Manatee Lodge No. 31 402 15th Street East Issue 2015-6 Bradenton, Florida 34208 June 2015 Brothers All: I want to take a moment to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to become one of you and a Master Mason. As many of you know I was rejected by the government and the Blue Lodge in Cuba because I would not accept Communism. I am very glad that I did not accept because I knew, in my heart that I would become a Mason one day, that it was only a matter of time until it happened. But after many years passed I started to lose hope, that is until I met Brother Nick Evans and he lit up my world when I learned about this Lodge. From left to right PM Bill Delgarno, Golf Coach Eileen Merchant, Athletes Kirsten Griggs, Melissa Arnold and Manatee 31 Senior Warden Doug Dobbs representing John Stiner Worshipful Master Manatee No 31 On May 9, 2015 presented A check for $500.00 to the Manatee County Special Olympics at the Manatee County Golf Course CONGRADULATIONS GO OUT TO R.W Ron Baber: Installed at Grand Lodge as DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER And J.J. Albritton for receiving his Gold Card after only 10 months of study. Please try to attend the meetings listed below to show support for our brother J.J. (James) Albritton. J.J. will be giving the lecture at each. Saturday May 30, 9:00 AM - EA Degree - Palmetto 110 (At Manatee) Tuesday June 2, PM - FC Degree - Phoenix 346 Tuesday June 9, PM - EA Degree - Englewood 360 All of the brothers and sisters that meet and visit this lodge would like to thank those that give their time to keep the property and lodge looking it s best. This month we would like to give a special thanks to ADAM HAUN and CHAD TERRELL for keeping the dining room floors looking their best. In truth, I am very proud to be part of this amazing fraternity and brotherhood. I am surrounded by the most amazing group of men I could possibly have met. And, I want you to know that nothing will change, that it is my privilege to have the most amazing brothers in the world and that Freemasonry has changed me and my life forever and I want to keep it that way. I want to thank all of you for accepting me into this amazing fraternity and for making me a better man. Every day I learn something new and I like it. Thank you for all the Brothers who believed in me and gave me back my confidence. God bless you all! Lazaro Diaz Senior Stewart. Chaplain s Corner Should anyone hear of a Brother or family member in sickness or distress, please don t hesitate to contact our Chaplain or any other Lodge Officer. Want to serve on a committee? The Chaplain is looking for some Brothers who can serve on a visitation committee. Sometimes a visit to a shut-in or sick Brother is better than medi-
Florida Grand Lodge Officers M W James W. Ford, Grand Master R W Allen Sorbie, DDGM R H Ron Baber, District Instructor Manatee Lodge No. 31 2014 Officers Worshipful Master Senior Warden Junior Warden Treasurer Secretary Chaplain Marshal Senior Deacon Junior Deacon Senior Steward Junior Steward Tyler Assistant Tyler Lodge Instructor Funeral Committee Publicity Chairman John Steiner 941-232-4927 Doug Dobbs 941-545-1726 Kyle B. Bachman 941-518-6081 W Mike Olson, PM 941-361-3084 R H George Benjamin, PM 941-713-7856 W George Vomvoris, PM 941-756-6298 W Joe Fenton 941-232-5031 Tom Carter 941-993-7911 Matt steiner 941-742-8784 Lazaro Diaz 1-732-318-0014 Nick Evans 941-580-4075 R H Ron Baber, PM 941-748-7938 Ken Ammons 941-795-4535 R H Ron Baber, PM 941-748-7938 W George Vomvoris, PM 941-756-6298 W George Vomvoris, PM 941-756-6298 Steak Night 1st Monday at 6:00 pm $10 Rib eye Steak Dinner Typically includes: mushrooms & onions, mashed potatoes w/ gravy, vegetable, tossed salad, & dessert. Served with Coffee & Tea Masonic Birthdays David James Clements 06-09-1953 Robert Bruce Bengtsson 06-12-1968 Robert Lincoln Rodd 6-14-1972 John Griffth Breese 06-26-1972 Michael Anthony McCullough 26-27-1973 Horton Manning Rogers 06-27-1977 Randall Monte Carter II 06-19-1984 Robert Stanley Ransford 06-07-1986 Alfred Harrison Corning Jr. 06-28-1986 Marc Barnett Gilner 06-08-1987 Michael Roy Winterbottom 06-04-1988 Paul Allvin sharff Jr. 06-20-1992 William Albert Evanko 06-27-1996 Paul Douglas Cronen 06-13-1998 Joseph Thomas Cuervo Jr. 06-13-1998 Edgar Douglas Jones 06-13-1998 James Edward Miles 06-30-2001 James Reid butler III 06-06-2009 Kenneth E. Ammons Wilbert L. Anders, Jr. Mark A. Atkinson Ronald E. Baber George V. Benjamin Brady W. Chapman John G. Collins Robert B. Coverdale Earl W. Dennis, Jr. Douglas W. Dobbs Michael R. Dobbs Joseph K. Fenton Earl M. Grimes Perpetual Members Support Our Lodge Dinners! John E. Hokanson Edwin T. Holman Ryan P. Johnson Hutton G. Lewis Stanley Preston Kenneth Reese, Sr. Joseph S. Rowland Alessio Ruggiero Thomas A. Simpkins Theodore R. Simpkins, II Robert J. Springer Billy Staffiles Have you Considered a Perpetual Membership? Ask why and how it benefits both you and the Lodge Jr. Warden s Choice Dinner 3rd Monday at 6:00 pm $10 The Lodge now provides the entire meal! Thank you to our Trestle Board Business Sponsors!!
Living Past Masters 1960 Milton M. Stewart 1990 George J. Vomvoris 2006 John E. Hokanson 1965 John G. Collins 1993 Byron P. Barton 2007 Charles A. Keeler 1967 Wallace R. Davis 1994 Marc B. Gilner 2008 Robert Coverdale 1968 Glen E. Boeschen 1996 Ronald E. Baber 2009 Albert Thurman 1973 James P. Sellers 1998 Earl T. Hasenflu 2010 Brian Johnsen 1976 George V. Benjamin 2000 Charles M. Reibold 2011 Earl Dennis 1978 John G. Breese 2001 Elwood H. Williams 2012 Mike Grimes 1983 Riley M. Hardy 2002 Joseph S. Rowland 2013 Less Ruggiero 1984 Dozier K. Walker 2003 Theodore R. Simpkins 2014 Joe Fenton 1987 Thomas A. Simpkins 2004 Wilbert L. Anders 1989 Gary E. Carter 2005 Richard A. Cooper SILVER CLUB ($25.00 $49.99) Your Name Here! Trestle Board Sponsors 2015 GOLD CLUB ($50.00 $74.99) John and Roberta Collins Anthony DiMauro PLATINUM CLUB ($75.00+ ) Ken & Karen Ammons - Edwin & Carol Holman - Les & Carol Ruggiero BUSINESS DIRECTORY ADVERTISE HERE AND SUPPORT THE TRESTLE BOARD. FOR ONLY $25, YOUR LISTING WILL RUN FOR ALL OF 2014! SEND CHECK AND YOUR DESIRED LISTING INFORMATION TO: Manatee Lodge #31, P.O. Box 9304, Bradenton, FL 34206 or bring them to the lodge and see the Worshipful Master, Secretary, or Trestle board Editor Clifford s Antiques & Collectables Timothy F. Clifford Certified Appraiser home: (941) 896-5120 cell: (941) 807-6416 manacuda@yahoo.com Gator stamping International. Inc. 6610 63 Street East Sarasota, Florida 34243 941-753-9598 pcronen@gatorstamping.com YOUR COMPANY HERE REGIONS BANK Anthony R. DiMauro, Jr. Branch manager Manatee avenue office 4401 Manatee Avenue W. 941-747-8865 Fax 941-747-5789 Anthony.dimauro@regions.com Michael H. Smith Investment Advisor 6350 Gulf Of Mexico Dr. Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 voice: (941) 383-2300 Michael@LongboatKeyFinancial.com Sammy Simpkins Funeral Director Griffith-Cline Funeral Home 720 Manatee Ave W Bradenton, FL 34205 Voice 941-748-1011 sam.simpkins@griffithcline.com Anders Home Services, Inc. Home Care For Snowbirds 2806 56th Ave Cir E Bradenton, FL 34203 voice: (941) 753-3486 voice: (941) 705-0751 andershomeservices@gmail.com Nick Evans Photography Phone (941)-580-4075 Fax (941-896-8926 Nick@NickEvansPhotography.com www.nickevansphotography.com YOUR COMPANY HERE George Benjamin Representative Central Florida Disability Center P.O. Box 1698 Bradenton, Florida 34206-1698 941-845-4660 941-845-4661 (fax) 941-713-7856 (cell) geobenja@tampabay.rr.com Mike Norman Realty, inc. 3101 GULF DR. HOLMES BEACH, FL 34217 CHAD TERRELL Sales Associate 941-778-6696 cell 941-920-0890 800-367-1617 fax 941-778-4364 chadwickterrell3@yahoo.com YOUR COMPANY HERE
Our Masonic Family Manatee Chapter 14 Order of the Eastern Star Regular meetings on the 1st & 3rd Worthy Matron Glenda Dunning 941-504-5194 glendaray@verizon.net Worthy Patron James Fleming 414-350-6061 jdf 53118@msn.com Associate Matron Kathy Rodd 941-776-0937 roddbobkat@aol.com Associate Patron Bob Rodd 941-776-0637 roddbobkat@aol.com Secretary Bill Dunning 941-504-5195 bill@gatorstamping.com Chaplain Mike Olson 941-361-3084 floor8@aol.com Warder Douglas Dobbs 941-545-1726 dougdobs61@yahoo.com Sentinel Gil Carlsen 941-371-7304 chinookc@aol.com Daughters of the Nile NYLA Temple #152 holds its regular meeting on the 2nd Queen Kathy Rodd roddbobkat@aol.com Princess Recorder York Rite Council Bradentown Council #9 holds its regular meetings on the Donna Kay Duffy cdd84@aol.com Illustrious Master Albert (Butch) Thurman, PM butcht31@peoplepc.com Deputy Master William A. Sorbie, PM dotbat@hotmail.com Principal Conductor Richard Coles Announcements The following men have submitted Petitions for the Three Degrees of Masonry to be read in Lodge: The following men have submitted Petitions for the Three Degrees of Masonry and are currently under investigation: Curtis M Mahoney and Michael Shannon Glasgow Brothers preparing for EA Proficiency: Warren Glenn Bergstressor, II, Jason Michael Bileth, John Michael Cronen, John Alderman Freeman, III, James A. Miller, and Dennis Warren Neihart. Brothers preparing for FC Proficiency: William Allen Dickey III, Zachary Joseph Humphries, Tracy Junior Martin, Andy J. Richardson Brothers to be Raised: Donald Ray Simmons Brothers preparing for MM Proficiency, None at this time NOTE FROM MANATEE #14 OES I am not a child of the Great Depression nor did I live through the era of rationing so, for the most part I have no memory of not knowing from where my next meal will come. The old adage there but for the grace of G-d go I comes to mind, especially when one considers that in America today one in four are considered food insecure. To put this in real numbers, there are more than three hundred million (300,000,000) people in the United States, this means that seventy-five million (75,000,000) people (over half of which are either under the age of 18 or over the age of 70) who do not have reliable access to an adequate amount of food for an active, healthy life for all members of the household. With these statistics, some of our Sisters and Brothers could be suffering too. In Manatee County alone there are more than 30,000 school children who are enrolled in the free breakfast and lunch programs at their schools who will not have that access during the summer. I am not naïve enough to believe that our Chapter and Lodges can alleviate this problem, but we can help in our local area. As an ongoing project this year I have had food collection barrels delivered from the local food bank. They are at the entry way of the Lodge and when they are full they will be replaced with empty ones. There is a listing of the types of food that the food bank is requesting attached to each. I am asking each member, who can, to bring one item to every meeting. I am asking the other Masonic bodies that meet in this building to do the same. We may not be able to make a huge difference in the bigger picture, but if we work together, we can make a very real difference to a few. Worthy Matron Glenda Dunning Do you have your Masonic License Plate Yet?? Palmetto Lodge #110 Holds its regular meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at pm. Worshipful Master Richard Coles Sr. Warden W Todd Meschell Jr. Warden W Gene Lance Treasurer W James Fleming Secretary W Barry Swann Chaplain W Robert Davis Marshall W Ed Cramer Senior Deacon Mark Mason Junior Deacon Jason Murphy Go Paperless! Help Support Our Lodge by choosing to receive your copy of the Trestle Board by email.
2015 lodge committees FINANCE COMMITTEE Sr. Warden: Doug Dobbs doug.dobbs61@yahoo.com VIGILANCE COMMITTEE Jr. Warden: Kyle B. Bachman PETITIONS COMMITTEE Jr. Warden: Kyle B. Bachman EDUCATION COMMITTEE Worshipful Master: W John Steiner jsteiner4@tampabay.rr.com BOARD OF RELIEF Worshipful Master: W John Steiner jsteiner4@tampabay.rr.com COMMITTEE ON CHARITY W George Vomvoris, PM Chaplain keymaster5050@yahoo.com COMMITTEE OF LODGE PROPERTY Sr. Warden: Doug Dobbs doug.dobbs61@yahoo.com INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE Jr. Warden: Kyle B. Bachman Sr. Deacon: Tom Carter FUNERAL COMMITTEE W George Vomvoris P.M. Chaplain LODGE INSTRUCTION R H Ron Baber, PM TRESTLE BOARD Bro. Bill Dunning Vernell.electronics1@verizon.net WEBSITE EDITOR Jr. Warden: Kyle B. Bachman Win A Perpetual Membership! Series 2!! $25 PER TICKET Only 80 Tickets will be sold! Tickets are $25, and you can purchase more than 1 ticket (depending on availability). Members of other Lodge s can play, but a maximum value of $1600.00 will be awarded for a Perpetual Membership in their particular Lodge. These tickets are selling fast, and the odds are great! We will hold the drawing when all 80 tickets have sold. Tickets can be purchased at any Manatee Lodge meeting, or by mailing a check to Manatee Lodge No. 31, F&AM to P.O. Box 9304, Bradenton, FL 34206. Your ticked will be issued as soon as your check is received, and sent to you by return mail. Win An Annual Membership! Raffle tickets are on sale at the Tyler's station at every Stated or Called meeting of Manatee Lodge. 50 tickets will be sold at $2.00 each, and then a drawing for that batch of 50 tickets will be the same evening if it is a Stated Communication, or if it is a Called Communication, the drawing will be held at the next Stated Meeting. Prize is a certificate redeemable for the following year s dues ($80.00 value). For example, tickets currently being sold are for 2015 dues, and ongoing raffles for 2015 dues will continue until dues notices for 2015 are mailed out in October of 2014. After that date raffles will continue, but will be for certificates redeemable for 2016 dues. In addition, because of the low value of each ticket, records of individual sales will not be maintained as in the Perpetual Membership raffles. Therefore, the winning ticket holder must present his stub to win. If he cannot produce the ticket stub after the drawing or within 30 days of publication of the winning ticket number in the Trestle Board, the drawn ticket will be considered void, and a new ticket will be drawn from that same batch. ALL MEMBERSHIP RAFFLES TO BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
June 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 MANATEE 31 STEAK DINNER 2 DINNER AT 6:00 OES 3 4 5 6 WORK DAY ALL WELCOME 7 8 MANATEE 31 OFFICERS MEETING PRATCIICE FOR MASTER MASON DEGREE AFTER 9 PALMETTO #110 STATED MEETING 10 11 12 13 14 15 MANATEE 31 LODGE DINNER Presentation by Mike McCullough 16 DINNER AT 6:00 OES 17 18 19 20 21 22 PRATCIICE FOR MASTER MASON DEGREE 23 28 29 30 PALMETTO #110 DARK 24 25 MASTER MASON MEETING 26 27
July 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 WORK DAY ALL WELCOME 5 6 MANATEE 31 STEAK DINNER 7 DINNER AT 6:00 OES 8 9 10 11 12 13 PRATCIICE FOR MASTER MASON DEGREE 19 20 MANATEE 31 STEAK DINNER 14 PALMETTO #110 STATED MEETING 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 MASTER MASON MEETING 24 25 26 27 PRATCIICE FOR MASTER MASON DEGREE 28 PALMETTO # 110 DARK 29 30 31
Manatee Lodge No. 31 Free and Accepted Masons of Florida P.O. Box 9304 Bradenton, Florida 34206 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED If you have moved, or changed your address, have a new or changed email address please inform the secretary via mail at the address above or email the lodge secretary at geobenja@tampabay.rr.com You can also email the trestle editor at vernell.electronics1@verizon.net so service will not be interrupted (and save costs to the Lodge). All returned mail will be deleted from mailing list. Remember in your prayers for the men and women in uniform, who are serving our country. Haven t Been To Lodge Lately? We miss you! Please join us for A meal and stated Meeting, Enjoy some Fellowship with Your fraternity Brothers The Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, Grotto, and the Shrine Need You Why not Join and Gain New Light. Contact the Lodge Secretary for Contact Information ASK ONE TO BE ONE