"Pumpkins For Kids" In Wyoming

The Scottish Rite Childhood Language Clinics of Wyoming have undertaken a new fund-raising project called "Pumpkins for Kids." Last year was the Orient's first such event, and more Scottish Rite Brethren across the state will be joining the program in 2003.

The result of planning by the RiteCare facilities in Cheyenne and Sheridan, "Pumpkins for Kids" involves the community and the Scottish Rite's clinics in an effort to have fun while raising funds. In Cheyenne, clinic children, some with parental help, decorate pumpkins provided, either free or at significantly reduced cost, by Grant's Farms with sponsorship by local businesses and individuals. Sponsors donate any amount for a pumpkin. Large decorated pumpkins are then delivered to the sponsors so they can proudly display them during Halloween week. Tags on each pumpkin indicate that it had been decorated by a child from the Scottish Rite clinic. Small pumpkins are also decorated and taken home by the children.

Best of all, everyone has a wonderful time creatively decorating the pumpkins and dressing themselves in Halloween costumes as siblings and parents help the very young artists. To cap off the afternoon, artists and family members are treated to Belgium waffles, strawberries, and whipped cream as a reward for their participation.

In 2003, even more Scottish Rite members, local organizations, and schools around the state will be involved. Individuals and groups can sponsor each clinic's pumpkin decorators. It is a way to involve the larger community in the work of Scottish Rite Masons and the RiteCare Childhood Language Program. Let's make this an annual fun fund-raising event across the Jurisdiction!

Submitted by Carole Martin, Aud. CCC-A/SLP, Clinic Director, Cheyenne, Wyoming

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George Washington Masonic National Memorial Declares
August 2004 Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, Month

Brother George D. Seghers, 32°, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (GWMNM), in a letter to the Supreme Council dated July 30, 2003, noted that by a unanimous vote of the Memorial's Executive Committee, the month of August 2004 has been declared Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., S.J., Month. Activities during this special period will include the Memorial distributing Supreme Council publications, screening of Supreme Council videotapes, and installing an exhibit in the Memorial's Assembly Hall featuring the history, activities, and other aspects of the Supreme Council, S.J. The following Masonic organizations will be similarly recognized by the Memorial in 2004: Shrine of North America, June; Scottish Rite, N.M.J., July; Allied Masonic Degrees, September; Order of Amaranth, October; Social Order of the Beauceant, November; and Cryptic Masons International, December.

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GWMNM Offers Self-guided Tour

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial has just released a new 10-panel color brochure with a short history of the Memorial and a description of many of the rooms in the building. The brochure is intended as a self-guided tour, but it is also very helpful in providing good information to anyone interested in this beautiful memorial dedicated to our first President and most famous American Freemason. A copy may be requested by contacting: The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22301-2751. The Memorial's web site is www.gwmemorial.org.

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Rapid City, South Dakota, Club Donates To Memorial

Every Wednesday at 7:00 am, the Scottish Rite Breakfast Club of Rapid City, South Dakota, meets in McGillicuddy's Restaurant at the Prince and Pauper Book Shop. Each time, a donation of one dollar per member attending is put in a "slush fund" for projects the members decide are worthy. For example, donations have been made to the Scottish Rite Foun-dation of South Dakota and to the Masonic Center Building Fund, the latter to assist a beautification project. Recently, the club received a flyer from the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, about the cost of security measures imposed as a result of 9/11. The Brothers decided to contribute $250 to the Memorial, which placed the Breakfast Club in the Memorial's Gold Master Membership level of recognition. As a result, a certificate was received by the club and is now on display in the restaurant as a reminder to the general public about the missions of the Memorial and Masonry.

Photo: Bro. Donald V. Huxford, 32°

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Jacksonville, Florida, City Council Honors Masons

Photo: Bro. H. Joe Tull, 32°, K.C.C.H.

On June 24, 2003, Councilwoman Alberta Hipps presented Resolution 2003-674 to the City Council of Jacksonville, Florida. The resolution, reprinted on the following page, was framed and presented by Councilwoman Hipps to Ill. Roy Connor Sheppard, 33°, Personal Representative, Valley of Jacksonville. About 60 Freemasons, all Scottish Rite members, were present as the two-page resolution was read before an audience of over 300. The ceremony was videotaped for local television. Two Council members are Masons, and one is the Past Master of his Lodge. Ill. Sheppard made brief remarks as did the Potentate of Morocco Shrine Center, Bro. Gary L. Thigpen, 32°. The resolution "recognizing and commending Jacksonville's Freemasons for their longstanding history of civic contributions" read as follows:

WHEREAS, the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world, holding within its lineage those talented craftsmen of both the timeless pyramids of Egypt and the magnificent cathedrals built in Europe during the Middle Ages; and WHEREAS, many of our country's founders, including many signers of the Constitution, were Freemasons, and the Masonic emphasis on patriotism, egalitarianism, morality, integrity, truth, mutual aid and assistance, and brotherly love is evident in the basis they provided for establishing and structuring our great nation; and WHEREAS, the Grand Lodge of Florida was formed in the Territory of Florida in 1830 and relocated in 1870 to Jacksonville, where its corporate offices are in operation to this date; and WHEREAS, Freemasonry in Jacksonville and its various appendant orders, including the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Shrine, Eastern Star, DeMolay, and Rainbow Girls, provide services to approximately 60,000 Florida Masons and approximately 175,000 Masons from other states who reside in Florida, with there being twenty-two lodges and more than 7,000 permanent-resident Masons in Jacksonville alone; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that Freemasons in North America, individually and as an organization, contribute over two million dollars each day to charitable causes, and the local fraternity is well-known for its long and generous tradition of helping people, operating social and relief programs involving both sides during the Civil War, ministering aid during the yellow fever epidemic, assisting during and after the Great Fire of 1901, and, more recently, sponsoring and supporting numerous charitable and community activities such as a language disorder clinic in association with Wolfson Children's Hospital, an eye clinic, hospitals, burn clinics, and crippled children's clinics at no cost to patients; and WHEREAS, Freemasonry in Jacksonville is worthy of honor and recognition for its invaluable example of selfless charitable relief combined with high standards of morality; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville: Section 1. That the City Council does hereby recognize and commend Jacksonville's Freemasons for their longstanding history of civic contributions in our community. Section 2. That the City Council does further thank Jacksonville's Freemasons for their exemplary and caring citizenship, wishing them all manner of personal and professional success as they continue to pursue their noble and exalted ideals of life and service.

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Kansas RiteCare Learning Centers Formally Dedicated

Though their clinics have been operating for three years or more, the Brethren of the Orient of Kansas decided to have a formal dedication ceremony on July 12, 2003. The concept was to raise both public and fraternal awareness of the state's three "RiteCare Learning Centers" established in cooperation with the Kansas University Medical Center Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, Kansas City, Kansas; the Kansas University Schiefelbusch Speech- Language-Hearing Clinic, Lawrence, Kansas; and the Wichita State University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, Wichita, Kansas.

During formal dedication ceremonies on July 12, 2003, for the three "RiteCare Learning Centers" in Kansas, Clinic Directors each received checks for $20,000, symbolic of their partnership with the Scottish Rite in providing therapy for children throughout the "Sunflower State." Pictured (l. to r.) are: Jane Wegner, Ph.D., Kansas University's Schiefelbusch Clinic, Lawrence, Kansas; Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana and Lieutenant Grand Commander; Debra Danielson, M.A., Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas; Ill. Thomas C. Raum, Jr., 33°, S.G.I.G. in Kansas; Trisha Self, Ph.D., Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas; and Bro. Larry L. Christie, 32°, K.C.C.H., Personal Representative in Wichita.

Ill. Thomas C. Raum, Jr., 33°, S.G.I.G. in Kansas and Grand Chancellor of the Supreme Council, warmly welcomed the large number of Brethren and guests attending, in particular Ill. Ronald A., Seale, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Louisiana and Lieutenant Grand Commander. As the event's special guest and keynote speaker, Ill. Seale shared his inspiring vision of our Order's philanthropic mission and underlined how these clinics in Kansas are helping children overcome barriers to speech, language, hearing, and learning. The festive occasion, held in the Wichita Scottish Rite Center, included a Ceremony of Dedication by the Grand Lodge of Kansas; the presentation of checks of $20,000 to each of the three Clinic Directors; the presentation of large "RiteCare Learning Center" wall plaques to each clinic; vocal and instrumental music selections; and a gala reception, complete with harp music, after the formal ceremonies. The Orient of Kansas looks forward to continuing its exciting partnership with the three RiteCare Learning Centers.

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NATO Scottish Rite Scholarships Presented

On April 15, 2003, Ill. Charles E. Glidewell, 33°, General Secretary, American Military Scottish Rite Bodies, Orient of NATO Bases (to the right in left photo above), presented one of the Orient's two 2003 Scottish Rite Scholarships to Jessica Michelle Blount (center in left photo) at the Wuerzburg American High School, Wuerzburg, Germany. Jessica is the daughter of Chaplain (Captain) James, U.S. Army, and Marsha Blount (left). Jessica is ranked in the top 15% of her high school class and has been accepted to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. She plans to study pre-med or pharmacy. Then, on April 29, 2003, Ill. Glidewell traveled to Baumholder, Germany, to present the second Orient of NATO Scholarship to Amanda "Mindee" Sever (center in right photo above). A senior at the Baumholder American High School, Mindee is the daughter of Richard Sever (right) and Isabella Crowell, both teachers at the Baumholder American High School. Mindee is a member of the Future Business Leaders of American, National Honors Society, and President of the Student Council. She has been accepted at her number-one choice of universities, the University of California at Davis, California.

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Rainbow Girls Honored By National Children's Cancer Society

On July 13, 2003, at the Yakima, Washington, SunDome, the announcement that the Washington/Idaho Rainbow Girls had won top honors from the National Children's Cancer Society was met with enthusiastic applause.

Former President and Mrs. George Bush, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, and the 760 Washington/ Idaho Rainbow Girls have something in common-all have received top honors from the National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS).

The Attendees at the 2002-2003 Washington/Idaho International Order of the Rainbow for Girls Annual Convention at the Yakima SunDome were expecting a routine thank-you speech Sunday night, July 13, 2003, from Erica Harriss, NCCS Special Events Director. It was one of the last items of business on a sunup-to-sundown, three-day agenda packed with speeches, reports, competitions, and ceremonies. But Ms. Harriss delivered news that brought first gasps, then cheers from the approximately 650 attendees. Rainbow Girls from 52 local Chapters throughout Washington State and Idaho were chosen to receive the NCCS's 2003 Legacy Award. Only one Legacy Award is given annually, and, although the award isn't officially handed out until November in St. Louis, Missouri, NCCS made the decision to hand-deliver the crystal statuette (pictured below left) to Washington/Idaho's Rainbow Girls earlier so that every girl attending the organization's annual summer convention could share in the news and celebration.

Washington/Idaho's Rainbow Girls are the National Children's Cancer Society's #1 third-party fund-raising organization, said Harriss. Since 1998, Washington/Idaho Rainbow Girls have raised more than $300,000 through various activities supportive of the NCCS's mission to improve the quality of life for children with cancer. In 2002-2003 alone, Rainbow Girls in Washington State and Idaho raised $62,773 through raffles, auctions, dinners, stage productions, and walkathons.

Grand Worthy Advisor Elicia Nygren, age 20, outgoing youth leader of the two-state organization, said, "Helping others is what Washington/Idaho Rainbow Girls stand for." Similarly, Supreme Inspector Barbara Brown, the jurisdictional adult director, said, "I am so proud of the girls. They have a strong commitment to make a difference in the lives of others." Congratulations to all!

Rainbow, which is open to all girls ages 11 to 20, is a leadership and service organization that employs mentorship to support the journey from girlhood to womanhood.

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Bro. Andrew O. Drenkhahn, 32°, K.C.C.H.,
Elected President Of National Sojourners, Inc.

Brother Andrew Olin Drenkhahn, 32°, K.C.C.H., a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Wilmington, North Carolina, was installed as the National President of National Sojourners, Inc., on June 13, 2003, in ceremonies held during the 83rd Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Born in Danbury, Iowa, in 1928, Bro. Drenkhahn entered military service in 1946 and retired in 1977, having attained the rank of Lt. Colonel with many awards for his exemplary military service. He is a graduate of Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he earned a degree in Business Administration and Banking. Bro. Drenkhahn began a second career immediately after retirement from the military by forming College Realty, Inc., Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he became principal broker and president and remains so at this time.

Bro. Drenkhahn was raised a Master Mason in Fort Campbell Lodge No. 946 in 1955 and became a member of National Sojourners the same year. Aside from the Scottish Rite, his other Masonic affiliations include: Phoenix Royal Arch Masons No. 2; North Carolina Council No. 27, Royal and Select Masters; Palestine No. 20 Knights Templar Commandery; Sudan Shrine Temple; Light from the East Philalethes Chapter; Valley of Cape Fear No. 24, Allied Masonic Degrees, Sovereign Master (2001-02); Royal Order of Scotland; Red Cross of Constantine; Knight Masons of the United States of America, Shamrock Rose Council No. 2; Past Master of Clifford Duell Masonic Lodge No. 756 (1999); Past President of North Carolina Chapter No. 97, National Sojourners, Inc.; Past Commander, Cornelius Hamett Camp, Heroes of '76. Prior to his election to the national line, Bro. Drenkhahn served on several national committees of National Sojourners, Inc., including the Committee of 33.

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Waco Scottish Rite Supports History Fair Students

Since 1998, the Scottish Rite Bodies of Waco, Texas, have contributed to the advancement of students to National History Day. With Ill. Jack R. Denman, 33°, of Waco as liaison between the History Fair Board and the Waco Scottish Rite, contributions toward this worthy program have increased steadily each year. Beginning in 2000, Ill. Claude O. Ervin, 33°, Chairman of the Waco Scottish Rite Bodies, has presented monetary awards to students advancing to Texas History Day competition in Austin as well as those advancing on to National History Day. Through their support of youth activities, First and Second Place Winners at the Heart of Texas Regional History Fair held at Baylor University receive $50.00 each. Then, if there are students from the area advancing on to national competition, they receive additional funds to help with their trip to Washington, D.C.

Ill. Claude O. Ervin, 33°, Chairman of the Waco Scottish Rite Bodies, congratulates Colin Powell, Heart of Texas Regional History Fair Participant from Lake Air Middle School (dressed in colonial costume), and his mother, Barbara Powell, on the occasion of Colin's winning the Gold Medal in the Junior Individual Performance at the National History Day.

This year there were 44 students advancing to Texas History Day for a total contribution by the Waco Scottish Rite Brethren of $2,200. There were then five students who won at that state competition, and they received $300 each for an additional $1,500 given by the Waco Bodies. Congratulations to these students for their outstanding accomplishments and for their advancements to the National History Day level.

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"Big Brother Mentoring Program" Initiated In Valley Of Baltimore

In January 2002, Ill. Hans R. Wilhelmsen, 33°, Deputy to the Supreme Council, determined that a Mentoring Program should be designed and implemented in the Valley of Baltimore. Ill. Wilhelmsen recruited Bro. R. Frederick Lunn, 32°, K.C.C.H. to begin the task. Bro. Lunn set up an enthusiastic task force to work on the design of the "Big Brother Mentoring Program" in early February. The program was ready to implement by the Spring Class starting April 8, 2002.

Ill. Hans R. Wilhelmsen, 33°, Deputy of the Supreme Council in Maryland (right), greets Bro. Joseph H. Pyles III, 32°, a new member of the Valley of Baltimore, who is part of the Valley's new "Big Brother Mentoring Program" initiated by Bro. R. Frederick Lunn, 32, K.C.C.H. (left).

The best mentor of the Candidate is chosen based upon established friendship and personal knowledge of the Candidate. The Mentor receives a letter informing him of his selection and the activities and responsibilities involved. However, if the Mentor is unavailable, one of the 18 members of the Mentoring Committee will support the new Brother as his Mentor. The anticipated activities and responsibilities established for the Mentor include:

The hope is that the new Scottish Rite Mason will become an active participant in the activities of the Scottish Rite, contributing to both his personal growth and the growth of the Valley. The responses given by our new Brothers to the program affirm the success of the fledgling Mentoring Program.

Submitted by: Bro. R. Frederick Lunn, 32°, K.C.C.H.

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Headstone Dedication In Panama

As previously reported (Scottish Rite Journal, September 2002, page 39), 75 urns from the Panama Canal Scottish Rite Columbarium, together with 11 from the National Sojourners Lodge, were laid to rest on May 15, 2002, in the American Battle Monuments Commission Cemetery in Corozal, Republic of Panama. Recently, an appropriately engraved Masonic headstone was officially placed and dedicated in ceremonies conducted by the Panama Canal District Grand Master, Bro. Henry F. Smith, Jr., 32°, K.C.C.H., together with members of the Panama Canal Scottish Rite Bodies. The location of the site is recorded as: Section I, Row 1, Grave 55. A permanent record of the names of those interred is kept at the Panama Canal Scottish Rite Bodies and at the American Battle Monuments Commission Cemetery.

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Westside Scottish Rite Club In Katy, Texas

With 23 members, most from the Valley of Houston and some from the Valley of Galveston, a new Scottish Rite Club has been formed in Katy, Texas. Called the Westside Scottish Rite Club because Katy is west of Houston, the club received its charter in July 2003 and is now holding monthly meetings at Katy Masonic Lodge with Degree work being the goal of the Club. The club's members requested and received the 16°, Prince of Jerusalem, as their responsibility at the Valley of Houston. Also, the club has taken on the project of assisting a local high school student, a member of a single-parent family, in seeing that he has proper attire and sufficient funds to attend the National Young Leaders Conference held in Washington, D.C. The club's long-range goals include the formation of a Degree Team to assist any local Blue Lodge in its Degrees or in whatever way the club can to promote the tenets of the Craft and Rite. Socially, the club's members are planning bus trips to the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas and the Scottish Rite Center in Galveston. Under the leadership of Bro. Dennis C. Hughes, 32°, the club's President (seated in photo), the Westside Scottish Rite Club is determined to be an active Masonic force in southeast Texas. Congratulations to all!

Submitted by Bro. Edward J. Floyd, 32°, Club Secretary/Treasurer

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Education And Americanism Awards In Louisiana

Colonel Reece Gay presents the JROTC Award to Cadet Sharon Impastalo in recognition of her superior individual performance in the AFJROTC unit at Andrew Jackson Magnet High School in Chalmette, Louisiana.

The Supreme Council's established JROTC and new ROTC Education and Americanism Awards (each award consisting of an attractive certificate, medal, and ribbon) are very popular across the Southern Jurisdiction, but Louisiana may hold a record for the number of presentations. The Louisiana Scottish Rite Trestleboard (July-August 2003) pictured several "Pelican State" award ceremonies and noted that the Valley of Shreveport alone presented 122 framed Awards in 61 high schools! For information on the Supreme Council's JROTC or ROTC Award Programs, please contact your Valley Secretary.

Above left, Bro. Earl J. Durand, 32°, presents the Supreme Council's JROTC Education and Americanism Award to Cadet MSGT Nathaniel Maxwell of Lakeview High School, Campi, Louisiana. Center, Ill. John L. Atkinson, 33°, presents the JROTC Award to Cadet Colonel Claire Veitenheimer (accepting on behalf of Cadet Stacy Rains) and Cadet Damon Hundall of Benton High School, Benton, Louisiana. At right, Ill. John L. Atkinson, 33°, presents the JROTC Award to Cadet Captain Melody Smith, Bossier High School, Bossier City, Louisiana.

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Voices Of Freedom Youth Tableau

The second joint celebration between the Washington, D.C., Society Sons of the American Revolution (DCSSAR) and the D.C. Scottish Rite was held on May 20, 2003, at the Washington, D.C., Scottish Rite Center. The event's program, "Voices of Freedom Youth Tableau," included piano selections by Bro. Carlton E. Blake, 32°, a welcoming speech by Gary Bond, DCSSAR President, and three presentations by first-place winners: Ryan Sullivan, Eagle Scout Essay; Olufemi Otubanjo, Knight Essay; and Diana Larry, Rumbaugh Historical Oration. Entertainment was provided by the Patriots American Heritage Program, a hands-on group of about 15 students from the Christian Fellowship Church Schools in Waukegan, Illinois (photo below). These young students recited the names of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence by state, alphabetically, and one student read aloud a brief speech by John Adams. The DCSSAR appreciated the opportunity to promote its patriotic ideals for the Scottish Rite members and young people. Special thanks go to Ill. George A. Adams, 33°, Deputy of the Supreme Council, 33°, Orient of Washington, D.C., for contributing the use of the Scottish Rite Center for this special occasion.

Submitted by Bro. Timothy R. Bennett, 32°, K.C.C.H.
Past President, D.C. Society Sons of the Amer. Rev.