Wardens and Brethren,

December is scarcely on us and already
the winter is in full swing. The holidays
are upon us and we ourselves have
occasion to celebrate this Regular
Communication.

In addition to the work of the evening, we
will receive the report of the investigation
committee for Mr. Cameron Dickson, and
vote on whether to begin his masonic
journey.

But, in keeping with the joyous times, our
main pleasure will be the honoring of Br.
John Grossomandes and his
seventy years of Freemasonry. It is not
a feat often matched, nor is it one always
paired with as much service to Franklin
Lodge as his own journey, so please join
myself and the officers of the Lodge in
paying respects and reflecting on a life
well spent!
​
Fraternally,
Joseph Giancaspro
Master, Franklin Lodge #20

Much as the fall weather has come on us
fast, so too has October passed and
November approaches.

We shall be seeking to accomplish two main
events this coming November meeting.
One, we shall enjoy a visitation from a
Brother from the Collegivm, Dr. Josh Irizarry,
who will engage us with a program on his
much acclaimed topic: "Was Confucius a
Mason?" This is sure to be an invigorating
presentation, to say nothing of the
discussions that could follow.

In addition, we have received requests for
Masonic Relief from our Brethren in the
Carolina's and the other affected
Southeastern States, in the wake of the
hurricanes. It is our intention to raise funds
through the meal and a raffle to make a
donation. We would appreciate any
donations to the raffle, as well as any other
contributions in kind, to this cause of charity.

I think it would be quite fitting for those
organizations to have Masonic charity as a
reason to give thanks this coming
Thanksgiving! I look forward to all of you
attending!
​
Fraternally,
Joseph Giancaspro
Master, Franklin Lodge #20

Wardens & Brethren,

October has come to us, and a busy month it
is looking to be.

Sunday the 7th is the Columbus Day Parade,
and Franklin Lodge will be marching again!
Please join me and the other officers as we
bring Light to our Fraternity.

October the 10th is our regular
communication, wherein we will be passing
brothers to the Degree of Fellowcraft. The
officers have done an outstanding job
roaring back from Summer’s relaxation to
the significant work that this degree entails.

20 October is the Grand Lodge Open House
in Providence. DDGM Gil has specifically
asked that we make the trip up if we can to
support.

21 October is the Special Ladies Luncheon –
for which there is yet time to RSVP if you
haven’t!

The 27th is a Halloween Party being put on
by the Rainbow Girls, for any of us Brethren
with young kids.

Like I said, a busy month indeed! I look
forward to sharing in all these good labors
with you all!
​
Fraternally,
Joseph Giancaspro
Master, Franklin Lodge #20

Wardens &Brethren,

It is my pleasure to welcome you back to
regular business after a very hot and humid
summer.

Getting back into the swing of things is
always a chore, but like riding horses and
bikes, we'll get back into it quite well once
we take that first step.

We have a bevy of candidates moving
through the degrees for this fall, and new
candidates waiting in the wings. This
September meeting we will hear the results
of the Investigation Committee set up for
Sean Ryan and vote on whether to confer
the degrees of Freemasonry upon him.
Another candidate's application is to be
read, and a discussion on the Budget
Framework Worshipful Ray Geer generously
worked up as a starting point will be had,
along with a discussion and vote on the
setting of dues and assessments, in
accordance with our By-Laws.

Finally, Worshipful Geer will be speaking on
the National Camping Traveler's to round out
the season, and the evening.

I look forward to seeing you all soon!
​
Fraternally,
Joseph Giancaspro
Master, Franklin Lodge #20

Wardens & Brethren,

Already we come into June after a
number of busy months.
For the business of the evening on the
12th of June, we have planned an EA
degree for two candidates for which we
have long been preparing. We also will
be preparing for going dark in the
summer months. While we will not be
meeting regularly during July and
August, it is intended to try for a social
meeting to keep up with each other.
​
Our brother lodges are also quite busy in
June, and with the new DDGM RW Gill
Fontes coming to the district, there is a
plan for the Grand Lodge Picnic on 12
August, and a visitation to Hope Lodge
on the 13th of June (with both the DDGM
and MWGM planned in attendance).
Your schedules permitting, I encourage
you all to join in the visiting suite.

Fraternally,
Joseph Giancaspro
Master, Franklin Lodge #20

Wardens &Brethren,

We have survived the winter, and come into
spring with a docket that ever full.
April was a successful trial for all Brothers
involved with back to back meetings where we
voted on a candidate and provided a courtesy
degree to new brothers from Mt. Vernon. Our own
candidate was unable to get away from his
avocations (If only it was a 32-inch gage!) but we
also have received new applications and will be
voting on further candidates. The courtesy
degree acted as a prime rehearsal, and we’ll be
exceedingly ready for when we combine our
multiple candidates together for the degree in
June.

Our Junior Deacon, Brother Corey Maclean will
be presenting on a subject of his own Masonic
research, and we will be hosting the DDGM for
his visitation.

Although we will be going dark for regular
meetings during the coming summer, in order to
meet the demands of the degree schedule (with a
minimal amount of cramming), there will be some
periodic practices during those months. Senior
Warden Brett Marggraff has on his radar a
summer BBQ at some point as well, so please –
don’t go too dark!
​
I look forward to seeing you on the evening of
May the 8th!

Fraternally,
Joseph Giancaspro
Master, Franklin Lodge #20

Wardens and Brethren,

The year continues and finally Winter recedes!
We spring back into action with a full month in
April.
Delayed by the snow, the previously arranged
presentation on the influence and interplay of
Freemasonry and the Boy Scouts will be
presented on the Second Tuesday (our regular
communication). We have reached out to several
of the local troops to invite them to the
presentation, and it is well hoped that in addition
to edifying ourselves we may bring Light to a new
generation of Masons. Be sure to congratulate
Brother Cavanaugh on a job well done!
In addition to the presentation of the evening, we
will be receiving the report of the investigation
committee and will be voting on a potential new
brother in the Craft. And the DDGM will be joining
us as well for the conferring of a 50 Year Veteran
medal to Brother Harley Burdick!
We have a special communication set up for the
week following (17APR) to initiate a candidate
into the degrees of Freemasonry as well as to
perform a courtesy degree on prospective new
brothers of Mt. Vernon Lodge. It has been a
distinct pleasure to see our line of officers deliver
their portions of the degree with skill and gusto
during practice, and I look forward to seeing the
final execution.
The officers and I look forward to seeing you all
for both of these eventful nights!
​
Fraternally,
Joseph Giancaspro
Master, Franklin Lodge #20

​Wardens and Brethren,
The year proceeds! We come into March looking
forward to a number of business items.
Our Senior Deacon, Brother Timothy Cavanaugh,
has arranged presentation on the influence and
interplay of Freemasonry and the Boy Scouts. We
have reached out to several of the local troops to
invite them to the presentation, and it is well
hoped that in addition to edifying ourselves we
may bring Light to a new generation of Masons.
Be sure to congratulate Brother Cavanaugh on a
job well done!
In addition to the presentation of the evening, we
will be receiving the report of the investigation
committee and will be voting on a potential new
brother in the Craft.
The work to build the tools for the years to come
continues onwards, as evident by the fantastic
initiative shown by our Brethren. Further work is
yet to come, and also to come are the realized
plans for our ‘social meetings’. SW Brett
Margraff circulated a roster at our last meeting
polling for interest for such events. If you could
not make the February meeting and are interested
in helping or partaking, please let us know so we
can work to make these things a reality!
I look forward to seeing you at the Southern
District Winter Warmer on the 10th, and again at
Lodge on the 13th of March!
Fraternally,
Joseph Giancaspro
Master, Franklin Lodge #20

​W&B,
This is the first time I have the honor of speaking to you from the office of WM, and I think it well exemplifies the challenge of the chair: to find the balance between long and short, motivating and directive, supportive and critical, or to act, meet, and part in the manner we so often charge ourselves.  
 
To cut the Gordian Knot, I will call your attention to the planned business of the evening, and of the year. 
 
The theme of my year is to be one of Foundations – setting the stage and readying the tools for progress under the guidance of those to come after me.  In our February communication, I shall be presenting a detailed review of the year ahead: the goals, the requirements to meet the same, the taskings to be required of the officers, and the assistance to be requested of the brethren at large.  A time for dialogue is also desired.
 
In the months to follow, we will take on candidates for Freemasonry, meet our Grand Lodge obligations, and continuously refer to the year’s designs to pursue our labors.  The work shall be, Lord willing, good and fulfilling to us all.
 
It will not be all labors without refreshment, however.  There will be times of fellowship throughout the year, where we may be excused to convert the means of refreshment to alittle excess.
 
In closing: Brethren, I humbly request that you make efforts to attend the February stated communication, to participate in the business of the evening. 
 
Fraternally,
Joseph Giancaspro, Master, Franklin Lodge #20

Wardens and Brethren,
                First, I want to wish everyone a very happy new year and hope your holidays were a time of joy.  I can’t believe its January and I’m writing my last message.  Last month I was talking to our Grand Master and he asked me if I’m relieved that the year is ending.  Honestly, its bitter sweet for me. As I am looking forward to being a “grumpy past master”, I am going to miss it. But I can say that I am happy to serve the lodge and craft in other ways.
                Every month I have stated, “its going to be a busy month”. Well that’s not changing for January.  We do have a couple of business items to be taken care of. We had to postpone the vote on the bylaws amendment, so we will be done at our meeting as well as the Master Mason proficiency on four candidates and signing the bylaws.  I have also asked Brother Joe Giancaspro to say a few words on his upcoming year. 
                I didn’t want just a business meeting, so I have asked author David Brody to come down and speak about his new book. David has a new book out that continues his “Templars in America” series.  This will be open to all so please bring your ladies, family and friends to see his presentation.
 
May the blessings of heaven rest upon us
Brother Ralph E. Brunson
Master
Franklin Lodge #20




                                                      ​Message from the West
W&B,
I eagerly anticipate the new calendar
and Masonic year, and request your attention
and assistance. I ask for your support as we
elect a new WM, as I and the presumptive
Wardens have in discussions to try to
implement a multi-year plan for developing the
Lodge as both a physical, corporate, and
metaphoric body. The goal of my year is to lay
the prepare the ground and lay the
foundations for work in the years to follow, so
that we as individuals and as a fraternity
grow.
Fraternally, SW Joe Giancaspro