Home Again, Home Again, Jiggy-Jig

Beth and I returned home this afternoon after three weeks on the road. It’s great to be back in Alaska, even though we had a wonderful time on our visits to the Grand Lodges of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia – Yukon. From June 1 until today, we covered 2896 miles by air and 2596 miles by car. We spent 10 nights on the road in hotels and another 11 nights with friends. This coming Thursday, we will travel to Fairbanks for the Grand Assembly of Alaska IORG, adding another 664 miles traveled by car in the month of June for a total of 3260 road miles in one month.

This past Wednesday (June 17), Beth and I traveled from Camano Island, WA up the Fraser River Valley to Prince George, BC Canada. Having lived in Alaska and traveled the Alaska Highway for 35 years, this was not the first time we traveled that portion of the highway. Our previous trips had us focusing on the destination and not enjoying the journey. We call this “border fever”, which tends to make us drive long hours over great distances, often times at the tail end of our trips. On this particular trip, however, we took our time and made it a two day drive to Prince George, instead of the usual one day. For the most part, the weather was blue bird clear with the occasional late afternoon thunder shower. The Fraser River Valley is absolutely beautiful, especially this time of year, which made me realize why the motto of this Province of Canada is “Beautiful British Columbia”.

We arrived in Prince George Thursday afternoon, in time to register for the 138th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon and participate in the Community Reception. Our host for this three day event was Most Worshipful R. Glenn Allen and his lady Laura. I wish to offer our thanks and appreciation for all of the honors and courtesies extended to us.

Besides Beth and me, distinguished guests form other Grand Jurisdictions included:

RW Peter Dunlop, Senior Grand Warden, Grand Lodge of Alberta
RW Krisjan Goodmanson, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Manitoba
W Adam W. Morrill, Grand Standard Barer, Grand Lodge of California
W P. Marty Martineau, Jr., Senior Grand Deacon, Grand Lodge of Utah
MW John D. McNab, Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Washington

The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon has a truly progressive line, starting at Junior Grand Warden. That is, the JGW is the only elected officer in the line and the SGW, DGM, and Grand Master progress to their positions with the JGW's election. The new slate of officers for 2009/2010 is:

MW Brian Tuckey, Grand Master
RW J. Alan Cross, Deputy Grand Master
RW William R. Cave, Senior Grand Warden
RW Murray Webster, Junior Grand Warden
RW Del W. Patterson, Grand Treasurer
RW George Moore, Grand Secretary

RW Brother Moore replaces MW James C. Gordon (PGM) as Grand Secretary. MW Brother Gordon passed away earlier this year.

Items of note at this Annual Communication included the sanctifying of the use of four different rituals within the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge (Ancient, Canadian, Emulation, and Australian) and the raising of the per capita assessments to the Lodges. The per capita for the Grand Lodge is now $35 per member plus $15 per member charity fee for a total of $50.

Beth and I had a wonderful time visiting with our Canadian brothers and their ladies. Saturday after the installation of officers for 2009/2010, we headed back down the Fraser River Valley for Camano Island. We made it back in time to spend Father’s Day with my folks.