April Trestleboard Inside this issue: From the East 1 From the West 3 From the South 4 Past Masonic Events 4 Masonic Education 4 Sickness / Distress 5 Officer List 5 Masonic Birthdays 6 Committee Chairmen 6 Master Mason Association 7 Officer Contact 7 Petitions for Membership 7 Sponsors 7/8 Membership Contest 2 Charity: - Please bring food donations to support the NPHS food pantry at our Stated Meetings. - Our Quarterly Charity is the North Port Coalition for Homeless Needy Children Inc. Illness & Distress Brethren, please report any sickness or distress among the craft to our Chaplain: Bro. Jack Watson 941-240-5737 jackwatsonjr42@aol.com W:. Louis Ortt (941)-924-5808 lhortt@verizon.net North Port Lodge No. 406 NORTH PORT, FLORIDA From the East Dear Brethren, My Brothers this month of April 2013 has been designated as American Citizenship Month. Our Most Worshipful Grand Master, Jorge L. Aladro has proclaimed and directed that Florida Masons participate in special programs to emphasize our loyalty and continued support of our American institutions and our democratic way of life. As Masons, we are expected to be examples of citizenship. It is more so as we have pledged our sacred word Our Officers during our past Officer meeting are in the planning stages of Lodge events that are to take place outside of our stated meetings. This is an effort to develop the fellowship and comradeship opportunities for our membership and Brethren. It is important to get out into our community. At our Second Stated Meeting it is important to have our members present to hear the legislation to be voted on at the Annual Grand Lodge Communication. Your three Principle Officers will be voting on your behalf. Thus your opinions on the proposed items is important. This past month North Port Lodge No. 406, Brother Steven Marotta was initiated an Entered Apprentice. Our degree was the first Entered Apprentice degree conducted as a fully Constituted Masonic lodge. Please take a moment to congratulate the officers for their hard work to prepare for that evening. With time and practice it is hoped that we will shine as an example of Masonic ritual proficiency. Our Brother Senior Deacon, Richard McMullen, has agreed to teacher the catechism to Brother Marotta s class. You may notice that the Trestleboard is a little late this month. I hope you all will pardon it s delay. My cable-tow combined with timing of religious obligations, holidays and family duties got the better of me. If you have comments or would like to contribute to the Trestleboard, please send them to my email address: wormington147@gmail.com. Hope to see you in lodge! Fraternally, Br. Andrew Wormington Worshipful Master Wed 3rd 7:00pm Degree Practice Did you know: Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA has many, many Masonic connections. It stands on land purchased by Wm. Alllen, Grand Master of PA. The ground was staked by Edmond Wolley, a Mason. Thomas Boude, the brick mason, was the first Secretary of St. John's Lodge of Philadelphia and later Deputy Grand Master. Benjamin Franklin laid the cornerstone while Grand Master (1734) with the assistance of St. John's Lodge. **Cont. page 4 Lodge Calendar April 2013 Sat 6th 9:00am MMRL Charity Golf Tournament @ Misty Creek Country Club Wed. 10th 7:00pm Stated Communication (Bring current dues card) Flag Presentation by the Sahib Sojourners Unit Presentation to the North Port Meals on Wheels Wed 17th 7:00pm Masonic Leadership Training @ Venice #301 Wed 24th 7:00pm Stated Communication (Bring current dues card) Grand Lodge Legislation Presentation All Stated Meetings Will Be 7:00pm 2nd and 4th Wednesday Each Month Farley Funeral Home: 5900 S. Biscayne Blvd., North Port, Florida 34287
- Goal - 30 New Non-Florida Masons for 2013 North Port Lodge No. 406 Membership Contest We are looking for GOOD men to become Masons! - Membership Plaque - To be awarded to the North Port Lodge Member who brings us the most new members in the 2013 year. * This is a challenge to every North Port Lodge Member * Only Petitions received after March 1st, 2013 will count toward this contest. to sign up one new Non-Florida Mason during the year of 2013 for our Lodge.
From the West: Greetings Brethren! Instead of the usual duplication of announcements, upcoming events, etc. I am going to do things a little differently this month, and hopefully, in future issues of our Trestleboard. Our Lodge consists mainly of those who have been historically and lovingly known as "Graybeards" of the craft. This poses two important considerations for the Lodge in general. First of all, having many years of Masonic knowledge and experience on the sidelines gives us a huge leg up generally over "younger" Lodges. In years past we have all seen Lodges with just a handful of "old-timers" struggle with the routine business of the Lodge, be it ritual, charity, or even something as simple as holding an efficient communication remaining within the compliance guidelines set down by Grand Lodge and the Digest of Masonic Law. We have the distinct advantage of Brothers who know the overall processes and landmarks to avoid struggling with routine matters, or wasting time and effort only to find out later (sometimes by the unpleasant process of an admonition from Grand Lodge to "get our little duckies in a row") Brothers, this is a HUGE asset, Let us endeavor to make use of this asset, This is perfectly dovetailed with our second issue. Our second consideration, and this is the big one, is that we also have a good number of Brothers who are fairly new to the craft. Youth and enthusiasm is essential for a new and growing Lodge. If we do not properly instruct the Brothers in the ritual and landmarks of the craft, there is nothing to distinguish us from any of the other fraternities or service organizations. Here is the challenge we face: How can we as a Lodge pass on the wisdom of the "Graybeards" to the younger Brothers? Our Grand Lodge has many programs for individual development such as the Master Mason I, II, and III courses and the Masonic Leadership Training offered on a district basis. We also have the opportunity to educate not just the younger Brothers, but to refresh the Masonic knowledge of our Old Timers. This is critical! Although the Landmarks and processes are very similar if not identical in most aspects between different jurisdictions. There are differences. Over time, these minor differences become ingrained into our Florida Lodges, and we end up using ritual and procedural processes that are incorrect. If we do not use the reference material provided by Grand Lodge and just "go through the motions" for our Masonic education, we will be wasting both of our Lodge's greatest assets. I am issuing this challenge to each and every Brother in the Lodge, within three months after the closing of Grand Lodge in May, Lets work together to gain knowledge at both the individual level, Lodge level, and District level. A measurable way we can ensure results will be to see that every Brother, from the youngest EA standing in the Northeast Corner to the Worshipful Master presiding in the East, including every Brother on the sidelines laboring in the quarries, obtains or renews a proficiency card, receives a certification of some sort, or completes a Grand Lodge training course. I will also assist our Lodge Instructor R:.W:. Rodger Craig with assembling a list of Brothers capable of taking parts in the Various Degrees, especially the second half of the Master Mason Degree. Another list that we need to have is a list of Brothers who are capable and willing within the length of their cable tow, to serve on investigation committees and become mentors for our new Brothers as they are initiated, passed and raised. We have the talent and skills necessary to achieve this. Let us roll up our sleeves, put on our aprons, and renew our dedication to ourselves, our Lodge, and our Creator. If any Brother has a special skill or talent he would like to share with the Lodge, or has a particular area of interest in which they require assistance, do not hesitate to contact me, or any of the officers. If we do not have the information you need, we will find it. W:. Mike Cullen, SW North Port Lodge No. 406 From the West
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - Cont.. The Liberty Bell cracked in 1835 when it tolled the death of Chief Justice John Marshall, Past Grand Master of Virginia. North Port Lodge No. 406 Greetings from the south; From the South We have done our first EA Degree as as a Chartered Lodge. Well done. Brothers I congratulate our degree team and those who came to observe the degree. I hope the presence of so many on the sideline had a good impression on the newly obligated brothers. Thanks to Englewood Lodge for the use of the Lodge and their hospitality. Brother Maratto we welcome you to the Lodge and to the Brotherhood of masonry. Brothers I offer a quote to reflect upon from Brother Theodore Roosevelt: "In a moment of decision, the best thing to do is the right thing to do. The worst thing you can do is nothing." Fraternally, Mike Tirpak Masonic Education I VOUCH FOR HIM By: Unknown To vouch for a Mason is, Masonically, to say to the brother to whom you are introducing the one you are vouching for: I know that Brother J.D. (John Doe) is a Master Mason. By implication it means (1) that the brother doing the vouching has sat in open lodge with the brother being vouched for: or (2) that the brother vouching has subjected the brother vouched for to a strict trial and due examination: or (3) that the brother vouching has received an avouchment of another brother he knows to be a Master Mason, that the brother now vouched for is known to Him as a Master Mason. The number of men who have never taken the degrees who try to get into Masonic lodges is very small. Nevertheless, there have been, are, and doubtless will be such men; men without principle or honor; eavesdroppers who have heard what was not intended for their ears, or men who have become book Masons by the study of some of the exposes of Masonry which may still be found in some libraries, and which they deem to set forth the correct ritual. However few in number these importers may be, they must be strictly guarded against. No such crook desires to work his way into a Masonic lodge for any other purpose than to obtain credit for being a Master Mason, and, later, to defraud some of the brethren with whom he thus hopes to sit in lodge. Far more dangerous than the eavesdropper is the cowan. In these modern days the cowan is the man who has been legally raised but who has been dropped N.P.D., or suspended or expelled after a Masonic trial; or he is an Entered Apprentice, or Fellowcraft, whose further advancement has been stopped for cause. Vouch carefully Brethren. Excerpts from: : http://www.masonicworld.com/education/files Past Masonic Events JW SHORT TALK BULLETIN - Vol.VIII September, 1930 No.9 Brother Watson received a 25 year award and Brother Minnick received his 50 year award for their years of Masonic Membership. Presentation to DeMolay State Master Councilor Harrison C. Sherwin and DAD Larry Bernard, accepting a check and award on behalf of Sarasota DeMolay Chapter. Pictured here Brother Watson, after a surprise visit and presentation of a 25 year pin.
North Port Lodge No. 406 Sickness and Distress Brethren we have a number of those who could use your appeal to the Great Architect of the Universe. Brother Dan Dale and his wife Linda were attending The Installation of Officers at Annie H. Schneider last month when Brother Dale was taken critically ill. He passed away later that evening at Brandon Hospital. Please keep Brother Dale's family in your thoughts and prayers. Follow Us Online North Port Masonic Lodge No. 406. North Port Lodge s own webpage. www. NorthportMasons.com Brethren any reports of sickness or distress among the craft? Let our Chaplains know. Chaplin Jack Watson 941-240-5737 jackwatsonjr42@aol.com Assistant Chaplin W:. Louis Ortt (941)-924-5808 lhortt@verizon.net Current Lodge Officers Worshipful Master.. Senior Warden. Junior Warden. Treasurer. Secretary. Senior Deacon. Junior Deacon. Senior Steward Junior Steward Marshall.. Chaplin Assistant Chaplin Tyler Assistant Tyler. W:. Andrew Wormington W:. Michael E Cullen Michael Tirpak Tom Millaway Samuel P Cohen Richard McMullen David Wheatcroft Michael Short Mark Yates W:. James Godshall John Watson Jr W:. Louis Ortt W:. John Degnan J.D. Copher
North Port Lodge No. 406 Standing Lodge Committees Finance: Chair: W:.Michael Cullen, Senior Warden (941-456-6838) - and up to 6 members appointed by the Master Vigilance: Chair: Michael Tirpak, Junior Warden (941-626-5963) - and 2 members appointed by the Worshipful Master Past Masters of North Port Lodge James Godshall - 2012 Perpetual Members W:. B. John Ross W:. James Godshall Masonic Birthdays Bro. Samuel Upton 4/3/56 Bro. Vince Flow 4/15/00 Donald Vos P.P. 4/12/03 American President Trivia Presidents Adams, Jefferson, and Monroe all died on the 4th of July; however, Coolidge was born on that day. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Jackson, Grant, McKinley, Cleveland, Madison, and Wilson are portrayed on U.S. paper currency. Nine Presidents never attended college: Washington, Jackson, Van Buren, Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, A. Johnson, Cleveland, and Truman. The college that has the most presidents as alumni (seven in total) is Harvard: J. Adams, J. Q. Adams, T. Roosevelt, F. Roosevelt, Kennedy, G. W. Bush (business school), and Barack Obama (law school). Yale is a close second, with five presidents as alumni: Taft, Ford (law school), G.H.W. Bush, Clinton (law school), and G. W. Bush. Petitions: Chair: W:.M:.Andrew Wormington (941-815-0951) - and up to 7 members appointed by the Master Masonic Education: Chair: R:.W:.Rodger Lee Craig, PDDGM (941-356-2096) Board of Relief: Chair: W:.M:.Andrew Wormington (941-815-0951) - Worshipful Master and Wardens Charity: Chair: David Wheatcroft, Junior Deacon (941-423-2476) - and 2 members appointed by the Worshipful Master Lodge Property: Chair: Samuel P Cohen, Secretary (941-377-0273) - and 3-5 members appointed by the Worshipful Master Additional Lodge Committees Investigation: Scholarship & Awards: Vacant Ad Hoc Committee formed when presented a task - 3 members appointed by the Worshipful Master Child ID: Brother John Watson Jr (941-240-5737) Publicity: Brother John H. Brophy (941-426-0743) LYPMGS & MH-100: Vacant Perpetual Membership: W:.M:.Andrew Wormington (941-815-0951) Masonic Funerals: W:. Louis Ortt (941-485-5313) MMRL: Vacant Fundraising: W:.Michael Cullen, Senior Warden (941-456-6838) Please Turn Off Cell Phones in Lodge!! Please respect our lodge and your brothers by turning off your cell phone while in lodge. There will be request for a donation of $5 to the charity box if your phone rings during open lodge.
North Port Lodge No. 406 Trestleboard Sponsors Thanks to our current Trestleboard sponsors Plumb Sarasota Chapter DeMolay Square Donald White & John Brophy North Port Masonic Lodge invites you to support our lodge through sponsorship of the North Port Lodge Trestleboard. The following sponsorships are available. Plumb: $5 to $20 Level : $21 to $35 Square : $36 to $50 Fellowship Banners are Available Contact our Secretary to order your banner celebrating our new Lodge. Cost $10.00 Lodge Name Tags Contact our Secretary to order your North Port Member name tag. Cost $8.00 Simply contact any officer about becoming a sponsor. If you d like to send a check, please make a note of Trestleboard Sponsor on the check. Size 6 x 8 Petitions Candidates for the EA Degree Mr. Karl Lorenz Brother Awaiting FC Degree Bro. Steven Marotta Bro. Donald Valerino Bro. Richard Holmes Dual Membership Officer Contact Info Worshipful Master Andrew Wormington 4296 Dekle Ave North Port, FL 34286 941-815-0951 Bro. Douglas Pope Bro. Allen Bohling Preferred Dress Code for Lodge Meetings Master Masons: Business Casual is preferred for Called and Stated Meetings. Lodge Officers: White shirt, bowtie and black Jacket. wormington147@gmail.com Senior Warden Junior Warden Michael E Cullen Michael Tirpak 3768 Billingham Lane 3176 Olney Street Nort Port, FL 34288 Port Charlotte, Fl 33948 941-456-6838 941-626-5963 zephyrmec@gmail.com mdtirpak@embarqmail.com Treasurer Secretary Tom Millaway Samuel Cohen 2702 Dalhart St. 3332 Bailey Palm Ct. North Port, FL 34286 North Port, Fl 34288 941-240-6166 941-377-0273 tommillaway@verizon.net northportlodge406@yahoo.com
North Port Lodge No. 406 Business Sponsors There Is Still Room Left For Your Business Card Ad. or Business Listing $75 Annually $50 for 3/4 size SEND CHECK AND BUSINESS CARD TO: 3332 Bailey Palm Court, North Port, Fl 34288 or bring them to the lodge and see one of our Lodge Officers