Well, this isn't really a part of the Trestle Board, but here goes anyway.
We are a transplant from the Baltimore, Maryland area. Our Masonic journey started there. We always heard, "You get out of Masonry only what you put into it." Cliche, yes. Reality, YES! At least, that's what we found.
Starting out two years ago getting to know new brothers in Maryland, then the very next year having to get to know a whole nother bunch of new brothers— this time in Florida, not to mention a whole new (and somewhat strange to an A.F. & A.M. guy) ritual, could have been scary, especially for this introvert, but it turns out that's where The Villages Masonic brothers shined.
We immediately felt welcome, at ease, and at home. And it would be proper to thank you all for that. We were also impressed that the VML was in very good financial shape (thanks, Treasurer Hawkins, among others). We were certainly impressed with the ritual training (thanks, W:. Gaudiosi and W:. Windmiller).
In our first year, we jumped all over in the various chairs. That was indeed fun! Now we've settled into the Senior Deacon role. Now we walk all over the lodge room literally, carrying flags and conducting candidates, etc. More fun.
In short, we've found "the beneficial and happy effects of this ancient and honorable institution." It was just a matter of jumping in with both feet and into a great place to jump — the Villages Masonic Lodge. Might it be that you are doing the same and with the same happy effects resulting!
Fraternally yours,
Brother John Markel
