From Destruction Comes Creation

Above: A block of cedar branded with seal of the Valley of Panama City, FL

On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael caused devastating damage to the Florida Panhandle, including severe damage to the Panama City Scottish Rite Masonic Center. Brought down during the storm were more than 20 large trees on the Valley grounds. As outside cleanup efforts by Valley Brothers were on-going, KSA Venerable Master Chuck Cluxton, 32°, ever the optimist, took limbs large and small of downed cedar trees and cut them into approximately one-inch thick sections. Bro. Cluxton had a brand made of the Valley seal and branded hundreds of sections, which he brought to the Valley. These unique collectible blocks of cedar wood were made available for donations in order to help with repairs due to hurricane damage. —Submitted by Sam Fischer, 33°

Cover of the September-October 2019 Scottish Rite Journal, with the subtitle "Passing the Tools of Leadership;" In the foreground, Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, PSGC, (r.) prepares to re-obligate Ill. James D. Cole, 33°, SGC (l.). In the background are (l.) Ill. Melvin Bazemore, 33°, SGC PHA NJ USA, and (r.) Ill. David Glattly, 33°, SGC NMJ USA.

This article originally appeared in the September/October 2019 Scottish Rite Journal, p. 17.

Photo (l. to r.): Ill. Dean M. Resch, 33°, Grand Cross, and Bro. Chuck Cluxton, 32°, hold one of the blocks of cedar branded with seal of the Valley of Panama City, FL. From Destruction Comes Creation