History Highlights of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge - A.F. & A.M. (1956 to 1966)
At the Stated Communication in March the By-laws of Ralph J. Pollard Building Corp. were reviewed and amended. They were adopted at the April 7, 1977 Stated Communication.
It was at the 314th. Stated Communication on Thursday evening May 5, 1977 Wor. Bro. Larry L. Bryant gave his report on the Grand Lodge session held on May 3, 1977. Wor. Bro. Bryant introduced Wor. Bro. Robert G.W. Lobley who was re-appointed as Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
The Annual Past Masters Night was observed on Thursday evening May 12, 1977. Wor. Bro. Larry L. Bryant welcomed the brethren and invited Wor. Bro. Richard C. Carey, Past Master in 1975 to the East to serve as the Master for the evening. Past Masters assisting in the degree work were:
Wor. Bro. Orville P. Cookson, S.W.
Wor. Bro. Ralph H. Ward, J.W.
Wor. Bro. Keith C. Brown, S.D.
Wor. Bro. Gordon M. MacEwen, J.D.
Wor. Bro. Carlton E. King, S.S
Wor. Bro. John H. Mallett, J.S.
Wor. Bro. William Leach, Treas.
Wor. Bro. Robert G.W.Lobley, Secy.
Wor. Bro. Kenneth L. Ward, Marshal
Wor. Bro. Herbert R. Sawyer, Chaplain
Wor. Bro. Donald S. Reed, Tyler
Wor. Bro. Rex F. James, First Gate
Wor. Bro. John C. Crook, Second Gate
R.W. Bro. John C. Condon, Third Gate
Wor. Bro. Ralph H. Ward, Speaking Fellowcraft
Bro. Lawrence Warren Robinson and Bro. Maurice Edmund Smith III were raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. A Lobster supper preceded the meeting.
At the 315th Stated Communication held on Thursday evening June 2, 1977, Wor. Bro. Larry L. Bryant introduced to the brethren R.W. Bro. William A. Oliver who was the newly appointed District Deputy of the Grand Lodge of Maine for the Sixth District. It was at this meeting which the lodge voted to add an amendment to Article II Section I and to be voted on at the September Stated Communication as follows: "No purchase or sale of material or service of over $500.00 shall be made by the Trustees without the approval of the majority of the Building Corporation present at a stated meeting of the lodge.
St. John Sunday was observed on June 5, 1977 at the First Methodist Church in Brewer.
On Saturday, August 6, 1977 the lodge was deeply sadden with the passing of Sister Millwee Pollard, wife of the late M.W. Bro. Ralph J. Pollard.
At the 316th Stated Communication in September the amendment to Article II Section I was adopted.
The Annual Ralph J. Pollard Night was observed at the 317th. Stated Communication held on Thursday evening 0ctober6, 1977. Wor. Bro. Bryant requested all of the Past Masters present to stand and they were introduced.
R.W. Bro. John C. Condon
Wor. Bro. Raymond C. Collins
Wor. Bro. Donald F. Adams
Wor. Bro. John H. Mallett
Wor. Bro. Maurice C. King
Wor. Bro. Robert G.W. Lobley
Wor. Bro. Floyd M. Kimball
Wor. Bro. Rex F. James
Wor. Bro. Ralph H. Ward
Wor. Bro. Donald F. Adams presented twenty five year service pins to Bro. Winfield W. Stratton, Bro. Guy E. Kimball and Bro. Harold L. Mitchell. R.W. Bro. John C. Condon presented Bro. Alton M. Dixon with his forty year service pin. The brethren enjoyed a recording made by M.W. Bro. Ralph J. Pollard called "Personal Message". Slides on the George Washington Memorial Building in Virginia were shown.
Thursday evening, October 27, 1977 the Annual Inspection of the lodge was made By R.W. Bro. William A. Oliver, D.D.G.M.. Inspection was made in the Fellowcraft Degree.
A Special Communication was held on Thursday evening November 17, 1977 for a School of Instruction in the Fellowcraft Degree under the direction of R.W. Bro. Royce C. Wheeler, Grand Assistant Lecturer. All lodges in the Sixth District were present except for one. There were 86 in attendance.
A Special Communication was held on Thursday evening December 8, 1977 when St. Andrews Lodge No. 83 of Bangor were guests and worked the Master Mason Degree on Bro. David Henry Rex and Bro. Cecil Dexter Wilson. Wor. Bro. Harold E. McKenney Jr., Master of St. Andrews Lodge introduced the officers for the degree work.
Bro. Neal E. Douglas, Master Bro. Paul I. Goodness, S.W.
Bro. Richard J. Tardif, J.W. Wor. Bro. Archie G. Hatch, Treasurer
Wor. Bro. Horace O. Dinsmore, Secy Bro. Raymond L. Johnson, S.D.
Bro. Vaughn W. Chadbourne, J.D. Wor. Bro. Harold E. McKenney Jr., Marshal
Bro. Robert J. Williams, Chaplain Bro. William T. Mansur, Tyler
Bro. Merrill E. Bradford Jr. First Gate Bro. James Glencross, Fellowcraft
Bro. Arthur B. Ellingwood, Second Gate Wor. Bro. Raymond Naugler
Wor. Bro. Richard A. Makahusz, Third Gate Bro. James T. Mansur
Bro. Neal Douglas gave the Master Mason Charge , Bro. Paul Goodness the
Master Mason Emblems and Bro. Adrin Miner the Chaplains charge.
The Past Masters from St. Andrews Lodge were introduced,
M.W. Bro. Roger I. White, P.G.M. B.W. Bro. Clarence Johnson, P.J.G.W.
B.W. Bro. William T. Walker, P.D.D.G.M. Wor. Bro. Archie Hatch
Wor. Bro. Horace Dinsmore Wor. Bro. Raymond Naugler
Wor. Bro. Richard Makahusz
Saturday evening December 17, 1977 a Semi-Public Installation of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge was held. Wor. Bro. Ronald G. Forrest was installed the Thirty-First Master of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge by Wor. Bro. Edward S. Hamm as the Installing Officer. Wor. Bro. Hamm was assisted by B.W. Bro. Berton Bowdoin as Marshal, Wor. Bro. Thomas V. Gibbs as Color Lecturer, Wor. Bro. Edward M. Collins as Chaplain, Mrs. Rebecca Jordan as Organist and Mrs. Jean Sigler as Soloist. Officers installed for 1978 were:
Bro. Mark A. McEwen, Senior Warden
Bro. Donald B. Wiswell, Junior Warden
Bro. Edward H. Moore, Treasurer
Wor. Bro. Robert G. W. Lobley, Secy.
Bro. James E. West, Senior Deacon
Bro. William A. Gormely, Junior Deacon
Bro. Shermon V. Grant, Senior Steward
Bro. William Cousins, Junior Steward
Wor. Bro. Herbert E. Sawyer, Chaplain
Bro. Glendon F. Band, Marshal
Bro. Fred A. Goodspeed, Tyler
Bro. Ralph A.L. Fielding, Organist
Wor. Bro. Ronald G. Forrest presented Wor. Bro. Larry L. Bryant with his Past Masters Jewel on behalf of the Officers and Members of the Lodge.
Brothers raised in 1977 were,
Bro. Robert D. Bangs
Bro. William E. Cousins
Bro. Galen H. Knowles
Bro. Harold L. Polley
Bro. Ralph B. Farrar Jr.
Bro. Richard L. Kenney
Bro. Kevin D. McEwen
Bro. Lawrence W. Robinson
Bro. Maurice E. Smith III
Bro. Cecil D. Wilson
Bro. David H. Rex
Brothers who passed on during 1977 were,
Bro. Leo George Thibideau 1-16-77
Wor. Bro. Warren Grant Addison 1-20-77
Bro. Allen Lewis Sayer 3-20-77
Bro. James Albert Spencer Jr. 7-3-77
Bro. Winslow Kent Herrick 9-25-77
Bro. William James Johnston 12-5-77
Membership at the end of 1977 was 378.
At the 322nd. Stated Communication held on Thursday evening March 2, 1978 Wor. Bro. Forrest announced that Bro. Ralph A.L. Fielding our Organist was honored at a Special meeting of Lynde Lodge No. 174 of Hermon. Bro. Fielding was made an Honorary member of Lynde Lodge for his service as Organist and was presented a plaque with the following inscription, "In appreciation of his many years of service as Organist Bro. Ralph A.L. Fielding a member of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge No. 217 A.F. & A.M. Orrington, Maine was on November 22, 1977 voted an Honorary member of Lynde Lodge No. 174 A.F. & A.M. Hermon, Maine, Donald A. Wilbur, W.M. Linwood W. Littlefield, Secretary".
At the 324th. Stated Communication held on Thursday evening May 4, 1978, Wor. Bro. Ronald G. Forrest introduced R.W. Bro. Robert G.W.Lobley, as being elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Maine for 1978-79 at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine held on May 2, 1978. R.W. Bro. Lobley is the first permanent member to Grand Lodge from Ralph J. Pollard Lodge. Wor. Bro. Forrest gave his report on the Grand Lodge session. It was at this Stated Communication the lodge voted to make Bro. Edward H. Moore an Honorary member of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge for his many years of loyal, faithful and dedicated service to the lodge.
At a Special Communication held on Thursday evening May 18, 1978 the Annual Past Masters Night was observed. Wor. Bro. Ronald G. Forrest called on R.W. Bro. John C. Condon our first Master 1947-48 to introduce the Past Masters present,
Wor. Bro. Athelbert B. Crook 1949
Wor. Bro. Donald F. Adams 1951
Wor. Bro. Charles W. Buchanan 1952
Wor. Bro. Herbert R. Sawyer 1956
Wor. Bro. John H. Mallett 1962
Wor. Bro. Maurice C. King 1963
R.W. Bro. Robert G.W.Lobley 1964
Wor. Bro. Gordon M. MacEwen 1965
Wor. Bro. Wayne I. Gifford 1966
Wor. Bro. Floyd M. Kimball 1967
Wor. Bro. Rex F. James 1968
Wor. Bro. Keith C. Brown 1971
Wor. Bro. Ralph H. Ward 1973
Wor. Bro. Orville P. Cookson 1974
Wor. Bro. Richard C. Carey 1975
Wor. Bro. Larry L. Bryant 1977
Wor. Bro. Kenneth L. Ward 1975
The following past and present Grand Lodge Officers were in attendance,
R.W. Bro. Harland F. Small, D.G.M. M.W. Bro. Roger I. White, P.G.M.
Wor. Bro. David J. Pullen, G.S. R.W. Bro. Berton E. Bowdoin, P.D.D.G.M.
R.W. Bro. John C. Condon, P.D.D.G.M. R.W. Bro. Royce G. Wheeler, A.G.L.
R.W. Bro. John H. Ashmore, D.D.G.M. R.W. Bro. William A. Olive, D.D.G M
R.W. Bro. Merrill R. Kittredge, P.J.G.W. R.W. Bro. Robert G.W. Lobley, J.G.W.
Bro. Edward H. Moore was presented to the East at which time Wor. Bo. Ronald G. Forrest expressed his sincere appreciation on behalf of the Officer and Members of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge for the beautiful mahogany cabinet which he had recently built for the lodge. Wor. Forrest presented Bro. Moore with an Honorary membership card to Ralph J. Pollard Lodge and the original treasurers apron. Bro. Moore has been the treasurer of the lodge since 1950. Wor. Bro. Forrest called on R.W. Bro. Harlan F. Small, who brought the greetings from M.W. Bro. Roger P. Snelling, Grand Master and the Grand Lodge of Maine. R.W. Bro. Small spoke of the loyal, faithful and dedicated service that Bro. Moore has given over the years to Masonry. He mentioned the beautiful Alter, the Brass Working Tools and the many other items that Bro. Moore had made for the lodge and now the beautiful Mahogany Cabinet. R.W. Small presented Bro. Moore on behalf of the Officers and Members of the lodge a beautiful plaque with an open bible on the left side which was inscribed on the left page the following, "Presented to Bro. Edward Herbert Moore on May 18, 1978 from the officers and members of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge No. 217 A.F. & A.M. Orrington, Maine in deep Appreciation for many years of Loyal, Faithful and Dedicated Service to Masonry". Inscribed on the right page was "History Initiated 12-9-44, Passed 1-6-45, Raised 1-20-45 in Mystic Lodge No. 65 A.F. & A.M. Hampden, Maine. A charter member of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge No. 217 A.F. & A.M. Orrington, Maine. Treasurer since 1950, made an Honorary member on May 4, 1978" at the bottom of the two pages inscribed " The Builder". A Masonic Square and Compass emblem was on the right side. Bro. Moore thanked the lodge and expressed his sincere and deep appreciation for this honor. Wor. Bro. Forrest presented to the East, Past Master Wor. Bro. Kenneth L. Ward to work the Master Mason degree. Wor. Bro. Ward introduced the other Past Masters taking part.
R.W. Bro. John C. Condon, S.W.
Wor. Bro. Donald F. Adams, J.W.
Wor. Bro. Keith C. Brown, S.D.
Wor. Bro. Rex F. James, J.D.
Wor. Bro. John H. Mallett, S.S.
Wor. Bro. Wayne I. Gifford, J.S.
R.W. Bro. Robert G.W.Lobley, Secy.
Wor. Bro. Athelbert B. Crook, Treas.
Wor. Bro. Herbert R. Sawyer, Chaplain
Wor. Bro. Floyd M. Kimball, Marshal
Wor. Bro. Ralph H. Ward, Speaking Fellowcraft
Wor. Bro. Larry Bryant, First Gate
Wor. Bro. William Leach, Fellowcraft
Wor. Bro. Gordon MacEwen, Second Gate
Wor. Bro. Maurice C. King, Fellowcraft
Wor. Bro. Robert Rustin, Third Gate
Wor. Bro. Richard Carey, Masters Emblems
Wor. Bro. Orville P. Cookson, Masters Charge
Bro. Steven Bredford Mosher was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. A chicken pie supper preceded the meeting which was served by the Orrington Rainbow Girls.
Saint John Sunday was observed on June 4, 1978 at the First Congregational Church in Brewer.
At the 328th. Stated Communication held on Thursday evening November 2, 1978 it was voted to amend our by-laws as follows,
Article X, Section 2 to read: The fees for membership shall be as follows: Annual dues $15.00. This change will be voted on at the Stated Communication on December 7, 1978 and if approved by Grand Lodge will become effective January 1, 1979.
The Annual Inspection of the lodge was held on Thursday evening November 30, 1978 in the Master Mason Degree. E.W. Bro. William A. Oliver, D.D.G.M. of the Sixth District brought greetings from Grand Lodge and gave remarks.
At the 329th. Stated Communication on Thursday evening December 7, 1978 it was voted to amend the by-laws and the dues will be $15.00.
Saturday evening December 16, 1978 a Semi-Public Installation was held and Wor. Bro. Mark A. McEwen was installed the Thirty-second Master of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge. R.W. Bro. Merrill R. Kittredge was the Installing Officer who was assisted by Wor. Bro. Edward Collins, Chaplain, R.W. Bro. Berton E. Bowdoin, Marshal, R.W. Bro. Royce G. Wheeler, Color Lecturer, Wor. Bro. Claude Comeau, Organist and Bro. Ronald Mall, Soloist. The Officers installed for 1979 were:
Bro. Donald B. Wiswell, S.W.
Bro. James E. West, J.W.
Bro. Edward H. Moore, Treas.
R.W. Bro. Robert G.W.Lobley, Secy.
Bro. William A. Gormely, S.D.
Bro. Robert D. Bangs, J.D.
Bro. Harold L. Polley, S.S.
Bro. Galen H. Knowles, J.S.
Wor. Bro. Herbert R. Sawyer, Chaplain
Bro. Mervin S. Alley, Marshal
Bro. Dennis McCurdy, Tyler
Bro. Ralph A.L. Fielding, Organist
Wor. Bro. McEwen presented Wor. Bro. Forrest with his Past Masters Jewel on be-half of the Officers and Members of the lodge. R.W Bro. William A. Oliver presented Wor. Bro. Forrest with his Past Masters Diploma.
Brothers raised in 1978 were,
Bro. William R. Jeffries
Bro. Edward T. Gilbert
Bro. Steven B. Mosher
Bro. Carlton D. Pendleton
Bro. Carroll E. Hardy
Bro. David J. Ashmore
Bro. Ronald E. Thomas
Bro. William A. Walker
Bro. Arthur J. Sites, Jr.
Brothers who has passed on were,
Bro. Willis Averell Moran 1-9-78 Bro. Oscar Eben Salisbury 1-25-78
Bro. Alton Mills Dixon 1-13-78 Bro. Winfield Woodbury Stratton 1-25-78
Bro. Murray Vernon Crowell 10-17-78 Bro. Warren Belford Sargent 2-10-78
Bro. Lawrence Emery Ring, Jr. 10-17-78
Membership ending in 1978 was 382.
Monday, February 12, 1979 the lodge was sadden with the loss of it twentieth Master, Wor. Bro. Floyd Marion Kimball.
Ralph J. Pollard Lodge was host to the Sixth District School of Instruction on Thursday evening March 22, 1979. R.W. Bro. Royce G. Wheeler, Assistant Grand Lecturer conducted the school. There were seventy-four in attendance.
At the 333rd. Stated Communication on Thursday evening April 5, 1979, R.W. Bro. William A. Oliver, D.D.G.M. of the Sixth District was in attendance and presented Bro. Harry Johnson a member of Ancient York Lodge of Lowell, Mass his Fifty year Veterans Medal from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts through the Grand Lodge of Maine. Bro. Johnson was raised on June 13, 1929.
On Saturday evening March 31, 1979 a Semi-Public reception was given in honor of R.W. Bro. Robert G.W. Lobley, Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Maine. A roast turkey banquet was served to over 125 guests by the members of Millwee Chapter No. 198 Order of Eastern Star. Wor. Bro. Mark E. McEwen, Master of the Lodge welcomed the guests and introduced Wor. Bro. Ronald G. Forrest as Master of Ceremonies. A History of R.W. Bro. Lobley was given by Bro. Donald B. Wiswell and a Commentary was given by Wor. Bro. Rex F. James. Music selections were given and remarks by visiting guests. R.W. Bro. John C. Condon presented R.W. Bro. Lobley with a Past Junior Grand Wardens Apron on behalf of the Officers and Members of the Lodge. Wor. Bro. Forrest introduced M.W. Bro. Roger P. Snelling, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine, who brought greetings from the Grand Lodge and was the guest speaker for the evening. R.W. Bro. Lobley responded by thanking his wife Julia and the officers and members of the lodge for their loyal support during his term. He expressed his gratitude to all the visitors present and those that traveled so far to honor him. Wor. Bro. Forrest presented a framed engraved invitation of the reception to R.W. Bro. Lobley's wife Julia for her support. Wor. Bro. Forrest introduced other guests present and the benediction was given.
At the 334th. Stated Communication on Thursday evening May 3, 1979 it was voted to support the Grand Lodge Masonic Widows Program.
The Annual Past Masters Night was observed at a Special Communication on Thursday evening May 17, 1979 with Past Master Wor. Bro. Larry L. Bryant as Master. Past Masters taking part in the degree work were,
Wor. Bro. Kenneth L. Ward, S.W. Wor. Bro. Donald F. Adams, J.W.
R.W. Bro. Robert G.W. Lobley, S.D. R.W. Bro. John C. Condon, J.D.
Wor. Bro. Rex F. James, Secretary Wor. Bro. William Leach, Treasurer
Wor. Bro. Keith C. Brown, S.S. Wor. Bro. John H. Mallett, J.S.
Wor. Bro. Herbert R. Sawyer, Chaplain Wor. Bro. John Blagdon, Tyler
Wor. Bro. Maurice C. King, Marshal Wor. Bro. Gordon M. MacEwen, First Gate
Wor. Bro. Carlton E. King, Second Gate Wor. Bro. Wayne Gifford, Third Gate
Wor. Bro. Bro. Ronald G. Forrest, Speaking Fellowcraft
Wor. Bro. Robert L. Rustin, Fellowcraft
Wor. Bro. Ralph H. Ward, Fellowcraft
Bro. George William McHale and Bro. Robert Richard Southard was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. Wor. Bro. Bryant had the pleasure to introduce to the brethren three generations of Masons present, Wor. Bro. Mark A. McEwen, our present Master, his father Bro. Russell O. McEwen and his father Bro. John W. McEwen.
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