2026 District 3 Mason of the Year: Brother Carl F. Calder, PM
Brother Jeffrey R. Miller, PDDGM, is pleased to announce that he has chosen Brother Carl F. Calder, PM, as the District 3 Mason of the Year for 2026. Brother Calder was originally raised at Robert Burns Lodge No. 464 in 2009. Transferring to Orrstown Lodge No. 262 in 2016, where he was appointed as Assistant Secretary, and then elected Secretary in 2017. In 2022, Brother Calder received his Past Secretary jewel and was elected as Junior Warden. In 2023, he was elected as Worshipful Master, serving for two years.
During his service as Worshipful Master, Brother Calder was instrumental in heading Orrstown Lodge’s move back to their hometown of Orrstown, PA, where they were able to again meet on a Moon Lodge schedule. After the tragic loss of his friend and Brother, Mark L. McCleaf, in a motorcycle accident, Brother Calder established the Brother Mark L. McCleaf Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship has awarded financial assistance to students pursuing a blue-collar secondary education, with donations he secured from Volvo Construction Equipment helping to fund the scholarship.
In addition to his service to his Lodge, Brother Calder is the editor of the District 3 Dispatch monthly newsletter, webmaster of the District 3 website and digital presence, and IT rep for the District. He is a member of the Scottish Rite, Harrisburg Valley, where he serves as their webmaster, Royal Arch Chambersburg chapter, Tall Cedars Valley Forest #145 in Orrstown, Old Bellaire Chapter #375 of the Order of the Eastern Star in Carlisle, PA, and the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Temple Guard chapter, where he serves as the state digital information officer, responsible for their website creation and maintenance and other digital presence, as well as a member of the Widows Sons state Branding Team where he acts out ritual for new Brothers entering the Widows Sons, and was one of the recipients of the 2025 Award of Excellence from the State Presidents Council and RWGM Larry A. Durr. He has also served as his chapter’s secretary and, most recently, as Vice President, until an illness forced him into retirement.
Brother Calder also serves the Grand Lodge of PA as a member of the Grand Lodge IT Committee, previously serving as the Region 3 & 6 Regional IT Specialist (RIT), and currently serves as the District 2 RIT, succeeding current DDGM Timothy C. Dedman, who previously held the position.
Brother Calder’s service to his Lodge, District 3, appendant bodies, and the Grand Lodge of PA makes him a great choice as Mason of the Year for 2026.