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| Contributed Photo Local Masons, from left, Duane Walton, Justin Dee, Terry Cochran and Paul Harmon gather to ring the Salvation Army bell in Caribou recently. Several area Masons turned out each Saturday in December to make sure the kettle program reached Caribou, and members of the service group have participated in during the holiday season, aimed at providing holiday cheer. |
Central Aroostook Masons are tolling bells and working hard this holiday season to bring a little Christmas cheer to those less fortunate.
It has become an annual event for members of the Caribou, Limestone and Washburn lodges to ring bells and tend kettles for the Salvation Army on Saturdays in December.
Since the presence of the Salvation Army is limited to Presque Isle, Masonic support ensures there are kettles to gather donations in Caribou.
“Being a new member of Caribou lodge, I was unaware of all that the lodges do locally,” said Erick Bechtel.
“Ringing the bell is just one of the services, but one that I am happy to participate in.”
When asked about the weather, Mason Wendell Spooner explained, “It is cold out, but with the number of guys wanting to help out, no one has to do more than a two-hour shift at a time, so it isn’t bad at all.”
Another area the organization likes to focus on is local nursing and veterans’ homes. A breakfast for those living in the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou is put on monthly by several Masonic lodges in Aroostook County.
Over the years, said Caribou lodge member David Spooner, “friendships have formed and it allows the Masons to give back just a little to those who served our country.”
Many people do not realize there is a connection between the Shriners and the Masons. In reality, before becoming a racecar driver or clown, a Shriner must first become a Mason, he explained.
Because the holidays can be especially difficult for seniors, the Shrine clowns team up with Santa Claus to visit the elderly in several nursing home and veteran facilities.
According to Disco the Clown, “Clowns bring happiness to people of all ages and laughter is good for everyone.”
He continued, “If we can help people laugh a little bit during the holidays, especially when they are unable to be home, we have done a good job.”
