Brethren,
The majority of the Brothers who are members of our Lodge are people who are not able to make it to Stated Communications or practice sessions because of geographic barriers or health related limitations. We enjoy your company and we understand why you are not able to make it. We appreciate you keeping your memberships current. Your continuos support throughout the years goes a long way to meeting our fiscal obligations so that we may continue to get the good word of the Fellowship out to those who otherwise might not ever hear it.
Saturday May 24th the Lodge will be hosting a cookout for a "Salute to Veterans". This is intended to show our appreciation to those people who are serving and have served in our Armed Forces and also the Firefighters and Police who have answered those higher callings.
I would also like to thank the Brothers who volunteered their time at the Child ID program on Saturday April 12th . The turnout was light but with 12 children participating, it was an effort well spent. There will be another in the third quarter of the year.
Thursday May 1st we will be reading the proposed Grand Lodge legislation and would appreciate the attendance of all Brothers for discussion of the issues over cold sandwiches. We will start at 6:30 PM and Degree practice will follow. I invite discussion with all of the Brothers regardless of age or experience because we value your perspectives. Every individual makes a difference collectively.
There has been an impressive amount of donations made for the care packages that have been sent to Spec. Jeff Deptola and Spec. Steven Shelton to be distributed to their units respectively. It should be noted that members who have had their memberships lapse and are in the process of re-instating made some of the donations. We will continue to send packages so long as there is a need.
The Brothers of this Lodge are some of the best people I have had the privilege to be associated with and I am proud to stand amongst you.
As we continue to live in the free society that is the best place to live in, and with opportunity that is limited only by ourselves, let us continue to pray for the people who place themselves in harms way in defense of our Liberties and those ideals we hold sacred.
May 1st Practice (Catechism Instruction Available) 7:30 PM REVIEW LEGISLATION 6:30 PM
May 4th E.O.S and O.E.S. Dinner Noon - 2:00 PM.
May 5th Practice (Catechism Instruction Available) 7:30 PM
May 7th Eastern Star Meeting 7:30 PM.
May 8th Practice (Catechism Instruction Available) 7:30 PM
May 12th Stated Communication 7:30 PM
May 15th Practice (Catechism Instruction Available) 7:30 PM
May 19th MASTER MASON DEGREE DINNER 6:30 PM DEGREE 7:30 PM
May 21st Eastern Star Meeting 7:30 PM.
May 22nd Practice (Catechism Instruction Available) 7:30 PM
May 24th "SALUTE TO VETERANS" Noon to 2:30 PM
May 26th DARK (GRAND LODGE)
May 29th DARK (GRAND LODGE)
From the Secretary's Desk Brothers,
PLEASE NOTE: Our Master Mason Degree Night will be a little different. We will have the Dinner at 6:30 PM, and then the Degree at 7:30 PM. We hope to have three candidates.
Our Child ID program was successful. Thanks to all those who participated, and a special thanks to Worshipful Brother Carl Lewis for organizing the event.
The Yard Sale and Fish Fry were also successful. The Yard Sale brought in $750 and the Fish Fry brought in $80 after expenses. However, we have enough fish left over for another Fry and after minor expenses all of the next Fish Fry will be profit. Brothers, we need you help in selling tickets for the next Fish Fry! It will be in June.
The All Children's Hospital Telethon will be coming up in June. We will be designating the Mite Box at several of the meetings for this event. If you would like to contribute please mail a check made out to Elmer O. Smith Lodge and annotate the memo field "All Children's".
Thanks to all Brothers and Sisters who have been bringing in items to send to our troops over seas. The packages are appreciated. I know when I was over seas I always appreciated those "care packages".
Please help me cut down my workload. In June I'm required to send a letter to all those who have NOT YET paid their 2003 dues. PLEASE check your dues cards and if you haven't paid your 2003 dues, send them in. If you need assistance please call me.
Fraternally,
Brother Art Markowitz
FROM THE WEST Brethren,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who helped with the Fellow Craft degree (Great Job) and a special thanks to Worshipful Jim Reedy for letting me sit in the East. It's definitely different when you are up there. I thought it would be easy, but believe me it's not. Congratulations once again to our new Brother Fellow Crafts, looking forward to your Master Mason Degree.
Don't forget to keep all those Brothers and friends with sickness and distress in our thoughts along with our troops overseas. Let's hope they come home safely very soon.
Thank you to all the brothers who show up for practice and to the Past Masters who make practice a worthy cause. Without your guidance and Light we would not be able to put on the degree work we do. Keep up the good work.
Brother Steve Morris
Senior Warden
Upon the Level
Congratulations to Brother Drew Whitehouse, Star and Julie. Julie now has a new BROTHER, JOHN THOMAS WHITEHOUSE.
John was born March 18th at 8:43 PM. He weighed in at 7 pounds 9 ounces and measured 21 and ½ inches.
Mom, Dad and family are doing fine.L to R: Drew, John, and Star
THE CHAPLAINS CORNER JELLY BEAN PRAYER
RED is for the blood He gave. Green is for the grass He made. Yellow is for the sun so bright. Orange is for the edge of night. Blue is for the sins we made. White is for the grace He gave. Purple is for His hour of sorrow. Pink is for our new tomorrow. A bag full of jelly beans colorful and sweet. Is a prayer, is a promise, is a special treat. (AUTHOR UNKNOWN)
Terry D. FarnsworthChaplain
WORSHIPFUL BROTHER RAY N. RICH
On March 19, 1936 Dunnwoody County, Georgia presented us one of Freemasonry's finest Masons, Worshipful Brother Ray N. Rich. He was raised and educated in and around Atlanta until the 9th, Grade. Though just a freshman, he played Varsity Football for Bass High School and was a member of the State Championship Team in 1950.
Worshipful Brother Ray's father bought his first bakery while in Georgia where Ray would work after school. Some times they would close the Bakery and over the weekend make trips to the West Coast of Florida. They enjoyed Florida so much that in November 1950, they moved to Madeira Beach where Ray's Dad opened Rich's Bakery on Gulf Boulevard.
Worshipful Brother Ray attended St. Petersburg High School from 1951 until 1953 and than transferred to Boca Ciega High School. There he and Carol met in 1954. Carol was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and then the family moved to St. Petersburg in 1952. They both graduated from "Bogie" in the class of "55". Ray and Carol were married on St. Patrick's Day, March 17,1956.
Ray started work for Frank and Murray (in St. Petersburg), as an auto electrician and carburetor mechanic in1953 and continued his work there until 1958. In 1958 Ray joined the United States Air Force and became an aircraft and missile electrician at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. While at Dyess A.F.B, their daughter, Kelley was born in 1960. In 1961 Ray transferred to Lowry A.F.B Denver, Colorado and their son, Scott was born in 1962. Ray was Honorably Discharged in April 1963.
They returned to Florida and moved to Pinellas Park. There he went to work for Eastern Airlines in Tampa, in the customer service department. In 1964 their son Kevin was born. Eastern Airlines ceased to operate in 1989, so Ray went to work as a bus driver for P.S.T.A. for ten and a half years, retiring in 2000.
Worshipful Brother Ray was very active with The Thunderbird Youth Football Organization as a coach. He also coached Minor League, Pony League and Colt League Baseball at Davis Field in Pinellas Park, for approximately nine years.Currently much of their time is spent with their six Grandchildren, three are here in the area and three are in Tennessee. Since retiring Worshipful Brother Ray has said he doesn't know how he had the time to work, there are so many thinks to keep him busy.
Both Worshipful Brother Ray and his wife Carol have been very active in our Masonic Family. Carol has worked with our Rainbow Assembly and is currently serving as Treasurer for OES Pinellas Park Chapter 234. For the past several years Worshipful Brother Rich has served as Mentor, Lodge Instructor and Treasurer.
The M:.W:. James A. Durham, Jr., Grand Master's, motto is "Excellence Through Knowledge". Worshipful Brother Ray N. Rich has used his talents to provide his Brothers with knowledge of Freemasonry both as a Lodge Instructor and Mentor. Our THANKS Brother, for a job well done. Your efforts are appreciated!
MASONIC HISTORY Entered Apprentice June 16, 1986
Fellow Craft September 15, 1986
Master Mason October 20, 1986
Junior Deacon 1987
Silver Proficiency Card ..........1987
Junior Warden 1988
Blue Proficiency card 1988
Senior Warden 1989
Worshipful Master 1990
Blue Proficiency Card 1991
W & G District Chairman 1992
Marshal ..........1993
Perpetual member 1993
Marshal ..........1994
Blue Proficiency Card 1996
Marshal ..........2001
Treasurer ..........2002 - 2003Worshipful Brother Ray Rich
an example of
"Excellence through Knowledge"
Setting up for Child ID Police Explorer Post who helped with Child ID One of our participants (Tyler Morris) Newest Fellow Crafts: Brothers Chuck Sekeres, Bill Pysnack and Remko van der Voordt Footnote to above Picture: Brother Remko had his head shaved to prepare for summer. He was the first candidate to arrive. Several of the Brothers sat him in a chair with a tablecloth about his chest and shaving implements on the table. They put Band-Aids all over his head. As each of the candidates arrived they brought them to the chair and said NEXT! Brothers Bill and Chuck took it in good humor as it was intended!
OUR VISITING BROTHERS FROM MAIN LAND Left to Right: Edward Seeds, OH, Alex Norwich, FL, Gene Stone, PA, Walter Cleland, OH and Richard Kimberley, CN (Let's encourage them to keep visiting and bring some others)
IN MEMORIUM
Brother Paul Pluchino Sr. Initiated - January 28, 1995 Pinellas Daylight Lodge No. 385 F&AM of FL
Passed - June 24, 1995 Pinellas Daylight Lodge No. 385 F&AM of FL
Raised - October 25, 1995 Pinellas Daylight Lodge No. 385 F&AM of FL
Affiliated - April 23, 2001
PASSED TO THE GRAND LODGE ON HIGH MARCH 28, 2003
Brother John Hugh Michael Initiated - May 24, 1966 Sunshine Lodge No. 288 F&AM of FL
Passed - July 26, 1966 Sunshine Lodge No. 288 F&AM of FL
Raised - October 25, 1966 Sunshine Lodge No. 288 F&AM of FL
25 Year Pin - October 25, 1991
Affiliated - February 18, 1992
PASSED TO THE GRAND LODGE ON HIGH APRIL 11, 2003
Right Worshipful C. Edward Gonzalez Senior Grand Warden of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of Florida PASSED TO THE GRAND LODGE ON HIGH APRIL 11, 2003 CELEBRATION OF LIFE Happy Birthday
May
Karl J. Andre William B. Garrett PM Frank R. Peterson Michael L. Cahill James M. Lawrence Andrew B. Piazza Chris Christopher Billy R. Mylin Jolly H. Rogers Raymond C. Ford Gerard W. Woodward
