“If you're not minding your circle, you're missing the point.”

- R.W Tracy D Chastain

Happy Birthday to our Brothers

born in May!

William Keeth- 05/05

Carl Tedrow - 05/05

James Bowers 05/07

Allen Harralson 05/09

George Dotson Jr 05/13

Timothy Urban 05/13

Rick Rehder 05/15

James Bomford 05/16

George Faucher Sr 05/26

Phillip Tallman 05/28

Vincent Mele 05/29

Dear Brothers and friends,

May is already upon us. I hope everyone was able to enjoy some May Day festivities. We finished off April Strong! We raised and welcomed our newest Master Mason, Alex Hill, presented some education on Masonry as it relates to Ancient Mystery Teachings, and were presented with beautiful new Officers’ aprons from our Past Masters Sam Loper III, and Henry Jehan. Yes, my Brothers, April was a good month for Sanford Lodge.

May is already abuzz with activity. Your Master and Wardens are prepared and ready to represent our Lodge at the upcoming Grand Communication, and we will soon be preparing for another EA Degree. Rehabilitation of the dining room continues and we are working on our next fund-raising event to further the cause.

Additionally, as we continue to make progress with our several projects, we welcome the participation and service of any Brothers that have the ability to donate their skills and some time to our valiant efforts which are currently being carried by just a handful of Brothers. If you have not been to Lodge in a while, come out to see the work that has been going on and the efforts we are making to return our Temple to the look and feel of its glory days.

Which leads us again to the subject of our esteemed history in the community and beyond. We have been working with City Hall, the Sanford Museum, various historical societies, and a smattering of Brothers from around central Florida to create a repository of the histories of our Lodge and biographies of Past Masters and other Brothers who contributed to the Craft and our community. Not only for the exhibit we are working on with the Museum and the Mural for our north wall, which is targeted for the Sanford Sesquicentennial celebration, but to preserve and immortalize the rich history and countless contributions of our Lodge and our Brothers, past and present.

I was raised in Sanford Lodge in 1992, the year of our 120th Anniversary celebration. Since then, I have encountered many wonderful and inspiring Brothers, of whom, I developed great love, admiration and respect. Sadly, in those many years since, I have attended or presided over the funerals and/or memorials of so many of those Brothers. After which, we would always reminisce through stories of our many activities and experiences with them. We would talk of the legacy that they left our Brothers, our Lodge and our Community. So, I implore you to help me in gathering and compiling the biographical facts and stories of those Brothers that have come before us and made a mark on you and our Lodge.

I will be continuing to amass and develop these stories so that the knowledge of their works do not die with them. I’m calling them Legacy Letters and I need everyone’s help to preserve and remember those that we knew, loved and miss. Whether you are a descendent of a long passed Worshipful Master, the student of an astute and knowledgeable mentor, or just fondly look back at the brotherly love and affection you shared with a long or recently passed Brother, we need to hear from you. Let us all remember them!

Thank you again for your attention, and know that I and your other officers love and embrace our past, are diligent in the present, and are faithful and committed to our future.

See you soon,

Tracy

Well it’s going to be a very busy month with all the conventions coming up and everything else going on. If anyone has any spare time we sure could use help in the dining room, an hour gets a lot done,, just saying. If you haven’t been to the lodge lately please stop by and say hello to some of the new brothers you haven’t met yet. The Jr. Warden has stepped up and is feeding us well so come out and enjoy a good meal. Other than that have a good one.

Humbly yours:

SW Mike Holt

Brethren,

As we enter the highly anticipated month of our Annual Grand Communication, the view from the South is one of continuous growth, renewal, and excitement. We are moving forward on all fronts—from the physical restoration of our historic home to the intellectual and spiritual building of our Craft here at Sanford Lodge No. 62.

Building Our Historic Home

I am thrilled to report that the renovations to our dining hall are well under way, and the transformation is truly taking shape. To keep this incredible momentum going, your continued physical and financial support is as appreciated as ever. Whether you can lend your professional skills, your physical strength, or a financial contribution, we still need that "all hands on deck" approach to ensure this 100-year-old pillar of Sanford stands strong for the next century.

Speaking of Lodge renewal, our officers are looking sharper than ever. I want to extend a sincere thank you to Past Masters W. Sam Loper III and W. Jehan for their generous gift of brand new, crisp officer aprons. Your dedication to the dignity and tradition of our Lodge is inspiring to us all.

Growing the Craft

Our Lodge is full of life, and we are making outstanding strides in initiating new brothers into the fraternity and raising them to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

Currently, our Entered Apprentices are working diligently on their catechisms. They are putting in the hard work and hoping to return their proficiency soon so they may be passed to the degree of Fellow Craft. Brethren, I ask that you take a moment to offer them your words of encouragement—knowing the Craft stands proudly behind them goes a long way in their Masonic journey.

Feeding the Mind

True refreshment comes not just from fellowship, but from the active pursuit of Masonic Light. If you were not at our last meeting in April, you missed an incredible piece of Masonic education. Worshipful Master Tracy Chastain delivered a profound and eye-opening presentation on how Freemasonry directly ties to the Ancient Mystery Schools.

I highly suggest you make the time to travel to Sanford No. 62 for our next Stated Communication to hear the upcoming education piece. You will not want to miss it.

I look forward to the continued hard work ahead and the fellowship we will share. Let’s keep building our vision for the Lodge together.

Fraternally,

Vincent "Vinny" Mele
Junior Warden

Brethren,

The Building Restoration Project is our primary duty this year. This critical work ensures our historic Lodge remains structurally sound and preserved for the next century of Freemasonry.

We must secure our sacred space now. Your immediate support is essential to funding the materials and labor required to complete the necessary repairs and keep the Light burning brightly.

Order your official Florida Freemasonry License Plate and help support the Masonic Home of Florida. Every plate on the road contributes to the care of our Brothers and sisters.