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My Brother, The Illinois Lodge of Research has a long history of providing unique learning events. On April 15th, 2023--we will have one such event. This event is free and will include presentations and a unique tour of one of the most iconic Scottish Rite Valleys in America. We're proud to announce the first event of the year, The ILOR Traveling Symposium. Our speakers for the day will include: WB:. Greg Knott, 33˚ Greg is one of the founding contributors to the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL), and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754, Homer Lodge No. 199, and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, D.C. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star, and is the Charter-Secretary of the Illinois High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign-Urbana. He is also a member of ANSAR Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. Greg serves on the Board of Directors of The Masonic Society and is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and The Philalethes Society.He is a charter member of the new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282 (IL) and serves as its Secretary. Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts–an Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters. RWB:. Robert H. Johnson (RJ Johnson) Philosophy is at the core of what Robert is after. Having grown up in Italy and being exposed to the culture and much of the renaissance art and literature, Freemasonry became a natural place for him to gravitate toward. He is an avid musician and writer. He’s written for several print magazines and blogs on subjects ranging from Firearms and Medical Ethics to Theology and Comparative Religions. Robert's primary studies are in philosophy and mathematics. He also holds an honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy in Religion. Currently, Robert works as an executive in the medical industry. He received his degrees from Waukegan Lodge No. 78, becoming Worshipful Master in 2014. He’s since served as both a District Education Officer and a District Deputy Grand Master. He currently serves on the Grand Lodge of Illinois' Education Committee and is the Grand Superintendant for the Allied Masonic Degrees for Illinois. He is a member of the S.C.R.I.F. Prairieland College in Illinois. He is also the author of How to Charter a Lodge: A No-Nonsense, Unsanctioned Guide and co-author of It's Business Time: Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry, and The Master's Word, A Short Treatise on the Light, the Word and the Self. He has also republished other various works. WB:. Darin A. Lahners WB Darin A. Lahners is our Managing Editor. He is a host and producer of the "Meet, Act and Part" podcast as well as a co-host of an all-things-paranormal podcast, "Beyond the 4th Veil." He is currently serving the Grand Lodge of Illinois Ancient Free and Accepted Masons as the Area Education Officer for the Eastern Masonic Area. He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. He’s also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282, Salt Fork Shrine Club under the Ansar Shrine, and a grade one (Zelator) in the S.C.R.I.F. Prairieland College in Illinois. He is also a Fellow of the Illinois Lodge of Research. He was presented with the Torok Award from the Illinois Lodge of Research in 2021. About the Venue - The Valley of Danville - Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite The cornerstone for the building was laid on April 26, 1916, by Grand Master Ralph H. Wheeler. It was Dedicated on April 10, 1917, again by MWB Wheeler. The Architect, LFW Steube, was a Past Master of Olive Branch Lodge 38 and a prolific architect of buildings in Illinois and Indiana early in the 20th century. In addition to this Masonic Temple, he was the architect of the "old" Masonic Temple in Mattoon, the Vermilion County Courthouse, and Ashmore Estates in Coles County. Over the years, the building has housed several Masonic Bodies and Organizations, including multiple Blue Lodges, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, various Orders of the Eastern Star, The White Shrine of Jerusalem, Jobs, Daughters, and the Order of DeMolay for Boys. Currently, the building is occupied by the Valley of Danville AASR-- the building owner-- and its Eastern Illinois Children's Learning Center for Dyslexia, Olive Branch Lodge No. 38 AF & A.M., Corinthian Lodge No. 31 F&AM PHA, Iris Chapter No. 307 Order of the Eastern Star, L.L. Lockard Chapter Order of DeMolay for Boys, and Mimi's Kitchen, an on-site caterer. The Valley's Board of Directors recently approved the creation of a group called Valley productions, whose purpose is to bring entertainment acts to the building to help the building sustain itself and entertain the local community. Tours of the iconic building will be available to all attendees! Click Here To Get Your Free Tickets!