On January 21, 2014, the members and officers of Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682 were pleased to welcome Bro. Robert J. Bateman, Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, to the stated meeting of the Lodge for a special presentation. Travelling with the Grand Master were several other Grand Lodge officers, making for an exciting night. The officers of the Lodges of the First Masonic District were also out in force, supporting Treichler Lodge as a new member of the District, thanks to the hard work of Bro. Larry A. Derr, District Deputy Grand Master. There was literally no seating left in the Lodge room and the Lodge ran out of aprons, having to use candidate aprons to properly clothe the nearly 200 brethren and friends that were present!

The crowd was certainly large because of the reason for the Grand Master’s visit – the formal presentation of the apron and jewel of a Past District Deputy Grand Master to Brother Noble P. Johnson, Past Master of our Lodge, who retired as the District Deputy for the 60th Masonic District after 10 years of faithful service. Noble also was able to welcome his family to the open presentation, which included his children, grandchildren, sister, and beloved wife, Althea, who assisted him on his journey. Bro. Noble thanked his District Committee Chairmen, Charles Schaeffer–Youth; and Mark Mattern–Website; and remembered the work of the late Bro. David Gontz, P.M. Lodge 666, with Masonic Education, and especially  the late Bro. Robert R. George, P.M., Lodge 682, as the Principal of the District 60 School of Instruction. Bro. Noble thanked  all of the Brothers for their continued support and was greeted with a lengthy standing ovation, which he found very moving.

Bro. Bateman was pleased to extend the gift of his Grand Master’s Medallion to the Lodge and promised an automobile sunscreen to Bro. Stephen E. Poff, Worshipful Master. The Medallion has been turned over to the trustees and will be displayed as the Lodge relics and museum are updated. The Grand Master also outlined his programs for the year and gave a very stirring oration which the membership found both informative and entertaining.

The Lodge had not seen this kind of turn out in a long time and it certainly was a great night for Freemasonry in Elizabethtown. Thank you to everyone who came out for this special event!