Seminole Lodge No 304 F&AM

This site is dedicated to it's history

April 16, 1952 to July 23, 2007

1978

James William Hartwick was born on October 8,1934 in Detroit, Michigan. He was raised to the Degree of Master Mason on October 23,1972 in Seminole Lodge. His age when he was Master of the Lodge was 44 years old. His occupation was an Equipment Manager.

The following Masons were his Officers; Allen Norwich Senior Warden, Kenneth Knisley Junior Warden, Jack Newsom Treasurer, Kenneth Nance Secretary, John Hutchinson Sr. Senior Deacon, John Hutchinson Jr. Junior Deacon, John Blume Sr. Chaplain, Henry Barnes Marshall, Tony Gallo Senior Steward, Robert Lee Jones Junior Steward, Russell Coughlin Tyler, and W.B. Guy Harnish Organist.

The statement was made that all the Lodge Officers for 1979 were members of the Scottish Rite or York Rite or both, answering that question, will a Mason return to his Blue Lodge after he has joined an appendant body.

Early that year the first edition of the Seminole Lodge History (which was started in 1977) was completed bringing the History of the Lodge up to 1978. The first 25 years of History was presented to the Craft by the committee that wrote it, consisting of R.W. Floyd Hamilton, W.B. Herman Smith, W. B. Philip Straker, and W.B. David Tiburzi.

In March Brother I.A."Pop" Sterling gave a dinner of appreciation for the Brethren who had donated blood to the Lodge Blood Bank.  In April the Lodge was in mourning because W.B. Roderick Smith, Past Master of Seminole Lodge in 1958, had passed away.

During the year every Lodge Officer from Worshipful Master through the Junior Steward sat in the East during a Degree. At an Entered Apprentice Degree the Senior Deacon, John Hutchinson Sr. (the Father) and the Junior Deacon, John Hutchinson Jr. (the Son) performed as a Father and Son Team to more than 55 Brethern in attendance, of which nine were from the English Ship the Arc Royal an aircraft carrier docked in the Port of Everglades at that time.

In September eleven Past Masters of Seminole Lodge participated in a Master Mason Degree to a full Lodge Room.  At that meeting R.W. Floyd Hamilton presented R.W. Eri Al Lay P.D.D.G.M. of the 27th Masonic District and Past Master of J. Dewey Hawkins Lodge a Honorary Membership to Seminole Lodge. Also R.W. Harvery Giberson P.D.D.G.M. and Brother Howard Torn were given 25 year service awards from the Grand Lodge of Florida. Brother Harry Hughs, Past Master of Doric Lodge provided the organ music that night.

Worshipful Brother Hartwick stated he was fortunate to have a large amount of petitions to the Lodge, a great line of Officers, and a proficient and tireless Lodge Instructor in W.B. David Tiburzi to

help make the year successful. He also said he was grateful to have been able to serve the Lodge as Worshipful Master and take part in the rich heritage of Blue Lodge Masonry.

1979

Allen William Norwich was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on October 10, 1948. He was raised to the Degree of Master Mason on November 18, 1974 in Seminole Lodge. His age when He was Worshipful Master of the Lodge was 31 years old. He was a Banker. The Theme for the year was “Make Time In 79.”

Worshipful Brother Norwich's Officers were as follows; Kenneth Knisley Senior Warden, John Hutchinson Sr. Junior Warden, Jack Newsom Treasurer, Kenneth Nance Secretary, John Hutchinson Jr. Senior Deacon, Tony Gallo Junior Deacon, Jim Ball Chaplain, Russell Coughlin Marshall, Robert Lee Jones Senior Steward, Michael Optekar Junior Steward, James Forsythe Tyler, and Sterling Pratt Organist.

In February Colonel Peter Van Ameringer, a retired United States Intelligence Officer, presented a, film and a talk stressing the strength of America's security and defense compared to that of the Warsaw Pact Nations. The program exhibited the love of and concern for our country Worshipful Brother Norwich has.

Later that same month the Brethren of the Lodge mourned the death of R.W. Harvery Giberson P.D.D.G.M. of the 27th Masonic District and Past Master of the Lodge for the year of 1961.

The Brethren and their wives and friends enjoyed the Spring Roundup Dance held at the American Legion Hall in Oakland Park.

During the summer the Lodge Temple was cleaned and painted by helpful Brethren. Some Brothers got together and exhibited Brotherly Love by painting  R.W. Brother Floyd Hamilton's house.

In July the Lodge was again in mourning at the loss of Florida's Number One Mason, I.A. “Pop” Sterling who passed away on July 12, 1979.

In September the Worshipful Master and Officers of the Lodge presented an impressive open Ceremony, a Lodge of Sorrow, in memory of I.A. Sterling and other Brethren of the Lodge who had passed on during the year. To my knowledge this ceremony has not been performed in this District since then.

In the fall the second annual Guy Harnish Dance was held with many people attending and with great success.

Brother Herb Joneck, an older sojourner Brother who lived near the Temple and who was supportive by his attendance to lodge functions, was given an honorary membership to Seminole Lodge. Also R .W. Sterling Pratt was made a honorary member of Seminole Lodge because of his devotion at the Lodge Organ providing music. Brother William Sandiford was presented a plaque of appreciation for the years of ser- vice conducting Masonic Funerals for Seminole Lodge. Many Service Awards were presented during the year from the Grand Lodge of Florida and other Grand Lodges.

It was a pleasure for Worshipful Brother Norwich to give a Life Membership to Seminole Lodge to R.W. Floyd Hamilton.

In 1979 Worshipful Master Allen Norwich was successful at leading Seminole Lodge to a productive year at increasing membership and contributing to Charitable Projects.

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