February Trestle Board 2026

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

- R.W Tracy D Chastain

Happy Birthday to our Brothers

born in Feburary!

Colin Keogh II - 2/4

Dennis Brown - 2/17

Charles Wilson - 2/18

Benjamin Isacks - 2/13

Neal Fowler - 2/27

As we embark upon the first full month of our new Masonic Year, we have several Entered Apprentice Brothers in various states of progress, with our first FC° scheduled within a few short weeks, and our first EA° just two weeks later. We can all remember how moving and impactful each degree was as we progressed through them, the importance of a good coach through our catechism studies, and our intense focus on the particulars of the degree through which we had just received. This should be the commencement of our Masonic Education, not the conclusion. When a newly initiated, passed or raised Brother approaches you with a question, and he will, your response will long live in his heart and mind as a reflection of the Craft and the Brothers with whom he has placed his trust. Therefore, it is imperative that you attend to that Brother’s desire for knowledge in the most sincere and beneficent manner. Consider the following look into the past:

“They have in their Lodge several Gentlemen, sons of Art, each very eminent in his Profession: These Gentlemen, at the Command of the Master, are obliged to read a Lecture upon whatsoever Topic he shall direct. This gives the Brethren of the Lodge an insight into all Arts and Sciences, and furnishes them with a Competency of Universal Knowledge, so necessary and commendable in a Gentleman; …” 1

If the question is outside of your scope of clear understanding, do not dismiss or deflect, or even direct your Brother to seek the guidance of a particular “learned Brother”. But rather, escort him to that learned Brother so you may both improve yourselves in Masonic education, lest we persist in the dilemma, that is all too present:

“If this indifference, instead of being checked, becomes more widely spread, the result is too apparent. Freemasonry must step down from the elevated position which she has been struggling, through the efforts of her scholars, to maintain, and our lodges, instead of becoming resorts for speculative and philosophical thought, will deteriorate into social clubs or mere benefit societies. With so many rivals in that field, her struggle for a prosperous life will be a hard one.” 2

We are all Brothers, from the youngest Entered Apprentice to the eldest Master Mason, regardless of position, station, or esteem. We are all, forever obliged to conduct ourselves as Brothers, and are charged to improve ourselves in everything that is good, amiable, and useful, so that our fraternity and her great moral virtues are not lost to the future.

“And, as a last general recommendation, let me exhort you to dedicate yourself to such pursuits as may enable you to become at once respectable in your rank of life, useful to mankind, and an ornament to the society of which you have this day been admitted a member; to devote your leisure hours more especially to the study of such of the liberal arts and sciences as may lie within the compass of your attainment, and without neglecting the ordinary duties of your station to consider yourself called on to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge.”3

1. Daniel Defoe (attributed), “The free-masons accusation and defence,” 1726

2. Albert Mackey, “Reading Masons and Masons who do not Read,” 1875

3. Grand Lodge of Alberta, “The Work,” 2000

Tracy Chastain, Worshipful Master 02/05/2026

Dear Brothers and Friends,

Thank you once again for having the confidence to allow me to serve you as Worshipful Master. The installation of your 2026 officers was a great success. It was a festive and enjoyable evening for all and an opportunity to display the brotherly love and affection of Freemasonry to many friends, relatives and guests. The lodge was shined and polished and beautifully arranged and we were all very proud of her. Our efforts to bring the Temple back to her original glory was obvious and lauded. It is an ongoing and laborious undertaking that will require many hands, hours, donations, and creative methods in rejuvenating our century old building. We’ve begun talks with city officials who have expressed an interest in assisting with a mural for our North wall, and we will be continuing with negotiations and planning to see how that might come to fruition. We have announced our decision to hold several fund-raising efforts throughout the year and will be moving on those in the very near future. One of these efforts will be a rummage sale. Another, closely related effort, will be a silent auction of Masonic memorabilia. We will be accepting donations of appropriate items for these efforts beginning at this time. An additional step in these efforts will be the gathering of appropriate items already present throughout our Temple.

We intend to purge the building of the unused, unneeded, and unnecessary items that have been “donated”, dumped and/or abandoned in the various rooms, nooks, and crannies throughout the years and will need approval by the Craft to do so. These efforts were announced at our last Stated communication and will be voted upon at the 2nd stated meeting of February. Due to the sheer volume of items needing to be purged, we will be voting to give the committee the authority to make the decisions about the disposition of items throughout the building. Continued lodge repair and rejuvenation will require an intensive de-cluttering effort. For anyone wishing to take a walk through prior to the vote, you may do so before any of the stated or York Rite communications or on Thursdays between 6:30 and 8:00 pm. Consider that many of these items are in disrepair and/or unserviceable and will need to be disposed of.

Though the physical Temple itself is showing her age and her brick-and-mortar structure demands our constant attention, it is the Temple within us, which Freemasonry teaches us to build up and strengthen with the cement of brotherly love and affection, the true reflection of a Lodge. Nowhere will you find this more evident than within the halls and walls of our beloved Sanford Lodge no. 62. All of your officers and assisting Brethren are devoted to high standards in our degrees and in our interactions with each other, and the community.

We’ve already scheduled two degrees within the next six weeks. A Fellowcraft degree to be held on Feb. 26, and an Entered Apprentice degree to be held on Mar. 12, pending a positive ballot. Please come out in support of this worthy and deserving Brother, and our newest, promising petitioner. We will continue to grow in our engagement within the community and will be working with some of our previous partners and reaching out to forge new partnerships with others. We will be engaging in activities to celebrate our 250th Anniversary of Independence Day, as well as Halloween and Christmas activities. Just as the Beehive on our tracing boards, our Lodge is abuzz with activity, and your Officers and Brethren are working diligently to provide a healthy, wholesome, nourishing environment for all, through the industrious pursuit of the tenets of freemasonry and the embodiment of brotherly love and affection.

Finally, I would like to congratulate R∴W∴ Dishman for a very productive year and thank him for his unwavering support of Sanford Lodge and for leaving us in the envious position of being able to build upon the positive momentum already established during his year.

Thank you again, my dear Brothers, for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve.

See you in Lodge,

Tracy

My brothers,

The year is starting off strong. We had our first meeting with the newly installed officers and appointed officers that went pretty smoothly. We have traveled around the district representing Sanford 62 proudly and showing we are Sanford strong and are willing to put in the work. We are looking forward with great ideas on how to become financially stable once again and with good feedback from the craft I am sure we can make it happen. If for whatever reason you haven't been to your lodge lately please come by for some great food from our new Junior Warden and great fellowship. Hope to see everyone one the First and Third Tuesday's of each month. P.S. Please come by and say hello to the newly re-elected Worshipful Master Brother Tracy Chastain.

Humbly yours,

SW Mike Holt

Brethren,
I am deeply humbled and honored to write to you for the first time from the South. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the Craft for electing me as your Junior Warden for the ensuing year. It is a privilege to serve Sanford Lodge No. 62, and I do not take the trust you have placed in me lightly.
As Junior Warden, my principal duty is to the Craft during the hours of refreshment. We often joke that the Junior Warden is the most popular officer…I think it’s really because he holds the keys to the kitchen. I believe "refreshment" means more than just food, it is about the fellowship, the laughter, and the bonds we strengthen once the Lodge is closed. My goal this year is to ensure that our time spent at the dining table is as rewarding as our time spent at labor. However, the duties of the South extend beyond the dining hall. Our Lodge has stood as a pillar in Sanford for over 100 years. While that history is a source of our pride, it also means that our building requires constant vigilance and care. We are currently working hard to revitalize and repair our historic home, but I cannot do it alone. Preserving a century-old structure is a massive undertaking, physical and financial contributions are now more necessary than ever. Whether you can lend a hand with repairs, offer professional trade skills, or contribute to the building fund, I need your help to ensure our Lodge stands strong for the next 100 years. I look forward to serving you, working alongside you, and sharing a meal with you at our next Stated Communication.

Fraternally,

Vincent "Vinny" Mele

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.