When assuming any leadership role in Masonry, the person should be aware of the responsibilities the office he assumes requires. Serving as Grand Commander I was well aware of the travel required. This month is a test of my loyalty. The next three weeks are filled with meetings across Iowa and even a trip to North Dakota. This past Thursday night dad and I drove to Mason City for their local Commandery School and to help them prepare for their inspection in February. While the local number of Sir Knights was small (there was a masonic brother's funeral that night) the school of instruction was great. Butch, a member of the Board of Instruction was the Instructor and did a good job. I answered several of their questions and congratulated them on moving forward after several years of inactivity. They voted on two candidates for the orders. It is comforting to know there is some resurgence in our local York Rites around the state. Yes, we still have to many that are inactive, and even some that may not exist before my term is expired, but places like Mason City, Creston Corning Red Oak, Anamosa, Ottumwa, Albia and Estherville prove that it is possible to reunite the fire. Because of the dedication and diligence of many Sir Knights across our state, Iowa York Rite has yet to see its "days of glory". Thank you to the local Sir Knights, the backbone of Templary.
Friday late afternoon dad and I were in downtown Des Moines for the opening of the George R. Carr Memorial Scottish Rite Reunion. It was with heartfelt sadness that we attended. For two reasons, first one of our dear friends and brothers, Curt Vandivier passed away last week. Curt succeeded dad as chairman of the Dining Room Committee, was a past master and active member in my lodge in Ankeny, and was a fine gentleman. His two sons are outstanding masons and active in our lodge and Scottish Rite. Dad and I volunteered to help with some of Curt's duties until someone is asked to assume them. Second, is for the memory of another "giant" of Iowa Masonry, George R. Carr. George was more than a brother or friend, he was one of my masonic mentors, and I miss him alot, especially playing golf with him. The Des Moines Scottish Rite is honoring him this fall reunion. I hope there is a sell-out crowd October 31 at the Scottish Rite Gala in his honor. There are 27 candidates in this reunion class.
Saturday I went downtown for awhile to the Scottish Rite, then took mom and dad with me to Marshalltown for the annual meeting of Charles Clyde Hunt Priory No. 42, KYCH. Nat's nephew's wedding was also today in Waterloo. So she came to Marshalltown to pick me up at the end of KYCH to go to Waterloo. KYCH is one of my favorite "honors", not because of a title, or ceremony (though I have presided and conferred the ceremony for over 10 years). What makes KYCH special is that you must earn it, to be eligible a Sir Knight must have served and completed his term as: 1. Master of his Lodge, High Priest of his Chapter, Illustrious Master of his Council, and Commander of his Commandery. The only way to attain membership is by service to the fraternity. The ceremony is brief, but effective and I enjoy the ritual. There were five fine candidates that I had the privilege of Knighting. My friend George H was elected Prior and he asked me to install him, a duty I was pleased to perform. Nat arrived during the Installation and I had to leave quickly and change to go to the wedding in Waterloo.
We made the wedding reception in Waterloo on time (just a couple minutes to spare). had a good time with Nat's family. The reception and wedding earlier today were done in renaissance attire. I did not go properly attired. I should have borrowed one of the York Rite costumes and would have fit right in. LOL! It was fun, but not everyone was in costume, so I didn't fill to out of place. The reception was in the Waterloo Masonic Temple. A wonderful place to have such a "renaissance" wedding.
Next week brings practices for the last weekend of the Scottish Rite Reunion, Grand Chapter of the OES (which I am unable to attend, but have sent a representative to), and a long trip to Mandan North Dakota for the Department Conference. The next week I will be attending meetings every day, sometimes two in one day. But this is all part of the job, being there to help, to lead, to engage our membership.
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