202nd ANNUAL COMMUNICATION
OF THE GRAND LODGE OF DELAWARE
OCTOBER 2-5, 2007

DEWEY BEACH, Delaware. The Grand Master’s Banquet, a formal affair, started the Grand Lodge events on the evening of October 2, 2007. At that gathering, Grand Master William R. Stevens, Jr. presented several awards two of which went to members of St. John’s Lodge No. 2. We are honored to have as one of two recipients of the Gunning Bedford Medal of Honor, Past Master Eugene R. Small, Deputy Grand Secretary. Grand Master Stevens remarked that Brother Small exemplified Freemasonry in Delaware and "is a Mason’s Mason." Brother Small is the first recipient from St. John’s Lodge No. 2 to receive this award, which was created as a recommendation by a Grand Master from our Lodge fourteen years ago. Later that evening our Lodge was again honored to have one of the Outstanding Worshipful Master Awards presented to Past Master Harley W. Spry, Jr. for his service to the Brethren of St. John’s Lodge No. 2, the Craft in Delaware and Masonry in general. Pictures of both of our recipients are elsewhere on our website.

At the 202nd Annual Communication the following morning, I was pleased to be able to introduce to the Grand Master and the officers, members and visitors present at the 202nd Annual Communication, the representatives from The Ancient and Honor Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. These visiting dignitaries included: M:.W:. Steven E. Smith, Grand Master; M:.W:. Wyman P. Hallstrom, Jr., P.G.M., Grand Secretary and R:.W:. John M. Faulhaber, Past Grand Secretary. In addition, I had the distinct honor and personal pleasure to introduce a contingent of Brethren from the Commonwealth of Virginia. These Brethren are: R:.W:. Peter Thorsen, P.D.D.G.M. (2002) and Worshipful Master of King Solomon Lodge No. 194; Brother Peter R. Thorson, Jr., Junior Warden of King Solomon Lodge No. 194 and Junior Deacon of Piedmont-Stella Lodge No. 50, R:.W:. William 'Hap' Atkinson, P.D.D.G.M. (1992) and Marshal of Piedmont-Stella Lodge No. 50, Brother Scott E. Good of Piedmont-Stella Lodge No. 50 and W:. William E. Huber, P.M. and Senior Warden of Piedmont-Stella Lodge No. 50.

The Grand Master’s address is also available on our website as is the summary of the 202nd Annual Communication. The Summary will be covered in Lodge at our November Stated Communication as is required by Grand Lodge code. Also, an alteration to the Constitution was submitted which must be read at two more stated communications of our Lodge before we can vote on it and report back to Grand Lodge. Later that evening (October 3, 2007) was the Annual Grand Lodge Banquet, which was a casual affair with few introductions. All who attended, enjoyed the music and dancing.

The new Grand Master, Earl L. Emerson, and his staff were installed in Newport Masonic Temple on Friday evening, October 5, 2007. The entire Grand Staff is listed in the summary on this website and I have posted his official visits to our calendar. Grand Master Emerson’s them is Freemasonry - Live It! We will welcome the Grand Master and his staff to St. John’s Lodge No. 2 on March 12, 2008.

Herb Atkinson
Worshipful Master

PDF File: Updated Oct 26, 2007
GL Summary - PDF File: Updated Oct 26, 2007