Unity Masonic Lodge 146 Honors Able Forces ‘Skip’ Rogers with Annual Community Builders Award

When we asked Will Bryan about the nature of Unity Masonic Lodge 146’s “Community Builders Award,” an annual recognition of community members, about to be presented to unsuspecting Able Forces principal “Skip” Rogers during Two Pint Tuesday at the Virginia Beer Museum on August 20, we were told the award inscription says it all. And you know what, Will was right:

“In Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Community, This Award is Given and Heartfelt Gratitude is Expressed For Significant Efforts Toward Making the Community A Better Place in Which to Live,” it reads.

Unity Masonic Lodge 146’s Community Builders Award – Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

But as we awaited the unsuspecting recipient’s arrival, we decided to hassle Bryan some more, seeking some background on the award’s inception.

“Over the last few years our lodge has been very active in our community and being able to recognize those that maybe our community doesn’t know about or those that do what they do not looking for a thank you. Over the last 3 years we have recognized Michelle Smeltzer for all she does though the Dept. of Social Services and Harts. Last year we recognized Michael Williams for all he does for the kids at E. Wilson Morrison and his efforts with Rotary. To wrap this all up, we look for those whom are not Masons but live our tenants of faith, hope and charity. Giving us the honor to say THANK YOU to one of our community,” Unity Lodge 146’s Worshipful Master replied.

Of this year’s recipient, he added, “We found Skip Rodger’s to be very deserving of the award this year for his efforts with Able Forces. His efforts to better the lives and families of our local veterans is second to none. He does it not for the thank you or to be recognized, it is because that’s what he’s called to do. Skip was so well received when I had him speak to our lodge during dinner a couple months ago that we will be partnering up with him to support a local veteran family for this holiday season,” Bryan added of an ongoing relationship with this year’s recipient.

Upon his arrival, Skip Rogers, left, is introduced to a nicely bound community acknowledgment by Will Bryan – Oh, by the way, it’s for you, Skip.

As for that recipient, in the wake of his arrival, the presentation, and a few hugs of gratitude all around, we asked for a reaction to his surprise party. “I was absolutely surprised and truly honored to receive the Community Builders Award from our Unity Masonic Lodge. There are so many worthy organizations doing so much good it’s humbling to be recognized. Those of us who work with those less fortunate do it out of love, not recognition.”

And an Amen to that where it has thus far been found in our community, and wherever it will be found in the future.

Congratulatory hugs all around.

Presentation and hugs all around accomplished, it was on to an astonishingly tasty array of food supplied by host bar-keep April Lazo, and food prep co-conspirators Taffy Mabe, Chris and Sue Laurence, and close-to-home award co-conspirator Kathy Rogers, Skip’s wife, who knew of the presentation and directed him to it, without giving away the surprise.

Congrats, Skip. And thanks to all involved in this wonderful, annual, community awareness event.

The food spread included from left, pasta bake, beans & weiners, scotch eggs; and further down a big salad, fruit, not pictured home-made desserts; and further down – Walt, don’t eat too much, that’s the photographer’s job.