Contents:

Ill. William B. Brunk Appointed Deputy in North Carolina
1999 Conference of Grand Masters To Meet In Hawaii
S.R. Clinic Dedicated In Norfolk, Va.
Louisiana Dedicates Clinic
Supreme Council And Grand Lodge Of Kansas Recognize Bro. Caldwell, 32°
Attention All Scholars!
Flag Folding Ceremony Project
Louisiana Institutes Statewide Scottish Rite Newsletter
Scottish Rite Funds Florida Clinic
DeMolay Elects Cole 67th Grand Master
80-Year Pin In Missouri
Valley Of Richmond, Virginia, Goes To The Movies
MIC Meets In Washington, D.C.
Centenarian Honored In Duluth, Minn.
"Spirit of Freemasonry" Float Debuts
"Kernel Popcorn" Entertains in Japan

Ill. William B. Brunk Appointed Deputy In North Carolina

Effective December 31, 1998, upon the retirement of Ill. H. Lloyd Wilkerson, 33°, S.G.I.G. in North Carolina, Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, appointed Ill. William B. Brunk, 33°, P.G.M., as Deputy in the Orient of North Carolina.

Ill. Brunk was raised a Master Mason on November 15, 1980, in Hiram Lodge No. 40, Raleigh, North Carolina, and served his Lodge as Master in 1986. He was appointed Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in 1987 and elected and installed Grand Master of the Grand Lodge on April 20, 1994. He joined the Raleigh Scottish Rite Bodies in 1984. In recognition of his exceptional service, he received the rank and decoration of K.C.C.H. in 1989, was coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary in 1993, and appointed Personal Representative for the Valley of Raleigh in 1995.

Having joined the Raleigh York Rite Bodies in 1987, he served as Illustrious Master of Enoch Council No. 5, received the York Rite Meritorious Service Award in 1992, and was elected Grand Warder of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of North Carolina in March 1998. As a member of Amran Shrine Temple since 1987, he has been active in that Temple’s ceremonial cast and is a member of Raleigh Court No. 186, Royal Order of Jesters.

Other Masonic affiliations and memberships include: James B. Green Chapter, No. 352, Order of the Eastern Star; North Carolina College, SRICF; Saint John of Patmos Conclave No. 67, Red Cross of Constantine; Bannockburn Council No. 125, Allied Masonic Degrees; Harp, Cross & Eagle Council No. 3, Knight Masons; Royal Order of Scotland; North Carolina York Rite College No. 69 (OPC); Philalethes Society; and Scottish Rite Research Society.

A graduate of the School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1967, Ill. Brunk specializes in the practice of orthodontics in Raleigh and has served in 1994 as president of the North Carolina Association of Orthodontists. In addition to volunteer work for several dental associations, Dr. Brunk provides orthodontic treatment for children from the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, N.C.

In recognition of his many civic contributions, he was presented the Outstanding Individual Volunteer Service Award by Governors James B. Hunt in 1983 and, again in 1992, by James G. Martin. Ill. Brunk and his wife, Sharlyn Lee who is the president of a computer software development firm, have four adult children and reside in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Clearly, Ill. William B. Brunk, 33°, is a dynamic Mason whose leadership is well known in many Masonic organizations, including the Scottish Rite. As Deputy in North Carolina, he is sure to continue this record of fraternal success and bring our Order to higher levels of accomplishment.

1999 Conference Of Grand Masters To Meet In Hawaii

In 1995, the Grand Lodge of Hawaii, won the bid to host the 1999 Annual Conference of Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries of North America, which will meet at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel February 21-23, 1999. The theme for the conference is "Opening the Millennium of Understanding." The conference’s several impressive events begin with ceremonies at 8:30 A.M. on February 20, 1999, aboard the USS Missouri. Hawaii Senator Daniel K. Inouye will deliver opening remarks, and the Honolulu Symphony will perform appropriate musical selections, including Aaron Copeland’s "Lincoln Portrait" conducted by Doc Severinson and narrated by Richard Chamberlain. The orchestra will also play various selections from Brother John Philip Sousa, 33°. The USS Missouri is moored adjacent to the USS Arizona National Memorial. An evening luau will follow the Pearl Harbor ceremonies.

Please contact the Grand Lodge of Hawaii for invitations and more details about the opening ceremonies and the 1999 Conference of Grand Masters of North America at the following address: Grand Lodge of Hawaii, 1111 Bishop St., Suite 500, Honolulu, HI 96813 Ph: 808-531-9050 Fax: 808-531-8135.

Scottish Rite Clinic Dedicated In Norfolk, Virginia

A large, attractive bronze plaque says it all: "Scottish Rite Tidewater Speech and Language Center." The plaque (below) was dedicated on September 24, 1998, at the Child’s Study Building at Old Dominium University (ODU), Norfolk, Virginia. It marks a major step forward for the philanthropic mission of Scottish Rite Brethren in the "Old Dominion" State.

Ill. David Kruger, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Virginia, Grand Secretary General of the Supreme Council, and Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director (l. and r. above) were among the many Masonic dignitaries attending the opening of the Scottish Rite Tidewater Speech and Language Center in Norfolk, Virginia, on September 24, 1998.

In addition to the many Masons present for the dedication of this new, state-of-the-art facility, several ODU officials attended, spoke of the outstanding quality of the clinic, and praised the contributions of the Scottish Rite. In particular, the University presented an award to Ill. Kruger for his long-time and sincere dedication to speech and language clinics for children in Virginia. Responding with typical humility and eloquence, Ill. Kruger thanked all involved. The cooperation of the Scottish Rite in Virginia and ODU, he noted, was "a marriage made in heaven" that would go on to benefit generations of children.

As further evidence of Scottish Rite support, several significant gifts were presented to Old Dominium University and the Scottish Rite Foundation of Virginia by the many Brethren and guests present. Each was graciously received by Ill. Kruger, who then recognized several Brethren and individual members of the University’s staff who were particularly important in bringing this major project to completion. Among them were: Ill. William L. Holliday, 33°, Personal Representative, Norfolk; Ill. Thomas F. May, 33°, Personal Representative, Portsmouth; Ill. William M. Johnson, 33°, Personal Representative, Newport News; Dr. Mark Fravel, Jr., 33°, Past President, Norfolk Scottish Rite Foundation and former professor at ODU; Dr. Nick Bountress, Clinic Director; Dr. Katherine Kersey, Head of Department; Dr. Stacey Raymond; and Dr. Joseph Sever, President for the Tidewater Scottish Rite Speech and Language Foundation. The festive event concluded with warm fellowship, a delightful reception, and an open house. Interestingly, three of the guides for the open house were Graduate Fellows sponsored by the Scottish Rite Foundation of Virginia.

Louisiana Dedicates Admiral E. A. Barham Clinic

On September 3, 1998, the Orient of Louisiana opened its third speech and hearing clinic. The clinic, serving the Valley of Monroe, Louisiana, and the surrounding area, is named in honor of Ill. Eugene A. Barham, 33°, Rear Admiral, United States Navy, Retired. Some 175 Scottish Rite Masons and visitors attended the dedication and formal opening of the clinic which will be operated in conjunction with the Northeast Louisiana University, School of Communication, Department of Communicative Disorders. Representatives from the University, the City of Monroe, and the Chamber of Commerce were on hand for the event. In his remarks, Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana, noted that the Scottish Rite was pleased to honor Ill. Barham, a true American hero and a faithful member of the Scottish Rite in Monroe.

Rear Admiral Barham graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1935 and had many commands at sea and ashore during a most distinguished military career. In accepting the dedication of the Admiral E. A. Barham, 33°, Scottish Rite Speech and Hearing Clinic in his honor, Ill. Barham graciously recalled the brave men, many of them Masons, who served with him in times of combat. He pledged his support to the clinic and was proud of the efforts of the Louisiana Scottish Rite to expand the availability of speech and hearing therapy to northeastern Louisiana.

Note: Next month’s special "Masonic Heroes" issue will include an article about Admiral E.A. Barham’s outstanding military and philanthropic career.

Supreme Council And Grand Lodge Of Kansas Recognize Bro. Kenneth L. Caldwell, 32°

Two distinguished Masonic Bodies joined with members of Cedar Lodge No. 103, Kansas, on September 26, 1998, to recognize Bro. Kenneth L. Caldwell, 32°, Valley of Fort Scott, Kansas, for his services to the Fraternity. The celebration recognized Bro. Caldwell’s many achievements as a member of the Craft and President of the Board of Trustees, now Board of Directors, for more than seven years at the Kansas Masonic Home continuing-care retirement community in Wichita, Kansas.

Pictured above during the presentation of the Supreme Council "Certificate of Honor" to Bro. Kenneth L. Caldwell, 32°, on September 26, 1998, in Chanute, Kansas, are (l. to r.) Ill. Thomas C. Raum, Jr., S.G.I.G. in Kansas; Bro. Caldwell and his lady, Ruth; and M.W. T. Michael Fegan, 33°, Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Kansas.

The Grand Lodge of Kansas, represented by M.W. T. Michael Fegan, 33°, Grand Master of Kansas, presented Bro. Caldwell with his 60-year membership pin in Chanute Lodge. He then surprised Ill. Caldwell with a pendant and certificate naming him as an Honorary Past Master of Cedar Lodge No. 103.

Bro. Caldwell was surprised once again by Past Grand Master Thomas C. Raum, Jr., 33°, S.G.I.G. in Kansas, who presented Bro. Caldwell with a Certificate of Honor signed by Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°. The certificate recognized Bro. Caldwell as an outstanding member of the Fort Scott greater Kansas Masonic family which is composed of more than 70,000 persons believing in the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, and charity to those in need.

The Kansas Masonic Home’s mission is "to provide loving care, comfortable and safe environments for people desiring health and retirement services, addressing with dignity, the health, social, and spiritual needs of those whom we serve.

Attention All Scholars!

The Grand Commander’s message in this issue announces the intent of including at least one article with a scholarly dimension in each upcoming issue of the Scottish Rite Journal. In addition, the Plumbline, the quarterly newsletter of the Scottish Rite Research Society, has the welcome mat out for articles of scholarly interest. As Grand Commander Kleinknecht says in his message, the key to the future of Masonry is Masonic education. Your work can make a difference!

When possible, please submit articles (under 2,000 words in length) in both paper and electronic disk formats. Almost any PC format is acceptable. If you send an article to one publication, the Journal, please do not also send it to the other, the Plumbline. To do so will cause duplication and confusion. Should the Journal or the Plumbline not have a place for your material, it will be forwarded to the other publication for consideration. Thus, one submission gives you two opportunities for publication! Mailing addresses are:

The Plumbline
PO Box 10361
College Station, TX 77842–10361

The Scottish Rite Journal
1733 16th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009–3103

The Stars And Stripes Flag Folding Ceremony Project

The Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) has started an effort to involve young people in a project titled "The Stars and Stripes Flag Folding Ceremony." The goal is to encourage organizations to form groups of young adults to learn the meaning of each fold.

The purpose of this project is to stimulate interest in the history of the flag inherent in each fold. Upon completion of folding the flag, the flag would be presented to an appropriate individual of the sponsoring organization as a memento of the special occasion.

The dress of the group members would identify their parent organization i.e.; Rainbow Girls, DeMolay, Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus Squires, and youth groups of service organizations. Event participants will be selected without concern for race, creed, color, or national origin. The common item of dress in all groups will be a beret with the MSA pin to indicate the coordinating organization.

A test of this idea was conducted at the meeting of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in Pennsylvania on August 15, 1998, at the Patton Campus, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The young ladies learned the techniques of folding the flag in just over an hour and a half. They were assisted by two members of Company E, Honor Guard, 3rd Infantry, The Old Guard, US Army, Fort Myer, Virginia. It is anticipated that a manual of instruction and a videotape will be developed and distributed to participating groups across the country.

For additional information about this program, please contact the Masonic Service Association of North America, 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910–4785. Tel. 301–588–4010; Fax. 301–608–3457.

Louisiana Institutes Statewide Scottish Rite Newsletter

The Orient of Louisiana marks the new year with the publication of a statewide newsletter, The Louisiana Scottish Rite Trestleboard. Under the direction of Bro. Naresh Sharma, 32°, K.C.C.H., the Trestleboard will be published bimonthly and distributed to Scottish Rite Brethren throughout the Orient. Illustrious Ronald A. Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana, noted a two-fold purpose in the implementation of the statewide journal. First, the newsletter will seek to promote and strengthen unity among the five Valleys of the Orient through effective communication and a greater awareness of the activities of the Scottish Rite and Masonry in general throughout the state. Second, the new periodical will serve the all important role as an organ of Masonic education bringing to its readers information and articles on many areas of Freemasonry and other related topics.

Bro. Naresh Sharma, considered one of the foremost Masonic scholars within Louisiana, is excited and challenged over the project. He looks forward to creating a first-class Masonic publication serving the mutual objectives of information and education. Look for the brand new Louisiana Scottish Rite Trestleboard after the first of the year. Those out-of-state Brethren wishing to have their names on the mailing list should contact Brother Sharma at 10023 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815.

Scottish Rite Funds Clinic At Baptist Hospital of Pensacola, Fla.

October 1, 1998, was a magic day for Scottish Rite Freemasons of the Pensacola, Florida, area as their dream of 25 years came true. On that day, Baptist Hospital of Pensacola was given the first funding to open a Scottish Rite Children’s Language Disorder Clinic. This location is the tenth Scottish Rite clinic site in Florida and the latest of the 130-plus Childhood Language Disorder Clinics, Centers, and Programs supported by the Scottish Rite Foundation across the Southern Jurisdiction. Ill. Robert L. Goldsmith, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Florida, is pictured above (center) handing the initial check in the amount of $25,000.00 to Mr. James F. Vickery, President of Baptist Hospital (r.) and Ill. Gene Rosenbaum, Pensacola Trustee of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida (l.). Ill. Rosenbaum has also recently been elected as the second Vice President of this organization. Ill. J. W. Fagan (not pictured) S.G.I.G. in Mississippi, was also present. The unveiling was conducted at a formal reception sponsored by The Baptist Hospital Foundation. A large contingent of Scottish Rite Masons and their wives were present for this historic occasion. The volunteer staff of the clinic held tours following the ceremony.

The 10 Scottish Rite clinics in Florida assist many children each year to gain intelligible speech, an ability that would have otherwise been denied to them. The partnership between the professional staff at Baptist Hospital Speech Clinic in Pensacola and the Scottish Rite Foundation marks the beginning of another new area of community service by Scottish Rite Brethren in the "Sunshine State."

DeMolay Elects Cole 67th Grand Master

Bro. Samuel Luther Cole, Jr., 32°, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, was installed as Grand Master of DeMolay International at the 78th Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 20, 1998.

With its positive atmosphere, DeMolay builds young men into better citizens and leaders while providing them the opportunities for participation in community service, travel, sports activities, and the development of managerial, organizational, and leadership skills. As a young man, Grand Master Cole joined DeMolay in Chicago, Illinois, becoming a member of Woodlawn Chapter. He is a recipient of the Order’s Chevalier Degree, Cross of Honor, Guild of the Leather Apron, and Legion of Honor. He helped found Crusaders Chapter in LaGrange, Illinois, and has served as Past District Deputy in Illinois. After relocating to Michigan, he further served DeMolay as an adult leader becoming the Dad Advisor of Farmington Chapter in Farmington, Michigan. Grand Master Cole has served Michigan DeMolay as Director of Ritual, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Ritual Championships in Region IV, and Region Representative for Region IV. He currently serves as DeMolay International’s Executive Officer of the State of Michigan.

Bro. Cole’s service to DeMolay on the international level has included membership on DeMolay’s Board of Directors, the DeMolay Foundation, Inc., the Board of Trustees, and several international DeMolay committees. Grand Master Cole was raised a Master Mason in LaGrange Lodge, No. 770, in Illinois, is a life member of Farmington Lodge No. 151, with dual membership in Britannia Lodge No. 601, both in Michigan, and also holds membership in Union Chapter No. 55 Royal Arch Masons in Michigan, Valley of Detroit Scottish Rite. He is a Past President of the Redford–Northwest High Twelve Club No. 14 in Michigan, and is a Past Worthy Patron of LaGrange Chapter No. 201 Order of the Eastern Star in Illinois. He is a past member of Michigan’s Masonic Home Board of Control, served as General Chairman of the 1997 International High Twelve Convention in Novi, Michigan, and is a recipient of the Gold Honor Award from the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. A graduate of Lyons Township Junior College, LaGrange, Illinois, and of General Motors Institute (GMI) Flint, Michigan, with a BBA degree, Bro. Cole, after a long and distinguished career with the General Motors Corporation, retired in 1991 as Director of All Layoff Benefit Plans. He lives in Farmington Hills, Michigan, with his wife, Marie. They have three sons and four grandchildren.

80-Year Pin In Missouri

On September 10, 1998, then Grand Master of Missouri, M.W. Jeffrey O. Nations, 32°, K.C.C.H., Valley of St. Louis, presented an 80-Year Grand Lodge Pin to Bro. Walter Frost, age 107, at the Memorial Hall in Carthage, Missouri. The hall was used as a Lodge for this occasion, but was not large enough to hold the many Brethren, friends, and family who gathered to congratulate this outstanding Brother whose son, Bro. Marvin W. Frost, 32°, is a member of the Valley of Joplin, Missouri.

Valley of Richmond, Virginia, Goes To The Movies

On August 25, 1998, the Richmond Scottish Rite Center was dark so far as meetings, but there was plenty of light from movie equipment. For one day, the building was rented to Universal Studios for the filming of a scene from a new movie, Forces of Nature, starring Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock, pictured above (seated) studying her lines. Miles of wires and cables stretched throughout the building, and the center’s large parking lot was packed with all types of vehicles and trailers. Over 200 light and sound technicians, actors, makeup artists, various directors, and their assistants worked feverishly to complete their tasks. Within hours, the main hall of the Scottish Rite Center was transformed into the emergency entrance of a hospital complete with a sign declaring the center’s auditorium a chapel and the Valley Secretary’s office a hospital staff room. Ill. George A. Page, 33°, Executive Secretary, Richmond Scottish Rite Bodies, reports it was a most interesting and profitable experience. If your Masonic facility is ever requisitioned for a film production, his advice is, "Lights, camera, action!"

Masonic Information Center Meets in Washington D.C.

On September 12 and 13, 1998, the Steering Committee of the Masonic Information Center (MIC) met in Washington, D.C. Prior to the formal meeting, on Saturday morning, September 12th, the Committee members were given a tour of the United States National Holocaust Memorial Museum. At the request of the Holocaust Museum, the MIC is helping locate information from Holocaust survivors, particularly those who are Freemasons. The Nazi movement was hostile to Freemasonry, and in many cases, Masons were sent to concentration camps. In a related effort, the MIC is in the early stages of a plan to generate funds for the preservation of records recently discovered in Russia and France concerning Freemasons during the Holocaust. Also, the MIC Steering Committee adopted a policy of forming a response team from among its members to provide a fair, balanced, and objective view of Freemasonry. Team members will be available to attend seminars, participate in workshops, address meetings, or be present for any other informational purpose appropriate to a specific situation. The purpose of the team is to assist a Grand Lodge, individual Lodge, or a group of Masons requesting help in responding to inaccurate and misleading statements about Freemasonry. The response team must receive the approval of the relevant Grand Lodge before accepting any invitation to attend a function. In this same vein, the MIC discussed the possibility of producing a videotape based on the book Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? The tape would not only show the inaccuracies and outright lies used by anti-Masons to attack the Fraternity but would also would help MIC members respond to these kinds of accusations.

The next meeting of the Masonic Information Center Steering Committee is planned for March 1999. For more information regarding any of the above items or the MIC itself, please write to: Masonic Information Center, 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Tel. 301–588–4010; Fax. 301–608–3457

Centenarian Honored In Duluth, Minnesota

Accolades and honors abounded at a festive dinner in the Valley of Duluth, Minnesota, celebrating the 100th birthday of Ill. Johan Alfred Dillan, 33°, a 54-year member of the Scottish Rite, including 20 years as Valley Secretary and fulfilling an active schedule as an excellent ritualist in the conferral of the Scottish Rite Degrees.

Ill. Johan Alfred Dillan, 33°, receives a Certificate of Honor presented by Ill. Daniel F. Levenduski, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Minnesota, on behalf of Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, and the Supreme Council, as his wife, Dorothy, of over 73 years looks on.

Attendance at the celebration numbered over 200, including Scottish Rite members, ladies, family members, and community leaders. A Certificate of Honor was presented to Ill. Dillan on behalf of Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, and the Supreme Council. Other presentations were made by the Mayor of Duluth, a representative of the Governor of Minnesota, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, and business and civic leaders in Northern Minnesota.

Ill. Dillan’s long record of Masonic service was recognized as a Past Master of Euclid Lodge No. 198, and as a member of the York Rite Bodies, Red Cross of Constantine, and AAD Temple of the Shrine. In the Duluth community, he served as a long-time director of the YMCA, a Boy Scout leader, an elder in the Presbyterian church and, for 36 years, as Safety Director of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway Company.

Notwithstanding his age of 100, Ill. Dillan brought a memorable climax to the celebration with an outstanding address recalling his bountiful life of service to the Fraternity, his community, and America.

"Spirit of Freemasonry" Parade Float Debuts in Kentucky

In 1996, the Wilford Scottish Rite Club in the Valley of Covington, Kentucky, discussed the idea of building a Masonic float to enter in local parades. The float would depict all Masonic groups and affiliates in the Northern Kentucky area.

A committee—consisting of Bros. William C. Dietz, 32°, K.C.C.H., club president; Louis P. Lee, 32°, K.C.C.H., Vice-President; Loren K. Rood, 32°, K.C.C.H., secretary-treasurer, and Ill. Forrest Webster, 33°, club coordinator—was formed, and the idea soon became a reality.

Pictured left riding the new "Spirit of Freemasonry" parade float (l. to r.) are: Bro. Loren K. Rood, 32°, K.C.C.H., representing the Shrine; Ill. John E. Moyers, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Kentucky, representing the Scottish Rite; Ill. Forrest Webster, 33°, representing the York Rite; and Bro. John H. King, 32°, K.C.C.H., representing Symbolic Lodge Masonry.

By the end of the year, a trailer was obtained and most of the design work completed. Now came the big challenge, raising donations and creating funds from yard sales and the collection of aluminum cans. Soon, the funds were raised and the construction began. Fortunately, Mazak Corporation of Florence, Kentucky, a manufacturer of heavy equipment, provided the material and personnel to construct the framework at no cost to the Wilford Scottish Rite Club.

The center banner of the float has emblems depicting the four major Masonic organizations while the lower banner depicts the Appendant Bodies with a brief statement of their mission. Both sides of the float are the same. The float’s debut took place in the 1998 Bellevue–Dayton Memorial Day Parade, and it was received most favorably by both Masonic groups and private citizens. It has since appeared in the Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, 4th of July Parade; the Carrollton, Kentucky, Tobacco Festival Parade; and the Florence, Kentucky, Labor Day Parade where it received the second place "Best of Show" trophy.

"Kernel Popcorn" Entertains in Japan

Brothers Gordon T. C. Campbell, 32°, and Richard A. "Dick" Cripe, Jr., 32°, K.C.C.H., with the Masons of Square and Compass No. 3 and Kunitachi No. 4, had an ambitious and charitable plan, to raise funds so Canadian magician Scott Hopkins, aka "Kernel Popcorn," could provide a week of entertainment for physically challenged children at the YMCA Friendship Camp near scenic Lake Yamanaka. Golf tournaments, an international party, a comic "spaghetti opera," and individual donations produced sufficient funds for the Kernel to perform for the children who require one-on-one assistance from trained volunteer councilors.

Dressed in a red shirt with a contrasting white popcorn hat, bow tie and buttons, Kernel Popcorn performed many magic tricks and illusions and skillfully created balloon swords, hats, flowers, and animals which made the children all clap, laugh, shout, and rock back and forth in their wheelchairs. Clearly, there isn’t a more beautiful sound in the world than the laughter of happy children, and Kernel Popcorn stated that this experience was the highlight of his tour in Japan. The Brethren of the two Lodges in western Tokyo deserve kudos for their highly successful project.