Seminole Lodge No 304 F&AM

This site is dedicated to it's history

April 16, 1952 to July 23, 2007

1986

James Dale Hutchinson was born on May 22,1947 in Oil City, Pa. His occupation was that of a Maintenance Supervisor. His age at the time He was Master of the Lodge was 38 years old. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Seminole Lodge on December 19,1981.

The rest of the Officers for 1986 were; Fred Hoffmeier Senior Warden, Arnold Gibson Junior Warden, James V. Joyce Treasurer, William Manko Secretary,Robin Johanson Senior Deacon, Tom Cochran Junior Deacon, Bernard Hoffmeier Chaplain, Robert Gregory Marshall, Glen L. Osborn Senior Steward, Joseph Herkert Junior Steward, and John Fisher Tyler.

Early in the year a Master Mason Degree was conferred upon Fellowcraft Brethren .It was held on a Saturday and lunch was served between the first and second sections. Worshipful Brother Tiburzi sat in the East.

In April a fun day of picnicking and softball was shared with the Brethren and their Families of Seminole and J. Dewey Hawkins Lodges. Seminole Lodge won the game with a score of 9 to 5.

Several times during the year there were breakfasts served and a yard sale for the bargain seekers, which raised money for charitable projects. Other Fund Raisers included a Dinner Dance at the Ft. Lauderdale Shrine Club. The Eastern Star helped with a donation to the Lodge of a $1000.

Charitable Projects during the year included, Easter and Christmas Parties for the "Kids In Distress" held at the Lodge Temple. Donations of $250 to the 27th Masonic District Wheel Chair Fund, $50 to the Live Foundation, and money for a back brace for a needy person were also given.

Brother Ruscup was presented a Sixty Year Service Award from his Grand Lodge. There were also other service awards presented during the year. R.W. Elmer Ball was made an Honorary Member of Seminole Lodge \in appreciation for his assistance in Ritual work at the Lodge.

In 1986 Seminole Lodge raised 23 Brethren to the Degree of Master Mason. One of those Degrees was held on a Saturday late in the year.  Doric Lodge and the York Rite Bodies conferred the last section of the Degree with the Officers in full regalia costumes loaned to the Lodge. A lunch was served that day in the Recreation Room.

TRADITIONS

Past Master Jewels, Aprons, and Apron Cases have been presented to the Junior Past Masters at Seminole Lodge for years and have become part of the Lodge budget. A Dutch Treat Dinner before the Installation of Officers has become popular and all of the Officers to be installed along with their Families, Friends, and other Masons assemble at a restaurant of the Worshipful Master Elect's choice and a nice dinner and fellowship is enjoyed before the Installation. Some Worshipful Master Elects give their Officers a small gift as a token of love and appreciation before or at the Installation. For several years the Lodge Members have honored the Junior Past Masters of the Lodge at Testimonial Dinners. All of this is tradition and is not something our Members feel obligated to do but it is done because they want to.

1987

Frederick William Hoffmeier was born in Easton, Pennsylvania on February 21,1948. His age when elected Master of the Lodge was 39 years old. Fred's occupation is that of an Accountant. Fred began his Masonic Activity in 1981 when He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on February 21,1981. He is a member of Acacia Chapter #249 Order of the Eastern Star, Scott- ish Rite Bodies, Valley of Lake Worth, York Rite Bodies, Mahi Shrine Temple, Ft. Lauderdale Shrine Club, and Feramo Grotto, where he became Monarch in 1988. He has remained active in the 27th Masonic District, serving as both the Treasurer of the Masters and Wardens Association and Chairman of wills and Gifts for the past three years.

The Officers for the year of 1987 were as follows; Arnold Gibson Senior Warden, Robin Johanson Junior Warden, Treasurer James V. Joyce, Secretary William Manko, Tom Cochran Senior Deacon, Joseph Herkert Junior Deacon, Bernard Hoffmeier Chaplain, Lou Geubello Marshall, Jim Moore Senior Steward, Robert Kretzschmar Junior Steward, and John Fisher Tyler.

During Fred's year as Master, two breakfasts were held at the Temple for Fellowship and to raise funds. A Dance was held at the Ft. Lauderdale Shrine Club, which was a successful fundraiser and which was well attended by the entire District.

A dinner was given at the Annacapri Restaurant in honor of R.W. Floyd Hamilton. R.W. Floyd was presented with a Fifty Year Service Award from the Grand Lodge Of Florida. Brother Hamilton and His Family had a good time. There was a good turnout from Seminole Lodge as well as many other Lodges in the District to honor their Past District Deputy.

November' 9th was a Family Night Dinner. After a short meeting, there was an enjoyable Program that both Members and Quests could enjoy.

In May, a Master Mason Degree was conducted and five Brothers were raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. There was a break between sections and a fine lunch was served on that Saturday. During ~he Year we learned that the Temple Roof needed replacing to the tune of over $6000. W.B. Hoffmeier invented a "Buy A Shingle" Program which raised over $6500 and allowed us to replace the roof by the end of the year. A Plaque no~l hangs in the entrance way to commemorate those Brothers who gave $100 or more and Shingle Cert- ificates were presented to all Brethren who donated $25 or more.

Charitable Projects for the year were a donation to the Shands Hospital, a donation to the 27th Masonic District Christmas Party, a Easter Egg Hunt and a Christmas Party with presents for the "Kids In Distress".

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