On Oct. 13 in Caracus, Venezuela, Victor Higuera Castellanos, M.W. Grand Master of the Gran Logia de la Republic de Venezuela, presented Eugene C. Walworth, P.M., Fernwood Lodge No. 543, Philadelphia with the highest award he can bestow upon a Freemason, the "Orden Diego Bautista Urbaneja, Primera Clase." Bro. Walworth also received a "Diploma de Honor" in recognition of his visit to the lodge and for his Masonic work in Philadelphia.

Because of his outstanding fund-raising efforts and his inspiration for cancer patients, David Grimes, a member of Lowther Manor Lodge No. 781, Camp Hill, was nominated and selected to participate in the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay that was held on Dec. 20. The honor of participating in the relay was all the more special in that Bro. Grimes has multiple myeloma, or cancer of the blood cells. He has been active in the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphomia Society as a rider and mentor in the Society's Team in Training bicycling program and has helped to raise more than $20,000 through his participation in 100-mile rides.

Matthew Renwick Tibby, of Punxsutawney, a member of Kittanning-East Brady Lodge No. 244, died Nov. 4 at the age of 106 and was buried with full military honors. Bro. Tibby was President and Chairman of the Board of Peoples Bank of Ford City, retiring as Executive Vice President. In 1993, he was named Pennsylvania Commander of World War I Veterans of the U.S.A. and in 2001 was named the National Commander.

In 1997, Bro. Tibby was featured in Life Magazine profiles of U.S. veterans of World War I. He was among the first 25,000 Americans to land in France in World War I. In 1998, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor as one of the surviving U.S. veterans who served in France during World War I. He was a member of the Scottish Rite bodies in the Valley of Coudersport.