Article and photos by Brother Rich Rygh
Brethren and guests gathered at the beautifully maintained Masonic Center on the Monroe City Square in Monroe on October 11 to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Smith Lodge No. 31. The Lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin on December 13, 1850. It is the oldest civic organization in Monroe.
Pictured above, front row from left: Master Nick Baker, Grand Master Jeffrey S. Schoenfeldt, Senior Warden Todd Smith, Deputy Grand Master Joseph E. Thompson, Scott Feldt, Senior Deacon James Lewis, Ron Asche and Junior Deacon Richard Watman. Back row: Grand Marshal Jan F. Talaga, District 8 Deputy Daniel M. Wohlfert, Junior Grand Steward Paul A. Larson, Junior Grand Warden Matthew H. Ivens, DR Andrew Davis, Secretary Ron Boeck, Senior Grand Steward Ryan A. Mayrand, Junior Warden Larry Hawthorn, Junior Grand Deacon Michael A. Burnham, Collin Nack and T. Gene Baker.
Brother Nick Baker, Smith Lodge Master, opened the lodge in public form and welcomed everyone.
Grand Master Schoenfeldt thanked Smith Lodge for the opportunity to participate in the ceremony and gave a short history of the Lodge. He complimented the Lodge on their involvement in the community. The Lodge has donated FSTs, provides scholarships to the local high school and plays a critical part in the support of the local Boy Scouts among other things. They have hosted the Green County Shrine Breakfast 57 years.
Grand Master Schoenfeldt asked the Grand Stewards to uncover the lodge and he rededicated Smith Lodge agreeable to the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity and reinstalled the officers of the Lodge. The Grand Master declared the Lodge reconstituted to Freemasonry, virtue and universal benevolence.
Master Nick Baker closed the Lodge in public form.
A lunch and fellowship followed, including a tour of the nuclear fallout shelter in the basement of their building.
