Together, Butler Area Masonic Groups Dedicate and Contribute Picnic Shelter

Climaxing two years of work and generous donations by members, the Masonic organizations of the Butler area dedicated a $100,000 picnic shelter and donated it to the citizens of Butler County. The ceremonies were at a community picnic that the Masonic groups held Aug. 23.

Former County Commissioner, Bro. William McCarrier, master of ceremonies, introduced the County Commissioners, Bro. Glenn Anderson, Bro. James Kennedy, and Scott Lowe and former Commissioner Joan Chew as well as David Teorsky, D.D.G.M., 27th Masonic District and the Masonic Shelter Committee. After speeches, an engraved five-ton sandstone name monument was unveiled, the shelter was dedicated, and the first picnic was enjoyed by 150 members and their families and friends.

The project was funded entirely by donations from Masons. After Butler County completed a study that determined the need for additional picnic shelters in Alameda Park, five area lodges -- Butler Lodge No. 272; Argyle Lodge No. 540, Chicora; Victory Lodge No. 694, Butler; John E. Mair Lodge No. 729, Mars; and William H. Miller Lodge No. 769, Butler -- decided to purchase and erect a picnic shelter. To accomplish the task, the committee requested that each Masonically related organization in the Butler area participate.

Through the generous contributions of money, manpower, and materials, Phase I was nearly completed for the dedication. When Phase II, the kitchen and restroom facility, is completed, the citizens of Butler County will have a picnic shelter that is one of the finest family facilities in the Butler area.

The success would not have been possible without the cooperation and sense of unity exhibited by all of the Masonically related organizations and individual Masons who went hand-in-hand with unanimity. Bro. Harry Wimer served as the General Contractor of the project and furnished much of the equipment. Bro. Ken Bronder, an electrical contractor, donated all of the electrical supplies and their installation. Bro. David H. Tack, Sr., P.M., furnished equipment and excavated and prepared the site. Three generations of Montags, including five Past Masters and the current Worshipful Master of Victory Lodge No. 694, supplied and installed the shingles in addition to other construction duties. Hundreds of members of the area lodges donated money, manpower, or materials to complete this phase. The Glenn and Rhea Jean Logan Charitable Foundation, founded by Bro. Glenn Logan, donated $20,000 towards the completion of Phase II.

Posing proudly with the five-ton name stone monument is the Masonic Community Shelter Committee (left to right): Harry D. Wimer, Butler Lodge; Robert Boice, P.C., Lorraine Commandery No. 87, K.T.; John J. Pollock, Butler Chapter No. 45, O.E.S.; Leland V. Bortmas, P.M, Co-Chairman, Butler Lodge; Nicholas Vaccarello, S.W., Butler Lodge; Kenneth Bronder, Butler Lodge; Charles R. Montag, P.M., Victory Lodge; Richard W. McClean, Shrine Luncheon Club; Edward P. Fair, P.M., Secretary, Butler Lodge; Michael C. Montag, W.M., Co-Chairman, Victory Lodge; Raymond E. Laurent, P.M., Butler Lodge; David H. Tack, Sr., P.M., Treasurer, Butler Lodge; Lynn C. Burtner, P.M., Argyle Lodge; Richard B. Meredith, D.D.G.H.P., Butler Chapter, R.A.M.; and Adrian K. Hassler, P.M., William H. Miller Lodge. Not pictured are: Sherry Deal, Maqueda Chapter No. 421, O.E.S.; Richard J. Fair, Sr., P.T.I.M., Butler Council No. 61, R. & S.M.; William Gracie, P.M., John E. Mair Lodge; June Gregg, Butler Court Order of the Amaranth No. 145; Harlan Gross, W.M., John E. Mair Lodge; Edward M. Rupert, P.M., Butler Lodge; and John Tassey, Shrine Caravan No. 14.