By: Brother Bill Breed

WB Kenneth Bickford was installed the new Master of Coastal Lodge #57 in Stonington CT on December 6th in front of a packed lodge room.  WB Ken became the fifth Master of Coastal Lodge. Also installed were SW Eric Donch, JW Wallace DeSouza, SD Robert Archambeault, JD Campbell Field, SS Tim Devine, JS Steve Robarge, Assoc. SS Reid Hildebrand, Assoc. JS Shane Devine, Marshal Glen Studwell Tiler Robert Bailey, Historian William Breed and Associate Historian Shane Devine.  Brother William Johnston was installed as the Treasurer, WB Jonathan Wilson as Assoc. treasurer, WB Carl Mossberg as the Secretary, and WB Ty Brumfeld as Assoc. Secretary.  Coastal Lodge has, since its charter on October 16, 2004 had a complete progressive officer line from Master to the Tiler of non-Past Masters.

The Installing Officer was the RW Richard Wingate, PDD, Marshal was WB Carl Mossberg and Chaplain was RW John Plante, DD 8B.  Brothers Alden Mitchell, organist, and Carl Heinrich, vocal soloist, provided song and accompaniment to the ceremony.

Charges were given as follows; Master: RW Richard Wingate, Wardens: WB Edward Childs, Officers: MW Roger Read PGM 1999 and Brethern: WB Carl Mossberg.

WM Bickford recognized the following brothers as being very influential in his becoming master:  RW Dick Wingate, WB Ed Childs, MW Roger Read, RW John Plante, WB Ty Brumfield, Alden Mitchell and Carl Heinrich.

SW Eric Donch, presented the Master’s top hat which was also accompanied by a pointed hat with magician’s symbols.  WB Ty Brumfield presented the Past Master’s apron and Dick & Dot Wingate presented WM Ken with a Coastal Apron embroidered with WM 2009 in recognition of the day.

A sensational dinner, prepared by WB Oscar Legaspi and RW Lodi Morales, followed the installation. The WM recognized their efforts by presenting them with personalized aprons with the Coastal logo.