A lodge’s installation of officers is usually heralded as a crowning ceremony upon which the future of the lodge is put in the hands of its new set of officers. It is also a time for reflection, to celebrate the challenges and the triumphs of the past year.
Such is true when it comes to the installation of officers for Kenton Lodge no. 145.
However, this year was made more different on so many levels. For one, the elected grand line was in attendance. MWB Marc Strong, the Grand Master of Masons in Oregon was accompanied by his lady Lanni Strong. Accompanying the Grand Master were:
- Deputy Grand Master RWB Richard Varner and his lady Gloria
- Senior Grand Warden RWB Greg Hinkelman and his family
- Junior Grand Warden RWB Eric Young and his lady Linda
Other Grand Lodge officers and District Deputies were also in attendance.
Perhaps the most important elements of this year’s installation was the location. Unlike the usual usage of the lodge room as the installation venue, the brethren saw it fit to hold the entire affair at the St. Helen’s Ballroom of the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel–a well received departure from the norm that elevated the tone, dignity and ambiance of the entire ceremony and the celebrations that followed.
And speaking of ambiance, music from a cello-violin duo filled the air throughout most of the evening. Blue accent lighting and hundreds of candles bathed the entire room in low light that suggested that this affair was unlike any lodge installation in recent memory.
RWB Greg Hinkelman served as installing master, while MWB Tim Best, IPGM served as installing chaplain. WB Dale Palileo and WB Eric Young served as installing marshals.
Brothers and guests coming as far as South America, the Philippines and Japan were in attendance.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Kenton installation without its famous silent auction, which was predominantly filled with bottles of wine and champagne. The usual cigars, electronics and a “hall pass” to the Multnomah Whisk(e)y Library were also on auction.
This year was also the first year that Kenton’s silent auction benefitted a charity of the lodge’s choosing. In honor of WB Mike Milford who is currently battling leukemia, the lodge pledged 100% of the silent auction’s proceeds to Blood Cancer United. They also urged guests to donate directly.
The phrase “You had to be there” is definitely appropriate in this attempt to encapsulate such an auspicious event. For now, we’ll leave you to but a few photos and a video of the evening. Enjoy!
For more photos, visit: https://www.laurelmariephotography.com/kenton-145-installation Password: mason