The Fort Worth Valley held its 2017 Spring Reunion on March 4th, 11th, and 18th. The Reunion was a great success.
As always, the members and leadership of the Fort Worth Valley worked very hard and dedicated themselves to creating an atmosphere conducive for our 23 new Scottish Rite candidates to receive the 4th through 32nd degrees.
This year we had several new Degree Masters and many new apprentice degree actors who worked very diligently to produce professional presentations of our “higher degrees” to those 23 outstanding candidates.
Weeks and days prior to the Reunion our Degree Masters and degree actors met several times to practice the degrees they would present and confer, and to initiate new degree actors to the methods and manner required during Reunion.
Our Stage Crew worked tirelessly beginning days and in some cases weeks prior to the start of the Reunion to ensure our degree drama scenes were well done, quickly changed and appeared as if all was accomplished by professional stage and “prop” managers.
Many thanks goes to our Wardrobe Team professionally working through the sometimes pressing schedules that are necessary for an “on time” presentation of the degrees and for the many changes that are often required in the wardrobe area of responsibility.
Special thanks goes to the wonderful support given by Lena Merk, as she works behind the scenes for weeks and sometimes months, tirelessly to make, repair and mend the costumes and degree “trappings” for the stage and for the degree teams.
We thank the evaluation team members for the hard work they accomplish as they have a difficult, tireless and critical job that provides feedback and degree presentation ratings to a standard, that is critical to help determine the continued success of our drama presentations.
As expected, our sound and lighting crews did an outstanding job supporting the degree presentations and our degree teams while they performed.
A special “Thank You” goes to our Reunion Director, Hon. Joe Sherwin 33rd degree, for the superb job he accomplished working through “small to significant” issues, keeping our Reunion “on track” and for the patience he demonstrates in his difficult work. Thank you also goes to our Class Director Chairman, Hon. Mark Paris, 32nd KCCH, and team, as they managed the candidates to ensure all were at the appointed place on time and properly prepared.
This Reunion included several changes and or additions to the reunions past that enhanced and or expanded the reunion objectives. Educational opportunities for both the new candidates and for our legacy Scottish Rite Masons were added to the Reunion degree schedule.
The Fort Worth Valley added three new educational processes in a “classroom” setting that would provide an opportunity for our new Scottish Rite Candidates to reflect on their individual development and for our legacy Scottish Rite Masons to revisit the symbology and philosophic nature of several degrees. The new educational programs were well received with a good attendance.
Our Spring 2017 Reunion was a great time, the weather was good, the meals provided by our Rainbow Girls and caterers were superb, and all agreed, our candidates were outstanding.
The “Capping Ceremony” completed the Reunion with great applause and rounds of congratulations to all. Our candidates were well pleased and stated their appreciation for the effort expended and a hardy “Thank you” to all Fort Worth Valley members for their support.
Once again we thank our Fort Worth Assembly Number 15, Rainbow Girls for the excellent breakfast and the support they provide to our Reunion. Every spring and fall they are there, serving our Valley while raising funds for their purpose. It is always a pleasure to be greeted by the smiling faces of the young ladies and their leadership as we partake of a very early breakfast. The Rainbow Girls are very special… Thank You so Much…
The members of the Malvern Marks Chapter of the Order of DeMolay again treated us to a DeMolay Degree. Their dedication and preparation was evidenced in their professional presentation of the degree. We should remember these young men are future Masons, and will be members of many of our appendant organizations. As such we are reminded they will be the future of all things Masonic. We need to continue to support them as they grow, mature and become eligible to petition as Blue Lodge Masons.
Our Fall 2017 Reunion is already being planned. Great things will occur during that time and the Reunion will once again be very special to our members and to our new candidates.
Remember to take advantage of all of the Fort Worth Valley educational programs each month, as they will help recall the symbology and philosophic treasures contained in Scottish Rite Masonry.
See you at our Stated Meetings and the Fall Reunion.