Lodge News
Master and Wardens Retreat ‘05
The Worshipful Master and Wardens from
Mt. Pickering, along with one Past Master participated in our 2nd
annual Retreat to Glen Island, near Picton, Ontario, Canada. Once again the highlight of the trip was
the visitation to Prince Arthur Lodge #228, GRC. This year dispensation was requested and
received (both in PA and ON) to exemplify the Fellowcraft Masons Degree. The Degree was exemplified by Brother
“Buster” Updegrove, who gave an outstanding degree. We were excited to find that in addition
to the brethren we had met last year, the DDGM for the Frontenac District, at
least 5 Past DDGMs, 11 sitting Worshipful Masters accompanied by Brethren from
their respective Lodges were in attendance for this meeting. Brother Rick presented the Officers from
Prince Arthur, who assisted us in the work, with Mt. Pickering baseball
hats. The Officers of Mt. Pickering
were presented with several tokens from the Frontenac District and Prince
Arthur Lodge. A new tradition was
begun, when the Officers of Mt. Pickering were presented with a Walking Stick
devised and created by the Brethren of the Frontenac District, symbolizing
traveling a great distance for the purpose of providing Masonic Education. We were honored to be the first
recipients of the Walking Stick. A
special thank you goes to Brother Roger Monahan, who served as the Candidate
for the degree work. We were
informed that two of the Brethren in Canada plan on visiting with us in
October, and that they are attempting to put together a bus trip in May 2006 to
bring 40 or so Brethren with them, possibly exemplifying their Master
Mason’s Degree. We look
forward to seeing these Brethren again, and continuing the tradition that we
have started.
Strawberry Night ‘05
After our stated meeting on June 13th,
we had our annual Strawberry night.
We also enjoyed our 73rd annual visitation of Fernwood Lodge
#543. This tradition dates back to
when I. Newton Evans, Sr. served as Worshipful Master. We also had our 21st annual
visitation from Florence Lodge #87 (GL of New Jersey). Also visiting were brethren from several
other lodges, whom we were also pleased to have visiting with us. We look forward to several more years of
shared fellowship and brotherhood.
We had 135 quarts of Strawberries and 18 gallons of Ice Cream to be
served. Thank you to all of the
brethren who turned out to help prepare the Strawberries. The 2 hours of work was well worth the
effort and is greatly appreciated.
Grand Lodge of Delaware Visitation
On 14 March 2005, Mt. Pickering Lodge
#446 was again honored by a visitation from the Most Worshipful Grand Master of
Masons from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
of Delaware and his Grand Staff.
Most Worshipful Donald D. Thomas was presented with a mantel clock by
Acting Worshipful Master, Philip T. Green, and then gave a short speech.
Unfortunately Bro. Rick Hansen, WM was unable to attend, due to illness. This was the 67th visitation
of the Grand Lodge of Delaware to Mt. Pickering Lodge. Prior to the meeting we had our annual
Ham and Oyster Dinner. The
visitation was greatly enjoyed, and we look forward to hosting the Grand Lodge
of Delaware again next year.
Pictured are: Bro. Mark A. Haines, DDGM, 7th
Masonic District, Bro. Robert J. Taylor, DDGM, Masonic District B, Bro. Philip
T. Green, Acting Worshipful Master, Most Worshipful Brother Donald D. Thomas,
Grand Master of Delaware, Bro. Thomas Gamon, IV, DDGM 40th Masonic
District, and Right Worshipful Ronald W. Conaway, Deputy Grand Master of
Delaware.
Prudence #11 (PHA) Visitation
On November 22nd, eight
members of Mt. Pickering Lodge #446 traveled to 4301 N. Broad Street in
Philadelphia to visit with our Brothers at Prudence Lodge #11 (PHA). We were greeted warmly and enjoyed a
very nice fraternal visit. We look
forward to seeing these Brothers again in the near future. Attending this visit were Charles E.
Groff, Jr., WM, George S. Robinson, Jr., PM, Rance M. Strunk, Sr., PM, Harry
Gebhart, PM, Frederick A. Hansen, SW, Philip T. Green, JW, Clarence B. Updegrove, SD, and John G.
Hagee, JMC.
Fernwood Visitation
On October 14th, eight
members of Mt. Pickering traveled to Philadelphia to visit with our brethren at
Fernwood Lodge #543. This
visitation has been held annually for over 70 years, and is always a good
time. Any brethren who have not yet
gone on this visitation should plan to do so. Below is a photo taken by Fernwood’s
Webmaster. A hearty thank you to
the members of Fernwood Lodge, who made it truly a night to remember. We look forward to seeing you again in
June.
Grand Lodge Tour and lunch on the Spirit of Philadelphia
On Saturday, September 18th,
2004 the 40th Masonic District took a tour of the Pennsylvania Grand
Lodge then took a cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia. Although the weather was not the best, a
good time was had by all. Thank you
for your participation.
Instruction in the Work
Even though the lodge goes dark for July
and August each year, we still have Instruction in the Work every Monday night
at 7:30 PM at the Masonic Hall.
Please come out if you would like to start learning the work, or would
like to brush up on that which is lost… or just come out and enjoy the fellowship. We try to have some fun each week as the
brethren who attend are giving up some of their free time.
Master and Wardens Retreat ‘04
The Worshipful Master and other officers
of the line participated in a retreat to Glen Island, near Picton, Ontario,
Canada from June 20th through the 23rd 2004. The centerpiece of this retreat was a
visit with our brethren at Prince Arthur Lodge #228 in the Grand Lodge of
Canada in the Province of Ontario.
We were called upon to show our signs for the three degrees as well as
the manner in which the apron is worn in each degree. A good time was had by all at this
visitation, and we were told that several of the members of Prince Arthur Lodge
would like to attend one of our meetings.
I have placed a new link on the site to the Frontenac Masonic District
site, which contains some outstanding information; please take the time to look
at their site. I must confess that
we did some fishing, but not a whole lot of catching while on this trip. While I don’t have the official
count, I believe that our Worshipful Master caught the most fish. Brother Rick was the most anxious to
fish, if he wasn’t on the boat, he was looking for a good place to catch
off the side of the island. Brother
Buster turned out to be the Goby King, and Brother Phil had the honor of
catching the smallest fish a whopping 3” goby, so much for those mile and
a half casts…