Trestle Board
Venice Masonic Lodge No: 301 F. & A. M.
Chartered on the 18th Day of April 1951
January 2015 Vol‐65 Issue 1
Stated Communica ons
Held on the 1st Monday and 3rd Monday at 7:30pm
Family Dinner on 3rd Monday at 6:00 pm
118 E. Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285
www.trowel.com/flmason/Venice301/index.html
Venice Lodge No: 301 F. & A. M.
2015 Officers
W:. Master: W:. Derek J Lynn (703)‐407‐3137
Sr. Warden: Br. Mark Bal more 716‐7898
Junior Warden Br. Sco Steelman 725‐0599
Treasurer: W:. Dwight Ridgeway 807‐5690
Secretary: W:. Steve Murphy 662‐0471
Senior Deacon: Br. Gene Scheuring 204‐6226
Junior Deacon: Br. Marcel Leclerc (207)‐754‐5556
Marshall: W:. Jeff Pick 993‐0990
Senior Steward: Br. Jus n Le ner 441‐8457
Junior Steward: Br. Adam Kendall 448‐4777
Tyler: Br. Walt Milne 266‐6212
Organist: Br. Ron McLeod 330‐6991
Appendant Orders
Sco sh Rite: Master of Kadosh ILL. Barry D. Hart 544‐5550
York Chapter No. 35: Excellent High Priest: Jeffery T. Lawrence 315‐5300
York Venice Council 41: ILL Master: John “Jud” Powell 350‐8028
Commandery Eminent Commander: Todd Meschelle 737‐1978
Recorder for Commandery: Gerald E. Goacher, PEC 923‐2665
Recorder for Council & Chapter John F. Wermann, KYCH 492‐2284
Board of Relief: W:.M:. Derek J Lynn 451‐8122
By Laws: R:.W:. John Wermann 492‐2284
Educa on: R:.W:. Barry D. Hart 544‐5550
Electronic Media (Face‐Book): W:. Hampton Crimi 468‐0578
Finance: Br. Mark Bal more 716‐2898
Funerals: W:. Lou Or 485‐5313
Greeters: Br. Mark Bal more 716‐2898
Inves ga ons: Br. Mark Bal more 716‐2898
Lodge Instruc on/Catechism: Br. Gene Scheuring 204‐6226
Lodge Property: W:. Lou Kelly 468‐2318
Mentors/Pe ons: W:. Lou Kelly 468‐2318
Publicity: Br. Ed Shauan 681‐6365
Scholarships: W:.M:. Derek J Lynn 451‐8122
Telephone Tree: Br. Gene Scheuring 204‐6226
Transporta on: W:. Lou Or 485‐5313
Vigilance / Charity: Br. Sco Steelman 725‐0599
Monthly Meals / Kitchen: Br. Sco Steelman 725‐0599
Commi ee Chairmen
Fraternal Greetings Brethren,
Hope that the Holidays treated you and your families well and welcome to the New Year. As always I am certain that this is going to be that special year I have envisioned, with all of life's trials and tribulations resolving or at least getting better than the previous year. Reviewing the month of December 2014, De-cember 1st was much more than just another election; I was honored by the brethren to be-come their WM for the year 2015. Thank you to the brethren for their confidence in me. I will need all your support for a successful year. The 22nd saw us bring three more new candidates to the light in the EA degree, with Br. Mark Baltimore as the degree master, and as usual an excellent presented degree by him and the degree team.
The strength of the officers and broth-ers who frequent lodge nights is impressive but there is more to do. One goal this year is to reach out to those brothers who we have not sat in Lodge for a while; we do miss your attendance even though we have been remiss in expressing it. I could blame it on our busy lives but everyone is busy, that is no reason
for brothers not to be in touch, the question is how we allocate our time. Emails and texts are a quick and easy way to communicate but lack in the personal interaction of grip; a word, a smile or a call. There are no smiles in text or caring tone in an email. I intend to fix the gap in communication and reach out to you; it is your opportunity to respond.
In Lodge we will speak with strong clear voices so none go away unhappy. I need all of your help in bringing the lodge, broth-ers and families together this year and all the future years to come. If we all pitch in a little, stronger fellowship and family support for what we do will follow. The outcome will be a fraternity to be more proud of and a reason to attend lodge. Call a brother you haven’t seen for a while, just ask how he and his fam-ily is doing and welcome him back. Both will be glad you did. It is up to us to make it hap-pen.
Fraternally,
W. Derek Lynn Worshipful Master
From the East
From the West
Brethren,
It’s hard to believe 2014 is gone. They al-ways say the older you get the faster they go. I hope everyone had a good holiday and enjoy a safe happy new year.
I would like to congratulate W:. Steve Mur-phy on doing a great job as master in 2014. I also would like to express my apprecia-tion for all of the 2014 officers for all of the hard work they did for our great lodge.
W:. Lynn and his line of officers are look-ing to have a very busy 2015 with some new fund raising events planned. So, we
will be looking for both new and old faces to come out to help. I am looking forward to my new position as Sr. Warden. I am committed to working hard to make Venice 301 the friendliest lodge in the 27th district. If any brothers have any fund raising ideas please feel free to contact me at: [email protected] or (941) 716-2898.
Fraternally,
Mark Baltimore, Senior Warden
Family Dinner Menu 3rd Monday of the Month
Cottage Pie, Veggies, Dinner Rolls, Apple Pie and Ice Cream
Hot Coffee and Iced Tea
Brethren,
First, I want to congratulate Derek Lynn for having been elected as Worshipful Master for 2015. I am honored to have been elected as your Junior Warden and I am looking forward to a great year while serv-ing Derek and our Lodge. A big “Thank You” to outgoing Worshipful Master, Steve Murphy who had an outstanding year while leading our Lodge.
Our family dinner will be held on Monday, January 19th, starting at 6 pm.
I am so fortunate that our outstanding chef, Deb Sims, will continue to provide the Lodge with delicious meals in 2015. I look forward to working with her. I encourage all of our members and their families and friends to come out and enjoy the wonderful dinners and fellowship.
Fraternally,
Scott D. Steelman, Junior Warden
From The South
Charity of The Month
Salvation Army
We would like to thank the following Brothers for suppor ng our Lodge.
Gold $50.00 Silver $25.00 Bronze: $10.00
W:. Steve Ellis
R:.W:. John Wermann
W:.M:. Derek Lynn
W:. Jeff Pick
W:. Fred Ellis
*Contact W:. Derek Lynn if you would like to support your Lodge by becoming a Booster con-
tributor for 2015. Remember it starts at $10.00
Venice Masonic Lodge #301
Like us on Facebook
Monitored by W:. Hampton Crimi
Boosters
Chaplains Corner
Sickness & Distress:
Please keep our brethren in your thoughts and prayers:
Br. David Al mier—Village on the Isle Assisted Living
Br. John Lewis—Village on the Isle Assisted Living
W:. Malcolm Ryder—Hospice at Bay Village in Sarasota
R:.W:. Maurice (Babe) Dalton—Manor Care in Sarasota
Perpetual Members Help Yourself—Help Your Lodge
It is Once—It is Forever
Lee Briner Philippe George V. Canlers‐Mem. Richard Cervi John Coffey Rodger Craig Hampton Crimi Maurice Dalton Sr. Frederick Ellis Steven Ellis David Farley Les Frisby Richard Geraci Barry D. Hart
Harold L. Jones‐Mem. Rocky Kearney Louie Kelly Robert Kern John La a Robert Mac Alvanah Joseph Madrak Louis Marche Robert Mar n Gerald Maxey Clark McClelland Ronald Morrison Paul Noller Earl Orth
Louis Or Jeffrey Pick Blair Post Dwight Ridgeway B. John Ross Edward Schwenk‐Mem. Glenn Miller Smith‐Hon. Joseph Stella Richard Tacy‐Mem. Robert Duane Trump‐Hon. John Wermann Eric West John Winters
District 27 Lodges
Manatee Lodge No.31: 402 15th St. E., Bradenton, FL 34208—1st/3rd Mon. 7:30 pm
Braidentown Lodge No.99: 520 30th Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205—1st/3rd Tues. 7:30 pm
Palme o Lodge No.110: 402 15th St. E., Bradenton, FL 34208—2nd/4th Tues. 7:30 pm
Sarasota Lodge No.147: 2160 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34237—2nd/4th Tues. 7:30 pm
Phoenix Lodge No.346: 240 S Tu le Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237—1st/3rd Tues. 7:30
Englewood Lodge No.360: 265 Pine St., Englewood, FL 34223—1st/3rd Tues. 7:30 pm
North Port Lodge No.406: 5900 S. Biscayne Blvd., North Port, FL 34287—2nd/4th Wed. 7:00 pm
Venice Lodge No. 301 F. & A.M. Past Masters
1951 (d) Forest Chapman 1983 (d) James Oakley
1952 (d) C. Allen Pa son – DDGM 1984 George DeNeen
1953 (d) Elihu B. Roberts 1985 C. Bruce Jones
1954 (d) Sanford Smith 1986 (d) William W. Brooks
1955 (d) Robert Bruce Rigby Sr. 1987 Rodger L. Craig Sr. ‐ DDGM
1956 (d) Carl Cribbs 1988 Richard Cervi ‐ DDGM
1957 (d) Malcolm A. Miner 1989 (d) Ralph Wilkinson
1958 (d) George R. Mitchell 1990 Robert B. Strayer Jr.
1959 (d) Irvin H. Jones 1991 (d) Robert J. Lane
1960 (d) Joseph Jossart 1992 Cur s Bradley
1961 (d) Thomas Hankins 1993 B David Harris Jr.
1962 (d) John A. Nelson 1994 Stephen H. Clark ‐ DDGM
1963 Lee G. Briner 1995 Malcolm B. Ryder
1964 (d) George R. Colle Jr. – DDGM 1996 Louie E. Kelly
1965 (d) William Hendrix 1997 Frederick Ellis
1966 Richard Geraci 1998 (d) Richard Tacy
1967 (d) Wade H. Ballard Sr. 1999 Steve Ellis
1968 (d) William A. Cul ce 2000 Eric B. West ‐ DDGM
1969 (d) Paul Lanius ‐ DDGM/DI 2001 B. John Ross
1970 (d) A. Bradford Smith 2002 John F. Wermann ‐ DDGM
1971 Roger Isphording 2003 Hampton Crimi
1972 (d) Larry Jeffrey 2004 Robert Kern
1973 (d) Hubert Palmer – DI 2005 Louis H. Or
1974 (d) Joseph Bezjian 2006 (d) Donald Hixon
1975 (d) Donald A. Richard 2007 Joseph Stella
1976 (d) Forest L. Foster 2008 G. Rocky Kearney
1977 (d) Harold L. Jones – 2 2009 John Hobeika
1978 (d) Hudson W. McCoy 2010 John La a
1979 (d) John P. Haus 2011 Barry D. Hart ‐ DDGM
1980 (d) George A. Carver III 2012 Louis Marche ‐2
1981 (d) Harold L. Jones – 2 2013 Jeff Pick
1982 Maurice M. Dalton Sr. – DDGM2 2014 Steve Murphy
(d)- Deceased
DI - District Instructor
Masonic Education
FREE AND ACCEPTED
The Masons who were selected to build the temple of Solomon were de-clared free. These Free Masons were allowed to gather with their families and were ex-empt from paying taxes. They also had the privilege to bear arms. Thus, they were ac-cepted as free men.
At the destruction of the Temple by Ne-buch-a-nezzar, these Free Masons were taken to Babylon and put into captivity with the Jews. Cyrus, after taking control of Babylon, gave these Masons permission to return to Jerusalem to erect a second Temple, freeing them to do so.
To be free they had to be accepted as free, hence the term Free and Accepted. Not all men in all cases are accepted as free, they are held by the restraints of doctrine and power. To be free in mind and body one must work at it. So if your are asked:
Are you a Free Man?
Yes.
How do you know you are a free man?
Because I am free to follow my dreams.
What makes you a free man?
The people around me, for I am accepted as a free man.
If you can answer these questions in this manor you are truly a Freemason.
Masons of the Year
Masonic Birthdays
1993 Br. Steve Yosman
1994 W:. Louis Or
1995 W:. David Harris Jr
1996 W:. B. John Ross
1996 W:. Malcolm Ryder
1997 Br. Don Needham
1998 Br. Donald Smith
1999 W:. Malcolm Ryder
2000 W:. Malcolm Ryder
2000 W:. Richard Tacy (d)
2001 W:. Malcolm Ryder
2002 W:. B. John Ross
2003 R:.W:. Rodger Craig
2004 R:.W:. Rodger Craig
2005 R:.W:. John Wermann
2006 R:.W:. John Wermann
2006 W:. Hampton Crimi
2007 R:.W:. John Wermann
2007 R:.W:. Rodger Craig
2008 Br. John Lewis
2009 Br. John Greene
2010 Br. John Greene
2011 Br. John Greene
2012 No Award Given
2013 W:. Lou Kelly
2013 Br. Mark Bal more
2014 Br. Marcel Leclerc
01/10/1977 David Farley
01/12/1998 John Wermann
01/14/1984 William Lather
01/22/197 Dennis Taylor
01/22/1979 Larry Hanson
01/27/2004 Kenneth Archibald
01/28/1980 Charles Jones
Current Petitioners
Br. Mark Sanders
Mr. Matt McKinley Palmer
New Entered Appren ce Class Ini ated December 22, 2014.
Pictured Le to Right:
R:.W:. Barry D Hart, Br. Wayne Breka, SD Gene Scheuring, Br. Kadan
Duke, Br. John Greene III, PM Lou Kelly, Br. Walt Milne, Degree Master
Mark Bal more, SW Derek Lynn, JW Sco Steelman, JD Marcel Leclerc,
Br. Micah Wemes, W:.M:. Steve Murphy
January 2015
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Commandery 1st Thursday— 7:30pm Odd Months—Braidentown #99 Even Months—
Venice #301
2
Sarasota Lodge #147
Installa on of Officers
6:30 pm
3
Venice Lodge #301
Installa on of Officers
5:30 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Installa on
4
5 Stated Commu‐
nica on
7:30pm
Followed by
fellowship
6 Phoenix Lodge #346
Installa on of Offic‐
ers 6:30 pm Dinner
7
8 Combined Installa‐on of Chapter
Council & Com‐mandery Dinner Braidentown #99
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 Council—3rd Friday at Venice #301—7:30pm
17
18
19 Stated Commu‐
nica on
7:30pm
Dinner 6:00 pm
20
21
22 Master Masons 6:45 pm Sarasota #147
23
24
25
26 Lodge Officers Mee ng 7:00 pm
27
28
29
30
31
Venice Lodge #301
Venice Shrine Club
President Jim Fahey
941‐223‐6533
Mee ng Place: TBD
Meets 3rd Tuesday at
11:00am
YORK RITE MASONS
Royal Arch—2nd Thursday at Sarasota #147—7:30pm
Council—3rd Friday at Venice #301—7:30pm
Commandery—1st Thursday—7:30pm Odd Months—Braidentown #99 Even Months—Venice #301