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.

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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.

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.