Grand Master's Visit to Ruckersville, VA
GRAND MASTER’S VISIT TO RUCKERSVILLE, VIRGINIA - In 1971, then Grand Master Louis Jewell, first visited
Piedmont-Stella Lodge No. 50, A.F. and A.M. in Stanardsville, Virginia. It became an annual event and was
very regularly attended over the next 25 or so years. For several years, the number of travelers from
Delaware has dwindled, but this year, the tradition was rejuvenated when Grand Master William R. Stevens, Jr.
again visited Piedmont-Stella Lodge No. 50 on August 10, 2007.
He was accompanied by several members of his Grand Staff (Deputy Grand Secretary Eugene R. Small, Grand Marshal Patrick J. Burke and Aide to the Grand Master James T. Garrity) as well as five additional members of the Craft from Delaware. The other Brethren from Delaware were: R\W\ Kenneth E. Spiess, Sr., R\W\William G. Kriesel, W\ Robert M. Dodd, and Bro. Dennis A. Kavanagh and M\W\Herbert J. Atkinson, P.G.M. A great number of Virginia Brethren attended including the Grand Master of Virginia, M\W\G. Bernard Dungan, and several members of his staff. Right Worshipful M. Hunter Birckhead, P.D.D.G.M., and Worshipful Master of Piedmont-Stella Lodge No. 50 and its members hosted the meeting. Several nearby Lodges were also well represented.
Several of the traditional events that usually take place were observed. Although in unbearable 100°+ weather, the annual golf outing on Thursday and Friday mornings saw our Grand Master (according to the rules observed for Grand Masters playing golf at Greene Hills Country Club) shooting par for both days. Grand Master Stevens also observed the tradition of swinging the 4-wood of Past Grand Master Robert D. Rinehart on the 14th hole. PGM Rinehart truly loved the annual gathering in Ruckersville and this particular event commemorates the fraternal love PGM Rinehart had for the Brethren of Virginia. As usual, the ball was hit into the water-hazard as was normally PGM Rinehart’s practice.
The Brethren and their ladies also attended the annual picnic hosted by Piedmont-Stella Lodge No. 50 on Saturday, August 11th at Noon. This event was started before the Civil War and has remained a time-honored tradition since then. Originally, several Charlottesville area lodges met with their families in picnic on the second Saturday in August in the countryside beyond the city limits. Eventually, Piedmont Lodge (later Piedmont-Stella Lodge) became the host in the Ruckersville-Stanardsville area.
This annual meeting demonstrates the universality of Masonry and the warmth and camaraderie of true brotherly love and affection. This was a great gathering and Grand Master Stevens is to be congratulated on rejuvenating the annual visit. Visit our website for pictures … you may recognize some of the Brethren and their ladies.