The Masonic Lodge in Newton was granted a charter in October of
1856 and has been a part of Newton and Jasper County since. The Lodge
has installed Masters and other officers each year for 164 years.
Because of Covid restrictions, installation was a bit different this year.
The ceremony was held December 20th , and is normally open to the public
with friends and relatives in attendance. As per Grand Lodge
recommendations only the officers being installed were present.
At the stated meeting on December 7th , Brother Austin Alexander was
elected Master of the Lodge for 2021. Austin is the son of Robert and
Sheri Alexander and is married to Lisa. They are parents to Sophie, Henry
and most recently, Archie. They reside in Lawrenceville. He is employed by
the Lawrenceville School System as a history teacher.
Also elected and installed were Bros Craig Thomeczk as Senior
Warden, Jack Ping as Junior Warden, Ryan Rohr as Treasurer and Ralph
Portlock as Secretary. Those appointed by the new Master and installed
were: Ed Martin as Chaplain, Bob Rohr as Senior Deacon, Steve Cox as
Junior Deacon, Dennis Einhorn as Senior Steward, Mike Lindley as Junior
Steward, Greg Sidwell as Marshall and Mike Thomas as Tyler.
Greg Sidwell served as installing officer and Ralph Portlock as
installing Marshall. Past Master Larry Brinson presented Bro Alexander a Masonic Bible as a gift from the Lodge reflecting his marriage to Lisa.
