Monticello's Masonic Lodge spread its wings recently -- all the way to Bradenton, Fla. -- when 16 members of the Lodge who are wintering in Florida, gathered March 6 to honor three of its members with 50-year pins.
They gathered in the mobile home of Lodge secretary Charles Horton to honor W. Ralph Pelton, William Gregory and Arthur Morsch for a half century of continuous service each.
The presentation took place on the lawn, with the temperature at a balmy 79 degrees. W. Arthur Burgess, Master of the Lodge, who was spending the weekend with the Hortons, presented and pinned on the 50 year medals. Rt. W. Charles Horton presented the certificates, after which each Mason present offered his congratulations.
Refreshments were served by the ladies present. Mrs. Charles Horton, Mrs. Edna Davison, Mrs. Wendell Ormiston, Mrs. Edward Kinne, Mrs. Earl Stratton, and Mrs. Arthur Burgess.
Present at the Bradenton meeting from Monticello were W. Harold I. Stecher, W. Foster Little, W. Earl Stratton, W. Fred Durland, Harry Gardner, Lou Behr, Hobert Bates, Harold Norris, Emiliano Gonzalez, Edward Kinne, Albert Phillips, R.W. Charles Horton, W. Arthur Burgess, William Gregory, W. Ralph Pelton, Arthur Morsch.
Attending from other lodges were R.W. George R. VanDeWater, Pleasant Valley, N.Y.; Henry O. Naetzker, Orlando, Florida; Clark Scott, Atams, N.Y.; W. Murel E. McCloud, Sussex, N.J.; Ralph B. Carhart, and John N. Durland of Liberty; W. Gaylord Durkee, Michigan; Louis Ehris and j. Mervin Doremus of Kingston.
Most of the gorup also attended an All-States Masonic Night at St. Peteresburg, at which 4,852 Masons were present. New York State had the largest delegation with 712.
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