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B J

STATED COMMUNICATIONS

1ST AND 3RD TUESDAYS

AT 7:30 PM

BETWEEN TWO GOLDEN PILLARS AND THRU THIS

PORTAL WISE MEN WILL PASS

DeSoto LODGE NO. 105 F.&A.M.

10801 DeSoto Rd.

RIVERVIEW , FLORIDA 33569

JUNE 2015 VOL. MMXV NO. VI

DeSoto Lodge 105

First Worshipful Master

B.N.Mathes 5088-A.L.

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Marshall

W:. Troy Di Vito

598-7087(Christina)

Tyler Richard “Dick” Sylvis

671-8959(Mary)

WORSHIPFUL MASTER

William Tracy

727-244-1173 (Jennifer)

Junior Warden

Bill Miller

(757) 635-2195 (Monica)

Secretary Dwight Cooper

325-5881

Jr.Deacon

Mark Sills 843-9624 (Audrey)

Jr. Steward

Steven Brown

787 3365 (Debbie Ann)

Chaplain Bill Bartman 671-0560 (Jill K. Haider-Bartman)

Lodge Instructor W:.Don Campbell 671-0922(Barbara)

Senior Warden Steve Wilson

758-6174(Michelle)

Sr Steward Lyle Kelly (Meliane) 453-8000

Treasurer Mike Antoniadis

645-1564 Linda

Sr Deacon Steve Williams 743-5739 (Ronni Kay)

DeSoto Lodge 2015 Officers

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1888- ........... B.N.Mathes * 1889- ............. A.H.Meeks*

Lodge first met

in the Meeks Store 1890- ........... B.N.Mathes * 1891- ........... O.P.Buzbee * 1892- ..... L.W.Buckholtz * 1893- ........... J.R.Brooker * 1894-1913-G.H.Symmes *+

1914-1915-B.H.Emerson *

1916-1917- L.G.Scofield *

1918- ........ J.W.WIlliams *

1919-1920- . E.P.Blanton *

1921- .......... F.Ray Hearn *

1922-1925-W.T.Williams *

1926- ..... J.E.McLean Sr. *

1927- ........ A.Kirkpatrick *

1928- ........ J.W. McLean *

1929- ........ D.H.Williams *

1930-1931 .... E.J.Bryant *

1932-1934- .. C.Friedling *

1935- .................... C.Pelt *

1936-1937-L.D.Patterson *

1938- ............ T.H.Brown *

1940-1941 .. A.O.Moody *

1942-1943 ...... M.Linder *

1944- ........ G.L.Pritchard *

1945- ......... J.S.Meadows *

1946- ...... H.W.Meadows *

1947- .............. E.E.Doub *

1948- ...... J.E.McLean Jr. *

1949- ...... J.W.Thompson *

1950- ........... D.C.Graves *

1951- ....... W.J.Gallana */+

1952- .. Wm.E. Hegeman *

1953- ........ J.P.Massicotte*

1954- ........ J.A.Bailey Jr. *

1955- .............. W.Willis *

1956- ............. R.M.Ekker*

1957- ............ A.Vasquez *

1958- ................. A.Ekker *

1959-..R\W\G. Cooley 33+*

1960-…...H. Smallwood +*

1961-……………H. Rice *

1962-…..J.R. Hamrick, Jr. *

1963-……….….V. Linder

1964-……….H.B. Wilder

1965-………..A.L. Frisbie *

1966-…..W.A. Thompson *

1967-……..W.L. Shurtleff

1968-………….W.W. Jay *

1969-……....J.D. Fletcher

1970-………..R.F. Tatum *

1971-……...A.W. Fenzau

1972-….....W.L. Stanford

1973-……….R.W. Smith *

1974-……..H.L. Clausen 1975-…………..C. Repp +*

1976-……….O.H. Elmore *

1977-……….J. A. Brown *

1978-……...M. Beardsley +*

1979-……...D.R. Packard *

1980-……....W.B. Ellis 33º*

1981-…...E.E. Oglethorpe *

1982-………..J.D. Fowler

1983-………....G.J. Davis

1984- ...... W.J.Wiggins*

1985- ............ G.W.Fears

1986-………….A.E.Baker *

1987- ....... J.M.Williams

1988- .......... R.S.Varney

1989- . R. “Gene” Horne

1990- ....... J.H.McDaniel 1991- ........... R.M.Hardy 1992-1993.E.L.Swilley, Jr. * 1994- .............T.A.Berry 1995-……….F.R.Hudson * 1996- ............ D.M.Little 1997- .. R\W\F.E.Lowe+ 1998- ....... R.E.Kennedy 1999-David G. Watson Sr.* 2000-…...Dennis Owenby * 2001- .......... Bob Boose 2002-David G. Watson Jr. 2003- ... “Skip” Franklin 2004- ......... James Hiller 2005David “Doc” Rivera 2006 . Ronald J. Brimner 2007 ....... Robert Dishon 2008 ………...Mark Titzel 2009 …...Howie Angeloni 2010...........Don Campbell 2011...............Greg Wynn 2012....Hoyt “Al” Lawson 2013..........Adam Barsoum 2014...............Troy Di Vito

DEGREE PRACTICE

Every Wednesday

DeSoto Lodge

7:00 pm

District School of Instruction

Every 3rd Monday 7:30PM

Tampa #240

6920 E. Chelsea St

Tampa, FL

7:00 pm

MASONIC EDUCATION

W:. Don Campbell

DeSoto Lodge

Gold Card Instructor

DESOTO LODGE # 105 F.&A.M.

Has a “Facebook” Group

IF YOU USE FACEBOOK …

Join Our Group!

DESOTO HONOR ROLL of PAST MASTERS

DeSoto Lodge

2014 MASON OF THE

YEAR

W:. DON CAMPBELL

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WORSHIPFUL Master

Bill Tracy

My Brothers:

It is hard to believe that almost half of this year is over. I honestly do not know where the time went. We remain busy

at DeSoto Lodge. I want to thank our Senior Deacon Brother Stephen Williams again for his fund raiser in April. We were able

to present a check to the Ronald Mc Donald House for over $600.00. Additionally, at our first Stated Communication in May,

Right Worshipful Larry Lee brought forth a charity that assist children in foster care called “A Kid’s Place.” They have a pro-

gram designed to reward children for improving their behavior or meeting certain milestones by presenting them with small gift

cards. While the lodge voted to support this charity with a $100.00 donation, I am honored and humbled by the generosity of

the Brothers present at the meeting. We were able to raise an additional $620.00 to support this organization. Both of the

above mentioned organizations help children in very different ways, but none the less, help the children of our community.

These children are the future of our great country and of our Fraternity, and I am pleased that the Brothers of DeSoto Lodge are

a part of making a difference in their lives.

Staying for a brief moment longer on the topic of children, on June 1st, we will launch our school supply drive. While

the children are just finishing up their school year, many of our educators are planning for the next school year. Our School

Supply Drive last year enabled us to present to the Vince Thompson Elementary School in Ruskin many of the needed class-

room supplies as the school opened for its first students ever. We look forward to continuing to support this school this year.

More information will follow shortly, but feel free to drop off supplies at the Lodge throughout the summer. They need #2 pen-

cils, loose leaf paper, and crayons just to name a few supplies.

Brothers, as I started serving the Lodge this year in the East, it was my desire that we return our focus to the principles

of Freemasonry, Morality and Virtue. I am pleased that our Masonic Education and more importantly our Masonic Conversa-

tions are being focused on these principles. While we worry on how to drive membership and participation, I truly believe that

once we return to the Freemasonry of our Fathers, the answers to issues will come. We need to continue to improve on living

Masonic values each day. We must be committed to serving each other and our communities. We must stand ready to assist our

Brothers and our neighbors as all of the honorable men of this great Fraternity who have come before us. It will only be by our

actions and our daily walk through life that we will attract our fellow man to our Fraternity. Brothers, for those of you for what-

ever reasons have not been active in the Lodge or Fraternity, come back, I know you will find it rewarding in itself. I look for-

ward to seeing you soon.

I want to take a moment to thank the Senior and Junior Wardens, our Secretary, and all of the other Brothers of our

Lodge that attended Grand Lodge last week. It is truly an honor to participate in the Grand Communications. Most Worshipful

Jim Ford was extremely supportive and inspirational in his year of service as Grand Master, and I want to thank him for all that

he has done for our Grand Lodge. I also want to take a moment to congratulate Most Worshipful Steven Boring as our new

Grand Master as well as Right Worshipful Don Cowart as our new District Deputy Grand Master. Please keep these Brothers in

your prayers as they continue to serve our Fraternity.

One more note before I close this letter. On June 14th we will honor our Past Masters with a luncheon at the lodge be-

ginning at 1PM. Please come down to the lodge and help honor these great men who have served our Lodge so faithfully. We

will also honor them again at Family Night on June 16th. Please make an effort to attend one of these events to help show our

love and appreciation for our Past Masters. Brothers, in closing, please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. As

always, you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers. I hope to see each of you in the near future, until then, May the

Great Architect of the Universe keep you safe and blessed.

Respectfully and Fraternally,

Bill Tracy

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From the West

S.W. Steve Wilson

There is in every regular and well governed Lodge, a certain point within a circle,

embordered by two parallel perpendicular lines. . .. “

June 24th, Freemasons celebrate the Feast of St. John Baptist. A curious thing for

a non-sectarian group to do. Freemasonry historically acknowledges St. John the

Baptist and St. John the Evangelist as its patron saints, reveres their memory,

points to their exemplary lives in its ritualistic work, and dedicates its Lodges to

them.

In 1740, Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsey, a Scottish expatriate living in

France, as Orator of the Grand Lodge of France, first suggested what morphed

into the Templar theory of the formation of Freemasons. "During the time of the

holy wars in Palestine, several principal lords and citizens associated themselves

together, and entered into a vow to re-establish the temples of the Christians in

the Holy Land; and engaged themselves by an oath to employ their talents and

their fortune in restoring architecture to its primitive institution. They adopted

several ancient signs and symbolic words drawn from religion by which they

might distinguish themselves from the infidels and recognize each other in the

midst of the Saracens. They communicated these signs and words only to those who had solemnly sworn, often at the

foot of the altar, never to reveal them. This was not an oath of execration but a bond uniting men of all nations into

the same confraternity. Some time after our order was united with the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. Hence our

lodges are, in all Christian countries, called Lodges of St. John." In about 300A.D., the Catholic Church began to dedicate popular pagan feast days to the saints. June 24th, the longest day of the year, was

declared St. John the Baptist day, while December 27th, the shortest day, was dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. Collectively, Masons re-

fer to them as the Holy Saints John. Ramsey largely invented his tale out of whole cloth, and there is nothing to suggest that his account was any-

thing more than a fairy tale.

In what is called the Old York Lecture from about 1770 in England has the following as part of its EA catechism:

Q. To whom were the lodges dedicated during the Mosaic dispensation?"__"

A. To Moses, the chosen of God, and Solomon, the son of David."__

"Q. And under what name were the Masons known during that period?"__

"A. Under the name of Dionysiacs, Geometricians, or Masters in Israel."__

"Q. But as Solomon was a Jew, and died long before the promulgation of Christianity, to whom were they dedicated under the Christian dis-

pensation?"__

“Cont. next page”

Source: Freemasons for Dummies Author Christopher Hodapp

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_

"Q. But as Solomon was a Jew, and died long before the promulgation of Christianity, to whom were they dedicated under the

Christian dispensation?"__

"A. From Solomon the patronage of Masonry passed to St. John the Baptist."__

"Q. And under what name were they known after the promulgation of Christianity?"__

"A. Under the name of Essenes, Architects, or Freemasons."__

"Q. Why were the lodges dedicated to St. John the Baptist?"__

"A. Because he was the forerunner of our Saviour, and by preaching repentance and humiliation, drew the first parallel of the Gos-

pel."__

"Q. Had St. John the Baptist any equal?"__

"A. He had; St. John the Evangelist."__

"Q. Why was he said to be the equal of the Baptist?"__

"A. Because he finished by his learning what the other began by his zeal, and thus drew a second line parallel to the former; ever

since which time Freemason's lodges in all Christian countries, have been dedicated to the one, or the other, or both of these worthy

and worshipful men."

Source: Freemasons for Dummies Author Christopher Hodapp

Brother Shelby Wayne Asher Jr and W.M. Bill Tracy

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DeSoto Lodge at Grand Lodge

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FROM THE SOUTH

J.W. Bill Miller

Brethren:

As I sit and write this, US and World news is on my mind. I am hopeful that this will provide an oppor-

tunity for you to stop and think as has done for me as I have put it together.

Brotherly Love what is it?

We say it all the time but what does it mean?

From the Wikipedia Dictionary - Brotherly love is the love for one's fellow-man as a brother. The ex-

pression is taken from the Greek word Φιλαδελφία (Philadelphia = "love of brothers"), which trait dis-

tinguished the Early Christian communities.

From the Free Dictionary - brotherly love - a kindly and lenient attitude toward people. charity · benevo-

lence - an inclination to do kind or charitable acts. Supernatural virtue...

If you believe the story of Adam and Eve, then you should be aware that by going back far enough in

genealogy we are all brothers. But not all families get along, Cain and Able for instance, there have been

others.

US and World news has ISIS killing people because they are Christians and people rioting because they

believe an injustice has been done as in the recent Police killings in New York and Baltimore. While the

reason the protests happen are understood, to show the discontent with the situation. The rioting impacts

the businesses and people who are in the area.

What can we as Masons do? Many of you have at least heard of the move “Pay it forward”. We can start

in our home and Lodge by showing a friendly face and smile. We can greet people with a firm shake and

introduce ourselves. This is especially important with visitors. I know there are times when I go to meal,

I sit with people I know, partially because it is easy and I know them; partially I have something to talk

to them about. There are times when I avoid people that I do not care for, instead of greeting them. If I

were to do the later, maybe I would be the one to build the bridge.

If we all were to start taking little steps like this, it would become contagious both in the lodge and out-

side. While we may not be able to influence everyone, we can still lead by doing; people prefer Happi-

ness and Friendship over discontent. As brothers we can set the standard and others will follow.

June is starting to become a busy month, please remember Pancake Breakfast on the 28th of June.

I would like to thank my wife Monica and Daughter Jamie, Brothers Mark Sills and Stephen Brown for

helping out while I was on travel last Month.

With these Summer Months Our Snow Birds are going home and others are taking vacation. Best wish-

es and safe travels to all of you we want to see you back here. You are missed when you are not in

lodge.

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CHAPLAIN'S CORNER

By Bill Bartman

Cha

IMPROVING OURSELVES IN MASONRY

Our fraternity recognizes the Holy Bible as being a gift from Almighty God: a “guide” to how we

should live in this world. In its pages, it tells us to be kind one to another, tender-hearted, and show

love for one another . Sometimes that is very difficult to do! There are people out there who pur-

posely cheat us, defraud us, and make false accusations against us. Yet, we should be different than

most. As Masons, we should respond with kindness. It’s really hard to “turn the other cheek.”

I remember both my mom and dad saying time and again, “If you can’t say something nice about

somebody, don’t say anything.” It’s hard to delay reacting, and thinking before we speak, but it’s a sign

of a good man when you can do that. An old American Proverb says, “Think before you speak, but

don’t speak all that you think.” You know, after something is said, it can’t be taken back, no matter

how often you try to apologize or ask forgiveness from the person you’ve offended. It will always be

remembered and hurtful to that person. It is so much better to react by showing kindness, even if it

means saying nothing until a more appropr iate time, after the emotions have settled down a bit.

King Solomon himself made a lot of comments about controlling our passions and using our

tongues wisely with what we say and how we react to life. For instance, he said, “The words of a wise

man’s mouth are gracious…” and “The lips of a wise man know what is acceptable,” and “He who

guards his mouth preserves his life.” In other words, we really need to be careful about what we say.

Ask yourself, “Is this showing kindness and understanding, or am I just venting my anger? Will what I

say help the situation or make it worse?”

We have all heard the clichés, “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” “There’re two sides to eve-

ry story,” “Count to ten before you say anything,” and, of course, the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as

you would have them do unto you.”

Are we just and upright men? Can people see that we are “different” than others around us as we

deal with people from day to day? I certainly hope so. That’s certainly the sign of a good man getting

better!

JUNE 21 IS FATHER’S DAY, so be sure to do something special for that special man in

your life. If he’s no longer alive, try to remember some good times you had together. It’s not easy rais-

ing a family and providing for their necessities.

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Eastern Star

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015 AT 4:00 PM is DeSoto Chapter's Annual Ice Cream Social and White Elephant Auction. For $5.00, we will provide Hamburgs, Hot Dogs and Chips, Drinks and Ice Cream ( Some will be Homemade!!!). Bring an item that you no longer want, wrap it( even with Newspaper) and we will auction it off. Many surprise treas-ures will found. Please come and bring family and friends and support Eastern Star.

Hope to see you there.

Wendy Kinka, Worthy Matron

Jon Decaluwe, Worthy Patron

Diane Wiggins, AM, Ways and Means Chairman

GOD’S ROLL CALL 2015

ALAS One Of Our Number Is No More!

Brother Chester Buck has completed his journey East on 17 December 2014

Worshipful John Fletcher has completed His journey East on 10 Feb 2015

Brothers Donya Howell and William Falls have completed their journey East

GOD BLESS

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Hannah

From the Hebrew name ַחנָּה (Channah) meaning "favour" or "grace". Hannah is the mother of the prophet Samuel in the

Old Testament. As an English name, Hannah was not regularly used until after the Protestant Reformation. The

Greek and Latin version Anna is used in the New Testament; this form has traditionally been more widely used as a

Christian Name

William

Meaning & History From the Germanic name Willahelm, which was composed of the elements wil "will, desire" and

helm "helmet, protection". Saint William of Gellone was an 8th-century cousin of Charlemagne who became a monk.

The name was common among the Normans, and it became extremely popular in England after William the Con-

queror was recognized as the first Norman king of England. It was later borne by three other English kings, as well as

rulers of Scotland, Sicily (of Norman origin), the Netherlands and Prussia.

Other famous bearers include William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish hero, and William Tell, a legendary 14th-

century Swiss hero. In the literary world it was borne by dramatist William Shakespeare (1564-1616), poet William

Blake (1757-1827), poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), author

William Faulkner (1897-1962), and author William S. Burroughs (1914-1997).

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Coins Still Available DeSoto Lodge is 125 +

Years Young!

A Great Memento

125th Anniversary Coins are still available.

$20.00 per coin donation. $50 donation for 3 coins.

Support the lodge and remember this great period in

Desoto Lodges History.

See Bro Bill Tracy or email DesotoCoins2014@gmail.com for more information or

to buy a coin!

Tell your friends. They make perfect Gifts!

Who’s Traveling?

We thought you would like to know

A Long Way To Go And A Short Time To Get There

Brother Shelby Asher .

was Raise to the Sublime Degree on 27 May 2015

Mssrs Justin Paul John Zinke and Donald Edward Fisch started their journey East on 25 Feb 2015

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June 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30

DATES TO REMEMBER

On June 14th we will honor our Past Masters with a luncheon at 1pm

Fathers Day June 21 th JUNE 7, 2015 AT 4:00 PM is DeSoto Chapter's Annual Ice Cream Social and White Elephant Auction.

24 June St John the Bapist

Masonic Home Visit

Pancake Breakfast 0900 - 1200 Noon

DeMOLAY

7:3OPM

Ladies Orien-tal Shrine 1PM

Order of the Eastern Star 7:30 pm

DeMolay 7:30pm

Dist School

at Tampa 240 7:00PM

Order of the

Eastern Star

7:30 pm

Dinner

6:30PM

Meeting

7:30PM

Family Night

Dinner 6:30PM

Meeting

Officers

Meeting 7pm

Degree

Practice

7:00 PM

Degree

Practice

7:00 PM

Degree

Practice

7:00 PM

.E.A. Degree

7:00 PM

G.S.Troop

1296

6:30-8:30

G.S.Troop

1296

6:30-8:30

Masters &

Wardens

Fellowship 265

7:30PM

Work day-9am 1pm

COASTAL AUTO SPA Family Owned and Operated

1430 North Hwy 41 - Ruskin, FL 33570

Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm

Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Full Service Car Wash, Oil Change, Complete Auto Detailing

We would like to offer all members of the Masonic Lodge

a 10% Discount on any service provided.

P.M. luncheon

1pm

OES Ice cream

4pm