The Last Full Measure

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Volume LXXXI:6 June, 2009 Cathedral News VALLEY OF BLOOMINGTON AASR, 32 MASONS The Last Full Measure The Valley of Bloomington s Dinner Theater Players presentation of Abraham Lincoln s days after

June 24 July 08 July 14 July 22 August 25 Pontiac Masonic Lodge, 220 W. Washington, Pontiac Clinton Masonic Lodge, 926 E.

1 Volume LXXXI:6 June, 2009 Cathedral News VALLEY OF BLOOMINGTON AASR, 32 MASONS The Last Full Measure The Valley of Bloomington s Dinner Theater Players presentation of Abraham Lincoln s days after Gettysburg You and your spouse are invited to attend the Valley of Bloomington, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite s Dinner Theatre presentation - the Last Full Measure, held at the following locations: June 24 July 08 July 14 July 22 August 25 Pontiac Masonic Lodge, 220 W. Washington, Pontiac Clinton Masonic Lodge, 926 E. Main, Clinton Marseilles Masonic Lodge, 172 Washington, Marseilles Percfection Coffee House, 205 E. 8th St, Gibson City Normal Masonic Lodge, 614 E. Lincoln, Normal This play is the story of Abraham Lincoln immediately after he returns from Gettysburg where he gave one of his most famous speeches. The evening will begin with a social gathering at 6:00 and dinner served at 6:30 p.m. The play will follow immediately after dinner. This dinner is open to anyone who wishes to attend. Please bring your spouses, friends, or anyone interested in learning more about the Masonic Fraternity. The cost of the evening will be $10 per person, however, seats are limited. Please make your reservation by following the link below. Please make sure you indicate which performance you plan to attend and how many will be coming with you. You may pay at the door. We look forward to seeing each of you at this dinner and play. Inside this Issue Commander-in-Chief 2 Installation of Officers photos 3 Upcoming Events, Deaths, Membership 4 Part of the cast of the Last Full Measure - L to R: Danny J. Leifel, 33, Jeffrey J. Fox, Adam E. Young, Roger F. Aukerman, MSA, as Lincoln, & John D. Dorner Scholarship Reception 4 Valley Newsbriefs 5 Meet your new heads of the Scottish Rite bodies 6 Our 2009 AASR Class 7 Constant Contact 8 1

Brethren All! A new year begins. The election and installation of officers is over, Caps and Jewels have been exchanged and we are in forward motion.

Also, I congratulate Thrice Potent Master, John Dorner; Sovereign Prince, Jerald Starks; and Most Wise, Jeff Ready, II as our new presiding officers for the Lodge, Council, and Chapter.

2 Brethren All! A new year begins. The election and installation of officers is over, Caps and Jewels have been exchanged and we are in forward motion. I would like to congratulate Past Thrice Potent Master, Theron Noth; Past Sovereign Prince, Eric Barringer; and Past Most Wise, Paul Dillow on a successful term as presiding officers. Also, I congratulate Thrice Potent Master, John Dorner; Sovereign Prince, Jerald Starks; and Most Wise, Jeff Ready, II as our new presiding officers for the Lodge, Council, and Chapter. Congratulation to Barry D. Weer, 33º, our most recent Past Commanderin-Chief, on a successful term as well. Thank you to all these Past Presiding Officers for their dedication, commitment, and service to the Fraternity and this Scottish Rite Valley in particular. In my address to the officers at the installation, I touched on the importance of being an officer for the Valley and the commitment involved. Being an officer means participating in activities whenever possible and attending stated meetings and reunions. The presiding officers come through the line, progress from station to station, and eventually take the leadership role of the line. Their knowledge helps mentor the new officers and creates continuity for our traditions. To the new officers-attending meetings, getting involved in degree work at reunions or on the stage crew and attending social events will enrich your journey and help you grow as an officer. It s important to attend the meetings to see how the fraternity operates. As an officer, you will be appointed duties and expected to fulfill those responsibilities. Membership growth will be one of our goals. We need to seek out and invite those of good character to join our fraternity. That means starting at the Blue Lodge level and continuing to the Scottish Rite Masonry. We need to help those new members in a meaningful way that inspires them to get involved and remain involved. On the issue of involvement, I feel every officer, from presiding officer down, needs to be involved in degree work, attending stated meetings, reunions and supporting the Valley events when possible. We will be looking to strengthen our long term membership growth too. Our membership team, Ron Blue, 33º, and John Dorner, TPM, will take us in a direction that will help us grow. It will take a while to gain momentum, but I think it s important. The plans Ron and John convey to us from the membership seminars and taking the degrees on the road will get us moving in the right direction. It will not be easy. It will involve a sacrifice of personal time from all of us. This includes the stage crew, cast, degree masters, and members. I would like to thank Mike and Tena Fowler for chairing the Consistory line officers dinner on Thursday May 28, at CJ s Restaurant. We had 30 in attendance, honoring six Past Commanders-in-Chief. A pleasant evening for all. Also, a special thank you to Ill..Phillip C. Kenney, 33º, Active Emeritus for being the Installing Officer at our installation. The other installing officers were Ill..Robin L. Carr, 33º, Installing Chaplain, Ill..Michael R. Fowler, 33º, Installing Marshall, Ill..Ronald K. Blue, 33º, Charge to the Officers, Ill..Barry D. Weer, 33º, Ancient Charge, and Ill.. Gregory L. Clark, 33º, Charge to the Presiding Officers. I am looking forward to working with all of the new officers and committees as my term begins. I m excited about our events and programs. See you soon. 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 John D.Dorner 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 Young Ben 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 John D. Dorner Barry D. Weer, 33 John D. Dorner 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 John D. Dorner Janet Blue Dale F. Arbour 2 LXXXI:6

Burden, 33 at the Installation on May 17th L to

Perkins, 33, Paul E. Clark, MSA, Roger F.

Ready, II Bloomington Lodge of Perfection 14

3 Past CiC Barry D. Weer, 33 congratulates our new CiC, Billy M. Burden, 33 at the Installation on May 17th L to R: Alan j. Leicht, MSA, George F. Perkins, 33, Paul E. Clark, MSA, Roger F. Aukerman, MSA, Robert T. Trefzger, 33 & Billy M. Burden, 33 Past CiC Barry D. Weer, 33 Ill..Phillip C. Kenney, 33º Past CiC Michael R. Fowler, 33 At Left: L to R: John D. Dorner, Adam E. Young, Jeffrey J. Fox, Patrick E. Schlehuber, Jeffrey A. Henry, George T. Coontz Lower Left: L to R: Bill E. Tanner, Bernard E. Maharg, A. Scott Fortney, Jeffrey S. Ready, II Bloomington Lodge of Perfection 14 Below: L to R: Jerald H. Starks, Larry E. Raglan, Michael Hiter, Gerald R. Gooding, and Mark A. Harder Cathedral News MT. Calvary Chapter, Rose Croix 18 Zerubbabel Council, Princes of Jerusalem 16 3

2009 Upcoming Events June 26 & 27 Illinois Council of Deliberation-Chateau, Bloomington, IL July 3-5 6 7 TBD SRRA 4th of July Campout Peace Meals delivery - Rose Croix sponsor Trustee Meeting No

Broughton. Bloomington, IL 4-7-09 Rober t V. Mitchell, Mt. Dora, FL 2-25-09 Walter Hamlin, Cedar Point, IL 2-24-09 Warren L.

4 2009 Upcoming Events June 26 & 27 Illinois Council of Deliberation-Chateau, Bloomington, IL July TBD SRRA 4th of July Campout Peace Meals delivery - Rose Croix sponsor Trustee Meeting No Stated Meeting Family Fun Play Day, location TBD, Council Deaths Charle s E. Deluka, Dallas, WI Paul G. Borgarding, Marseilles, IL Harold S. Elder, Savoy, IL George W. Broughton. Bloomington, IL Rober t V. Mitchell, Mt. Dora, FL Walter Hamlin, Cedar Point, IL Warren L. Wollrab, Decatur, IL Aug Scholarship Reception - 2nd Presbyterian Church Trustee Meeting No Stated Meeting Passion Play Picnic and Caribbean Day at SRRA Scholarship Reception by Roger Aukerman MSA Share the pride of being a Scottish Rite Mason. Each year we set aside time to meet face-to-face with our scholarship recipients and their families. Take this opportunity to be the warm hand extended in friendship. Two years ago our speaker shared his thoughts on volunteerism. Last year our speaker did a crash course on financial planning for the twenty year old. Both topics were well received. Fellow Scottish Rite members have indicated they wished a family member had attended to hear our speakers. This year we will hit another mountain peak with our speaker. His name is Eric Hoss. The topic is The Art of an Interview. Eric has a very energetic personality and has already taught this class to well over a thousand individuals. He has first hand experience as a recruiter. So attend to give our scholarship recipients a friendly warm reception. Attend to listen to our speaker. Attend to enjoy refreshments provided by the Rainbow girls. Roger F. Aukerman, MSA, as Lincoln in the Last Full Measure And, yes invite a friend to attend with you. This would be a great introduction to showing Masonic principles in action. As we begin another year, I cannot help but reflect on the one past. While there can be no debate that the Fraternity to which we all belong is near to our hearts, we have come to a crossroads. In attending a recent seminar on membership recruitment, it was indicated that in the past 50 years we have gone from a membership of 250,000 men to under 70,000 today. Although many things have changed in our society that can be pointed to as the cause of this trend, we must come to grips that if we are to survive we must take seriously the continuing drop in membership. As we get into the Summer of distractions, please remember Masonry. I challenge you to share with just one person the joy of what it is to be a Mason or a Scottish 4 Rite Mason. They don t have to agree to join, but share the experience of what we do. If you do it right, they will ask to join - and that s the point. If you don t remember, or are not experiencing the joy of being a member, go to a lodge or Scottish Rite event. Get reinvolved in the organization by getting back in touch with the brothers. We have several events coming this Summer. In the coming weeks you will get a calendar for the Scottish Rite year. If you have not been to an event in a while, pick out just one event and attend. I think you will enjoy the event, and find a way to be at others. We need your fellowship, because that s what makes this organization the best that it can be. Even if you don t choose, or can t choose, to be an officer of committee head, your involvement just by attending is something invaluable to our organization. Enjoy your Summer. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events. It s going to be a busy Summer and I know you will enjoy something we have to offer! LXXXI:6

Meet the Four New Heads of Our Valley of Bloomington Bodies Commander in Chief Billy M. Burden, 33 Thrice Potent Master John D. Dorner was raised in Normal Lodge #673 in 2001.

He is also a member of Mohammed Shrine, serving as 2nd Ceremonial Master and is Secretary of the Tin Lizzie Patrol.

He is an honorary member of several area lodges. He serves the Grand Lodge as a Grand Lecturer, Grand Lodge Instructor and Chairman of Leadership Development.

He is a lifelong resident of Bloomington-Normal and is employed by Cincinnati Insurance as a risk management consultant. Most Wise Master Jeffrey S.

5 Meet the Four New Heads of Our Valley of Bloomington Bodies Commander in Chief Billy M. Burden, 33 Thrice Potent Master John D. Dorner was raised in Normal Lodge #673 in He joined the Scottish Rite in the Fall He was appointed to the Lodge of Perfection in He is also a member of the York Rite as a past presiding officer of all Bloomington s bodies. He is also a member of Mohammed Shrine, serving as 2nd Ceremonial Master and is Secretary of the Tin Lizzie Patrol. John is a plural member of Normal Lodge, serving as Master in 2005 and currently as Secretary. He is also a member of Bloomington #43, as Senior Warden, and Wade Barney #512, serving as Junior Deacon. He is an honorary member of several area lodges. He serves the Grand Lodge as a Grand Lecturer, Grand Lodge Instructor and Chairman of Leadership Development. He is the Senior Warden and Librarian for the Illinois Lodge of Research. He is also a member of Allied Masonic Degrees and the York Rite Soveregn College, serving as it s tiler. He is a lifelong resident of Bloomington-Normal and is employed by Cincinnati Insurance as a risk management consultant. Most Wise Master Jeffrey S. Ready II was born in Bloomington in 1982 and raised in Ellsworth. He has lived in the area his whole life. He graduated from Tri-Valley HS in 2000 and attended Lincoln College in 2001 where he studied Business Management. He is currently employed with Credit Union 1. Jeff was raised to the degree of Master Mason in August 2006, became a 32 degree Mason, and joined the York Rite in November of the same year. Jeff is currently the Senior Deacon of Bloomington Lodge 43 and Junior Warden of the DeMolay Commandery #24. Sovereign Prince Jerald Howard Starks ( Jerry) was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on August 26, He lives in Normal with his beautiful wife Kristin and his three amazing sons James, Matthew, and Adam. Jerry is proud of his three sons who have various degrees of autism and is always fascinated on what they can do despite their disability. Jerry considers himself truly blessed to have such a wonderful wife of whom he considers to be the ONLY person to be truly busy. Jerry s parents, Darryl and Patricia, live in Mazon, IL. Jerry would like to dedicate his term of Sovereign Prince to his father. ( Thanks Dad for introducing me into Masonry! I enjoy being a brother of this fantastic fraternity! ) Cathedral News 5

Caribbean Day at the Pool Valley Newsbriefs Valley of Bloomington News......... SRRA will have a fun day at the pool, weather permitting, on August 8th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.

Join in the fun by making homemade pies, jellies, etc. There may be several theme baskets for auction also. All proceeds will go to the camping club.

American Passion Play Picnic August 8th at SRRA shelter 11:00 am to 3:00 pm SRRA Rates and Fee for 2009 Following are the rates for the Camping Club, 2009 camping and renting the Lodge: Dues for the

dinners, etc. $1.00 per person per day $20.00 minimum per day Lodge Fee Overnight $2.00 per person per night $25.00 minimum per day Makeup volunteer Barry G. Carney helping Andy H.

6 Caribbean Day at the Pool Valley Newsbriefs Valley of Bloomington News SRRA will have a fun day at the pool, weather permitting, on August 8th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. They need any items that can be used to decorate. Barry Carney is working on steel bank music and some have found grass skirts and palm trees. A fun auction is also being planned. Join in the fun by making homemade pies, jellies, etc. There may be several theme baskets for auction also. All proceeds will go to the camping club. If you would like to help or donate, please contact Cindy Veselak (cveselak@hotmail.com). American Passion Play Picnic August 8th at SRRA shelter 11:00 am to 3:00 pm SRRA Rates and Fee for 2009 Following are the rates for the Camping Club, 2009 camping and renting the Lodge: Dues for the Camping Club $7 Renting a Camp Site for the season $150 ( This includes the first 25 nights of camping fees) Air Conditioning $1 a day Camping fees $5- Club members $10-Guest of members Picnics, dinners, etc. $1.00 per person per day $20.00 minimum per day Lodge Fee Overnight $2.00 per person per night $25.00 minimum per day Makeup volunteer Barry G. Carney helping Andy H. Reining, 33 prepare for the 15th Degree L to R: Shirley Drazewski, Executive Director & Mike Romagnoli, Clinic Coordinator receiving $1224 check from Bernard E. Maharg of Wade Barney Lodge 512. The money was raised in a large yard sale for the Community Health Care Clinic of McLean County. L to R: Barry D. Weer, 33, Ill..Benny L. Grisham, 33º, Danny J. Leifel, 33, Ill..Lee B. Lockwood, 33º, and Donald L. Anderson, 33 Danny J. Leifel, 33, honored at the Valley of Bloomington s spring reunion luncheon with the Distinguished Service Award 6 LXXXI:6

7 The Valley of Bloomington Welcomes Our Spring 2009 AASR Class David H. Lodewyck, Normal Lodge 673 Jody J. Brown, Pontiac Lodge 294 Brent R. Cordes, Farmer City Lodge 710 Daniel S. Yandel, Walnut Lodge 722 Ralph D. Turpin, Dewitt Lodge 84 Kenneth G. Hendricks, Gibson Lodge 733 Alexander D. Snowden, Normal Lodge 673 Miles W. Scritchlow, Wade Barney Lodge 512 Son Daniel S. Yandel, with dad - Most Worshipful Grand Master Daniel C. Yandel, 33 Cathedral News 7

Bloomington Consistory Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite PO Box 3695 Bloomington, IL 61702-3695 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED We re on the Web www.aasrbloomington.org Vol.

8 Bloomington Consistory Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite PO Box 3695 Bloomington, IL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED We re on the Web Vol. LXXXI:6 June, 2009 Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid Bloomington, IL Permit No. 37 Valley of Bloomington Introduces E-Newsletter Ronald K. Blue, 33 The Valley has entered into a partnership with ConstantContact.com to provide a bi-weekly e- newsletter for its members. This newsletter will allow us to keep in touch with our members on a more frequent basis and allow us to have on-line registration for our events. The Valley was doing this on a trial basis for the past three months, and the Trustees voted to go with a full version of the e-newsletter starting in June. Many of you may have been in the trial and we have received many compliments on the newsletters that have been produced thus far. This e-newsletter is not intended to replace the current printed newsletter but to augment it and help to encourage more members to attend the events sponsored by the Valley. If you would like to be a part of this newsletter please send your address to membership@aasrbloomington.org. An example of one of the recent editions is on the right. 8

Cathedral News VALLEY OF BLOOMINGTON AASR, 32 MASONS

Cathedral News VALLEY OF BLOOMINGTON AASR, 32 MASONS Volume LXIX:6 June 2007 Auston K. Weinberg, Bloomington, IL Randy L. Lyons, Farmer City, IL VALLEY OF BLOOMINGTON AASR, 32 MASONS Cathedral News Gary R. Reiners, Elliott, IL Andrew R. Erickson, Bloomington,