Seminole Lodge No 304 F&AM

This site is dedicated to it's history

April 16, 1952 to July 23, 2007

1982

Tony Joseph Gallo was born in Reynoldsville, West Va. on October 22,1922. He was raised to the Degree of Master Mason in Seminole Lodge on January 13,1976. His age at the time He was Master of the Lodge was 60 years old. He worked for the city of Ft. Lauderdale Water Dept. The Theme for 1982 was "Let's Work Together in 82".

The rest of the Officers for the year were as follows; Robert Lee Jones Senior Warden, John Hutchinson Jr. Junior Warden, Russell K. Coughlin Treasurer, John R, Bell Secretary, Chaplain John Paul Whit ten Marshall Frederick Hoffmeier, Cyrus L. Crammer Senior Deacon, Lester R. Thompson Junior Deacon, James D. Hutchinson Senior Steward, James E. Forsythe Junior Steward, John G. Fisher Tyler, And Sterling Pratt Organist. Bernard Hoffmeier was Asst. Tyler.

A covered dish dinner was held ,with Seminole Lodge and Acacia Chapter members in attendance, promoting harmony between the Organizations. It was an effort to live by the Theme "Let's Work Together in 82".

On February 22nd an Americanism Program concerning the History of George Washington was presented to the Lodge.

In March, guest Speaker Nickolas G. Navarro, a member of the Broward County Sheriff's Dept., spoke to the Craft about Crime and Drug Abuse Prevention.

In April proceeds from the Lodge Breakfast was donated to the New River Middle School for the Deaf Children. Also in April a Lodge Meeting was devoted to honoring Past Masters.

A Mother's Day Dinner was served to Mothers and their families in May.

A joint Lodge and Eastern Star Spaghetti Dinner was enjoyed by everyone. Later in the summer a Master Mason Degree was conferred on a Saturday with lunch served between the two sections.

At a September Meeting the Rainbow Girls and the Job's Daughters presented programs to the Craft.

During the year funds were raised to replace the Lodge Room carpet. The Lodge lost a Charter Member when Brother Louis C. Meneffee Sr. passed away in October.

In November a Thirty Year Reunion Dance took place at the Ft. Lauderdale 'Shrine Club and was enjoyed by Lodge Members, Families, and Friends.

During the year Life Memberships to the Lodge were presented to deserving Brothers, Worshipful Brother Philip Straker and Worshipful Brother David D. Tiburzi.

Ritual

In recent years there have been many comments about the "Hollywood Delegation". The "Hollywood Delegation" is a group of Senior Brethren who takes pride and enjoyment at assisting the various Lodges of the District in Ritual Work, especially in the Master Mason Degree. When requested they will play the Principal Fellowcraft in the second section of the Master Mason Degree. They had their costumes and recited their parts with humorous proficiency. Thanks to the "Hollywood Delegation" the Master Mason Degrees became creative and interesting.

Some of the members of the "Hollywood Delegation were; Max Greenberg, John Manigameli, Henry Gebhardt, Fred Bernback, and John Natoli.

1983

Robert Lee Jones was born in Columbia City, Indiana on February 15, 1928. He was 55 years old when He was the Master of the Lodge. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Seminole Lodge on June 27, 1977. His occupation while He was Master of the Lodge was that of a manager for a Travel Trailer Supply Store. He adopted the Theme "Come Back And See In 83". He emphasized "Getting Back To Basics".

The Officers for 1983 were; John Hutchinson Jr. Senior Warden, Lester R. Thompson Junior Warden, Russell Coughlin Treasurer, Karl J. Wilkerson Secretary, James Hutchinson Senior Deacon,

Frederick Hoffmeier Junior Deacon, Bernard Hoffmeier Chaplain, Jack Newsom Marshall, Arnold Gibson Senior Steward, Larry Embry Junior Steward, and John Fisher Tyler,. Sterling Pratt was Organist.

In January, a Master Mason Degree was conferred upon Fellowcraft Brethren on a Saturday with lunch served between the first and second sections.

In February an effort to maintain peace and harmony between the Eastern Star and the Lodge was exhibited by having a joint Spaghetti Dinner.

Early in the year the Lodge voted to rent the Recreation Room to the School Board who used it to give G.E.D. Tests. Their presence did not interfere with the functions of the Lodge or Eastern Star and provided additional income.

In April everyone expressed their enjoyment of a Eastern Star and Seminole Lodge Chicken Dumpling Dinner that was served in the Temple Recreation Room. Also in April E..A. Finn Demolay Chapter presented that impressive Ceremony of Lights to the pleasure of the Craft.

On Flag Day, a gifted Speaker W.B. Max Todt of Coral Springs Lodge, gave a patriotic talk on the Star Spangled Banner.

In August the Eastern Star and Seminole Lodge again worked together to serve Members and Friends a nice steak dinner.

Once again it was nice to have the Rainbow Girls in the Temple. The Ft. Lauderdale Assembly #11 Rainbow for Girls voted to move from the Doric Temple to the Seminole Temple. Worshipful Brother Allen Norwich was appointed Chairman of the Advisory Board.

The Lodge voted to send our Quest at the Masonic Home, Mrs. Wentworth, twenty five dollars to spend each month.

This was the Twenty Fifth Anniversary of the first Christmas Party for the Quests at the Masonic Home. It was started by I.A. "Pop" Sterling to honor R.W. Floyd Hamilton. This Party was first started as a Seminole Lodge Project but later it was adopted by the 27th Masonic District. It has become known as the I.A."Pop" Sterling Floyd Hamilton 27th Masonic District Christmas Party.

Worshipful Brother Jones raised money for projects during the year by selling Baseball Caps with Seminole Lodge name on them.

The Lodge was sad to learn that Worshipful Brother Arthur Martin, Past Master of Seminole Lodge in T966 passed away. On December 10, 1983 the Lodge was shocked when our Treasurer, Brother Russell Coughlin died of a heart attack.

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