Barry McKinley, 32°
Master of Kadosh
Dear Brothers of the Orange County Scottish Rite,
It was truly an honor to preside over our September meeting, and I’m pleased to say that we are officially two-thirds through the year. The turnout for the evening was impressive, with a number of distinguished guests joining us, making it a memorable night for our valley. It is always uplifting to see so many familiar and new faces come together in the spirit of brotherhood.
One of the highlights of the evening was the inspiring words from our guest speaker, His Excellency the Illustrious Donald Tapia. As one of the original founders of our valley, his reflections on its formation were both insightful and touching. His time serving as U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica was also a fascinating journey, and we were fortunate to hear his experiences firsthand. We extend our deepest gratitude to him for his continued support of our valley and the RiteCare Childhood Language Center.
As we move forward, we look with great anticipation toward the Fall Reunion on October 19th and 20th. This is a special time to welcome new members and to reaffirm the values that bind us as Scottish Rite Masons. I encourage everyone to join us for what promises to be a remarkable and meaningful event.
Additionally, mark your calendars for the Halloween fundraiser for the Childhood Language Center on October 13th. This will be a fun and festive opportunity to support a cause close to our hearts, and your participation will help make a positive impact on the lives of the children we serve.
Let’s keep this momentum going as we head into the final months of the year. I am proud of the progress we’ve made together and look forward to the exciting events ahead.
