Lakeland Lodge No. 91 and Haines City Lodge No. 219 Entered Apprentice Degree

Lakeland Lodge No. 91 in conjunction with Haines City Lodge No. 219 conferred the Entered Apprentice Degree on two candidates on Saturday July 30, 2022 at Lakeland Lodge. Pictured front l to r, Senior Steward Bro. Ryan Greiner, candidate, now Bro. Ben Merryday, of Lakeland Lodge No. 91, Senior Warden William “Willie” Nelson, Worshipful Master for the Degree, candidate, now Brother Bryon Murphy of Haines City Lodge No. 219 and Junior Wardern, Bro. John Primeau. Back l to r, Junior Steward Bro. Andrew Johnson, R:.H:. Jeremy Leslie, District Instructor, Bro. Michael Simmons, Chaplain and Senior Deacon Bro. Henry Coker. On behalf of Lakeland Lodge No. 91 and Haines City Lodge No. 219 we are pleased to welcome Brothers Merryday and Murphy into our Fraternity and wish them God Speed on their Masonic journey.

Fraternally,
W:. Joe Rogers, Worshipful Master, Lakeland Lodge No. 91

Photo courtesy of Lakeland Lodge No. 91 F. & A. M. Facebook page.

District Deputy Grand Master's Official Visit To Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

It was a wonderful turn out on Monday night at Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 for the official visit of R:.W:. Gary Gordon, District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st Masonic District with his Committeemen. Among the dignitaries in attendance R:.W:. Don Cowart, Senior Grand Warden of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Florida, also in attendance was R:.H:. Jeremy Leslie, District Instructor for the 21st Masonic District, R:.W:. Tony "The Irishman" Chavez, Past District Deputy Grand Master and M:.W:. Stanley Foulke, Past Grand Master of Alaska and current Musician at Lake Wales Lodge.

Prior to the start of the official visit at 7:30pm our District Deputy Grand Master made two presentations , the first to R:.W:. Perry Batson, Past District Deputy Grand Master and Past Master of Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 a certificate of appreciation by the Grand Lodge of Florida and W:. Christopher Clifton, Past Master of Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 was presented from the Grand Lodge of Florida his Blue card for proficiency in the three degrees of Masonic ceremonies. 

A dinner of meatloaf, delicious mashed potatoes, string beans and carrots with ice tea, and several type of desserts which were served before hand.

Photo courtesy of Bro. Richard Schwarz

Photo courtesy of Bro. Richard Schwarz

Important Update: Masonic Service For W:. John Purvis

Brethren,

Two different members of W:. John Purvis' family were working on his funeral service and each had through the other had confirmed the details with us, and unfortunately Lady Ann's phone has been out of service for the past week as she is in the midst of changing telephone providers.

A Masonic service is planned, THIS Saturday July 23rd, at 11:00am at Kathleen Lodge No. 338. Gloves and Aprons at 10:30am. If you are available please let me know as soon as possible.

W:. Purvis' family will hold a church service on Saturday July 30th at the Ardella Baptist Church, 790 West Pipkin Road in Lakeland, which is in South Lakeland about 1/2 mile west of S. Florida Ave (just past Bonefish Grill) at 11:00 am (10:30 family visitation).  The church will provide a meal after the Service.  We will not be providing a Masonic Service at the church.

Fraternally,
R:.W:. Bill Doolin, Secretary, Kathleen Lodge No. 338
Email: kathleenlodge338@gmail.com

Map to Kathleen Lodge No. 338

Map to Ardella Baptist Church

Alas, My Brother, W:. Foy Butts of Haines City Lodge No. 219

Brethren,

We want to inform you that W:. Foy L. Butts, Past Master of Haines City Lodge No. 219 passed to the Celestial Lodge above. W:. Butts served as Worshipful Master of Haines City Lodge No. 219 in 1958 and at the time of his passing he had been a Florida Freemason for 69 years 8 months and 4 days and as a result he has the distinction of being the longest member in good standing at Haines City Lodge.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00an on Wednesday July 20th  at the Oakridge Funeral Care, 101 East Grace Avenue in Haines City. A map to the Oakridge Funeral Care is provided below.

Fraternally,
W:. Paul Wilson, P:.M:. and Secretary, Haines City Lodge Lodge No. 219

 

Important Message From Kathleen Lodge No. 338

Brethren,

Due to a scheduling conflict, the Fellowcraft Degree scheduled for Saturday July 16th has been postponed, the new date will be Saturday August 6th, still at 8:00am with meal at 8:00am and degre work at 9:00am. For the Degree team this means that there will be no degree practice tonight.

Fraternally,
R:.W:. Bill Doolin, Secretary, Kathleen Lodge No. 338

Fellowcraft Degree at Wauchula Lodge No. 17

On July 12th, Wauchula Lodge No. 17, Poinciana No. 227 (Avon Park), Sebring Lodge No. 242 and Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 came together to pass two brothers to the Masonic Degree of Fellowcraft, Bro. Ryan Thomas and Michael Watson in a strong show of Masonic unity and Brotherly love. Also in attendance was none other than the 21st Masonic District Deputy Grand Master, Gary Gordon. The nights Degree Master was Wauchula Senior Warden Paul Crothers, the Senior Deacon was Bro. Jonathan David Johnson. The lecture was given by R:.W:. Phil Dixon of Lake Wales Lodge and the charge was delivered by W:. Ken Bearfield of Poinciana Lodge. The dinner was prepared by Bro. Bobby Calves which was a Cuban inspired dish and was very delicious, so much so that there were no left overs. We even had an out of state Brother with us, who had just recently moved to Florida with his family and is looking to transfer to Wauchula lodge. Welcome Bro. Mike Sweepie (Not sure how he spells this). Even Bro. Ryan brought to of his sons for sinner. Our lodge is truly becoming a family lodge as well as a lodge on the move. Congratulations to the new Fellowcraft brothers. Before long, you'll be Master Masons and can join us in lodge. Keep traveling East my brothers.

Fraternally,
W:. Danny Lackey, Worshipful Master, Wauchula Lodge No. 17

Photo courtesy of Wauchula Lodge No. 17 F. & A. M. Facebook page.

Upcoming Masonic Leadership Training and School of Instruction

The Masonic Leadership Training and the School of Instruction are open to all Master Masons in good standing in the 21st Masonic District only. Please remember that you must be in possession of and present your current lodge dues, Circumscribe or Perpetual Membership card in order to attend.

Alas, My Brother...

My Brethren,

Sadly, we have to announce the Passing to the  Eternal  East of  W:. John Purvis,  Chaplain of Kathleen Lodge No. 338 (for the past 10 years), and Past Master of Fort Meade Lodge No. 160 and Bowling Green Lodge No.121, this past Wednesday afternoon.  W:. John was out playing a round of golf on Monday,  June 27th, when he had a heart attack. He was in Lakeland Regional for the next week and underwent surgery to implant stents on Wednesday,  July 6th. His heart stopped before they could get the third stent implanted, and the team could not bring him back. Please keep W:. John's wife,  Ann, his sons and daughters, and his extended family in your thoughts and prayers! As soon as Service announcements are made,  we will put out another notice for a Funeral Team.

Fraternally,
R:.W:. Bill Doolin, Secretary, Kathleen Lodge No. 338 F. & A.M.
Email: kathleenlodge338@gmail.com

Independence Day (Fourth of July) Message

On behalf of R:.W:. Gary Gordon, District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st Masonic District, all of our lodges and Masonic Brethren in the 21st please have a happy and safe Independence Day holiday.

Fraternally,

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

Notice of Fellowcraft Degree at Wauchula Lodge No. 17

This is a Special Called Communication for the purpose of conferring the Fellowcraft degree on Messers Ryan Thomas and Michael Watson and any other candidates that other Lodges may have will be held on Tuesday July 12, 2022 at Wauchula Lodge No. 17. No business will be conducted and the Lodge will be opened in the Fellowcraft degree. The guest Lecturer will be W:. Phil Dixon of Lake Wales Lodge No. 242. The Degree Master will Bro. S:.W:. Paul Crothers and the Senor Deacon will be Bro. Johnathan David Johnson. Please make plans to attend if you are able to and show these, and other Brothers who come Brotherly Love. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm and degree work at 7:30pm.

Fraternally,
W:. Danny Lackey, Worshipful Master Wauchula Lodge No. 17

Happy 5th Anniversary to Florida's 21st Masonic District

The 21st Masonic District was officially constituted on July 1, 2017 as a new Masonic District by the authority of and under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida following the passage of legislation at the 188th Grand Communication which called for the redistricting of all of the Masonic District and Masonic Zones in the State of Florida, the 21st Masonic District was a result of the merger of the 24th Masonic District in Polk County and the 25th Masonic District in Hardee and Highlands Counties. The new district consisted of fifteen lodges within a 100 mile radius starting in Central Florida traversing to the Tampa Bay and Sarasota regions.

R:.W:. Lowell Thomas Craze was appointed by M:.W:. Richard Hoover, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida to serve as the first District Deputy Grand Master of the new 21st Masonic District. Sadly R:.W:. Craze passed to the Celestial Lodge above on August 31, 2018 two months after completing his term as our District Deputy Grand Master.

A full history of the 21st Masonic District including our past and current District Deputy Grand Masters.
https://www.21stmasonicdistrict.com/p/history-of-21st-masonic-district.html

Fraternally,

Bro. Rick Schwarz, IT Administrator and Social Media Manager