Moving at the speed of Masonry is often a by-word for moving slower than molasses in winter. But sometimes when you blink, you miss momentous events in Freemasonry. The March business meeting was certainly one of those evenings.

In addition to announcing the endowed Scottish Rite Professorship in Speech-Language Pathology, we began the evening celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Irish dance from Dowd’s Irish Dance Academy. Dancers from age 4 to 11 wowed 80 Scottish Rite Masons and their ladies with traditional Irish step dancing. In the Irish theme, Chris Nigro, 32° KCCH, Venerable Master for the Lodge of Perfection, “fined” anyone not wearing green a tidy sum for the Almoner’s Fund.

After dinner, John Maxell, 33° recognized the officers of the Consistory, presenting them with a traveling award. This award will recognize an officer line each year for attendance at Line Officer Guild meetings, visitations to Blue Lodges, programs and presentations, and leadership. Don Kavalec, 32° KCCH, Venerable Master for 2017 was recognized for setting the example for each of the four Scottish Rite bodies.

Bob Pelletier, 32° was also recognized for completing the three Master Craftsman self-study programs, covering Craft Masonry and Scottish Rite history and philosophy. Bob has diligently attended the Master Craftsman study groups, which Don moderates each month. Bob was presented with a certificate, a lapel pin, and a medal for completing the Master Craftsman courses.