STATED COMMUNICATIONS

Masonic Temple

105 King Street

St. Augustine, FL

1ST & 3RD Thursdays

Meal – 6:30 p.m.

Stated Communication — 7:20 p.m.

DEGREE WORK AND PRACTICE

2nd & 4th Thursdays

CHARITY OF THE QUARTER

Ashlar Lodge No. 98 Free and Accepted Masons St. Augustine, FL

Chartered January 18, A.D. 1888, A.L. 5888

904-826-4086

July 2017

The Grand Master’s Official Visit to Dis-

trict 11 will be on Friday, August 25, 2017. The

visit will begin at the Putnam County Shrine Club in

Palatka with registration at 5:00 pm. The Tyled Com-

munication will be held at Palatka Lodge No. 34. All

officers from Ashlar Lodge No. 98 should attend as

should as many of the Brethren as possible. This is an

excellent opportunity to meet our Grand Master and

others in the Grand Line as well as to enjoy fellowship

with Brothers from the nine Lodges in our District and

visitors from other Districts.

We are having a busy year at Ashlar No. 98

and will continue to do so. On June 15th we recog-

nized five St. Johns County Teachers as part of the

Adopt-A-Teacher program. Each received a Grand

Lodge Certificate and a check for $500 to assist with

classroom activities.

On June 1, Bro. Thomas Marschall gave an

outstanding Master Mason Proficiency and received his

Lambskin Apron.

Our visit to Ribault Lodge in Jacksonville

Beach was on June 13th. Five Ashlar Brothers attend-

ed and we reclaimed our Traveling Ashlar.

On June 15, Bros. Chris Strickland and Wil-

liam Kenneth Smith Jr. did their Entered Apprentice

Proficiency in preparation for the Fellow Craft Degree

on June 22.

June 22nd was St. Johns Night celebrated this

year as we Wound the Clock and Passed to the Degree

of Fellow Craft Bros. Strickland and Smith. Thanks to

all Past Masters who participated in this degree.

In July we will learn about the role Free-

masons played in the founding of our Great Nation and

we will go dark on August 17 for our annual pilgrim-

age to Pineland.

At our first Stated Communication in August,

we will honor our oldest members.

Mark your calendars and be with us on each

1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.

Oscar Patterson III Worshipful Master

FROM THE EAST The 188th Annual Grand Communication of

the Grand Lodge of Florida was held in Orlando on

May 29—31, 2017. MW Richard G. Hoover was

elected and installed as Grand Master for 2017-18.

A number of legislative actions were taken by

our Grand Lodge. They are detailed later in this Tres-

tleboard.

Three actions have particular importance: (1)

every Brother elected to the office of Junior Warden

must complete Master Masson I, II, and III prior to

installation; (2) non-Masons who meet all qualifica-

tions may be admitted to the Masonic Home of Florida

under the Private Pay plan; (3) nominations for Lodge

Officers must be submitted to the Secretary in writing

prior to the first Stated Communication in November.

Ashlar Lodge is now part of the 11th Masonic

District. During the Grand Lodge Session in 2016,

redistricting and rezoning was approved. There are

now seven (7) Zones in Florida and 28 Districts. Dis-

trict 11 includes the eight Lodges from the former Dis-

trict 13 and Bunnell Lodge No. 200. Our new DDGM

is R W Greg Jasmin, Past Master of Cabul Lodge

No. 116. His Official Visit to Ashlar Lodge No. 98

will be on Thursday, August 5, 2017.

July 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3

OES

4

4th of July

Lot rental

5

RAINBOW

6 STATED

COMM

6:30 PM

7 8

9 10 11 12

DI Ashlar

13 14 15

16 17

OES

18 York Rite

Chapter/

Council 6:30

19

RAINBOW 20 STATED

COMM

6:30 PM

21 22

23/30 24/31 25 York Rite

Commandery

6:30 pm

26 District

Assn.

Bunnell

27 LODGE

INSTRUC-

TION

28 29

From the West First of all I would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" for the understanding and leniency you have

extended to me over the past month as Stephanie and I readjust to having a newborn in the house. James is doing

well as is Stephanie, if a little tired!!!

It is hard to believe we are in the second half of 2017 already. I am sure that the remainder of the year

will be as productive, instructive, and fun as the first 6 months.

With that being said, the subject of this months From the West centers around Lodge Property. I was

once given an awareness test, the point of which was to show the viewers how blind they could be toward things

within there own realms of influence. The scene depicts a group of basketball players and the viewer is asked to

simply count the number of passes one of the teams make. This task is easily accomplished, but the viewer is in-

formed that while they have focused on this simple exercise they have completely missed some rather funny hap-

penings in the background. This might seem light or frivolous, if not absolutely unmeaning, but does it resound,

upon reflection, with our dealings at Ashlar. At times the Officer line and the Building Committee can become

blind to the small needs for repair on the property because we often spend too much time there and are focused on

other tasks and duties. Therefore Brothers, I ask you when you go into the Lodge please take it upon yourselves to

look and bring to my, or one of the other Officers, attention anything that needs repair, refurbishment, cleaning,

etc. We want to know about these items even if we cannot make a plan to rectify them immediately.

As a fun exercise, here is the link to the awareness test. Either type this into your web browser or copy

and paste. TAKE THE TEST!!! Its about 3 minutes long and IT WILL BE GOOD FOR YOU.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4 S. & F.

Bro. Bo

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

RAINBOW

DI

Middleburg

3 STATED

COMM

6:30 PM

4 5

6 7

OES

8 9

10 11 12 MM I, II, III

Ashlar No.

98 8:30 am

13

14

15

16 RAINBOW

17

DARK Visit Pine-

land Lodge

18 19

20 21

OES

22 York Rite

Chapter/

Council

23 DISTRICT

ASSOCIA-

TION

PALATKA

24 Lodge

Instruction

25

GM VISIT

11TH DIS-

TRICT

26

27 28 29 30 31

August 2017

Parking Lot Rental

We will rent parking spaces in our lot on Tuesday, July 4th, Monday, September

4th (Labor Day), and Saturday, November 18th (Nigh of Lights). Spaces are $10.00 for

the day for EVERYONE, EVEN BROTHERS. This is a fundraiser for our Charity account.

We will man the lot from 9:00 am until about 7:00 or 7:30 pm on each day. Volun-

teers willing to work 4 or 5 hour shifts on the days indicated are needed. It is best to have 4

or 5 Brothers in attendance.

A sheet will be posted in the Lodge dining area for you to designate the shift or

shifts) you will work. Joins us for doughnuts, Masonic Fellowship, and to augment our

Lodge’s ability to support worthy causes.

188TH ANNUAL GRAND COMMUNICATION

At the 188th Annual Grand Communication of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of

Free and Accepted Masons of Florida the following Grand Lodge Officers were Elected and

Installed:

M.W. Richard G. Hoover, Grand Master

R.W. John E. Karroum, Deputy Grand Master

R.W John W. Westerman III, Senior Grand Warden

R.W. Thomas L. Turlington, Jr., Junior Grand Warden

R.W. Rudin J. Boatright, Grand Treasurer

M.W. Richard E. Lynn, P.G.M., Grand Secretary

Nine (9) Resolutions were adopted which will amend various Constitutional Provi-

sions and/or Regulations.

1. Resolution as to Eligibility of Junior Warden of Particular Lodges. The adoption of

this Resolution requires that every Brother who is in nomination and elected to the office of

Junior Warden of any Particular Lodge shall have completed Master Mason Exams I, II, and

III before he is installed to said office.

2. Resolution Regarding Committee on Work Members. The adoption of this Resolu-

tion allows the number of members of the Committee on Work not to exceed 18 members

instead of 15 members in addition to the State Chairman and the Vice Chairman. Note: This

Resolution passed by a simple majority vote; therefore, in accordance with Article XI, Sec-

tion 1, of the Constitution it will not be effective until presented again at the next Grand

Communication for final vote which must be passed by 2/3 written vote of the Craft.

3. Resolution to Amend Chapter 48 Masonic Home Trustees of Masonic Home and

Emergency Relief Admission of Non-Masons to the Masonic Home of Florida under the Pri-

vate Pay Plan. The adoption of this Resolution allows non-Masons qualified as defined in

Masonic Home Regulation 6.02 to be admitted to the Masonic Home under the Private Pay

Plan.

4. Resolution to change the Election of Lodge Officers. The adoption of this Resolu-

tion changes the time line of requirements for nominations for Elected Lodge Officers.

5. Resolution on Dual Members Qualifying for a Lodge U.D. The adoption of this

Resolution clarifies that Dual Members are eligible to sign a Petition for a Lodge U.D. inas-

much as dual members are afforded all the rights and privileges of regular members.

6. Resolution on Requirements of Amending Lodge By-Laws. The adoption of this

Resolution changes the requirement of submitting 1 original and 3 copies of a proposed By-

Law change to requiring only 1 original of a proposed By-Law change to be submitted to the

Grand Secretary’s Office.

LEGISLATION (CONTINUED)

7. Resolution on Emeritus Status of Masonic Home Residents. The adoption of this

Resolution clarifies that only members admitted to the Masonic Home under the Life Care

Plan are to be automatically placed on the Emeritus List of his Lodge.

8. Resolution on Dues Cards. The adoption of this Resolution allows for a printed sig-

nature of the Grand Secretary and a printed or graphic Seal in place of a written signature and

raised Seal in order to comply with the issuance of new permanent plastic dues cards.

9. Resolution for Lodge Co-Ownership of Property. The adoption of this Resolution

allows for a Particular Lodge to own property in such name as set out in its Masonic Charter or

in the name of a Masonic Center Association with pre-approval by the Grand Master.

LEGISLATION WITHDRAWN

1. The Worshipful Master may permit any proficient Brother Mason, including Entered

Apprentices and Fellow Crafts, to confer the Degree or otherwise participate in such Degree

Work and that the term “Degree Team” shall be defined as “any organized traveling team for

the purpose of conferring Degrees.”

2. That digital copy of the “Forms and Ceremonies” will be prepared by the Committee

on Works.

LEGISLATION WHICH FAILED TO PASS

1. That Masonic Associations be formed consisting of two or more Lodges for the pur-

pose of co-ownership of property.

2. That each candidate for election to the Grand Line sign a statement that he does not

object to having his background check information distributed to the Craft.

LODGE INITIATIVE

A major initiative over the next several years within the Grand

Lodge of Florida is Membership Development under the direction of

the current Junior Grand Warden, R.W. John Westerman. This initia-

tives focuses on: improving the membership experience; enhancing

Lodge attendance; and diligently investigating the quality of those who

petition for membership.

On Wednesday, March 8th, there will be a Town Hall Meeting

with R. W. Westerman at Pineland Lodge No. 86 in Palatka. Note this

date on your calendar and plan to attend.

At Ashlar Lodge No. 98, we are working to do exactly the same

thing by having sound Masonic Education at each Stated Communica-

tion; good fellowship; and increasing our attendance through the “Ask

an Absent Brother”.

Look about you at Lodge and think about those who were in your

EA , FC, and MM class. Are they attending regularly? If not, give

them a call; let them know that they are missed; and invite them to meet

you at the next Stated Communication. You might even offer them a

ride to and from Lodge.

Regular Lodge attendance like regular church attendance and so

much else in life is a good habit. But one broken, it may be difficult to

reestablish. And when at Lodge, let us always keep in mind that we are

there for fellowship. Talk with all Brothers. Congeniality goes a long

way in encouraging Brothers to return.

All Freemasons are Brothers who meet on the same level, regard-

less of their social or economic status outside the lodge. Princes, presi-

dents, and captains of business are no better or more important than bus

drivers, plumbers, and paper boys when they sit in the lodge together.

Masonry does not detract from a man’s accomplishments, nor does it

exalt him above his Brothers because of his position outside the lodge.

We meet upon the level, act by the plumb, and part upon the

square.

RAINBOW ASSEMBLY NO. 42 INSTALLS OFFICERS

St. Augustine Rainbow Assembly No. 42 installed officers on Wednesday, May 31,

2017, at the Masonic Temple located at the intersection of King Street and Martin Luther

King Jr. Avenue.

The officers installed were: Ms. Hayley Mastoridis, Worthy Advisor; Ms. Traci

Durre, Worth Associate Advisor; Ms. Apryl Wright, Charity; Ms. Zipporah Gardner, Charity,

M. Myla DeFord, Faith; and Ms. Hannah Duncan, Drill Leader.

The Installing Officer was Ms. Sarah Jane Todd, Mother Advisor assisted by Ms. Me-

gan Richards, Installing Marshall, and Ms. Kathleen Richards, Installing Chaplain. Garret

Wolfe, Past Master of Ashlar Lodge No. 98 was the musician and Robert Gagnon, Past Mas-

ter of Ashlar Lodge No. 98 gave the invocation and benediction.

The installation’s theme was “Home of the Free because of the Brave” represented by

the colors red, white, and blue as well as several U.S. flags. Ms. Mastoridis selected as her

service project the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine.

Rainbow Assembly No. 42 meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. The

International Order of Rainbow Girls is open to all young women ages 11 – 21.

L to R: Megan Richards, Apryl Wright, Zipporah Gardner, Hayley Mastoridis, Sarah Jane Todd, Kathleen

Richards, Jess Durre, Myla DeFord.

RETURN TO RIBAULT LODGE

Brothers from Ashlar Lodge No. 98 returned to Ribault Lodge No. 272 in Jackson-

ville Beach on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, and reclaimed our Traveling Ashlar. On a previous

visit, we brought Ribault’s Traveling Gavel to Ashlar which they recently took back to Jack-

sonville Beach.

Members of Ashlar who made the trip included W. Oscar Patterson, W. George

Maultsby, Bro. Jim Carrick, Bro. Robert Wilson, and Bro. Mark William. Returning the

Ashlar was W. Robert Sapitan of Ribault No. 272.

Ashlar Lodge No. 98 will visit Pineland Lodge on Thursday, August 17. Fraternal

exchanges are a great part of our Fraternity. Not only do we get to see other Lodes at Labor,

ADOPT-A-TEACHER

Five public school teachers from the St. Johns County School System were recently rec-

ognized as Outstanding Educators and presented with monetary awards to support classroom

needs.

The recognition was made by Ashlar Lodge No. 98 F. & A.M. Each teacher was pre-

sented with a certificate signed by the Grand Master of Masons of Florida noting their

“Adoption” by the Lodge. They also received a personal certificate recognizing them as an

Outstanding Education and a check for $500 to support classroom needs.

The presentations were made at the Lodge located at the corner of King Street and Mar-

tin Luther King Avenue on Thursday, June 15. Making the presentations was Oscar Patterson

III, Worshipful Master of the Lodge.

Teachers recognized included: Jeanne Siragusa, 4th grade teacher at Otis A. Mason Ele-

mentary School; Stephanie Bozard, 4th grade teacher at Palencia Elementary School; Sarah Jane

Todd, Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Millcreek Elementary School; Ashley Zapata, AVID teacher

at Gamble Rogers Middle School; and Jeremy Price, band director and music teacher at Liberty

Pines Academy.

The teachers were nominated for the award by members of the Lodge and a Lodge com-

mittee finalized the selections.

The Adopt-A-Teacher activity is part of the Grand Lodge of Florida’s Public Education

and Citizenship Committee Program which endeavors to recognize and assist outstanding pub-

The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform

unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of

punishment which the law might inflict; they are religious in expectation

of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world. A Freemason

would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written

in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every

system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal Throne of God

in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for

his future protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs

not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be

indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because

he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain

he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principal.

A Farmer’s Almanac, 1823

Freemasonry has always existed . . . They allow good men and youths

whom they consider worthy of their company to divine and guess at

their deeds, to see them, in so far as they can be seen. These others

find them to their liking, and perform similar deeds. . . And what

exactly do they boast about? Only such things as one expects of every

good person and every good citizen . . . and deeds speak for themselves. . .

Their true deeds are their secrets. The true deeds of Freemasons are

aimed at making all that are commonly described as good deeds for the most part

superfluous.

Gotthold Lessing in Ernst and Faulk: Dialogues of Freemasons.

Interpreting Masonic Ritual by Oscar Patterson III,

Worshipful Master of Ashlar Lodge No. 98 is available

through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and McCoy Masonic

Supply.

All royalties go to the Masonic Home of Florida.

If you purchase a copy, bring it to Lodge to be autographed.