My Brothers All: A warm thank you goes out to the brothers of the Valley of Orlando and their ladies who assisted in honoring those brothers within the Valley who were called to the Celestial Lodge on high during the 2022 year. Your dedication to this important event is appreciated by so many and their families.

Our Spring Reunion is fast approaching, and is scheduled for April 22nd and 23rd. Now is the time to focus on getting petitions from Master Masons who expressed an interest in joining the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. (A.A.S.R.). The Valley of Orlando will confer those degrees associated with the Spring Reunion.

The next item that warrants your attention is our up and coming Second Annual Golf Event on Friday the 26th of May 2023 with a shotgun start at 8:30 AM. It is named a golf event because it is not necessary that you play par golf, but rather enjoy golf simply to experience some fraternal fellowship. It is not limited to just Masons, so please ask your friends, and work associates who play golf to come and have some fun and fellowship. Please note that the proceeds from this Golf Event support the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, Inc. which is a 501(c)(3). This Foundation funds a network of fifteen Language and Speech Clinics for children in the State of Florida. There are sponsorship opportunities, and now is the time to “step-up and sign-up!” All information on this event can be found online at GolfScottishRite.com. Please sign up to play, and consider a sponsorship by your Lodge, or a friend or associate who has a business. It would sure be nice to have a foursome from each of the Lodges in the four District area that is served by the Valley of Orlando. Don’t wait – register now!

In each eNews article, you are encouraged to read the bi-monthly Scottish Rite Journal, and enjoy the excellent articles and information contained therein. Also, to continue growing and learning about Freemasonry, the Short Talk Bulletin (STB) offers short stories about many varied topics. Please note that this publication is celebrating its one hundredth anniversary with Volume 100, No. 1. Each Masonic Lodge receives a copy of the STB each month. Please take 10 minutes to read and reflect.

At the start of the 2022 year, the eNews started sharing short articles on notable Brothers within the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This section has been expanded and is titled “Notable Brothers of Free and Accepted Masonry.” Each month this section provides an article on a notable Brother Mason(s). Over the past year we have enjoyed several notable men who were also Masons. Check it out, I am sure you will enjoy!

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.  We want to ensure that what we are enjoying today will be available for those who follow. Simply stated – “We lead the way today, so those who follow us can lead the way tomorrow!”  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 make them feel!”