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Notes from the Northern Light
A Publication of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction
Put to the Test
Photo: Tracing letters while only looking in a mirror is slow, laborious and exasperating.
One of the major charities of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction is a network of learning centers, dedicated to overcoming the effects of dyslexia. At the annual meeting in Chicago Dr. David Winters, 32°, facilitated a disability simulation.
Dr. Winters, executive director of clinical affairs for the 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc., explained the program called “Put Yourself in the Shoes of a Person with Dyslexia.” He said “The room was set up with five stations, each with a different activity. Participants would spend ten minutes at each.”
For example, one station simulated a visual-motor and writing problem. Participants were asked to trace an image. They were only allowed to look at their hand through a mirror. At another table, those taking part had to write with their non-dominant hand.
A particularly tough task was called the “unfair hearing test.” Here a spelling test was conducted, with the words coming from a tape recording of poor quality, simulating hearing loss.
The seminar also highlighted the important role that learning centers play in the lives of many children.
Dr. Winters explained that the session “provided participants insight into how the children that we work with, feel.”
Teteque Band Plays On
On a wintry day in 1894 a brass quartet from Pennsylvania played their first concert. Now, more than a century later, it has grown into a 60-piece wind ensemble that performs regularly to audiences exceeding 1,000 music lovers. Today known as the Scottish Rite Imperial Teteque Band of the Valley of Williamsport, it is believed by many to be the oldest Masonic-affiliated band in the world.
It was formed by the Knights Templar Commandery, before the Valley was established.
Its original name was a tongue twisting “Baldwin’s Mighty and Magnetic Min-strelitic Musical Misfits,” but was later retitled “Triple Tongue Quartet.” This latter name survives today as the initial letters, now spelled phonetically, reference T-T-Q.
Passing the Blue Pencil
Since the premiere of The Northern Light in January 1970 one constant element has been the presence of Ill. Richard H. Curtis, 33°. Bro. Curtis was brought on board as assistant to editor Ill. George E. Burow, 33°, to help develop a format for the new publication. Bro. Burow, a newspaper editor in Danville, Illinois, did not relocate to Supreme Council headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts, so day-to-day operations were handled by the assistant editor. Within a few years the reins and title were handed to Bro. Curtis, who has headed up The Northern Light since then.
Now after 37 years and 165 issues Ill. Brother Curtis feels the time is right to make a change. He has agreed to remain at Supreme Council to assist on several projects, but has requested a reduced office schedule.
Succeeding him will be Alan E. Foulds, 32°, who has been working with Bro. Curtis for the past three years as assistant editor.
