Civil
War Lodge To Visit London
Bro. John Shroeder, 32°, K.C. C.H., Master
of the Civil War Lodge of Research No. 1865, reports the world's
premiere Masonic research body, Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076,
has invited the Civil War Lodge to visit Quatuor Coronati's
meeting on September 11, 2003, in London. Bro. Shroeder noted,
"They visited us at the George Washington Masonic National
Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1998, and have invited
us to return the visit this year. We are starting our planning
now and want to have a large number of members participate.
We hope to be able to have a number of visits to Masonic Bodies
in London during the week we plan to be there."
| The Officers and members of Civil War
Lodge of Research No. 1865 in Babcock Lodge No. 322, Highland
Spring, Virginia, after installation are (front l. to r.):
R.W. Chris Burris, R.W. Wayne Price, Richard Radi, James
Scarce; (2nd row) Peter Gross; (3rd row) Stephen Whitaker,
Charles Joseph, George Cronin; (4th row) Lauris Eek, Bob
Schindler, John Shroeder, and Mike McCabe. |
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The Grand Lodge of Virginia chartered Civil War
Lodge of Research No. 1865 in 1995 with the noted Masonic author,
Bro. Allen E. Roberts, as the Charter Master. The Lodge has
grown rapidly since and now has 417 current members from 33
states and six countries. Quatuor Coronati Lodge, which was
established in 1886, has a limit of 40 members with an additional
8,000 Correspondence Circle members worldwide. Any Mason interested
in participating in this historic Masonic trip is invited to
contact Bro. Shroeder via e-mail at Shroeder@erols.com,
by telephone at 703-321-7047, or by standard mail at 5418 Inverchapel
Road, Springfield, VA 22151-2020 for further details.
Seattle
Holds Robert Burns Night
The Brethren of the Valley of Seattle, Washington,
held their annual Robert Burns Night on Friday, January 24,
2003. The dining hall was filled when Ill. Carl L. Alexander,
33°, General Secretary, welcomed everyone. He then introduced
Ill. Harold R. Ginther, 33°, Personal Representative in
Seattle, and M.W. James N. Reid, Jr., 33°, Grand Master,
Grand Lodge of Washington. The "Poet's Grace," written
by Robert Burns, was delivered by The Rev. Father Ernest S.
Radcliffe. As emcee for the event, Ill. Joseph W. MacIntyre,
33°, then proceeded to present the rest of the evening's
program. He began with a brief recounting of the life, loves,
and times of Brother Robert Burns from his birth in 1759 to
his untimely death 37 years later. This was followed by Brother
Douglas G. Edlich, 32°, calling forth the haggis (photo
right) and delivering the "Address to the Haggis."
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The ceremonial procession bringing
in the haggis, a traditional food in Scotland, highlighted
the annual Robert Burns Night in the Valley of Seattle,
Washington, on January 24, 2003. The procession was led
by Piper John McBride, and the haggis was carried by Bro.
James L. Bohlander, 32°, K.C.C.H., with two broadsword-wielding
escorts, Bros. William R. Volpentest, 32°, and W. Dennis
W. Wright. |
Another tradition at Burns Night in the Valley
of Seattle is a "Toast to the Lassies," which pays
tribute to the ladies. This year, Bro. Michael A. Carmel, 32°,
delivered the toast, and a "Response to the Lads,"
with cheers from the Lassies, was ably delivered by Lady Bett
Houston.
The meal, prepared by Ill. Ginther, was traditional
and included cock-a-leekie soup, prime rib, "tatties"
(potatoes), with mashed neeps (turnips) and green peas. The
music of Burns provided mealtime entertainment with Ill. Norman
D. Miller, 33°, at the piano. Great entertainment matched
the delicious food. Piper John McBride led off the program,
followed by the Washington Scottish Pipe Band. Established in
the late 1800s, this is one of the oldest such bands in the
Pacific Northwest. The Pipe Major, Kevin Auld, and Drum Sergeant,
Glenn Guerney, put together a great program, which included
lively toe-tapping and music by the Highland Dancers and Piper's
Creek, a Celtic quartet. Between musical numbers, several of
Burns' poems were presented. M.W. Reid read "Bonnie Jean,"
and other poems included "A Bard's Epitaph" read by
Bro. Louis E. Bartrand, 32°, "To a Mouse" read
by Mr. Zachary T. Webb (a Scottish Rite Scholarship recipient),
and "The Farewell" read by Ill. John D. McNab, 33°,
Deputy Grand Master. The evening concluded with the singing
of "Auld Lang Syne" led by M.W. Brother Reid accompanied
by Ill. Miller on the organ.
Submitted by Ill. Joseph W.
MacIntyre, 33°, Seattle, Washington, Scottish Rite Bodies
Ill.
Joseph O. Martin, Jr., 33°, S.G.I.G. In Tennessee, Honored
At its Annual Communication, March 26-27, 2003,
the Grand Lodge of Tennessee honored Ill. Joseph O. Martin,
Jr., 33°, S.G.I.G. in Tennessee, with the most prestigious
award offered by the Grand Lodge, the Andrew Jackson Medal.
First presented in 1992, this award recognizes notably distinguished
service to the cause of Freemasonry, Humanity, and County and
goes to any person who possesses the high ideals of Duty, Honor,
and Country, as demonstrated by Brother Andrew Jackson and our
great Fraternity. Brother Martin has faithfully served the Fraternity
since being raised a Master Mason on December 21, 1954. Retired
as a Brigadier General from the U.S. Air Force, he practices
law in Nashville, and at present serves on the Grand Lodge Endowment
Fund Commission.
Supreme
Council For Portugal Celebrates 10th Anniversary
On
March 8, 2003, Masonic dignitaries from across Europe gathered
in Lisbon, Portugal, to install Ill. José Carlos Nogueira,
33° (photo right), as Sovereign Grand Commander, Supreme
Council, 33°, for Portugal, and to celebrate the upcoming
10th anniversary of that Supreme Council. Ill. Robert W. Woodward,
33°, G.C., Deputy for the Orient of NATO Bases, represented
Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht and conveyed his
personal congratulations on this very special occasion. After
thanking everyone for attending, Sovereign Grand Commander Nogueira
shared the following remarks.
"The Supreme Council for Portugal will celebrate
this year, on the 19th of October, its 10th birthday. For these
short 10 years of existence, this Supreme Council has contributed
decisively to the international recognition of our Order. It
has been a point of unity and harmony and has always performed
an essential role of orientation and friendly advice to the
Regular Grand Lodge of Portugal. We are proud of the work done
for the consolidation of the Regular Masonry in Portugal. I
had the honor to contribute to the creation of both Portuguese
Regular Free-masonry and the Supreme Council for Portugal, working
beside our beloved first Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill. Pisani
Burnay, 33°, whom I succeeded. We have a simple, but well-decorated
Temple, where we do all the work of the Lodge, Chapter, and
Consistory. We have our own office, and a Lodge of Perfection
is functioning fully in the northern Region, where a Chapter
is being installed.
"We have no financial debts, our obligations
towards the state are fulfilled, and we have a great desire
to do better and more. We are implementing through the Rosa-Cruz
Chapter in Lisbon some actions, among which I would call your
attention to the creation of a scholarship for students from
low-income families and selective help for the needy.
"We will continue to develop friendly international
relations with all the Supreme Councils around the world, since
our privileged position as one of the universally recognized
Supreme Councils brings us more responsibility, not only at
a Masonic level but also at the level of our contribution to
the affirmation of the Portuguese nation and culture around
the world. I count on the dedication and work of all the members
of the Scottish Rite, especially of all the Grand General Inspectors,
for the continued development of our Rite and the preservation
and expansion of Masonic ideals.
"I will take this opportunity to reaffirm
my foremost conviction in the Masonic ideals of fraternity with
friendship, liberty with respect for the liberty of others,
tolerance and acceptance of our differences. This is a great
heritage we have received from our most illustrious ancestors,
and it still guides and elevates us, contributing to our evolution
as human beings and as citizens of a better world.
"This is the work of all Masons, this is
the raison d'etre of Free-masonry, the ultimate goal of our
organization, and the reason why we are here today. This investiture
does not mean that a man is a better Mason than another; it
means that Masonry is an Order, and, as such, it has to organize
itself, choose, and invest its leaders. Being mostly an administrative
act, nevertheless, this installation demonstrates that Regular
Masonry and the Scottish Rite are alive and operative in Portugal.
"Congratulations to all Regular Portuguese
Masons and congratulations to the Scottish Rite. May the Great
Architect of the Universe protect and help us all."
DeMolay
Grand Prize Contest Winner Honored
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| Ill. Richard E. Melvin, 33°, Active
Member of the Supreme Council, International Order of DeMolay;
Bro. Frederick Welch, 32°, Grand Junior Warden, International
Order of DeMolay and stepfather of Ross Mitchell Baker,
2002 Grand Prize Winner, Paul R. Kach, 33°, DeMolay
Americanism Essay Contest; Ill. Robert E. Hansen, 33°,
Deputy for New Hampshire; Ross M. Baker, DeMolay Grand Prize
Winner; Mrs. Dorothy Welch, mother of Ross Mitchell Baker;
and Bro. Wendell L. Woodward, Grand Master for New Hampshire. |
Recently, on behalf of the Supreme Council, 33°,
S.J., Ill. Robert E. Hansen, 33°, Deputy for New Hampshire,
N.M.J., presented a $1,200 check to Ross Mitchell Baker, the
2002 Grand Prize Winner, Paul R. Kach, 33°, DeMolay Prize
Americanism Essay Contest Winner, 11th grade and above category.
This contest is sponsored by our Supreme Council, S.J., and
is open to all DeMolays throughout the United States. The presentation
took place at a meeting of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire
Lodge of Instruction, Eighth Masonic District, with over 180
Brethren in attendance. Those present included all Grand Lodge
Officers, several District Officers, five Past Grand Masters,
ten 33° Honorary Members of the Supreme Council, 33°,
N.M.J., one 33° and one K.C.C.H. of the Southern Jurisdiction.
As part of his presentation, Ill. Hansen read portions of the
winning essay. Ross is a member of Rumford Chapter of DeMolay
in Bristol, New Hampshire, and received a standing ovation upon
accepting the prize check. You may read his winning essay, "The
Role of the United States in the Global World," in
the November 2002 Scottish Rite Journal.
Golden
Web Award Given To Colorado's RiteCare Web Site
On
March 19, 2003, the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado was
awarded the 2003-2004 Golden Web Award for its outstanding RiteCare
Program web site, www.wingsofwords.org. The award, given by
the International Association of Webmasters and Designers, is
in recognition of the Foundation's attractive, informative,
and functional Internet presence. This Association, organized
in 1997, has 310,000 members and affiliates in 145 countries
worldwide. It promotes web master and web surfer interaction
as well as trust and confidence on the Internet through voluntary
self-regulation and administration. The award decal shown here
is authorized by the Association for display on the award-winning
web site. Congratulations to our Colorado RiteCare Program on
this significant achievement!
Origin
Of "So Mote It Be"
A recent e-mail to the Masonic Information Center
said: "A friend told me Freemasonry is a cult." To
substantiate this charge was a quote from the book Cults
which stated: "The term So Mote It Be is a witchcraft oath."
Why do Masons use "So mote it be" instead of "Amen"?
"So mote it be" are the final words
in the Regius Poem. "Mote" is old English for
"may." Masons have used the phrase since the beginning
of the written history of the Craft. Freemasonry includes many
other words, now obsolete, which bring the sanctity of age and
the continuity of ritual from ancient days to modern times.
Source: Masonic Information
Center, Focus (March 2003)
Ill.
Jim Tresner, 33°, G.C., Speaks To Kansas S.R. Club
On
January 25, 2003, the South West Kansas Scottish Rite Club hosted
an evening with Brother Jim Tresner, 33°, Grand Cross, noted
Masonic scholar and author. Brother Tresner spoke to the assembled
club members and other Masons in attendance on "Masonry
in the World Today." He then fielded questions from the
audience on any and all Masonic topics, ranging from protocol
to the highly esoteric. It was a highly informative and entertaining
evening. Ill. Tresner was presented with a Double Eagle statue,
sculpted by Bro. Kris K. Dexter 32°, club member. The statue
was presented by Bro. David A. Ermish, 32°, President of
the club. A great dinner of smoked Kansas beef was prepared
by Bros. Ermish and Brian K. Thomas, 32°, and enjoyed by
all. The South West Kansas Scottish Rite Club hopes to make
events such as this available to the Brethren in the future.
Drew
Profitt, "Different In Every Sense"
Fuell
magazine, the official publication of the Buell Riders Adventures
Group, featured Drew Profitt in its April/March 2002 issue.
Referring to an April 2000 article in the Scottish Rite Journal,
the story notes: "For his tenth birthday, Drew asked all
of his guests to bring donations for the Scottish Rite, an organization
that helped him overcome his learning disabilities."
Drew is still "Different in Every Sense,"
as the title of the article declares. At age 11, he became a
national champion in drag motorcycle racing. The following year,
he again won both eastern and national honors. The magazine's
article refers to his first championship saying Drew's "struggles
with language seem to have made him even more determined to
be successful with all his endeavors. He is a remarkable young
man and an inspiration to others who set their sights on a goal
and work hard to accomplish it."
Another success for our Order's RiteCare Childhood
Language Program!
Cheyenne,
Wyoming Clinic Helps Head Start
| The Cheyenne, Wyoming, Scottish Rite
Childhood Language Clinic regularly assists the Head Start
Program by performing ear examinations. This last fall,
more than 200 kids had their ears examined and hearing tested.
Everyone commented on how well mannered and quiet the children
were as they waited their turn for testing. In the photo
on the previous page, Lauren Parker, Graduate Extern, performs
the hearing test, and a child raises her hand upon hearing
a sound. |
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RiteCare
Signs For Mobile Clinic
Ill. Raymond H. Clark, 33° (left), Beverly
Kenik, Director of the Sheridan, Wyoming, Scottish Rite Clinic,
and Bro. George E. Ewan, 32°, admire the magnetic RiteCare
signs created for the traveling "Therapy Wagon."
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"The
Next Step"
"The Next Step" is a new brochure
from the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. It concisely spells
out the many benefits young men, especially DeMolays,
get by petitioning and joining a Masonic Lodge. For more
information, contact the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. Call
1-405-282-3212; e-mail okmason1@aol.com,
or write to Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 1019, Guthrie,
OK 73701.Take the next step. Masons are waiting to
greet you as a Brother!
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Ill.
Bernard E. Rothman, 33°, 1921-2003
Ill.
Bernard E. Rothman, 33°, Past S.G.I.G. in Maryland, Past
Grand Standard Bearer, passed away on March 31, 2003. Ill. Hans
R. Wilhelmsen, 33°, Deputy in Maryland, delivered an eloquent
eulogy during Rose Croix and Masonic services held at the Washington
Hebrew Temple in Washington, D.C., and attended by Ill. Bros.
C. Fred Kleinknecht, Grand Commander; David Kruger, Past S.G.
I.G. in Virginia and Gr. Sec. Gen.; and John E. Moyers, S.G.I.G.
in Kentucky, in addition to a large number of Brethren, friends,
and guests.
Dr. Rothman, a retired optometrist, was born in
Baltimore on April 18, 1921. After graduating from the Pennsylvania
College of Optometry in 1942, he enlisted that year in the U.S.
Army and served in France and England. Though he was discharged
with the rank of Lieutenant in 1946, he remained active in the
Army Reserves until retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1966.
He established his prosperous optometry practice
in 1946 in Silver Spring, Maryland, retiring in 2001. Dr. Rothman
was head of a clinical instruction team at the Pennsylvania
College of Optometry and a safety eyewear program at the Naval
Surface Weapons Center in White Oak. He served for 16 years
as president of the Maryland State Board of Examiners in Optometry
and was a charter member of the Silver Spring Kiwanis.
Raised a Mason in Amicable Lodge, No. 25, Baltimore,
in 1947, Bro. Rothman served as Secretary, Treasurer, and Master
of Cornerstone Lodge No. 224, Takoma Park, Maryland; 23 years
as President of the Board of Grand Inspectors; and two years
as Grand Master of Maryland (1981-82). Bro. Rothman became a
member of the Scottish Rite in Baltimore in 1948, filled many
important offices, and was honored as K.C.C.H. in 1981 and 33°
in 1989. Appointed Deputy in Maryland January 1991 and crowned
S.G.I.G in October 1991, Inspector Rothman was particularly
successful in guiding the expansion and growth of the RiteCare
Hilgenberg Childhood Speech and Language Center in Baltimore.
He was also a member of the Shrine's Almas and Boumi Temples,
the York Rite, and many other Masonic Bodies.
Ill. Rothman is survived by his beloved wife,
Elaine, of 53 years and three daughters, Jill, Jan, Wendy, and
a son-in-law, Jeffrey. He will be deeply missed by all who knew
this good, hard-working, and dedicated man who helped so many
through his profession and Freemasonry.
