We're a brand-new lodge and while we'll meet in a building with two other lodges, it's not fair for us to be using their things. As a result, we need to start getting implements, equipment, etc. for us to work as our own entity.

If you feel you can help, we'd love to hear from you. New is great - obviously - but used works well also (except for things like place mats!) Some of these things can be really expensive and we'd rather have you think about our Charity Fund rather than material items. There are also some items that would be in the $20 range but there's no expectation AT ALL! We're more interested in your Brotherhood than your gifts frankly.

That notwithstanding, here's a list we're compiling. There are lots of things we've probably not remembered so feel free to chime in with other suggestions also. Your name will be recorded in the history of the lodge and you'll have our most sincere gratitude.  (Please note: this is a running list and it will change pretty regularly.)

1. An altar cloth embroidered with our name, sized to fit the altar at the new Bangor Masonic Hall; An altar cloth has been sewn by Donna Chaput and will adorn the altar at our first official meeting!
2. An altar Bible (that opens to lie flat);  Our altar Bible has been donated by our Junior Warden, Bro. Les Gray.
3. A square and compass for the Bible;  Bro. Robert Prather has donated the Bible Jewels.
4. Bible markers; The Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Maine - and our Charter Member - Martin Perfit has donated our Bible Markers.
5. Officers' Aprons - A complete set of officers aprons is being donated from another lodge which, sadly, has closed. They will be presented by Bro. Robert Anthony, Master of Horeb Lodge during our first meeting.
6. Truncheons and sounding blocks for the principle officers (something unique perhaps?);
7. Working Tools; Although we don't expect to be doing degree work in the immediate future, every well-governed lodge should have these.
8. A ballot box Bro. Robert Pratherhas donated a ballot box for the lodge. Double thanks, Brother!!!
9. A gong or sounding bell of some kind that we can use to call folks' attention to things. (Meeting planning companies sell these! One idea is here.);
10. A sturdy vinyl banner with our lodge name and location prominently displayed - for use in parades, public presentations (something like this with the lodge name etc. on it);
11. A table runner for use during our lunches and at other times when the lodge is in the public eye (an example here);
12. Bank deposit bags to store money collected (available at places like Staples); Ed King has found a few deposit bags kicking around. Sadly, they were empty.
13. A 'porch book' (Members & Visitors Register);  Bro. Charles Briggs from Rising Star Lodge #4 and PDDGM of the Maine 4th Masonic District but now living in Norwood, Massachusetts has donated our Members and Visitors Register. (An interesting anecdote below.)
14. The initial books required by Grand Lodge (Constitutions, Text Book, Clear Text Ritual, etc.); The Grand Secretary will supply these. Super!
15. Bud vases and dried flower displays for each table (perhaps a dozen?);  Anyone going to Mardens? They've been advertising them on sale....
16. A supply of paper place mats Our initial supply of placemats has been donated by Bro. William Mansur and really add to the decor. Thanks, Brother.
17. An Almoner's Box (a Masonic keepsake box would work just fine for this and an inexpensive one is here - and you might want to add an engraved nameplate to it for personalization);
18. And we'll need a lodge seal (definately not a big harbor type seal - a joke for our sefaring men) but we'll want this with the date of Charter so in the meantime Ed will use his DeMolay Chevalier ring and some sealing wax to get us by.
19. A Senior Deacon's Receiving Tool;  An antique Senior Deacon's Receiving Tool will be donated to the Lodge by Bro. Christian Ratliff
20. And there are several other things - but even if we have NONE of the above, we'll be a happy, healthy, convivial and caring lodge filled with members who WANT to be Masons.

Thanks for asking!

As we apply for our Charter in May, 2011, we'll be creating a permanant list in the records and the history of the lodge so that our gracious benefactors' contributions may be suitably remembered. Whether you are able to donate or not, everyone involved in our lodge is valued!

A PS from your Secretary:

     Brethren: we speak in our ritual about the universality of Freemasonry but the generosity of those mentioned above is truly a remarkable testament to the goodwill and friendship that we share. That universality which ties us with an indissoluable bond is sometimes more 'connected' than we might at first realize. Our porch book is being donated by a Brother who is now living in Massachusetts where I was born and raised. He is a Charter Member of J. Philip Berquist Lodge there. J. Philip - Phil to everyone - was a Grand Master of Massachusetts but before that, he became a Charter Member of The DeMolay Lodge in Boston and served the lodge as its ritualist, trying to manage a young and pretty mouthy kid who was working his way up in the line. Phil was a dear friend and mentor to many Masons and his toleration of my antics exhibited more than the patience of Job. He was a kind friend who is sorely missed and there will not be a day that I hold charge of that porch book as Secretary that I will not think of Phil - thanks to another Brother Mason who began his Masonic journey here in Maine and was even the first editor of the 'Maine Mason' magazine. That 'six degrees of separation' stuff really does seem to come into play sometimes!