VALLEY OF BLOOMINGTON AASR, 32 MASONS Gather and Social at 5:30 P.M. Dinner at 6:00 P.M.

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1 Volume LXXX:3 December 2007 Bloomington Consistory Invites You To Join in Honoring our Ladies at a Valentine s Dinner Sunday, February 10, 2008 Jim s Steak House Bloomington, IL The perfect atmosphere to enjoy an evening of food and drink with our ladies and friends. VALLEY OF BLOOMINGTON AASR, 32 MASONS Gather and Social at 5:30 P.M. Dinner at 6:00 P.M. Menu Selection From Table Card Individual Checks (Gratuity added) This is the only announcement We would like to know if you are coming please call Bill Burden at (309) or Nellie at the office, (309) By February 1, 2008 to confirm your reservation REMEMBER: Since the first Tuesday in January is the 1st, our Trustees meeting and Stated Meeting will be held on Wednesday Jan. 2, 2008 per our Valley s by-laws. Commander-in-Chief 2 Reunion Highlights 3 Reunion Recap 4 Valley Blood Drive 5 Membership 5 Valley Newsbriefs 6 Deaths 6 Upcoming Events 6 Candidates and more photos 7 ILCHIP Update 7 C.E. Dagenhart Chapter 8

2 Commander-in-Chief Corner Happy Holidays The Valley of Bloomington gathered for a historic Fall Reunion on November 16 and 17, We fulfilled our theme of Friends and Brothers as we welcomed the Valley of Chicago to the Bloomington Performing Arts Center for our Joint Reunion. A number of carloads had arrived during the afternoon, but the buzz of activity really became apparent when two buses pulled up and the contingent filed into the building. The congeniality was immediately evident, as friends and brothers from both Valleys worked hand-in-hand to assure an outstanding weekend as the more than 60 candidates from the two Valleys were registered, photographed and introduced to the class directors. Following an excellent meal, the Lodge of Perfection was opened and the candidates (already friends and soon to be brothers in our Rite) began their orientation into Scottish Rite of Freemasonry with the presentation of the 4 th Degree. The evening s degree work culminated with the Bloomington Lodge of Perfection presentation of the 14 th Degree, Grand Elect Mason. But the evening was not concluded. The Brethren lingered in fellowship around a sumptuous reception table and renewed acquaintances or got to know new friends and brothers. It was a real pleasure to have this opportunity to unwind, enjoy the conversation and fellowship at the conclusion of the busy evening. Saturday began with the 16 th degree cast from the Valley of Chicago presenting the work of the Council, followed by our own Mt. Calvary Chapter s Rose Croix degree work. The remainder of the day consisted of the Consistory Work. A particular highlight was the cast from Chicago s interpretation of the 31 st degree allegory introducing the candidates to Constans. During the 32 nd degree ceremonial, The Commander-in-Chief of the Valley of Chicago and Ill Bro. John T. Phillips, Active Member of the Supreme Council were introduced and brought greetings. Both expressed their appreciation to the Valley of Bloomington for the arrangements and consideration that made this an exceptional Scottish Rite Reunion. Indeed, the weekend was an outstanding event. We had activity and support from the membership that was exceptional. My sincere appreciation for all the committee members, cast and crews (our degree work was outstanding) and all the members who contributed to the warm and genuinely heartfelt welcome to our friends and brothers from the Valley of Chicago. From their expressions of thanks I know they truly enjoyed and appreciated all that was done to make this joint Reunion such a success. But we still were not finished. Saturday concluded with the Valley s Traditional Fall Banquet with recognition of those who have distinguished themselves through Service to the Fraternity, exceptional work for the Rite or Membership development. An accompanying article lists these worthy and deserving brethren for their dedicated service. There is nothing more gratifying than to participate in recognizing friends and brothers. Fraternally Barry D. Weer, 33 Commander-in-Chief Valley of Bloomington Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Scottish Rite Office (309) Commander-in-Chief Barry D. Weer, 33 Thrice Potent Master K. Randall Wilson Sovereign Prince John R. Barringer Most Wise Master Dale F. Arbour Executive Secretary David E. Young, 33 Treasurer Earnest G. Vittitoe, MSA Board of Trustees Billy M. Burden, 33 1st Lt. Commander Robert T. Trefzger, 33 2nd Lt. Commander Theron F. Noth Deputy Master J. Eric Barringer High Priest Paul J. Dillow Sr. Warden Steven L. Barr Trustee Richard M. Erickson Trustee Bill E. Tanner Trustee Gregory L. Clark, 33 Trustee Committees Audit Ronald R. Guthoff Membership John D. Dorner Finance Barry D. Weer, 33 History Dale F. Arbour Insurance Joseph M. Jackson Legal Russell E. DePew Permanent Fund Barry D. Weer, 33 Planning Billy M. Burden, 33 Properties C. Walden Crouch, 33 SRRA John A. Hulett, MSA Charity Gregory L. Clark, 33 Community Concerns Norman L. Meade, 33 Bill Tanner Family Life Roger F. Aukerman, MSA Scholarships Webmaster John D. Dorner Learning Center Janet Blue Newsletter Dale F. Arbour Page 2 CATHEDRAL NEWS

3 Reunion Highlights ILL. John T. Phillips, 33, Stanley P. Boyd & Gary D. Hermann, 33 Larry E. Lars LaBounty, 33 & Jay Keeran Theodore R. Fowler, Staging Roger F. Aukerman, M.S.A., Bill E. Tanner, and Chicago team working make-up Lee Bradley, 33 & Russell L. Schlosser, 33 Tommy R. Kiper Dale F. Arbour presents Earnest G. Vittitoe, MSA. with 50 year certificate in Scottish Rite membership CiC Barry D. Weer, 33 and Harry E. Riddle, Jr., 33 Mr. & Mrs. Forrest L. DeVore, MSA. VOLUME LXXX:3 Page 3

4 Friends and Brothers Enjoy the Fall Reunion 2007 The Fall Reunion of the Valley of Bloomington was held on Friday and Saturday, November 16 & 17, First Lt. Commander, Billy M. Burden, 33, duly opened the Bloomington Consistory Thrice Potent Master, K. Randall Wilson, opened the Bloomington Lodge of Perfection, Senior Warden, Jerald H. Starks, opened the Council and Most Wise Master, Dale F. Arbour, opened the Chapter on Friday at 5:50 p.m. The 4 th, 6 th and 14 th Degrees were conferred upon a class of nine candidates. All Past Thrice Potent Masters who were present were duly recognized. The Valley of Chicago had 49 candidates in the class and 62 members in attendance on Friday. The Valley of Bloomington on Friday had 9 candidates, sixty-one members and ten guests registered, 6 from Peoria and 4 from Spingfield. A reception was held on the second floor of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts after the degree work was completed Friday evening. This was graciously hosted by the Valley of Chicago who joined with us at the Fall Reunion because they had recently sold their building in downtown Chicago and all their costumes and properties were in storage. Fellowship was enjoyed by all who attended. Saturday started with the Chicago Council presenting the16 th Degree. It was conferred upon a class of eleven candidates from Bloomington and 49 candidates from Chicago. Then the Chapter of Rose Croix conferred the 18 th Degree. This was followed by work in the Consistory. The 31 st Degree was presented by Oriental Consistory from the Valley of Chicago and Bloomington presented the 27 th, 30 th, and 32 nd Degrees to the class. All Past Sovereign Princes, Most Wise Masters and Commander-in-Chiefs who were present were duly recognized during their degrees. Illustrious Brother John T. Phillips, 33, Active Member of the Supreme Council from Illinois, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, was duly received during the Thirty-second Degree. The annual Fall Reunion Banquet and awards ceremony was held following the degrees at 5:30 pm. Following a delicious meal the ceremony began with the presentation of a special gift to John & Doris Hulett in recognition of their years of service to the Scottish Recreation Area. With the assistance of the Presiding Officers, 50 Year Member presentations were made to Robert E Jones, William Semonchik, Edwin B. Smiley and Earnest G. Vittitoe. A total of 25 other members reached the 50 year milestone this year. Steven L. Barr and Theron F. Noth were recognized for their 25 Year Member Presentations. 35 members reached the 25 year milestone this year. Four Bloomington Medal Presentations were made: For Freemasonry Alvin E. House and Frederick A. Zacher; For Reunion Service Richard C. Miller, Robert E. Montgomery and Benjamin D. Young; For Membership John D. Dorner White Ribbon Medal - reaching 100 points, Steven C. Nicholson 1 st Star 200 points and Ronald K. Blue, 33, 5 th Star points. And the newest Bloomington Medal The Orville E. Haning, Jr., Fellowship Award 2007 went to Jerald H. Starks. Illustrious Brother Ronald F. Lowery, MSA, 33, Past Sovereign Prince presented the Meritorious Service Award to Donald G. Anderson Illustrious Brother Robert T. Trefzger, 33, Past Most Wise Master and currently 2nd Lt. Commander presented the 33 rd Degree cap to George F. Perkins. George was capped by his wife Pat. L-R: Wife Pat, son-in-law Mathew Brown and granddaughter Ava, daughter Sarah Brown, and Illustrious George F. Perkins, 33 L-R: Presiding officer K. Randall Wilson with 50 year members William Semonchik, Robert E Jones, MSA, Edwin B. Smiley MSA, and Earnest G. Vittitoe, MSA and presiding officer Dale F. Arbour Page 4 CATHEDRAL NEWS

5 Valley of Bloomington Annual Blood Drive The Zerrubabel Council, Princes of Jerusalem, in conjunction with Normal Lodge #673 and the American Red Cross, will hold its sixth annual blood drive on Saturday, January 12, 2008 from 8 am to noon at Normal Lodge Hall, 102 Broadway, Normal. Past year s events were extremely successful according to the Red Cross. There are many misunderstandings about giving blood. In general you must be 18 or older, be in good health and you cannot have had hepatitis, cancer or AIDS. You cannot donate if you are ill at the time of donation. Other factors such as travel in some foreign countries may limit your ability to donate. The donating process takes about one hour. We are asking for your help so someone else can experience another sunset, another smile, another birthday, another day living with love and appreciation for life. We will reward you for your giving by giving you a lapel pin shaped like a drop of blood with the Masonic square and compasses. Ben North, Junior Warden of Zerrubabel Council encourages everyone to call early for best donation times. Call Nellie at the Scottish Rite Office (309) or John Dorner at Normal Lodge (309) If you have any questions about this program, contact us and we will be happy to answer all your questions. Illustrious George F. Perkins, 33 Donald G. Anderson, MSA working stage Ronald F. Lowery, 33, presented the Meritorious Service Award to Donald G. Anderson Membership by John Dorner Do you have a Petition in your pocket? Well, the Fall reunion has come and gone. As we reflect back on it, let us not forget the lessons of citizenship, honesty, respect, loyalty, love, mercy, justice and sacrifice taught in our degrees. Because what is a reunion, but for the joy of one another's company, and the chance to learn more about each other, but more importantly about ourselves. If you did not get a chance to participate, you missed a true weekend of fellowship. I want to thank the members who made this reunion class the largest we have seen in some time. I had set a personal goal to hit double digits, and we made it. Anyone who was around when I heard the final count would have heard me shout for joy and rightfully so. But, I know we can do more. I know we can, because we have before. We often hear about the 80/20 rule where 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people and that is also applicable to the participation by our members in the activities of the fraternity. And while the percentages we see are likely somewhat different there are a number of men who are available to make a difference in our Valley. Now, I have been told, that I am preaching to the choir when I write these articles or stand up in the membership meetings and ask for petitions. But the truth is, I am obviously not. If just 5% of our members took the time to ask a man to petition the Rite, and just half of those accepted the invitation, we would have had a class of 30. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about a class of 11, particularly in light of this being one of the largest classes we have taken in over the last several reunions. But we need to keep in perspective that lately, membership has been the effort of 1% of the membership that must get better if we are to see membership improvements. So I have a question: Can you make a personal commitment to the future of our Valley are you part of the 5% who can make a difference? It all comes down to one question, "Whom did you ask?" I want to drive home the point that together we can succeed at keeping our Rite alive, by asking men to join us. It cannot, and will not be done by a few people, it will in fact take all of us, old and new, to get it done. Do you have a petition in your pocket wherever you go? I do. You need to also. VOLUME LXXX:3 Page 5

6 Valley Newsbriefs NOTICE: Any Scottish Rite member who is on Active Duty in the Armed Forces has their dues waived by their valley and the Supreme Council. Bell Ringing for Salvation Army The Lodge of Perfection coordinated ringing bells at Macy's for the Salvation Army on Monday December 3rd. The brethren that helped were Theron Noth, Gordon Ropp, Joe Jackson, Larry Phifer, Merle Murray, Bill Rich, Don Gotselig, Dale Arbour, E.J. Long, John Dorner, Jeff Henry, Adam Young andpat Schlehuber. Note of Appreciation: As Director of the 14th Degree, I was impressed by the amount of work the stage crew put in by revamping several of the 14th Degree props as well as many props for other degrees. The finished product with new paint on several pieces, new wiring for others, made all the sets look very good on stage. We had a great reunion! Many thanks to all who were involved, and a big thanks to the stage crew for all their hard work. B. Burden, 33 1st. Lt. Com. The 6th Eastern District Meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Heyworth Lodge #251 at 103 N. Willis. State Farm singing group J-108, led by our own Jerald H. Starks, will perform during the evening. Refreshments will be served. Please invite your friends and family to join you for this special event. Let s introduce new men to our wonderful Masonic fraternity. We need you!! The American Passion Play begins its 85 th Season on March 8, We are in need of your help. There are opportunities to help with stage, door staff or being a part of the cast. Our season this year will include 7 performances, on five Saturdays and two Sundays between March 8 and April 12, Shows begin at 2:00 PM each performance date. If you are interested in being a part of the Passion Play family, or have questions as to the commitment needed, please call the office and speak with Wally or Tena at (309) or Please help us continue telling the wonderful story that has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of patrons over the years. Upcoming Events Deaths January Stated Meeting Lodge of Perfection Presides 8 Mohammed Shrine Installation of Officers 12 Blood Drive Normal Lodge (102 Broadway) February Stated Meeting Zerrubbabel Council Presides 10 Valentine s Day Dinner (5:30 pm, Jim s Steakhouse) March Stated Meeting Rose Croix Chapter Presides 16 Feast of Paschal Lamb - Rose Croix Chapter 7:00 am Sunrise Service, Blm. Masonic Temple April Stated Meeting Consistory Presides May Annual Meeting All Bodies Preside 9-10 Spring Reunion These brothers have traveled to the home of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. Our sympathies go to their families and friends. Allen E. Foster, Terre Haute, IN ( ) Kenneth R. Barnett, Braidwood, IL ( ) Harry G. McDavitt, Gulfport, FL (9-3-07) Robert B. Bowen, Normal, IL ( ) Lyle R. Gee, Maroa, IL ( ) Clifford L. Drew, Bloomington, IL ( ) Hugo C. Avalos, Morris, IL ( ) Edgar W. Wartena, Le Roy, IL ( ) Charles E. Murray, Lexington, IL ( ) H. D. Leon Tipsord, Bloomington, IL ( ) Page 6 CATHEDRAL NEWS

7 CANDIDATES NOVEMBER 17, 2007 Thomas E. Bays, Gardner, IL Mazon Lodge #826, Mazon Justin S. Brewster, Oglesby, IL Marseilles Lodge #417, Marseilles Richard L. Burton, Marseilles, IL Marseilles Lodge #417, Marseilles David A. Feese, Saybrook, IL Wade Barney Lodge #512, Bloomington Harvey L. Hale, Bloomington, IL Bloomington Lodge #43, BL A. L. Harris, Shorewood, IL Plainfield Lodge #536, Plainfield Michael L. Kirkton, Gridley, IL El Paso Lodge #246, El Paso Alan D. Metzke, Dwight, IL Livingston Lodge #371, Dwight Robert A. O Hara. Marseilles, IL Marseilles Lodge #417, Marseilles Jeffrey S. Ready, II, Bloomington, IL Bloomington Lodge #43, Bloomington Barry S. Tolchin, Normal, IL Normal Lodge #673, Normal Fred M. Wollrab, Bloomington, IL Bloomington Lodge #43 Bloomington Barry S. Tolchin, 32 - Class Orator Jeff S. Ready, 32, Class VP & Lady. Beth L-R: Presiding officer K. Randall Wilson, 25 Yr member Theron F. Noth, Presiding officer Dale F. Arbour and 25 Yr. member Steven L. Barr L-R: Presiding officer K. Randall Wilson with Reunion Service awardees Robert E. Montgomery, Richard C. Miller and Benjamin D. Young then Presiding officer Dale F. Arbour An IL Child Identification Program was held at the Bloomington Public Library on November 3, Both the Bloomington-Normal Rainbow Girls and the Scottish Rite had volunteers helping with the event. A total of 52 children/ teenagers were processed under this IL CHIP event in Bloomington. IL CHIP volunteers: Bloomington-Normal Rainbow Girls and sponsors with Larry E. Lars LaBounty, 33, Jerald H. Starks and Bill E. Tanner The next scheduled IL CHIP event is at LeRoy Lodge # 221 at the LeRoy Elementary School on January 17 and 18, 2008 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM (both days). Please contact Jerald H. Starks or Bill E. Tanner to volunteer or to propose other IL CHIP programs with your lodge or the Scottish Rite. VOLUME LXXX:3 Page 7

8 Bloomington Consistory Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite PO Box 3695 Bloomington, IL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED We re on the Web Vol. LXXX:3 December 2007 Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid Bloomington, IL Permit No. 37 C.E. Dagenhart Chapter, Order of DeMolay finishes 3rd at State Ritual Competition! C.E. Dagenhart recently completed a successful State Ritual Competition in Springfield, IL during Thanksgiving weekend. The DeMolays finished 3rd in the State for Ritual Supremacy and earned top honors in many individual events. The participants included: Adam Clark, Cody Adams, Cory Cline, Joey Minor, Alex Oehmen, Matt Cook and Chapter Sweetheart, Courtney DeYoung. The awards were as follows: 9 o'clock Interpolation team event - 1st place (Joey Minor, Cody Adams and Adam Clark) - WORD PERFECT Senior and Junior Stewards - 2nd place - Cory Cline; 1st place - Cody Adams - WORD PERFECT Chaplain - 1st place - Joey Minor 3rd place - Cody Adams 1st Preceptor - 4th place - Matt Cook 2nd Preceptor - 2nd place - Cory Cline 3rd Preceptor - 1st place - Joey Minor 4th Preceptor - 1st place - Alex Oehmen - WORD PERFECT A group from C.E. Dagenhart DeMolay Chapter earlier this year