FROM THE SR. STEWARD · Nicolas A. Ruggiero Special Announcements KENNETH C TERRYBERRY 8/8/1963 Thanks to Brother Les Martin for his Irish Lodge opening! The Special Olympic Bowling

Manatee Lodge No. 31 402 15th Street East (401)-338-4205 Issue 2013-8 Bradenton, Florida 34208 August 2013

Florida Grand Lodge Officers MW Danny R. Griffith, Grand Master

RW Norman F. Cyphers, DDGM RHMichael Cullen, District Instructor

Manatee Lodge No. 31 2013 Officers

Worshipful Master W Les Ruggiero 401-338-4205 Senior Warden Joe Fenton 941-232-5031 Junior Warden John Steiner 941-232-4927

Treasurer W Mike Olson, PM 941-361-3084

Secretary RH George Benjamin, PM 941-713-7856 Chaplain Stan Preston 941- 792-6167

Marshal W Mike Grimes, PM 941-812-8306 Senior Deacon Doug Dobbs 941-545-1726 Junior Deacon Rob Hunt 941-284-8584 Senior Steward Kyle Bachman 941-518-6081 Junior Steward Tom Carter

Tyler RH Ron Baber, PM 941-748-7938 Assistant Tyler Ken Ammons 941-795-4535

Lodge Instructor RH Ron Baber, PM 941-748-7938

Funeral Committee W Les Ruggiero 401-338-4205

Publicity Chairman WGeorge Vomvoris, PM 941-756-6298 Lodge Chef Ed Kieffer 941-749-1478 Assistant Chaplain WGeorge Vomvoris, PM 941-756-6298

FROM THE SR. STEWARD

Brothers, To prepare for my column, I reviewed all of the tres-tle boards posted so far this year. Upon a second read-ing, I noticed that each message is as diverse as the people who had written them, and in turn I realized what it is that I love most about Masonry. During our next meeting, take a moment to look around and expe-rience your brothers talking, laughing, and sharing with each other. So many of us are in contrasting places in our lives; law men to lawn men, clean-cut church goers to long-haired hippies. "A rabbi, a priest, and a minister walk into a Lodge...." and yet there is no punch line, only potential. Each of us are distinct from the next, yet equal "on the level" -- this is what I find to be Mason-ry’s greatest lesson. Since becoming a Mason, I have gained many friends with people that I may not have encountered in my dai-ly life. Not only because we may not have crossed paths, but because it is so easy to make the mistake of assuming that dissimilarity equates to dislike, disagree-ment, or distaste. Our nation was conceived with a Ma-sonic foundation of freedom and equality, and yet at times we still struggle to uphold these beliefs. Every first and third Monday when I walk through those big blue doors I see proof that it is our diversity that makes us strong. Our Lodge consists of well over two hundred won-derfully unique members, and of that number I feel as though I have only met one fourth of you, and of that fourth I've only really gotten to a fourth less than that. So if you haven't been to a meeting in a while, please come in and say hello. Familiar face or not, you'll be wel-comed as a Brother.

Kyle Bachman Sr. Steward

Sickness & Distress

Bro. Don Steele continues to have stem cell treatments, but has improved

sufficiently to attend Lodge again. Welcome back Don!

Perpetual Members

Kenneth E. Ammons Wilbert L. Anders, Jr.

Ronald E. Baber George V. Benjamin Brady W. Chapman

John G. Collins Robert B. Coverdale Earl W. Dennis, Jr. Douglas W. Dobbs Michael R. Dobbs John E. Hokanson Edwin T. Holman Ryan P. Johnson Hutton G. Lewis Stanley Preston

Kenneth Reese, Sr. Joseph S. Rowland Alessio Ruggiero

Thomas A. Simpkins Theodore R. Simpkins, II

Robert J. Springer Billy Staffiles

Nicolas A. Ruggiero

Special Announcements

Thanks to Brother Les Martin for his Irish Lodge opening!

The Special Olympic Bowling

Tournament will be on Sat. Sept. 28, 2013 at 9 AM Volunteers Needed!!

Alessio's Ristorante will resume Aug. 9TH

Monday Sept. 9th Scottish Rite Tampa Worshipful

Master’s Night. All invited or attend Officer’s Meeting at Manatee Lodge #31

New foyer floor should be down at any time soon!!

Grand Master’s visit & Dinner, Sat. Oct. 12th. We

would like as many as possible to attend. The Lodge covers the cost of your meal.

Masonic Birthdays

KENNETH C TERRYBERRY 8/8/1963 CHARLES M BROWN JR 8/9/1976

RUBEN MEDINA 8/11/1975 JOSHUA BAUMGARD 8/19/2006

PARKER R BIERY 8/19/2006 GIRE D HILL 8/19/2006

FREDDIE A AUGUSTIN 8/21/1967 ARNOLD R STANALAND 8/21/1967

WILLIAM H NUTTLE 8/24/1948 RICHARD A CADE 8/25/1975

BRAXTON R EZELL 8/27/1979

Thank you to our Trestle Board Business Sponsors!!

MANATEE LODGE #31 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

ADVERTISE HERE AND SUPPORT THE TRESTLE BOARD. FOR ONLY $25, YOUR LISTING WILL RUN FOR ALL OF 2013!

SEND CHECK AND YOUR DESIRED LISTING INFORMATION TO: Manatee Lodge #31, P.O. Box 9304, Bradenton, FL 34206 or bring them to the lodge and see the Worshipful Master, Secretary, or Trestleboard Editor

Company ABC 123 Corporate Dr. Bradenton, FL 34208 voice: (941) XXX-XXXX fax: (941) XXX-XXXX email: [email protected]

Accounting


Banking


Contractors


Landscaping


Legal


Medical


Automotive

Anders Home Services, Inc. 2806 56th Ave Cir E Bradenton, FL 34203 voice: (941) 941-753-3486 voice: (941) 705-0751 email: [email protected]

Home Care


Computers


Photography


Plumbing


Travel

Manatee Lodge #31 Alzheimer’s Fundraiser

NEW!

Our latest fundraising effort was for the benefit of the Alzheimer’s Association. After a couple of Saturdays over at Publix in Parrish,

the Lodge was able to collect $1882 for the charity. W:.M:. Les Ruggiero & W:. Mike Grimes, PM with Nicole Melnick

of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Grand Master’s Visit Fundraiser

Brothers & Friends, We need 4 member teams to com-pete for district bragging rights.

All proceeds will go towards the Grand Master’s visit! See W:. M:. Les for tickets.

Manatee Chapter 14 Order of the Eastern Star

Manatee Chapter 14 holds its regular meetings on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm

Worthy Matron Donna Fleming

Worthy Patron James Fleming [email protected]

Secretary Diane Nourse

508-904-8660 [email protected]

Chaplain Mary Hancock

758-5272

Warder Douglas Dobbs

545-1726

Go Paperless! Help Support Our Lodge by choosing to receive

your copy of the Trestle Board by email.

Contact: Worshipful Master, WLes Ruggiero, [email protected] Or Trestle Board Editor and Junior Deacon, Rob Hunt,

[email protected]

Our Masonic Family

Daughters of the Nile

NYLA Temple #152 holds its regular meeting on the 2nd

Tuesday of each month. 11:30 am for lunch and 1:00 pm for session.

Queen Marilyn Carlsen [email protected]

The Manatee Lodge #31 website is www.manateelodge31.org

Featuring: Up-to-date Calendar, Photos, Monthly TrestleBoard and a

Downloadable Petition. Visit Local Masonry on the Internet at :

www.trowel.com/flamason

York Rite Council

Bradentown Council #9 holds its regular meetings on the

3rd Thursday each month at 7:30 pm

Illustrious Master Gene Lance 941-723-2075 [email protected]

Deputy Master Albert (Butch) Thurman PM

Principal Conductor George Cancro PM Of Work

Palmetto Lodge #110

Holds its regular meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month

at 7:30 pm.

Worshipful Master Gene Lance 941-723-2075 [email protected]

Sr. Warden Kevin Bergquist

Jr. Warden Richard Coles

Princess Recorder Donna Kay Duffy mailto:[email protected]

Announcements

The following men have submitted Petitions for the Three Degrees of Masonry to be read in Lodge: None at this time The following men have submitted Petitions for the Three Degrees of Masonry and are currently under in-vestigation: James Jackson Albritton and Anthony Thomas McNair The following Brothers have submitted a Petition for Affiliation and are currently under investigation: None at this time Candidates to be balloted upon: None at this time Candidates to be initiated: None at this time Brothers preparing for EA Proficiency: Richard K. Benn, Samuel Julian Bohn, Sr., Lazaro Diaz, Sidney M. Ev-ans, II, Phillip Wallace Fellows, and John Alderman Freeman, III,, Donald Ray Simmons Brothers to be Passed: None at this time Brothers preparing for FC Proficiency: James McConnell Bell, Derek James Berry, Edward Alan Lutz, and Matthew Steven Steiner Brothers to be Raised: None at this time Brothers preparing for MM Proficiency, pursuing their Apron: Timothy Frances Clifford, Brody McClellan Catt, and Adam Seth Sherr Brothers to be presented their Masonic Apron: Charles R. Bigham, Thomas D. Carter, William R. Dunning, Christopher A. MacKenzie, and Jonathon R. Mitchell Brothers presented their Masonic Apron: None at this time For the first quarter of 2012, Manatee Lodge #31 made a $100.00 non-Masonic donation to: The Manatee County Special Olympics

The Chaplain’s Corner

Should anyone hear of a Brother or family member in sickness or distress, please don’t hesitate to contact our

Chaplain at 792-6167, or any other Lodge Officer.

Want to serve on a committee? Chaplain Stan Preston is looking for some Brothers who can serve on a visitation committee. Sometimes a visit to a shut-in or sick Brother is better than medicine!

See our Chaplain if you can spare a little time to help out.

Chaplain: Bro. Stan Preston

2012 Lodge Committees

FINANCE COMMITTEE Sr. Warden: Joe Fenton [email protected]

VIGILANCE COMMITEE

Jr. Warden: John Steiner [email protected]

PETITIONS COMMITTEE WMike Grimes [email protected]

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Worshipful Master: WLes Ruggiero [email protected]

BOARD OF RELIEF Worshipful Master: WLes Ruggiero [email protected]

COMMITTEE ON CHARITY

WMike Grimes [email protected] W George Vomvoris, PM [email protected]

COMMITTEE OF LODGE PROPERTY Sr. Warden: Joe Fenton [email protected]

INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE

Jr. Warden: John Steiner [email protected] Sr. Deacon: Doug Dobbs [email protected]

FUNERAL COMMITTEE

Worshipful Master: WLes Ruggiero [email protected]

LODGE INSTRUCTION RH Ron Baber, PM

LODGE CHEF

Bro. Ed Kieffer [email protected]

TRESTLE BOARD & WEBSITE EDITOR Jr. Deacon: Rob Hunt [email protected]

IF you did not receive the Trestle Board by e-mail, please go to www.manateelodge31.org and click the

Trestle Board link, then choose what ever month you wish to view.

If you do not get a printed Trestle Board by USPS, you can pick one up at any stated

Amendment to Bylaws Notice!!

Pursuant to §16.01 of the By-laws of Manatee Lodge No. 31, F&AM, written notice is hereby given to the General Membership regarding

the following proposed change to §9.01 of said By-laws. Fees for the Degrees. — The fee for Initiation shall be $80.00; for Passing $60.00; and

for Raising $40.00 (proposed change: for Raising $60.00). In every case the fee shall be paid to the Secretary in advance, without which no petition or application shall be read or announced, and in every case of rejection the fee shall be promptly returned from the treasury, upon the Master’s order. (current Fees Accepted & Approved 9/9/86)

9.01

Proposed change to be voted upon at the August 5, 2013 Stated Communication

Support Our Lodge Dinners!

Steak Night 1st Monday at 6:00 pm

Potluck Night 3rd Monday at 6:00 pm

For a small donation, the Lodge provides the Main Course, Coffee & Tea. Guests are en-couraged to bring their favorite side dish or

dessert to share.

$10 Ribeye Steak Dinner Typically includes: mushrooms & onions,

mashed potatoes w/ gravy, vegetable, tossed salad, & dessert.

Did You Forget?

2013 Lodge dues are now overdue, and delinquent notices have recently been sent out. If you have not yet paid your 2013 dues, and did not

receive an overdue notice, please contact the Lodge Secretary immediately, as we may not have an up-to-date address.

Failure to pay dues for any reason will result in automatic suspension of membership at the end of the dues period unless other arrangements have been made.

(2013 dues are $80.00, plus $7.30 voluntary contribution to the Masonic Home)

ALESSIO’S RISTORANTE All-You-Can-Eat Pasta Dinner

5:00 PM - 7:30PM On the 2nd Friday of each month at the Lodge Building Cost is only $9.00 for Adults

Please come and bring your friends and family, children under 12 free. Serving: salad, bread, pasta, coffee, & iced tea.

Please feel free to bring your favorite dessert to share!

2013 Lodge Officers Front Row (L to R):

W:. Mike Grimes, W:. Mike Olson, R:.H:. Ron Baber, R:.H:. George Benja-min, Daryl Leeworthy, Kyle Bachman

2nd Row (L to R): Doug Dobbs, Rob Hunt

Back Row (L to R): Joe Fenton, W:.M:. Les Ruggiero, &

John Steiner

Photo Courtesy Of: Nick Evans Photography

Please sign up for Saturday Charity Collections

10 AM -6 PM at Publix on Old Tampa Rd. in Parrish. We always need help, plus we are one of the leading lodges for charitable donations!!

AUGUST 2013

SEPTEMBER 2013

rjhunt

Text Box

Labor Day Lodge Dark

If you move, please inform the secretary at the address above so service will not be interrupted (and save costs to

the Lodge). All returned mail will be deleted from mailing list.

Remember our Masonic Home in your Will

Have you Considered a Perpetual Membership? Ask why and how it benefits both you and the Lodge

Remember in your prayers the men and women in uniform, who are serving our country.

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

Paid Manasota, FL Permit

No. 183

Manatee Lodge No. 31 Free and Accepted Masons of Florida P.O. Box 9304 Bradenton, Florida 34206 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

PLATINUM CLUB ($75.00+ )

SILVER CLUB ($25.00—$49.99) GOLD CLUB ($50.00—$74.99)

The Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, Grotto, and the Shrine Need You… Why not Join and Gain New Light.

Contact the Lodge Secretary for Contact Information

Living Past Masters 1960 Milton M. Stewart 1989 Gary E. Carter 2004 Wilbert L. Anders

1965 John G. Collins 1990 George J. Vomvoris 2005 Richard A. Cooper

1967 Wallace R. Davis 1993 Byron P. Barton 2006 John E. Hokanson

1968 Glen E. Boeschen 1994 Marc B. Gilner 2007 Charles A. Keeler

1973 James P. Sellers 1996 Ronald E. Baber 2008 Robert Coverdale

1976 George V. Benjamin 1998 Earl T. Hasenflu 2009 Albert Thurman

1978 John G. Breese 2000 Charles M. Reibold 2010 Brian Johnsen

1983 Riley M. Hardy 2001 Elwood H. Williams 2011 Earl Dennis

1984 Dozier K. Walker 2002 Joseph S. Rowland 2012 Mike Grimes

1987 Thomas A. Simpkins 2003 Theodore R. Simpkins

Trestle Board Sponsors Help your Lodge with a yearly contribution. Contact the Worshipful Master or Secretary for details

William Dalgarno John & Roberta Collins

John & Carol Steiner, George & Lucille Benjamin, Ken & Karen Ammons, Les & Carol Ruggiero

Documents

FROM THE SR. STEWARD · Nicolas A. Ruggiero Special Announcements KENNETH C TERRYBERRY 8/8/1963 Thanks to Brother Les Martin for his Irish Lodge opening! The Special Olympic Bowling