Approximately 7,500 Pennsylvania Freemasons living in Florida were invited to attend a Masonic Reunion at one of the two locations: the Egypt Shrine Temple in Tampa on Friday, March 27, or at the Amara Shrine Temple in Palm Beach Gardens on Saturday, March 28. Five hundred Pennsylvania Masons, their relatives and friends attended in Tampa, and 250 in Palm Beach Gardens. The four-hour events included a reception, lunch, program, and social hour.

The reunions were hosted by R.W. Grand Master James L. Ernette and his wife, Brenda. Also meeting and greeting the brethren and their guests in Florida were: Robert L. Dluge, Jr., R.W. Deputy Grand Master and his wife, Debra; Marvin A. Cunningham, R.W. Senior Grand Warden, and his wife, Rosalie; and William Slater II, R.W. Junior Grand Warden, and his wife, Maria; along with twelve other Brothers and their ladies representing Grand Lodge.

Joseph E. Murphy, Executive Director/CEO of the Masonic Homes, and a team of seven staff accompanied the Grand Master. They shared important information about the continuum of quality care services provided through the Masonic Homes, which includes the facilities at Elizabethtown, Pittsburgh, and Warminster. The staff set up displays of pictures, offered brochures explaining the services provided, and were available to answer any questions.

Special highlights of the reunions included the Grand Master's presentation of 50-year Emblems of Gold, door prizes, and gifts from the Grand Master and his wife. The Grand Lodge and Masonic Homes plan to return to Florida in 1999 to meet more brethren and friends and to share the benefits of membership.

At each of two locations, Pennsylvania Masons who now reside in Florida enjoyed fraternal fellowship at reunions hosted by the officers of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

Officers of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania greeted Pennsylvania Masons who now reside in Florida at reunions in Egypt Shrine Temple in Tampa and Amara Shrine Temple in West Palm Beach. Pictured at Amara Temple are (l-r): Thomas W. Jackson, R.W. Grand Secretary; Robert L. Dluge, Jr., R.W. Deputy Grand Master; James L. Ernette, R.W. Grand Master; Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., R.W. Senior Grand Warden; William Slater II, R.W. Junior Grand Warden; and Marvin G. Speicher, R.W. Grand Treasurer.

During the reunion with Pennsylvania Masons now residing in Florida, R.W. Grand Master James L. Ernette presented a 50-Year Emblem of Gold to Arthur B. Alexander of Oil City Lodge No. 710.