Norwich bulletin., 1914-12-26
ECHOES FROM THE LODGE ROOM
Tharnes Council, Royal Arcanum Elects Ofceu Granger Preparing For State Sessions in Waterbury January 12, 13 and IA -New England Lodge File Chairs - Ladies' Auxiliary Heurs Encouraging Reports Anniver- sary of FairveS Home.

that time the demand for accomnoda- lions has increased and a commodtous
 dornitory has been added. which fur
 nishes home-like facilities for con- stantiy increasing number of residents.
 First Move 43 fsars Ago.
 While the home was dedicated less than twenty y-two, year ago. the agt-
 tarion that culminated in the opening of the institution began over forty
 oe oar9e 9 years asT; as T9 ;ss
 May. 1871. that Grand Secretary Fred- erick BotSfor0 made a motion that a, committee be appointed to report at the next session Oh the ubject of es-
 tablishing home s'for valetudinary members of this jurisdiction"
 The motion was adopted and a com mittee composed of Grand Secretary Botsford, Representatives Philip Pond and Louis Fieldman were chosen. They reported at the meeting Of the grand
 lodgeyin 1872.
 The report wasefollowed by. the ap- pointment of. another committee to draft a plan for the support of home and urge the lodges to pledge their aid in the establishing and support of such an institution, built wassnot un- til 1888 thatsthe matter came up agaiT. in the grand lodge In 1889. Grand Master Bishop. informed the grand there were thirty-one brothers who would be glad to avail themselves of the protection of such home.
 Groton the Chosen Location.
 Charles E. Ware, then a resident of New London, now located in Hart ford, became grand master in 1892, and he started soon after assuming the executive chair to bring the home project to a satisfactory solution. Sites
 were offered in Waterbury, Walling-
 ford and Groton and the grand master
 had the home committee visit all three. There wasn't any difficulty in deciding that the site in Groton was ments and the committee was unani- nous in arriving at that conclusion.
 It was considered best, however, be- fore purchasing to give the 5lnembers of the order throughout the state a
 chance to see the property, and in con-
 sequence vote was passed requesting that d special session of the grand lodge be called. and it wa held June 21, 1922. sixty-four of the seventy -four lodges being represented.
 The grand lodge approved the report
 of the committee by. a large majority and authorized the purchasce of the l property
 The Location Ideal.
 One. of the things that immediately
 impresses every visitor to Fairview is the beauty of the location. The prop erty is situated on a high hill on the east bank of the Thames River, almost opposite the site of the Connecticut College for Women that is now in 1 process of erection. The view is mag nihcent, taking in a. great range of country both up and down the river. | and covering. practically all of the l city of New London. It is an ideal place for such an institution, there be- l ing adeuuate grounds ample shade and l plenty of fresh air
 Once Home of Wealthy Planter. The property was once owned by Colonel Robert 4. Stafford. a wealthy planter of Cumberland Island, Ga who during the Civil War was loyal to 1 the Union. The fact that his wife was l a negresst prevented him from obtain l ing the social privileges he desired in the South and in the sos he purchased the FalrvIeWe property and built a mansion there. The building, which ie of wood. is said to have cost him x39.OaO. which in those days was a lot
 of money to spend on a residence
 The odd fellows bought the property at a price much less than its actual
 value and thev have suent -ti1ousards of dollars in improving it since they secured the title. Each resident has a separate room in the 1orTnftory. in 1 which there, is q comfortable bed chairs and a clothes closet: AmpIe 1 bath and toilet facilities, are provided
 on each floor and there is an assembly rnnri- where meetings and entertain rTrents can be had. Tn the southeast | corner of the doFn4itory there, is a l large recreation room. where the ] members may read or smoke as their l 7nrlina tions suggest
 Freeman c. woa1u-@rd is the can ! able superintendent Of the home. a .po- sifion that he has held for s~versI l wears, The sl7rodrcfs of tS1A farm last ! wear, tT1at were used pt the. home Uere vafifed at nearly $2-s06 Mrs F. q.
 Woodward fig tine r1atrou snH her
 work has given entire satisfar+inn. suonprted by Per caniEa Tax, The home iS supported by. a per capita tax on. each member of the order in Copecnticut,. and in addition l the lodges that have members at the
 home pay a weekly sum for their l board. l The number of residents at the home varies. The last annual report showed that there were thirty-two at the institution. The expenses of the | home, last year were something like I $fO.00o, which is very moderate, in view of what is furnished. The nome corporation has cash aset amount | ing to nearly $5o,000
 Each year the ubordfnate and Re-
 t1ekah Iodze of ConDecticut make | liberal donation to the upnort of | the home, and tine institution is a source of pride to all of the three