Ninety-nine years ago, several of our Masonic brethren decided that there was a need for a Lodge in Safety Harbor. Brothers named Risbeck, Booth, McMullen, Morgan, and Knight. These were the first Worshipful Masters of our Lodge. And now we stand on the threshold of our 100-year anniversary. More on that later, but first a little about how I got here.

About five years ago, while accompanying my wife and the Largo Assembly Rainbow girls here for Safety Harbor’s Third Friday event, I was introduced to three brothers (Aaron Cardenas, Lou Ange, Jaime Perez). When my wife told them I was a Mason, they immediately came over and began telling me about Tampa Bay Lodge. You see, I have been a member of our great fraternity for 49 years now, but even though I have lived on this coast of Florida since 1988, my membership was still with a Lodge in Ft. Lauderdale. The brothers let me know that there was going to be a Master Mason degree the next day and I said I would be there. I did attend, and when the degree was over I told Worshipful Brother Santiago that I felt like I was home. I immediately made the decision to demit. That’s how welcome the brothers made me feel.

And that is one of the pillars of this Lodge. It’s about making everyone… brothers, family, friends, and visitors, feel appreciated and accepted. That is one of the things that has made Tampa Bay Lodge survive all these years.

So, what should we be doing to ensure Tampa Bay Lodge continues to grow and thrive?

As a member of the Safety Harbor community, it is our intention to take an active role in activities that benefit our community. We have already rejoined the Chamber of Commerce and are actively engaging with other members to determine how we might assist in community-related projects. We have enrolled in the City of Safety Harbor’s Adopt-A-Street program and will be attending to clean up duties on at least a quarterly basis. Look for the signs on 7th St S and 9th Ave S. Additionally, it is our intention to continue with our charitable outreach efforts.

This year we are preparing for our 100th anniversary celebration. Plans are being made for several events to be held throughout the year, including a rededication of the Lodge, celebratory dinner at the Safety Harbor Spa and Resort, and others.

I love our fraternity. It has been a part of my life for many, many years. I’m honored and humbled that the brethren of Tampa Bay Lodge # 252 have entrusted me to sit in the Worshipful Master’s chair for 2024.