The Masonic Temple was not always at this location — it once was on Ludington Street, on the second floor of the former Home Furniture Store. The members of Blue Lodge 388, White Shrine and Iron Mountain Chapter 44 Order of Eastern Star would have to haul the flour, lard, meat, onions and rutabagas up two flights.

Pasties would be made and then the ladies would take them home to bake. When the pasties were done, the ladies returned and sold the pasties on the street in front of the store.

But the pasties soon became known far and wide.

In 1958, the members had raised enough money to build the Masonic Temple at 301 Hamilton Ave. in Kingsford right across the parking lot from the First Presbyterian Church.

Don Sericati, head baker and Denny Scelonge.

The older members talk about what a relief it was to be able to meet on the first floor and not have to haul the pasty supplies up all those steps.

In the 1960s, the Solmonson sisters bought an electric potato peeler for the temple. Though noisy, this machine made it quicker and easier to peel a couple hundred pounds of potatoes each week.

Through the years, the pasty sales made enough money to replace roofs, add air conditioning and pay for the taxes and utilities.

Members have donated to the Salvation Army, Bay Cliff, and fund scholarships. They also collected needed items for area schools, the Caring House and children’s books for the hospital.

M. Joyce Maas was famous for her dinners that honored local community volunteers.

Some customers would pick up pasties for friends and family, sending them to Green Bay, Chicago, New York and even Hawaii.

In November 2018, a couple called from downstate and ordered more than 400 pasties. The group made and froze them. The next week, the couple drove north to Iron Mountain to pick them up.

It is with regret that members have ended their pasty sales, but many of the workers are in their late 80s or early 90s. In addition, the building has been sold.

The group wants to thank all who have supported the pasty sales these past years.

“You became not just our customers but friends and family that we looked forward to seeing,” Chris Sericati said on behalf of all the members.