EAST BOOTHBAY — Thomas Pulkkinen of East Boothbay, formerly of Auburn, was recently elected as Maine’s 98th Grand Master of Masons.

He will lead the 186 Lodges and 18,000 Masons throughout the state for the next two years. His duties also include serving as president of the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation.

Pulkkinen began his Masonic journey in St. John’s Lodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The presiding officer of St. John’s Lodge from 1808-14 was Edward Little, founder and benefactor of Lewiston Falls Academy, now Edward Little High School.

Maine Masons are working with the Maine Department of Education to offer the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program to Maine school districts at no cost to the local schools. The program is an intensive workshop for educators to learn how to identify, intervene with, and create appropriate referrals for students who may be at risk for substance abuse, depression, suicide or violence.

Freemasonry traces its history back to the builder’s guilds in medieval Europe and is open to men of faith. Its vision is to enrich lives through education, charity and spiritual growth. It annual convocation is in Bangor Oct. 15, with the theme Freemasonry: A Revolutionary Brotherhood. Speakers will discuss the role of Freemasonry in the formation of this country and the importance of it tenets in today’s world. It’s open to the public.