Article by Right Worshipful David Collins, SGW

Over fifty Brethren, friends and family from around the State gathered recently at Chocorua Lodge No. 83 in Holderness on a warm spring-like evening. They were there to celebrate the 100^th Birthday of Brother Harold A. Webster, Jr.  Brother Webster is a member of Chocorua Lodge No. 83 and Evening Star Lodge No. 37 in Colebrook.

The evening started off with a wonderful barbeque pork dinner prepared by “Master Chef” and Chocorua Lodge Master Worshipful Brother David Hughes, ending with a large birthday cake and ice cream. The group then retired to the Lodge room for the formal presentations.  After welcoming remarks by Worshipful Master Hughes, Senior Grand Warden Right Worshipful Brother David Collins who is also a Past Master of Evening Star Lodge, spoke about the work Brother Webster did in that Lodge while he was an officer. One interesting memory was along the time he was a Lodge Officer, Brother Webster also owned a local establishment Tall Timber Lodge in Pittsburg. Brother Collins related Harold hosting many annual summertime Masonic Degrees at the Pittsburg location, it being the only time that Degree work was done in New Hampshire West of the Connecticut River (the Connecticut River is the Western border of NH below Pittsburg, but the Town of Pittsburg itself is at the source of the river and the entire community is actually located West of the river but still in NH). Then Illustrious Brother William Larson, Commander in Chief of NH Consistory and Illustrious Brother Mark Roth, Deputy for NH Scottish Rite presented formal certificates to Brother Webster, honoring his 100^th Birthday. They thanked him for being a member of Scottish Rite in New Hampshire for over 45 years – this month is the anniversary of him joining.

The program then moved to Right Worshipful Brother Ken Clay, the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge for the Centenarian Plaque presentation. Brother Webster related to Brother Clay some stories of his life. Though Harold was born in Concord, NH, his family moved to Holderness when he was four to a farm there where he grew up. After completing high school Brother Webster purchased a 1936 Chevrolet and drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he got work for a mining company. World War II then broke out and he was summoned back to Manchester, NH for the Draft. Harold was not drafted due to vision issues but continued to work and further this education. He taught for a time at the University of New Hampshire but stated: “that vocation wasn’t for him”. Brother Webster spent most of his career in geology and surveying but in the early 1970s after recalling a wonderful childhood fishing trip to the Pittsburg, NH area he moved there. During that time he became the proprietor of a local fishing and hunting cottage named Tall Timber Lodge on Back Lake. He lived in Northern New Hampshire for over thirty years but home was calling and he moved back to Holderness, NH in the mid 2000s. He now makes his home there with his Wife,  Joy. Brother Webster commented how overwhelmed and thrilled he was with the large turnout in his honor.  The program concluded with Right Worshipful Brother Clay thanking Brother Webster for all he has done in his life and living the tenants of Freemasonry, but most especially for showing us how he makes 100 years look so easy.

Brother Roy Newton, a member of Gorham-Sabatis Lodge No. 73 in Gorham, had a passion for supporting and giving to Toys for Tots. Since his father’s passing in 2013, Brother Scott Newton also a member of Gorham-Sabatis, has endeavored to keep his legacy alive by his diligent work in contributing to Toys for Tots.

Earlier this year Scott proposed that his ATV club, Presidential ATV Club, run a toy drive in support of their effort. A few weeks ago the club asked Scott to chair this toy drive. Brother Newton reached out to his Lodge for their help and his Brothers answered the call. On Saturday, October 27th, the club, assisted by the Brothers of Gorham-Sabatis Lodge, had their first ever ATV toy drive from Gorham to Berlin.

North Star Lodge No 8 has been a long-time supporter of local charitable causes. This was shown recently with a presentation at their Veterans and Special Ladies program.

The Caring Quilters of Northern NH is a group who began sewing and sending quilts to people in need after a large tsunami hit Japan in 2011. This went so well that the group continued their work and to date they have sent over 900 quilts to people in need around the USA and into Canada. In 2017, then Master Worshipful Brother Paul Bouchard,  became aware of their cause and had the Lodge make a small donation to assist them with supplies. In 2018 the Lodge wished to continue this support at a larger level so they had a Yard Sale specifically earmarked for this group. Using the assistance of the Grand Lodge Matching Funds Program, the Lodge was able to present a check for $662.67 for purchase of quilting supplies so this charitable work can continue.

Pictured are Most Worshipful Brother John Lobdell, Grand Master; Worshipful Brother David Howe, Master of North Star Lodge; Ginny Haines & Gretchen Muzzey of the Caring Quilters and Worshipful Brother Paul Bouchard, Past Master of North Star Lodge.

Recently, at the John Baker Annual educational night in District No. 8, Right Worshipful Brother David Rich, District Deputy Grand Master awarded the annual “Mason of the Year Award” to Right Worshipful Brother Dennis A. Sheridan, Past District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 8 and present District Deputy Grand Lecturer of the District. Brother Sheridan is no stranger to Brethren around the state. Originally a member of White Mountain Lodge No. 86, which has since merged with North Star Lodge No. 8 in Lancaster, Bro. Sheridan has spent decades distinguishing himself in Masonry. In Blue Lodge, he holds the Major General John Sullivan Distinguished Service Award in Gold and the Jeremy Ladd Cross Award.

He is a member of the appendant bodies and holds awards from the prestigious 33^rd Degree and Meritorious Service Award in the Scottish Rite to being a Past Head of all of the New Hampshire Grand York Rite Bodies and numerous honorary York Rite Bodies too numerous to list here. If that alone isn’t enough he is the Secretary of most of these bodies today.

However, for all who know Brother Sheridan, they also know he is a consummate Mason. He stays active in every body he is a member of and acts as a mentor to all Masons both long-time and newly raised. Anyone who observes him knows he does this for the satisfaction of promoting Masonry to his fellow Brethren. Due to this tireless effort R ∴ W ∴ Bro. David Rich, DDGM presented R ∴ W ∴ Bro. Dennis A. Sheridan with the Mason of the Year Award for District No. 8 for 2017.

On November 18, 2016, Gorham-Sabatis Lodge No. 73 of Gorham, NH used the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire Matching Funds program to make a $400 donation to the Medallion Opera House located in the Gorham Town Hall. The funds will be used to light the new marquee. Worshipful Brother John Loven, District Education Officer of the 8th Masonic District, presented the check to Denise Vallee, Vice Chairman of the Opera House committee, in front of a sold out show.

Many of the programs presented by the Medallion Opera House raise money for local charities. The Adam Ezra Group was playing and they are known for their work with veteran organizations and local charities wherever they play. Several members of the Lodge work a snack table in the Opera House lobby taking only donations for the water, popcorn, candy, chips and baked goods. $200.00 in donations for a single show is not uncommon.

Congratulations for the contributions that these Brethren make to support the arts in Gorham!