Hiram Words. The official bimonthly publication of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois

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1 Hiram Words The official bimonthly publication of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois Vol. III, No. 6 The Body, the Temple part 2 Companion Jeff Day, PHP Some of the blood from animals sacrificed at the Temple was carried in to the incense altar, and Psalm 39:3 reads, Then spake I with my tongue. Our throat has an incense altar within it, consisting of the tongue and the larynx, by which we create speech and offer prayers. The throat is also the chimney of our body, expelling used air like the smoke ascending up from the incense altar and over the veil. If our voice sends forth the prayer, and afterwards we pass through the veil into the Sanctum Sanctorum of our head where we stand in waiting for an answer to our prayer, would not the daughter of voice, the Bath-Kol, be that still small voice (see 1 Kings 19:11-13) of G-d, speaking directly to our mind. Would not the greater cherubim reaching across the room be eyes whose optic nerves, like wings, meet in the middle of the Holy of Holies? And would not the lesser cherubim upon the Ark be our ears whose canals lead inward, covering over and supporting the mercy seat? The Bath-Kol issues forth from between the wings of the cherubim and enters our thoughts as divine inspiration. Perhaps the smoke of our golden censer is the temporary closing of our eyes and ears to outside sensory distractions so that we can listen for the Bath-Kol. Perhaps, like the High Priest, we may invoke the true word (not the Royal Arch Word, but that which it represents), and summon the Shekhinah to appear in our Holy of Holies to give us direction. å Companion Day is a Past High Priest of Reames Chapter No. 28 in Grants Pass, Oregon, and is a periodic contributor to Hiram Words June 2010 C.E. ~ June 2310 A.I. ~ ïåéèñä Ä 5770 Kewanee Chapter No. 47 Sesquicentennial Rededication Companion Mark R. Hepner, PHP Kewanee Chapter No. 47 celebrated the 150th anniversary of its charter with a full afternoon of fellowship and fraternalism on Sunday, 25 April. Kewanee Chapter was chartered on 30 September The chapter was formally re-dedicated in full form by the officers of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois, under the direction of Companion Joseph H. Santisteban, Most Excellent Grand High Priest. In recognition of his service to capitular Freemasonry in Illinois and in appreciation of his participation in Kewanee s sesquicentennial celebration, MEGHP Joe was made an honourary member of Kewanee Chapter and presented with his certificate of membership. The ceremonies were impressive to all those who were present and was a great way to start the chapter s next 150 years. The day began with a complementary noon buffet meal at the Kewanee Masonic Temple. Following introductions, Larry Lock of the Kewanee Historical Society gave a presentation on what life was like in Kewanee in The town was a mere five years old when the chapter received its charter. Mark Hepner, Past High Priest and current secretary, gave the keynote address titled Why Even Bother. In it, he reflected on how much work a small number of dedicated brothers, companions, and fratres put into their small and struggling Masonic organisations. He asked the question if it was really worth the bother. He asserted that indeed small chapters like Kewanee were critical to Freemasonry as a whole and there were many reasons why it was worth the bother to keep the chapter (or any Masonic organisation) alive and contributing. Several awards were also presented. Dave Tomsic, the chapter s most junior Past High Priest, was presented with his Past High Priest certificate. Ken Kuster, Steven Frank, and Josh Pollock, members of the Class of 2010 who had been exalted on 10 April, were presented their membership certificates and dues cards. Mark Hepner, who is the current Worshipful Master of Kewanee Lodge No. 159, AF&AM, received a certificate of appreciation from the Grand Chapter. Finally, Arlo R. Sloan, Past High Priest, was named the 2010 Kewanee York Rite Mason of the Year and presented with a special plaque. Arlo was honoured for his time and expense in restoring much of the regalia belonging to Kewanee Chapter and for his sizable donation to have the charters of both Kewanee Chapter and Kewanee Commandery No. 71 framed. He was also honoured for his overall service to the Illinois York Rite. Arlo is now finishing his tenure as Right Illustrious Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons in Illinois. To honour its past, Kewanee Chapter purchased a large plaque that lists all the names of those men who served Kewanee as High Priest. To express confidence in its future, Kewanee unveiled its newly framed charter during the ceremonies. The original charter, dating back to 1859, had been rolled up in a metal tube and placed in a safe. It could never be viewed and was starting to show signs of deterioration. By framing it, it can be placed on permanent display in the lodge room for all to see. By placing it under special UV-resistant glass and using acid free paper, deterioration should all but stop and this historical document will be preserved for future generations. Finally, a special commemorative booklet was produced for the event and provided to everyone free of charge. It lists the officers, Past High Priests, members, a historical survey of the chapter, and much more information. Kewanee Chapter No. 47, Holy Royal Arch Masons, appreciates the Most Excellent Grand High Priest, his officers, and all those in attendance for their contribution to the special day.å Please see page 7 for a photograph from the event.

2 Page 2 Hiram Words Vol. III, No. 6 Using Metrics For Chapter Analysis Why Be Active in Lodge Companion John C. Loayza, District Deputy GHP, 1-South Joseph C. Nugara, Sr., EHP of Fox River Chapter No. 14 Metrics have always been essential to successfully manage organisations and to improve both performance and efficiencies. If you do not measure and analyse your activities, you cannot manage your chapter. Measuring and analysing your plans provide an insight into your chapter s successes, companion relationships, and performance indicators. It guides the officers in making informed decisions that can boost performance and member satisfaction. Take a look at what you already have in place. Determine what is working and what is not, and look for the reasons for each result. Your chapter is unique but what works in another chapter may also work in yours, with or without modification. Whatever you are doing, it should coordinate with overall goals and metrics while taking care to focus on truly important factors but avoid micromanaging. The involvement of all the officers in any planning process is critical, and should carefully consider the general membership wants and desires. Also, look for any kind of recurring problems that can be corrected. If analyse carefully, you can ensure your own success and avoid past pitfalls. When planning, set up implementation and completion schedules that are realistic, and then document them. By that, I mean set up your priorities and timetables. If you change anything, be sure to inform your officers and other companions who are involved with the programmes. Once a programme is established, make certain that you provide feedback to those involved so that an accurate picture is formed concerning the activity performance in relationship to the chapter s goals. Future officers can then easily review what programmes and activities worked well and what was in place to ensure that success. This information can predict historic success or failures and help future officers in their planning processes. å Why Be Active in Lodge? Here are 5 good reasons! Undoubtedly, there are plenty of things in life that pull us away from being an active Freemason. Certainly, our families, health and career should come before our brothers at lodge. But if you have no good reason not to come out and enjoy fellowship and brotherly love, what is stopping you? Remember, brother, something drew you to our great fraternity at one time. Something brought you one day to the temple to meet your brethren, learn about Freemasonry and make you decide, Yes, I would like to be known as a Mason. And that unique set of beliefs, desires and passions is the same something we all still share. So, if you re not an active Freemason and maybe wondering why you should come back to lodge, here are five good reasons: 1. Satisfy that inner desire to connect. By being active in lodge, you share your ideas, gain support and acceptance from likeminded brothers, and bond with others who have similar interests. 2. Build true and deep relationships. Your brethren sincerely long to interact with you. By getting to know them, you build trust, which leads to deeper, truer relationships and friendships. 3. Gain respect and admiration. Brothers who take an active role whether as an officer, member of a committee, as a part in the degrees, or as a mentor, lecturer or advisor are seen as positive role models. 4. Make Freemasonry yours. Rather than being a part of the silent and passive majority, be one the noted minorities that has a voice and opinion. Do something to make the changes you want to see. Own a piece of the pie. 5. Become a leader. You may not think you have what it takes to be an example to others, but Freemasonry is unique in that it presents you so many numerous opportunities to follow a path to leadership and honour. å

3 Vol. III, No. 6 Hiram Words Page 3 Houdini s Bible coming to Springfield Companion Paul A. Scheeler, PHP Those attending last year s annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Illinois enjoyed the opportunity to see the Bible of St. John s Lodge No. 1 (New York), on which Brother George Washington and four other men each swore the oath of office of President of the United States. This year s annual convocation of the Grand Chapter of Illinois will similarly feature the Bible of another famous Freemason: famed magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini. The Bible will be displayed for viewing and photographs on the morning of Friday, 30 July, and is anticipated to be open on the Walker Memorial Altar during the installation of the Grand Chapter s new officers that afternoon. Companion Charles R. Horwitz, REDGHP, inherited the Bible from his father, Jerold Horwitz, who was given it as a token of affection after Houdini s death in 1926, by Brother Houdini s widow, Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner, ( ) who also worked as the magician s stage assistant. Jerold Horwitz was an insurance salesman for Metropolitan Life, whose territory included the Houdini family s home in Washington Heights, New York. My father was a very unusual person; as soon as you met him, you liked him. Even though he was not a member of the Fraternity, he was truly what a Mason should be: just a wonderful person who would go out of his way for anyone. I guess through the years that he knew the Houdini family, they came to love him, too. And when Harry Houdini died, they gave my father this Bible. The Houdini family Bible Published in London in 1919 for the British & Foreign Bible Society, the Old Testament Bible is printed in Hebrew and English. On the inside front cover a bookplate states, This book belongs to Beatrice Houdini, with her name written in fountain pen. A small profile portrait of her husband and the words Ex Libris, Houdini appear on the inside page of the Bible. Opposite page one is Printed by Trowitzsch and Son at Berlin SW. Measuring about 6 centimetres (8½") high by 20 centimetres (7¾") wide by 5 centimetres (2¼") thick, the volume is bound in brown leather with gilt edging, and the words Old Testament, Hebrew & English in gold leaf on the spine. The book weighs a little over 2 kilograms (about 5 pounds). Its overall condition is good, although there is some damage to the spine. Included with the Bible were two 5-inch by 7-inch Houdini publicity photographs, one of which is stamped Houdini Original, Harry Houdini Collection and another autographed Houdini in black fountain pen. About Bro. Harry Houdini Brother Houdini was born Ehrich Weiss (Weisz) on 24 March 1874, in Budapest, Hungary, of Jewish background. The Weiss family emigrated to the United States in Initially, they lived in Appleton, Wisconsin, where his father, Mayer Samuel Weiss, served as rabbi of the Zion Reform Jewish Congregation. After Mayer lost his tenure, the family moved to New York City in Houdini ran away from home at the age of twelve but remained particularly close to his mother, Cecilia, especially following the death of his father when the young Houdini was only sixteen years old. In addition to his skills in magic and escapology, Harry Houdini (to which he legally changed his name in 1913) was an accomplished trapeze performer and inventor of the diving suit. While touring Australia in 1910, Houdini brought with him an early biplane with which he made that country s first controlled powered flight. He also directed and starred in several silent motion pictures that capitalized on his reputation for illusion and mystery. Bro. Houdini was initiated an Entered Apprentice on 17 July 1923, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on 31 July 1923, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on 21 August 1923, in St. Cecile Lodge No. 568 in New York City. Houdini s last performance was at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit on 24 October On the next day, he was hospitalised at Grace Hospital where he died on Halloween, 31 October 1926, at the age of 52 years. The cause of his death was peritonitis from a suspected ruptured appendix. å Share your events with your companions throughout the state. Send your articles and photographs to GrandWebmaster@RAM-IL.org

4 Page 4 Hiram Words Vol. III, No. 6 Time A Precious Commodity Companion Joseph H. Joe Santisteban, Most Excellent Grand High Priest I m often asked how I find the time to do all the things I m involved in. I answer that, if it s important to me, I make the time. I also jokingly reply that I retired because my work kept interfering with my social life. I don t believe in joining an organisation and then not showing up. That made me start thinking about why people in general volunteer their time. I came up with the following reasons: a. Achievement b. Recognition and feedback c. Personal growth d. Giving something back e. Bringing about change f. Family ties g. Friendship h. Support, bonding and a feeling of belonging Time is a precious commodity, one of which none of us knows exactly how much we have. If you take out eight hours for your usual vocation and eight hours for sleep and rest, that still leaves eight hours of free time. This free time can be used to relieve the stress and pressures of work with something more rewarding. Giving of your time and doing something for one or more of the above reasons helps us beat work overload, increase our effectiveness, achieve more in our personal lives and greatly reduce stress and anxiety. By looking at how you spend your time, you can determine what other interest you can pursue. only available to the other guy? I think not. Free time is something that might be hard to come by, but it s an important component to add to your regular routine. When we take the time to slow down, quiet the mind, and refresh our perspective, we actually learn to become more focused and more productive in all our endeavours. Free time can be a scarce but nonetheless precious commodity. Even if you have only one or two days a month, giving of that time can mean the difference between just barely making it and making it through your day with focus and clear intentions. Giving ourselves space and time to refresh and recharge is essential to peak performance. Remember why you gave of your time to join our fraternity and go through the rituals of the various organisations. You can help others just by sharing some of yourself with those coming up behind you. Have a great day and thank you for giving of your time! Fraternally, Joe Santisteban, MEGHP å There are many people around that have never and will never give of their time. They are not joiners. However, all of us Freemasons give of our time of our own free will and accord. Whenever I m at a chapter or a Masonic activity, I make a point of thanking everyone for giving of their time. A good example is the capitular festival we recently had involving the Grand Chapters of Wisconsin and Illinois, where over 120 Master Masons were in attendance and 48 brethren were exalted to the august degree of Holy Royal Arch Mason. None of us had to be there. Each of us could have been doing something else, somewhere else. Each of us made the choice to take part in this historic, meaningful and fun-filled event. Why? See items a through h above. Volunteering our time to take part in this activity was something we did, not for money or fame, but for self-satisfaction. Many gave of our time to impart knowledge, while others gave of their time to receive knowledge. I would venture that many of us who volunteer our time really wish we were somewhere else; fishing, shopping, gardening or simply relaxing. Some of my brethren tell me they don t have time for anything except work and family. They need to ask themselves just how much free time they really have during the average week or month. Is the concept of just a few hours a week something that is

5 Vol. III, No. 6 Hiram Words Page 5 Reinvigorating Your Chapter Companion James M. Jim Tome, Excellent Grand Steward I ve been involved with many different types organisations businesses, non-profits, academic and, of course, fraternal. Freemasonry has one of the greatest organisational structures of all of these. It fosters structured development of leaders, features a process where business is managed (relatively) smoothly and presents many different aspects of the organisation ritual proficiency, opportunities for mentoring, fellowship, personal development, et cet. in which members can find satisfaction. One of the greatest weaknesses of our organisation s structure, however, tends to be the lack multi-year planning. What results is that incoming leaders tend to have little idea of what to do during their year other than convening business meetings and conferring degrees when needed. Some might say that this making new members is the sole intent of Freemasonry. Not only is this not true, an organisation that does not offer more to its members is one that will experience less and less participation. What I am proposing then is that a chapter desiring to prosper and grow consider establishing a strategic planning committee. The four principal committee members would be the immediate Past High Priest to offer advice, the current High Priest, the current King and Scribe. By including these four members, the strategic plan for the chapter now encompasses not only the current year, but the two following ones. When it first convenes, the strategic planning committee has a big job ahead of it: It must lay out plans for the current year and the two after that. I recommend that the committee meet at least three more times during the year to make adjustments in the current year s plans and modify the plan for the two years thereafter. Then, when the current High Priest goes out of office (and, presumably, the King is elected in his place), meet again to review the upcoming year and set the schedule for the third year (which the new, incoming Scribe would presumably preside over). So, what should go into a strategic plan for a chapter? Well, the Arch of Excellence Award lays out an excellent roadmap for a well-run chapter that is thriving and growing. Taking a look at the requirements of that award, you ll quickly find some ideas: Attendance at Grand Convocation: Not only is this a wonderful experience for the three principal officers (and any Past High Priests), but it shows your companions that your chapter is taking an interest in the overall affairs of the state-wide organisation and our Brotherhood in general. Open Installation of Officers: What better way to show new members especially the younger ones just how special and fantastic it is to be known as a Freemason? And this is a great opportunity to get your chapters better know in the community. Dinner Meetings: My experience as a leader in Freemasonry and other organisations is that nothing brings people together better than a meal. Plan on serving dinner before or after every meeting and you ll see attendance increase. Guaranteed. Degree Work: We tend to sometimes have a knee-jerk reaction to doing degree work. We have a petitioner so we schedule degree work. Why not think about conferring degrees a little less often, but with much more fanfare? Chapter days are an excellent way to bring together candidates as a group or class and you ll find they make a special bond that encourages them to attend and participate as a group as well. Educational Programmes: Companions, I cannot stress how important these are. You may not have gone to many meetings where a speaker came in to talk on an interesting topic, but this is where you re really going to capture the attention of new companions as well as bring back those guys sitting at home. Your grand officers can give talks or recommend others who are excellent speakers. Also think outside the chapter in my own lodge, we had a history professor from our local university who came in to talk about the crusades. The room was packed with nearly sixty people in attendance! Degree and Opening/Closing Proficiency: Old timers tend to be pretty good with degree work though everyone struggles with opening and closing their chapter. Why not schedule a couple of Capitular Standard Clubs throughout the year? Grand Chapter officers can help with training or assist in locating a certified instructor. Visiting Other Chapters and Lodges: The best way to gain members is to visit the lodges your chapter supports. Find out their meeting schedules and try to go to one or two each month. Spread out who visits so it s not always the three principal officers. And visiting a nearby sister chapter is a great way to build and support mutual assistance. Picnics and Other Social Events: Some may say that there s no place for social activities in Freemasonry. But remember we are a band of brothers and nothing promotes that better than coming together and enjoying each other s company. There are a couple of additional things you can plan throughout the year: Fundraising: All Chapters have a need to raise money for expenses as well as charity. Beyond simply increasing the treasury, a fundraiser gives companions purpose and pride. Common fundraisers are pork chop or steak dinners, pool or dart tournaments or the ever-present pancake dinners. Simplified Meetings: A large part of most meetings is reading of the minutes. Why not them out a day or two ahead of time and post them near the register? Then simply ask if there are corrections or additions, approve them as posted and boom! you ve got ten more minutes for something more interesting. Fun Nights: We ve held themed evenings (Hawai ian shirt night was one with a pig roast) and events like Masonic Jeopardy. Can t think of something unusual to do? Hey, ask those new guys for ideas. A chapter that doesn t plan and simply convenes business meetings where minutes are read and announcements are given is a chapter that is spiraling towards its eventual demise. Take the important step now to plan for the future believe me, incoming leaders will be very thankful.

6 Page 6 Hiram Words Vol. III, No. 6 Keystone Quest State Championship Set for 30 July at Springfield Companion Paul A. Scheeler, PHP, Keystone Quest Committee Chairman Competition was intense during the second round of the 2010 Keystone Quest which featured questions from the Encyclopeadia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences by Albert G. Mackey, MD, MEPGGHP. This year, questions are taken from entries under the letter G (first round), H (second round) and I (third round). Among the Capitular Champions returning materials postmarked by the 30 April deadline, average score was 90 and average time was 7:05. First round participants qualify for one of the requirements in the Arch of Excellence programme. The three Omnific Champions eligible to compete in the third round at the Grand Convocation at Springfield on Friday morning, 30 July 2010 are: Henry Godeke No. 38, DeKalb No. 52, and Albion No Runners-upm eligible to compete in the absence of the Omnific Champions, in order of eligibility, are: Bloomington No. 26, Goodbrake No. 59 and La Fayette No. 2. Any companions present including honourary members may compete on behalf of their chapter. The third round is a lightning round with nine questions per chapter within a maximum time of three minutes. The State Champion receives the Rabboni Traveling Trophy to display in their chapter for the ensuing year. Complete results are posted on the Keystone Quest page of the Grand Chapter website. For more information, contact Paul Scheeler at or KeystoneQuest@MSN.com. Chapter No. Town District Score Time Albion 237 Albion 7E :00 Belleville 106 Belleville 6S 90 06:00 Bloomington 26 Bloomington 4E :05 Champaign 50 Champaign 5E 90 05:59 DeKalb 52 DeKalb 2W :45 Equality 6 Equality 7S 65 08:25 Euclid 13 Naperville 2W 90 07:00 Galesburg 46 Knoxville 4N did not compete Goodbrake 59 Clinton 5W :22 Henry Godeke 38 Bridgeport 7E :27 La Fayette 2 Chicago 1S :00 Logan 196 Oak Lawn 2E 80 08:30 Lusk 20 Rushville 6W did not compete Oracle 180 Glenview 1S 80 10:15 Peoria 7 Peoria Heights 4E 90 05:05 Shabbona 37 Ottawa 3S 70 08:36 Three Pillars 280 Western Springs 2E 90 09:00 Unity 182 Collinsville 6S :30 Waukegan 41 Waukegan 1N 65 15:07 West Suburban 207 Downers Grove 2E :07 Wheaton 242 Wheaton 2W :02 Wilmette 253 Wilmette 1S did not compete Three Pillars 280 Western Springs 2E 90 09:00 Averages 90 7:10

7 Vol. III, No. 6 Hiram Words Joe s Travel Diary Highlights See for the full details 1 June Masonic Relations Cmte. at Advocate Ill. Masonic Medical Ctr. 1 June 3 June Middle Chamber High Twelve Club meeting at Glenview mediæval history presentation at Sycamore Cmdry 15, DeKalb 5 June 6 June Valley of Chicago officers installation at Union League Club Masonic family picnic at Brookfield Zoo 7 June 8 June Rising Sun Lodge No. 115 meeting at Grayslake official visit to Centralia Chapter No. 93 at Centralia Page 7 Illustration from Kewanee 9 June official visit to Marion Chapter No. 100 at Marion 10 June official visit to Metropolitan Chapter No. 101 at Metropolis 12 June mediæval themed Order of the Temple at Bridgeport 13 June Trinity Cmdry No. 80 officers installation at Downers Grove 14 June Flag Day 15 June Waukegan Chapter 41 & Lake Council 121 at Waukegan 16 June Grand Chapter of Wisconsin annual meeting at Green Bay 17 June Milburn Lodge No. 127 meeting at Lake Villa 19 June Juneteenth (Emancipation Day) 20 June Father s Day 22 June El Jaala Grotto meeting at Silver Stallion in Des Plaines 24 June Saint John the Baptist Day June Illinois Council of Deliberation at Bloomington 27 June pilgrimage to the Illinois Knights Templar Home at Paxton 1 July 4 July Milburn Lodge No. 127 meeting at Lake Villa Independence Day 5 July 6 July Rising Sun Lodge No. 115 meeting at Grayslake Masonic Relations Cmte. at Advocate Ill. Masonic Medical Ctr. 6 July 9 July Middle Chamber High Twelve Club meeting at Glenview St. Bridget Council No. 23, Knight Masons, donnybrook 10 July 15 July official visit & special event at Pekin Chapter No. 25 at Pekin Valley of Chicago at Medinah Shrine Centre at Addison July Illinois DeMolay conclave 17 July Royal Order of Scotland meeting at Grand Rapids, Michigan 19/20 July áàá äòùú (Tish a B Av) 20 July Waukegan Chapter 41 & Lake Council 121 at Waukegan 21 July Bethel Commandery No. 36 conclave at Palatine 27 July 28 July El Jaala Grotto at Silver Stallion restaurant at Des Plaines preliminary & ancillary grand York Rite meetings at Springfield 29 July 30 July Grand Council of Cryptic Masons Annual Assembly Grand Royal Arch Chapter Annual Convocation at Springfield And thus endeth an outstanding year of my life, and for Illinois capitular Freemasonry. Thank you everyone for this wonderful experience. - Joe. å MEGHP Joe Santisteban (left) with the newly restored and framed 1859 Charter of Kewanee Chapter No. 47 on 30 April Also pictured are Rusly Gunawan (centre) and Mark Hepner (right), both Past High Priests, holding the newly purchased Past High Priests plaque. å Elected Officers for Joseph H. Joe Santisteban Most Excellent Grand High Priest Charles R. Chuck Horwitz Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest Dale P. Cyrier Right Excellent Grand King Robert H. Bob Wright Right Excellent Grand Scribe Bruce W. Rhinehart MEPGHP Right Excellent Grand Treasurer Richard E Dick Yena MEPGHP Right Excellent Grand Secretary Alan M. Hubble Excellent Grand Captain of the Host William J. Bill Hussey, Jr. Excellent Grand Principal Sojourner Sean P. McBride Excellent Grand Royal Arch Captain See all elected & appointed officers at

8 Page 8 Hiram Words Vol. III, No. 6 The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois DICK YENA GRAND SECRETARY PO BOX 1180 LAGRANGE PARK IL Non-Profit Org. Grand Royal Arch Chapter PAID LAGRANGE, IL Permit No. 55 office telephone: office telefacsimile: TBA GrSecy@ATT.net Return Service Requested Support the charities of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter visit Three Grand Chapters at Racine Blackhawk HRAM Exemplification Above, forty-nine newly exalted companions from Illinois and Wisconsin gather behind, from left to right: Joseph H. Santisteban, Michael B. Meyer, and Melvin A. Crawford Jr.; Most Excellent Grand High Priests of, respectively, the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois, the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Wisconsin, and the Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons of the Illinois. The interstate capitular festival on 8 May 2010 marked the first time that the grand officers of all three bodies met together. å Companions and candidates from Illinois and Wisconsin had the rare pleasure of witnessing the Past Master (Virtual) degree and the supreme degree of Holy Royal Arch Mason exemplified in Illinois elaborate Blackhawk ritual from The HRAM cast were: EHP Richard Carnall, King Charles Horwitz, Scribe Richard Yena, Chaplain Alan Hubble, Captain of the Host Dale Cyrier, Principal Sojourner Kyle Bieneman, Royal Arch Captain Sean McBride, Master of the 3rd Veil Andy Hassan, Master of the 2nd Veil William Hussy, Master of the 1st Veil Frank Welter; stage & crew: Patrick B. Jones & Paul Scheeler å