1963

 

JACK CHRISTOPHER NELSON, born 1922 in Moundsville, W. Va. Raised to degree of Master Mason in 1954 in Sem1nole Lodge No. 304. Occupation- Lumber Co. Employee. Master of the Lodge at age 41.

 

1964

 

HERMAN CLIFFORD SMITH, born 1908 in Breese, Ill. Raised to degree of Master Mason during 1956 in Seminole Lodge No. 304. Occupation - Engineer Asst. Master of the Lodge at age 56.

 

 

LODGE BULLETIN - Dur1ng 1962 the format of our monthly Lodge Bullet1n was changed to the present form used now 1n 1977, and contract negot1ated w1th O'rrs Letter Serv1ce who presently produces and ma11s our Bullet1ns.

 

1965

 

PHILIP RAY STRAKER, born 1915 in Christopher, 111. Raised to degree of Master Mason during 1950 in Doric Lodge No. 140. Demitted to Seminole Lodge No. 304 in 1952. Occupation - Postal Employee, now retired. Master of the Lodge at age 50.

 

W. Bro. Straker can now only recall Peace and Harmony prevailing during 1965. On April 12, 1965, a tribute to honor Memorial Lodge for their service to Seminole Lodge, and all Lodges of the District, took the form of a plaque, and a corned-beef and cabbage dinner prepared and served at Doric Temple for 200 Masons. The plaque hangs today inside the main entrance door to Doric Temple social hall, as Doric Temple was home base for Memorial Lodge during its existence.

 

1966

 

ARTHUR DANIEL MARTIN, Jr., born 1927 in Wash1ngton. Pa. Raised to degree of Master Mason during 1950 in Naphta11 Lodge No.23. in St. Louis. Mo., aff111ated with Sem1no1e Lodge No.304 in 1952. Occupat1on - Ch1ropract1c Doctor. Master of the Lodge at age 39.

 

W. Bro. Martin, now residing in Washington, Pa., responded to Committees inquiry but had little to contribute of a historical nature. He wished to pay special tribute to Bro. Angelo Tibery, secretary, whose efficiency prevented unexpected surprises during the year.

 

On January 22, 1966, W. Bro. Martin and W. Bro. Roland Paulson of Doric Lodge No. 140, promoted a joint testimonial dinner for W. Bro. Straker, and W. Bro. Carl Barton of Doric Lodge No. 140. This testimonial dinner is now an annual affair for each retiring Master.

 

1967

 

BERNARD WILLIAM JOHNS, born 1921 in Zanesv111e, Ohio. Raised to degree of Master Mason in 1959 in Seminole Lodge No. 304. Occupation - Sheetmeta1 Worker. Master of the Lodge at age 46.

 

W. Bro. Johns was pleased to persuade the Officers, during his year as Master, to adopt regulation tuxedo formal as Officer attire, as it is today in 1977.  W. Bro. Johns paid tribute to Bro. Lynn C. Corpman, then Junior Warden, and a member of the Lodge Building Committee, as being largely responsible for negotiations resulting in obtaining our present Temple.

 

1968

 

JOSEPH ADAM NACE, born 1909 in Reading, Pa., died 1969 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Raised to degree or Master Mason during 1960 in Seminole Lodge No. 304. Occupation - Mechanic. Master of the Lodge at age 59.

 

IN MEMORY - W. Bro. Joseph Adam Nace died April 27, 1969 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. w. Bro. Joe was a person who couldn’t say no, nor was anything worthwhile, too much trouble.  A mechanic for Pan American Airlines based in Miami, Fla., necessitated a daily trip to Miami Florida.

 

            The excitement and responsibility of obtaining and moving into our present Temple in 1968 would undoubtedly have frustrated any conscientious individual but if it effected Brother Joe, we would never have known.

 

A suitable characterization of Brother Nace might well be, a quiet personality, a friendly smile, and a willing hand.

 

SEMINOLE MASONIC TEMPLE -Seminole Masonic Temple, located at 3Ol S. E. I5th. St., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was acquired and occupied in 1968. The building was built and occupied by the CHURCH OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS, a Mormon Church. The Building had an impressive steeple and cross on the

south end of what is now our Lodge Room, which was removed when, we re-covered the roof. With start of the rainy season, we found that the roof leaked, and with summer’s hot weather, we learned that both air conditioners needed major repairs.

 

            What is now our Lodge Room had 5 or 6 four by eight foot awning windows that had to be removed and these openings closed. An outside exit door, on the west side of the building, was relocated to the north end of Lodge Room to better accommodate seating within the room.  What is now the secretary's examining - instruction room was the Pastors study and a small kitchen.  What I is now our Social Hall, was a maze of small cubicle Sunday school and storage rooms.  Beneath the raised platform in the northwest corner of our Social Hall is a tiled baptismal fountain.  The new kitchen and storage areas off the Social Hall was added in 1973-74 as a result of a sizable, anonymous, donation by one of our members.  Numerous donations of money, material, labor, and appliances have gone into our Temple and hopefully, some of the larger ones will be acknowledged by the Master within whose year they occurred.

 

TEMPLE DEDICATION -On June 22, 1968, Seminole Lodge No.304, at 10:15 A.M., opened a Special Communication, for purpose of Temple dedication, and promptly suspended Labor.  At 10130 A.M., M.W. Clyde L. McLaren, Grand Master of Masons in Florida, and R.W. Donald H. Wessel, Grand Marshal of Grand Lodge of Florida, together with local Pro-tempore Officers, convened Grand Lodge in Extraordinary Session, for purpose of formal dedication of Seminole Masonic Temple.- Seminole Lodge No.304 then resumed Labor and closed this Special Communication shortly before noon.