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The Grand Master's MessageREPLACE YOURSELF and We' ll TravelTogether Toward the New Millennium.Brethren:A short time ago, I sent a personal letter to you - and everyPennsylvania Mason -asking for your help. I asked for your personal commitment to do just one thing: "REPLACE YOURSELF!"I'd like to think that every Pennsylvania Mason has taken thatcommitment seriously. I hope you are one of the Masons whoalready has followed through on your commitment and talkedto a worthy friend about Freemasonry, telling him who weare, what we believe and what we do. Remember, Brethren,each of us represents Freemasonry in our community. We arelooked upon as men of fine character and esteem because ofour good works, charity and brotherhood.We do so much that is good for so many. We work to makegood men better, serve humanity charitably, and benefit ourcommunities. We are able to do this because we are a fraternity of men bonded for the good of mankind. For us to continue to do our good works, we must sustain that brotherhood. At the least, we must have a stable membership; optimistically, we will see it grow.That's why your commitment to REPLACE YOURSELF is notonly important, it's key to the future of your lodge and our fraternity. I am opposed to solicitation, and quite frankly, I don'tfeel we have to solicit I sincerely believe that when good andworthy men can see what Masons- men of quality- are doingin the communities, they will want to be part of our brotherhood. Remember, as we work to build membership, we have anobligation and an objective to sustain membership quality.So, "quality" is more than a "buzz word." As a man of quality yourself, it follows that a person you would select to tellabout Freemasonry would be one whom you would appreciatehaving as a member of your lodge. Therefore, like you, hewould be of good character, enjoy a favorable standing in society, and be fit to be made a Mason - a man you would bepleased to call "brother."If you haven't done so already, I hope you will offer a worthyfriend the Friend to Friend brochure that came with my per-sonal letter. Your friend willlearn that he has to ask; andwhen he does, you have a petition and know what to do.The outstanding charitable activities that the lodges are carrying forth in their communities because of the MatchingCharity Grants Program suggest that there should be a growing potential of interested men aware of the good works ofMasons. I call to your attention the cover story in this issueof The Pennsylvania FreeTTlllSon reporting the gratifying,extensive charitable services lodges are giving to their friendsand neighbors in communities across Pennsylvania.In the first five months, more than 200 applications fromlodges for matching grants totalling nearly a quarter of a million dollars have been approved for committed local charitableprojects. Since these are matching funds, that means thatalready almost a half-million dollars of good work is helpingindividuals and service agencies in communities across theCommonwealth - and each local lodge earns the sole recognition as the benefactor.Most of our lodges called off from labor for the months of julyand August, but Masonic enthusiasm has remained alive andwell through the summer. Our presence on the Internetoffers a new way to keep the light of Freemasonry glowingeven while the lodges are dark. Every day, more and morepeople - Masons and friends, from near and around theworld - are clicking on to the home page of the Grand Lodgeof Pennsylvania. More than 15,000 had accessed the homepage and hundreds have signed in with messages in the guestbook. Cyberspace communication with your fraternity is asnear as your phone line and computer.These are progressive, exciting, and challenging times as weapproach the 21st Century and Masonry in Pennsylvania is ona positive course. I ask you again to take your commitmentseriously, REPLACE YOURSELF and we'll continue to travelthat same road together toward the new millennium.Sincerely and fraternally,VJSJT US ON l.HE INTERNET:pagran odge.org2The Pennsylvania Freemason I August 1998 t tfnil James L. Ernette,R.W. Grand MasterMatching GrantsProgram a GrandSuccess and GrowingAcross StateOutreach Helps toPave the Road to aHigher Quality of LifeNothing is more tragic than when a child isstricken with a terminal disease.Masons across the state are reaching outand touching the lives of many peoplethrough their generosity and concern fortheir fellow man. With their participation inthe Masonic Matching Charities FundProgram, the lodges are doubling their charitable impact.In five months of receiving applications in the Matching CharitiesGrants Program, there were 323"Perfect Matches" totalling 233,654 approved for 191lodges statewide. As a result oflodge commitments that hadbeen matched as of July 1, therewere at least 467,300 in charity contributions available to serve communities acrossthe state. In the program, all approvedlodge commitments are doubled, but theactual presentation to the recipient charity ismade by way of one check from the lodgewith no mention of the Grand Lodge participation. The local lodge and its memberstake full credit for the contribution in theirhome community.In reporting on the program at the QuarterlyCommunication of Grand Lodge, PastGrand Master Samuel C. Williamson,Chairman of the Matching GrantsCommittee, said: "The program has becomesuccessful more rapidly than anticipated.The interest in the program is statewide. {Asof June 1) District 14 had 100% participation and 13 other districts had at least 50%of their lodges involved in the program."It is interesting to observe how dramaticallythe participation grew. The program wasannounced at the Annual GrandCommunication, Dec. 27. No applicationswere received in January. By the end ofFebruary, there were eight. In March, therewere 21 more. During April and Maythere were 237 applications!Some of the recipients of grants are:Individual medical and hardship cases,TOP: FrankfordLodge No. 292,Philadelphia,granted funds tohelp the Comm·unity Core Centerof the Northeast Provide home core to the homebound.CENTER: Masons of the 8th Masonic District matchedfunds raised jointly by the Knights of Columbus andMasons for Easter Seals.BOTTOM: Masons of Volley Lodge No. 797 raisedover 5,000 grilling steak dinners to benefit The TylerStiely Medical Fund.Easter Seals, scholarships, school citizenshipprograms, youth organizations, AmericanRed Cross, neighborhood playgrounds,Make-A-Wish Foundation, hospital volunteers services, food banks, American CancerSociety, Habitat for Humanity, nursing homecare, Blind Association, United Way, volunteer fire departments, neo·natal care facilities,Special Olympics, and more.Status Reports and a summary of the types ofrecipients of the Masonic Matching CharityGrants are updated regularly on thePennsylvania Grand Lodge page on theInternet at «pagrandloclge.org».Here's an example of how Masons reach out tothose who need help. In early April, Outreachreceived a call from a person who knew some·one in the community "needing help." AsJohn Suchanec, Outreach Director, explained,Tyler Heckendorn, a seven-year-old boy, hadbeen stricken with cancer. Paralyzed from thewaist down and confined to a wheelchair, thisyoung boy nevertheless is still full of hope andlife. Their home is along a short, unpavedcountry road. Both parents took time fromtheir employment to take care of their son.Finances and the stress of caring for their sonwas taking a toll. They had no choice but tolook to the community for help and the community responded!An admissions counselor, representing theMasonic Homes, visited the home to assess thefamily's needs. The counselor determined thatthis young boy needed a way to get outside andenjoy his surroundings. If the driveway werepaved he would be able to move around outside, collect the mail for his mom and dad, visitwith the neighbors' animals, and get somemuch needed fresh air.Friends in the community, Masonic lodges, andsome celebrities came together to find a way tohelp. Local contractors donated time, money,material, and labor to reduce the original cost ofthe project by 75 percent. Funds were collectedby local lodges and increased by MatchingMasonic Charity Grants, and various privateindividuals. By May, the driveway was built.TylerHeckendornenjoys beingoutdoors nowthat he canmove aroundon the newlypaved drivewayleading fromhis home.The Cover Serving mankind in their communitiesare (photos clockwise from upper left): Masons of District I 7moved everything from a piano to flying pans for an auction thatraised 7,000, then matched the proceeds to help the NorthernTier Children's Home. Bluestone Lodge No. 338, Great Bendgave a grant to purchase mats and weight-lifting equipment for theBlue Ridge H.S. Wrestling Club. Stephen Bayard Lodge No. 526,Elizabeth, matched funds raised at a spaghetti dinner to help JamesShaffer, a two-times recipient of liver transplants. Brethren ofChester Lodge No. 236 construct a foot bridge at Girl Scout CampSunset Hill. Cassia·ML Horeb, Ardmore, equipped the UpperDarby Little League with uniforms and caps. See story about theMatching Grants Program above.The Pennsylvania Freemason I August 19983

District 17 Masons Join With Galeton Lodge Float For Region-wide ParadesFor the past several years, the members ofGaleton Lodge No. 602 have built a"Masons Honor Veterans" float andentered it in the local Fourth of Julyparade. It took a lot of work, but thebrethren enjoyed themselves. It madesuch a big impression on their community that they decided it would be great formembers of the nine lodges of the 17thMasonic District to march together duringthe Summer with a bigger float in community parades throughout the NorthernTier of Pennsylvania. Gary B. Stahley,D.D.G.M., agreed.Galeton Lodge built a bigger float with thesame theme on a 40-foot flatbed trailerand invited the lodges in the District tojoin in parades throughout the region.Each lodge has been asked for volunteermarchers; not just for the parade in its owncommunity, but for all of the seven paradesscheduled for this Summer. Edward K. Bailey,P.M., the Galeton Lodge Secretary, explainedthat with each lodge committing up to tenmembers, there would be 50 to 100 Masonsin regalia to march with the float.The communities are directly involvedwith the float. For each parade, there areto be ten to 15 students from the respective high schools posing as historical characters . Their participation not onlyinvolves people from the community, butalso by not having Masons do the acting, itassures that the maximum number ofbrethren will be available as marchers.The float depicts veterans in various historical scenes, starting with GeorgeWashington crossing the Delaware. Forthe Civil War, a life-size papier-machereplica of the Friend to Friend statue atGettysburg was crafted. For World War II,the scene has four or five students in uniform raising the flag at Iwo Jima. Studentsin uniform represent the Korean War,Vietnam War, and Desert Storm. At theback of the float is a 12-foot high Squareand Compasses replica.Former Football Pro Raised in Lodge No. 41 0During a statedmeeting of W.K.Bray Lodge No.41 0, Hatboro, theSenior Wardensof the EighthMasonic DistrictconferredtheMaster MasonDegree on J.Wayne Sadowski (third from left), a former Cleveland Browns Football player. At sixft. -six and 355 pounds, Bro. Sadowski is the largest mason ever raised in W. K. BrayLodge. Pictured with the new Mason are (1-r): Richard Haver, P.M., Guide; Thomas R.Eynon, P.M., D.D.G.M.; Bro. Sadowski; Charles P. Metzger, W.M. of W. K. Bray Lodge;Jeffrey L. Eichen, S.W., Doylestown Lodge No. 245, who was the conferring Master;and Clarence Heffendrager, P.M., P.D.D.G.M.Mason Travels to Oklahoma for Prosthesis, GetsRed Carpet Treatment and Lots of Help.By Alvin S. Goodman, P.M., WiUiam S. Snyder Lodge No. 756, HarrisburgTwo G.M.'s Visit and State Police Degree Team Confers in Busy Month at Lodge 648It was a most interesting and busy fraternal month of March for H.Stanley Goodwin Lodge No. 648, Bethlehem. The lodge welcomedthe Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, the GrandMaster of Prince Hall, officers and official party members from bathGrand Lodges, and a State Police Degree Team.The speaker for the stated meeting on March 18 was the Rev.Thomas A. Jackman, Sr., M.W. Grand Master of Prince Hall GrandLodge. He was accompanied by several Prince Hall Grand Lodgeofficers and 21 members of subordinate lodges in the area. GrandMaster Jackman spoke on the history of Prince Hall Masonry. Therewere 114 Masons present for the meeting.R.W. Grand Master James L. Emette was present in H. StanleyGoodwin Lodge, Bethlehem, March 25, when a State PoliceDegree Team conferred the Master Mason's Degree on TrooperMichael Thomas Ruhf (center left). The conferring Master was .retired State Police Sgt. Evan J. Jones, P.M., Union Lodge No. A week later, Grand Master James L. Ernette was joined by Grand291 . Other members of the State Police who were present or par- Master Jackman when a State Police Degree Team conferred theMaster Mason Degree on Trooper Michael Ruhf. Accompanyingticipating in the conferral were: Sgt. Homer Jones (ret.); Cpls.GrandMaster Ernette were: William Slater II, R.W. Junior GrandJames J. Shultz, Gary F. Shoener, Richard W. Armbrust, and JohnWarden;Marvin G. Speicher, R.W. Grand Treasurer; Edward 0 .P. Madison; and Troopers William R. Quinn (ret.), Paul E.Weisser,R.W.Past Grand Master; and eight others in the GrandBickelman (ret.), Robert H. Robbins, Patrick J. Foy, Carl E. Mease,John G. Richards, Sean P. Jennings, Harrison F. Balthaser, Harold Lodge party. Accompanying Grand Master Jackman were: eightS. McElroy, David S. Jones, and John R. Oakey.other Grand Lodge officers, 12 D.D.G.M.s; and four P.D.D.G.M.s.4The Pennsylvania Freemason I August 1998Elmer Kenneth Gronlund came along way for his 50-Year Emblemof Gold. He traveled from Orlando, FLto Alliquippa Lodge No. 375 where thepresentation was made by Jay E.McElravy, P.D.D.G.M., 49th District.When he returned to Florida, hereceived 50-year recognition from theScottish Rite Valley of Orlando andBahia Shrine. Prior to moving south in1954, he was a member of those bodiesin Pittsburgh. John G. Good of Beaver was 21on May 8, 1923, when he wasinitiated in McKinley-Stuckrath LodgeNo. 318, Pittsburgh. Last May 2, at adinner prior to the stated meeting of thelodge, Bro. Good, now 96, was awarded a 75-Year Masonic ServiceCertificate by Donald M. Murphy,D.D.G.M., 55th Masonic District. Hiswife, son, and daughter-in-law wereguests at the dinner when he receivedthe award.lQ! The Hand of BrotherhoodThe ''Masons Honor Veterans" float that has been winning prizes in community parades throughout the 17th Masonic District depicts veterans in various historical scenes, starting with (left photo) George Washington crossing the Delaware; (middle photo) the Civil War witha life·slze papier-mache replica of the Friend to Friend statue at Gettysburg and the World War II flag-raising at Iwo ]ima; and (rightphoto) the Korean War, VIetnam War, and Desert Storm. At the back of the float is a 12foot high Square and Compasses replica./&' 1 When Darwin J. Moyer of Dillsburg wentto Oklahoma City earlier this year toreceive an artificial leg, replacing oneamputated because of cancer, he hoped tovisit Masonic lodges during his three-weekstay. What he received was the helpinghand of brotherhood and a red carpettreatment by Oklahoma Masons.Prior to the trip, Bro. Moyer, 60, of RobertBurns Lodge No. 464, Harrisburg, askedJohn E. Adams, Jr., P.M., Secretary of theScottish Rite Bodies in the Valley ofHarrisburg, about lodges in OklahomaCity. Bro. Adams put him in touch with hisScottish Rite counterpart in OklahomaCity, T. Max Tatum, who also is theSecretary of the Grand Lodge of A. F. &A.M., Oklahoma.The helping hand of brotherhood wasextended the moment Bro. Moyer got offthe plane. He was met by four Oklahomabrethren, Fred Dittman, Marc Garriott,Bob Acuff, and John Karayianis. "Am Iever glad to see you," Bro. Moyer said,adding that he would never have beenable to handle his two carry-ons and suitcase while walking with two metalCanadian crutches.Bro. Moyer had to travel to Oklahomabecause the clinic there is the only oneholding the patent For the unique springloaded prosthesis that he needed. It tooka week to construct his prosthesis andtwo weeks of physical therapy. "Icouldn't believe that three weeks went sofast," Bro. Moyer said. While there, hewas given a tour of the city, includingthe site of the infamous Federal buildingbombing, taken to meetings and dinners and helped in so many hospitableways. First, his Four greeters invited himto attend their lodge, Bethany LodgeNo. 529. Then, C.W. "Pete" Peterson,Chaplain of Siloan Lodge No. 236,invited him to attend his lodge's dinnerand meeting. Before he left OklahomaCity, both lodges voted to make him anhonorary member.Despite his medical problems, he isvery active. He works in the office ofthe Majority Leaderof the Pennsyl- atl Pvania House ofRepresentatives, John M.Perzel. In 1997 he was /elected to Dillsburg · .Borough Council and ( .named its President. Heis a member of theScottish Rite Bodies,Zembo Shrine, andthe Tall Cedars ofLebanon, allHarrisburg. Kenneth P. Weslager, P.M., retired as· Secretary of Glasgow Lodge No.485, Shippingport after 38 years of service. A dis.tinguished visito from· Australia, Robert M. Ta1t (left),R.W. Past Junior Grand Warden of theGrand Lodge of New South Wales, waswelcomed to Pennsylvania by James L.Ernette, R.W. Grand Master, during hisvisitation to Chandler Lodge No. 227,Reading, May 9, for its 150thAnniversary. Bro. Tait was in the UnitedStates for the World Conference ofGrand Lodges in New York earlier in theweek and remained for a visit with hisgood friend, Thomas W. Jackson {right),R.W. Grand Secretary. He was invitedto accompany the Grand Master for thevisitation.Bro. Darwin J. MoyerThe Pennsylvania FreemasonI August 19985

Speakers on Prevention of Addiction AttendInformative One-Day SeminarMore than 50Masonsfromacross the statewho speak inlodges and topublicgroupsabout the prevention of drug andalcoholabuseamong childrenreceived valuableinput for theirmessages duringa day-long Pennsylvania MasonicFoundation forChildren Speakers' Seminar May9 in Harrisburg.Sgt. and Bro.Glenn Young, ofthe New SewickleyTwp. Police Department, demonstrated a model ofa talking roboticsKID Car that hecreated and built.It not only is verypopular amongyoungsters, it is aJoseph W. WiHe (center), Executive tremendous teachDirector of the Pennsylvania Foundation ing tool for safetyfor Children, along with Andrew Pecuch awareness and drug(left), a volunteer speaker from C. Grant and alcohol prevenBrittingham Lodge No. 788, Woodside, tion education.discusses the importance of "Media Deborah McCoy,Literacy'' training with the seminar's ini- a consultant fortialspeaker, Christopher Uoyd. Seated in the PennsylvaniaThe seminarthecenter is Thomas Budner, of Indiana Departmentopened with anofLodgeNo. 313.informationEducation ,brought the speakpacked presentation on "Media Literacy" byers up to date on the growth and effectiveness of the Student AssistanceChristopher Lloyd, a high school mediaProgram across the state. She alsoinstructor. He has spoken nationwide,presented tips on public speaking.on Capitol Hill, and on network television about the impact of ma ni pulativeIn the closing segment, Officer Danielmedia messages. Using video clips, heRichmond of the Philadelphia Policedemonstrated how commercials Department,and Officer John Lyons ofespecially those for addictive productsTwp. Police Department,theAbingtonsuch a s a lcohol and tobacco - aredefinedthe roles and sucrespectively,crafted to manipulate. He said that heoftheD.A.R.E.and G.R.E.A.T.cessesteaches young people how commerProgramsandtheimportanceof thecials are constructed and how togivenbytheMasonsofsupport"deconstruct" them logically to avoidPennsylvania.being manipulated.New D.D.G.M. Presented1948 and served as Most Excellent High Priest in 1953. Hewas greeted in Joppa Council of Royal and Select MasterMasons No. 46 in 1948 and served as Thrice IllustriousMaster in 1957. From 1953 to 1962, he served as a DistrictDeputy Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter ofPennsylvania. Bro. Diamond was Worshipful Master ofExcelsior Mark Lodge No. 2 16, Philadelphia, in 1961. In1967 and 1968, he served as the Most Excellent Grand HighPriest of the Grand Chapter.He has been active in York Rite Bodies andserved as Most Excellent High Priest ofMonongahela Royal Arch Chapter No. 249 andGeneralissimo of McKean Commandery No.80, Knights Templar, both in 1996. He holdsmembership in the Allied Masonic Degrees,Mon Valley Council No. 330. He is a memberof Scottish Rite, Valley of Harrisburg, and amember of Zembo Shrine, A.A.O.N.M.S.Bro. Shannon, 37, a tool, die, and gaugemaker, is a manager at Harley Davidson MotorCo. in York. He served in the U.S. Army 197784. He and his wife, Patricia, have two children, John J., Ill, and Jennifer l.Officers of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and several other area Masons were initiated as Honorary Alumni members of the AcaciaFraternity in Egyptian Hall of the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. The ceremonies followed a formal dinner in the Wanamaker Room ofthe Temple where the Grand Master hosted Acacia International dignitaries who presided over the initiation rites.At the conclusion of the initiation, the Grand Master announced presentations to be made to Franklin Chapter to begin the "Brother James L. ErnetteScholarship Fund." The scholarship will be available to any Franklin Chaptermember who becomes a Pennsylvania Freemason. Also announced werecontributions from Hiram Lodge No. 81 and St. Alban-Swain Lodge No. 529to begin a permanent fund for Franklin Chapter. Any lodge desiring to helpFranklin Chapter with a donation can do so by contacting the ChapterAdvisor, Joseph DiPinto, Jr., D.D.G.M., District C.Members ofFranklin Chapter of the Acacia Fraternity who conferredan initiation in the Masonic Temple are shown with]ames L. Emette{front center), R. W. Grand Master, and joseph DiPinto, ]r. {frontright}, who were among the initiates. To the left of the Grand Masteris ]it Seng Oon of the Chapter.The Pennsylvania Freemason I August 1998He was a member of LuLu Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; the GrandCouncil of the Allied Masonic Degrees; Erin Council, KnightMasons of the United States; the Philalethes Society; GrandCollege of Rites; Masonic Order of Bath; Ancient Order ofCorks; Joshua Association; and the Order of DeMolay.Bro. Shannon who holds dual Masonic membership, was made a Mason in Blyth Lodge No. 593,West Newton, in 1992. He served as WorshipfulMaster in 1995 and as Secretary in 1996. Hewas admitted to Zeredatha Lodge in 1997.Acacia Fraternity Initiates Honorary Alumni Members6A member of the Valley of Reading, A.A.S.R., Bro. Diamondwas coroneted a 33 Mason in 1968 in Atlantic City. Heserved the Valley as Sovereign Prince of the Council ofPrinces of Jerusalem in 1969 and 1970, and as Commanderin-Chief of Reading Consistory from 1973 to 1975.On June 5, R.W. Grand Master James l. Ernette(right) presented John J. Shannon, Jr. to themembership of Zeredatha Lodge No. 451 , York,as the new District Deputy Grand Master of the42nd Masonic District. He succeeds Michael H.Gotshall, who became a P.D.D.G.M. on June 1.On Dec. 27, 1967, Brother Diamond was appointed R.WGrand Treasurer by R.W. Grand Master John K. Young to fillthe unexpired term of Bro. Louis Bacharach, who died inoffice on Dec. 21 , 1967. In December, 1968, Bro. Diamondwas elected and installed R.W. Grand Treasurer and continued in that office until his retirement on June 14, 1989, atwhich time he was presented with the newly created R.W.Past Grand Treasurer's jewel and apron.Arthur Richard Diamond,R.W. Past Grand Treasurer,Died March 25, 1998,At The Age of 90.He was born June 9, 1907, in Rochester, NY, but educated inthe Philadelphia public schools. He was graduated from theUniversity of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degreeand he earned a Master of Science degree in MechanicalEngineering. He was a member of the Phi Beta KappaFraternity.Before retiring from business, he was self-employed, owningthe Arthur R. Diamond Co.In recognition of his work in Freemasonry, Bro. Diamondwas awarded the Honorary DeMolay Legion of Honor in196 1; and in 1985 he received the Benjamin FranklinMedal, the highest honor given by the R.W Grand Lodge ofPennsylvania.Bro. Diamond will long be remembered for his dedication toFreemasonry and his close attention to the conduct of thebusiness of the Grand Lodge which fell within his area ofresponsibility. He was, however, gifted with a delightfulsense of humor, much of which was aimed at himself.Elizabeth - or "Liz," as he called his wife of 61 years was a school teacher in Philadelphia, so he would tell anyone who would listen that it took him "20 years to discoverthat she was handling him the way she handled her secondgrade students."In Freemasonry, Bro. Diamond was entered, passed, andraised in Shek.inah Lodge No. 246, Chestnut Hill, in 1945 .He later transferred to Philates Lodge No. 527, and servedthat Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1964. When PhilatesLodge returned its Warrant to the Grand Lodge in 1984, hetransferred to William B. Hackenburg Lodge No. 703, nowWilliam B. Hackenburg-Mount Moriah Lodge No. 155,Philadelphia.Thank God for the blessings of memory. With it we canrecall, at will, our good friend, Arthur, and hear him ask:"Wherefore is this day different from any other?" To whichwe can only respond: "The difference, my brother, is in notbeing able to share it with you. " Thank God also for goodfriends and brethren like Arthur Richard Diamond.He was exalted in Keystone Royal Arch Chapter No. 175 inGrand Lodge Communication, June 3, 1998.){The above eulogy to Bro. Arthur R. Diamond was presentedby Bro. Joseph E. Trate, R. W. Past Grand Master during theThe Pennsylvania Freemason I August 19987

Marker Notes That Rochester Lodge is OlderThan its TownIt is rare when a Masonic Lodge canboast of being older than the city ortown in which it is located.Rochester Lodge No. 229 wasconstituted in 1848 and the townof Rochester, with less than 230taxable citizens, was incorporated a year later, in 1849. ation, recognizing the significance of Rochester Lodge, provided acast iron marker to be placed in the publicpark that is adjacent to the MasonicTemple.The inscription on the marker reads:"ROCHESTER LODGE NO. 229 FREEAND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA, IS THE OLDEST MASONICLODGE IN BEAVER COUNTY, MEETINGCONTINUOUSLY SINCE IT WAS CONSTITUTED APRIL 11, 1848, A YEAR BEFOREROCHESTER BOROUGH WAS INCORPO-RATED. THE MASONIC TEMPLE WASBUILT IN 1884."James L. Ernette (center), R.W. GrandMaster, dedicated the marker on the

TOP: Frankford Lodge No. 292, Philadelphia, granted funds to help the Comm· unity Core Center of the Northeast Provide home core to the homebound. CENTER: Masons of the 8th Masonic District matched funds raised jointly by the Knights of Columbus and Masons for Easter Seals. BOTTOM: Masons of Volley Lodge No. 797 raised