David Cumming

I am a member of Winnipisaukee Lodge No. 75 of the Ancient and Honorable Free and Accepted Masons of New Hampshire. The Masons have been active in Alton NH since 1866 and as a Grand Lodge have been active in NH since July 1789. I have been a Mason first in Massachusetts in Good Samaritan Lodge A. F. and A. M in Reading MA. In June 2005, I affiliated with Winnipisaukee Lodge in Alton NH. In November of 2007 I was elected Senior Warden of the Lodge and in November of 2009, I was elected to serve as Worshipful Master of the Lodge. I serviced as Master of the Lodge for two years. I then held various positions in the Lodge until November 2022, when I was once again elected Master of the Lodge. I served the Lodge for two more years as Master. I also served the Deputy Grand Lecturer for the Fifth Masonic District for one year and then served as Deputy Grand Master three years. During this period, I was presented with the Jeremy Ladd Cross Medal, the highest award that can be bestowed on a New Hampshire Mason. In total, I have been a Mason for more than 42 years. In my time as a Mason, I have personally, and as a member of our Lodge and the New Hampshire Grand Lodge, contributed to organizations such as the Alton Food Pantry, New Durham NH Food Pantry, and the Gilmanton Food Pantry. We have supported local Cub Scout Troop 53 and provided them with the use of our building for their meetings and activities, free of charge. We have assisted local organizations and groups in fund-raising efforts for local families in need or in times of sickness or distress. As a Mason, I remain active in the community. The Masons have been a visible and viable part of our community going back to the Civil War days. I ask for your support to allow the Masons to continue to provide charitable support for the communities of Alton, New Durham, and Gilmanton, and to allow our organization to be tax free in these endeavors. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in favor of HB1324