The second Thursday is always a special day for Kenton Lodge, and while last Thursday was one of those days, it was made special by the annual election of officers.
The evening started with a sumptuous feast featuring WB Valan Primus’ infamous “pork fried rice,” a dish that has become part of the lodge culture due to it being a favorite among the brethren, but ironically has not been served for almost a year and a half. WB Primus usually cooks a huge batch of this delectable dish and brothers are known to bring home leftovers. The same was true last Thursday, especially due to the number of visitors that attended the lodge for various reasons.
And speaking of visitors, the lodge hosted brothers from various lodges around the area. The biggest contingent was Milwaukie-Waluga no. 109 who brought a contingent of eight brothers including their Worshipful Master, WB Paul Steigleider, to request the return of their traveling gavel, which was taken by Kenton Lodge a few years prior.
Also attending as part of the Milwaukie-Waluga contingent was Brother Mark Gyger of Scottsdale Lodge no. 43 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona.
WB Peter Morrison, current sitting master of Sandy Lodge no. 158 was also present to introduce his lodge’s newly raised Master Mason who was raised on Monday.
Brother Eugene Voyton, sitting Junior Warden of Eastgate Lodge no. 155 was also present along with another brother from his lodge.
Brother Garrett Pottmeyer of Grants Pass Lodge no. 84 drove all the way from Grants Pass to attend the lodge’s stated meeting–a gesture that the brethren recognized and deeply appreciated.
Last but not least, Brother Joshua Revert of Washington Lodge no. 46 was also in attendance. His presence has been a consistent staple of Kenton’s stated meetings over the last few months, and as usual, he was warmly welcomed.
While WB Steigleider requested to sit with his brothers on the sidelines prior to the start of the meeting, WB Morrison was escorted to a seat in the East as is customary.
Given that this was the lodge’s November stated meeting, the main item on the lodge’s agenda was the election of officers for 2026. The following officers were elected:
- WM: Michael Milford
- SW: Zack Andrew
- JW: Andrew Gross
- TR: Michael Lell
- SC: Dale Palileo
In addition to officers, the lodge also elected new and replacement trustees:
- 4-Year Term: Michael Doty
- 3-Year Term: Valan Primus
- 1-Year Term: Derek Shaw
During the elections, WB Matt Wand of Milwaukie-Waluga and Brother Garrett Pottmeyer assisted with the counting of the ballots and announcing elected officers.
As expected, the WB Steigleider and his contingent of brothers formally requested the return of their traveling gavel. Their traveling gavel was formally returned to them by WB Primus.
After the meeting, the brethren were then treated to the usual libations and cigars while listening to WB Dale Palileo’s presentation on Western Esotericism.
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