Last year the joint Christmas toy drive conducted by St. John’s and St. Andrew’s Lodges was given the name The Annual Joe Mania Memorial Toy Drive in memory of Brother Joe Mania who passed away unexpectedly in October of 2016.  The Toy drive was special to Joe and he put in an all-out effort every year , for those few short years he was with us, to be sure  enough toys were collected to fill the front of the Portsmouth Masonic Temples auditorium stage.   As October 1 we have begun the toy drive and will be donating toys to two organizations:  Lydia’s House of Hope and the Seacoast Toy Bank.   We ask all brothers to donate at least one new unwrapped toy to this year’s drive.  If you prefer, cash donations can be given to either brother Nick Pesarik, Tim Neihart, or Rod MacDonald: they will purchase toys on your behalf.  Last year more than $1,500 in toys were donated: we would love to beat that figure this year.

New toys  (for ages ranging from toddlers up to 14) can be dropped off at the designated “collection boxes”  at the Portsmouth Masonic Temple.  If you wish to call to arrange a cash donation towards the purchase of toys – contact Rod MacDonald at  rodmstjohnsno1@comcast.net or call 603-436-4071 or 603-828-9093.

All Masonic Lodges in New Hampshire will be holding an Open House on October 21, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  All are welcome.  Members of St. John’s and St. Andrew’s  Lodges will be conducting tours of and explain the history of the Portsmouth Masonic Temple.  In addition, the Whalley Museum section of the Portsmouth Masonic Temple will also be open to visitors.

If you plan to attend dinner the evening of our October stated (Weds. October 4th) please click here to make your dinner reservation.

If you plan to attend dinner the evening of our October E.A. Degree (Weds. Oct 18th) please click here to make your dinner reservations.

During the St. John’s Lodge Stated Communication of September 6, 2017.  St. John’s Lodge No. 1 presented donations to two seacoast charities selected to receive the proceeds from this year’s annual “Out of Hibernation 5K Road Race”: Lydia’s House of Hope and the Seacoast Family Food Pantry.  Recognition Awards were also given to the major sponsors of this year’s race.  Pictured above are the key officers of St. John’s Lodge, members of the road race committee, representatives of Lydias House of Hope and the Seacoast food Pantry , and sponsoring  representatives from Atlantic Grill, Edward Jones, Sprague Energy, Loco Coco Tacos, and the Natural Care Wellness Center.  In total $20,000 was raised for charities by this year’s road race.

Listed below you will find the dates, times, and locations for all the Lodges of Instruction taking place in New Hampshire for 2017.

  Date            Day             Meal              GL Opens        District            Location
Sept. 9        Saturday    12:00 PM        1:00 PM                8                Gorham
Sept. 9        Saturday    6:00 PM          7:00 PM                6                Holderness
Sept. 16      Saturday    12:00 PM        1:00 PM                4                Concord
Sept. 16      Saturday    6:00 PM          7:00 PM                1                Portsmouth
Sept. 23      Saturday    12:00 PM        1:00 PM                2                Nashua
Sept. 23      Saturday    6:00 PM          7:00 PM                3                Milford
Sept. 30      Saturday    12:00 PM        1:00 PM                7                West Franklin
Sept. 30      Saturday    6:00 PM          7:00 PM                5                Alton

Book Sales will also be going on on each day indicated at 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. respectively.

If you plan to attend any of September’s lodge dinners  – please click on the date(s) below to make your reservation(s).  

September 6

September 13

The September Master Mason’s class will be held on Wednesday, September 27th,  7:00 p.m., at Star In The East Lodge in Exeter.  The Topic will be “Planning for the New Year.”  Although it’s still summer…we are about to “roll” into September and before you know it…..your installation is about to happen.

If you are to be installed into the East this year (or anytime for that matter)

• Who will you select to install you ?
• What about the other officers, who will install them ?
• What date and time, what about food, entertainment ?
• Is there a program, what details will be listed, who will print ?
• What are your plans for Masonic programs for the upcoming year, Veterans, Special Ladies, Table Lodge ?
• What are your plans to have all involved, ladies, children, the public ?
• How will you stay in touch, with your Lodge members, your officers, the Grand Lodge, your District Officers ?
• What committees will you have, who will be on them, when will they meet, how will they report ?
• What will you do if one of your Officers has to leave the line for a valid reason ?
• Is your Lodge financially sound, how do you know ?
• What will make your year special ?

The Master’s Class is designed for those who will, or might, work their way to the East but also contains important information for any MM. All are welcome to join the circle for an open and free discussion. This is not a class room setting with a lecture. It promises not to be boring !

Please Note: Due to the number of LOI’s taking place on Saturday’s during September, which is the day MM Classes are normally held, the September MM class has been moved to Wednesday* evening . *(this is a correction from the originally published Thursday September 28th date)