The Trestle Board
The Villages Masonic Lodge No. 394 F. & A. M.
2401 Virginia Drive Leesburg, Florida
Meets the second Monday of every month – 12:30 Lunch, 1:30 Meeting
August 2026
From the East
My Brothers,
It’s hard to believe it’s already August! In the original Roman calendar, the month of August was called Sextilis. This was because it was the sixth month of the year. Later, after January and February were added to the calendar, it became the eighth month of the year. At the time, the month had 29 days. When Julius Caesar created the Julian calendar in 45 BC, two days were added giving the month 31 days. The month was later renamed Augustus in honor of the first emperor of Rome, Caesar Augustus.
I want to personally thank all the Brothers who attended Brother Frank Van Leer’s Masonic funeral. We had 28 Brothers from throughout the District attend. Cindy and the family were truly touched by the service and the number of Brothers who attended. Special thanks to R⸫H⸫ Mike Gaudiosi, who expertly led the service, and provided a beautiful message during the Celebration of Life.
Our new DDGM’s, R⸫W⸫ Mike Freach, Official Visit will be at the August Stated (10th). Please make an effort to attend and congratulate him, and our new District Instructor, R⸫H⸫ Mike Gaudiosi.
We are in the process of collecting schools supplies for The Villages Elementary at Lady Lake to go along with the charity basket from last month. Anyone who brings in schools supplies will receive a free lunch! Items to consider: pencil boxes, crayons, colored pencils, No.2 pencils, erasers, notebooks, backpacks, hand sanitizer, Kleenex tissues, etc. Please bring in a donation to the Stated.
As mentioned last month, we are transitioning The Trestle Board to our Lodge webpage. We will send out a monthly email reminder with the link to The Trestle Board on the website:
www.villagesmasoniclodge.com/the_trestle_board.
Once again, it takes the entire Lodge Team to be successful, so please don’t hesitate to provide any input to make OUR Lodge better. As always, if you would like to get in the Line, fill a chair in the future, or sit on a committee, please let us know.
Fraternally,
Brother Bruce Ferri
Worshipful Master
(559) 287-8332 or VML394WM@gmail.com
From the West
I have to admit that I’m a little bit light this month having been up North for most of the month. It was an enjoyable trip, visiting with my daughter and her family in Buffalo, particularly with my grandsons, then traveling through Canada over to Detroit to visit close friends who are snowbirds.
We enjoyed good weather throughout the trip until our second day in Detroit, We woke up to a strange, cloudy, discolored sky and upon opening the back door the smokey odor was the first thing that hit us. Something was burning. Canada.
This changed a lot of plans we had for our visit. Venues we planned to visit closed with short notice. Outdoor dining was out of the question. What to do? Answer, come up with a new plan that gets you the same results, which is what we did.
We visited the Edsel Mansion, a great indoor tour with a lot of history. We found indoor dining with great atmosphere. We made the changes work. This is the same plan we have implemented for the Lodge this year, if it’s not working, have a change ready to go.
Flexibility to handle change keeps us progressing and gets us to the goals we need to achieve as a Lodge and as Masons.
Once again, we are inviting all Master Masons of our Lodge to attend Ritual Practice which we hold every Thursday between 12 and 1:30 pm at the Lodge. All brothers are welcome no matter what your experience level may be, even if you just want to observe.
Something from The Freemasons Community
“You push hard. Do things right. For a while, then it fades. Because it always does. You get tired, distracted, less certain. That’s where most fall off. Because it always does.
“And holds when you don’t, because willpower isn’t stable, it comes and goes. Depends on how you feel. That’s the weakness. Systems don’t care how you feel, they run anyway. So set Structure. Clear steps with something you follow (even when motivation isn’t there). That’s what carries you, because it always does.
“Don’t rely on how you feel, build something that holds when you don’t.”
Carl Chew
Senior Warden
(215)285-1048
vml394sw@gmail.com
sprs33@verizon.net
From the South
Maybe someone has also asked you the dreaded question.
I know I've been asked it. And every time I've felt guilty or worse because I couldn't find the right words to give it the justice it deserved.
Maybe you have a good answer to the question often asked by a non-Mason, “What do Masons do?”
My best shot at that is usually something like, “We take good men and make them better.” Ugh. That really doesn't say much.
And worse would be, “We're a secret society” with a wink, or “Become a member and find out.” Come on now, how condescending is that!
We don't have to be mysterious. We can save that for the Lodge room, not at the squares or restaurants.
I read a piece from a Brother from Michigan. He suggested something like the following:
M“Our Lodge is a Brotherhood of Purpose, a fraternity of builders shaping a stronger community. With ancient Masonic wisom, we build men of character as a solid foundation for the next generation. We mentor men across generations, serve others with visible integrity, and live our teachings to uplift both our Brother and our neighbor.”
Now that's a mouthful, but it actually says something of who we are and what we do. Saying something like that might even start a conversation.
So, I'm going to try to memorize that little quote, maybe put it in my own words. Then I'll be better armed to explain this ancient and honorable institution to the uninitiated in a much more meaningful way.
Our next Social Dinner will be on Monday, August 17, at McCracken's Irish Pub, 719 West Main Street, in Leesburg (not far from the Lodge). Social Hour at 4:30, dinner at 5:00.
We need everyone to RSVP because McCraken's only has room for 30 of us. We had exactly 30 last month, so we should be ok. But, please click HERE and let us know how many are coming.
Again, wear all the Masonic stuff you have, have a good time, talk to everybody you can in the place, and please tip generously. Let’s be visible doing outrageous good in our community!
Our First Fridays Breakfast Bunch this month will be on August 7th, at 9:00 am, at the Bob Evans Restaurant, 2199 Parr Drive off CR 466. No agenda, no wives, just Brothers (or potential brothers) with Brothers.
And don’t forget to visit this website early and often. All our upcoming activities are always in there. You can always find up-to-date information and details on all our upcoming Lodge events.
John Markel, Junior Warden
(410) 746-1105
At The Villages Masonic Lodge
Friday, August 7
First Fridays Breakfast Bunch
Bob Evans Restaurant, 2199 Parr Drive (off CR 466), 9:00 AM
No agenda or wives, just Brothers with Brothers
Monday, August 10
Stated Communication – DDGM Official Visit
12:30 Lunch, 1:30 Meeting
Monday, August 17
Social Dinner at McCracken's Irish Pub
4:30 Social Hour, 5:00 Dinner
719 West Main Street, Leesburg
(Click HERE for McCracken's website)
At the Grand 15th Masonic District
Wednesday, August 12
Open Books/School of Instruction
6:00 PM at Peninsular Lodge
(No dinner, no snacks— but we're working on that so, for now, bring your own)
Wednesday, August 19
Masters and Wardens/Memorial Lodge
6:00 PM this month at Clermont Lodge
Dinner at 6:00, Memorial Lodge at 6:40, M&Ws Meeting at 7:00
Thursday, October 29
100-Master Mason Night
6:00 PM at Peninsular Lodge
Prime Rib Dinner
From the Secretary's Desk
We have three petitions pending for affiliation, two for the Three Degrees and three to ballot for transfer.
Petitions to Ballot:
MRandy Justus
MScott Bragdon
MDavid Borden
Degree Work: None at this time
I want to remind the Brethren that if you haven't paid your dues for this year (2026), please contact the Lodge Secretary in this regard.
Also, there have been various questions and rumors, "If I'm a fifty-year Mason, I'm exempt from paying dues."
What we've recently uncovered is that to qualitfy for this exemption, the Grand Lodge of Florida requires fifty years of good standing in Florida, and will then make the exemption automatically. On the other hand, if you have a minimum of 25 years in Florida and 25 in another jurisdiction you may apply for the exemption, but it is not automatic.
This has been an area of confusion for quite a while. If you do not qualify and have not paid your dues thinking that you were exempt, no problem, please just contact the Secretary.
As a Lodge we are very fortunate to have so many of our Brothers with more than fifty years of service to the Craft, but who do not qualify for the exemption in Florida and continue to support us as a Lodge.
RH Rich Koenig, Secretary
(856) 905-3275
richardwk1944@yahoo.com
There was a Whozat? Book in our car when we were kids.
It was published yearly by the Boumi Shrine of Baltimore, and it had all Maryland Shriners' license plates listed.
That way, when you saw a car with Maryland license plate starting with BB (Baltimore Boumi),
you could look it up and see who it was.
We thought that would be a fitting title for this new monthly section on the bio of one of our Brothers.
Whozat?
Worshipful Brother Louis Hook, PM
When our Lodge was chartered in June of 1998, the first WM was John McClure who served until the end of the year. W Hook served as the first Junior Warden. After three months, the Senior Warden, Stanley Foley, moved out of Florida leaving Brother Hook next in line. Therefore, at the new year, W Hook became Villages Masonic Lodge's first full-term Worshipful Master.
During his 1999 year in the East and afterwards, he and his lovely wife, Pam, started many traditions that continue in Villages Masonic Lodge to this day. They began the monthly Social Dinners, first at the same venue for seven years, then going to the tradition of a different restaurant each month. He started the special Valentine's Dinner/Dance and the Widow's Night Dinner, at which new widows received their pin.
WM Hook also started a Christmas golf cart parade, the road cleanup with breakfast before, and organized an annual Golf Cart Poker Run (kind of like a scavenger hunt on golf carts).
Worshipful Hook was born and spent much of his teen years in Arkansas, finishing high school in Illinois. Before coming to Florida, he worked over 37 years for Lockheed in California, working mainly with Navy contracts, retiring at age 57. Raised in December of 1981, he became WM in 1988 at his home Lodge, Great Lights Lodge No. 818, in Sunnyvale, California.
He came to The Villages in 1995 and immediately got involved in the community. As chairman of the Polo Booster Club, he grew that group from around 300 to 1100 members.
Masonry has always been a big part of his life. After his term here as WM, he served many years as our Lodge Instructor, often entering the Lodge in Ritual Competition (winning in 2016), and nurturing the tradition of ritual excellence at Villages Masonic Lodge. For many years he served as Installing Marshal at the officer installations. He has been a good friend and mentor to many in our Lodge and in the District.
Presently, he still enjoys singing Karaoke, after himself having organized such events for 15 years. He credits singing with his longevity. We hope both continue.
So much more can be said and written about this grand patriarch of our Lodge, but time and space forbid.
(You may have noticed that we spoke of "Villages Masonic Lodge," and not "The" Villages Masonic Lodge. That's because on our original Charter which was destoyed in the Leesburg fire, that was our official name. Grand Lodge changed it on our replacement charter.)
August Birthdays
13 – Gerald Williams
14 – Ulrich Hofman
15 – Robert Johnson
18 – William Hillman
10 – Victor Carr, Jr.
11 – Alfred Wall III
14 – Chrisitian Gehman
15 – Thomas James
21 – Joseph Mack II
24 – Robert Woodsford, Sr.
31 – Gary Kadow
Brothers Raised in August
Robert Stines – 5 AUG 1976
Matthew Williams – 9 AUG 2025
William Fellows – 20 AUG 1980
Daniel Fields – 26 AUG 2017
A Word from Brother Rob
The Beehive
No bee works alone. No bee takes credit alone. The hive produces what no individual bee could produce, and the product belongs to the whole.
A lodge at its best works the same way. One man oganizes the dinner. Another runs the education program. A third handles the bookkeeping nobody wants to touch. A fourth shows up early to set the chairs straight and stays late to lock the door. None of them could build what all of them build together.
The beehive does not celebrate the spectacular. It celebrates the steady. The man who does his part, week after week, without applause or complaint. It cares about consistency. A lodge full of consistent men will outperform a lodge full of talented men every time.
From Candidate to Craftsman, by Robert W. Linn
Remaining 2026 Social Dinners
All Dinners begin at 4:30 with Social Hour. Dinner begins at 5:00.
August 17 – McCracken's Irish Pub
719 W Main Street, Leesburg
September 21 – Red Sauce
1000 Canal Street, Sumter Landing, The Villages
October 19 – Coastal Del Mar
990 Del Mar Drive, The Villages
November – Thanksgiving – No Social Dinner
December 21 – Mezza Luna
243 Colony Boulevard, The Villages
On the Lighter Side
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Florida
2026-2027 Officers
MW Haskell R. Vest, Jr., Grand Master
RW Frederick R. Wendling, Jr., Deputy Grand Master
RW Robert W. Estell, Jr., Senior Grand Warden
RW John N. Dragneff , Junior Grand Warden
MW Richard E. Lynn, PGM, Grand Treasurer
MW Jeffrey S. Foster, PGM, Grand Secretary
District Deputy Grand Master
MRW Michael G. Freach
M(610) 360-0880, mfreach7@gmail.com
District Instructor
MRH Michael R. Gaudiosi
M(352) 348-1162, mrgaudiosi@gmail.com
The Photo Gallery
The June 28th Fish Fry Dinner at Wildwood to support the Grand Junior Warden
Junior Grand Warden RW Dragneff (center) answers questions from his constituents.
Lots of Brothers from out of our District, including a bunch of Widows Sons (background), showed up.
RW Larry Kent snaps a photo of the JGW and friends.
Our July 3rd First Fridays Breakfast Bunch
"Who got the green eggs and ham?"
The July 11th Roast of the Past DDGM, RW Jay Techman
District Instructor RH Gaudiosi roasts the PDDGM.
Peninsular Lodge Secretary, W Walter Price's turn.
Current DDGM, RW Mike Freach, roasts his predecessor.
Finally, his chance at revenge, but gracious instead.
Our July 13th Stated Communication
JD Dan Carleen helps his friend, Richard Bailey, fill out his petition for the Three Degrees.
RW Brother Bill Hillman scopes out a good place to park.
Enjoying a pulled-pork luncheon
Everyone at our July Stated Communication (except the Marshal).
Wonder where he was?
Our July 20th Social Dinner at Havana Country Club.
Doc O'Dell presents the Lodge with a special American flag, signed by the designer of the 50-star flag.
July 25, 2026.
It was an excellent Masonic service with a wonderful turnout from all over the District for a most worthy man and Mason, our friend, mentor and Brother, Frank Van Leer.
Photos courtesy of W Brother David Windmiller
Well, you made it. Whew!
Thank you for reading to the end.
You are now an official INFORMED Villages Masonic Lodge Brother!
