Formal invitations have been mailed to all Orient of Oregon Honourmen.
Brethren, check your mail boxes in the coming week. You will receive an email follow-up once the formal invitations have been delivered. Registration is exclusively online, do not mail checks to the Orient without written dispensation from the Orient Secretary General.
Orient Valley Leadership and the General membership will be provided with the online registration and reservations links at the end of September, once our Honourmen have had ample opportunity to make their reservations.
With a little surprise in the Newly Elected SGIGs.
Congratulations to Illustrious Brother Richard Komraus on His Election to Sovereign Grand Inspector General and Active Member of the Scottish Rite Supreme Council at this Biennial!
We are proud to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Illustrious Brother Rick on his new election. This significant achievement is a testament to our Brother’s dedicated service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our shared Masonic principles. It reflects the high regard in which he is held by his brethren and the confidence we have in his ability to uphold the values of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
We celebrate this well-deserved recognition and look forward to his continued contributions and leadership within the Scottish Rite in Oregon and around the world.
Well done Brother Rick—your dedication and accomplishments are truly an inspiration to us all!
In case you want to skip to the end here’s Ill. Brother Grand Commander Cole’s closing remarks.
Tuesday Sept. 9th the Portland Valley welcomes Most Worshipful Brother Marc Strong
Date: Saturday, September 6th, 2025 Location: Wenatchee Masonic Center (811 No. Chelan Ave) and Hilton Garden Inn (25 N. Worthen St) Schedule: 8:00 AM 33° Rehearsal 9:00 AM Pastries and coffee available 10:00 AM KCCH Conferral 12:00 PM Light Lunch 2:00 PM Conferral of 33° 6:00 PM Social 6:45 PM Banquet Meals
Honours Ceremonies in the Orient of Oregon for 2025 will be held at the Portland Valley Scottish Rite Temple & the Portland Yacht Club on November the 1st, 2025. Ticket information to follow at a later date.
November 1st Agenda:
1:00pm – 33° Coronation, Lodge Hall [For 33° and Elect]
3:30pm – KCCH Investiture, Main Auditorium [All Masons and their Guests]
6:30pm – Honors & Awards Banquet, Portland Yacht Club [Honourmen, Award Recipients, Orient & Valley Leadership, and their guests.]
Fraternal Greetings members of the Orient of Oregon,
It is my pleasure to congratulate the newest honor men for 2025-2026. Please join me in congratulating these honors recipients!
The following Brethren have been elected by the Supreme Council to receive the 32°, Knight Commander of the Court of Honour, Red Cap,for the 2025 Biennium.
Baker Valley: Darrin T. Ward, & Christopher C. Warren
Eugene Valley: Brandon R. Curran, Andre J. Cvitanich, & Christopher S. Wig
Klamath Falls Valley: Jason T. Card
Medford Valley: John J. Lohrfink
Portland Valley: Erik L. Arneson, Lawrence P. Burbidge, & W. Garrett Haugen
Salem Velley: William M. McMillan
The following Brethren have been elected by the Supreme Council to receive the 33°, Inspector General Honorary, White Cap,for the 2025 Biennium.
Baker Valley: Timothy J. Best, & John F. Ferguson
Coos Bay Valley: Stephen N. Shannon, & Thomas P. Shine
Eugene Valley: Steven A. Karner
Klamath Falls Valley: Lance L. Lesueur
Medford Valley: Edward V. Davis
Portland Valley: Damon L. Van Beek
These men have shown qualities that make them leaders in their valleys and the Orient of Oregon.
It is obvious from my discussions with various valleys that some members have yet to be properly acknowledged for their contributions. Unfortunately, our system is not without its flaws. I would like to especially acknowledge Brother Billy Thompson and Brother Steve Larrance for their contributions to the Medford Valley. Their dedication and integrity have been a key factor in the Valley’s success.
Sincerely & Fraternally, Richard Komraus, 33° Deputy of the Supreme Council in the Orient of Oregon Supreme Council, 33° | Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, USA
Supreme Council Biennial Session & 33° Conferral Aug. 17-19, 2025
Information for 33° Honorees is at the link button below.
It is strongly encouraged for all Orient of Oregon 33° Elect to attend the 33° Conferral & Biennial Session in D.C. Please note, the main hotel is full as of today but there are alternative hotels in the area. This is an international Masonic event, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to be coroneted, be sure to take advantage of it.
Honours Ceremonies in the Orient of Oregon for 2025 will be held at the Portland Valley Scottish Rite Temple & the Portland Yacht Club on November the 1st, 2025. Ticket information to follow at a later date.
November 1st Agenda:
1:00pm – 33° Coronation, Lodge Hall [For 33° and Elect]
3:30pm – KCCH Investiture, Main Auditorium [All Masons and their Guests]
6:30pm – Honors & Awards Banquet, Portland Yacht Club [Honourmen, Award Recipients, Orient & Valley Leadership, and their guests.]
The roll of the workman has been called and one Master Mason, Illustrious Brother Norman Peterson, 33°, has not answered to his name. He has laid down the working tools of life and with them has left that mortal part for which he no longer has use. His labors here below have taught him to divest his heart and conscience of the vice and superfluity of life, thereby fitting his mind as a living stone for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Strengthened in his labors here by faith in God, and confident of expectation of immortality, he has been granted admission to the Celestial Lodge above. His Brethren mourn the passing of a great man and Mason.
Brother Norman D. Peterson, 33°, was born in Spokane, Washington, February 9th, 1928, and passed to the Celestial Lodge in May of 2025 in Vancouver Washington.
At the age of 14, Brother Norm joined La Grange, a fraternal organization founded after the Civil War by four Freemasons and three Odd Fellows, utilizing the ancient Greek Eleusinian Mysteries as its basis, according to him. Both his mother and father were members of the Grange.
He received his Entered Apprentice degree on February 8, 1954; his Fellow Craft on April 26, 1954; and his Master Mason degree on May 28, 1954, within his father’s home in Washington state under Malden Lodge No. 188, F. & A.M. of Washington. He was also a member of the Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281, F. & A.M. of Washington.
While in college, Norm worked part-time as a library clerk, gaining access to many books and developing one of his passions—indexing. He earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in psychology, a Bachelor’s in education with minors in math and biology, and taught classes at the University of Portland.
His Masonic scholarly work began in 1957 when he authored two articles for the Scottish Rite magazine then called “NEW AGE.” Over the years, he published numerous articles in various Masonic publications such as Heredom, Philalethes, and Quatuor Coronati. His research papers for the Portland Valley Scottish Rite and the Research Lodge of Oregon are numerous and are now being collected and archived in the library for future study.
Brother Norm was a 33° member of the Vancouver Valley Scottish Rite. In 1966, he affiliated with the Research Lodge of Oregon No. 198, where he held a Life Membership. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and a Fellow of the Philalethes Masonic Research Society. A recipient of the 60-year Masonic Service Award in 2018, he also received the 70-year service award in 2024 and was made an Honorary Past Master of the Research Lodge of Oregon No. 198.
He was a generous contributor to Masonic literature, donating hundreds of books to the Portland Valley Library, which was re-dedicated in his honor in May 2016 as the Simon-Fahrion-Peterson Scottish Rite Memorial Library.
At the remarkable age of 97, Brother Norm was still actively drafting Masonic articles and indexes, working on various projects both independently and with fellow Masonic scholars.
His contributions to Masonic education are profound, and he will be deeply missed. Memorial arrangements are underway and will be shared when available.
Greetings to all members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and Master Masons in the jurisdiction!
We appreciate your attendance and support today and hope you enjoy the fellowship of this Reunion.
Please note, a petitioner must be a Master Mason in good standing. All petitions must be submitted to the Secretary by 8:00 A.M. today. Degrees not conferred will be communicated.
Reminder: Do not park on Main Street. Location: Baker Valley Lodge, 2191 Main St, Baker, OR.
THURSDAY 8-8:30 A.M., Candidate Registration 8-9:00 A.M., Registration 8:45 A.M., Class Orientation 9:00 A.M., Opening LODGE of PERFECTION (4°-14°) 9:30 A.M., 4° Secret Master 10:15 A.M., 5° Perfect Master 11:15 A.M., 6° Confidential Secretary High 12 LUNCH 1:00 P.M., 14° Perfect Elu 2:30 P.M., 15° Knight of the East 3:30 P.M., 18° Knight Rose Croix 6:00 P.M. Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal, Lodge Hall
FRIDAY 9:00 A.M., 21° Noahchite or Prussian Knight 10:15 A.M., 28° Knight Commander of the Temple 11:30 A.M., Lunch 1:00 P.M, 30° Knight of Kadosh, or Knight of the White and Black Eagle 3:00 P.M., 31° Degree Inspector Inquisitor, or Initiate of the Egyptian Mysteries 5:30 P.M., Social Time w/no host bar 6:30 P.M., Dinner at the Elks Club. Official dress for dinner will be tuxedo or suit and tie. Your ladies and friends are welcome to join us for dinner and enjoy the Maundy Thursday commemorative.
SATURDAY 8:30 A.M., Candidate Pictures Reception of Deputy between sections of Degree 9:00 A.M., 32° Master of the Royal Secret
Join us for an unforgettable Scottish Rite Reunion in Baker. Experience a day filled with camaraderie, learning, and rich traditions as Scottish Rite Masons gather to celebrate and reunite. Enjoy engaging ceremonies, fascinating degrees, and the chance to connect with fellow Masons from across the state. Don’t miss out on the fun and the opportunity to deepen your journey in Freemasonry!
Menu provided by Ingallina’s Box Lunch [cost $20, candidates are free]: Assorted Box sandwich lunches. Served with chips, water or soda, and a delicious homemade cookie. Vegetarian options are available.
Any payment by non-members will be considered a non-refundable unrestricted donation.
There are a number of hotels in our area for those staying overnight.
Right next door to us is the Hotel de Lux, please note we do not currently have a discounted rate for their accommodations without prepaying for a block of rooms.
For this prestigious event the attire for Members and Candidates is Business Formal, for Cast Members and Stage Crew it is Business Casual. Business formal includes a dark pants suit, dark suit and tie, a black suit with a light button-down shirt. Examples of business casual clothing include slacks, khakis, trousers, collared shirts, button-down shirts, sport coats, blazers and sweaters. Yes, a kilt suit can be formal attire, especially for Scottish Rite events and celebrations.
GREETINGS: to all members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite everywhere; and to all Master Masons in the jurisdiction of the Baker Scottish Rite Bodies.
We appreciate your attendance and assistance, and we hope that you enjoy the fellowship of this Reunion.
A petitioner must be a Master Mason in good standing. All petitions must be in the hands of the Secretary not later than 8:00 A.M., Thursday of the Reunion. All degrees not conferred will be communicated.
Don’t Park on Main Street Baker Valley Lodge Location 2191 Main St, Baker OR
THURSDAY 8-8:30 A.M., Candidate Registration 8-9:00 A.M., Registration 8:45 A.M., Class Orientation 9:00 A.M., Opening LODGE of PERFECTION (4°-14°) 9:30 A.M., 4° Secret Master 10:15 A.M., 5° Perfect Master 11:15 A.M., 6° Confidential Secretary High 12 LUNCH 1:00 P.M., 14° Perfect Elu 2:30 P.M., 15° Knight of the East 3:30 P.M., 18° Knight Rose Croix 6:00 P.M. Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal, Lodge Hall
FRIDAY 9:00 A.M., 21° Noahchite or Prussian Knight 10:15 A.M., 28° Knight Commander of the Temple 11:30 A.M., Lunch 1:00 P.M, 30° Knight of Kadosh, or Knight of the White and Black Eagle 3:00 P.M., 31° Degree Inspector Inquisitor, or Initiate of the Egyptian Mysteries 5:30 P.M., Social Time w/no host bar 6:30 P.M., Dinner at the Elks Club. Official dress for dinner will be tuxedo or suit and tie. Your ladies and friends are welcome to join us for dinner and enjoy the Maundy Thursday commemorative.
SATURDAY 8:30 A.M., Candidate Pictures Reception of Deputy between sections of Degree 9:00 A.M., 32° Master of the Royal Secret
The Orient of Oregon’s Education Foundation Scholarship application period drawing to a close. All applications and supporting documents must be received by March 30, 2025. Any mailed in applications must be postmarked by the deadline.
Once at this site there is a link to the online fillable application. There was a letter and an email sent to all Valley PRs, Secretaries and Scholarship Reps. with printed copies of the applications to distribute.
Applicants for Scottish Rite Scholarship assistance must be residents of the State of Oregon entering as undergraduates at an accredited college, university or trade school. Grants are made on the basis of student need. Consideration is also given for exceptional qualities of leadership.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the Portland Valley welcomes Illustrious Grand Commander James D. Cole, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, 33°, of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, USA, at a Virtual Town hall hosted by the Multnomah Council of Kadosh.
To cap off this momentous occasion Illustrious Brother Cole will hold a virtual discussion to answer members questions and find out more about the Scottish Rite, Supreme Council, and the plans for the future of our fraternity.
Portland Valley Spring Reunion and New Member Initiation Ceremonies. April 18th & 19th, 2025
Click the image bellow or scan the QR-code to Petition for the Portland Valley
All Petitions are due, paid in full, by no later than 4pm on Tuesday March 18th at the Stated Meeting.
Any local Valleys wishing to have courtesy conferral for candidates will need to contact the Portland Valley ASAP. You will need to provide us with the full name of the petitioner, their email address, any degrees they have had prior, and any meal preferences they have for a meat or vegetarian meals. Please note, due to higher costs the Portland Valley will not be able to furnish courtesy candidates with copies of Bridge to Light or Morals and Dogma.
Meals available only to members.
Friday Fraternal dinner at 6pm, Menu provided by Elephants Catering [cost $30-35, candidates are free]:
