Tampa Bay Lodge No. 252

Trestle Board – September 2025

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From the East

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Brethren, Family, and Friends,

I extend warm fraternal greetings to each of you. Our Lodge continues to stand as a place of fellowship, learning, and service, and I am proud of the dedication of all who help keep our doors open and our lights shining. I am especially grateful to those who give their time and talents—whether in our degree work, maintaining our property, serving our community, or simply enjoying fellowship at the dinner table.

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- Looking Back

This past quarter has been filled with meaningful moments that strengthen our bonds as Masons and as a Lodge family:

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• July 4 – Tampa Bay Lodge proudly supported the Safety Harbor Independence Day Parade.

• July 12 – Our annual Family Picnic at John Chesnut Park was well attended and enjoyed by all.

• July 15 – At our Stated Meeting, we shared a meal with our Brothers from Prince Hall Affiliated Gulf Coast Lodge No. 181, Clearwater, for the first time in TBL’s 100-year history. Truly a moment to remember.

• July 18 – At our 3rd Friday Safety Harbor event, we celebrated our Lodge’s Centennial Historic Marker Unveiling alongside the Mayor, City Commissioners, museum staff, Brethren, family, and friends.

• July 26 – At a Called Meeting, Brothers Hector Velez, Andrew Maher, and Zaid Velez were Passed to the Fellow Craft Degree.

• August 23 – We attended M:.W:. Tali Atala’s Grand Master’s Official Visit to District 18, hosted at St. Petersburg Lodge No. 139.

• September 20 – TBL Brothers volunteered as servers for the Rainbow Girls’ Pledges Formal Tea at Clearwater Lodge No. 127. Over 90 guests, including the M:.W:. G:.M:. and Grand Line Officers, were in attendance.

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- Looking Ahead

As we enter the next quarter, several important events await us:

• October 18 – Our Annual Dick Whalen Shrimp Boil will be held from 1:00–4:00 pm at John Chesnut Park, Shelter #10, Palm Harbor. Donations are $15.00 for all-you-can-eat (while supplies last). Side dishes are welcomed. Please bring family, friends, and potential petitioners for a day of fellowship.

• November 1 – A Fellow Craft Degree is scheduled for 9:00 am, when Brothers William Hartwick and George Steger will be Passed.

• November 18 – At our Stated Meeting (7:30 pm), we will hold our 100th Anniversary Fundraiser Drawing for a Mossberg Shockwave 12-gauge shotgun. Tickets are $20.00 each and may be obtained from Brother Gerry McCune, Junior Warden.

Further communications regarding events will be shared through our Stated Meetings, Called Communications, and Signal.

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- Closing Thought

As Masons, we are reminded that our labor is not for ourselves alone, but for the betterment of one another and of mankind. Let us continue to uphold our obligations with zeal, charity, and brotherly love—carrying the principles we profess within the Lodge into the world around us.

Fraternally,
Lou Ange
W:. M:.