The dedication of your Learning Center, July 16, 2000, was a huge success. The ceremony played to a capacity crowd. Our Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill.·. Robert O. Ralston, 33°, along with his lady Susann from Lexington. Mass. were in attendance. Others notables included Ill.·. James Salmons, 33°, and his lady from Cincinnati, and Ill.·. Paul Lyons, 33°, and his lady from Columbus. Also in attendance were six of our students along with their parents. One of the student’s father asked if he might be able to address the audience as to how important the Learning Center has been to he and his family. Needless to say, this held everyone’s attention and a few tears were shed. Such an appreciative gentleman he is.

    Prior to the ceremony, the guests had a guided tour of your Learning Center followed by refreshments consisting of cake, cookies and punch in a gala decorated room consisting of balloons of many colors including balloons with the Learning Center Logo Bear of them. This also included three beautifully decorated cakes of which one was the shape of a book with the Learning Center Bear Logo in the middle of the book.

Music for the program was by Ill.·. Marvin Price, 33°, accompanied by Ill.·. Robert Bray, 33°. Price sang a beautiful solo entitled “I Believe.”

Our Sovereign Grand Commander gave an overview of the Learning Centers now on line and those on the drawing board. He is looking for approximately 55 Learning Centers in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction to be operational by the end of this year.

Enthusiastic Ill.·. James Salmons, 33°, spoke on our Learning Center and the need for all of us to support this great philanthropy. At this time, Illustrious Brother Salmons presented a plaque to Ill.·. Everett Allen, 33°, thanking him for his huge donation to the Learning Centers. A section of the Learning Center in Cleveland was named in honor of Allen and his late wife Eleanor.

There was representation from the Rainbow Girls along with a nice donation for our Learning Center. Everyone applauded their fund-raising activity for a job well done.

The Chairperson of our Board of Governors, Bonnie Youngblood, did all the introductions and put together the beautiful program.

Our Director, Mary Ann Glasgow gave us a statistical report as to the number of children we will have in school during the summer session in which we are now involved and what we are looking forward to in numbers as our fall session begins.

At the end of the ceremony, the ribbon cutting by the children, dignitaries, and Board of Governors, took place. After this formality, it was back for more cake, cookies and punch.

A great memorable day was had by all. We are now officially involved in a high profile philanthropy, and what a wonderful opportunity this is for all of us. Let’s all support our great philanthropy by purchasing a Teddy Bear silk tie in red or blue, golf shirts are available, and you can even buy a “Teddy Bear” Club plaque. Your donation will support an active and vibrant Learning Center in our Valley of which we can all be proud. If you missed the dedication, please stop down and see what we are doing. I know you will be proud of our Learning Center and want to be a part of it.

At this time, I would like to thank everyone that helped to make our dedication such an outstanding and memorable success. Without everyone involved, it would not have been possible and thanks to each and everyone that attended this special event. Such a beautiful crowd and we were so proud.