Ill.
Leonard E. Buffington, 33°, Appointed Deputy In Georgia
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On October 31, 2002, Ill. Leonard
E. Buffington, 33°, the newly appointed Deputy in
Georgia, visited the House of the Temple and received
Sovereign Grand Commander Kleinknecht's personal congratulations
on his appointment.
Photo: Bro. Dean R. Alban,
32°, K.C.C.H.
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On October 3, 2002, Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht,
33°, appointed Ill. Leonard Edgar Buffington, 33°, as
Deputy of the Supreme Council, 33°, in the Orient of Georgia,
succeeding Ill. Earl D. Harris, 33°, who passed away on
July 23, 2002.
Ill. Buffington was born on May 3, 1936, in DeKalb County,
Georgia, and attended public schools there before enrolling
in the University of Georgia and Georgia School of Technology
as a student of Electrical Engineering. He received his State
of Georgia Real Estate Broker's license in 1965 and has been
prominent in the Real Estate field: Owner, President, and Qualifying
Broker of Triangle Realty, Inc.; President, East Metro Surveyors
and Engineers; President, DeKalb Society of Commercial Realtors;
Vice- president for Professional Development, DeKalb Board of
Realtors, Board Vice-president Finance, Chairman Political Action
Committee, and representative to Washington D.C.; Chairman,
State of Georgia Board of Realtors Public Relations and Com-munications
Committee; Chairman, Membership Committee, and DeKalb Board
of Realtors President-elect to serve 2002-04.
Deputy Buffington's church affiliations include: Charter Member
of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, where he was Youth Fellowship
Leader, and Briarlake Baptist Church, where he has served as
Baptist Youth Training Union Leader and coached Youth Baseball
and Basketball teams.
A member of Clarkston Lodge No. 492, Clarkston, Georgia (Master
1994-95), since 1962, Ill. Buffington is also a Charter Member
of Metro Daylight Lodge No. 743. Chamblee, Georgia, now serving
as Junior Warden. President of the DeKalb County Masonic Association
and a member of the DeKalb Memorial Club, Ill.Buffington has
served the Grand Lodge of Georgia as a D.D. G.M.; D.D.G.M. District
Chairman and State Chairman. He was appointed to the Grand Line
in 2002 and is now serving as Second Grand Steward, Grand Lodge
of Georgia.
Among other Masonic organizations, he is the Illustrious Master
of Jason Burr No. 13, R.&S.M.; Scribe of Mt. Zion Chapter
No. 16, R.A.M.; Sword Bearer of Coeur de Lion Commandery
No. 4, K.T.; a member of Zarthan Council No. 329, Allied Masonic
Degrees; Carl F. Lester Council No. 65, Knight Masons of the
United States; St. Ambrose Conclave Red Cross of Constantine;
Luther B. Palmer York Rite College No. 123; and Personal Aide
(1998-2000) Yaarab Shrine Temple, Atlanta, Georgia.
A very active Scottish Rite Mason, Valley of Atlanta, Ill.
Buffington, is a recipient of the Double Eagle Award in recognition
of his many services; Past Commander K.C.C.H. (initiated mentor
program); Class Room Aide; 13° Master; 30° Cast Member;
Child Care Committee; Wise Master, Chapter Rose Croix; and presently
a member of the Invest-ment Committee and the Executive Committee,
Valley of Atlanta. He was coroneted a 33° I.G.H. in 2001.
Ill. Leonard E. Buffington resides in Tucker, Georgia. He and
his wife, Jean, have five adult children and three grandchildren.
His exemplary professional and Masonic careers assure his continued
success as Deputy of the Supreme Council, Orient of Georgia.
Ill.
Jerry B. Oliver, 33°, Appointed Deputy In Minnesota
Photo:
Dupont Photographers, Inc., Washington, D.C.
Effective on November 1, 2002, Sovereign Grand Commander C.
Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, appointed Ill. Jerry Bruce Oliver,
33°, as Deputy of the Supreme Council in the Orient of Minnesota,
succeeding Ill. Daniel F. Levenduski, 33°, who retired effective
on November 1, 2002.
Ill. Oliver was born on November 22, 1952, in Princeton, Minnesota,
graduated from St. Francis High School, where he was active
in football and wrestling, and served in the U.S. Navy before
beginning his business career. He is a co-owner of K&K Machining,
Inc., which specializes in close-tolerance machining and fabrication.
Raised a Master Mason in 1977 in Anoka Lodge No. 30, Anoka,
Minnesota, (Master 1984), Ill. Oliver became a Master of the
Royal Secret in the Scottish Rite, Valley of Minneapolis, in
1979 and joined the Consistory Line, serving 12 years as an
officer, the last two as Master of Kadosh. In recognition of
his many services to the Rite, he was invested a K.C. C.H. in
1993 and coroneted a 33° I.G.H. in 1999.
Ill. Oliver is active in many other Masonic Bodies. Among them
are: Order of the Eastern Star (Marshal for several terms);
Job's Daughters (Past President and Emeritus Member of the Job's
Daughters Endowment Fund Board, Golden Triangle Award for service);
Order of DeMolay (six-year Member of the Board of Trustees,
two-term President of the DeMolay Foundation of Minnesota, Emeritus
Member of that Board, DeMolay Legion of Honor in 1990); and
member of the York Rite and Red Cross of Constantine.
A dedicated Noble of Zuhrah Shrine since 1980, Ill. Oliver
was appointed to its Divan as Outer Guard in 1989, chaired various
Divan committees, and served as Potentate in 1997. He also served
as a representative to the Midwest Shrine Association and was
a voting representative to the Imperial Shrine for the four
years following his year as Potentate. He was appointed as the
Deputy Director General for the Imperial Shrine Session for
2003, serves as an Imperial Potentate Aide, and was recently
appointed to the Resolutions Committee.
Ill. Oliver and his wife, "Peg," who is a teacher
for the deaf and hearing impaired, are active in St. Philip
the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota, and have
two children, Laura, a nurse, and Brandon, currently attending
the New Mexico Military Institute prior to entering a Service
Academy in 2003.
Ill. Oliver's business acumen and lifelong dedication to Masonry
predict he will contribute much as Minnesota's leading Scottish
Rite Freemason.
Potomac
Lodge No. 5 Dinner Benefits House Of The Temple
Following an evening of
fine food, history, and music at the House of the Temple,
Bro. Peter W. DeForth, 32°, K.C.C.H., Master of Potomac
Lodge No. 5, Washington, D.C., presented an envelope of
individual donations from members of the Lodge to Ill. William
G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director of
the Supreme Council, in support of the House of the Temple
Historic Preservation Fund.
Photo: Bro. Dean R. Alban, 32°, K.C.C.H. |
|
On October 21, 2002, the House of the Temple in Washington,
D.C., had a particularly festive air as the Brethren of Potomac
Lodge No. 5, their ladies, and guests gathered in the George
Washington Memorial Banquet Hall for a delicious catered dinner,
followed by an interesting talk and an organ concert in the
Temple Room. The occasion was organized by the officers of Potomac
Lodge as "a small token of our appreciation for the large
circle of family and friends who love and support the members
of Potomac Lodge." In addition, it benefited the House
of the Temple Historic Preservation Fund.
After dinner, Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33°, G.C., presented
an interesting talk on an early "exposé" of
Masonry. Then Dr. Eileen Guenther, organist, presented a program
titled "Music from Around the World." The ambience
of the magnificent Temple Room enhanced the delightful concert
and made the entire meeting in the House of the Temple a special
evening for the members and guests of Potomac Lodge No. 5.
Fraternal
Meeting In Boston
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Sovereign Grand Commander Kleinknecht, 33°,
was pleased to attend the Annual Meeting of the Northern
Masonic Jurisdiction, USA, A.&A. S.R. of Freemasonry,
held in Boston, Massachusetts, September 1-2, 2002. During
the meeting, Illustrious Kleinknecht (left in photo) conferred
with Illustrious Robert O. Ralston, 33°, Sovereign Grand
Commander, N.M.J., on a number of fraternal subjects of
interest to both Jurisdictions. |
Ill.
David Kruger, 33°, Hosts Celebration Of Appreciation
Photo:
Ill. George A. Page, 33°
On Sunday afternoon, November 17, 2002, about 300 Brethren,
their ladies, and guests gathered in the Richmond, Virginia,
Scottish Rite Temple for a delightful "Celebration of Appreciation"
hosted by Ill. David Kruger, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Virginia and
Grand Secretary General of the Supreme Council. As the invitations
noted, the event was provided by Dr. Kruger "to show my
gratitude for the support and loyalty of all of you during my
19-year tenure first as Deputy and then as S.G.I.G. in Virginia."
Strong on fellowship and brief on ceremony, the festive occasion
was notable for the Temple dining room's colorful patriotic
decorations arranged by Barbara Wilkinson, wife of Judge James
B. Wilkinson, 33°, G.C., Orient Personal Representative.
Also, a variety of delicious catered finger foods and refreshments
were available at 20 tables located throughout the Temple's
large dining area.
After a half-hour of fellowship, Ill. L. Aubrey Stratton, 33°,
Personal Representative in Richmond, introduced a brief program
of tributes and presentations. Ill. Stratton noted, "During
a period of trials and triumphs, the Orient of Virginia, under
Ill. Kruger's leadership, has marched steadily forward with
great progress." Then Ill. Wilkinson, President of the
Board of Directors of the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center
at Richmond, Inc., spoke specifically to the support Ill. Kruger
has given to the Richmond Center as well as to the five other
RiteCare Clinics in the "Old Dominion State." Representatives
from the clinics at Richmond, Roanoke, James Madison University,
and Old Dominion University were present to thank Dr. Kruger.
Also, Bro. George E. Dewese, 32°, K.C.C.H., with his wife,
Matsue, attended to represent Radford University where there
are several Scottish Rite scholarship programs and a Summer
Language Clinic for children supported by the Scottish Rite
of Virginia. (Click here for more
information.)
Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director,
then read a letter of compliment from Grand Commander Kleinknecht,
who could not attend since he was conducting a Masonic visitation
in Europe. In the letter, the Grand Commander said: "David,
you have not only managed Scottish Rite affairs for over 19
years in Virginia, but you have also served with distinction
for 13 of those years as Grand Secretary General of the Supreme
Council. In 1985, you were responsible for establishing the
first RiteCare Childhood Language Program in Virginia that has,
under your guidance, expanded to a total of six programs today,
including the innovative RiteCare Mobile Clinic at Radford University.
You are a fine Freemason, and I am honored to have you as my
friend."
The final speaker, Ill. John W. Boettjer, 33°, G.C., Managing
Editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, presented Ill. Kruger
with a copy of the Congressional Record of September
19, 2002. Mounted in gold on a walnut plaque, the tribute from
the Honorable Thomas M. Davis III, Congressman, U.S. House of
Representative, is a permanent national record of Ill. Kruger's
contributions to his community, state, and nation. (For the
full text of the article from the Congressional Record,
please click here.)
Several other gifts, including a photo
to be mounted in a Richmond Childhood Language Center therapy
room, were presented to Dr. Kruger by the Richmond Brethren.
Dr. Kruger then took the opportunity of addressing the large
assemblage to call his professional associate of 39 years, Dr.
Richard J. Misage, to the podium. Dr. Misage, a talented accountant
as well as optometrist, has expertly prepared, free of charge,
the financial records of the Virginia Scottish Rite Foundation
for nearly two decades. With evident emotion, Ill. Kruger thanked
Dr. Misage for this outstanding service and then went on to
single out Ill. Walter S. Downs, 33°, G.C., Personal Representative
and Secretary in Alexandria, Virginia, for his many years of
help as a friend and Brother. "Words fail," Ill. Kruger
said, "to express my great gratitude for the unfaltering
assistance of these two fine men."
Concluding these brief ceremonies and presentations, Ill. Kruger
thanked all the Brethren for their help and invited them to
continue the afternoon's fellowship and festivity.
New Masonic
Information Center Booklet
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The Masonic Information Center (MIC) recently
published a new 12-page booklet titled "Guidelines
for Contributing Material to Public and Masonic Media."
Communication is the lifeblood of any organization, and
certainly every Masonic Body can enhance communication with
its members and with the general public by following this
booklet's concise advice on the five essentials of journalism--Who,
What, When, Where, Why. The Supreme Council considered this
publication of such importance that copies were sent to
every Valley throughout the Southern Jurisdiction. Copies
are available through the MIC at 50¢ each, 40% discount
for lots of 50 or more copies, plus shipping and handling.
Order through: Masonic Information Center, 8120 Fenton Street,
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785. Tel: 301-588-4010; Fax: 301-608-3457;
E-mail: msana@ix.netcom.com |
JROTC
Awards In New Mexico
| The Scottish Rite Brethren, Orient of New Mexico, presented
33 Supreme Council Education and Americanism Awards (medal,
ribbon, certificate) to JROTC students during the 2001-2002
academic year. Also, as part of an annual program, the Valley
of Santa Fe awarded a scholarship, including air fare, to
Air Force Cadet S/Sgt Katherine Judd (photo right with Bro.
Robert W. Zarn, 32°, Chairman, Education and Americanism
Committee, Orient of New Mexico) of Del Norte high School
in Albuquerque to attend the Freedoms Foundation "Spirit
of American Youth Leadership Conference" held at Valley
Forge, Pennsylvania, July 25-28, 2002. |
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Norfolk,
Virginia, Scottish Rite Honors Teachers
The Valley of Norfolk, Virginia, honored
three area teachers at their eleventh annual awards banquet
on September 21, 2002. The honorees, who each received a $500
award, included: Pamela M. Zwemer (second from left), a math
teacher for the Chesapeake, Virginia, public school system;
Melissa S. George (center), a Maury High School math teacher
from the Norfolk school system; Mark A. Clemente (second from
right), a chemistry and science teacher for the Virginia Beach
school system. Also pictured are: Bro. Fredrick W. Cressman,
32°, K.C.C.H. (left), Venerable Master, Valley of Norfolk,
and Ill. William L. Holliday, 33°, Personal Representative
in Norfolk of the S.G.I.G in Virginia.
From
Russia With Brotherly Love
Recently, Bro. Vladimir Yatsenko, 14°, Senior Warden, Aurora
Lodge No. 5 in Moscow, Grand Lodge of Russia, visited several
Masonic sites and participated in a number of Masonic events
during a busy three-week visit to Virginia. The main fraternal
reason for his visit was to work with "Old Dominion"
Brethren in furtherance of a cooperative program to strengthen
Masonic literature, education, and leadership in Russia. For
instance, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in
Alexandria, Virginia, was a collection point for book donations,
some from the Supreme Council, 33°, to the Grand Lodge of
Russia. (See "Grand Lodges
of Virginia And Russia Initiate Education Program,"
Journal, June 2002.)
In addition to visiting the Memorial in Alexandria, Bro. Yatsenko
visited several Blue Lodges and Scottish Rite Bodies, the Masonic
Home in Richmond, and Collingwood, the library, museum, and
headquarters of National Sojourners, Inc., near Mount Vernon.
Communicating after his return to Russia, Bro. Yatsenko wrote
to Ill. Robert G. Watkins, 33°, Official Liaison Representative
of the Supreme Council, S.J., to the Supreme Council of Russia,
saying: "The progress of Russian Freemasonry is slow and
careful, decreed to a large extent by the nature of Russian
society and its recent past. Therefore for me to visit such
clearly marked Masonic sites, which are open to the public,
as I visited during my time in Virginia, was, above all, a symbol
of the openness and vitality of American Freemasonry. Russian
Brethren are proud to belong to the largest fraternity in the
world built upon the finest principles of brotherly love, relief,
and truth. It is important we practice these virtues while not
losing sight of the fact that we do not live in a perfect world.
As Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, recently said ("Grand
Commander's Message," Scottish Rite Journal,
Oct. 2002): "As Masons always have, each of us can serve
a cause greater than ourselves."
Deputy
Provencher Entered In Guinness Book Of World Records
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It took Ill. Dennis E. Provencher, 33°,
Deputy of the Supreme Council in Okinawa, 51 years and 28
gallons of blood, but he is finally a certified Guinness
Book of World Records holder. Ill. Provencher recently
gave his 228th pint of blood (see
Journal Aug. 2002). That is enough to fill an
average car's gas tank twice or to refill the human body
18 to 22 times over. Since he first donated, at age 18 while
in the U.S. Air Force, Ill. Provencher has given blood nearly
every 57 days, and he intends to keep donating, even though
he is now approaching age 70. Congratulations, Deputy Provencher.
Your civic service sets an example for us all! |
Appeal
For Czech Republic Flood Relief
During his recent Masonic visitation to Prague, the Czech Republic,
to share in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the establishment
and the 10th anniversary of the renewal of activity by the Supreme
Council, 33°, for the Czech Republic, Sovereign Grand Commander
C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, was struck by the extensive flood
damage, the worst in 100 years. Lodges and Masonic libraries
were included in the national disaster.
These struggling Czech Brethren (see Scottish
Rite Journal, Dec. 2002)
are in real need as they attempt to save centuries of rare Masonic
books and artifacts. Fortunately, quick action by the Czech
Brethren, who first rinsed and then froze the books, saved whole
libraries for restoration, but this process is complicated and
expensive. To contribute personal and Masonic funds to this
worthy cause, please send checks marked "Czech Republic
Flood Relief" payable to the Scottish Rite Foundation,
S.J., USA (1733 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009-3103).
Your donation will be forwarded to the Supreme Council, 33°,
for the Czech Republic for their benefit.
Florida
Brethren Pursue 30 Community Projects
| Bro. William S. Evans,
32°, member of the Orlando Scottish Rite Bodies and
Chairman, Public Relations Committee, Winter Park Lodge
No. 239, Winter Park, Florida, reports that over the past
three years his Lodge has developed a portfolio of 30 community
projects per year. Among them are: staff support at cultural
events, such as the annual Bach Festival Society Concert
(left), 5-K Races for various causes, Multiple Sclerosis
Walks; Ole Fashion Fourth of July Celebrations; Child ID
Programs; Adopt-a-Road and Adopt-a-Lake Cleanups; Pre-K
Class Sponsorships, and an Inlet Marking Project as part
of Watershed Action Volunteers. Congratulations to these
dynamic Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite Brethren for setting
an example of local Masonic-community involvement! |
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Deputy
Kerr Addresses Panama Conference
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Ill. Arthur J. Kerr, 33°, Deputy of the
Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., at the Panama Canal, presented
a message from Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht,
33°, to the Sovereign Grand Commanders of the Americas
at the XV Conference of the Americas held in Panama City,
Panama, August 22-25, 2002. Fifteen countries were represented
at the conference by their respective Sovereign Grand Commanders.
The XVI Conference will be held in Cartagena, Colombia,
in 2006. |
Ill.
Ralph H. Head, 33°, Grand Cross, 1913-2002
By
any standard, Ill. Ralph Humphrey Head, 33°, G.C., was a
successful businessman, outstanding philanthropist, loyal churchman,
effective community leader, expert writer and, most of all,
dedicated Freemason. Brethren everywhere mourn his passing in
Santa Barbara, California, on October 19, 2002.
Ill. Head was born on March 21, 1913, and attended the University
of California before entering business, where he rose to the
positions of President of Pierce Brothers Mortuaries and General
Manager of Pierce National Life Insurance Company. He also filled
leadership roles in many civic and religious organizations.
Among them were Toluca Lake Rotary Club, San Fernando Valley
Council, Boy Scouts of America, Midnight Mission in Los Angeles,
and El Montecito Presbyterian Church.
Raised a Mason in Sunset Lodge No. 352 (now Metropolitan Lodge
No. 352), Los Angeles, in 1935 (Master 1942), Ill. Head also
became an affiliated member of Magnolia La-Cumbre Lodge No.
242 in Santa Barbara. He served the Grand Lodge of California
in many capacities, including Grand Orator and Grand Treasurer.
In addition, he served the Masonic Homes of California as a
Trustee for 25 years and President for several terms. Ill. Head
was also a Trustee of the California Masonic Memorial Temple;
served the Los Angeles Masonic Service Bureau for more than
30 years, including terms as Director and President; and was
Editor-in-Chief of the California Freemason for 28 years.
A leader of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Los Angeles since 1942,
his imposing stature and rich voice benefited the ritual of
many Degrees. For these and many other services to the Rite,
he was invested a K.C.C.H. in 1949, coroneted a 33° I.G.H.
in 1955, and elected a Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's highest
honor, in 2001. An active member of many Concordant and Appendant
Bodies of Freemasonry, Ill. Ralph H. Head, 33°, was declared
California's "Mason of the Year" in 1985. In truth,
he deserved that honor every year of his life, for he was, without
a doubt, one of California's and our Fraternity's most outstanding,
charismatic, and dedicated Brothers.
Ill.
C. Scott Bailey, 33°, 1906-2002
On
October 12, 2002, at the age of 96, Ill. Claude Scott Bailey,
33°, Past S.G.I.G., Orient of Mississippi, 1975-1986, passed
away at home in Meridian, Mississippi. Ill. Bailey was born
September 28, 1906, in Bailey, Mississippi, but moved to Marion
and then Meridian where he graduated from high school and began
a clerkship in his father's general mercantile store before
entering the finance and loan business with Morgan Plan Company,
later merged with White System of Meridian, Inc., where he served
as President since 1937.
Highly respected in his profession, Ill. Bailey was also an
outstanding member of Central United Methodist Church, where
he served as President of the Baraca Sunday School Class. His
active civic career included: President, Meridian Rotary Club;
Board Member, American Red Cross; Committee Member, Meridian
Chamber of Commerce and United Way; Member, Meridian Library
Board of Trustees; and Director, King's Daughters and Sons Rest
Home.
Raised a Master Mason in Marion Lodge No. 62 in 1932, he was
an active York Rite and Scottish Rite Brother, serving as head
of all Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Meridian. Coroneted a
33° in 1955, he was appointed Personal Representative in
Meridian in 1967, Deputy in Mississippi 1973, and S.G.I.G. in
1975. Other offices in Masonry included: Chairman, Mississippi
Chapter DeMolay Advisory Board; Honorary Life Member, Order
of DeMolay; DeMolay Legion of Honor; Potentate, Hamasa Shrine
Temple; President, Southeastern Shrine Association; Director,
Meridian Court Royal Order of Jesters No. 147; and Member, Red
Cross of Constantine.
Ill. Bailey is survived by Pauline, his wife of 69 years, a
son, sister, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Freemasonry will long remember the strong character, personal
humility, benevolent disposition, and lifelong dedication of
this outstanding Brother who contributed so much to the Scottish
Rite.
