On June 18, the 13th Annual Outdoor Meeting in the Hills was held at Christner's Grove near Connellsville, Pa. On hand were 665 brethren from 85 lodges and from seven jurisdictions, including Canada.

The brethren enjoyed the sunshine and dinner consisting of a cooked-to-order N.Y. strip steak, accompanied by salad, baked potato and corn - all served to the brethren in less than 45 minutes!

James Cochran Lodge No. 614, Connellsville, presided over this special meeting. Bro. David M. Christner, P.M., Worshipful Master, by Special Dispensation opened the lodge at 7:30 p.m. Bro. Christner's grandfather, Ellis H. (Alex) Christner was the owner of the property and passed away in 2007. After opening, the lodge received the Grand Lodge party and R.W. Grand Master Thomas K. Sturgeon announced that a very special occasion was about to take place. He then called on Bro. Jeffrey M. Wonderling, P.D.D.G.M., to confer the remaining portion of the Master Mason's Degree upon Bro. Brandon Nicholas Christner.

After Bro. Brandon was raised, his brother, (the Worshipful Master) and his father, Bro. Matthew A. Christner, P.M., presented Brandon with his grandfather's Masonic ring.

Grand Master Sturgeon then received contributions for the Masonic Villages from the officers of Philanthropy Lodge No. 225, Greensburg; Loyalhanna Lodge No. 275, Latrobe; King Solomon's Lodge No. 346, Connellsville; Westmoreland Lodge No. 518, Greensburg; Marion Lodge No. 562, Connellsville; James Cochran Lodge No. 614, Connellsville; and Jeannette Lodge No. 750.

Bro. Rodney E. Boyce, District Deputy Grand Master for District 30, thanked all of the brethren for attending and especially Grand Master Sturgeon for allowing this unique event.

Bro. Alan R. Sandusky, P.M., president of the C.D.S. Building Corporation, then made a special presentation to Bro. Timothy L. Shumar, P.M., district membership chairman, for his tireless efforts in raising funds for future improvements including an outdoor pavilion. Through Bro. Tim's leadership, more than $25,000 was raised by the raffle of the Pennsylvania Masonic Kentucky Rifle, which concluded with a drawing for the winner on that night.

Grand Master Sturgeon then closed the meeting at 8:30 p.m. A wonderful evening of fellowship was topped off with hot apple dumplings and ice cream.

A total of 323 brethren, representing 167 lodges and two visitors from other Jurisdictions, were present at the June Quarterly Communication on June 26 at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown. The following items of business were attended to:

The merger of William Penn Lodge No. 732 with Harmony Lodge No. 52, both in Philadelphia, effective Aug. 31, 2010, to be known as William Penn Harmony Lodge No. 52, was approved.

Fraternal recognition was approved to be granted to the Grand Lodge of Moldova and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Lithuania.

The Committee on Membership reported a net loss between Dec. 27, 2008, and Dec. 27, 2009, of 3,317 members. The membership as of Dec. 27, 2009, stood at 114,447 brethren in 432 lodges.

Bro. Armando Stavole, a member of Collingswood-Cloud Lodge No. 101, working under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, was elected an honorary member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

R.W. Grand Master Thomas K. Sturgeon took great pleasure in presenting the Grand Master's Outstanding Service Award to Bro. Raymond E. Foose, Newtown Lodge No. 427, Grand Lodge Soloist.

A special tribute was made to the late Bro. John Goodman, Grand Lodge Organist, with Bro. Foose singing "Going Home," by Antonin Dvorak.

Bro. Richard B. Elberfeld, Tyrian- Commonwealth Lodge No. 362, Erie, was appointed Grand Chaplain, effective March 24, 2010.

Bro. Robert A. Goodman, Brownstone Lodge No. 666, Hershey, was presented with the Academy of Masonic Knowledge Master Masonic Scholar Jewel by Bro. Thomas W. Jackson, R.W. Past Grand Secretary.

Bro. David B. Smith, District Deputy Grand Master of the 20th Masonic District, presented a statue of recognition and appreciation to Bro. Stephen Gardner, R.W. Past Grand Master, on behalf of the 56th Stryker Brigade stationed in Altoona for the support provided during his term as Grand Master through the calling cards for those serving overseas.

Grand Master Sturgeon was pleased to receive contributions totaling $34,586.17 for the various Masonic Charities.