Front row, from left, Alan Housholder; Gary Bender, recipient of the Master Builder's Award; Michael Patterson; back row, from left, Charles Heemer; Sean Maust; Gerald Kaltenbach; Bruce Earhart, 2016 master of Harmony Lodge 429; and Douglas Fischer attend the award ceremony.

[naviga:h3]Freemason receives award[/naviga:h3]

ZELIENOPLE — Gary Bender of New Castle, a member of Harmony Lodge 429, Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, received the Master Builder’s Award.

The Master Builder’s Award was developed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to recognize new Freemasons who have diligently engaged in activities of their lodges, their districts and the fraternity as a whole.

The award was presented by Alan Housholder of Zelienople and Michael Patterson of Ellwood City, co-chairmen of Masonic education for the 26th Masonic District.

Past recipients of the award include Charles Heemer of New Castle, Sean Maust of Zelienople, Gerald Kaltenbach of Butler and Douglas Fischer of Pittsburgh.

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ZELIENOPLE — Members of Harmony Lodge 429, Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, installed the following lodge officers for 2016:

Bruce Earhart of Wampum, worshipful master; Kim Kelly of Prospect, senior warden; Douglas Fischer of Pittsburgh, junior warden; Timothy Evans of Cranberry Township, treasurer; Brian Chips of Evans City, secretary;

Thomas Ayres of Harmony, chaplain/trustee; Jeffrey Kroner of Connoquenessing, senior deacon; Gary Bender of New Castle, junior deacon; Christopher Covert of Harmony, senior master of ceremonies; Chris Pappas of Ellwood City, junior master of ceremonies; Sean Maust of Zelienople, pursuivant; Edward Decker of Evans City, tyler;

Alan Duncan of Zelienople, representative to grand lodge; W. Thomas Marlowe Jr. of Harmony, trustee; and Denis Bishop of Valencia, trustee.