Last Updated: Monday, November 10, 2008 7:54 AM CST
Courthouse rededication marks centennial
By Michael Skubal
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The Oneida County Courthouse Centennial Celebration continued last Saturday with a number of different events. It was the last chance to take part in a very successful year-long community party.
There were tours of Forest Home Cemetery, The Oneida County Courthouse, Rhinelander City Hall and the Historical Society Museum. Free cake and coffee were handed out in the courthouse, and the Masonic Lodge held a pancake breakfast and lunch. Courthouse Centennial wine, historic wooden coasters and plaques, and Tiffany-style glass samples were offered for sale.
But the two main events were the rededication of the courthouse and the filling of the 2008 Time Capsule. Stalwart citizens stood outside in the drizzle for the courthouse rededication and crowded the courthouse balconies for the filling of the time capsule.
Members of the Wisconsin Freemasons rededicated the courthouse using the same ceremony that they used 100 years ago. The Masons followed a procedure for laying a cornerstone that dates from the laying of the cornerstone of the Capitol Building by George Washington. It was modified because the cornerstone was still in place. The ceremony dedicates the building to the service of man.
A Mason’s tools were used as symbols. The carpenter’s square is equated to righteousness, honesty and fairness. The level signifies that we are all equal or level before God, and the plumb means justice and truth. Also used in the ceremony were corn, symbolizing the fundamental needs of life, wine for joy and gladness and oil for light, peace and concern for those afflicted.
The Masons expressed a link with the past and hope for the future. And the courthouse was rededicated to honor Freemasonry virtue and universal benevolence.
Inside, on the first level of the courthouse steps, Dale Schlieve, Guy Hansen and Bruce Carlson presided over the filling of the new time capsule. A variety of items were placed in the capsule, including newspapers and memorabilia from the courthouse celebration. The capsule will be buried in the spring of 2009.
The Oneida County Centennial Celebration brought the residents of Rhinelander together as few events have. Let’s vow to do it again in 2108.
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Joe wrote on Nov 10, 2008 11:45 AM: