DeSoto Lodge 105 First Worshipful Master B.N.Mathes 5888-A.L.

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1 DeSoto Lodge 105 First Worshipful Master B.N.Mathes 5888-A.L. Stated Communications 1st and 3rd Tuesdays At 7:30 PM Between Two Golden Pillars and Thru this Portal Wise men will pass B DeSoto LODGE NO. 105 F.&A.M DeSoto Rd. RIVERVIEW, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 2018 VOL. MMXVIII NO. II 1 J

2 DeSoto Lodge #105 Officers 2018 Worshipful Master Stephen Williams (Roni Kay) Senior Warden David St John (Vickie) C Junior Warden Rick Vogt( Denise) Treasurer Robby Stewart (Elizabeth) Senior Deacon Peter Loach ( Dee) Chaplain Bill Bartman (Jill) Secretary R W Greg Wynn (Theresa) Junior Deacon Donald Fisch (Evelyn) Sr Steward Ken Stone (Angela) Tyler Richard Dick Sylvis (Mary) Lodge Instructor W Don Campbell (Barbara) Jr Steward Kevin Bush (Betty) Marshall W Steve Wilson (Michelle)

3 DESOTO HONOR ROLL of PAST MASTERS * =Deceased + = Past District Deputy Grand Master B.N.Mathes * A.H.Meeks*...Lodge first met in the Meeks Store B.N.Mathes * O.P.Buzbee * L.W.Buckholtz * J.R.Brooker * G.H.Symmes * B.H.Emerson * L.G.Scofield * J.W.WIlliams * E.P.Blanton * F.Ray Hearn * W.T.Williams * J.E.McLean Sr. * A.Kirkpatrick * J.W. McLean * D.H.Williams * E.J.Bryant * C.Friedling * C.Pelt * L.D.Patterson * T.H.Brown * C P Remling * A.O.Moody * M.Linder * G.L.Pritchard * J.S.Meadows * H.W.Meadows * E.E.Doub * J.E.McLean Jr. * J.W.Thompson * D.C.Graves * W.J.Gallana */ Wm.E. Hegeman * J.P.Massicotte* J.A.Bailey Jr. * W.Willis * R.M.Ekker* A.Vasquez * A.Ekker * R\W\G. Cooley 33+* H. Smallwood +* H. Rice* J.R. Hamrick, Jr* V. Linder H.B. Wilder A.L. Frisbie * W.A. Thompson * W.L. Shurtleff W.W. Jay * J.D. Fletcher * R.F. Tatum * A.W. Fenzau * W.L. Stanford R.W. Smith * H.L. Clausen C. Repp +* O.H. Elmore * J. A. Brown * M. Beardsley +* D.R. Packard * W.B. Ellis 33º* E.E. Oglethorpe * J.D. Fowler G.J. Davis W.J.Wiggins* G.W.Fears A.E.Baker * J.M.Williams R.S.Varney R. Gene Horne* J.H.McDaniel R.M.Hardy L.Swilley, Jr.* T.A.Berry F.R.Hudson* D.M.Little RW:.F.E.Lowe R.E.Kennedy David G. Watson Sr.* Dennis Owenby * Bob Boose David G. Watson Jr Skip Franklin James Hiller David Doc Rivera Ronald J. Brimner Robert Dishon Mark Titzel Howie Angeloni Don Campbell Greg Wynn Hoyt Al Lawson Adam Barsoum Troy Di Vito Bill Tracy Steve Wilson 2017 William Miller 3 MASONIC EDUCATION DEGREE PRACTICE Every Wednesday DeSoto Lodge 7:00 pm : "Brothers, please support the degree team, your help is greatly needed. District School of Instruction Every 3rd Monday 7:00PM Tampa # E. Chelsea St; Tampa, FL 7:00 pm W Don Campbell DeSoto Lodge Gold Card Instructor DESOTO LODGE # 105 F.&A.M. Has a Facebook Group IF YOU USE FACEBOOK Join Our Group! Articles or pictures for the Trestleboard Send to Steve Robb via at scrobb@aol.com DeSoto Lodge 105 Mason of the Year 2017 Rick Vogt

4 W M Stephen Williams The Master s Word Fraternal Greetings from the East, I would like to start by thanking or special guest speaker Lisa Tsotsos. Mrs. Tsotsos attended our first family night to give us an update on the Home, events and residents and brought us greetings from our very own Elizabeth Repp. We could not ask for a better caretaker or Masonic Brothers and Sisters. Her passion and zeal for the residents is obvious and she gave us several ideas on what we can do for the residents. I would also like to congratulate Brother Shea Pringle for his successful Entered Appetence Catechism give back. We also passed Brother Pringle to the Degree of Fellow Craft on Jan 30th at 7:00 pm. February 3rd was the Senior Prom at the Masonic Home is St. Pete. All the proceeds go to the First Lady s project to renovate the Home s therapy center. Most Worshipful Richard G. Hoover and First Lady Bobby was in attendance and we had a great time. In my research looking for monthly Masonic education I came across this article that I wanted to share. The following paragraphs are excerpts: Many surveys have been conducted over the past few years to determine the cause of losses through non-payment of dues, and to determine ways of reducing the losses. The results of such surveys, for the most part, have been in-conclusive and unrewarding. There has been in-sufficient follow-through to adequately find a long-range solution. In some communities, there are more former Masons than current ones. This is a sad commentary. Little more has been done other than to identify it as a problem facing the Fraternity. We are applying light bandages when we should be applying tourniquets. We proudly proclaim that we take good men and make them better. We express our tenets as friendship, morality and brotherly love. We announce our belief in faith, hope and charity. We use the lessons and tools of the operative Masons to teach symbolically that we must place our designs on the Trestleboard so that the stones will fit with exact nicety. The Trestleboard is translated to life and the stones to each of us as individual Masons. We each and every one of us must make a renewed commitment to those precepts if we are to meet this challenge. It s a matter of education and communication. It s a matter of pride. It s a necessity for our existence as a brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God. Taking good men implies that we must be highly selective in whom we admit to our Order. Is the petitioner a good man? Is he of good report? Does he measure up to our moral standards? Does he truly believe in a Supreme Being? Does he have concern for his fellowman? Can he meet his financial obligations? If he has those qualities he is deserving of our brotherly love and our desire to make him better using the working tools as they should be used, so that he may have pride in himself and satisfaction with his new profession. Communication, Leadership and Education are the three keys to an effective solution. The instructive tongue can and should be one of the most effective working tools of Masonry. The Masonic leader must put it to use to instruct, to guide, to lead, to build and to translate the lessons of our ritual into meaningful applications in the lives of the Masons. With proper guidance and instruction, everyone can be inspired, motivated and involved in the affairs, operation and activities of the lodge. An active Mason is involved. His involvement maintains his interest. He is part of the Brotherhood. By maintaining his interest and involvement, there is little chance that he will become an N. P. D. statistic. In the Short Talk Bulletin of March 1943 It is amazing that 75 years later we are having the same conversations and the same need to improve the product of Masonry to attract, engage and maintain membership. I challenge you to come to Lodge and be involved. Meet the new members and upcoming leadership of your lodge. Fraternally, Stephen 4

5 From the West S.W. David St. John Greetings from the West, We have another busy month for the Lodge and hope you can join us and support these activities. Feb 10 th is the always fun Pink Lodge held at Olin S. Wright. Come watch the Grand Master get roasted by the Ladies of OES. Feb 18 th Masonic Home Board Meeting Feb 19 th District School of Instruction Feb 23 rd Master s and Wardens (anyone can attend) Feb 24 th Open Books at the Scottish Rite Center Feb 25 th Pancake Breakfast with the Bloodmobile. Feb 27 th EA Degree 7pm gavel I am hoping to have a Lodge work day this month which had to be cancelled in January. Weather permitting I hope we can start with the awning on the entry way of the building as this is one of the first things people see as they come to the lodge. On a personal note I want to thank everyone for their condolences with the passing of my mother. The support is so fantastic by all the Brethren. It is nice knowing we are always there for each other. From my brother and sister we want to thank you for the use of the Lodge for her memorial service. I owe Roni Kay a huge thank you for preparing the food. I also want to thank Worshipful Master Williams, Worshipful Wilson and Lady Michelle, Worshipful Tracey, Brother Ken Stone and Brother Bush for helping with getting everything setup and ready for the service. I apologize if I missed anyone else who helped. Fraternally Dave DeSoto Lodge 105 Chili Cook-Off February 6 Contact the Junior Warden Rick Vogt if you intend to enter 5

6 From the South J.W. Richard Vogt As the first month of 2018 comes to a close, it looks like we have an exciting year before us if this month is any indication. Our own Lodge Installation of Officers was a beautiful affair attended by a lot of people. In addition, we took the opportunity to visit several other lodge s installations and got to meet the other Worshipful Masters and Officers in our District. I congratulate our new Officers as well as all of the Officers from the other Lodges in our District. I would also like to congratulate Brother Shae Pringle on having been found proficient in his Entered Apprentice Catechism. He will have become a new Fellow Craft by the time you read this. Your degree team has been working hard to prepare for the Fellow Craft Degree, not only for Brother Pringle, but also for the Degree Competition to be held at the end of March. I encourage each of you to come out and support our degrees, and, even better, become a part of our degree teams. We really do have a lot of fun at our practices. By the way, those practices occur every Wednesday night at 7:00 pm if you are so inclined. Sometimes we even have leftover dessert. My first meal in 2018 was actually leftover meatloaf it was yummy from Worshipful Master Steve Williams Installation. Thank you for making my first meal easy on me. The family night meal was Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots, and, of course, for the New Year, Black-Eyed Peas. It must have been pretty good because I got the head nod from R. W. Larry Lee. Doesn t get any better than that. I ll add that the yellow cake with chocolate frosting was especially good-and we got to have the leftovers after the next degree practice told you that you should come out and be part of the degree teams. The first meal in February-Feb 6-will be a CHILI COOKOFF to determine the DeSoto Chili King for I am inviting any Brother that wants to put up his chili against mine to bring a crockpot full for that meeting. The brothers that attend that night will be the judges for this cook-off. I would also ask to please let me know if you will be entering the contest so I can plan enough food for everyone. I will provide all the extras so you just need to bring your chili. Our Family Night meal will have a Valentine s theme so bring your best girl with you for a cheap date night. I have something special planned but you ll have to come out to find out what it is. In March, the Family Night will have a St. Patrick s Day theme so wear your Green. Fortunately, The Grand Master s tie is green so most of us have that covered. I hope you all have a Blessed month, and I look forward to seeing a lot of Brothers that haven t been to lodge in a while back with us. Fraternally, Rick Blood Drive and Pancake Breakfast!!! -- Feb 25th Scrambled Eggs - Bacon - Sausage Orange Juice Hot Coffee From 8:30 till 12:NOON PRICE: $5.00 or Donate BLOOD and EAT FREE 6

7 CHAPLAIN'S CORNER By Bill Bartman FEBRUARY LOVED ONES AND PRESIDENTS Love is a four-letter word, but it s a good one. Many hearts have been broken, both by hearing it and by not hearing it. Be sure you speak those three little words (I love you) to all your loved ones on the 14 th, including your parents if they re still living. I ve heard some people say, I love everybody. I don t believe them. We all have a thorn in our side, or someone who just irritates us, or rubs us the wrong way. We may pretend to ignore it, or act like it doesn t matter to us, but let s face it, we feel the world would be a better place without that individual in it. How can we honestly cope with such a person? Ignoring, forgetting, confronting, what will work? The Holy Bible actually commands us to love one another (John 13:34). It doesn t suggest that we do so, but tells us that we should! That will mean dealing with forgiveness of those who have wronged us or treated us unfairly. In fact, in the Bible we re told that there is nothing special about loving someone who loves you already, nor greeting some friend; everyone does that. (Matt. 5:46) We must extend our hands of friendship and show love and concern to the unlovable in order to show the difference that a Mason makes in our society. I had a small sign hanging in my office one time that read, Those who need love the most, deserve it the least. We all know that, don t we? This month, while you re buying roses or chocolates for your wife or sweetheart, valentines for family and friends, why not go to that one that bothers you and do something unexpected (and kind) for that person? You might be surprised how much better you ll feel. John the Apostle wrote something in the Bible with real meaning to Masons. It reads, But whoever has this world s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:17-18) Love is an action, not a noun! Don t ignore a distressed brother in need, but go to his relief ASAP. On the 19 th, remember to be thankful for the blessing of living in such a great country, and for the impact that both Washington and Lincoln had in our history. It s sad to see how immorality and dishonesty is damaging the very core of our country today, but we still must be grateful for our founding fathers and these two great Presidents. Remember, George Washington was a Brother Mason! We need to remember that our Great Creator is still in control, and hopefully our leaders will eventually get things straightened out. Let us each do our part in that effort, setting an example of morality, honesty, and brotherly love to all we come into contact with every day! After all, that s what Masonry s all about, isn t it? Fraternally, Bill GOD S ROLL CALL 2018 ALAS One Of Our Number Is No More! Honorable Brother Tony Palucci has completed his journey East on January 25, 2018 GOD BLESS 7

8 Newest Fellow Craft for DeSoto Lodge #105 Brother Shea Pringle flanked by Degree Worshipful Master Rick Vogt, Tyler Rich Silvis, and DeSoto Worshipful Master Steve Williams What Happened on the Date in Masonic History January February 7 February 9 February 11 February 18 February 19 February 23 February 24 On this date in 1981, the Grand Lodge of Alaska was organized On this date in 1988, a group of masonic leaders met with President Ronald Reagan; the Grand Master of DC presented him with a certificate, and the Scottish Rite and Shrine made him an honorary member of those bodies. On this date in 1988, a group of masonic leaders met with President Ronald Reagan; the Grand Master of DC presented him with a certificate, and the Scottish Rite and Shrine made him an honorary member of those bodies. On this date in 1909, U.S. President William Howard Taft received his 1st degree in Kilwinning Lodge #356, Cincinnati, Ohio On this date in 1811, the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia was formed in Washington D.C. On this date in 1887, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle received his 2nd degree. On this date in 1853, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota was formed 8

9 THE TWO PILLARS by H. Jordan Rosoce 32 degree THE NEW AGE - JANUARY 1964 The Fellow-Craft is introduced to the wonders of his world of art and science through portals flanked by two massive pillars. Detailed description of these pillars in the Books of Kings indicates a style of design common to Egyptian architecture, where a pillar terminates in a capital representing a conventionalized lotus blossom, or the seed pod of that sacred lily. Such twin pillars are frequently found among Egyptian and Sumerian archaeological remains. The pillars of King Solomon's Temple, and in fact that entire group of structures, were the work of Phoenician artists, according to the Biblical account. From other sources we gather that these same designers and craftsmen, initiated Dionysiac architects, were responsible for the magnificent palaces and temples at Byblos, the cultural and esthetic center of ancient Phoenicia. The Phoenician realm occupied an area roughly the same as that of modern Syria and Lebanon, and in Biblical accounts is usually called Tyre, from the name of its then capital city. Byblos, also known as Gub'l or Gebal, the present-day village of Jebeil, was particularly famous for architects and sculptors. The twin pillars symbolize the dual nature of life and death, positive and negative or rather active (establishment) and passive (endurance), male and female, light and dark, good and evil, uniting in a central point of equilibrium, the apex of an equilateral triangle; a circle between two parallel uprights. Isis represented standing between two pillars of opposing polarity, the Ark of the Covenant between two Cherubim, Christ crucified between two thieves, are all symbols of the same trinity, the complete ness and perfection of Deity. That the twin pillars resemble the conventional symbol for Gemini, third sign of the Zodiac, is no accident, but rather due to the common ancestry of the two apparently unrelated symbols. In some lectures the pillars are said to be 35 cubits high, the height given in II Chronicles, King James Version. Another version of the same source gives the height as 120 cubits. Since the height of the first or outer chamber was probably no more than 30 cubits, the measurement given in I Kings: 18 cubits, seems more likely to be correct. The addition of map globes atop the pillars is a modern invention, with little Biblical or other authority and serving little purpose but to permit the lecturer to harp upon the advantages of studying astronomy, geography, etc., worthy pursuits but wholely unrelated to the symbolism of the pillars. Whether the three chambers of the Temple were connected by stairs is debatable. The best-informed scholars believe the Temple roof was flat, in which case the successively decreasing heights of the chambers, plus the somewhat sloping configuration of the site, would require approach and connection by means of either stairways or of some sort of ladder and trapdoor arrangement. Certainly the fantastically elaborate many-storied versions of the Temple depicted by some well-intentioned but ill-informed Bible illustrators and Masonic artists are so illogical and at variance with the few known facts and testimony of both the Bible and history as to seem the figments of a disordered imagination. Josephus stated that the Temple was of Grecian style which implies entablature and consequently a flat roof, although he had the cart before the horse, since Greek architecture was derived from Phoenician, not the reverse. In any case, the stairway of our lectures is purely symbolic, consisting as it does of the significant numbers 3, 5, and 7. In such a series, 3 symbolizes such qualities as peace, friendship, justice, piety, temperance, and virtue. 5 represents light, health, and vitality- 7 is a symbol of control, judgment, government, and religion. 9

10 Next Month MARCH March 6 Lodge Dinner and Meeting March 13 Officer Meeting and DeMolay Flower Talk March 16 Masters and Wardens March 18 Masonic Home Visit March 20 Family Night March 25 Pancake Breakfast February 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 GS Troop Wilson 2 GS Troop - Ward 3 MLT & Lodge Instruction DeSoto Lodge Dinner 6:30 & Meeting 7:30 7 DeSoto Lodge 105 Instruction 6pm Lodge Instruction Officers Meeting 6:30pm 14 DeSoto Lodge 105 Instruction 6pm 15 GS Troop Wilson 16 Masters & Wardens 6:30 17 Lodge Instruction Masonic Home Visit 19 District School Tampa 240 6pm 20 DeSoto Lodge Family Night 6:30 & Meeting 21 DeSoto Lodge 105 Instruction 6pm Zone School Scottish Rite 8AM; Lodge Instruction Pancake Breakfast & Blood Drive EA Degree 7pm 28 DeSoto Lodge 105 Instruction 6pm 10