My Brothers All: Winter is behind us and Spring is rolling in. I can sense the pollen in the air, the warmer temperatures are felt on a daily basis, and I am loving all of it although hoping summer doesn’t get here too quickly.

VERY IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ

PLEASE HELP US HELP CHILDREN COMMUNICATE

WE NEED GOLFERS and SPONSERS – REGISTER NOW DON’T WAIT!

The next item that warrants your attention is our up-and-coming 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.

I have many thanks to share with our members. I start by saying thank you to the many Brothers who participated in our Spring Reunion. Your support and participation brought in eighteen new Masters of the Royal Secret. Also special thanks to Chris Durie 32° KCCH, who heads our KCCH Club, for the social evet he chaired at “The Dixie Crossroads.” Fub Fellowship and some excellent seafood were enjoyed by the Brother’s, Ladies and Families who attended. Thanks Bro Chris and those who attended.

Our May meeting on the 26th will be an open meeting, with dinner at 6:30pm, and a move to the lodge room at 7:30pm where several presentations will be made, to brothers who have reached their 50th year of service. 

Our June 23rd meeting will also be one not to miss. We will enjoy a visit from ILL Richard G. Hoover our SGIG for the Orient of Florida. Also joining us will be the ladies who manage the Language Learning Clinic we support here in Central Florida. We will also have our “Ring Ceremony” for our Spring Class of “Masters of The Royal Secret,” and Knighting Ceremony for those who want to become members of the “Knights of Saint Andrews.”  

Remember, the “Master Craftsman” program is available all who are interested. It will assist you in gaining a better understanding of The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, as well as the basics of Freemasonry. As I shared with you, we have a very active Master Craftsman study group program within the Valley that is now available to you. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. If interested please contact ILL Keith our Valley Secretary at 407-657-4550 or via eMail at GenSecOrl@gmail.com who will assist you in getting started and ensure you are added to the mailing list to receive all invitations to participate via ZOOM. Keep in mind that participating in a study group enhances the Master Craftsman experience for everyone and starts the building of fraternal friendships between those brothers who participate.

In each eNews article, you are encouraged to read the bi-monthly Scottish Rite Journal to 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, through the eNews, we started sharing short articles on notable Brothers within the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This section has expanded and is titled “Notable Brothers of Free and Accepted Masonry.” Each month this section provides an article on a notable Brother Mason(s). To date we have enjoyed featured articles on Albert Pike, Brother Robert Burns, Masonic Presidents and Albert Gallatin Mackey. If you enjoy reading these short articles, please let me know and we will continue providing a new Brother in each monthly eNews. Please read and 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!”

May you and yours be blessed with health, happiness and prosperity in 2023.

Fraternally,

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