Hello, My Brothers All:

Our Spring reunion is fast approaching, but before I talk about that, allow me to bring you up to date on where we are with the temporary modular building we plan to install in the area behind Winter Park Masonic Lodge No. 239. Myself, our engineer and general contractor, along with a representative from Williams Scotsman, met with the Senior Engineer for Seminole County and after an exchange of conversation, he approved our site plan. Once the building department receives this approval, they will, in short order, accept the building plans and follow-up information that we submitted. As a result of this meeting, I am anticipating that we will have our permit within a seven day (plus or minus) period, and Williams Scotsman is ready to move quickly to get the modular building delivered, assembled and leveled. After that, our general contractor will hook up the electric needed and install the sidewalk planned, and we should be ready for a final inspection which should provide us a Certificate of Occupancy. Please keep in mind that this is the plan, but not one that we alone control. On a side note, our props and costumes are in three PODS that are being stored in the Altamonte Springs POD warehouse.

Our 2018 Spring Reunion is scheduled for the weekend of April 14th and 15th and based on what I shared above we have three possible scenarios to ensure a quality experience for our candidates. The preferred situation is to have our modular building able to be occupied with our records, costumes, and props contained therein, which would allow us to hold the reunion on site as scheduled. The next option would be to have the PODS delivered on-site and staged in the parking lot of WPML so we can also conduct the reunion on site.  Although this would be a lot of work, it is an option. The third and least favorable option is to travel, with our candidates and brothers, to another SR Valley where our candidates would be made Masters of the Royal Secret at the completion of the reunion. As we move through the next week or two, we will have a better understanding of which option best serves our candidates. We will update you in regular and special editions of the eNews. At this point, I would ask all brothers who are in degrees scheduled for the Spring Reunion, and the support teams that are vital to a successful reunion, prepare and be ready to confer your degree locally as we did in the fall of 2017.

In support of the spring reunion now is the time to get petitions into Keith so we can assess what the possible class size might be, and how we can best serve these candidates and ensure a quality experience and properly welcome these new Masters of the Royal Secret to our Valley.

With education being a large part of what brothers who join the Scottish Rite desire, it is vital that we step up and provide this advanced knowledge. On the 28th of February, Ill:. Brother Harry Eisenberg will be starting another Valley of Orlando – College of the Consistory class that will cover all 29 degrees from the 4th through the 32nd.  The first class will begin on the 28th of February at WPML #239 starting at 1830 with a light dinner, followed by the evenings topic of the 4th degree. Please contact Brother Keith or me, by phone or email, and let us know you will be attending so we can ensure sufficient food and beverage are available.

Again, I say CONGRATULATIONS! To the nine brothers named below who completed the College of the Consistory – Valley of Orlando studies as a Student of the School of Enlightenment.

Ill:. Keith W. Albright, 33°; Bro:. Louis A. Dobles, 32°; Bro:. Anthony E. Edwards, 32°; Bro:. Charles G. Harper, 32°; Ill:. Chester A. King, 33°; Ill:. Joseph M. Leavitt, 33°; Bro:. Peter D. Remington, 32° KCCH; Bro:. Dominick F. Tesoriere, 32° KCCH; and Bro:. Randall E. White, 32° KCCH.

Until next time, remember the many things for which you are thankful!  Be safe in your travels; “whisper wise counsel in the ear of an erring brother;” and respect the dignity of all, as it makes you and our fraternity stronger one action at a time.  Thanks for your continued support and participation; and may the “Spirit of Fraternity” reign supreme within our “Valley of Orlando!”

Fraternally,
Ill:. Chester A. “Chet” King, 33°
Personal Representative

“People forget what you say, and forget what you do, but forever remember how you made them feel!”