A Publication of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction

Event of the Century

Photo: Ill. Martin P. Starr, 33°, greeted Sovereign Grand Commanders Walter E. Webber, 33°, and Ronald A. Seale, 33°, during a break at the Valley of Chicago fall reunion. Ill. Bro. Starr is a past presiding officer in the Valley of Chicago and is also a dual member of the Valley of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

It is not often that Sovereign Grand Commanders of both Scottish Rite jurisdictions in the United States jointly attend a reunion. However in Chicago it averages once every century. The fall reunion of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago was billed as a “once-in-100-year” event as both Walter E. Webber and Ronald A. Seale were in attendance. Plans actually had their germination at a meeting of the DeMolay International Supreme Council in 2004. Bro. Seale, Bro. Webber and Gregory R. Klemm, Executive Secretary for the Valley of Chicago, were there.

Commander Seale offered the possibility of a Southern Jurisdiction Valley presenting a degree during the reunion. Initially a degree team from Baton Rouge was scheduled, but the timing of Hurricane Katrina made an appearance impossible. The airlines were not able to honor flight reservations at that time. John E. Moyers, SGIG in Kentucky (also a DeMolay Active Member), was approached and the officers of the Valley of Louisville enthusiastically agreed to step in for their counterparts in Louisiana. The last time Commanders from both jurisdictions met in Chicago was in 1901.

Masonic Ambassadors

Recognizing the importance of strong blue lodges to provide a firm foundation for the Scottish Rite, the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction has offered its services to the 15 Grand Lodges within its region. Ill. James E. Olmstead, 33°, chairs the Membership Development Committee, which was instrumental in creating a “Masonic Ambassadors” program.

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was the first to accept the offer of assistance. The aim of the project is to train blue lodge ambassadors who will advance the message of Masonry among lodge members and the general public.

Nadeau Collection on Display at National Heritage Museum

The National Heritage Museum, located at the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts, is exhibiting selected furnishings from the Nadeau collection. On display is a portion of the more than 1,000 pieces that Ill. Russell Ward Nadeau, 33°, plans to donate to the museum in loving memory of his parents. Most of the items have been passed down through the family from colonial days. Coinciding with the exhibition at the museum was the release of a publication featuring the collection. The catalogue is available through the museum’s web site: NationalHeritageMuseum.org.