Entered Apprentice Degree at Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

Last night, Lake Wales Masonic Lodge 242 held a EA degree for 3 new brothers. Schoenberg Perkins (Lake Wales 242), Ansel Chadwick (Frostproof 229), and Martin Rajsich (Winter Haven 186). Excellent job by the degree team with RW Greg Fisher as Worshipful Master and W Chris Clifton as lecturer. We welcomed quite a few visitors which we enjoyed having.

Fraternally,
W:. Charles Welborn, Jr., Worshipful Master, Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

Image courtesy of W:. Charles Welborn, Jr., Worshipful Master Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 F. & A. M,

Image courtesy of Winter Haven Lodge No. 186 F. & A. M. Facebook Page

From All of us in the 21st Masonic District

Brethren, congratulations are in order to W:.Adrin Mcgough, Past Master of Frostproof Lodge No. 229, W:. Mcgough who is a Deputy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office was on Tuesday promoted with five of his fellow Deputies to the rank of Sergeant by Sheriff Grady Judd (Also a brother Mason).

If you see W: Mcgough stop and congratulate him.

Fraternally,
R:.W:. C. Pearce Dreadin, District Deputy Grand Master 21st Masonnic District

Swearing-in ceremony video courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
   

Master Mason 1 2 3 Workshop and Open Book

Tomorrow, February 23rd an Open Book and a Master Mason 1 2 3 workshop will be held at Lakeland Lodge No. 91, 505 North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland, both will start at 6:00pm.

Two important notes, First, please make sure you are in possession of your current 2022 Lodge Dues Card for both the Open Book and the Master Mason 1 2 3 workshop, you will be required to present the card for admittance. Second, for the Master Mason 1 2 3 workshop please bring your laptop, smartphone or table with you (Wi-Fi is available at the Lakeland Masonic Temple). This is a requirement to participate in the Master Mason 1 2 3 workshop.

Fraternally,
Bro. Rick Schwarz, IT Administrator and Social Media Manager, 21st Masonic District

Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 Monthly Fish Fry and Blood Drive

Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 will be holding its monthly Fish Fry on Saturday February 26th starting at 4:30pm to 7:00pm. The menu will include Fresh Cat Fish filets, Swai (Mild White Fish), Cheese Grits, Baked Beans (With or without Jalapenos), Coleslaw, French Fries, Hushpuppies (With or without Jalapenos), desert, coffee or ice tea. Fried Chicken Strips (Available by advance request only).

Eat in or take out, Call ahead if you are in a hurry for a takeout order.

COST IS $12.00 PER PERSON (CASH ONLY)

A mobile blood bank will be on site to take donations.

If you have any further questions please contact R:.W:. Wendell Farrow at (863) 287-0493.

Florida Registration, CH65886. A copy of our official charity registration may be obtained by calling the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-435-7362 or visit Florida Charity Registration site at FDAC.gov. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State of Florida nor the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Winter Haven Lodge No. 186 New Masonic Temple Progress Report

Over the past few days there has been considerable work done in the entrance and public areas of the new lodge building. Not exactly sure which one has done what but W;. Matt Vaughan P:.M:. and W:. Bert Leach Jr. P:.M:. (both Past Masters of Lakeland Lodge No. 91) are "hard at it".

Here are some pictures of the lodge as it looks right now.

Fraternally,
W:. Dennis Wind, Worshipful Master, Winter Haven Lodge No. 186

Image courtesy of Winter Haven Lodge No. 186 F. & A. M. Facebook page / W:. Dennis Wind.

Image courtesy of Winter Haven Lodge No. 186 F. & A. M. Facebook page / W:. Dennis Wind.

Image courtesy of Winter Haven Lodge No. 186 F. & A. M. Facebook page / W:. Dennis Wind.

Upcoming Entered Apprentice Degree at Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

Brothers you are invited to Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 for an Entered Apprentice Degree on Thursday February 24th, Dinner served at 6:00pm and Degree work at 7:00pm. Please be prepared to show your current dues or Circumscribe card indicating that you are an EA, FC or MM in good standing.

Fraternally,
W:. Charles Welborn, Jr., Worshipful Master Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

Congratulations, Newly Elected and Appointed Officers Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

Front Row: M:.W:. Stanley Foulke, P:.G:.M. State of Alaska 1997 (Musician), Bro. Donald Cole (Marshal),
Bro. Carlton Hodge (Junior Warden), W:. Charles Welborn, Jr. (Worshipful Master), Bro. George Buck, (Senior Warden),
Bro. James Carter (Chaplain), R:.W:. Gregory Fisher PDDGM (Secretary), Bro. James Briggs, (Senior Stewart)

Second Row: R:.W:. Philip Dixon PDDGM (Senior Deacon), Bro. Richard Schwarz (Junior Deacon), R:.W:. Gary Gordon PDDGM,
Bro. Shawn Perkins (Senior Steward), Bro. Lowell Frank (Tyler)

Back Row: R:.W:. Perry Batson, (Immediate Past Worshipful Master), W:. Christopher Clifton, (Installing Officer)

Not pictured: R:.W:. John Bush PDDGM (Treasurer)

Update on the Condition of W:. Tom Leach (Prayers Still Requested)

W: Tom Leach, Past Master of Haines City Lodge No. 242 is now recovering from a broken hip operation at the Oak Haven Rehabilitation Center, 919 Old Winter Haven Road in Auburndale, Room 218. His length of stay is undetermined at this time, he is in good spirits but anxious to get home. Visiting hours are 9:00am to 7:00pm. COVID-19 protocols require the use of masks and signing in.

Fraternally,
W:. John Zimmerman, Worshipful Master Haines City Lodge No. 219

Shriners Hospital For Children Tampa Bay Closing

Brethren,

We are sad to report that according to an article published in yesterday's Tampa Bay Times (click here) the Shriners Hospital For Children will close its only pediatric treatment facility in the Tampa Bay region on April 1st and will instead team up with a regional healthcare provider for the services it previously offered at the facility it owned adjacent to the University of South Florida campus in Tampa.

For more than 35 years the Shriners Hospital in Tampa has done great things to help those children with medical needs at no charge to the patient or their family and it is sad that they are forced to close.

Grand Master Proclamation

Proclamation from M:.W:. Jeffrey Foster, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida.

Request For Prayers For W:. Tom Leach From Haines City Lodge No. 219

Image courtesy of the Haines City Lodge No. 219 F. & A. M. Facebook page

Brethren,

We want to let you know that W:. Tom Leach, Past Master of Haines City Lodge No. 219 is currently in the hospital, Tom who is ever loyal to helping his lodge and the craft was working in the lodge alone, he was on a ladder in the stairwell, lost his balance and fell off and broke his hip, fortunately he had his cell phone and was able to call R:.W: Jim Rachel for help, Upon R:.W:. Jim's arrival he called 911 and Tom was transported to AdventHealth Heart of Florida Hospital in Davenport.

Tom has gone through extensive surgery and is resting, Brethren and friends of Tom and Shirley are asked to please allow Tom time to heal so at this time please do not visit him at the hospital or call him, we will keep you informed on his condition and when he may receive visitors and phone calls. 

Fraternally,

W:. John Zimmerman, Worshipful Master, Haines City Lodge No. 219 F. & A. M.

Grand Master Executive Order No. 7

Executive Order No.7 from M:.W:. Jeffrey Foster, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

Grand Master Executive Order No. 6

Executive Order No.6 from M:.W:. Jeffrey Foster, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

Grand Master Executive Order No. 5

Executive Order No.5 from M:.W:. Jeffrey Foster, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

Winter Haven Lodge No. 186 - One For The Record Books

March 7th Stated Communication

1st and foremost, R:.W:. Pearce Dreadin DDGM will be making his second Official visit to our lodge. This is not a visit accompanied by his Committeemen, rather to impart some information to us from the Grand Lodge. Sandwich ring and soda provided, jackets and ties please.

2nd and exciting, we will be opening the two time capsules found behind the Cornerstone of the old lodge building, where they had lain for 60 years. Jackets and ties please, there will be lots of pictures taken at this event. Sandwiches and drinks served at 6:30 meeting starts at 7:30.

Business Casual

ALSO...

After careful consideration I have decided that, for the foreseeable future, the dress code for Winter Haven Lodge will be Business Casual. Appropriate polo style shirts and long pants will be fine, no clothing depicting inappropriate or questionable images will be allowed. This action will ease the burden on Travelers Lodge Air Conditioning System for now and ease us into our new location later this year. If there is a reason, such as degree work, Grand Officer visit, funeral, etc., ample notice for the need for a coat and tie or white jacket will be given.

Updates for our new lodge building will be given to the craft at every Stated Communication.

Fraternally,
W:. Dennis Wind, Worshipful Master, Winter Haven Lodge No. 186
Bro. Tom Wilson, Secretary, Winter Haven Lodge No. 186