Volume LXXXII:5 April, 2010 Cathedral News

Transcription

1 Volume LXXXII:5 April, 2010 Cathedral News VALLEY OF BLOOMINGTON AASR, 32 MASONS Welcome to our newest 32 Masons - Valley of Bloomington Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite We hope that our reunion inspired you to continue your Scottish Rite journey. L-R clockwise from top: Mark Small, Larry Kent, Christopher Mizell, Larry Mizell, Robert Erwin, Wade Tharp and Carl Smicker Inside this Issue Commander-in-Chief 2 Spring Reunion candidate photos 3 SRRA camping information 4 Deaths; Upcoming Events 4 Annual meeting notice 5 Thanks for Attending Our 209th Reunion February 26-27, 2010 Lodge of Perfection 5 Valley Newsbriefs 6 75 Year award to E. Pitzer 7 History of LeRoy Lodge #

2 Brethren All, Reunion Highlights: Spring reunion has been successfully completed. You are all to be commended on a job well done. All the comments I ve received have been very positive regarding our presentations and the message we conveyed to our candidates. I had the opportunity to speak with all the candidates, inviting them to the Scottish Rite Stated meeting on Tuesday, March 2. We had four new members come to that meeting. We also had visitors at the reunion from the Valleys of Chicago; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Danville, Freeport and Peoria. Each of those visiting Brethren made positive comments about their visit when we spoke. Dennis Garrigus, MSA, Director of Works is now working on 2010 Fall reunion. Dennis is working on a plan, and with the aid of the Degree Masters, we hope to better facilitate degrees and cast. I commend the stage crew for reducing the background noise in all degrees and thank you especially for the curtain closing at the end of the 31st and 32nd degrees. Kevin and Bill, fine job. A special mention is needed to recognize Thomas Booth, our guest organist. On behalf of the Valley, I sincerely thank Thomas for letting us utilize his talents for our reunion. We truly appreciate your musical talents! Recognition: I would like to give special congratulations to Jerald H. Starks, Sovereign Prince, Zerubbabel Council Princes of Jerusalem. On the evening of February 8, Brother Starks was presented with his Grand Lecturer Apron at Normal Masonic Lodge, #673. Jerry is Past Master of Normal Lodge and also involved in York Rite Masonry. His talents are widely known and when Jerry takes on a task, whether it is degree ritual or committee involvement, you can be sure the task will be completed with due diligence. Congratulations Jerry, your hard work is noticed and sincerely appreciated. Bloomington was about to be pelted by another winter storm, but the snowy weather held off and we were able to enjoy our annual Valentine Dinner on Wednesday, February 10, hosted by the Consistory Line. We met for dinner at CJ s restaurant and had 44 guests in attendance. Membership: In my comments at the Installation of Officers, I talked about officer involvement. As officers of the Valley, our members notice our presence and our actions, and we need to be proactive and involved leaders. At our fall reunion, it was good to see that many of our officers take this leadership role seriously. One obvious example is mentoring those in their lines who will eventually be elected to positions as presiding officers of the Valley. As officers, it makes a difference when we are supportive of events, meetings, reunions and committees when possible. I also encouraged each officer to consider those who they know who would be potential Masons, to speak with them about Masonry. Again, if you know someone who you feel would have an interest in Masonry, talk to them about Masonry, present them with a petition, mentor and coach them in your Blue Lodge, and speak to them about Scottish Rite Masonry. The Valley of Bloomington has more than 40 elected and appointed officers in our four coordinate bodies. I encourage each of you to secure a petition over the summer for your Blue Lodge. Mentor and coach your candidate, and ask him to consider Scottish Rite Masonry. With each of us committed to this task, (and membership is a task for every member) we can look forward to having a significant number of candidates for the next two reunions. Membership is a challenge, and I urge each of our officers, elected and appointed, to secure a Scottish Rite petition before the end of their term as an officer. Fraternally, Billy M. Burden, 33 Commander-in-Chief Valley of Bloomington Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Scottish Rite Office (309) Commander-in-Chief Billy M. Burden, 33 Thrice Potent Master Sovereign Prince Jerald H. Starks Most Wise Master Jeffrey S. Ready, II Executive Secretary David E. Young, 33 Treasurer Barry D. Weer, 33 Board of Trustees Robert T. Trefzger, 33 Roger F. Aukerman, MSA Adam E. Young Ben M. North Andrew S. Bender Steven L. Barr John R. Barringer Bill E. Tanner Gregory L. Clark, 33 Audit Membership Finance History Insurance Legal Permanent Fund Planning Properties SRRA Charity Community Concerns Family Life Scholarships Webmaster Learning Center Newsletter Committees 1st Lt. Commander 2nd Lt. Commander Deputy Master High Priest Sr. Warden Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Winford L. McElroy, 33 Barry D. Weer, 33 Joseph M. Jackson Russell E. DePew Billy M. Burden, 33 Paul E. Clark, MSA C. Walden Crouch, 33 Barry G. Carney Gregory L. Clark, 33 Gregory L. Clark, 33 Jerald H. Starks Roger F. Aukerman, MSA Janet Blue Dale F. Arbour 2 LXXXII:5

3 Congratulations to Valley of Bloomington Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Candidates at the 2010 Spring Reunion. Presentations included the 4th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 27th, 31st and 32nd degrees on Friday February 26th and Saturday February 27, 2010 on the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts stage. Robert D. Erwin, Bloomington Lodge 43, Larry E. Kent, Wade Barney Lodge 512, Christopher D. Mizell, Bloomington Lodge 43, Larry D. Mizell, Bloomington Lodge 43, R. Mark Small, Mackinaw Lodge 132, Mackinaw, IL Carl V. Smicker, Pontiac Lodge 294, Pontiac, IL Wade T. Tharp, Bloomington Lodge 43, Larry D. Mizell of Hudson, IL and Charles Morris of Saybrook, IL Cathedral News 3

4 Deaths Kenneth W. DeVore, Floyd H. Perry, Walter J. McClister, Normal, IL Wendell E. Kindred, Armington, IL Erringtoon E. Pitzer, Decatur, IL Forrest L. Stewart, Joliet, IL Apr May Upcoming Events Trustee Mtg - 6 PM / Stated 7:00 - Consistory Line SRRA Clean-up weekend and Camper s Club campout Peace Meals delivery - Rose Croix sponsor Trustee Mtg - 6 PM Annual Meeting & Election of Officers - 7:00 PM, All Preside SRRA Camper s Club Memorial Day campout Following are the rates for the Camping Club, camping and renting the Lodge: Dues for the Camping Club...$7.00 Renting a Camp Site for Season - $175 Apr.- Oct. (This includes the first 25 nights starting 26th day, $7.00 per day) Winter Storage $75 Nov.-Mar. Air Conditioning additional $1.00 a day when used. Camping fees $7- Club member $12 - Guest of members Picnics, dinners, etc. $2.00 per person per day; $20.00 minimum per day Lodge Fee Overnight $4.00 per person per night; $40.00 minimum per day Members & immediate family having a picnic on grounds - No charge Others - Contact Camp Chairman Barry Carney June 1 7 Trustee Mtg - 6 PM / Stated 7:00 - Consistory Line Peace Meals delivery - Rose Croix sponsor Fiesta Pool Party and Fund Raiser The Scottish Rite Campers Club is scheduling another pool party and fund raiser. We are planning to have the party and auction on Saturday, August 21, The theme this year will be Fiesta. We are looking for members to assist in setting up, clean up and working with the auction. If you are interested in helping to gather or donate things for the auction or to volunteer, please contact Barry Carney (SRRA@barrycar.com; ) or Cindy Veselak (cveselak@hotmail.com). It will be important to gather items for the auction, so please start thinking about what new items you can donate. We have contacted the auctioneer from last year and Colonel Brown has indicated that he will be available., Thrice Potent Master and Lance Lowrey of stage crew setttng up for the 14th Degree 4 Ill James L. Tungate, 33, Illinois Active and Robin L. Carr, 33, Past CiC, Valley of Bloomington W. Mathew Brown of stage crew and Paul E. Clark, M.S.A. prepping for the 32nd Degree LXXXII:5

5 Annual Meeting and Election of Officers Conforming to Article 1, Section 1 of the Bylaws of the Coordinate Bodies, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Bloomington, notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting will be held at the Bloomington Masonic Temple, 302 E. Jefferson Street, Bloomington, at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, Pursuant to Article III, Bloomington Consistory, 32, Bloomington Lodge of Perfection, 14, Zerubbabel Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 16, and Mt. Calvary Chapter Rose Croix, 18, will conduct election of officers and appointments will be made. The Annual Reports of the offices will be made along with other business which may properly be considered and acted upon at the meeting. All members in good standing of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Bloomington are entitled to attend and vote on matters before the bodies. Lodge of Perfection:, Thrice Potent Master In this month s article we will examine the last two degrees of the lodge. It has been a pleasure to examine each through the year, and I hope that you have taken something from these articles that you might have missed in the presentation of the degrees. The thirteenth degree teaches the lesson that the true and faithful brother will not be deterred by dangers and difficulties when pressing towards his own perfection. Our Masonic teaching and obligations should help us to carry out our daily lives with the duties and responsibilities of our families and vocations. Most require courage and determination to meet with success. It also reminds us that Freemasonry, like life is a continuing journey. The fourteenth degree teaches a need for a belief in the one God and that we should hold reverence for His holy name. It encourages us to worship Him according to our own ways and religious beliefs. While it is the end of a spiritual journey towards perfection, it demonstrates that we should always endeavor to attain the perfection of character that is taught in the reverence of a loving God. Brothers, it has been a pleasure to serve the Valley of Bloomington in the past year as Thrice Potent Master. I thank you for your support and guidance and look forward to serving the Valley under our new leadership in the years to come. Thrice Potent Master Bloomington Lodge of Perfection Jerald H. Starks Sovereign Prince Zerubbabel Council, Princes of Jerusalem Jeffrey S. Ready, II Most Wise Master Mt. Calvary Chapter, Rose Croix Billy M. Burden, 33 Commander-in-Chief Bloomington Consistory L - R: Organist Tom Booth working with Russell A. McCulley, 31st Degree Master and Dennis D. Garrigus, M.S.A., 16th Degree master and Director of Work Attest: David E. Young, 33 Executive Secretary C. Waldon Crouch, 33, and Jeffrey R. Prochnow, Potentate Mohammed Shrine Cathedral News 5

6 Valley Newsbriefs The Birthday Auctions: February 2nd stated meeting collected $200 and the March 2nd auction collected $207. Thanks to all the brethren who have contributed gifts in honor of their birthday and to all who generously bid on these gifts, all monies going to our charities. Valley of Bloomington News... ** Please join your Masonic brothers at the Bloomington Lodge # 43 game room for cards, coffee, fellowship and pool. The fun rolls from 6 to 9 am every morning! Join us! Dr. Errington Elwood Pitzer s class of Pitzer is second from left in the second row from the bottom. Billy Burden Side Notes from the Class of April 9, 1934 Gus Belt (was not in this class, do not know if he was a Mason), opened his burger business at 209 S. Main in Bloomington. He also had the Shell gas station at 1219 S. Main in Normal which was the first Steak and Shake building. Who s there now? Monicals Pizza. 209 S. Main in Bloomington is occupied by the Law and Justice Center and Parking Deck. G.J. Mecherle: Founder of State Farm: Started in a one room office at Ill. Farm Bureau on Locust St. And as we all know he moved on from there. Delmer Walden Rowe: one of the four founders of Rowe Construction founded in William Rowe was a stock broker and banker in town. Delmer and William may have been cousins. They were not brothers according to all the obits I ve read. In 1961, D.W. Rowe purchased the Illinois House, formerly the Illinois Hotel. Rowe also built the first Holiday Inn and also Holiday Knolls subdivision in Bloomington at the corner of Rt. 9 and Veterans Parkway. 6 LXXXII:5

7 Errington Elwood Pitzer, 32º, 75 year member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, NMJ. Valley of Bloomington, Bloomington, Illinois Commander-in-Chief, Billy M. Burden, 33º of the AASR, Valley of Bloomington Illinois, presented Dr. Errington Elwood Pitzer, DDS, with his 75 year membership certificate on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 11 am at the nursing home in Decatur where he lived. His son James was present for the presentation. Dr. Errington Elwood Pitzer, DDS, was born on October 15, He grew up in Central Illinois and attended Milliken University in Decatur, Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, University of Illinois, Urbana, John Marshall Law School, and graduating from Loyola University of Chicago Dental School. He petitioned Wade Barney Lodge #512 in Bloomington, Illinois, March 23, 1933 and was Elected to receive the Degrees on May 25, He was Initiated as an Entered Apprentice on June 8, 1933, Passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft, October 8, 1933, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on November 9, Errington was one of 27 new members in the April 9, 1934 Spring Reunion Class for the Valley of Bloomington, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Bloomington, Illinois. Errington and his wife Opal had 2 children. Son James lives in Colfax, Illinois and John lives in Decatur. He owned several small restaurants in the Bloomington area as a young man. While operating his hamburger joints, Errington realized his own lack of interest in the restaurant business and decided to take another direction in his life. He sold his restaurant equipment to one of his stiffest competitors, a young man named Gus Belt who went on to found Steak and Shake. After leaving the restaurant business Errington entered Dental School. When WWII broke, he joined the Army as a Dentist, and held the rank of Captain. While stationed in the South Pacific, and as top ranking officer, Captain Pitzer held the position of Commandant at the Japanese POW camp on the island where he was stationed. After leaving the Army, Dr.Pitzer operated his Dental office in Decatur from 1948 until he retired at age 86. To provide some perspective, Errington was 3 years old when WW I broke out, and has been witness to WW II, Korea, Vietnam, The Gulf War, Dessert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Imagine the inventions that have taken place since 1911, and the advancements in science and industry and the historical events Errington has seen: The Great Depression, the advent of radio, television, space travel and walking on the moon, computers and the internet. He has experienced the rise of the auto industry and the passing of the Hudson, Edsel, Studebaker, and now Saturn vehicles. The Panama Canal was still under construction when Errington was a child and his life has spanned 18 U.S. Presidents, starting with William Howard Taft. Errington was called Kayo, (after a 1930 s, 1940 s comic strip character) by some of his friends and was known as Doc by others. He has made many contributions to the communities where he has lived as well as to the people whose lives he has touched. We are honored that it was possible to make this presentation and recognize his length of service to the Scottish Rite Valley of Bloomington. Brother Pitzer passed to the Celestial Grand Lodge above on January 29, Billy M. Burden, 33º, Commander-in-Chief L to R: James Pitzer presenting 75 year certificate and pin to his father Dr. Errington Elwood Pitzer with Billy M. Burden, 33 Dr. Errington Elwood Pitzer class photo in April, 1934 Cathedral News 7

8 Bloomington Consistory Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite PO Box ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED We re on the Web Vol. LXXXII:5 April, 2010 Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid Permit No. 37 History of LeRoy Lodge No. 221, A.F.& A.M On the 26th of January, 1856, nine citizens of the town of LeRoy and surrounding community, recommended by Bloomington Lodge No. 43, to be Master Masons in good standing: received from W.B. Herrick, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, a dispensation for the purpose of organizing a Masonic Lodge in LeRoy Illinois and granted the right to initiate new members. These Masons were as follows: E.E. Greenman, John M. Downing, David Chaney, Wm. C. Porter, John Huff, Hiram Buck, S.W. Noble, James W. Hazel, and S.D. Baker. We have one living decedent of our charter members, Brother Lewis Arnold Hazel who currently resides in Georgia, was initiated in 1947, and is 88 years old. On October 7, 1856 the Lodge was granted its Charter and assigned the number 221 to designate it as the 221st Lodge to be established in the State of Illinois. Its first meeting as LeRoy Masonic Lodge No. 221 was held on October 28, Since then over 96 members have served their Lodge as Worshipful Master. Several members of LeRoy Lodge No. 221 served in the Civil War, and records show that the Lodge had 35 to 40 members by the Civil War s end. Members of the Lodge, in common with all others, have served their country in the two World Wars, Korea, Viet Nam, as well as peace time service. Records also show that the Lodge made its first charitable donation on May 9, 1856, of thirty dollars to the Lincoln Memorial in Springfield. LeRoy Masonic Lodge continues to contribute to several worthwhile endeavors. Locally to the Summer Baseball program, After Prom, sponsor for LeRoy High School team at the annual Masonic Academic Bowl, Rainbow girls, and Demolay for boys. On the State level, twenty percent of a members an nual dues go to support Grand Lodge charitable programs. The buildings used by LeRoy Masons were as follows: The first met above the King and Parks drug store. On November 3, 1871 they moved into a hall owned by P.P. Watt, on November 28, 1876 rented a hall from Wm. Buckles, and in 1883 they met in a hall owned by S.D. VanDeventer. On June 9, 1903, escorted by the Bloomington Commandry No. 24, York Rite Masons, marched into the present Masonic Temple, which was previously a Methodist Church. On March 11, 1902 they purchased the building for $ Membership in LeRoy Masonic Lodge at its peak was over 200 members. Today LeRoy Lodge is suffering a decline in membership, currently 94. In the past Lodges typically were low key and relatively unknown in the community. Modern Masonry is now trying to recast its image and attempt to be a viable asset in their local communities, such as LeRoy, and be a service as well as fraternal organization. Membership is open to all men eighteen years of age or older. Additional manpower is needed if we are to meet our goal of service and anyone can contact the Lodge if interested in helping in our endeavors. LeRoy meets at 122 1/2 North Chestnut on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. 8