Palmer Is Recognized As a 75-Year Mason

Dwight Palmer of Randolph was honored for 75 years as a Mason. From left are Marke C. Englert, Master of Mad River Masonic Lodge, No. 77 of Waitsfield, Palmer, and Cal Keyler of Sharon, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Vermont F & AM. (Provided)

A very rare recognition was conferred on 97-year-old Dwight Palmer July 12 at his residence at the Joslyn House in Randolph. Some 15 members of the Mad River Masonic Lodge journeyed to Randolph to confer a 75-year Masonic pin on Palmer.

Doing the honors was Vermont Grand Master Calvin Keyler of Sharon. Grand Secretary Cedric Smith was also part of the ceremony.

Asked how many 75-year members there are in Vermont, Smith guessed that the number was fewer than 10 among the exactly 7019 Vermont Masons.

Though Palmer lived most of his life in Randolph, it is not unusual to continue with membership in the lodge you first joined, Smith said, which is why Palmer remains a member of the Mad River Lodge.

Palmer, for his part reminisced on his many years in the fraternity and his long career in the milk processing business.

Presently, there is no Masonic lodge in Randolph, although there was one for years in the structure next to DuBois & King on Main Street. The Randolph lodge merged into what is now the Mystic Star-Phoenix Lodge of Brookfield.

According to the website Vtfreemasons.org, Freemasonry has at least a 300-year history and focuses on individual development and citizenship. In addition, the Freemasons of North America contribute over $2 million a day to charitable causes, one of the most notable projects being the network of hospitals operated by the Shrine Masons, caring for burned and orthopaedically impaired children.

The Grand Lodge of Vermont, through its charitable fund, Masonic Charities of Vermont, Inc., has donated over $60,000 annually to a wide range of Vermont-based charities. In a typical year the list usually includes over 25 organizations.