Grand Lodge Annual Communication

The M.W. Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of West Virginia convened its 146th Annual Communication at Clarksburg, West Virginia on Monday, October 10, 2011 and Tuesday October 11, 2011.

The following Grand Lodge Officers were installed for 2011/2012:

Grand Master - M.W. Charles A. Louk (Summersville 76)
Deputy Grand Master - R.W. Gearl G. Raynes (Equality 44)
Senior Grand Warden - R.W. Oweb G. Bragg (Rock Cave 81)
Junior Grand Warden - R.W. Sam M. Ash (Chelyan 158)
Grand Treasurer - M.W. Paul V. Cottrell PGM (Coal Valley 74)
Grand Secretary - M.W. Gregory A. Riley Sr PGM (Fairmont 9)
Grand Lecturer - M.W. Stephen G. Swank PGM (Preston 90)
Grand Chaplain - W. Orville G. Wright (Fairmont 9)
Senior Grand Deacon - W. Dale C. Wanner (Clendenin 126)
Junior Grand Deacon - W. William L. Turner (Beckley 95)
Grand Marshal - W. Raymond J. Ford (Fairmont 9)
Grand Pursuivant - W. Warren F. Beam (Summersville 76)
Grand Tiler - W. Ralph E. Pence (Clendenin 126)
Grand Lecturer Emeritus - M.W. James R. Ferguson PGM (Western Star 11)
Grand Secretary Emeritus - M.W. Robert G. Slater PGM (Salina 27)

Riverside Lodge Officers Installed

Riverside Lodge No. 124 had its installation of officers for Masonic year 2011/2012 during the regular stated communication of Thursday, June 16, 2011.

Schools of Instruction

10/16/2011 - Petersburg
10/23/2011 - Hamlin
11/06/2011 - Fairmont
12/04/2011 - Morgantown
12/11/2011 - Mason
01/29/2012 - Vienna
02/12/2012 - Barboursville & St. Marys
02/19/2012 - Belington
02/26/2012 - Rowlesburg
03/04/2012 - Marlinton & Shinnston
03/11/2012 - Kingwood
03/18/2012 - Coal City
03/25/2012 - Hedgesville & Weirton
04/01/2012 - Rock Cave & Ripley
04/15/2012 - Dunbar & Thomas
04/22/2012 - Crum & Wheeling
05/06/2012 - Clarksburg & Whitesville

Court Case Involving Grand Lodge of West Virginia

The following information is being posted because of its historical nature and importance to the craft.

December 15, 2010
Jury sides with Grand Lodge in Mason expulsion case
By Andrew Clevenger
The Charleston Gazette
CHARLESTON, W.Va. A Kanawha County jury sided Wednesday with the Grand Lodge of the West Virginia branch of the Masons against a former grand master who sued after he was expelled from the group, claiming the organization had violated its own rules.
The jury declined to award Frank J. Haas, an administrative law judge from Wellsburg, any damages, even though Kanawha Circuit Judge Carrie Webster ruled that the Masons breached its contract with Haas.
The jury also decided that the states Grand Lodge and past Grand Masters Charles F. Coleman II and Charles L. Montgomery had not defamed Haas, placed him in a false light, or committed outrageous conduct toward Haas, who was also a past grand master.
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201012150820 (for complete news article)

Thursday December 16, 2010
Jury finds Masons not guilty in case
by Cheryl Caswell
Daily Mail staff
A jury has determined that the Masons did not defame or damage a former Grand Worshipful Master when they threw him out of the organization.
Frank Haas, 53, of Wellsburg filed a lawsuit against the Grand Lodge in Charleston and two members of the Masons hierarchy Charlie Montgomery and Charles Coleman. Those two men succeeded Haas as state leader of the mens brotherhood.
Haas claimed he suffered emotional distress after being unexpectedly expelled as a member in 2006, shortly after his term ended. He said other Mason leaders were unhappy that he attempted to change some of the groups restrictions on race, age and disabilities.
But after more than a week of testimony from both sides, the jury decided against Haas on all counts.
http://dailymail.com/News/201012150813 (for complete news article)

Newest 50 Year Masons

Congratulations to Brother Shirley P. Hite who recently celebrated his 50th year as a Master Mason.
Congratulations to Brother George R. Triplett who recently celebrated his 50th year as a Master Mason.

In Memoriam

It is our sad duty to inform the Brethren of the recent passing of Brother Lonnie Gray Lambert on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Brother Lonnie Gray Lambert was a Master Mason of Riverside Lodge No. 124.

Lonnie Gray Lambert age 69 of Arbovale passed away Thursday April 29, 2010 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV
Mr. Lambert was born August 12, 1940 at Frank, WV and was the son of the late Uxter and Mary Elizabeth White Lambert
Lonnie was a part time employee of the Pocahontas Senior Center and was a member of the Cass Masonic Lodge.
PRECEDED IN DEATH BY other than his parents; 5 sisters: Elsie Lambert, Connie Taylor, Shirley Nelson, Sylvia Simmons and Madge Harris; 3 brothers: Harold, Jack and Ray Lambert
Survivors include his wife of 42 years Betty Jean Wilfong Lambert; daughter, Lucinda Jane “Cindy” Cassell and husband Scott of Boyer; grandson Dustin and Granddaughter Tiffany both of Boyer; sister, Jean Lynch of Summersville; brother, Donald “Chick” Lambert of Arbovale; grandson Dustin and Granddaughter Tiffany both of Boyer and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be 1:00 pm on Sunday May 2, 2010 at Wallace and Wallace Fuenral Home in Arbovale with Rev. David Rittenhouse officiating. Burial with Masonic Graveside Rites will follow at the Arbovale Cemetery
Friends may call from 6:00 until 8:00 P. M. Saturday May 1, 2010 at the Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home located at Arbovale, West Virginia

It is our sad duty to inform the Brethren of the recent passing of Brother Bryan Lee Gragg on Thursday, March 25, 2010. Brother Gragg was a Master Mason and Past Master of Riverside Lodge No. 124.

It is our sad duty to inform the Brethren of the recent passing of Brother Lawrence C. "Larry" Guthrie on Friday, February 26, 2010. Brother Guthrie was a Master Mason of Riverside Lodge No. 124.

It is our sad duty to inform the Brethren of the recent passing of Brother Donald Z. Harouff on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Brother Harouff was a Master Mason of Riverside Lodge No. 124 for more than 50 years.

It is our sad duty to inform the Brethren of the recent passing of Brother Hunter W. Nicholas on Friday, July 3, 2009. Brother Nicholas was a Master Mason of Riverside Lodge No. 124.

It is our sad duty to inform the Brethren of the recent passing of Brother Leonard D. Galford on Monday, November 10, 2008. Brother Galford was a Master Mason of Riverside Lodge No. 124 for more than 50 years.