175th Anniversary Celebration

It was truly a special day on Saturday, October 1, 2022, as Wheeling Lodge #9 celebrated their 175^th anniversary. The festivities started shortly after 4:00 pm with Mary Jo Wallace welcoming everyone to the celebration. After a few words from Lodge Noble Grand, Mel Jeffcoat, and an opening prayer by Verna Tarr, dinner was served. What a wonderful meal it was too; prepared and catered by Quinnett’s Court in New Martinsville, WV. Once everyone had their fill, Jeremiah Beaver made introductions of the distinguished guests and dignitaries in attendance.

• The Guests and Dignitaries were as follows

  • International Association of Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant

    • • Lady Carol Schoolcraft, Past President

  • Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania

    • • Emilie Cupp, Past Grand Master, Past Grand Patriarch, Past Grand Representative

  • Rebekah Assembly of West Virginia

    • • Cheryl Workman, President

  • Grand Encampment of West Virginia

    • • DDGP of District #3, John Bailey

      • Ronald B. Fletcher, Grand Scribe

  • Grand Lodge of West Virginia

    • • DDGM of District #1, David Clark

      • Allen White, Grand Warden

      • Alan Kerns, Deputy Grand Master

      • Gerald Workman, Grand Master

        • • Also Sovereign Grand Warden

          • Also Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Encampment of WV

  • Sovereign Grand Lodge

    • • John S. Cupp, Deputy Sovereign Grand Master

Brothers Gerald Workman, GM and Brother John Cupp, DSGM were asked to speak. It is always an honor to have an officer of the Grand Lodge, but to have two officers of the Sovereign Grand Lodge attend and speak at a Lodge event is quite special. Brother John Cupp, DSGM presented Wheeling Lodge #9 with an award from the Sovereign Grand Lodge to commemorate their 175^th anniversary. Jeremiah then presented the Deputy Sovereign Grand Master with an honorary associate membership to Wheeling Lodge #9.

John Bailey took to the microphone and talked about the Stuffed Pork Chop Dinner and knife set raffle fundraiser the Lodge is currently running to benefit Camp Kno-Koma, Diabetes Camp of West Virginia. He also introduced and thanked the members in attendance from the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center for allowing us to not only use the time capsule found under the cornerstone of the Weirton IOOF hall, but to have the honor of opening the three sealed envelopes that were found inside the time capsule.

John invited Ronald B. Fletcher, our most senior active member forward to do the honor of opening the three envelopes.

The contents of the sealed envelopes are as follows:

• Envelope marked “Compliments of J. Walker”

  • • A 1929 US silver mercury dime

• Envelope marked “Compliments of E. E. Turner”

  • • A 1929 US silver quarter

• Envelope marked "Cornerstone Committee of Wheeling Lodge #9”

  • • A list of committee members in attendance when the time capsule was placed

It was a wonderful afternoon of good food, great fellowship, interesting history, celebration and fun for all. Wheeling Lodge is very grateful to have such active members, and hopes to be able to celebrate many more anniversaries going forward.

Greeting from West Virginia Governor Jim Justice

Event Program

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