The event is open to all Masons, non-Masons, relatives, friends, neighbors and of course the ladies. The cost is $15 per person. Make checks payable to:

If you have any questions, please call Larry Gillespie at (813) 737-2574 or email. email hidden; JavaScript is required. Don’t miss this opportunity to attend a Festive Table Council and support CMMRF.

The Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Florida has released a new “Instructor’s Manual” which is available from the Grand Recorder.

Word has been received that Most Illustrious Companion Frank Dancy, Most Illustrious Grand Master in 1982, passed away during the early morning hours of September 4th in Charlotte, North Carolina while attending the Convent General of the KYCH.

There will be a viewing at Haisley Funeral Home 3015 Okeechobee Rd. Fort Pierce, Florida on Thursday Sept. 8th from 5:00-7:00 PM with Sebastian Masonic Lodge No. 232 F&AM conducting a Masonic Funeral at 6:00 PM. Funeral Home phone number is 772-461-5211.

Frank’s Funeral will be on Friday the 9th of Sept. at 10:00 AM at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Downtown Ft. Pierce. After the church services there will be a Graveside Military Funeral Services at White City Cemetery in Ft. Pierce.

Freemasonry has lost one its true believers and hardest workers. His Masonic record is legend.

My theme for this year is “Guardians of the Past, Leaders of the Present and Builders of the Future.”

I believe we must continue to be “Guardians of the Past” guarding those sacred treasures which are ours through our Masonic heritage, “Leaders of the Present” leading with enthusiasm, inspiration and encouragement and “Builders of the Future“, with programs that support, train and educate our Companions so that we maintain those high standards and moral precepts for future generations.

Our ritual is very important for the growth of our Councils. It is essential that we are able to perform it with dignity and competence. I feel it is important to maintain consistency when it comes to instruction. Therefore, I am re-appointing the current District Instructors (with a couple of exceptions) again this year and with the help of the new Instructor’s Manual, I know they will continue to improve the work of our Councils.

I ask that you continue to give to our charity, the Masonic Medical Research Foundation. Our contributions provide for research in cardiovascular disease which will mean improved medical care tomorrow for you and future generations. I have also chosen a special charity this year, The Cancer Research Institute. Cancer is a disease that affects everyone. While there have been strides in the chemical, radiological, and surgical treatment of the disease, cancer continues to claim the lives of millions of people each year. There is a clear and urgent need to develop new approaches to cancer treatment and prevention. The Cancer Research Institute is dedicated to finding novel ways to harness the power of our own immune systems to conquer cancer. Website: http://www.cancerresearch.org.

We will continue to promote unity this year and the three York Rite bodies will continue to work together. The Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Florida have also committed to promote the cause of York Rite masonry and this can only be positive for the growth of our Bodies. This is where our members come from and we must do all we can to inform our non-York masons of the benefits of belonging. That is why we must continue the Lodge Representative Program and visit our Blue Lodges.

There will be no new programs this year. We must however continue to improve those programs that presently exist and continue to improve them. I have taken several steps to insure that this will happen.

Companions, COMMUNICATION is the key to success. It is important to communicate, through proper channels, any concerns that you may have, so that we can identify problems that may arise and quickly find solutions so that peace and harmony will prevail.

I am very excited about this year and ready to get to work serving the companions of the great State of Florida. I look forward to working with you this coming year for the advancement of our fraternity and this Grand Council.

M. Daniel Fullwood
Most Illustrious Grand Master

1. Leave the Grand Council in good financial condition.
2. Have a minimum of ten percent 10% increase in membership.
3. Proficiency card for every officer in each constituent council.
4. Increase proficiency in degree work and eliminate books and note cards.
5. Conduct at least one leadership/education workshop in every Council.
6. Conduct at least one Table Council in each district with a goal of one in each Council.
7. Have a fund raising event for the CMMRF Program and the Grand Masters special Charity.
8. Participation of 100% of councils and the collection of at least $1.50 for each member for contribution to the CMMRF Program and $1 from each member for the Grand Master’s Special Charity, the Cancer Research Institute.
9. Have each constituent council submit score sheets for the Giblimite Award.
10. Have a ritual team from each district to compete for the Keith W. Dean Ritual Competition Award.
11. Continue the Lodge Representative program.
12. Continue to update and improve the Mentor’s Manual
13. Have each constituent council present a Masonic Education talk at every stated meeting.
14. Establish a better working relationship between all Masonic organizations within the Grand Jurisdiction of Florida.

Sponsored by, Tyler Council No. 4

Monday November 15, 2010 at 6:30 P.M.
At Olin S. Wright Lodge No. 79,
Acacia Street, Plant City, Florida 33566

The event is open to all Masons, non-Masons, relatives, friends, neighbors and of course the ladies.

The cost is $20 per person. You may purchase tickets from any officer of Plant City York Rite or by mailing your personal check payable to: Tyler Council No 4

Larry Gillespie
533 Schuette Road
Plant City FL 33567

If you have any questions, please call Larry Gillespie at (813) 737-2574 or email. lgilles533@aol.com

Don’t miss this opportunity to attend a Festive Table Council and support CMMRF.

My theme for this year is “Follow our Forefathers”. Some where along the line we have drifted from that “line” established by our forefathers. From the Contributions of all our MIPGM’s, we owe them as to where we are today, but we have areas that need improvement immediately.

I have reappointed the District Instructors this year, mainly due to the fact that in my travels last year, I noted that many Councils could not open without the use of the Ritual Book. I also observed that even the floor work during the opening and closing was in some cases done improperly. The return of the District Instructors cannot eliminate all the problems, but I have instructed them to work very closely with their District’s constituent Councils and attempt to eliminate these problems. I will also be using the District Instructors and Committee on Work to concentrate on the Proficiency Card program established by MIPGM Richard Foreman. I think that this effort will reflect itself in the above mentioned Ritual problem. They will also aid in the issuance of the Circumambulation Cards.

There is another issue that we must face immediately and that is the NPD dilemma. We are in difficult times, financially and many of the NPD’s should not be occurring. Also there are other circumstances causing this problem. As I visit the Council’s in the state this year, I will be interfacing with the Recorders and Illustrious Masters as to what they are currently doing about the NPD problem and offer suggestions that may not stop this problem, but will definitely decrease the number dropped.

Last, but not least, let us not forget our Charity, the Cryptic Mason Medical Research Foundation. I am asking each Constituent Council member to voluntarily contribute $2.00 this year. Spread over a period of twelve months, this is but a pittance, and I hope all members will hear this plea and respond accordingly, making this another banner year for CMMRF.

Zealously & Fraternally,
Howard H. Gardner, MIGM

At the 130th Installation of Officers of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Florida, held on Friday, April 16th, 2010, the following officers were elected and installed:

Most Illustrious Companion Howard Gardner was installed as Most Illustrious Grand Master, Right Illustrious Companion M. Daniel Fullwood was installed as Deputy Grand Master, Right Illustrious Companion Larry R. Gillespie was installed as Grand Principal Conductor of the Work.

Most Illustrious Companion Richard Foreman, MIPGM was re-installed as Right Illustrious Grand Treasurer, and Most Illustrious Companion Dencel Smith, MIPGM was elected as the new Right Illustrious Grand Recorder. Keeping with the wishes of the Companions at Grand Chapter, Steven Q. Steele was elected Right Illustrious Grand Recorder – Emeritus.

All the newly elected and appointed officers for the Grand Council can be found on their respective pages on the web site.

Three resolutions that will be presented at the upcoming Grand Council Assembly are available for download from the Florida Grand York Rite web site. These resolutions are available in the “Forms & Files” page under the “2010 Convention” section.

The resolutions are:

• Section 13.03 – Committee on Work – Duties of the Committee (updated 03/02/10)
• Section 13.03 – Committee on Work – Silver Proficiency Card (updated 03/02/10)
• Section 43.03 – Awards of Distinction – Keith W. Dean Ritual Competition Award (updated 03/02/10)

Cordially, invites you, your family and friends to our Annual Festive Table Council being held at Braidentown Lodge No. 99 on Saturday May 8th, 2010 at 6:00 P.M.

Our objective is to enjoy an evening of one another’s fellowship in the tradition of Ancient Craft Masonry while enjoying a festive and delicious dinner.

Our Guest of Honor is the Most Illustrious Grand Master of Royal and Select Masters of Florida 2010-2011

This would be an excellent opportunity to invite our Blue Lodge brothers to join us and see York Rite Masonry in action.
(Casual dress – NO shorts, sneakers, or flip-flops)

Braidentown Lodge No. 99
520 30th Ave. West
Bradenton, FL 34206

For Information or tickets call or E-Mail:
Ill. Master Todd Meschelle at (941) 737-1978
email hidden; JavaScript is required

Make checks payable to: Bradentown Council No. 9 R&S Masters
PO Box 1114
Bradenton, FL 34206

(Upon receipt of payment you will receive an e-mail and/or telephone call)

Institution of Athelstan Council

A nice lunch was served to the Companions, ladies, and friends before the Assembly, which was then opened and closed in due form to demonstrate proficiency. Next, after a short break to allow the Grand Officers to take their places and the ladies to come in, Most Illustrious Companion Carl E. Gilmore, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council, R. & S. M. of Florida, Instituted the new Council, Athelstan Council R. & S. M., U. D., and installed the new officers. Illustrious Companion A. Eugene Yarborough, PIM, was installed as the new Illustrious Master of Athelstan Council R. & S. M. Companions William P. Goldwire and Zeb Turner, III, were installed, respectively, as Deputy Master and Principal Conductor of the Work. Nearly all of the Grand Officers of the Grand Council were present on this historic occasion.

Pictured here were the new Athelstan Council officers and Grand Council R. & S. M. of Florida officers after inauguration of the Council and installation of the local officers. Standing, left to right, in the first row were: Richard D. Agster, MIPGM. of the Grand Council; Darryl A. D’Angina, M.E. Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, RAM of Florida; Carl S. Amos, DDGHP, Treasurer of Athelstan Council; William P. Goldwire, PM, Deputy Master; A. Eugene Yarborough, PIM, DI, newly installed Illustrious Master of Athelstan Council; Carl E. Gilmore, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council R. & S. M. of Florida; Zeb Turner, III, Principal Conductor of the Work; and Alexander E. Constant, Jr., PC, Secretary of Athelstan Council.

Shown, left to right, in the second row were: Paul W. Friend, MIPGM; M. Daniel Fullwood, R.I. Grand PC of W; Charles Ed Constant C. of C.; Richard Cobb, Steward; Charles E. Middleton, PIM, PDDGC, CotG; H. Warren Almand, Jr., MEPGHP, I. Grand Steward; Dayle L. Schrock, I. Grand Conductor of the Council; and Quinnie R. Williams, Sr., KYCH, Chaplain of Athelstan Council.

Seen, from left, in the back row were: George E. Malone, MIPGM, Robert I. Moore, I. Grand Chaplain; Charles L. Hollinger, MIPGM; Richard E. Foreman, MIPGM, R.I. Grand Treasurer; Gerald M. Lee, I. Grand Marshall; Howard H. Gardner, R.I. Deputy Grand Master; John L. Horne, Jr., I. Grand Sentinel; and Larry R. Gillespie, I. Grand Captain of the Guard of the Grand Council R. & S. M. of Florida. Also present, but not pictured, was Charles R. Cooper, DDGM, District 7, of the Grand Council R. & S. M. of Florida.

Companions:

An updated version of the Constitution for the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Florida has been posted in the “Grand Council” section of the “Forms and Files” on our web site.

This version has been updated with all KNOWN legislation passed between the last update and our 2008 Convention.

In addition it has had numerous small corrections (spelling, grammar, partial phrases). For instance, the Marshal and Sentinel who were by mistake not included in the Installation Ceremonies, have been added.

Lastly, it has had an Appendix added, Appendix F, which is the approved Rulings and Decisions of the Most Illustrious Grand Masters. These have been indexed to show their appropriate spots in the Rules and Regulations.

It is my intent that by promulgating this updated Constitution, Rules and Regulations, that sufficient notice will be given the Craft to vote it’s acceptance or correction at the 2010 Convention.

Please direct any proposed corrections in the document or appendices to me. I am available at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Zealously,
Carl E. Gilmore, MIGM

You are cordially invited to attend a

FESTIVE TABLE COUNCIL
Supporting
Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation

Sponsored by, Tyler Council No. 4

Monday November 2, 2009 at 6:30 P.M.

At Olin S. Wright Lodge No. 79
304 Acacia Street, Plant City, Florida 33566 (map)

The event is open to all Masons, non-Masons, relatives, friends, neighbors and of course the ladies.

The cost is $15 per person. You may purchase tickets from any officer of Plant City York Rite or by mailing your personal check payable to: Tyler Council No 4

Larry Gillespie
533 Schuette Road
Plant City FL 33567

If you have any questions, please call Larry Gillespie at (813) 737-2574 or email: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Don’t miss this opportunity to attend a Festive Table Council.

The annual Super Excellent Master degree will be conferred on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Tuscan Lodge No. 6, which is located at 320 S. Florida Ave in Bartow (map). Candidates, remember to bring your dues card! Practice for the cast of the three sections of the degree will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Registration will begin at 4:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m. by the Ladies of the Bartow OES (donation requested). Please contact Joe K. West (email hidden; JavaScript is required) if you plan to attend and if you will be there for dinner.

The degree work will commence immediately after dinner at 7:00 p.m.

For more information contact Most Illustrious Companion Richard Agster, KYGCH – phone: 813.832.3939 email: email hidden; JavaScript is required.

The Bradentown & Venice York Rite Councils Presents

A Festive Table Council

An Evening of Food, Fun, and Fellowship

Our Guest of Honor is:
Carl Gilmore, Most Illustrious Grand Master
Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Florida 2009-2010

Wives & guests are welcome and encouraged. This would be an excellent opportunity to invite our Blue Lodge brothers to join us and see York Rite Masonry in action.

Braidentown Lodge No. 99
520 30th Ave. West
Bradenton, FL 34206 (map)

Saturday September 12th, 2009
6:00 PM
Tickets $30.00 in advance
RSVP with check by Friday, Sept. 4th

For Information or tickets call:
Arthur “AJ” Ahrens : 813-657-7940
Dwight N. Ridgeway: 941-721-7792

Proceeds benefit Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation (CMMRF)

Make checks payable to:
Bradentown Council No. 9 Royal and Select Masters
PO Box 1114
Bradenton, FL 34206

(Upon receipt of payment you will receive an e-mail and/or telephone call)

A flyer is available to promote this event in your area.

The Grand Council has completed their initial list of visitations to the various Councils across the State of Florida.

The downloadable file allows anyone to see the 170+ visits that are going to be made to Councils this year. It is arranged by District, then Council, then Date. Thereby it is easy for a Council to pick out who intends to visit them and when. It similarly allows a DDGM to see the same thing for his entire District. This file will be updated as additional information is available, so be certain to check and see if the version you have has been superseded.

You can find the report on our Forms & Files page in the Grand Council section. You can look at the entire schedule as a web page (which allows you to sort the various columns).

At the Grand York Rite Convention of Florida Grand Banquet on Sunday, April 5, 2009, Charles Robert Cooper, D.D.G.M., District #7 of the Grand Council R. & S. M. was named 2008 Cryptic Mason of the Year in Florida. At the Grand Banquet, attended by R.A.M. Chapter, R. & S. M. Council, and Commandery members and guests, then Most Illustrious Grand Master, now M. I. Past Grand Master Dencil R. Smith, called up Illustrious Companion Charles R. Cooper, PIM, and his lady to the head table, where he was presented with the Cryptic Mason of the Year award. Illustrious Companion Cooper is from Hallmark Council No. 3 R. & S. M. in Jacksonville.

The award was presented by Most Illustrious Companion Doug Soltau, Right Puissant Deputy General Grand Master for the Southeast Region of the General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International. Pictured above at the presentation were from left to right, M. I. Companion Doug Soltau, RPDGGM; Most Illustrious Companion Dencel R. Smith, MIPGM, of the M.I. Grand Council Royal & Select Masters of Florida; Illustrious Companion Charles R. Cooper, DDGM, PIM; and Mrs. Charles R. (Clare) Cooper.

The Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Florida installed their officers for 2009-2010 on Tuesday, April 7th.

Most Illustrious Companion Carl Gilmore was elected and installed as Grand Master, Right Illustrious Companion Howard Gardner was elected and installed as Deputy Grand Master, and Right Illustrious Companion M. Danny Fullwood was elected and installed Grand Principal Conductor of the Work. Most Illustrious Companion Richard Foreman and Right Illustrious Companion Steve Steele were elected to succeed themselves as Grand Treasurer and Recorder, respectfully.

For a complete list of the new Grand Council Officers, and District Deputies Grand Masters, you may check the respective web pages. You may download a list of all Committee appointments from the Forms and Files section.

We send our heartiest congratulations to Most Illustrious Companion Dencil “Denny” Smith, the immediate Past Grand Master for his outstanding year.

My Dear Companions:

If you are seeing this, then I have been installed as your Most Illustrious Grand Master and I want to share with you my plans for this year.

This year it is my hope and intent that the Grand Council will accomplish several worthwhile goals:

1. Demonstrate to the Local Councils that the Grand Council is profoundly interested in them and in fact exists to serve their needs.
2. Improve the preparation of the Grand Line Officers.
3. Increase the ritualistic skill of the Local Councils.
4. Increase the number of Masons who wish to join York Rite.
5. Produce an up-to_date Constitution.
6. Publish the Proceedings in a timely manner.

Our efforts to accomplish these goals include specific assignments with established dates for reporting and review.

Some of these goals involve increased travel and visitation assignments by the Grand Line Officers. With each officer traveling to a minimum of 6 Councils outside his own District and the 20 plus Councils the Grand Master intends to visit, each Council should receive a Grand Line Officer at least once and most will receive two visits. Each District Deputy is to visit each of his District’s Councils at least three times. Therefore each Council can expect frequent visitation from Grand Council Representatives and as a by-product each Grand Line Officer will become far more familiar with Councils remote from him.

Focus committees have been established to study the best way to bring the Grand Council Constitution up to date and to create increased interest and participation in individual Ritual Work certification. Some of this work will be brought as Masonic Education to Local Lodges and result, we hope, in an increase of interest in the York Rite.

Nothing breeds success like the teamwork that results from participation in an activity where the direction in which to pull has been clearly laid out. Clearly this year will ignore window dressing and emphasize the real foundation elements of our Fraternity; Fellowship, Pageantry and Spiritual Growth and above all Sincerity and Truth.

It is my fervent prayer that we leave here today with enthusiasm for the task, and also that we will return here next year with the satisfaction of having faithfully performed our duty to the Craft.

May God Bless US all and keep US in the palm of his hand.

Zealously,
Carl E. Gilmore, MIGM

The Grand Illustrious Master’s Homecoming held on Feb 7, 2009, in Tallahassee was truly successful.

The theme was a beach party in February but there was only one person wearing a bikini (she knows who she is). Seriously, the event was very well organized thanks to the Homecoming Committee, Companions Chop Bodiford, Charles Elul. Douglas Knowles and Wes Prine.

We had 71 reservations made by the cutoff date but we fed over 110 people. After all the bills were paid, I mailed a check to the CMMRF for $600.00.

My thanks and gratitude go out to everyone involved, whether you were a committee member, event worker, or just one of the ones who came to eat the good food. It was good to be with the Grand Line Officers and the MEGHP James P. Rudman and REGC SK Charles Perez again.

Thanks to all who came, hope to see you at the Grand Convention in April.

— Dencel “Denny” Smith, Most Illustrious Grand Master 2008-2009

Theme: Beach Party

Date and Time: February 7, 2009, starting at 4:00 p.m. with registration and a time of greet and meet. The meal will be served at 5:00 p.m., afterwards, (6:00 p.m.) Introductions and comments.

Location: Jackson Lodge No. 1, 2818 Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee (map).

Reservations can be emailed or phoned to Denny Smith at email hidden; JavaScript is requiredor 850-562-2678.

Reservation deadline: January 28, 2009

Menu: Sliced Beef Brisket, Texas Style Beans, Cole Slaw (Sugar free available), Texas Toast Banana Pudding (Sugar free available), Iced Tea, coffee.

Cost: $15.00 per person or $25.00 a couple

There is a LaQuinta Hotel (web site) (850) 878-5099 next door for those wishing to spend the night. There are also several other hotels within close proximity of Jackson Lodge.

For more information, download the flyer from our web site.

The Councils of District 7 will be hosting a Table Council at the St Augustine Shrine Club (map), on Saturday, January 24th, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The faire for the festivities includes Prime Rib, Baked Potato, English Peas, Bread or Rolls, Salad, Banana Pudding, Coffee or Tea, and Wine all for $20/person and Ladies are welcome to join in the festivities.

Please make your reservations with R:. Ill:. Comp:. J. B. Hunt, Phone: 904-797-7836 or E-mail: email hidden; JavaScript is required. You may also download the flyer for additional information.

Ocala Council No 22, R&SM, will celebrate its Table Council on Friday, December 19, 2008 at the Ocala Elks Club. This is an open Table Council and our Ladies and guests are invited.

When: Friday, December 19th
Where: Ocala Elks Club, 702 NE 25th Ave Ocala (map)
Menu: Your Choice, NY Strip Steak, or Chicken Cordon Bleu
Cost: $25.99 per person, which includes our toasting wine
Contact Person: Hon. Steve Mitchell, 828 NE 51st Ave Ocala FL 34470
Contact Phone Number: 352-236-6225

Please contact the Illustrious Master as soon as possible. We hope you will join us to celebrate the holiday season and contribute to our Cryptic Charities.

LOCATION: Harbor City Masonic Lodge #318, 1715 Avocado Ave, Melbourne, FL 32935 (map)

DATE: December 11, 2008

TIME: 6:00 pm Turkey Dinner

OPEN: TO ALL (Companions, Wives, & Friends)

Charity: C.M.M.R.F. (Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation)
http://www.flgyr.org/grand-council/cmmrf-catch-the-vision/

RSVP: Bill Hendrickson, Recorder email hidden; JavaScript is required

The annual Super Excellent Master degree hosted by the Bartow York Rite bodies was held on Saturday, October 18th, with 40 new Super Excellent Masters greeted by the night’s end.

The cast, under the direction of Most Illustrious Companion Rick Agster, performed admirably. A number of companions participated for the first time, and the cast continues to grow and improve since the re-establishment of the degree team in 2007.

Right Illustrious Companion Carl Gilmore, Deputy Grand Master, representing Most Illustrious Companion Denny Smith, congratulated the team, as well as the new Super Excellent Masters, and encouraged everyone to attend next year’s degree on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

The Grand Secretary/Recorder has prepared new forms for the Monthly Membership Reports for both the Chapter and the Council, and you will find these new documents in the “Forms and Files” section of the web site.

The forms can be downloaded, completed on your local computer, and then emailed back to the Grand Secretary/Recorder at email hidden; JavaScript is required, saving on postage, and allowing the information to be updated more quickly. This is the first step towards more automation for the local York Rite Bodies and the Grand York Rite.

For more information, contact Steve Steele: email hidden; JavaScript is required.