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
July 2026
From the East
My Brothers,
June did not start off the way we wished for our Lodge. Two of our Past Masters laid down their working tools and passed to the Celestial Lodge above. Our Secretary, Brother Frank Van Leer, PM 2013, passed on June 3rd, and on June 5th, we were notified that Brother Vic Campbell, PM 2014, passed after many years long battle with Alzheimer’s.
We draped the Alter at the June Stated Communication and will be leaving it draped until Frank’s Masonic funeral on 25 July at 3 PM at the Colony Recreation Center.
Frank’s obituary can be read at https://obituaries.baldwincremation.com/frank-phillip-van-leer-jr.
As announced in June, we received Special Dispensation from Grand Lodge to hold a Special Election for Secretary at the July Stated. Our Secretary Pro Tem, R⸫H⸫ Rich Koenig has stepped up to fill the position for the remainder of the year, has entered his name for nomination, and will do a fantastic job. Any other Brother who wishes to run must submit all required paperwork before the start of the Stated. Contact me if you are interested in running.
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.
As I mentioned previously, a substantial inheritance has been graciously bestowed upon our Lodge through the Trust of our departed Brother Richard Conlin. On March 3rd of this year, we were honored to receive an initial distribution in the amount of $1,341,007.83. This month we received a second distribution of $100K and we expect a third and final distribution of around $40-50K. I want to thank our Treasurer, WB Hawkins, for taking on this monumental task of getting us legal and started.
At the June Stated, we voted to revoke our dues increase for 2027 that had been previously approved by the Craft. We will submit a new By-laws change.
As mentioned last month, we are transitioning the Trestle Board to our Lodge webpage. We will send out a monthly reminder with the link to theTrestle Board:
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 am devoting the majority of my article to Brother Frank Van Leer, our recently passed Lodge Secretary. I only knew Frank a relatively short time but was honored that he allowed me to reminisce over our military experiences, as well as our professional working lives past. When I got to know him, I felt like I had finally met a long-lost brother.
His attitude and personality were infectious. He always had smile on his face anytime I met him, and his first words on seeing me were a boisterous “DOUBLE C.” Pat and I also had the privilege of spending personal time with both Frank and his wife, Cindy, sharing social time and dinner.
Frank was the quintessential Mason. He believed in a code of honesty in Masonic behavior, as well as the support one brother should provide another, both in need and companionship. He believed wholeheartedly in the Villages Masonic Lodge and its purpose, to make a Masonic Lodge available for retired Masons. If he didn’t, why would he have taken on the responsibility of Lodge Secretary, one of the most demanding positions in the Lodge, while in his mid-eighties. He could have easily declined having already led the Lodge, instead, he took the challenge head on.
He was forward looking in his attitude toward our Lodge. He had to be, as he took me on as a mentor helping prepare me for my coming year ahead. We came together as officers, partly on his lead, to plan this year starting last fall. I believe his push and W⸫M⸫ Ferri’s leadership have made a big difference in the success we have had this year.
I know when my time winds down and I lay down my working tools, Frank will be waiting at that Lodge Not Made With Hands with a “Double C” on his lips and two cups of coffee in his hands (Starbucks, of course).
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
"Every decision adds something. Not always visible. But structural. A small beam. A wall. A direction set in place. You move on quickly. The moment passes. But the structure remains. Future choices fit in. Or are blocked by it. That’s how it builds. Quietly. Layer by layer. Until you’re standing inside it. Calling it your life. Some parts feel solid. Others tight. Hard to change. Because they’ve been reinforced. Over time. That’s the weight of consequence. Not immediate. Architectural. The lesson is precise. You’re not just deciding for now. You’re shaping what you’ll have to live within."
PS: If you are in need of a ride to Lodge, please contact any one of your elected officers and we will get you a ride for our next Stated meeting on Monday, July 13th.
Fraternally,
Carl Chew, Senior Warden
From the South
Sometimes everything lines up perfectly, sometimes it doesn’t. But we were close at last Monday’s Social Dinner at Orange Blossom Hills.
They had set aside a whole room for us. Check. The tables included one large round table for eight. Check. One large rectangular table that our widows occupied. Check. The remaining tables were for just four. Not so great, but out of our control on that one.
However, when we booked the restaurant and then when we showed up, we made sure they knew we were Masons. All our Brothers had their lodge shirts on. Big check.
Then we spent the evening laughing and having fun together. We made gift presentations. We complimented Cindy, our server, all over the place. We spoke with others at the restaurant. At the end, we tipped very generously (hopefully). Another big check.
So, will the people there know that The Villages has Masons? Probably so. And, may we point out, we didn’t have to plan anything, organize anything, put money out for anything, we just showed up somewhere! We were part of the community. We were VISIBLE.
We do lots of excellent charity in our lodge, Bikes for Books, our monthly charities. But how many in The Villages community actually see it or us, or know about it or us?
Someone’s suggested maybe we ought to have a Brother who checks the local calendar, and then a bunch of us go to these community events with our Masonic hats and lodge shirts on, just go and have a good time, participate in their auctions and raffles, buy their stuff, and tip the servers 100% (We've actually done that. Once.) No organizing, no planning, somebody else has already done all that. Plus, we didn’t burn out some Brother having to plan or organize another activity. We just show up! Very simple game.
And everyone begins to notice, "Yes, The Villages does have Masons and they like being together."
Our next shot at a Social Dinner will be on Monday, July 20, at Havana Country Club, 2484 Odell Circle, in The Villages. Social Hour at 4:30, dinner at 5. Wear all the Masonic stuff you have, have a good time, talk to everybody you can in the place, and please tip generously. We give exceedingly generously in our Loge meetings. How about the poor distressed server who maybe has four kids to raise, rent and a car to pay for, and maybe just could use a boost to her day? “Do good unto all,” as we hear at the end of the meeting. Let’s be visible doing outrageous good in our community!
Our First Fridays Breakfast Bunch this month is coming up on July 3rd, at 9:00 am, again at the Bob Evans Restaurant, 2199 Parr Drive off CR 466. No agenda, no wives, just Brothers with Brothers.
And don’t forget to visit this website early and often. All our upcoming activities are always in there. It always has up to date information and details on all Lodge events.
John Markel, Junior Warden
At The Villages Masonic Lodge
July 3 – First Fridays Breakfast Bunch
Bob Evans Restaurant, 2199 Parr Drive (off CR 466), 9:00 AM
No agenda or wives, just Brothers with Brothers
July 4 – Happy 250 years to the U.S.A.!!
July 13 – Stated Communication, 12:30 Lunch, 1:30 Meeting
July 20 – Social Dinner at Havana Country Club, 4:30 Social Hour, 5:00 Dinner
2484 Odell Circle, The Villages
(Click HERE for Havana's website)
July 25 – Masonic funeral service for Brother Frank Van Leer
Colony Recreation Center, 3:00 PM
Masons gather at 2:30
At the Grand 15th Masonic District
July 8 – Open Books/School of Instruction
6:00 PM at Peninsular Lodge
July 11 – Roast the Outgoing DDGM
5:00 PM at Lake County Shrine Club
July 15 – Masters and Wardens/Memorial Lodge
6:00 PM this month at Groveland Lodge
October 29 – 100-Man Master Mason Night
6:00 PM at Peninsular Lodge
From the Secretary's Desk
Petitions Pending:
MAffiliation by Transfer:
MMJoseph Caban, David Borden, Louis Brzozowski,
MMScott Bragdon, Gary Fellman
Petitions to Receive:
MRandy Justiss, Affiliation by Transfer
Petitions to Ballot: None
Degree Work: None
July Birthdays
nm4 – Paul Nemoda
nm4 – James Taylor
M14 – Clyde Hunter
nm14 – James Murphy
16 – James King
u17 – Glenn Miller
M18 – Everett Cophe
18 – Gary Gray
23 – Ralph Thompson
24 – James Hawkins
28 – Joseph LeClair
28 – Paul Moore
29 – William Shepherd
30 – Thomas Buechel
Brothers Raised in July
MJames Stivers, 7/7/1960
MAntonio Veiga, Jr., 7/15/1967
MJohn Markel, 7/23/2022
David Dix, 7/26/2012
Bruce Ferri, 7/30/2020
A Word from Brother Rob
The Knock
A man stood in a room full of strangers and asked for something most men never ask for out loud. He asked to be made better. Whether he felt solemn or nervous or slightly ridiculous, he did it. He admitted, in front of witnesses, that he was not finished yet.
Most men go their entire lives without saying that to anyone, including themselves. They fake competence, perform confidence, and quietly hope no one notices the gaps.
This man did something different. He knocked on a door and said, in effect, "I need what is on the other side of this." That was not weakness. That was the first honest act of his Masonic life. Everything builds on that moment. Not because the ceremony changed him, but because the willingness to ask did.
The light he received is not a trophy. It is a method. The practice starts now.
From Candidate to Craftsman, by Robert W. Linn
Remaining 2026 Social Dinners
July 20 – Havana Country Club
2484 Odell Circle, The Villages
August 17 – McCracken's Irish Pub
719 W Main Street, Leesburg
September 21 – Red Sauce
1000 Canal Street, Sumter Landing, The Villages
October 19 – Awaiting your vote
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
M2026-2027 Officers
MM⸫W⸫ Haskell R. Vest, Jr., Grand Master
MR⸫W⸫ Frederick R. Wendling, Jr., Deputy Grand Master
MR⸫W⸫ Robert W. Estell, Jr., Senior Grand Warden
MR⸫W⸫ John N. Dragneff , Junior Grand Warden
MM⸫W⸫ Richard E. Lynn, PGM, Grand Treasurer
MMMMMMMMkMMM⸫W⸫ Jeffrey S. Foster, PGM, Grand Secretary
MMMDistrict Deputy Grand Master: R⸫W⸫ Michael G. Freach, (610) 360-0880, mfreach7@gmail.com
MMMDistrict Instructor: R⸫H⸫ Mike Gaudiosi, (352) 348-1162, mrgaudiosi@gmail.com
Our End of May Bikes for Books deliveries
Everyone at our Stated Communication on June 8 (except the JW)
Brother Matt Williams, our resident sound engineer, puts the microphone system together before the June Stated. Over time, he promises to have all possible hum and whistles removed and volume levels set comfortably and appropriately.
Our June First Fridays Breakfast Bunch at Bob Evans. We always have a great time together!
Our June 15th Social Dinner at Orange Blossom Hills.
Well, you made it. Whew!
Thank you for reading to the end.
You are now an official INFORMED Villages Masonic Lodge Brother!
Click HERE and your lunch is FREE at our next Lodge Meeting!
