2024 News
Oktoberfest 2024
More than 90 members and guests celebrated Oktoberfest at the Tiffin Eagle's Club on Saturday, October 26. Silent auctions, a reverse raffle, and a general auction led by Ill. Caid McKinley, 33o, were highlights of the day. Guests also enjoyed a buffet dinner of pork schnitzel or chicken. This is the chief fundraising event for the Valley each year.
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29th Degree The 29th degree was offered on Sunday afternoon, October 20, at Upper Sandusky and on Thursday evening, October 24, at Clyde. Both events were attended by 29 registered members and guests. At the Sunday event, Scott Robinson received the 4th degree and was welcomed into the Valley with his new cap and a handshake of welcome. The program continued with the 29th degree shown by video.
Fall Reunion The Valley of the Firelands held its annual Fall Reunion at Tiffin Lodge on Saturday, September 28. For the first time, a reunion was held in honor of an outstanding Scottish Rite Mason, the honoree being Most Worshipful and Illustrious Brother Douglas Kaylor, Past Grand Master of Masons in Ohio and the Deputy for Ohio when the Valley of the Firelands was coming into existence. His fervent mentoring gives him a warm place in the hearts of this Valley's members. The afternoon began with the 4th degree, and five new Masons were welcomed into the Valley. After the new members received their caps and congratulations, the program continued with the 10th degree in table format, the 22nd shown by video, and concluded with a full cast presenting the 16th degree.
2024 Celebrate the Rite The Valley of the Firelands celebrated the achievements of its members at ther annual Celebrate the Rite dinner on Sunday, September 8. The evening started with Ill. Brother Duane Kemerly, 33o, welcoming the more than 70 brethren and family members in attendance. During dinner, several promotional videos from the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction were played. The awards presentations began with Membership Awards for first line signers. One member was presented a certificate for completing his first passport, and David Dauterman received a certificate and jewel for completing his second passport. The Meritorious Service Award reciptient Mark Stuckey was acknowledged, as were Dwight Damschroder. and Al Bacon, the 33rd Degree designates. Ill. Brother Dick Heldman, 33o, Deputy for Ohio, then presented Scott Haynes with a certificate and jewel for completing the Haute Grades Academy. Right Worshipful Brother Mark Harris and Brother David Ecanich closed the evening with songs.
2024 Summer Reunion More than 70 brethren from the Valley of the Firelands and 7 other Valleys came to the Findlay Masonic Center to receive the 31st degree by video and the 18th degree live. The day began with 2 Master Masons receiving the introductory 4th degree. Several awards were given, including a jewel to a member who completed his second Passport, and a star to add to his passport jewel for a member who completed his third Passport. Following the reunion, six Scottish Rite Masons joined the Zenobia Shrine, which assisted in putting on the Reunion.
White Flower Society Presentation On Saturday, May 25th, 2024, a check for $4,500 from the Scottish Rite White Flower Society was presented to Christina Hall. Mrs. Hall was very appreciative and still had flowers from her husband's funeral in the living room. The check was presented by Joseph Radocy, Deputy's Representative for the Valley of the Firelands, and by Worshipful Brother Michale D. Baird, Master of Ely Lodge #424 in Vermilion, Ohio, and Master of Ceremonies for the Princes of Jerusalem of the Valley of the Firelands.
19th Degree About 25 members of the Valley viewed the 19th Degree, Brother of the Trail, on Saturday morning, May 18, 2025, at Camp Trinity on County Highway 50 near Upper Sandusky. The degree was held outside in perfect weather, followed by a lunch of barbecue beef sandwich with beans.
Officer Installation Dinner More than 60 members of the Valley and their wives enjoyed dinner and the installation of the Valley officers on May 5, 2024, at Moreno's Vault in Carey, Ohio. Following the installation of officers, Most Worshipful Brother Paul A. Weglage, Grand Master of Masons in Ohio, presented Brother Frank Shoemacher his certificated for 50 years of membership in the Scottish Rite. Most Worshipful Brother Weglage's wife followed with a heartfelt talk on the work of the Scottish Rite with dyslexic children. |
Spring Reunion
The Valley celebrated its Spring Reunion on April 20, 2024, at the Sandusky Masonic Center on April 20, 2024. Over 60 members and visitors viewed together the 25th and 14th degrees. Four new members were inducted into the Rite after viewing the 4th degree.
Feast of the Pascal Lamb
Over forty members and family attended the Valley of the Fireland's Feast of the Pascal Lamb held at Elyria Lodge on March 25. Among them was Theresa Porter, widow of Brother John Porter, seen here with Ill. Kita, 33o and Ill. Joe Radocy, 33o and Deputy's Assistant for the Valley.
Spring Cookie Class
Thirty ladies attended a cookie decorating class on the morning of March 9, 2024. Led by Elisha Noon, the participants practiced piping, then piped Royal Icing onto the supplied cookies. The morning was capped by a lunch of sandwiches and snacks.
Annual Rite On! Celebration
Ninety Valley members and guests gathered at Messenburg's Plaza Place in Huron to celebrate Rite On!, the beginning of another Valley year. Several awards were given and members recognized. Leland Kemerley was inducted into the Valley Colonels, a local organization established to honor Valley members who have made long-standing exceptional contributions ot the Valley. Arnold Humpreys and Steven Herner received a gold star to place in their Gold Passport jewel for completing their third passport. Scott Haynes, Thomas Payne, William Carter, Scott Savick, and Anton Smith received their 32nd degree certificates from the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Several veterans were given the Peace and Freedom pin to wear. The four newest 33rd degree Masons in the Valley received their 33rd degree jewels from the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and a 33rd degree jacket from the valley. The evening closed with a brief talk by Joesph Radocy, the Deputy's Representative for the Valley, and Hannah Holbrook, a violinist and past librarian at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, who discussed and peformed several Civil War sogns.
First Degree Nights Give the Valley Maximum Points and Three New Members
On February 13, 2024, 23 Valley members met for the first degree night of the year at Galion Lodge. Two new Scottish Rite Masons were welcomed into the Valley along with one Mason who had been inducted into the Valley in October but had not received his cap. All three witnessed the 4th degree followed by the 26th degree, with a discussion of the impact of the Civil War on the lives of Northern and Southern Masons and an overview of the Battle of Gettysburg. These candidates also provided the final points needed to take the Valley of the Firelands to the full 105 points for the 2024 Valley of Excellence award. This marks the fourth year in a row that the Firelands has reached the maximum number of points for the award.
On February 17 the degree was repeated in Milan. Over 30 Valley members and visitors attended, and 1 new member of the Valley of the Firelands was initiated with the 4th degree.