Grand Lodge of NH, Free & Accepted Masons

The Grand Lodge

of New Hampshire
Free & Accepted Masons

The Grand Lodge

of New Hampshire
Free & Accepted Masons

The Grand Lodge

of New Hampshire
Free & Accepted Masons

The Grand Lodge

of New Hampshire
Free & Accepted Masons

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Star in the East Lodge Holds Veteran’s Program

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Photos by Bro. John Bartoszak, Sr.

On this beautiful early summer afternoon, Most Worshipful Grand Master Kenneth Clay traveled to Exeter to assist with the Star in the East Lodge No. 59 Veteran’s Program. Following the Worshipful Master’s recognition of 25- and 40-year Masonic Veteran’s, he handed the gavel of authority to our Grand Master for the Grand Lodge portion of the program. Our Grand Master called upon Right Worshipful Alan Lugg for a description of the Daniel Carter Beard Award. The recipient of this award was unable to attend today and will be presented with his award at a later date.

Our Grand Master then introduced Right Worshipful Brother Woodbury P. Fogg recipient of his 50-year Masonic Veteran’s medal, Brother Kenneth G. Almon recipient of his 60-year Masonic Veteran’s plaque, and Brother Roger D. Monroe recipient of his 60-year Masonic Veteran’s plaque. Each brother did a great job describing their Masonic journey.

Following the ceremony, the large number of family and friends who witnessed this special day then adjourned to the dining room for a delightful meal. Congratulations to the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of Star in the East Lodge No. 59 for an outstanding Veteran’s Program.

Grand Master Celebrates Final Veterans Program of his Term with a Friend and Brother

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Most Worshipful Lobell cuts cake with Worshipful Brother Richard Perry and his son Worshipful Brother Dan Perry.

Article by Right Worshipful Brother David Collins, SGW

On Monday evening, Most Worshipful Brother John E. Lobdell held the last Veterans Program of his term at St Andrew’s Lodge No. 56 in Portsmouth. The program was held to honor Worshipful Brother Richard “Rick” Perry on being a Mason for 50 years. Brother Perry and Most Worshipful Brother Lobdell have known each other for many years as they had served together as Stewards in the Bektash Shrine.

Over sixty friends, family and Brethren attended the event. After enjoying a wonderful barbeque dinner prepared on by St. Andrews Lodge own “Chef Extraordinaire” Phil Frasier, they retired to the Lodge room for the presentation. Our Grand Master was then received with his suite and Brother Rick Perry’s son, Worshipful Brother Dan Perry, a Past Master of St. Andrews Lodge began the festivities thanking all for attending. It was explained that Worshipful Brother Rick Perry has been a member of St. Marks Lodge No. 44 in Derry since 1969 but is also an Honorary Member of St. Andrews Lodge No. 56. Brother Rick Perry then introduced all of his family and friends attending along with Brethren who came to support him from both of his Lodges. He was then presented his 50 year Medal by the Grand Master.

After the presentation Brother Perry took a few minutes to explain the many family ties he has to the Masonic fraternity and how much it has been such a great part of his life since he joined. Brother Perry hopes that more who join the fraternity will see the real value in it not just to say they are a member.

Most Worshipful Lobdell then concluded the program by thanking all for the great support that has been given to him in the past two years. The group then retired to the dining hall to enjoy some of the special cake that had been prepared for the occasion.

Star in the East Lodge No. 59 Helps a Special Lady

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Article by Right Worshipful Richard F. Cole, Jr.

Star in the East Lodge #59 in Exeter recently took on a project for a Special Lady, Estelle “Dusty” Decatur, the widow of recently passed Brother E. Forrest “Fox” Decatur. She had had an accident in her home and seriously injured one of her feet. As a result of the needed surgery and impaired mobility, Dusty was not able to return home following her hospitalization as her home was not wheelchair accessible.

When Dusty’s situation became known to a member of the Lodge, he approached the Lodge about assistance with installing a wheelchair ramp at her home. Worshipful Master Liam Stone and Exeter Masonic Association President Right Worshipful Dwane Staples collaborated on the project and, timing being propitious with a pending Stated meeting, the Lodge voted to pay half the cost of installing a ramp, with the Association paying the other half. Following the positive vote, RW Brother Staples contacted the independent contractor used by the Association for building repairs and he agreed to design and work with Lodge members on its construction.

  • Before the work began
  • Getting started
  • Richard, Dwane, and Mike
  • The Senior Warden supervises the Worshipful Master
  • The completed ramp
  • The completed ramp (2)

The ramp was designed, materials were obtained, and the work crew assembled at 8:00 AM on the chosen Saturday. Mother Nature blessed us with a great day to work outside and by 5:30 PM the ramp was completed, with no smashed fingers (that anyone admitted to) and there weren’t even too many mis-cut boards! In addition to the ramp, Lodge members also installed a handheld shower head, smoke/CO detectors, a handicapped tub bench and repaired her side door steps.

Special thanks go to the contractor, Peter Goodrich, who worked with us to get this project done in a timely manner and at a great price. He also has to be commended for putting up with a crew that included
Worshipful Master Liam Stone, Senior Warden Mike Daley, Jr.,
Marshal Rick Daley, Past Master Steve Fifield, Past Master Scott Burley,
Past District Deputy Grand Master Dwane Staples and yours truly.

To put it simply, this project was what Masonry is all about.

A Glorious Evening in Portsmouth

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On August 29, 2018, Brethren, family and friends gathered at the Masonic Lodge Building in Portsmouth, NH for a joint Masonic Veteran’s Program, co-hosted by St. John’s Lodge No. 1 and St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 56.

Following a delightful meal served in the dining hall, we ventured upstairs to the Lodge Room where the Worshipful Masters of both Lodges greeted guests, and then formally welcomed our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother John E. Lobdell and his distinguished suite.

The Worshipful Masters then introduced those brethren eligible to receive their 25 and 40 year pins. The program was then turned over to the Grand Master. The following honors were bestowed.

50 Year Veteran’s Medals:

Frank E. White – St. Andrew’s Lodge

Leo J. Axtin – St. John’s Lodge

 

60 Year Veteran’s Plaque: Knute H. Lundgren, Jr. – St. Andrew’s Lodge

Honorary Past Master of St. John’s Lodge: Ronald E. Metcalf

Major General John Sullivan Distinguished Service Medal in Bronze: Nicholas J. Caron – Past Master of St. John’s Lodge and DDGL of District No. 1

Congratulations to St. John’s Lodge No. 1 and St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 56 and those Brethren who were honored.

Masons Hold Cornerstone Ceremony for Hampton Academy

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From Seacoast Online, July 26, 2018
By Jesse Migneault / [email protected]
Original article at http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20180726/masons-hold-cornerstone-ceremony-for-hampton-academy

HAMPTON — School officials and Masons laid the ceremonial cornerstone to Hampton Academy’s addition and renovation Saturday, officially marking the project’s half-way point.

More than 30 Masons, including Grand Master John Lobdell of New Hampshire Masons, turned out for the cornerstone ceremony, as well as about 100 residents. The $25.9 million project started in July 2017 and is currently on track for completion to open for the 2019-20 school year.

Masons have held cornerstone ceremonies since George Washington, a Mason himself, laid the cornerstone for the US Capital. On the Seacoast, the Masonic cornerstone ceremony has been a tradition for public buildings for hundreds of years, including most recently the Dover Police Station.

Masonic members in attendance saw the ceremony not only as a chance to don aprons, coats, staffs and regalia, but also to share and educate the public about the historic ceremony.

“With us, education is king,” said Lobdell.

The Masonic cornerstone ceremony was conducted by the members of Saint James Lodge No. 102 in Hampton, who also donated the engraved cornerstone as a testament to their support of students and schools. Mason Richard Douillette said the ceremony is a chance for the Masons to make their presence known in the community, where they participate in several fundraising efforts each year.

Those present to witness the ceremony watched members of the lodge as they symbolically squared, leveled and plumbed the cornerstone, culminating with the grand master proclaiming the foundation stone was “well-formed, true and trusty.” Then three members took a silver chalice and blessed the stone with corn, wine and oil.

The actual installation of the stone was done by craftsmen on site from the construction company Bonnette Page and Stone, who with trowel in hand spread the mortar and placed the rectangle into the school’s new brick facade.

SAU 90 Superintendent Kathleen Murphy said the ceremony’s theme was one of combining the past with the present, as the renovation is designed to maintain the building’s historic appearance.

“This week we connected the old with new,” said Murphy to more than 100 people who gathered to witness the event.

As the Masonic cornerstone ceremony brought history to life on the outside, there were workers present inside the building crafting the still unfinished project. Earlier that same week construction crews had broken through a wall from the girls’ locker room, in the school’s original 1935 building, into the cafeteria.

As evidenced by the rising facades and new structures at the Academy, the construction process has seen significant progress this summer. The school’s new art wing will feature band and chorus rooms as well as art rooms and a kiln.

“There’s a lot of parts of this building that we tried to accentuate,” said Murphy. “Kids are going to have opportunities they hadn’t had in the past.”

Also, underway is the construction of new classrooms, which will include fully equipped science rooms. There’s also a unique semi-enclosed outdoor area that will provide students with outdoor access and safety for after lunch and before school.

The project experienced a small delay due to winter storms in March and the discovery of an unexpected burn dump. Murphy said that delay has been overcome and the Academy’s renovation and construction is now fully on track.

“It feels good. Very good,” she said.

Construction is expected to move into the old section of the Academy by September of this year, so there could still be more past meeting the present to come.

“Now that we’re going into the old section we got our fingers crossed we don’t find any more surprises,” said Murphy, “but you know, (the building was built in) 1935.”

Rockingham Lodge No. 76 Veterans Program

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It may have been rainy outside, but today within the walls of Rockingham Lodge No. 76 of Candia, the sun was shining brightly. That’s because the Lodge hosted a delightful Veterans and Special Ladies celebration. The event began with a cookout – a real team effort as Brethren and Lodge family members provided hot dogs, hamburgers and all the fixings. The Master, Worshipful Brother Sam Varjabedian then introduced the Special Ladies in attendance and presented a member of the Lodge with his 25-year pin. The Master then turned the proceedings over to our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother John E. Lobdell.

Our Grand Master began by presenting Brother Ralph B. Stanial with his 50-year Veteran’s medal and pin. M ∴ W ∴ Brother Lobdell then presented Brother Reginald Henshaw with his 70-year award and lapel pin. Brother Henshaw is the current holder of the Boston Post Cane for Candia, being the oldest resident of the town.

Various friends and family members were on-hand to witness these great milestones. Congratulations to Rockingham Lodge No. 76 for brightening our day!

Tucker Lodge Brother Initiated at William Pitt Tavern

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Article by Right Worshipful Brother Roger Retzke

Tucker Lodge No. 99 held an Entered Apprentice Degree at the historic William Pitt Tavern on April 7th for Bro. David M. Hersey. The William Pitt Tavern is preserved in Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth, as the birthplace of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire and example of colonial period lodging. Space is limited but it holds a “never to be forgotten” opportunity for the candidate in a 1770’s Lodge Room which predates the United States.

A Message From An Australian Brother

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Email by Brother Brain Nield

“I am an Australian Freemason, twice Past Master of my mother lodge Celtic of Ithaca, No 84 on the roll of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, Australia. I am also a Past Master (of) Reservoir lodge No 365 in Victoria, now alas not on the roll due to a merger. And that’s enough about me so here is my story.

In 2001 my wife got a job exchange in NH and in August or September I visited St Johns No 1 lodge. The Master was Bill Sawyer and he was standing outside the front door welcoming members and visitors and he welcomed me warmly.

I had a great night and became a regular visitor. I was allowed to do little bits of work in the rituals from time to time and sometimes a final charge from my own rituals.

What a great lesson this was in Freemasonry, 28 hours away from home but amongst people I still call friends today.”

 

Grand Master Presents Centenarian Award to Bro. Robert Craig

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On March 22, 2018, Most Worshipful Grand Master John E. Lobdell traveled to the New Hampshire Veteran’s Home in Tilton to attend the monthly Square and Compasses meeting at the home and to present the Centenarian Award to Brother Robert Craig. Bro. Craig is a resident at the Home and a member of St. John’s Lodge No. 1 in Portsmouth NH.

Bro. Craig’s birthday was actually on February 17th, but the presentation was delayed due to the Veteran’s Home being closed to visitors during that time because of health concerns for residents. Bro. Craig’s family was in attendance as well as several Masons who are residents along with several visiting Masons from local Lodges. Joining Most Worshipful Brother Lobdell for the presentation were Worshipful Brother Rob Johnson, Master of St. John’s Lodge #1, and Right Worshipful Brother David Cumming, DDGM of District 5.

After Most Worshipful Brother Lobdell presented the award, Bro. Craig insisted on standing to express his appreciation for the award, and is seen standing with the support of his oldest son and the Grand Master.

Celebrating 150 Years at Gideon Lodge No. 84

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Celebrating 150 Years at Gideon Lodge by Right Worshipful Brother Larry Sprague, Junior Grand Deacon

Saturday, June 25, 2017: On a steamy but beautiful summer day, the members of Gideon Lodge No. 84 gathered to witness the New Hampshire Grand Lodge re-dedication their Lodge. Gideon Lodge is celebrating their 150th year of existence. Following the introduction of distinguished guests, Worshipful Brother John Paiva handed the gavel of authority to Most Worshipful Brother John E. Lobdell, Grand Master. Our Grand Master was accompanied by the Line Officers. A formal re-dedication ceremony was witnessed by 72 guests, including New Hampshire Governor John Sununu.

Following a series of programs on DeMolay (Worshipful Brother Sam Varjabedian) and the history of the Lodge (Most Worshipful Brother Stew Aronson and Right Worshipful Brother Ken Weyler), the Master asked our Grand Master to close the Lodge. Guests convened outside to view the unveiling of a NH State Historical Marker, then enjoyed a BBQ dinner.

Congratulations to Gideon Lodge No. 84 on a great event!

Additional photos from Gideon Lodge’s event are available here.