On Wednesday, October 21, 1998 approximately 170 Masons gathered at Sahib Shrine Temple to celebrate the 4th Annual Sahib Freemasonry Reunion and Rusty Mason Class. By all accounts, the event was another resounding success.
This year marked the return of Past Master Mike Rowe as Master of Ceremonies, it was great to have his leadership again. His new innovation, the ‘Masonic Jeopardy Game’ was a hit, everyone really enjoyed the change of pace, and of course the Jeopardy Game Theme song (which brought many smiles)!
Special thanks goes to two brothers that filled in on key positions that had been long confirmed, but reneged on at the last minute. Ill. Sir Thomas "Tom" Embree, Past Potentate of Bahia Temple and current Chairmen of the Florida Grand Lodge Masonic Renewal Committee, did a marvelous job as our Keynote Speaker. Worshipful Bill Burris, Past Master of Sarasota Lodge No. 147 took over the Substitute for the Secret Word.
Ill. Sir Thomas
"Tom" EmbreeOther Masonic leaders were:
Entered Apprentice Degree W:. Rick Tacy Venice Lodge No. 301 W:. Bobby Jones Englewood Lodge No. 301 W:. Pat Barton Venice Lodge No. 301
Fellowcraft Degree W:. Earl Hasenflu Manatee Lodge No. 31 Charles Reibold, SW Manatee Lodge No. 31 Lou Marchetti, SW Cary B. Fish Lodge No. 346
Master Mason Degree W:. Ed Jordan Sarasota Lodge No. 147 R:.W:. Ron Toler Braidentown Lodge No. 99
Substitute for the Secret Word W:. Bill Burris Sarasota Lodge No. 147 R:.W:. Ron Toler Braidentown Lodge No. 99
Chairmen of Tylers Charlie Burke Sarasota Lodge No. 147 Charlie Clemencer Braidentown Lodge No. 99
Organist Bill Hubbard There were a lot of brothers just contributing wherever they could that night and we are grateful to them all.
The winner of the drawing for the ‘Free Dinner-for-Two’ at Sahib Temple was James A. "Jim" Weis. Brother Jim lives in Bradenton, his home lodge is Solomon’s Lodge No. 46, Somerville, New Jersey. He has been a Mason for 16 years, but hasn’t been to lodge for 12 years and hasn’t affiliated with a local lodge yet. He’s a perfect example of the type of brother we hope to attract to our Annual Rusty Mason Reunion. Congratulations Jim, we hope to see you in our lodges and hope you enjoy your meal at Sahib Temple.
Many thanks to all the Masons and Shriners that participated, that are already active in local Masonry. Without you, visiting brothers would have no one to interact with. Your hospitality may just have caused one of our visitors to say, "I’m going to give my local lodge a try again."
Some interesting statistics (out of 144 that registered):
Local Masons years a member
less then 5 years 12 +25 years 13 +30 years 7
Northern Masons years a member+25 years 82 +50 years 15
Number of years since attending a Blue LodgeLess that 1 month 70 Less than 5 years 12 More than 10 years 31 More than 20 years 18
Northern membersHave local affiliation 8 Don’t have local affiliation 84
AffiliationBlue Lodge only 28 York Rite 19 Scottish Rite +120 Shrine 91 Sahib 78
How did you hear about Rusty Mason?
From a brother34 Sarasota Herald-Tribune 16 Bradenton Herald 15 Radio 1 Internet 1 Sahib Reporter Newspaper +75% One brother had been a member for 62 years, but hadn’t been to a lodge meeting in more than 30 years.
