Vote, then ham and beans

Voters and those intending to vote later in the day chowed down on white beans and ham, cole slaw and corn bread Tuesday, election day, at the Harrisburg Masonic Lodge.

Very evident on shirt fronts around the room were the many "I Voted" stickers that each polling place gives out. The lodge served 225 patrons and sold 37 carry out meals.

Ham and beans were popular throughout the region Tuesday. Eldorado Lions Club also had an Election Day ham and bean dinner as did St. Kateri Altar Society at St. Joseph's Parish Center in Ridgway.

In Harrisburg, Master of the Lodge Buzz Welling said that the Masons gave up all secrecy about their organization in 1955, but word hasn't gotten to every non-member.

Some still think the Masons meet in secret. Welling said that there are no longer any secrets about the fraternity.

"We are the largest fraternity in the world," Welling said.

David Businaro who was selling tickets with Welling added, "There are lodges all over the world. I am Italian and Catholic and I am a member."

Weller explained that the A.F. & A.M. in the Mason logo means, "Ancient and Free,

Accepted Masons." He said that in Europe there was a time nearer to the creation of the Masonic fraternity when all members were actually masons or stone workers.

Eventually they started accepting "lay" tradesmen and professionals who needed to be "accepted" as they went through induction rites.