2018 meeting dates

Charlotte Lodge No. 97, F&AM, will hold its installation of officers at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, at the lodge, 612 Spring St., Charlotte. Charlotte lodge is the oldest Masonic lodge in Dickson County, celebrating 175 years in 2017. The public is invited to attend.

Happy President’s Day

February 16, 2016 TNcoonass

Washington-Taft On May 19, 1911, a delegation from Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, which included Lawrence Washington, George Washington’s great-great-grandnephew, visited President William Howard Taft in the East Room of the White House.

They presented President Taft with the ceremonial apron and trowel that George Washington wore for laying the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol. Pictures of President Taft were made as part of the effort to raise funds for the George Washington National Masonic Monument in Alexandria, Va.

The apron was a gift to Washington from Elkanah Watson upon news of the defeat of the British at Yorktown. Watson was a Freemason who served as one of America’s agents abroad during the war.

The apron is now housed at the George Washington Masonic National Monument in Alexandria, Va.

In all, 14 Presidents of the United States were Freemasons, including all three from Tennessee – Andrew Jackson, James Polk and Andrew Johnson. In addition, Lyndon Johnson was initiated an entered apprentice but did not receive the higher masonic degrees.

2016 officers

December 20, 2015January 24, 2016 TNcoonass

2016 officers for Charlotte Lodge No. 97, F&AM

Worshipful Master: David White

Senior Warden: Mickey Self, PM

Junior Warden: Darrell Patterson, PM

Secretary: Rob Jones, PM

Treasurer: Jay Kesler, PM

Senior Deacon: Bush Bernard

Junior Deacon: Scott Story

Senior Steward: Jack Bowker, PM

Junior Steward: Jeff Thomas, PM

Chaplain: Frank Alexander

Tiler: Robert Jones, PM

2016officers Pictured from left, Frank Alexander, PM, Chaplain; Robert Jones, PM, Tiler; Jack Bowker, PM, Senior Steward; David White, Worshipful Master; Darrell Patterson, PM, Junior Warden; Mickey Self, PM, Senior Warden; Bush Bernard, Senior Deacon; Scott Story, Junior Deacon.