Last April 12th, Kenton regularly held its usual monthly stated meeting with members and visitors present from various lodges. However, what set this apart wasn’t just the delicious food prepared by honored Brother Ironblood Elam, Junior Steward of the lodge, nor was the fantastic fellowship held after the meeting.

Most of the evening’s events centered around what happened in the lodge room which made this particular stated meeting one for the history books. For one, a contingent from Friendship Masonic Lodge no. 160 headed by their Senior Warden Chris Chase presented a gift to the lodge in reciprocation for the gift Kenton presented to them during their March stated meeting. For another, Brother Sam Friedman’s petition to join Kenton was successfully balloted upon. A resident of New York and the author of Millennial Apprentices, Brother Friedman was one of Kenton’s guest speakers last year during WB Andrew Gross’ year in the Oriental Chair.

Brother Friedman’s petition wasn’t the only one that was balloted upon. Mr. Patrick Person’s petition was also successfully balloted on, having been a visitor to Kenton since late last year. His Entered Apprentice Degree has now been scheduled for Thursday, April 19th.

The lodge also received the Grand Master’s approval on Resolution no. 2018-1, which allows the lodge to increase its petition fees from $200.00 to $300.00.

Before convening to the dining room for the evening’s fellowship and festivities, the members of the lodge assembled in the East and initiated a video call to Brother Friedman to give him a very special message: “Welcome to Kenton Lodge, Brother Friedman!”

This was then followed by a traditional photo shoot of this year’s officer corps, something that has been delayed this year for various reasons.

As a highlight of the evening’s post-meeting festivities, the lodge presented honored Brother Ironblood Elam with a small token of the brothers’ appreciation for his exemplary work in preparing and managing the lodge’s meals.

The lodge’s stated meeting wasn’t the only official event last week. A basic school of instruction was also held at the lodge. As part of his instructor certification for the basic school of instruction, WB Dale Palileo, Past Master of Kenton in 2014, led a class of 22 attendees from various lodges with MWB Rich Martin performing observation, evaluation and support duties. Honored Brothers Magic Joe Andres and Ian Cawley tested for basic and intermediate proficiency cards respectively and passed with flying colors.