Suncoast Masters and Wardens

News and Events

GRAND MASTER’S OFFICIAL VISIT

(7/16/2010)

(Photos by RW Chris Schlenker PDDGM)

Grand Master, J. Dick Martinez, and his entourage, visited Districts 20 & 21 on July 16, 2010. The dinner was held at the Masonic Home in St. Petersburg, the meeting to follow was held at St. Petersburg Lodge No. 139. The dining room was packed with attendees and over 125 masons attended the tyled meeting. R:.W:. Al Rosenthal and Bob Matheson are to be congratulated on putting together a fantastic evening.

DUNEDIN INSTALLS NEW CARPETING

(6/17/2010)

DUNEDIN, FL, USA (JUNE 17, 2010) - Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M. may be dark for the summer, but there is still a lot of activity going on there. For example, the Lodge used its down time to replace the aging carpet in the Lodge room. The project was under the supervision of W:.Ken Giesow, PM. Carpets by French was selected as the vendor to install the new carpeting. All of the carpeting in the Lodge Room was replaced. including the stations in the East, West, South (and North). As a footnote, this was the first replacement of the Lodge's carpeting since it was originally installed in the new Lodge building in 1964 (that's right, our old carpeting lasted 46 years).

The new carpeting was installed in time for our upcoming 100 Master Mason Night to be held Monday, August 16th at 7:00pm. Last year, we had 126 Brothers fill the sidelines. This year, we hope to beat that number. This event will also mark the first official visit of the new District Deputy Grand Master for District 20, our own R:.W:.Bob Matheson, PM, a Past Master of Dunedin Lodge (2005). Dinner is at 6:00pm. We hope you will join us.

DISTRICT 20 & 21 MASONS ATTEND GRAND LODGE

(5/30/2010)

The 181^st Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Florida was held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando Florida and was well attended by Masons of the 20^th & 21^st Masonic Districts. The newly installed DDGM’s and DI’s were R:.W:. Bob Matheson DDGM and R:.H:. Brad Watson DI for the 20^th District and R:.W:. Alan Rosenthal DDGM and R:.H:. Jim Clouser DI for the 21^st District.

DUNEDIN MASONS PROVIDE ‘BIKES FOR BOOKS’

(5/29/2010)

DUNEDIN, FL, USA (JUNE 4, 2010) - The Brothers of Dunedin Masonic Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M. were pleased to be on hand at Dunedin Elementary for the school's year-end Assembly program recognizing scholastic achievement by the students. Accordingly, the Lodge provided bicycles for the school's top readers as part of their "Bikes for Books" program. The program is administered by the school, whereby students earn points for the books they read throughout the school year. At the end of the year, the top boy and girl readers from each grade (K - 5th) are recognized by the Masons in the form of a new bicycle.

Mrs. Kathy Brickley, the Principal of Dunedin Elementary, appreciated the efforts by the Masons, "This program was very helpful in encouraging our youth to read." Cindy Borland is the school's Reading/Literacy Coach.

Dunedin Masons on hand for the presentation included: Bro. Steve Andrews, W:.Tim Bryce, PM, W:.Ken Giesow, PM, Bro. Chris Laughlin, R:.W:.Bob Matheson, PM, R:.W:.Bill McIntosh, PM, PDDGM, W:.Shannon McIntosh, PM, W:.Mike Palenik, PM, Bro. Matt Panzano, W:.BJ Sammon, PM, W:.Rome Scerbo, PM, and R:.W:.Chris Schlenker, PM, PDDGM

According to Ken Giesow, the Lodge/School liaison, "This is the second year we have implemented the Bikes for Books program and we're told that it is having a positive effect on encouraging the students to read. This is a program that was originally created by Masonic Lodges in the western United States, but we're the first Lodge to implement the program in Florida. All of the bikes were paid for by individual donations by members of Dunedin Lodge."

Deputy Spencer Gross of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department was also on hand to give a brief lecture on bicycle safety to the students and presented free bicycle helmets to the winners.

Dunedin Lodge is pleased with the results of the program and wants to perpetuate it in the years ahead. According to the Master of Dunedin Lodge, W:.Mike Wilson, "Masons have long been supporters of public school systems, Dunedin Lodge is no exception. We are proud of our relationship with Dunedin Elementary and pleased to support them not only with the 'Bikes for Books' but with other programs as well. Youth represents the future for all of us. It is just common sense that we support them any way we can."

Photos by Kevin Schlenker.

DDGM ED STREET VISITS NITRAM LODGE FOR FC DEGREE

(5/29/2010)

R:.W:. Ed Street, DDGM of the 21^st District attended and gave the Lecture at a FC Degree at Nitram Lodge for EA Brother Brandon O’Shea. A wonderful time was had by all.

MELISSA DOHME WINS MASTERS AND WARDENS SCHOLARSHIP

(5/27/2010)

CLEARWATER, FL, USA (May 26, 2010) - The SunCoast Masters & Wardens Association is pleased to announce the winner of the William S. O'Brien Memorial Scholarship, Miss Melissa Danielle Dohme of Clearwater High School. The Association represents the forteen Masonic Lodges in Pinellas and West Pasco Counties (Districts 20 & 21).

The William S. O'Brien Memorial Scholarship, which includes $1,500, is presented annually to a graduating high school senior who has demonstrated high academic achievement and outstanding volunteer service to the community. The scholarship is named after W:.William S. O'Brien, PM of Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291 F.& A.M. who chaired the Association's Scholarship Committee for many years.

The winner of this year's award, Melissa Dohme, was selected from 83 applicants representing 20 high schools in our area. Miss Dohme has a weighted GPA of 4.7143 and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has been on the Dean's list all four years of high school. In terms of volunteerism, she has been a Morton Plant Meese Hospital volunteer for the last four years, having completed over 600 hours there. She will be attending St. Petersburg College in the Fall.

The Scholarship was presented to Miss Dohme at Clearwater High School's Junior/Senior Awards Program. Making the presentation was W:.Tim Bryce, PM of Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M. who is this year's Chairman of the Association's Scholarship Committee. Also in attendance were: W:.David Webster, PM, President of the SunCoast Masters & Wardens Association and Treasurer of Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291 F.& A.M., and; W:.Mark Birenbaum, PM, Secretary of Clearwater Lodge No. 127 F.& A.M. (and photographer for the evening).

Thanks go out to this year's Scholarship Committee which consists of Past Presidents of the Association:

W:.Bob Matheson, PM - Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
R:.W:.David Henderson, PM, PDDGM - Nitram Lodge No. 188 F.& A.M.
W:.William B. Garrett, Jr., PM - Pinellas Daylight Lodge No. 385 F.& A.M.
W:.Derryl O'Neal, PM - Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291 F.& A.M.
And the current President, W:.David Webster, PM.

Congratulation Miss Dohme.

RW CHRIS SCHLENKER’S HOMECOMING

(5/18/2010)

DUNEDIN, FL, USA (May 17, 2010) - As the Grand Lodge year comes to an end, R:.W:.Chris Schlenker, PM made his last official visit as District Deputy Grand Master of the 20th Masonic District to his home Lodge, Dunedin 192. As is customary, he was acompanied by his committeemen:

W:.Richard Brooks. PM - Sutherland Lodge No. 174 F.& A.M.
W:.Bob Matheson, PM - Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
W:.Jim Ullery, PM - East Gate Lodge No. 355 F.& A.M.
W:.Ken Warner, PM - Sutherland Lodge No. 174 F.& A.M.
W:.David Woolley, PM - Tampa Bay Lodge No. 252 F.& A.M.
Bro. Ryan Schlenker - Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.

He was also accompanied by R:.W:.Marvin Gerhardt, PM, PDDGM, and R:.W:.Ed Street, PM, PDI, the current sitting District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st Masonic District and an Honorary member of Dunedin Lodge.

R:.W:.Schlenker will be turning the DDGM reins over to Dunedin's own W:.Bob Matheson, PM, District 20's next DDGM.

Congratulation to R:.W:.Chris on a fine year and good luck to W:.Bob for next year.

DUNEDIN PASSES FOUR BROTHERS

(5/4/2010)

DUNEDIN, FL, USA (May 3, 2010) - Dunedin Lodge No. 192 held its second Fellow Craft degree of the year. Joining them were the Brothers of Clearwater Lodge No. 127 F.& A.M. who brought two candidates to be passed. Over 30 Brothers were on hand to see Brother Charlie Snellgrove of Dunedin and Brothers David W. Atkins and Leo Francis Saito, III of Clearwater Lodge passed to the degree of Fellow Craft.

DDGM’S GET ROASTED AT CHILI’S

(4/22/2010)

The District Deputy Grand Masters of the 20^th and 21^st Masonic Districts were duly ROASTED at Chili’s on April 29^th 2010. The evening was filled with fun and frivolity and everyone had a great time. R:.W:. Chris Schlenker of the 20^th District and R:.W:. Ed Street of the 21^st District both received some items of appreciation, even though tongue in cheek.

Also introduced were the DDGM’s for next year W:. Alan Rosenthal for District 21 and W:. Bob Matheson for District 20.

CLEARWATER LODGE TAKES TRAVELING GAVEL

(4/22/2010)

(Acting Master Joe Finocchiaro presents W:. Bishop the Traveling Gavel)

Members of Clearwater Lodge No. 127, led by W:. Glen Bishop came to retrieve the Travleing gavel from Gulf Beach Lodge on Aprill 22^nd during a Fellowcraft degree. 61 members and visitors were present that evening and a great time was had by all. Be on the look out as Clearwater Lodge is also in possession of the HOT gavel.

24 HOUR TURN AROUND FOR THE HOT GAVEL

(4/20/2010)

DUNEDIN, FL, USA (April 20, 2010) - At Dunedin Lodge's Stated Communications on Monday, April 19th, the Worshipful Master and Brothers of Tampa Bay Lodge No. 252 F.& A.M. were pleased to present the "Hot" Gavel of the SunCoast Masters & Wardens Association to Dunedin Lodge. The "Hot" gavel is one of two gavels used to promote inter-Lodge visitations within Districts 20 & 21. W:.Jim Messier of Tampa Bay Lodge was pleased to present the gavel to Dunedin Lodge's Senior Warden Bro. Ken Johnston who sat in the East as our sitting Master, W:.Mike Wilson, was stuck in London due to the recent valcano eruptions in Iceland which is blanketing ash throughout Europe (W:.Mike is a FedEx pilot grounded due to the ash).

Dunedin Lodge wasted little time with the Hot Gavel and organized a group of Dunedin Brothers to present it the next day to W:. Glen Bishop, Master of Clearwater Lodge No. 127 F.& A.M. on the occasion of a Fellow Craft degree at Clearwater. Bro. Ken Johnston of Dunedin was pleased to present Clearwater Lodge with "their" gavel. Accompanying him was:

Bro. Dave Seidel - Treasurer
W:.Rome Scerbo, PM - Secretary Emeritus
W:.Tim Bryce, PM - Secretary
W:.Ken Giesow, PM - Chaplain
W:.BJ Sammon, PM - Marshall
W:.Mike Palenik, PM - Officer-at-Large
W:.Bob Matheson, PM - District 20 Marshall
W:.Ron Carpenter, PM

Congratulations to all.

10^TH ANNUAL TRAP SHOOT A SUCCESS

(4/17/2010)

(Group pauses for photo before the shoot)

ODESSA, FL, USA (April 17, 2010) - 36 Masonic Brothers and friends were on hand for the 10th Annual SunCoast Masters & Wardens Association Trap Shoot held at the Silver Dollar Shooter's Club in Odessa. The shoot is a charity event used to generate funds for the Association's college scholarship fund. This year's event produced over $828 and the Brethren had a lot of fun and comaraderie in the process.

Four local Lodges were represented at the shoot, including:

Dunedin Lodge No. 192 F.& A.M.
Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291 F.& A.M.
Nitram Lodge No. 188 F.& A.M.
Star Lodge No. 78 F.& A.M.

Taking home the trophies were:

Division I - (Young Masons) - Mike Billiadeaux - Nitram Lodge No. 188 (47)
Division II - Robert Eckland - Star Lodge No. 78 - (Top Gun - 49)
Division III (Seniors) - CJ Morris - Nitram Lodge No. 188 (48)

In the Lodge competition, the Lodges finished in the following order:

Overall, it was a great event to mix and hobknob with the Brothers from around our area and share experiences and a laugh or two. The money collected from this event is used as part of the Association's "William S. O'Brien Scholarship" which is awarded annually to a local graduating High School senior who exhibits good grades and actively volunteers in the community.

Congratulations to all.