be our installation. All are welcome, in fact, we would like the brothers to escort us. February 13Th, will be our Valentine's Day dance at the lodge. Rainbow Assemblys and DeMolay chapters have been invited. We are starting to grow and should initiate two girls very soon. If you have a daughter, granddaughter, niece or a neighbor 11 to 19 years old, please encourage her to join us. And, please remember, we are still collecting items for our military. There is a box for donated items on our table in the dining hall. |
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Upcoming Events
February 1st - OES Meeting 7:30pm
February 3rd - Stated Communication 7:30pm, Dinner @6:30pm
February 6th - Masters & Wardens @ Mokanna 8am
February 7th - Rainbow Assembly 6 Meeting 2pm
February 10th - School of Instruction @Mokanna 7pm
February 13th - Rainbow Assembly Valentines Dance 7pm
February 15th - OES Meeting 7:30pm
February 17th - Stated Communication 7:30pm, Dinner @6:30pm
February 21st - Rainbow Assembly 6 Meeting 2pm
February 24th - School of Instruction @Mokanna 7pm
February 27th - Family Breakfast 8am until 10am
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