New Hampshire Freemasons

Merry Christmas to our Brethren, Masonic Family, friends and family!

Congratulations Massachusetts Freemasonry! You don’t look a day older than 250.

Travelled to the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario for their Annual Communication on Wednesday, July 19. MW Thomas Hogeboom and the Brethren of Ontario have been extremely welcoming and April Hotchkiss and I thank all for their wonderful hospitality. It was a great experience parading into the Grand Lodge session with the other dignitaries, including MW Jeffrey Wonderling, GM of Pennsylvania; MW Richard Kessler, GM of New York; MW Stephen Grindle, GM of Ohio; and MW Larry Judson, GM of Michigan. The brotherhood and fellowship we experienced is another fine example of how blessed I am to be a Mason and to be serving you as your Grand Master.

From our Junior Past Grand Master David Collins:

In Portsmouth — Yesterday afternoon we celebrated 234 years of Freemasonry in NH with the Annual Meeting of William Pitt Tavern Lodge No. 1789. After the Lodge meeting led by our Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Daniel Hotchkiss, we recessed to the Portsmouth Masonic Temple for a great meal prepared by Chef and Brother Phil Fraser and short program. Thank you to all who attended!

Introducing the 119th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, Free and Accepted Masons: Most Worshipful Brother Daniel R. Hotchkiss

A sculpture commemorating seven Freemasons who created a Masonic lodge while imprisoned in a N**i concentration camp.

The lodge was named Liberté chérie, which means cherished liberty. The lodge was created on November 15th, 1943, and located in Esterwegen, Lower Saxony, Germany. The seven Freemasons who created the lodge are:

Paul Hanson, Luc Somerhausen, Jean Sugg, Franz Rochat, Guy Hannecart, Amédée Miclotte, and Degueldre.

We wish a happy celebration to our Scottish Brethren. January 9th 2023 is the 424th anniversary of the oldest existing Lodge minutes anywhere in the world, which date to January 9th, 1599 from Lodge Aitchison's Haven in East Lothian, Scotland.

Happy 150th Anniversary to Shriners International! We support our Brothers who are the Nobles Bektash Shriners of New Hampshire and all of the work they do for kids worldwide through the Shriners Hospitals. Here's to another 150 years!

Brethren, due to a family emergency for one of our hosts, we must reschedule tonight's The Granite Cornerstone Podcast. We will be in touch in the next 1-2 days with a make up date. Our sincerest apologies.

The Granite Cornerstone Team.

Today is the anniversary of George Washington laying the cornerstone of the United States Capitol building on September 18, 1793. It was a singularly important Masonic event in the history of our nation. This was done using the traditional Masonic ceremony, in which corn, wine, and oil—symbols of divine blessing from the book of Psalms—are poured upon the stone to dedicate the building to positive purposes.

Last week one of the functions I was privileged to attend was the Players Banquet for the 69th Annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl, Vermont-New Hampshire All-Star Football Game. Many may not be aware but the Shrine is one of the appendant bodies to Freemasonry where you need to be a Freemason to join. The Shriners are well known around the country for their mission to help children with neuromusculoskeletal and burn injuries and have been doing it since 1922.

This particular game began some 69 years ago as a way to provide an All-Star Game for NH & VT High School Football Players but also to raise money for the region's three hospitals Shine Hospitals in Montreal, Springfield and Boston. Since the games' inception some $4.5 million have been raised for this worthy cause.

I was so pleased to see that now both the football players and cheerleaders are raising money for this cause as part of their participation in the game. I think it is important to show the next generation of young people that they can do something to help others. It is a great example of that spirit of charity!

I often say to people that Freemasonry is charitable but we are not a charity. The Masonic Lodges of New Hampshire regularly raise monies to support their local food pantries, rescue squads, and schools. However, many of these deeds go unnoticed in the communities as often the Freemasons do this behind the scenes.

Here is a photo of the Grand Master of Masons in Vermont and myself. We are both proud to be a Shriner Freemasons. The mission of being charitable is one of the many parts of Freemasonry and yet another reason that I am part of this great Fraternity!

David S. Collins
Grand Master

On Saturday, July 23rd, a group of Masons from Star in the East Lodge #59 in Exeter came together to build an access ramp for Lucia Olsson Savage. Lucia has been heavily involved in Eastern Star and Rainbow for decades and Star in the East has been her home Lodge for most if not all of it.

The layout and material acquisition was started by Bro. John Lachapelle and material was furnished with a discount by 84 Lumber in Holbrook, MA.

On one of the hottest days of the year, five Masons and a petitioner came together and built the ramp for our Sister and her husband. A lot of sweat and a tiny bit of blood was shed during the build, but with breaks in the shade of a neighbor's tree and plenty of hydration the project was complete by 5:00 P.M.

Thanks go out to Wor. Bruce Hussey, W.M., Wor. David Dominianni, P.M., Brian Gaudreau, Rick Daley and special thanks to Wor. Michael Daley, Jr., P.M. and our petitioner Drew who spent the previous Wednesday afternoon laying out the precast concrete piers and building the superstructure framing.

We all hope that the Savages get years of use from their new ramp.

Notes from the East, 7/25/2022

This past week was a busy one as I traveled out of State for a jurisdictional visit, hosted a Conference in-state and finished up with an event for one of our Masonic youth groups, New Hampshire DeMolay.

As Grand Master of Masons in New Hampshire, I am invited to attend the Annual Meetings of many other Grand Lodges in the region. This past week I traveled over a thousand miles with my wife to attend the Grand Lodge of Ontario in Canada's Annual Session. As the International Border with Canada has finally opened up, I was pleased to make this trip west. The Grand Lodge of Ontario is larger than New Hampshire and it was wonderful to see this large group of Brethren in attendance.

Once I got back from Ontario I quickly readied for a meeting of the New England Grand Masters here in New Hampshire. This mini-conference grew out of the COVID pandemic where the senior Grand Lodge officers began to meet on a regional level as this had only been done on a limited basis in the past. The meeting now allows social time for ourselves and our ladies along with an opportunity for the present and future leaders of New England discussing the future of Freemasonry.

The weekend concluded as I attended the New Hampshire DeMolay Annual Conclave. This is a meeting where the other DeMolay jurisdictions from around New England come together for a weekend of learning and building friendships. At the conclusion of the weekend, the new State Master Councilor (Youth Leader) for 2022 for New Hampshire DeMolay was installed. It was wonderful to see the Masonic adult leaders attend and show their support of our youth.

As a Freemason, I am always impressed on what a worldwide bond of friendship from adults to youth that this organization has to offer its members. This week was a great reminder of that and a glimpse of just what those future leaders have to offer us.

David S. Collins
Grand Master

From our Junior Grand Warden:

Our Grand Lodge is 233 years old today! Established on July 8, 1789 in at William Pitt Tavern in Portsmouth by 5 men representing 2 of the 5 Lodges that existed in New Hampshire at the time. St. John's Lodge in Portsmouth and Rising Sun Lodge in Keene. The 3 others, St Patrick's of Portsmouth, Dartmouth of Hanover and Faithful of Charlestown, did not send a representative to the formation meeting. Here's to another 233 years!

During my term as Grand Master I have been speaking to the Brethren in New Hampshire about Travel, Education and Ritual, which provide value in being a Freemason. This past week I attended several meetings that hit on all of these points.

Early in the week I traveled to a Lodge in Pembroke where a group of Brethren were presenting a Traveling Gavel. A Traveling Gavel is a great and simple way Masons use to promote travel from one local Masonic Lodge to another. Here Brethren from two Lodges traveled to the Lodge in Pembroke for the presentation pictured above. It was an enjoyable Lodge meeting made better by the Masonic Brotherhood on display.

At the end of the week I traveled to another Lodge to witness a Master Mason Degree. This Degree is the pinnacle of becoming a Freemason and one all Masons look forward too. Again two Lodges joined together to perform an excellent Degree where at the end of the evening we greeted two New Members of the Masonic Fraternity in New Hampshire (pictured above).

Finally on Sunday I traveled to Portsmouth to join one of the several St. John's Sunday Observance's held around the State. The Speculative Freemasonry of today is based upon the Operative Masonic Guilds of the earliest times. In those days groups had patron saints and in Freemasonry to this day we still recognize two of them, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. Here in New Hampshire we use a Sunday in late June to celebrate St. John the Baptist. These programs which are open to all afford a great opportunity to take personal stock of our place in the world and how we can improve ourselves.

Brotherhood, Ritual, Travel, and Reverence for a Supreme Being are just a few of the reasons I became a Freemason. This past week in New Hampshire I was reminded of what a great decision it was.....

David S. Collins
Grand Master

Grand Master's Notes from the East June 19th, 2022

Brotherhood is what the Masonic Fraternity is about, and this week there were many fine examples of that.

I began the week by attending the Grand Lodge of Vermont, F&AM's Annual Communication. The visits to other Grand Jurisdictions are a great privilege of a Grand Master where you get to meet and spend time with your counterparts. While in Vermont I witnessed two well respected Masons from New Hampshire receive a special recognition from that Grand Lodge. M.W. Past Grand Master's John E. Lobdell and Kenneth A. Clay Jr. received the Philip C. Tucker Award from the Grand Lodge of Vermont for their outstanding service to Freemasonry. What a pleasure to see this recognition bestowed on two hard workers in the Craft.

Last night I presented New Hampshire's own Major General John Sullivan Award for distinguished service to a Brother of Rising Sun Lodge in Nashua. This Brother has been a Mason for nearly thirteen years and in that time he has distinguished himself for his selfless work to the Craft. As is usual with this Award, he had no idea he was being recognized but I was thrilled to be able to present this Award during his Lodge's 200th Anniversary.

While traveling this week to Vermont and later attending the 200th Anniversary of Rising Sun Lodge #39 in Nashua I could not get over the tremendous spirit of Brotherhood on display. First in Vermont, I had ten other Brethren from New Hampshire travel with me to show our support at the Grand Lodge of Vermont. There has been a special bond between NH & VT Masons for a long time and I have always felt the river that divides our states actually joins us as well. Then, while attending the 200th Anniversary of Rising Sun Lodge in Nashua I was greeted by a great show of support from Brethren of Nova Scotia. One of their Lodge's - John Albro #122, has had a great tradition of sharing visits with the Nashua Lodge. In continuing that tradition, the Nova Scotia Brethren came down as a group to help celebrate the Lodge's 200th Anniversary.

I am often asked why I joined Freemasonry. This week for me, there were numerous examples of that Brotherhood and the long friendships that grow between us.

David S. Collins
Grand Master

Grand Master's Notes from the East June 13th, 2022

This past week was a busy week for me going from event to event but at each turn I was provided great examples of what we do as Masons and the Brotherhood it provides.

After attending a well run Lodge Meeting on Monday night then holding a Leadership Training meeting the next night I was encouraged by the hard work of the Brethren. Then on Wednesday evening I drove out to the seacoast where the Masonic Lodge in Epping held an event to honor their First Responders (Police, Fire and EMS). It was a well organized event that drew in a nice crowd of public safety personnel. After enjoying a great meal I got to participate with the Lodge presenting a beautifully crafted wooden flag to the local State Police Barracks to honor one of their own that was lost in the line of duty. The men and women of Public Safety have great camaraderie just like the Freemasons and this event was a great example of how we as Masons recognize those who put their Life on the Line, so we can be safe every day.

The next night I attended a small event where I was privileged to present an Honorary Past Grand Master on a Brother who has served as a Grand Lodge Officer for over sixteen years. This is a Brother who beyond his service as an officer, works in his community and is a shining example of what Brotherhood and Freemasonry means. Selfless service to others....

I ended the week in the North end of the State at my home Lodge in Colebrook. Here alongside my Grand Lodge officer team we held a series of ceremonies to celebrate 200 years of Freemasonry there. One of my distinct pleasures was to greet a Brother who attended with his family. This Brother is well into his senior years but wanted to take the time and show his support for the Lodge. He made sure to bring his motorized chair and came alongside us in the procession from one part of the event to the other. When I joined Freemasonry over a quarter of a century ago, this Brother was one of the leaders who all of us looked up to and one whom I have become great friends with over the years. This Brother took my hand and told me it is great to see you lead, now it is your time.

That is what Freemasonry is all about, a Brotherhood who support the communities we live in and become the leaders of the next generation.

David S. Collins
Grand Master

On Wednesday, June 8 a First Responders Dinner was hosted as a collaboration between Major General John Sullivan Lodge No. 2, Tucker Lodge No. 99, the Scottish Rite Valley of Portsmouth, and Grand Lodge of New Hampshire. Approximately 60 were served with many more meals prepared for on-duty first responders in neighboring towns.

The highlight of the evening was presenting the New Hampshire State Troopers of Troop A, an engraved flag made by Old Glory Millworks in remembrance of Staff Sgt. Jesse Sherrill who was struck and killed in October of last year while on duty on Interstate 95 in Portsmouth.

Great job Brethren!

Grand Master's Notes from the East June 6, 2022

The travels of a Grand Master don't often slow down and this week was no exception. Whether I was traveling to an event or spending an evening with Brethren talking about traits to be good leaders, the journey in Freemasonry never stops. However busy it may be, it certainly reminds me of the great parts of this organization.

This week I spent two evenings with members of New Hampshire Scottish Rite, one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry. At each event I was pleased to see the Educational Awards they provide to our youth, so they may further their post-secondary education. There were also several Brethren who received very deserving Awards for their longtime work as Scottish Rite Freemasons.

On Saturday I spent the entire day in Manchester where I enjoyed an event called Masoniccon NH. This event is very much like a Comicon convention. At this event there was educational programming on Freemasonry that was open to the public. The event had a great turnout from Masons and Non-masons from around the country. After a long day, the members of the Masonic family sat down for an enjoyable dinner where we got a chance to make new friends and renew old ones.

The culmination of the weekend was driving up to southeastern Vermont for a DeMolay Honors Program. DeMolay is a masonic youth organization and there Honors were presented to several Adults as well as a DeMolay member for their longtime support and activity in the Organization. It was a great reminder how the ties of Freemasonry extend beyond the borders of our State.

As I began, though it was another long week, it was one that reinforced how Freemasonry is a journey that continues to provide enjoyment and enrichment for all who belong.

David S. Collins
Grand Master

We are glad to provide opportunities for our beautiful buildings for important community events like this one. Thank you to the Manchester School District and wish sincere congratulations to the Seniors who were recognized. We wish them all the best and thank them for preparing to serve our country!

“… We can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

- Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address