From the South - February 2010

I would like to thank all of you who have helped me make a smooth transition into the Junior Wardens Station.
If the rest of the year goes this smooth, it will be a good one!

This year I am going to try something a little different.
At open books, or any function that will open the lodge in the morning, I am going to start serving fresh breakfast sandwiches made to order. 
Additionally the showcase in the lobby is being revamped and will be open for business at these times.
So even if you don't want to crack a book, come on out represent your lodge and enjoy some good food and fellowship!

Al Stearns, Junior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 12:01 AM - Categories: 3. South

From the South

Brothers,
I would like to thank all of you for putting your faith in my ability to discharge the duties of Junior Warden. 
I know I have big shoes to fill. However, I vow that no matter how challenging we will not return to the year of the Hot Dog. 
January will be a busy month, along with installations and our meetings, we will have a booth at the Scottish Games at Highland Park on January 16th and 17th.
Anybody who can help by volunteering is urged to do so. This is a great opportunity to promote the Craft and our lodge, for your convenience a signup sheet is posted on WPL's Facebook page.
Additionally, January 30 is the DDGM's homecoming. Please be sure to plan to be there to support Chet and buy your tickets early!
Wishing all of you and your families a safe, happy and prosperous new year.

Al Stearns, Junior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 10:56 PM - Categories: 3. South

From the South

Brothers,

Well your prayers have been answered. My year as the Culinary genius of Winter Park Lodge is coming to a close. Many Brothers came out to help me cook and serve and I say Thank You. I would have had a miserable year as Junior Warden without all of the help I received. I would like to share some things that I have learned this year: 1.) It’s not burned—it’s Cajun! 2.) Its not raw—it’s al dente! 3.) You can bake scrambled eggs in the oven.
We will be having a Master Mason degree on December 15th starting at 6PM. There will be food available for those who are getting off work. If you can only make it for the second section, please come out and help raise our new Brothers. It is a small group and we will finish early. This is also a warm up for our Degree competition. We need brothers to participate. Last year we did not advance in the competitions because we did not have enough active Brothers. Please come out and join us for the fun and fellowship. I have said it before and I will say it again: When it stops being fun we are going to stop doing it.
There are lots for us as Masons to do. Let’s do it and have fun. Have a happy Holiday Season and a wonderful 2010.
Chris Chag, Junior Warden

1 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 7:17 PM - Categories: 3. South

From the South

Brothers, it is time for us to start to prepare for the district degree competitions coming up in January. As always, we are looking for brothers to come out and help us with our practices. Most of us do not have gold cards or photographic memories. But we do learn a great deal about the right way to conduct degrees and we always have fun practicing the rituals. Please contact me if you are interested in participating.
Also, as a Freemason and an author, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Dan Brown’s latest book, The Lost Symbol is out and deals quite extensively with the Masonic fraternity. The book gives Masonry a very positive public face and has already generated interest in our lodge. Many young men are coming out to the lodge to learn more about our fraternity, and I encourage All the brothers at Winter Park Lodge to come out and meet these men who will be the future of Freemasonry.
Finally, I look forward to seeing you at our November 24th dinner meeting. We will take time that evening to celebrate the Past Masters of Winter Park Lodge, their ladies and the widows of those who have passed to the Lodge on High. We look forward to seeing them all. And put your minds at ease—turkey will not be on the menu.

Chris Chag, Junior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 10:19 PM - Categories: 3. South

From the South

Brothers, September was a busy month at Winter Park Lodge with a constant stream of events. So I’ve decided to take October off. 

Just kidding! The degrees in September are ramping up to the degree team competition in January. Come out and join us for practices. We have a lot of fun and learn a lot as well. (When it stops being fun we’re going to stop having practices.) Anybody can take part in the degrees. I am confident that we can win in the competitions and maybe even make a run at the state title this year.

Also, brothers, I would like to point out that many of the food products you purchase come with a redeemable coupon. One of the most well known is “Box Tops” by General Mills. Participating schools receive a dime for each of these coupons they collect. Please take a moment to check the products you buy everyday and see if your child (or grandchild or niece or nephew or neighbor) can take these to their school. The money adds up very quickly. If you do not know anybody who can use these, maybe we can collect them at the Lodge and pass them on to a worthy school.   

Chris Chag, Junior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Chris Chag at 12:01 AM - Categories: 3. South

From the South

As the first decade of the 21st century comes to a close, we have begun to prepare for 2010 at Winter Park Lodge. A lot of great ideas are in the developmental stage and we are always looking for your input. And yes, we’re a decade into the 21st century and I don’t have my flying car or hologram video-phone.    

But before we put the cart before the horse, we have a lot to do this year. Between degrees and communications, we will have events every Tuesday this month. There should be no reason you can’t come out for at least one night and see your brothers.     

And looking down the road, our dinner on October 27th will also be our chance to welcome R.W. Chet King to Winter Park Lodge for his official visit and show him around the place. And we will celebrate our past masters and widows at our dinner on November 24th for our brothers who have had the honor of sitting in the East and their wives who did all the work.  

Chris Chag, Junior Warden

0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 11:03 PM - Categories: 3. South

From the South

Are you a Freemason? If you are, you received the three symbolic degrees of Freemasonry. Brothers took time to give you those degrees. Petitions continue to come into the lodge and we will be busy conferring degrees in September. We will have a Fellow Craft degree on September 1st and an Entered Apprentice degree on September 15th. We will also have a Master Mason degree coming up. We will have a Fellow Craft degree on September 1st and an Entered Apprentice degree on September 15th.

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0 comments - Posted by Ricardo Parente at 10:08 PM - Categories: 3. South