2021 News

Mt. Vernon Lodge Received the Benjamin Franklin Award of Distinction

The Ben Franklin Award of Distinction celebrates a milestone anniversary (every 25 years starting at 50 years) for the lodge. The Valley of the Firelands celebrated 200 years of Masonry in Mt Vernon Lodge No. 64. Platt Benedict was the first permanent white settler of Norwalk, Ohio. Born in 1775, in Danbury, Connecticut, he traveled to the region with Elisha Whittlesey in 1815 and built a log cabin in 1817 on what would become the Norwalk. He eventually opened a gristmill and a paper mill and served in numerous positions, including a town trustee and postmaster. A dispensation was granted to Brothers Timothy Baker, W. M.; Platt Benedict, S. W., and John D. Hoskins, J. W., in April, 1821, for the formation of a lodge at Norwalk. At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in on December 12^th, 1821, a charter was granted to Mt. Vernon Lodge No.64. The Chapter of Rose Croix in The Valley of The Firelands is named after Platt Benedict.

Illustrious Brother Steven Hessler 33°, Chairman of The Valley of The Firelands Board of Trustees (left), and Worshipful Brother Charlton Summers, Worship Master of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 64 (right).

Illustrious Brother Steven Hessler 33°, Chairman of The Valley of The Firelands Board of Trustees (left), Worshipful Brother Charlton Summers, Worship Master of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 64 (center), and Illustrious Brother Joseph Radocy 33°, Valley Deputy’s Representative (right) 

25th Degree

The 25th Degree, Brother of Achievement, was presented on Thursday, October 28, 2021, in West Salem, Ohio and repeated on Saturday, October 30, 2021, in Milan, Ohio. A combined total of over 90 members and 3 candidates (in white collars) attended the two degree presentations, both of which filled the lodge rooms to capacity.

Oktoberfest 2021

More than 100 brethren and their families attended the third annual Oktoberfest in the Mansfield Liederkrantz, Mansfield, Ohio, on October 24, 2021. A polka band and several members in lederhosen added a distinctly Bavarian touch to the festivities. The attendees enjoyed chicken and plate-size slices of snitzel along with a variety of German beers and other refreshments. This has become the annual fundraising event for the Valley, and over $9,000 was raised for Valley needs.

4th Degree - 1917 Version

July 10, 2021

More than 50 brethren viewed the Valley of the Fireland's exemplification of the 1917 version of the 4th degree at the Sandusky, Ohio, Temple, perhaps the first time this degree has been seen in many decades. The current 4th degree was first given to four new candidates of the Valley to allow their witnessing the 1917 version, one of whom became the candidate. Cody Noon oversaw the assembling of the cast and props, directed the degree, and played the role of Adoniram. Originally scheduled for January, 202, it had to be delayed several times because of the ongoing pandemic. Patience and perseverance finally paid off in a degree performance that was well received by those in attendance.

Ohio Conference of Deliberation

June 12, 2021

The Valley of the Firelands was mentioned several times at the Ohio Conference of Deliberation on June 12, 2021. It received the first Valley of Excellence Award ever conferred on a Valley by the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. It was also the first Valley to earn a perfect 100 score for the award. The pictures shown below were taken for the September issue of the Northern Light magazine. The Valley was also noted as having no members in arrears for dues.