Des Moines George R. Carr York Rite Festival

Early Saturday morning Companions and Sir Knights from across assembled at the Des Moines Scottish Rite Masonic Center for the Des Moines York Rite Fall Festival in memory and honor of S.K. George R. Carr. The Chapter degrees started around 7 a.m. and the Royal Arch degree was completed by lunch time. After lunch the council degrees were conferred, then the Commandery Orders. The Order of the Temple completed around 5:30 p.m. The Grand High Priest, MI Grand Master, and myself as Grand Commander were in attendance. The degrees and orders were presented in fine fashion with few parts being read. Corinthian Chapter #14 has an excellent Past Master degree team. Four Past Grand Masters and a Past Deputy Grand Master filled out the cast with only two non Past Grand Lodge cast members. Their work is outstanding. I am not saying that the other degrees are not good, because they were, but to have four Past Grand Masters in one degree is rare. As Grand Commander I conferred the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross and the Order of Malta in short form. It is to bad that they are seldom given in long form. I hope Des Moines will do one or both of the orders some evening for the members. Nine Grand Commandery Officers were in attendance and most helped with the Order of the Temple. Also five Past Grand Commanders were there. I served as Prelate and S.K. Rusty did a good job as Commander. The highlight of the entire day was the class. I don't know the final count as there were several courtesy candidates, but I am guessing around 35 new Sir Knights and Companions. WOW! That is the larges class in at least a decade for Des Moines. This is the result of the hard work and efforts of many Sir Knights.