World of Coca-Cola

On Friday, we flew to Atlanta, Georgia. Yesterday, we met members of several Georgia assemblies, including that of the Grand Rep to Oregon and the Grand Associate, in Marietta for bowling.

Today we drove into Atlanta and went to the World of Coca-Cola. It was kind of cool, but fairly expensive for what was essentially a two-hour long commercial to Coke products, although I enjoyed learning some of the history of the company.

We went with Georgia's Grand Associate and her mom. The kids enjoyed sampling coke products from around the world.

In the afternoon we attended a Rainbow installation in an old Lodge in Hiram, which is about 30 miles west of Atlanta. 

The Grand Worthy Advisor was the installing officer and Georgia's State Master Councilor came by to see Bryan.

Tigard Lodge & DeMolay

On the last day of November, Bryan was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason of Tigard Lodge. Three past Grand Masters took part in the degree, and another came to watch. The next day, we attended the Lodge's installation.

After the kids finished school, we had dinner at Benihana, and spent the weekend in Seaside. Monday night Bryan and I visited the Eugene DeMolay chapter.

Last night, Tigard Chapter held an initiation, bringing in one new member for them plus one for Milwaukie.

Nor Cal

Thanksgiving weekend, we attended the annual convention of Northern California DeMolay. We drove down to Sacramento on Thursday and joined other out-of-state guests and the Nor Cal Jurisdictional Staff and Officers for a Thanksgiving dinner, after which Bryan and Jennifer went bowling with other Jurisdictional officers.

An informal opening was held on Friday. Bryan and Jennifer were introduced with the other JO's. Friday night was a banquet honoring the heads of all the Masonic groups in California.

Saturday's luncheon featured Sweethearts and Princesses. Jennifer sat in the East and was introduced.

Saturday night was the banquet honoring Master Councilors. Along with other visiting Jurisdictional MC's, Bryan gave a speech.

On Sunday we attended the installation of the officers for the next term. Bryan and Jennifer posed for pictures with the new officers and the other visiting JO's, then we headed back to Oregon.

DeMolay Conference and Rainbow OV

This weekend, Bryan flew to Las Vegas Nevada to attend a DeMolay International Leadership Conference. The rest of us went to the Official Visit and Grand Officer Reception for Jennifer's Rainbow District - Metro East. As Worthy Advisor of one of the Assemblies in the District, Jennifer presided over part of the event.   

The Assemblies performed the Ceremony of Color for the Grand Worthy Advisor and the Supreme Inspector, and Jennifer presented them gifts from her Assembly. 

After the OV, there was a reception for the Grand Officers in the District. Jennifer gave a speech about Fidelity.

Grand Master's Class/Honor's Night

Yesterday, Oregon DeMolay held an initiation honoring the Grand Master. DeMolay from seven different chapters came to take part, and Bryan led the both teams. 

The degrees were held at the Salem Scottish Rite. We initiated seven boys, plus one for Vancouver Washington.

Later that night the Grand Master received the Legion of Honor degree, while Bryan received his Chevalier.

After the ceremonies, the State Officers posed for a picture.

Shrine Dance/Broomball

 

Friday we checked out of our room at the Disneyland Resort, and after a few hours in the park, headed up to Los Angeles for the annual Shrine Dance.

It was held at the Shrine Auditorium next to the USC campus, and DeMolay, Rainbow, and Job's Daughters from all over Southern California were there.

After the dance we drove out to El Segundo where the kids played broomball.

While Susan and I drove back from California, Bryan and Jennifer flew back to Oregon and attended the reception of the Grand Worthy Associate Advisor. This morning Jennifer returned to Salem for the Grand Initiaition.

Buena Vista Street

 

We started today in Disneyland, riding Matterhorn and Small World, and took pictures with Merida. Then we headed over to California Adventure to take our VISA picture with Stitch. 

After that we explored the shops of Buena Vista Street. Disney did a nice job of improving the look of the entry shops when they changed from Sunshine Plaza to Buena Vista Street. Just before noon, we went over to the DVC preview area at the Disneyland Hotel, to check out the models for the Aulani resort. We had lunch at House of Blues, then the kids went for a swim.

In the evening we went back into DCA and rode the Little Mermaid and Mater's Jamboree. We watched the neon lights come on in Carsland, then waited a little over an hour to ride Radiator Springs Racers after dark.

We finished with a ride on Soaring, then went up to the hotel's overlook to watch World of Color.

Carsland

This morning we began our day at California Adventure, checking out the new area, Carsland. We rode Radiator Springs Racers, then Luigi tires.  

Radiator Springs is definitely a great ride, a combination of dark ride and thrill ride, with lots of details. It similar to Test Track at Epcot, but better.

The tire ride is a fun little ride. We then headed over to Hollywood, where we had our picture taken with Stitch. After lunch at the Pacific Wharf, we went to the Pier to ride Midway Mania. We then headed back to the room, and the kids went for a swim.

After an early dinner, we headed into Disneyland, where we rode Buzz, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and Jungle Cruise. Disneyland was all decked out for Halloween.

Disneyland Hotel

We began our second day at the Disneyland Resort with a DVC member event at the Disneyland Hotel. Disney has pretty much completed updating the hotel, and it looks pretty nice. We then went into DCA and rode Midway Mania and walked through Carsland. We met some friends for lunch. 

We thought about trying the new Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel, but decided we wanted something a little nicer than counter service. 

None of the other DLH restaurants are open for lunch, so we ate at the ESPN Zone. Across the way, the old Compass Bookstore was being converted to an Earl of Sandwich restaurant.

Afterwards we walked around the hotels. I was glad to see that, even though they removed the waterfalls in front of the DLH's old Bonita Tower, they added a new one, even if it is quite a bit smaller.

We hung out in the room until dinner, then finished the day by going back into DCA to watch World of Color.

GWAR

Last Saturday we drove to Eastern Oregon for the reception of the Grand Worthy Advisor of Oregon Rainbow. It was held at the High School Gymnasium in Union, and had a rodeo theme. Above, Jennifer waits to be introduced with the other Grand Officers.

Bryan sat in the east with the heads of other statewide groups, and presented a gift to the GWA from Oregon DeMolay.

Friday night, Bryan passed his Eagle Scout board of review. On Saturday we got up early and drove down to California, and had dinner with my parents. This morning we drove over the grapevine and into Southern California.

While Susan and I checked into the Grand Californian Hotel and did some grocery shopping, Bryan and Jennifer went into the parks to meet friends. We had a one-bedroom villa on the second floor, with a view of the Paradise Pier section of California Adventure. We joined the kids in the evening.

Installations and Receptions

 

In September, most of the Assemblies in Oregon hold their fall installations. On the second Sunday of the month, we attended the installation of Cherry Assembly in Salem. Jennifer installed the Worthy Advisor, and Bryan lead a crowning ceremony team.

 

The next weekend, we went to Mt Scott Assembly in Portland. Jennifer was the installing chaplain, while Bryan crowned the new Worthy Advisor.

That night we again traveled to Salem for the reception of the Worthy Grand Matron and Patron of Oregon Eastern Star. Bryan presented them a gift from Oregon DeMolay.

Last weekend, Bryan and I traveled down to Salem. He helped Willamette Chapter initiate a new member, then attended the Grand Master's Reception, and again presented a gift from Oregon DeMolay. 

Tonight, he was installing officer for Tigard DeMolay. Jennifer attended as State Princess.

Weekend of Friendship and Brotherhood

This weekend was Oregon DeMolay's annual WOFAB campout. We spent two days and nights at Champoeg State Park, between Portland and Salem. 

Bryan led the boys in several games, including softball and capture the flag. Saturday night was a big BBQ, followed by a campfire. 

Today the kids started classes at the University of Portland, and Bryan attended his last Boy Scout meeting.

Milwaukee

 We toured downtown Milwaukee on Monday. 

We took a boat cruise down the Milwaukee river and out onto Lake Michigan.

We drove around the city a bit, seeing the sites. Above is Milwaukee's Shrine Temple. Yesterday we flew back to Oregon.