These slate of officers was accepted, and on May 13th, 1948 held at the Taylor Memorial Hall was installed by Rt. Wor. Bro. J. T. Bottonley, District Deputy Grand Master, assisted by brethren from Ashlar Lodge #36, Sussex Lodge #7 and Hiram Lodge #6. There were 64 brethren present for this event.

    Starting in September, the lodge meetings was held in a room above the Harvey Creamery garage until the new Lodge building was constructed in 1956. It was interesting to note that the rental cost of this room to the Lodge was $10.00 per month.

    The Lodge, while under dispensation, initiated twenty-six (26) new members, and during the first eight years of existence, initiated a total of seventy (70) brethren. Annual dues were $5.00 payable in advance. Initiation fee was $30.00.

    Cherry Mountain Lodge #50 F. & A.M. (UD) was officially dedicated and constituted on June30th 1949 by the Grand Lodge officers under the Most Worshipful Grand Master , Most Wor.Bro. James S. Hoyt. Following the ceremony the officers of Cherry Mountain Lodge were installed. Wor.Bro. James A. Murray was installed as Worshipful Master, thus served in this position two years; during the year under dispensation and the first year following the constitution of the Lodge.

    It was noted that for several years following the formation of the Lodge, meetings were held in July & August, and as well, many emergent meetings were called to initiate new members.

    The first Divine (Church) Service for Cherry Mountain Lodge officers and members was held in the Knox Presbyterian Church on November 21, 1948. Reverend Brother A.H. Sproule, Senior Steward of Cherry Mountain Lodge, and Minister of Knox, conducted the service. Annual Church parades were held for many years, alternating between the Knox Presbyterian Church and the two United Churches.

    The first Ladies Night was held in May 1949 when members and their ladies danced the night away at Taylor Hall with lunch served to all. Ladies Nights were held annually until 1956 when the custom was suspended for two years, presumably due to the construction of the Lodge building.

    In 1958, under the W.M. Wor.Bro. A. Linton Vail, the event was again held and has continued, with some changes, as an annual event since that date, Ladies Nights have, for the past 25 years or so, included lobster and steak dinner with dance to follow.

    On June 4th 1951 the Lodge donated $5.00 as prizes to the graduating classes of Harvey High School and Lawrence Station High School. This practice has continued annually since that date for students of Harvey High School. The amount of the donation has been increased over time until now, the prize to Harvey High is $50.00. Lawrence Station School received the award until the High School was changed to an elementary school.

    At the November 8th 1950 meeting of the Lodge it was decided that the Lodge would purchase a Santa Claus suit and provide a Christmas tree for the children of the Village and surrounding area. The first tree for the children was held on the Saturday evening before Christmas in 1950. The Santa Claus suit was donated to the Lodge. The Lodge has continued to sponsor the community Christmas tree since 1950, setting up and lighting the tree in the Village, arranging the visits of Santa Claus and providing treats of candy for the children.

    On September 13th 1951 Cherry Mountain Lodge agreed to sponsor the Cherry Mountain Scout Troop. The Lodge continued with the sponsorship for a number of years, providing funding, leaders and a meeting place, then after a few years of non-involvement, took over leadership again in 1975, forming a Wolf Cub Pack and the Scout Troop in 1977, both of which were sponsored until 1981 and then sporadically after that until the 1990's.

    March 1962- with the opening of the Harvey Curling club in 1962 Cherry Mountain Lodge organized its first Masonic Curling Bonspiel on April12th 1962. Rt.Wor.Bro. James A. Murray donated a trophy on which would be engraved the names of the winners. The first winners of this trophy was a rink skipped by Wor.Bro. Leslie Brewer of Alexandria Lodge. This curling bonspiel is now the oldest Masonic Bonspiel in this Grand jurisdiction, having been held annually, with two exceptions, from 1962 to 2002, a total of 39 years.

NOTABLE EVENTS

    On June 19th 1954 and "Open Air Lodge" was held on Wildwood Island in Magaguadavic Lake. This island was owned by Wor.Bro. J. Elwood McLean, and this was the first such function held in this province.

    Cherry Mountain Lodge hosted the function with approval of Grand Lodge, under chairman Wor.Bro. J. Elwood McLean and his committee of Rt.Wor.Bro. James A. Murray, Wor.Bro. A. Ray Manzer, Bros. Herbert Swan, Ersel Corey, and Bro. C. Arthur Smith. Wor.Bro. J. Amos Essensa was the Worshipful Master. District Lodges invited to attend were Alexandria, Ashlar, Grand Lake, Hiram and Sunbury. Members from these Lodges attended as well as visiting brethren from St. Stephen and the Eastern United States.

    The Lodge was held in a field on the island at which time Bros. Darrell Murray and Robert Graham received their third degree. A meal was provided, covered by a registration fee of $3.00 per member. Transportation to the island by boat was organized by the committee.

    Totals receipts for the day were $847.50; expenses, $378.85; leaving a profit for the Lodge of $468.65. This amount, on motion by the Lodge, was placed in the building fund.

    A second outdoor lodge was held on September 7th 1957 on Wildwood Island with a program similar to the first event described above, with participation of the district Lodges, Rt.Wor.Bro. Allison G. Knowlton was the Worshipful Master. Bro. John Dorcas received his third degree along with two brethren from other district Lodges. The profit from this event was used to reduce the mortgage on the building. 1 A shed owned by Mr. Finnie burned that day and cars parked near the building were burned.

    A third outdoor lodge was held on September 9th, 2006 on Spruce Island which a portion is leased by R.W.Bro. Peter Whittaker.  W.M. Trent MacLean was in the east, along with the regular officers of Cherry Mountain Lodge.  Most Worshipful The Grand Master Wayne McKay plus members from Hiram #6, Alexandria #33, Sunbury #42, Granite #54 and Sussex #7 were in attendance.  Bros. Daniel Lister, Randford Gass, Ryan Nestoruk and Dayton Coburn received their M.M. degree.  Transportation were provided by W.Bros. Allister Coburn, Keith Moffitt and Bro. Randford Gass.  48 brethren in total enjoyed this outdoor event, and nothing got burnt this year.  We couldn't ask for a better day, and everybody enjoyed the barbeque and fellowship after.

Lodge Building

    There were several proposals as to renovate an existing building or to buy a lot.for the construction of a new Lodge building. Two building lots were offered. One owned by Bro. Harry T. Swan and the other a joint property of Bro. Harry A. Corey and Wor.Bro. J. Elwood McLean. The Lodge decision was to take the offer of the joint property which is the present site of the Lodge.

    The committee appointed to arrange financing for the building requested that each brother donate 8 days of labour or $50.00 to start construction of the building.

    Plans for the building were drawn up by Wor.Bro. J. Elwood McLean. The proposed building was to be 35 feet by 70 feet with a basement. Estimated cost was $7657.00

    On the February 14, 1955 by a vote of 27 to 12, a motion was passed to construct the Lodge building, it was interesting to note that it was felt that a two-third vote in favor was necessary to go ahead with the building.

    Permission was given by Eastern Pulpwood Company for the Lodge to cut 5,000 board feet of lumber on its land. Brethren of the Lodge cut and hauled out these logs. Rt.Wor.Bro. James Murray donated the siding for the building, and donated a General Electric Stove through Bro. Ben Swan. The seats along the wall were purchased from Oscar Swan, who had obtained the seats from the theater in St. Stephen. Construction of the Lodge hall commenced in June 1955; the cornerstone was laid in the cement foundation in September 1955 and the building was completed in 1956.

    On October 17th 1956, an emergent meeting, Cherry Mountain Lodge building was dedicated, with Most Worshipful Grand Master Rev. Doctor A.E. Coleman presiding, assisted by Most Wor. Past Grand Master, Most Wor. J.S. Hoyt, Rt.Wor. J.S. Duncan, Rt.Wor. R.T. Person and officers of Grand Lodge.

    Wor.Bro. C. Arthur Smith was the Worshipful Master at that time. 103 members present including 55 members of Cherry Mountain Lodge. To raise money to help finance the cost of the building 500 shares were offered to the brethren at a face value of $10.00 each.

    Cherry Mountain Lodge Holding Company was registered on May 10th 1956 with company by-laws prepared for approval by the Provincial Department of Justice.

    The Lodge was insured with coverage of $20.000 and a loan was taken in the form of a mortgage for $6,000 to cover balance of the cost of construction. This mortgage was held by three brethren.

    Water was supplied to the Lodge building by Harvey Creamery Limited for a nominal fee of $1.00 per year. This arrangement continued until the closure of the creamery in 1974. The Lodge drilled a well at that time.  They say History repeats itself.  In the year 2004 the Lodge again hooked up to an existing well inside what use to be the Creamery, now owned by the Village of Harvey.  The Lodge is leasing the property & well for $1.00 per year.

    The deed for the Lodge was registered on November 9th 1967 when the original was placed in the safety deposit box at the Royal Bank.

April 7th 1975

    The beautiful carpet covering the Lodge room floor was donated in loving memory of Wor.Bro. Ersel E. Corey, Worshipful Master of Cherry Mountain Lodge in 1955. This donation was made by his parents, Bro. Harry A. Corey and his wife, Nelda.

    On the evening of April 7th 1975, at a special meeting chaired by W.M. Alvin A. Moffitt, this carpet was dedicated by Very Worshipful S. Raymond Jackson, and suitable engraved plaque was unveiled recognizing the donors.

    Most Wor.Bro. J. Stewart Brooks, Grand Master of New Brunswick, was the guest speaker. It is interesting to note that the apron worn by Most Wor.Bro. Brooks is now being worn by Grand Master Most Wor.Bro. R. Wayne Hitchcock.

    At a regular meeting of Cherry Mountain Lodge held on April 12, 1975, final payment of $1950.51 was made on the building mortgage, and in a ceremony involving Wor.Bro. A. Ray Manzer, the senior living Past Master of our Lodge, the mortgage was burned.

April 12, 1979

    A new roof for the building was approved by the Lodge at a cost of $7500.00. Financing was again provided by three brethren with a five year loan at 10% interest. The loan was paid off on April 14, 1983.  The  roof had new shingles installed by Quality Roofing again in the year 2003 at a price of around $4000.00.  This loan was financed by the Royal Bank

June 28, 1988

    A special meeting of Cherry Mountain Lodge was held to approve proposed major renovations to the Lodge building. Estimated cost of these renovations was $56,537.00

    The Lodge could receive assistance under a Federal-Provincial Government program with a grant of up to $47,940.00. The renovation project was approved by the Lodge, with authorization given to Rt.Wor. Bro. Vernon Lister, chairman of the project, to borrow up to $8,597.00 from the Royal Bank. The work on the building was done by Wor.Bro. Dale E. Cleghorn with his crew and was completed by March 1989. New siding, windows, another layer of cement on basement floor and repainting of the Lodge both upstairs and down were done at this time.

The loan was paid off by 1995.

September 2004

    A group of Masons tackled the kitchen, removed all the old cabinets and installed new ones.  Installed a suspended ceiling and purchased a commercial propane stove.  This made a vast improvement of the banquet hall.  A plaque with names of workers & donations is on display in the kitchen.

ITEMS OF NOTE

Installation of Officers

    From 1949 to 1970 officers of Cherry Mountain Lodge were installed on December 27th, St. John's Night. From 1971 to this date (2005) installation is a part of the program of the January meeting.

Past Master's Portraits

    On September 13, 1951 a motion was passed in open Lodge that the portraits of Past Masters be taken, at Lodge cost, and that these portraits be hung in the Lodge. As seen by all, portraits of all the Worshipful Masters of Cherry Mountain Lodge with their year(s) of service adorn the walls of the Lodge.

    As noted, initially the Lodge paid for the cost of these portraits, in recent years the cost has been borne by the individuals whose portrait has been taken.

Past Master's Aprons

    The Lodge presented the first Past Master's Apron to Wor.Bro. A. Ray Manzer on December 27, 1951; the presentation being made by Wor.Bro. James A. Murray.

    It was moved at that time that a Past Master's Apron be presented to each Worshipful Master upon completion of his year. This practice continued until January 14, 1968 when the Lodge agreed to cover the cost of converting a Master Mason's apron by attaching the required Past Master's emblems. However, this practice was only followed until 1981. Since then Past Masters pay for conversion of their aprons.

Past Master's Jewel

    The first Past Master's Jewel, presented by the Lodge, was given to Wor.Bro. Alton E. Corey on March 1, 1965.

Elected Grand Lodge Officers

James Murray: Jim ran a sawmill, steam powered, and each winter people would haul in logs to be sawed in the spring. When that was done they made excelsior for packing (now replaced with styrofoam and popcorn). Also had equipment to make clapboards and special moldings. Made windows and door frames, etc. Also was justice of the Peace. He could write up a deed or mortgage for anyone. Also an occasion he would hold what we would call a People's Court today. He had a small building for his office and took the window frames, when made, to his office to glaze them so there were always laying against the walls, etc. Also was a very obliging person.

Ray Manzer: Ray ran a blacksmith shop at the end of the Black Road. Was also a manufactor. Installed special equipment to make pulp hooks, a very large drop hammer, which was very successful. Made the stands that are in the Lodge today for the Warden and Stewards staffs. Was a strong supporter of all aspects re work, etc.

J. Elwood McLean: Elwood was the owner of the Harvey Creamery. He and his father and family came here from Saskatchewan. I believe everyone knows about it. I personally believe he was the means of getting everything re Lodge i.e. rooms over the creamery garage, and only charging $10.00 a month.

Charles A. Watson: Charlie Watson came from the west with his family and took over running the Farmer's Trading Store which was exactly where Watson's Store is today. Overtime he was very popular as an entertainer singing Scotch songs and always ready to help groups on fundraising. The Lodge has had the use of his lodge at Oromocto Lake for special events at no charge.

William A. Thompson: William came to Harvey from Cape Breton as manager of the Royal Bank. He was well respected and lived over the bank building built by Harry Corey. Ltd. for the bank and officers for his company.

Earle E. Lister: Earle lived in Manners Sutton. He was one of the real leaders in starting 4-H Clubs and was famous world wide for his Jersey cows. I remember a show I think in Sydney, Cape Breton, in the 1920s when he and Maurice Lister took honours. I'm not sure if it was pigs or cows they showed at that time.

A. H. Sproule: Rev. Sproule came to Harvey from Campbelliton to the Knox Presbyterian Church and was there a number of years. He was very active in getting the Young People's group going.

Williamm Revell: Bill was employed by Harry Corey Ltd. for a few years and then moved to Ontario.

Harry J. Swan: Harry, for a number of years, lived and ran a mill in Tweedside. He was a Millright and sawyer and finish carpenter-cabinet maker. He moved to Harvey around 1927 and was sawyer for Murray's Mill. When he was not sawing logs, he made windows. etc. He built a number of new houses such as harry Corey's, the MacLean's and many more. He became an undertaker and operated with the hearse pulled by a team, then brought the first automobile hearse to Harvey.

Amos Essensa: Amos worked on the railroad all his life and was ready to help anyone at that time.

Libby Vail: Libby Vail lived in Brockway. He was a carpenter and they also ran a canteen in this home along the highway. He also built houses and did some guiding for sports.

Basil Messer: I was the baby of the group. I worked with my father blacksmithing maching work building farm wagons, sleds, truck bodies. Took over that business in '38 and worked it until '42. Then was requested to go on defense work. Returned in '47 and built a shop twice the size. At the end of ' 49 was offered a more profitable paying job so returned to the people I was working with during the war. Incidentally I also ran movies in the Taylor Hall on Friday and Saturday nights when I was home. Masonry has been a wonderful exprience in my life. Many times the lectures and fellowship has been of great support. Even as I was unable to work many offices, I certainly benefited by the stability and confidence it gave me and I know it will continue to do for years to come.

Footnote: I have described these people as I remember them. If I have made any errors I apologize. I trust it may be interesting to some.