Fifty years ago, three men joined Riverside Masonic Lodge 503 Free and Accepted Masons in Wrightsville, and they were honored for their long service to the organization in October.

Art Bigler and Alvin Fake, both Past Masters of the lodge, as well as Alvin Himes, were awarded the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge Award of Gold, a distinctive emblem to be won in recognition of their service and dedication to the fraternity.

District Deputy Darrin Catts presented the award to Bigler and Fake at a meeting at the lodge, 25 Cool Creek Road, Wrightsville, with friends and family members in attendance. Himes was unable to attend, but Catts authorized officers and members of the lodge to present the award to him at his home, with friends and family present.

Riverside Masonic Lodge members provide community service through a number of projects throughout the year, said Keith Flaharty, a two-time Past Master who will be Master of the lodge next year.

"We are a men's organization, and we're one of the oldest fraternal organizations around," he noted. "We like to say we take men in and we make them better."

Flaharty has been a member for 41 years, and his grandfather, father, brother and two sons have also been members.

"We are trying more and more to get out into the community," Flaharty said of the organization. The lodge sponsors scholarships for local students, provides meals for families in the Eastern York School District and holds a variety of fundraisers throughout the year, including a chicken barbecue over Memorial Day weekend and a drive-through chicken and waffle dinner. "Proceeds from these meals go toward needs in the community," Flaharty stated. The organization also hosts community blood drives and recently donated to provide new Christmas decorations in Wrightsville Borough. Riverside Lodge members also support community youths in the Masonic program through Job's Daughters and DeMolay International.

Flaharty noted that while the longevity of the three members' service is a milestone, it's not completely unique in the organization.

"We've had 12 or 14 members over the years who have reached the 50-year mark," Flaharty said. "I think we have two more coming up next year. We're a very dedicated group."

He noted that the lodge is always looking for new members who are interested in fellowship and community service. The lodge meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of the month. For more information, search for "Riverside Lodge 503" on Facebook.