THE TRAVELING GAVEL IS TRAVELING AGAIN
April 26, 2010

On or about April 26, 2010, Noah Lodge greeted and celebrated the visit by Nine Strong Craftsmen from Punta Gorda Lodge #115 at our Stated Communication.  (OK, there were Ten Strong Crafstmen, when counting the instantly-Honorable Member of Punta Gorda Lodge, our own DDGM Barry Thrasher.  Noah Lodge #357 WM Rick Means had recalled TEN as the minimum required, the DDGM did a FINE job of using his mightiness to correct any perceived deficiency).  A fine round of laughter and applause was enjoyed by all..

These hearty and welcomed Masons had come to visit their Brethren at Noah and to claim their Masonic prize, that now-famous (locally) Traveling Gavel which had been held captive and honored often by Noah Lodge since 2007.

What IS the Traveling Gavel?  A question one might need to ask after such a long period of rest and recuperation at Noah Lodge is answered as best I can below:

My recollection (subject to correction by almost anyone):  The Traveling Gavel had its beginnings in Punta Gorda Lodge #115 (link below), an idea a worthy Mason came up with to compete among Lodges while increasing cross-Lodge visits and Brotherhood.  This Gavel made its rounds in our District for several years, bringing friendship and Brotherly love wherever it left and wherever it landed in its travels.  Noah Lodge has been graced with its presence since 2007, but somehow the "secret" snuck out on the Internet, so it is on its way to a new Lodge for safekeeping.  

Each Lodge adds a plaque to the board on which the Gavel is mounted, there are rules (of sorts) by which it can be moved/rescued  from its "Host" Lodge to another place of honor in the next Lodge.  The "rules" as I recall them are below the photos of our "Gavel Transfer Ceremony".

 The Rules as I recall them are short and simple, below are those few I can recall.  If you know of other rules, please do not hesitate to re-clue me by email ( Click HERE to Email Noah Lodge ) and I'll fix this rules list ASAP:

1.  A Lodge can capture the Gavel by visiting the Host Lodge in a "strength" of at least 5 Officers of the visiting Lodge.  This "minimum" can be altered at the pleasure of the Worshipful Master of the visited Lodge.

2.  No Lodge can "recapture" the Gavel directly from the "capturing" Lodge, though visits to the Gavel and its current Host Lodge are not just welcomed, but encouraged.

3.  There is no "required" communication of captivity changes, but word does have a way of getting around (this is but one example of how that can and does happen).

A Masonic THANKS FOR THE VISIT and a hearty Masonic Congratulations go to our Punta Gorda Lodge # 115  Brethren from all of us at Noah Lodge #357, both for the visit and for the honor of releasing the Traveling Gavel to another great Masonic Lodge.

Be sure to visit Punta Gorda Lodge (Five Officers would be a good idea) and let us know where The Traveling Gavel finds its next home.

 CLick HERE to Visit Punta Gorda Lodge #115's "WebLodge"