Convention Report

The Grand York Rite Convention was held May 13-16 at the Marriott Hotel in Lake Mary.

On Sunday, May 13 the Divine Service was conducted by S.K. Dan Williams, Grand Prelate.

After a hardy 7 a.m., breakfast on Monday, we witnessed the opening of the Grand Council, with M.I. Lewis King presiding.   Companion George Malone of rock Ridge was elected Most Illustrious Grand Master.    R.I. Danny Fullwood is Grand Conductor of the Council.    New District Deputy for District 10 is R. I. James A. Durham.

Tuesday was Chapter day. Some attended the Purple Cross breakfast, then all saw the opening of the Grand Chapter.   Most of the Grand High Priest’s legislative proposals met defeat.    Companion Clarence Gruber gave the Grand Historian’s lecture.    The new Grand Historian is Companion Glenn Chandler.    Companion Dan Dale of Palmetto was elected Grand High Priest,  Companion Jim Rudman of Floral City Grand King,  and  Companion Darryl D’Angina became Grand Scribe.    New District Deputy for our district 10 is A.J. LaRose.

The grand Banquet that evening fill the hall with folks from Florida, the Southeast, Oregon, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania.   The three Masonic youth group leaders gave appropriate talks, and the three retiring Grand Presiding Officer presented their awards.   We were honored to have the M.I. Grand Master of the General Grand Council, “Bud” Himes,  R.E. Edmund Harrison, General Grand Scribe, and R.E. “Smokey” Ferguson, General King of the General Grand Chapter as our special guest.   Representing the Grand Encampment, Knight Templar of the USA was Florida’s own Bob Burleson, Southeast Department Commander.   He also served as MC for the Banquet in his usual humorous and irreverent style.    The food was excellent.

The Grand Commandery opened Wednesday.    Most Chapter and Council delegates had left, so it was a smaller gathering.   This was surprising, since the volatile issue of a six dollar per capita tax increase was on the call.    After discussion, it was voted down.    After more discussion of the consequences of such action, it was reconsidered and passed.    Florida really had no choice unless we wanted to be kicked out of the Grand Encampment.    Local Commanderies will have to pass it on as well.    We cannot afford to absorb it for our members.    Sir Knight Leroy Fackler of Miami was elected Right Eminent Grand Commander.    Sir knight Billy Collier is the new Grand Sentinel, and Sir Knight Charles LeCroy is District Deputy for District 10.

The Beauceant ladies held a meeting and initiation as well.