Leavitt, Barnes honored for their years of dedication and two new members welcomed
CARIBOU — Masonic Lodge members from all around central Aroostook County gathered at the Caribou Lodge on Nov. 1 to celebrate and recognize a few important members of the organization with camaraderie, storytelling and laughter.
The evening began at 6:30 with a prime rib dinner and the meeting began an hour later with a full docket of business ahead of the members.
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| Contributed photo Louis Greenier III presents Lou Leavitt, at right, with a 40-year membership pin for his years of dedication and service with the Caribou Masonic Lodge. Pictured in back are from left, back: Joe Cheney and Robert Hancock. |
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| Contributed photo John Barnes, left, was presented with a 25-year pin for his dedication to the Caribou Masonic Lodge by Robert Hancock during the group’s Nov. 1 meeting. |
As Masonic officials explained, every lodge in the state is inspected each year by the Grand Lodge of Maine to ensure that the high standards of the organization are being successfully implemented within the grand jurisdiction and as the group gathered on Nov. 1 — it was the Caribou Lodge’s turn.
District Deputy Grand Master and appointed representative of James Ross, the Grand Master of Masons in Maine, Robert Hancock was in attendance at the meeting with a suite of officers to complete the inspection. After opening the lodge and receiving the District Deputy and his suite, members of the Caribou lodge acknowledged some of their own.
The first award presented was to John Barnes, who was presented a 25-year membership pin by Hancock for his dedication to the Caribou Lodge.
The second award was presented to Louis Leavitt, who received a 40-year membership pin by Louis Greenier III for his years of dedication and service.
Also receiving recognition was Jim Murphy, who was presented his membership certificate by David Spooner in recognition of Murphy’s status as one of the lodge’s new members as of Oct. 18.
Despite all the activities of the Nov. 1 meeting, the focus of the gathering was still on Murray Walker, who was to be initiated as the newest member of the Caribou lodge.
After completing the age old traditions required to become a member of a Masonic Lodge, Walker addressed those who gathered.
“I want to thank you all for the obvious work you have done to make this evening so memorable and I anticipate spending many more pleasant evenings with all of you right here in Caribou Lodge,” he said.
Spooner, Master of the Caribou Lodge, was very pleased with how active lodge members have been.
“We have been very busy in Caribou Lodge — Brother Walker represents our third newly initiated member in a month,” Spooner said. “We have five more membership candidates at various levels of proficiency and we read three new applications this evening.”
“Having a healthy, active lodge is something that is good for the organization and its members,” Spooner added. “For a long time we were not nearly this busy and it’s a wonderful problem to have.”
With the business of the evening complete, the many fine men gathered to share just one more story and a laugh before heading in their separate ways to go home.
