07/23/2026
From the Desk of the Worshipful Master
Greetings Brethren,
As we enter the heart of summer, I hope this message finds each of you well. The past two months have been a meaningful and energizing time for our Lodge, filled with moments that remind us why our work matters and how deeply our presence impacts the community around us.
In May, I had the honor of attending the Project LIFT Class of 2026 graduation. Hearing those young men and women speak about the obstacles they overcame was truly inspiring. Their resilience reflects the very values we strive to uphold as Masons. You’ll be hearing more about this remarkable organization as the year continues.
I also had the privilege of representing our Lodge at the scholarship presentation nights at the high schools we support. Meeting these outstanding young adults—and seeing the pride in their families—was a powerful reminder of the good we do when we invest in the next generation. Our Law Enforcement and Scholarship Night brought nearly 70 people together in fellowship, honoring officers who serve with courage and students who strive with purpose. It was a beautiful evening of unity and gratitude.
The end of May was especially full. We attended the Grand Lodge Convention over Memorial Weekend, and on May 30th I had the honor of raising Brother Joe Ortega to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason—an experience that always renews our sense of purpose and brotherhood.
June offered a bit of breathing room, but we used that time wisely. Brother Steve Hedrick, now Chairman of our Golf Tournament Committee, has been working closely with the Senior Warden and the team to build a new digital presence for the tournament. The website looks fantastic, and this year we will be able to accept electronic payments and online registrations—another step forward in strengthening our outreach and impact. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, November 7th at the Santa Lucia River Club.
Looking ahead, we have several important events on the horizon:
• July 16th: Official visit from our new DDGM, R.W. L. Marsh. Please join us to welcome him and hear updates from the Grand Lodge.
• August 6th: Open Family Night with a Hawaiian theme. Tasteful Hawaiian shirts are encouraged; long pants and closed toed shoes remain required. Brother John Clark will prepare a special Hawaiian themed dinner. Families are warmly invited.
• Fellow Craft Degree: Date to be announced—please watch your email.
• Monthly Pancake Breakfasts: Third Saturday of each month, 8–10 AM. Only $8 for the best breakfast in Stuart—maybe all of Florida. Bring your families and friends and enjoy fellowship with your Brothers.
Brethren, these events are more than dates on a calendar. They are opportunities to strengthen our bonds, support our community, and grow together as Masons. When we show up, we enrich not only the Lodge—but ourselves.
And that brings me to a reminder of what it truly means to be a Freemason.
To be a Freemason is to walk a path lit by purpose. It is the quiet decision to build yourself—stone by stone—into a man of character, compassion, and integrity. Our meetings and events are not obligations; they are opportunities. Every time we gather, we strengthen the bonds of Brotherhood, renew our commitment to the Craft, and sharpen the tools that shape our lives.
In Lodge, we are reminded that growth is not accidental. It comes from showing up, participating, learning, and lifting one another. The self enrichment we gain—wisdom, discipline, fellowship, and a deeper sense of meaning—cannot be found in isolation. It is discovered in the shared Light of Brothers who walk the same journey.
Freemasonry makes good men better, but only when we take our place among our Brethren. When we attend, we grow. When we engage, we rise. And when we rise, we inspire others to do the same.
Joseph A Schoonover
Worshipful Master
