“They had a calm, nurturing manner about them that ended up settling into your bones,” … a quote from a former camper attending Dave’s 100th birthday party last April.
The Masons met in church while living in Connecticut. She was born in New Jersey, he in New York, and they would eventually move to Maine to run camp Agawam, founded by Dave’s father in 1919. Together, the Masons owned and directed the boys’ camp on Crescent Lake in Raymond, helping guide kids from 1957 until 1985, when they turned the camp over to the Agawam Council, made up of a group of former campers, parents, and staff.
“During the camp summers, Peg and I were a team. She ran the office and I ran the camp,” Dave said about their partnership. Their most heralded accomplishment was instituting the Main Idea Program at Agawam in 1971, which continues today and over the years, has provided well over 2000 disadvantaged Maine boys with a free week-long camp experience.
The Masons made Lovell their home for 40 years, raising their three children, and were beloved members of the community. Dave created and directed the Lovell Ski Program (1960-75), as well as coaching Lovell boys’ basketball, baseball, and softball (1960-75). He helped establish the Lovell Veteran’s Memorial (2001) and reviving the Lovell Old Home Days Parade (1993). He was also instrumental in establishing the Lovell town tennis courts and organizing the Lovell Tennis Tournament that now bears his name.
Over the years, Dave and Peg welcomed town kids and scout troops to their Kezar Lake home for skating parties.
Peg also served as co-chair of the Lovell Thrift Shop for over 20 years, and is still there religiously every Wednesday. She was treasurer of the Lovell Church for 10 years and she organized and worked in the kitchen for Lovell Arts and Artisans Fair for 15 years. Always tireless volunteers, Dave and Peg would pick up surplus bakery goods weekly from Hannaford's in North Conway and deliver them to churches in Fryeburg and Lovell. For ten years, Peg baked and sold cookies on the road in front of their house during Fryeburg Fair week, with the proceeds going to the Lovell Church (averaging about $800 each year.)
Dave and Peg are two of FA’s greatest supporters, super fans, and can still be found on the sidelines at most home sporting events, with smiles on their faces.
*Sadly, Dave passed away on Friday, September 15, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He will be so missed by all who knew him. He was a gift to us all.
We are pleased to announce the following students who have earned academic recognition at Fryeburg Academy for the Fall of 2023-24:
HONORS Grade 12: (Honors)
Charlotte Adamus Vittoria Bernardini Natalie Berry Dom Bond Jordin Booker Owen Burford Tori Butters Jilyan Byrne Lorenzo Catana Vallemani Jonah Densmore Vitoria Do Espirito Santo Teixeira Elle Dooley Austin Dorner Deniz Eroglu Manu Fandos Martinez Aidan Flanigan Amber Gagnon Mia Grandchamp Gal Hanan
Emily Hoosier Noah Jacobs Emma Keaten David Kim Joey Kim Kardelen Lacinok Helena Landry Margherita Lassini Leo Lee Celine Lee Ana Maillett Moss Marques Caroline Masterman Asher McKenney Ryan Meade Natalia Millan Arenas Mina Milosevic Tommy Morini Tasia Nason
Rachel Pizzo Grace Porcaro Abby Pratt Ashe Rabideau Winter Raymond Dustin Rhoda Gideon Richard Leah Rokes Margherita Rossi Gunnar Saunders Louie Shin Lamar Smith Hunter Tripp Tanner Tripp Gabby Udoto Logan Walton Kara Willette Connor Williams Mary Wing Kevin Zhou
From October 31 through November 3, five members of the Academy's FFA Chapter (Future Farmers of America) and faculty member Jennifer Solter Jones attended the National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana.
On Thursday, November 16th, Fryeburg Academy celebrated the fall sports season with its annual fall sports awards assembly held in the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center. The following student-athletes were recognized for their outstanding performance during the fall 2023-24 season:
Fryeburg Academy and the Board of Trustees announce the installation of Joseph R. Manning as the Academy’s 55th head of school. The Installation Ceremony was held on Friday, November 3, 2023, with members of the Fryeburg Academy community, the Board of Trustees, and former head of school Erin P. Mayo in attendance as a guest speaker. Manning steps into this new leadership role during the school’s 232nd year, following a long-tenured and successful career at the Academy spanning twenty years of service.
Fryeburg Academy seniors Tyler Bartick and Jiwon Choi have earned Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSC) for their performance on the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).
Fryeburg Academy is an independent boarding and day school, serving grades 9-12 and postgraduate. We invite you to explore our site and learn how students from around the globe find their place in the world through our exceptional academic, art, and athletic programs.