Russ Hennings, 32°
Venerable Master
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the idea of home— not just the place we sleep or gather, but the quiet, lived-in kind of home that holds onto stories even when no one’s left to tell them.
Recently, in my own home, I found myself noticing the imperfections: a worn patch on the wall, the crooked frame around a door, the filled in anchor holes on the shower that use to have hand holds for an elderly woman that lived here before us. These weren’t flaws —they were echoes. Evidence of laughter, arguments, late-night meals, and family moments that left their mark, whether intentionally or not. The people who lived there shaped that space by simply living fully in it.
And in many ways, our Valley is just like that home.
We’re part of something shaped by the brothers who came before us—men we may never know by name. They left traces in the traditions we carry forward, in the degree work we strive to perfect, and in the rituals that continue to ground us. Each meeting, each reunion, each shared meal is another layer added to that long story.
Our Super Breakfast in June is a perfect example: it wasn’t just a fundraiser (though we did raise thousands of dollars for the general fund—thank you!), it was a room filled with stories-in-the-making. Moments that, one day, will be remembered not for how much was raised, but for the brothers who stood side-by-side to support something bigger than themselves.
Now, we look forward to writing the next chapter together with our Inaugural Valley Picnic on Saturday, July 12th at William R. Mason Park in Irvine (Shelter #4). This isn’t just a barbecue. It’s a gathering meant to bring our Masonic family together—not just Scottish Rite members, but every Mason in Orange County. If you’re a Brother from Orange Grove, Newport Mesa, or any other Blue Lodge across the region, you’re invited. Bring your families, bring your appetites, and more importantly—bring your curiosity. Come meet the brothers of the Scottish Rite, experience the fellowship, and see for yourself why so many of us have found a second Masonic home here in this Valley.
Let this picnic be more than a social event—let it be a welcome mat. As Scottish Rite Masons reading this, I encourage you to reach out to a Blue Lodge Brother and invite him personally. Share your experience. Tell him what you’ve gained by stepping into this part of the Craft. We are strongest when our Valley reflects the fullness of Orange County Masonry.
Because here’s the truth: One day, someone will sit in this Valley and not know who we were. They won’t remember the breakfast we served, or the picnic we planned, or even the names of the Brothers who filled these chairs. But if we do this right—if we give our best to this Valley, serve it faithfully, and fill it with purpose—they will feel us here. In the traditions we keep. In the buildings we care for. In the spirit of fellowship that survives because we nurtured it.
So let’s keep showing up. Let’s build a Valley that thrives long after we’re gone. The memories of us may one day fade—but our work, our legacy, our love for this home will remain.
