We drove to Valencia after the Golden Vet’s Award night for Vernon Dandridge and spent the night. Since we needed to be in Fresno by mid-morning, it was the prudent thing to do. We got up early on Friday, and headed Fresno-ward!
We arrived at the site of the Fresno Veteran’s Hospital where we had the honor of seeing the Grand Lodge do a Cornerstone Ceremony. They had tours of their fabulous new facility for us, and look at the cool things they have going on:
They have display cases that show off the artifacts of the branches of service, a post office and chapel and barber shop and it’s very obviously a little city unto itself!
I had to go and get some dog slobber from the therapy dogs. Doesn’t everybody feel just a little better with some dog slobber on their sleeve?
I spoke to some volunteers who were staffing a booth with these great little cards and some other pamphlets.
And then the cornerstone ceremony was underway!
Lookin’ Good, Saul!
And there is that handsome Deputy Grand Master!
This was Brian Bezner’s first gig as Grand Lips Orator, and he did a great job. Nobody was surprised, he always excels at whatever he undertakes.
The event came to a close and we headed out to the hotel, in order to change into formalwear and get ourselves to the Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star Installation!
When we arrived in the Grand Chapter Room, I was so excited to see Mrs. Johnson! Alice Johnson was my Bethel Guardian waaaaay back in the late 70’s when I was in the line in Bethel 89, IOJD! She was a very special lady to me, and very influential. She was going to be going in as the Worthy Advisor in our Channel Islands Chapter in Ventura, and was there to “represent”! I got a big hug and it was great to see her.
We were escorted to our seats in the “big soft puffy section”, which is greatly appreciated! The seats are comfy and it was really nice to be able to sit there for installation, which is a little famous for being a little long. I will only admit to one or two giggle fits with Jeanette and Heather. And frankly, any time I can keep my giggle fits to one or two in an evening, I’m on my best behavior.
Here is Russ, talking to the big Pink Flamingo! Or maybe he was greeting Art Weiss. I like to think that maybe he was doing both.
The evening progressed with all the new officers properly installed, and I managed to find the restroom when necessary with the very minimum of loud-shoe-clomping on the bleachers. Win!
We walked back across the street to the hotel, and got a good night’s rest for the next day’s journey to the coast of California, to one of our favorite places on earth!!
Miles 218 Total Mileage 58,284
The Golden State from the Passenger's Seat 