Dunedin Lodge (FL) Recognizes Dep. Todd Hoddinott as “Deputy of the Year”

November 29, 2011 by  
Filed under Tim Bryce

Click on photo to enlarge

The Master of Dunedin Lodge, W:.Mike Palenik (right), congratulates Deputy Todd Hoddinott.
Looking on is the Deputy’s wife, Lisa.
Click on photo to enlarge.

 DUNEDIN, FL, USA (November 28, 2011) – As has become a tradition for the last seven years, Dunedin Masonic Lodge No. 192 recognized a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Deputy for outstanding service to the community. The 2011 “Deputy of the Year” award was presented to Deputy Tom Hoddinott at a special dinner held at Kally-K’s Restaurant in Dunedin.  Making the presentation was W:.Ken Giesow, PM  of Dunedin Lodge. Also in attendance was Major Wayne Morris, Deputy Hoddinott’s supervisor, along with fellow officers from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, “Deputy Tom Hoddinott has been a Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy since July 1985. He started out in the Detention and Corrections Bureau and has served in various capacities with the agency including Patrol Operations and the Criminal Investigations Division where he worked in the Property Crimes Section assigned to the City of Dunedin. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau working out of the North District Station on Dayshift.”

On August 26, 2011 Deputy Hoddinott was on patrol in the City of Dunedin driving north on Pinehurst Road. Deputy Hoddinott noticed a suspicious vehicle backed into the driveway of a residence.  Upon investigation, he discovered and broke up a major marijuana farm being grown inside the residence.  Based on the Deputy’s intuition, coupled with his many years of experience, resulted in an excellent self-initiated criminal case being made. The male who burglarized the home was arrested for Residential Burglary and Violation of Probation and the owner of the house was arrested for felony Manufacturing/Cultivation of Marijuana. This subject was also currently on probation for a previous charge of Sale, Manufacture and Delivery of Marijuana. The equipment used to grow the marijuana was disabled and 33 marijuana plants were taken off the street. For this self-initiated act which contributed to a valuable law enforcement accomplishment, and for the outstanding work he does every day, Deputy Hoddinott was nominated to be Dunedin Lodge’s Deputy of the Year.

For his efforts, Dunedin Lodge gave Deputy Hoddinott a dinner in his honor, awarded him a plaque, and a gift of $100 which the Deputy immediately donated to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch which helps to prevent delinquency and develop strong, lawful, resilient, and productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to our communities for years to come.

According to the Master of the Lodge, W:.Mike Palenik, PM “Dunedin Lodge is proud of our long tradition of supporting local law enforcement personnel. On behalf of the Lodge, we congratulate Deputy Hoddinott and thank him for his years of service and dedication. We are proud of the PCSO.”

 

Thanksgiving Blessings

November 22, 2011 by  
Filed under The Bee Hive

All of us at Freemason Information would like to offer you a happy and hearty Thanksgiving. Here is one of my favorite Thanksgiving Blessings from  Arthur R. Herrmann at the Masonic Poets Society.

A Thanksgiving Prayer          

Oh, Lord, now this we’re thankful for:

The good things life has held in store;

The love of those within our home,

And friends to greet wherever we roam;

The health and strength wherewith to toil,

The bounteous food from freedom’s soil;

We thank Thee for the right to pray

And worship Thee in our own way;

To live within a land that’s free;

For this, dear Lord, our thanks to Thee;

And through these blessings, one by one,

May Thy will, Lord, on earth be done!

 

 

Enhanced by Zemanta

What Is Killing Freemasonry

November 20, 2011 by  
Filed under The Bee Hive

 

Freemasonry cannot serve two masters, the world and itself. The biggest mistake it has made is to listen to the whining attacks made by its detractors.  Freemasonry just benefits Freemasons they say as if they had some claim on what we are, what we do and what we say. Our critics have embarrassed us, claiming that we are an exclusive, snobbish, selfish group that exists exclusively for the betterment of its members and that we show so much favoritism for each other that the result is a discrimination of the rest of society.

Thus post Vietnam War Freemasonry changed the focus of the Craft. Some of the changes came right after WWII but the Vietnam War era marked the rapid decline in membership that swung the pendulum of modern day Freemasonry squarely into the camp of Masonic revisionism.

What that involved is taking Freemasonry from a contemplative, learning, value orientated society to one of action, action for the betterment of society as a whole. Freemasonry did this partially to appease its critics and partially to adopt the Shrine model of recruitment. But appeasement didn’t work for Chamberlain in dealing with Hitler and it hasn’t worked to appease our detractors. Our critics are as vocal as ever.  Meanwhile we have diluted and corrupted our beloved fraternity in order to try to please others or to take the easy way out in the area of growth.

The ancient mystery schools of Egypt, Greece and Rome, on which Freemasonry is modeled, did not try to be something to everybody. Rather they concentrated their efforts on improving their members through knowledge, instruction, brotherhood and spirituality.

Does that mean Freemasons should be a cloistered sect of Monks having no dealings with the outside world and no right to comment on anything civil or spiritual? The answer is No! We, as Freemasons, can get behind ideas but not policies. No marching in the streets or sponsorship of legislative bills for Freemasonry.  Instead we can seek to educate the public on the ideals of political freedom and democratic government, public education, religious freedom with the separation of church and state and the worthiness of the individual.  These were ideals imbued into Freemasonry from the Enlightenment from which Freemasonry arose.

Three main corruptions have come out of post Vietnam War Freemasonry.

1)   Increased power of Grand Lodges at the expense of local Lodges

2)   The marketing of Freemasonry

3)   Charity to all mankind

In the modern era Grand Lodges and Grand Masters have assumed powers never before granted to them. Some Grand Lodges are running wild squashing dissent, stifling creativity and purging the ranks of any and all who do not toe the line. In the process they have, in order to save the fraternity they tell us, foisted upon Freemasonry the evils of marketing Freemasonry which removes from Freemasonry the ability to practice Freemasonry and extensive Self Perpetuating Institutionalized giveaways to civil society that is bankrupting the fraternity.  The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is a prime example of a Grand Lodge so into Institutionalized charity and running a complex health system out of multiple locations that it has had to drastically increase Grand Lodge dues and assessments to its charted Lodges in order to pay for its excesses. See Massachusetts to Double Dues?

Do we have to beg the community to notice us and in the process try to market Freemasonry or do we create a better Order internally and let membership grow by word of mouth? Do we have to try to convince someone to become a Mason or do we create such a good product that the worthy uninitiated will come in large numbers knocking on our door of their own free will and accord? Do we have to try to save the world or can we be content with taking care of our own without being made to feel guilty? Do we exist to march in parades, raise funds for the Cancer Society or the Heart Fund and run CHIP programs for civil society or are we here for Brothers in need, our widows and orphans and scholarships for our young? Do we intend, forever, to let our critics portray us as a religion? Do we intend to let non Masons set the agenda for Master Masons? Can we learn how to survive as we downsize?

Plainly we are not an action society; we are a self improvement brotherhood. The road to sustainable growth is returning Freemasonry into a sharing Brotherhood who cares for itself and revives itself by doing a better job of inculcating its ideals, virtues and tenets into its membership, by decentralizing its governance, by stop trying to sell Freemasonry as one sells used cars and by leaving the saving of the world to others.

 

Enhanced by Zemanta

The Demoulin Catalog

November 16, 2011 by  
Filed under The Bee Hive

demoulin catalog, fraternal noveltiesThe 1930 DeMoulin Bros. & Co.
Fraternal Supply Catalog No. 439
Burlesque and Side Degree Specialties;
Paraphenalia and Costumes

Stunt Props, Tricks, Pranks, Practical Jokes, Humor, Magic, Goat Riding Carts, Paddling Machines, Electric Carpets and much, much, more!!!

Pictured at left is the cover of the 1930 edition of the DeMoulin Bros. & Co. catalog titled “Burlesque and Side Degree Specialties, Paraphernalia and Costumes.”

We believe that this was the best and last “side degree” catalog the DeMoulin Bros. produced, as this company suffered the same fate that many businesses did with the onset of the Great Depression.  Today, they are one of the largest suppliers of marching band uniforms in the country.  In the broken economy of the 1930′s, the fraternalism items this company produced and sold were not considered a high priority on the “need or necessity” list of many Lodges.  Yet, the side degree specialties that they sold were the very items that increased Lodge membership, their donations to charities and interest in “Lodge Life” itself.  These side degrees added to the “degree of laughter” early Lodge Brethren engaged in when initiating new members!  We have reproduced the DeMoulin Catalog here in its entirety.  Pay particular attention to the various testimonials at the bottom on some of the below catalog pages.  These testimonials were sent in by the Woodmen and Odd Fellow Lodges who purchased this paraphernalia and they described how it worked for them.  (Note:  Although Freemasons joke about “Riding the Goat” with their new initiates they never engaged in this activity inside of any Masonic Lodge.)  In the end you’ll see that the wholesome fun… “light hazing,” endured by the candidates made them feel more apart of the Lodge and fostered Brotherly Love and Affection.

(Legal Notice:  Be advised that Phoenixmasonry, Inc. will not be held responsible for any accidental property damage, injury or loss of life due to any irresponsible manufacture or use of the items listed in or made as a replica shown in this catalog or pictured on this website.)

Now you can get a reprinted copy of this catalog when you purchase

The Extraordinary Catalog Of Peculiar Inventions, by Julia Suits

Table of Contents

Page 1…  About the DeMoulin Bros. & Co. Factory

Page 2… About their different catalogs

Page 3…  About their credentials

Page 4 & 5… The Catalog Index

Page 6… Policies and their Salesman

Page 7…  Terms and Conditions (Their Fine Print)

Page 8…  A Page of Suggestions

Page 9…  A Low-Down Buck  (Their latest goat)

Page 10…  The Rollicking Mustang Goat

Page 11… The Fuzzy Wonder Goat

Page 12…  The Bucking Goat

Page 13… Ferris Wheel Coaster Goat

Page 14… Whiz Bang Aeroplane

Page 15…  The Submarine

Page 16…  Trick Bottom Chair

Page 17…  Trick Chairs

Page 18…  Electric Chair

Page 19…  A Pointed Affair

Page 20…  Bomb Stunt

Page 21…  Electric Bench

Page 22…  The Trick Camera and Surprise Chair

Page 23…  The “Jag” Producer

Page 24…  The DeMoulin Trick Guns

Page 25…  Plate Breaking Stunt

Page 26…  Iron Test

Page 27…  Balloon Ascension

Page 28…   Trick Desk Phone

Page 29…  The Guillotine

Page 30…  DeMoulin’s Patent Lung Tester

Page 31…  Traitor’s Judgment Stand

Page 32…  Drinking the Goat’s Blood

Page 33…  Baby Doll

Page 34… Moral Athletics

Page 35…  Liquid Air Tank & Zig-Zag Road

Page 36… Tooth-Pulling Stunt

Page 37… Trick Mirror / Trick Comb & Brush

Page 38…  Portable Jump Spark Battery

Page 39…  Batteries and Magnetos

Page 40 & 41…  Electric Carpets / Runways / Carpet of Tacks

Page 42…  Stick-Em-Up

Page 43…  Fencing Contest

Page 44…  Tug O’ War

Page 45… Electric Spiked Pathway / Wooden Shoes / A Current Affair

Page 46…  Crossing the Swinging Bridge & The Rocky Road to Dublin

Page 47…  Electric Cane & Embalmed Meat or Bad Egg Test

Page 48…  The Pledge Altar

Page 49…  Sea Serpent

Page 50…  The Human Centipede or Night Mare

Page 51…  Family Skeleton Turned Loose and Electric Blanket

Page 52 & 53… Coffin Stunt or Funeral of Al. K. Hall

Page 54…  Baby Bouncer

Page 55…  Bird Cage

Page 56…  Electric Stretcher

Page 57…  Charleston Girls

Page 58…  The Electric Razor

Page 59…  Golfitis

Page 60…  The Glad Hand & Electric Wheel Barrow

Page 61… The Devil has ‘Em on the the Run

Page 62…  No Man’s Land

Page 63…  Electric Branding Iron

Page 64…  Electric Teeter Totter

Page 65…  Dog Show Stunt

Page 66…  An Electrified Smoke

Page 67…  The Molten Lead Test

Page 68…  Lifting and Spraying Machine & The Muscular Test

Page 69…  Treadmill & The Fountain of Youth

Page 70… Trick Loaded Smokes & Trick Coffee Urn

Page 71…  Spanker / Electric Spanker / Slap Sticks / Stuffed Clubs

Page 72…  The Striking Maul & Greased (?) Pole

Page 73…  Invisible Paddle Machine

Page 74…  Lifting and Spanking Machine

Page 75…  Home Brew

Page 76…  Knife Throwing Stunt

Page 77…  The Branding and Whirling Table

Page 78…  Rejuvenating Machine

Page 79…  Trip Through a Stormy Desert / Trilby Feet / Trilby Hands

Page 80…  Electric Tunnel

Page 81…  Trick Tray

Page 82…  Say It With Flowers

Page 83…  Hulu Hula Bull Dance

Page 84…  Jewish and Swiss Naval Battle

Page 85…  Big Busy Bertha

Page 86…  The Devil’s Slide

Page 87…  Upward, Onward, Downward

Page 88… Thrown of Honor

Page 89…  Sliding Stairs or the Seven Ages / Spikey Block

Page 90… Tunnel of Trouble / Electric Sandals / Roller Pathway

Page 91…  Pillow Fight & The Toss-Up

Page 92…  Pillory & Lycopodium Flash Torches

Page 93…  The Bucking Couch

Page 94… Pie Table

Page 95… Ice Cream Table

Page 96…  The Blarney Stone & Bleeding Test

Page 97…  Saw Mill & Electric Saw and Buck

Page 98…  All Balled Up

Page 99… Deceptive Glasses & Wind Machine

Page 100…  The Rickety Rackety / The Rooter / Telegraph Call and Whistle

Page 101 & 102…  Noise Makers

Page 103…  Improved Song-O-Phones

Page 104…  Table Covers / Crepe Ribbon / Banquet Plates / Wreaths / Plumes

Page 105…  Camp Fires / Wood Alcohol / Rubber Tubing / Tripods / Kettle / Napkins

Page 106…  Letter File / Dater / Rubber Stamp / Ink Pad / Revolver / Cartridges

Page 107…  Emblematic Knife / Burlesque Rituals / 300 Stunts / Parliamentary Rules

Page 108…  Hoodwinks

Page 109…  Masks

Page 110…  Ballot Boxes

Page 111…  Seals & Cases

Page 112…  Gavels / Gavel Block and Case / Spears

Page 113…  Novelties & Masquerade Goods

Page 114…  Theatrical Hair Goods

Page 115…  Masks, Beards & Wigs

Page 116… Beards and Wigs

Page 117…  Large Papier Mache Heads

Page 118… Large Papier Mache Human Heads

Page 119…  Large Papier Mache Animal Heads

Page 120…  Masks of Nations

Page 121…  Masks of Celebrities

Page 122…  Skeletons, Skulls, Etc.

Page 123… Smoking Camel & Cow Bells

Page 124…  Animals

Page 125 thru 130… Burlesque Costumes

Page 131 thru 134…  Burlesque Costumes

Page 135 thru 138…  Burlesque Costumes

Page 139 thru 142…  Race Costumes

Page 143 thru 146… Costumes

Page 147 thru 150… We Manufacture Uniforms

Page 151… Sashes for Marshal

Page 152 & 153…  Swords and Sword Belts

Page 154… Picnic and Parade Umbrellas

Page 155…  U. S. Flags / Bunting / Stands / Belts / Staffs

Pages 156… Banners

Page 157…  Badges

Page 158…  Lodge Furniture / Chairs / Altar and Pedestal

Page 159…  DeMoulin’s Portable Lodge Stereopticon

Page 160…  Gongs

Suggestions & Directions for Introducing and Using our Burlesque and Side Degree Paraphernalia

Pages I, II, III, IV, V

A Novel Way to Introduce the Goat – Trick or Surprise Chair – De Stink or Bad Egg Test – Courage Test, or Meat Test – The Trick Camera – The Devil’s Slide – The Cannon

Pages VI, VII, VIII, IX, X

Trick Guns – Back-Action Gun – Electric Branding – The Pledge Altar – The Molten Lead Test

Pages XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV

The Spikey Stool – The Mutoscope – Trick Coffee Urn – Treadmill – The Guillotine – Trip Through a Stormy Desert – Moral Athletics – The Electric Wheel Barrow – Electric Carpet – The Tack Test

Pages XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX

The Electric Carpet (another way) – The Electric Spiked Pathway – A Current Affair – Crossing The Swinging Bridge – Rocky Road to Dublin – Electric Razor – The Jag Producer – Invisible Paddle Machine – Improved Lifting and Spanking Machine – Lifting Machine – The Muscular Test – DeMoulin’s Patent Lung Tester

Pages XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XV

Traitor’s Judgment Stand – Tunnel of Trouble – Baby Doll – Striking Maul – “Upward, Onward, Downward” – The Wireless Trick Telephone – Pillow Fight – The Toss Up – Pillory – Throne of Honor – Liquid Air Tank – Zig Zag Road – Cleanliness is Next to Godliness – The Coin Test – Electric Fountain

Pages XVI, XVII, XVIII

Spanker – Trick Mirror – The Blarney Stone – Bleeding Test – Electric Saw and Buck – The Bucking Couch – The Saw Mill – Deceptive Beer of Wine Glass

Page XXIX

Brought to you by Phoenix Masonry

 

This Brother Makes Sense To Me

November 16, 2011 by  
Filed under The Bee Hive

That Light (knowledge),  that all men are seeking is how to be happy and be at peace. That’s the bottom line! To achieve these states of mind, it has to be attained through spiritual exercises. When someone achieves that level of living, it does manifest itself throughout their whole being, (this is the Christ or enlighten nature of man) and this living becomes a testimony to all who see. But please remember this, it is a process that ebbs and flows which means we have to be constantly working to stay in that realm of happiness and peace. Freemasonry has many lessons in its teachings to help guide us towards our enlightment such as; how to divide our hours and what it should pertain to. It is reminding you of your True Nature (from whence came you?), it is also telling you why you’re experiencing some difficulties (passions not being subdued). I do believe that all men have the Light within them; but just as lightbulbs have different wattages, so too men have different levels of  Light within themselves and I believe it’s because of their environmental associations. But because he is determined to keep working on the internal self, his external self along with his environment will definitely change (or should I say become brighter). Yes, we are conservators of this Light, but we’re only one of many. Truth comes in many forms of teachings and we will forever be the Teacher (dispenser of Light) as well as the Student (seeker of Light), it’s a balancing act we have to learn to do.  Just my opinion.
 
Bro. Jerome Womack
New Beginning #970
MWPHGL of AL
Enhanced by Zemanta

Next Page »

Page optimized by WP Minify WordPress Plugin

ss_blog_claim=724d07b365a1eb05c67894ca9554286b ss_blog_claim=724d07b365a1eb05c67894ca9554286b