Masons celebrate food pantry volunteers

TICONDEROGA | In an unusual reversal of roles, over 30 volunteers from the Ticonderoga Food Pantry were themselves treated to a meal. On Thursday, Jan. 22, the Freemasons Mt. Defiance Lodge #794 and the Order of the Eastern Stars Fort Ticonderoga Chapter 263 welcomed the food pantry folks into the Montcalm Street Masonic Temple's dining hall for their first-ever Community Recognition Dinner. "Being acknowledged is good for morale, and people don't have the opportunity to say the words," noted Mount Defiance Lodge member and secretary Steve Boyce. "We have so many volunteers in this community that are doing so much, and I hope it was nice for the food pantry volunteers to know that what they are doing is appreciated by others." Completely free to the pantry volunteers, the menu included baked ham and macaroni and cheese prepared by Marc Austin, who not only is a Lodge member but also enjoys the culinary arts. The recipe (passed along from Lodge member J.T. Hardy's wife) called for an array of cheeses- sharp cheddar, Gouda, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and shredded Parmesan. "Last year, the food pantry approached us about catering a dinner for them for their annual get-together," Boyce revealed. "Our dinner committee met and talked about it, and felt it didn't seem right to ask people who do such a great job helping feed the hungry for money. We figured this event would be a way for us to say 'thank you' for all you do for the community." And the volunteers seemed more than appreciative. "I am so excited," said Linda Cunningham, food pantry volunteer of many years, prior to sitting down to the meal with her husband and fellow volunteer, Jim. The dinner also provided the food pantry volunteers, who often work different shifts and share different roles in the food pantry, to sit and break bread together, a rare occasion. "You feel like you are doing something to help at the pantry, and I love all the people that volunteer," Cunningham said. "It's amazing, and such an operation." In total, the Ticonderoga Food Pantry distributed over 42 tons of food within the community in 2025. Margaret Beuerlein, Food Pantry head, took an opportunity during the meal to thank her fellow brothers and sisters in arms for making the food pantry the successful lifeline it is. "They are all wonderful people to work with; they work very hard and are always happy about doing so," she said. Boyce is hopeful that the Community Recognition Dinner will be the first of many given for benevolent organizations within Ticonderoga and the surrounding area. Part of the Clinton Essex District, Mount Defiance Lodge, Mount Defiance Lodge members take part in monthly monetary donations to the many different organizations- the Ticonderoga Historical Society, Friends Comforting Friends, the Ticonderoga Area Backpack Program, Hometown Heroes, the Food Pantry, and Tiny Tim. The Order of the Eastern Star (OES) is the world's largest fraternal organization open to both men (Master Masons) and women (related to Masons or otherwise). In Ti, the OES often offers support at Masonic functions, the Community Recognition Dinner a perfect example. "We have never been very vocal about what we do, and events like this give the community an opportunity to see what we do," remarked OES Chapter 263 former Grand Matron and current secretary, Keri Rhebergen. The roster of famous figures in history who have boasted being a Freemason is also rather impressive. First President George Washington was a Master Mason, and Benjamin Franklin was a founding member of the first Masonic Lodge in America. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Gerald Ford were Masons, as was Great Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Paul Revere, Duke Ellington, Davy Crockett, Henry Ford, Nat King Cole, and Buzz Aldrin were also Freemasons. "We are a group that one of our main missions is to help people who are less fortunate than we are, to the best of our ability," Boyce reflected. "We are just one more piece of the puzzle as to what makes a strong community." As fundraisers throughout the year, the Masons hold monthly dinners on the fourth Monday of every month September through May. "Both the Masons and Eastern Star organizations focus on ethical and moral improvement, and individuals who want to help others should consider joining us," encouraged Boyce. Mount Defiance Lodge meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month, September through May. For more information on membership, please contact Worshipful Master Bob Bartlett at 518-241-0799, or email at rbartle1@nycap.rr.com. Any Mason is also happy to be approached and can answer questions. For more information on joining the Eastern Stars, please contact Rhebergen at 518-796-7286. Follow Mount Defiance Lodge No. 794, OES Fort Ticonderoga Chapter 263 on Facebook for updates and dinner events. To make a food donation to the Ticonderoga Food Pantry, please stop in on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. To make a monetary donation, please make checks payable to the Ticonderoga Food Pantry and send them to 1045 Wicker St., Ticonderoga, N.Y. 12883. The food pantry is open to those in need of emergency relief Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. until noon.

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Masons celebrate food pantry volunteers

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