April is right around the corner and we are hoping to see most of you at Lake Mary. It’s a time when the outgoing can reflect on a job well done and the incoming can refine their plans for continuing the progress.

The ladies have tried to plan something just a little different this year. We will have the traditional hospitality room (all donations welcomed), basket (inexpensive) auction and used book sale. For odd moments we will have a game room open. Whether you like the solitary jigsaw puzzle or group games, we will have something for you. There will be prizes for some of the games. Our own Ann Ridgeway will be your charming hostess.

Don’t forget to bring your best looking pj’s. Remember how tough it is to get up and dressed for an early breakfast? We’re going to relive our youthful times. Our breakfast is a slumber party!! Slippers and curlers are welcome! We’re taking fun up a notch this year.

Please come and join our fun. We’ll be looking for you!

Sincerely,
Gail Gilmore

PS – The schedule for the Ladies Events can be found on the GYR Session page.

Companions,

At the moment there are only 75 rooms reserved for the York Rite Session in April. Be advised that the “cutoff” date for the rooms is March 15th.

If you plan to attend please make your reservations quickly.

Reservations must be made with the hotel directly. Their phone numbers are (407) 995-1100 or (800) 380-7724. The code for our session is GNDGNDA, which will obtain a rate of $88/night.

For additional session information, please see the GYR Session page on our web site.

The 2010 Southeast Region York Rite Conference will be held June 11-12 at the Embassy Suites Hotel Resort and Conference Center in Greenville, SC (map).

There will be a sundae social on Friday evening and the conference will begin on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. A final closing dinner will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A special guest at the session will be Most Worshipful Brother Barry Richman, Grand Master of South Carolina who will speak at the opening Joint Session.

Reservation deadline is May 11th, for both the hotel, and the conference. A Registration Form, and a Conference Flyer are available for download and contain additional information.

We hope to see you in Greenville!

The District Meeting for District 10 was rescheduled due to the storm that was affecting the panhandle when the meeting was originally scheduled.

The new date for the District 10 Meeting is Saturday, January 30th and the day’s schedule is as follows:

• Registration 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Lunch 12:00 p.m.
• Meeting 1:00 p.m. Ladies to remain in fellowship hall / dining area.

The meeting will be held at Naval Lodge No. 24, 221 S. Navy Boulevard, Pensacola (map).

For more details, or to make reservations, please contact Richard A. Gilman DDGHP (850) 474-3885 or ragilman@cox.net or Ronald L. Parks DDGC (850) 453-8276 or skraprl@cox.net. Lunch reservations are needed by January 28th.

The final District Meeting for the 2009-2010 year will be held on Monday, February 8th at Jackson Lodge No. 1 in Tallahassee.

Registration will begin at 6:00 p.m., dinner will be at 6:30, and meeting (with a Ladies Program) will start at 7:30 p.m.

Reservations are a must, and should be make with John C. Babski, DDGHP – (850) 545-0589 – jbabski@embarqmail.com.

For more details, including local lodging, download the flyer from our web site.

The latest edition (Volume 3, Issue 4) of the Florida York Rite Mason Magazine is now available online and for download!

If you look in each of the four sections of our web site, you will see a new menu items:

• Chapter Convocation Calendar
• Council Assembly Calendar
• Commandery Conclave Calendar
• Festival Calendar
• Events Calendar
• Honorary & Invitational Bodies Calendar

These will show you all the meetings (starting 1/1/2010) for 45 days (from today’s date).

Or, if you’d like to see a calendar that displays all the calendars together check out the Combined Meeting Calendar.

But that’s not all — if you use the Google Calendar, 30 Boxes, Sunbird, Windows Calendar, Windows Live Calendar, iCal, or any other calendar that supports the iCalendar format, you can “subscribe” to each of the calendars and add them to your own.

There are links on every page to help you do this, but, if you just want the direct addresses, they are:
webcal://ics.flgyr.org/chapter.ics
webcal://ics.flgyr.org/council.ics
webcal://ics.flgyr.org/commandery.ics
webcal://ics.flgyr.org/honorary.ics (Honorary & Invitational Bodies)
webcal://ics.flgyr.org/festival.ics (YR Degree Festivals)
webcal://ics.flgyr.org/events.ics (Other YR events, i.e., Homecomings, District Meetings, GYR session, etc.)

We hope that these will help anyone planning on visiting the Florida York Rite bodies along with our other recent additions. (And, yes, we have validated that these calendars meet the Internet Calendaring and Scheduling Core Object Specification.)

The Grand York Rite proceedings for 2004 and 2005, plus the Grand Council proceedings for 2009, are now available for download from our web site.

You may find all these in our Forms and Files page, in the Proceedings section.

Companions and Sir Knights:

The members of your Grand York Rite Souvenir Program Committee are pleased to announce that we have begun our efforts early this year to sell ads for our 2010 Souvenir Program. We have 3 objectives to accomplish:

1. To increase the ads from previous years.
2. To publish a more enticing, professional and informative Souvenir Program.
3. To financially help offset a grand portion of the Grand Convention expenses.

In order for us to meet our objectives, we need the help and assistance of all our Companions and Sir Knights in Florida.

How can you help?

First: Have your York Rite Bodies purchase an ad.

Second: Have the Companions become boosters and purchase a name line which will be included in the program.

Third: go out and sell, sell, sell. Sell ads to your local Blue Lodges, Appendant Bodies, Masters & Wardens Associations, Masonic brethren that are business owners and local businesses in your area. Target business leaders with whom you may have some influence. We need to go beyond the box to make this a success.

A word of caution, NO AD WILL BE PUBLISHED THAT IS NOT PAID FOR.

So before you send those ads back to the Committee Chairman’s mailbox, make sure the ad layout, form and payment are included. Donations / contributions are not tax deductible as Charitable Contributions as the Grand York Rite Bodies are not a “501(c)(3) Corporation”; however, the Donation / Contribution may be deductible as an ordinary business expense. Sponsors are urged to consult with their tax advisor.

For more information, please refer to the Souvenir Program Booklet available for download from our website.

You can now find information on the 2010 Florida Grand York Rite Session, which will be held April 15-17, on the GYR Session Page. Information on hotel reservations, session registration, and a tentative schedule are all included.

We hope to see you in Lake Mary, Florida in April 2010!

The latest edition (Volume 3, Issue 3) of the Florida York Rite Mason Magazine is now available online and for download!

On Friday and Saturday, October 2-3, District 6 hosted a York Rite Festival in Melbourne, at the Harbor City Lodge.

There were participants from Florida Keys to St Cloud, Miami, West Palm Beach and Brevard County.

• 31 new Companions exhaulted in Chapter
• 32 new Companions greeted in Council
• 35 new Sir Knights knighted in Commandery

A special thanks to:
R.E. John Paniccia, member of Melbourne YR Bodies, current IM & EHP, for coordinating the food for the whole weekend and doing much more behind the scenes.

E. Henry A. Adams EGSW, member of Melbourne YR Bodies, current EC, getting all the candidates registered and collecting the information.

M.I. Chuck L. Hollinger MIPGM-2001, member of Melbourne YR Bodies, leading our local Degree Team and helping setting up the paraphernalia.

M.I. Paul W. Friend MIPGM-1996, member of Fort Pierce YR Bodies, kept the Degree Teams moving like clockwork and right on schedule.

M.E. Steven Q. Steele MEPGHP-2002, Grand Secretary/Recorder, major help in the Degrees & Orders, and helping setting up the paraphernalia.

All participants in the Degrees and Orders, without your help this could not have been possible.

Congratulations to all for an outstanding job. This raises our total number of knightings in the Grand Commandery of Florida for the year to 190 (last year 133).

Today marks the first anniversary of the new and expanded Grand York Rite of Florida web site, which we officially launched with our first article on the Grand High Priest’s Homecoming on September 10th, 2008.

So, some 75+ articles later, new calendars, meeting finders, videos, smart phone support, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media integration, we have put together a great web site of which we can be proud.

I wish to thank all the Companions and Sir Knights who have contributed ideas, pictures, and articles, and helped us to make this the best web site in the York Rite.

As the fall season is upon us, and many events are filling up the calendar in September, we thought it might be easier if we published one article to provide a “one-stop” shop for all the upcoming events in September. For more information, please click the title of the event.

• Tuesday, 1st – District 8 Meeting – Gainesville
• Saturday, 12th – Table Council – Bradenton
• Saturday, 12th – Florida College SRICF – Tallahassee
• Saturday, 19th – Mystery Dinner Theater – Tampa
• Saturday, 19th – Grand Commandery Officers’ Retreat – The Villages
• Thursday, 24th – District 5 Meeting – Orlando
• Saturday, 26th – Orlando YR Bodies One-day Class – Orlando

If you have an event you would like to see included, please contact the webmaster.

The latest edition (Volume 3, Issue 2) of the Florida York Rite Mason Magazine is now available online and for download!

The Companions and Sir Knights of the Jacksonville York Rite held an open house on June 27th, and as part of the event, they also had a special charity fundraiser. Check out their video.

This is a reminder to all bodies on the need for more individuals to send in their reservations for York University ASAP.

Also please advise anyone coming to Lake Mary for the training or the audit to please register under York University so we can meet our room guarantee.

The latest edition (Volume 3, Issue 1) of the Florida York Rite Mason Magazine is now available online and for download!

This year marks the 72nd Anniversary of the Great Smokies Summer Assembly of York Rite Masons which will be held in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, on July 12, 13, 14, 2009.

Although Summer Assembly Registration does not officially begin until Sunday, July 12th, many individuals begin arriving on Friday or Saturday. Come enjoy the hospitality of the Maggie Valley community, and get ready to witness a most rewarding experience. This year’s theme is, “Noble and Glorious Purposes.” (On Saturday, July 11th, Companion Knights from the several York Rite Colleges across Florida will be conferring the Order Knight of York in Waynesville.)

This year’s speakers include Most Worshipful Brother Dan C. Rice, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of NC; Illustrious Brother S. Brent Morris, 33°, G:.C:., Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal; and Illustrious Brother James D. Cole, 33°, S:.G:.I:.G:. of Virginia.

For more information, registration, and local hotel information please see: http://www.yorkrite.com/nc/GSSAprogram.htm, or, you may download an informational flyer from our web site.

Sir Knight Ideal Baldoni, Right Eminent Grand Commander, and Lady Judith Ann, are sponsoring a 7-day Charity Cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Pearl which will depart from the Port of Miami on October 10th.

Ports of call include: Samanas Bay, Tortola, St. Thomas, and Great Stirrup Cay.

Prices range from $745/person for an inside cabin, to $995/person for a balcony cabin. This includes all taxes and fees, an onboard private party, round-trip bus transportation, and a $150/cabin donation to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

A $250/person deposit it required, and space is limited. Remember, passports are now required for all travel outside of the US. For more information, you can contact The Travel Authority in Homasassa by calling 800-334-8838.

You may also download a flyer from our web site.

The 2009 York University Weekend Leadership Retreat will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Lake Mary on July 31, August 1 & 2. Please take immediate action and return the form as soon as possible to assure that there will be room for you at this important training session. We have limited room accommodations, so it will be first-come-first served until the deadline of June 24, 2009 or we fill up, whichever comes first.

The Retreat will provide a fast paced and detailed course of instruction, which will include “break-out” sessions designed to facilitate team-building exercises. The programs are practical and will provide you with specific steps you can follow to achieve success in leading your local Bodies. A Workbook will be provided to you and your lady at the Retreat, and is included in the registration price. The sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday and end at noon Sunday.

We encourage you to get the approval of your Bodies to attend this Retreat, so please take positive action at your next Stated Meeting to do so. It is important that you include your lady in your registration, as there will be training for her as well. This is an approved Grand York Rite Program, and as such it is appropriate that your Bodies help cover the expenses of both you and your lady to attend the Retreat if they can. Please feel free to make copies of the Registration Form for use by any other officers who wish to attend, including all Chapter, Council, and Commandery officers and members.

In order to enable the Grand Bodies to obtain meeting rooms and excellent rates for everyone, it was necessary to reserve thirty rooms for the Retreat. Therefore, we must require that each person who registers also have a hotel room, no matter how close they may live to the Retreat facility. This ensures that each York Rite Body is treated equally and that everyone can share in the economies.

To those who say, “Masons can’t afford first-class corporate-style training,” I ask you to share the vision and help keep York University flying! If you believe you cannot afford it, please do not discourage those who can and will. I look forward to greeting each of you at the 2009 Retreat!

Download and return your registration form now!

The annual proceedings from 2006 & 2007 are now available for download from the Forms and Files page.

As additional years are available in electronic format we will be posting them to the web site in order to save printing costs.

At the Grand Banquet, held on Sunday, April 5th, at the Florida Grand York Rite convention in Lake Mary, the following awards were presented:

Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Florida

• General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Medal – In 1951, the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons established the Distinguished Service Bronze Medal to be awarded each year to a Royal Arch Mason in each Grand Chapter affiliated with the General Grand Chapter. This Medal is given in recognition of the recipient’s outstanding and meritorious service to Royal Arch Masonry other than that of holding Masonic Office as a Past Grand High Priest or as a Grand Chapter Officer. Over the years, words used to describe those awarded this honor have been such words as Passion, Integrity, and Dependability. Our recipient for 2008-2009 is Right Excellent Companion E. Randy Spradling of Everglades Chapter No. 67 in Naples, Florida.

Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Florida

• Adult Youth Leadership Award – One medal presented annually in each Jurisdiction affiliated with General Grand Council to a nominee who shall be a leader in one of the youth organizations recognized by the General Grand Council, namely: Order of DeMolay, Order of Rainbow for Girls or Order of Job’s Daughters. The award shall be made only for exceptional and meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty. This year’s award is presented to Companion Hugh W. Prine, Jr. of Seminole Council No. 30 in Jacksonville, Florida. Dad Prine works with J. Edwin Larson Chapter, Order of DeMolay, in Tallahassee.
• Cryptic Mason of the Year – One medal each year presented to a Cryptic Mason by the General Grand Council to a man selected by each Grand Council for outstanding service to Cryptic Masonry. The award shall be made only for exceptional and meritorious service to Cryptic Masonry above and beyond the call of duty. No Past or Present Grand Master, or any advancing line officer of a Grand Council shall be eligible for this award. Right Illustrious Companion Charles R. “Bob” Cooper, of Hallmark Council No. 3 in Jacksonville, Florida is this year’s recipient.
• Lady of the Council – The General Grand council has developed an Award to recognize and honor these Ladies for outstanding dedication and support to Cryptic Masons. Lady Judy Friend, wife of Most Illustrious Companion Paul Friend of Tyrian Council No. 36 was selected for this year’s award.

Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Florida

• Knights Templar Cross of Honor – The Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States of America created and established a meritorious award to be known as the “Knight Templar Cross of Honor” which may be awarded by the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States of America, to deserving Sir Knights of Constituent and Subordinate Commanderies. The nomination for the award is made by the Commandery of which the nominee is a member of Motion adopted by the Commandery and must be submitted in writing and approved by the Grand Commandery by the respective State, outlining the nature of meritorious service that justified the nomination. The award should be made only for exceptional and meritorious service rendered to the order, far beyond the call of duty, and beyond the service usually expected of an officer or member. Sir Knight Drexel P. Caldwell of Couer de Lion Commandery in Pensacola, Florida as been selected for this most singular honor.
• Knight Commander of the Temple – Sir Knight Ideal Baldoni was invested with the rank and dignity of Knight Commander of the Temple. Lady Ida Perez was invested with the rank and diginity of Companion of the Temple.

We offer our heartiest congratulations to these Companions and Sir Knights for their Outstanding Accomplishments.

Florida’s Annual Grand York Rite Convention, which is being held at the Marriott Hotel in Lake Mary, will begin on Sunday, April 5th.

We will be posting articles here throughout the convention. So, if you are unable to attend, use our web site as the source for your information updates.

It is time to consider York University in the summer. I have tentatively made plans for the last week-end in July at the Lake Mary Marriott. The purpose of this communication is to relay that York University can only be held with your cooperation. In order to hold York University, a minimum of thirty (30) participants is required. I must know now if we can meet that number. I am requesting your input regarding this matter.

Please respond to this posting by March 15, informing me of how many participants that you will supply. It is imperative that I hear from all bodies.

York University has enjoyed great respect from past attendees. It has proven to be an asset for all who have attended. Plans are being formulated now to improve the subject matter presented. It is recommended that all Dias officers should at some time attend.

Should an insufficient number of attendees be attained, York University will not be held this year. The exact cost has not been promulgated as of yet, but it has been in the range of $300 for the week-end (this includes the hotel, two (2) breakfasts, lunch , a banquet dinner as well as the ladies program).

With your assistance, we can hold York University in 2009. Please respond to my e-mail address at cooperhouse1@yahoo.com. I look forward to your response by the March 15 deadline.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Bob Cooper
York University Coordinator

The South East Regional York Rite Conference is scheduled for June 12-13 at the Crown Plaza Atlanta Airport Hotel in Atlanta Georgia.

You may download the Registration Form, Registration Chairman, Phone: (706) 886-8944.

The Ft. Pierce York Rite Bodies are happy to announce the Second Annual Outdoor York Rite Degree Class which will honor the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Florida, Most Worshipful Brother, Companion, and Sir Knight Joseph Fleites.

The class will be held on Friday Evening & Saturday, March 6 & 7, 2009 at the Box Ranch, 7150 Kanner Hwy., Indiantown, Florida 34956.

Any Master Mason who has passed his Master Mason Proficiency or who was raised prior to September 6, 2008 or has completed his Master Mason proficiency is eligible.

You may download a flyer on the class from our web site.

A special rate of $75.00 plus tax has been arranged at the Best Western Downtown Stuart for the Grand Master’s Class at Box Ranch. Tell the hotel clerk you are with the York Rite. The hotel is located at 1209 South Federal Highway, Stuart, Fl. 34994 phone: 772-287-6200 (map to the hotel).

The latest edition (Volume 2, Issue 4) of the Florida York Rite Mason Magazine is now available online and for download!