Fall, 2013 Volume 3, Issue 3 We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members. Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Nashua Special points of interest: Valley of Nashua Scottish Rite News Kupper Noted P 2 Testimonial P 3 Social Night P 4 Birthdays P 6 Roth Becomes Deputy for New Hampshire Illustrious Brother Mark C. Roth, 33, who retired from the State of New Hampshire this summer, has found a way to fill some of his newly found free time. At the Annual Meeting of Supreme Council in August, Ill Bro. Roth, was installed as the Deputy for New Hampshire. He replaces Illustrious Richard W. Elliot, 33. Ill Bro. Elliot, who has served as Deputy since 2005, replaces Ill Bro. Roth as the Active Member of Supreme Council for the state, and remains Grand Treasurer General of Supreme Council. Ill Bro. Roth has been the state s Active Member to Supreme Council since 2005. He also serves on the Supreme Council s Committees on the State of the Rite/ Strategic Planning, Ritualistic Matters, Technology, and Masonic Education and Program Development. Two From NH to Receive 33 in 2015 Ill Mark C. Roth, 33 Reunion Welcomes Six to Valley On October 1 seven candidates attended the Valley Fall Reunion. Joining the Valley s Lodge of Perfection, Council, and Chapter are Martin W. Koechel and Kevin M. Keoechel. Both are members of Washington Lodge, No. 61, in Manchester. Also joining St. George Chapter of Rose Croix are Kyle A. LeBrie, Anthony C. Malloy, and Gary P. Meakin, of Jerusalem Lodge, No. 104, in Keene, and Gregory W. Theroux, of Altemont Lodge, No. 26, in Peterborough. All four were courtesy candidates for the Valley of Keene for Lodge of Perfection and Council. Bruce W. Hussey, courtesy candidate for the Valley of Portsmouth-Dover, also witnessed the degrees that evening. We welcome you all, as you progress in your journey through Scottish Rite Masonry. At the 201st Annual Meeting of Supreme Council, held in Washington, DC in August, two New Hampshire Scottish Rite Masons were among those announced to receive the Thirtythird degree when Supreme Council meets in Indianapolis, IN in 2015. They are Larry D. Gullett and Dennis Webster, M.S.A., both members of the Valley of Nashua. They are also both members and Past Masters of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 39, and both served in the U.S. Air Force. Brother Gullett is a Past Sovereign Prince of Oriental Council, Princes of Jerusalem; a Past District Deputy Master for the Second Masonic District; and currently the Associate Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of New Hampshire, Order of the Eastern Star. Brother Webster is active with Bektash Shrine, as a member of the Provost Guard and Drum Corps, and works their Bingo nights. He is currently High Priest of Oriental Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and a member of the stage crew for the Valley of Nashua degrees, handling the sound and lighting.
Page 2 Valley of Nashua Scottish Rite News Scottish Rite News, Vol. 3, Issue 3, is published quarterly by NH Consistory, 196 Main St., Nashua, NH 03060 Telephone: 603-882-4931 office@nhconsistory.com www.nh32degreemason.org Editor Robert M. Porter The Bodies of the Scottish Rite, sitting in the Valley of Nashua, State of New Hampshire, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council, 33, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America whose Grand East is in Lexington, MA, and whose Officers are: Ill John William McNaughton, 33, Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill Mark C. Roth, 33, Deputy for New Hampshire, and whose other Active Members for the State of New Hampshire are: IllRichard W. Elliot, 33, and Ill Philip L. Hall, 33, Emeritus, and IllRobert E. Hansen, 33, Emeritus Inside this issue: Videos Needed 2 33 Testimonial 3 Scholarships 4 In Memoriam 4 New Thirty-thirds 5 50 Year Members 6 Mystic Ladder 7 Videos Needed Tools For Valleys The Supreme Council has added the 6, Master of the Brazen Serpent, to the degrees permitted to be presented as screen presentations. This follows last years release of the 22 and 24. Members have voiced concern about the videos. Most often heard are two related issues. First, that by using them, Valleys won t have enough roles for members wanting to take part in a Reunion. Second, that the degree rehearsals are the best part of being active in Scottish Rite; and that new members will miss out on this important facet of our fraternity. Let s address each point. If you ve been a member for more than a dozen years, you ll remember large casts with townspeople, guards, and an array of soldiers, clergy, and assorted groups. Cast members today may have two or three roles in one degree. By changing a robe and headdress, workmen become guards, and peasants become attendants to wealthy merchants and kings. And the stage crew, wardrobe, and makeup staff is often down to one or two people. We have plenty of roles to give out to members who want to get involved. Using a screen presentation for one degree could fill the cast of the other degree. As for the second point, our rehearsals and dinners may very well be the best part of Scottish Rite. If so, why limit it to just the cast and crew? Why exclude most of our members from something so important? If the fellowship and fraternalism that takes place with the cast is what makes this a great fraternity, we need to make it available to everyone. Consider a typical weeknight Valley Reunion. Dinner is served; candidates are excited. Some cast members may be thinking about their lines, oblivious to the new members. Then the cast and crew heads off to get ready to exemplify the degree. The candidates see a much smaller number on the sidelines than they did at dinner. After the degree, many in the cast are changing into new costumes for the next degree. And after that, it s back into their clothes, pulling off the false beards and eyebrows, congratulating or encouraging each other, and then heading home (usually exhausted) from all the preparation and planning. And the candidates? They re left with a few people and the stage crew hurrying to put everything away. Where was the fellowship? Where was the brotherhood? Now imagine those same cast members coming down with the candidates; seeing a degree together. Or coming in after they ve put on the degree, while the 6 is on screen; then everyone socializing afterwards. Which would you rather have if you were a candidate? A video may not directly address how we improve as a fraternity, but it is a tool for our leaders to use as they better the Valley. Kupper Recognized for Commitment to Youth Sports Brother Alan D. Kupper, M.S.A., was inducted into the Hebron Athletic Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the Alumni Convocation of Hebron Academy s Reunion and Homecoming Weekend on September 28, in Hebron, ME. Bro. Kupper was recognized for his many accomplishments in sports, and his involvement in youth sports. They include: Alan Kupper, Hebron Academy Class of 1948 Being named Rookie of the Year playing football during his freshman year at the Citadel His basketball team at Sampson Air Force Base winning the Armed Forces National Championship Over 20 years running Youth Basketball Camps at Boston College with many former Celtic players Working 15+ years in the booth with legendary Celtics announcer Johnny Most Continued on Page 3
Page 3 Volume 3, Issue 3 Kupper Inducted Into Hebron Athletic Hall of Fame Continued from Page 2 Receiving the Nashua Service to Youth Award in 1973 for his commitment to youth sports Being appointed General Manager of the Nashua Hawk s minor league baseball team in 1995 Bro. Kupper was introduced by his daughter at the convocation. She highlighted several of his accomplishments, sharing how sports had healed and transformed a sickly child into a strong student athlete. He had promoted the Magicians basketball team in Northern New England, coached numerous youth sports teams, and began the first intramural statewide sports program in New Hampshire. And, of course he ran the Children s Dyslexia Center s Golf Tournament for a number of years. She finished by saying that he is her role model. Congratulations, Brother Kupper! TESTIMONIAL DINNER Sunday, November 3 Honoring: Ill Roger A. Becker, 33 Valley of Concord Ill William E. Larson, 33 Valley of Keene Ill John E. Lobdell, 33 Valley of Portsmouth-Dover Ill Robert M. Porter, 33 Valley of Nashua (Coroneted Honorary Members of Supreme Council, 33, in Washington, DC on August 20, 2013) and Presenting the Meritorious Service Award to: Matthew C. Bartlett, Valley of Concord Charles Jarvis Lewis, Jr., Valley of Lancaster-Littleton Ralph R. Currier, Jr., Valley of Concord at the: Bektash Shrine CENTER 189 Pembroke Rd, Concord, NH Social Hour (Cash Bar) - 4:00 pm; Dinner - 5:30 pm Price: $35.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity) You, your lady and friends are cordially invited to attend. Advance reservations only. Make CHECK payable to: NH Council of Deliberation sent to: Robert G. Bianchi, 4 Rainbow Dr, Nashua, NH 03062-2399 Reservations close on October 28, 2013. No tickets will be issued. Your paid reservation is all that is required to attend.
Page 4 Valley of Nashua Scottish Rite News Scottish Rite Scholarships Offered to Members, Children, and Grandchildren Application Process for Supreme Council and NH Consistory Scholarships Begins January 1 The William E. Bryant Scholarship Program will be in its third year in 2014. Named for the late Commander-in-Chief of New Hampshire Consistory, the scholarships are awarded to Scottish Rite Masons, to their children or grandchildren, or Masonic youth. To be eligible for a Bryant scholarship, an applicant must meet the following requirements: Called from Labor In Memoriam Joseph Alfred Arthur Bourque J Paul Bowling David R Brown Robert G Davis Francis J Dougherty Mark F Downing Willis S Dyment Jr. Gerald A Easson Royce E Elkins Leonard R Engelhardt James W Findlay Jr. Robert Gordon Foley John Herbert Greenhalgh Levis H Hampton Lawrence M Hull Paul Inglis Ronald H Keyser William H Kidd Harold Loren Laird Sr. Corey E McAllister Frank O Patterson Be currently enrolled as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at an accredited college or university. Have a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Be one of the following: Scottish Rite Mason in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, or The child or grandchild of a Scottish Rite Mason in the N.M.J. A member of a Masonic sponsored youth organization of the N.M.J. The Abbot Scholarship is presented by Supreme Council, with similar requirements to the Bryant Scholarship. However, beside Scottish Rite Masons, only the children of Scottish Rite Masons are eligible, along with Masonic youth. To be eligible for an Abbott scholarship, an applicant must meet the following requirements: Be currently enrolled as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at an accredited college or university. Have a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Be one of the following: A Scottish Rite Mason in the NMJ, or his child. Member of a Masonic sponsored youth organization in the NMJ. Applications can be filled in online prior to printing and signing. For applications, go to www.nh32degreemason.org, click on Charities, and choose the Scholarships link on the left side of the page. You ll find links to both scholarship applications. Valley Hosts Social Night Fri, Nov 15 Stop in at the Masonic Temple, 200A Main St, Nashua on Friday, Nov. 15, for the next Valley Social Night There will be Wii bowling and cribbage tournaments. Not to mention a story or two to be shared. Drop in any time from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm for some snacks, and a chance to get together with your Scottish Rite Brothers for an evening of fun. Support Your Blue Lodges Without them, Scottish Rite cannot exist!
Page 5 Volume 3, Issue 3 Four Receive Thirty-Third Degree in DC Four New Hampshire Masons were coroneted Thirty-Third Degree Scottish Rite Masons in a ceremony held at the Annual Meeting of Supreme Council on August 20 in Washington, DC. They are Roger A. Becker, from the Valley of Concord; William E. Larson, from Valley of Keene; John E. Lobdell, from Valley of Portsmouth-Dover; and Robert M. Porter, Valley of Nashua. They, along with 150 other Scottish Rite Masons from throughout the 15 state Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, were made honorary members of the Supreme Council. Awarded for outstanding achievement within the fraternity, or for significant contributions to others, reflecting credit on Freemasonry, the Thirty-third degree will now be conferred once every two years as part of Supreme Council s Annual Meeting. 33 recipients (left to right) Roger A. Becker, Robert M. Porter, John E. Lobdell, William E. Larson New Hampshire Consistory Fall Reunion Saturday, November 2, 2013 Merrimack Valley High School, 106 Village St, Penacook, NH Saturday Morning, November 2, 2013 8:00 am Coffee and pastries served 8:45 am Candidates report to Marshal 9:00 am New Hampshire Consistory Opens; Obligation of Candidates; Introduction of Deputy and Active 9:30 am Inspirational Video 10:00 am 25, Master of Achievement (Ill Dennis A. Sheridan, 33, Director) 11:00 am 31, Knight Aspirant & 32, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret (Ill Robert G. Bianchi, 33, Director) 12:30 pm Presentation of 32 jewels to Candidates 12:55 pm New Hampshire Consistory Closes 1:00 pm Lunch All times listed are subject to change. Last minute adjustments may occur. Check with your Valley Secretary for any updates or changes to these programs.
Page 6 Valley of Nashua Scottish Rite News Congratulations to Our 50, 60, and 70 Year Members The Valley of Nashua is proud to congratulate these Brethren upon becoming 50 year members of the Scottish Rite. David J Braun David Zane Breck Bruce Allyn Bryant Nathan Roland Clifford Donald W Curtis Bruce B Ellsworth Russell J Ellsworth Robert W Heald, 33, MSA Ronald E Metcalf, 33, MSA Leslie T Reed Robert E Reynolds Thomas R Rutherford Louis G Shepard Arthur W Swenson Sr. William H Thomas II Richard Audian Turner Happy 90th Birthday, Brothers! Congratulations to the following Brethren celebrating their 90th Birthday! The Valley of Nashua is also proud of these Brethren reaching 60 year membership. Donald C Berwick Sr. Richard G Carter Ralph J Hulslander Jr. Russell G Philbrick George N Savramis Chris J Tasoulas And a very special congratulations to our Brother celebrating reaching 70 year membership in the Scottish Rite: John Stephen Gikas Having reached these milestones, we wish you all the very best! Stephen G Allen Ralph J Hulslander Jr. Walter Nichipor Leney C Barclay George E Janetos George W Nichols Charles W Beatty Edwin I Kimball Robert S Ordway Clifford N Bell Edmond Stanley Krolikowski Delbert Wilson Porter Louis Bograkos Louis Alfred Ladrie William L Richardson Irving R Brewster Leighton H Langley Douglas L Robertson Sr. Richard Cadarette Thomas E Larson George E Sheldon John Earl Dick Leonard D Lavoie Christo Stefekos Laurence H Dowling Raymond William Lee Sr. Cloyed T Straub Jr. A Richard Edson Charles Jarvis Lewis Jr. Philip H White Forrest S Felch Alexander Loika Elwood C Wilbur John Richard Franklin Clement A Lyon Carl Wyss Jr. Herbert Julius Hilberg Jr. Dwight V Meader James E Zanes George John Hondras Norman Noyes Merrill Help someone you know unlock the Journey into Scottish Rite Freemasonry NH Consistory Fall Reunion Saturday, November 2 Merrimack Valley High School 106 Village St, Penacook, NH
Page 7 Volume 3, Issue 3 The Mystic Ladder The Mysterious Ladder Do you recognize this ladder? It s a prop that Scottish Rite Freemasons used during the early 1900s when conferring the 30 th degree. Known as the mysterious ladder, the words on one side s rungs call out the seven liberal arts and sciences: grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. The rungs on the other side, marked with transliterations of Hebrew, reminded initiates of virtues such as understanding, faith, purity and charity. Writing on the sides of the ladder represents love of God and love of your neighbor. These messages, along with the upward-pointing shape of the ladder reminded the candidate of how he could learn and grow as a Mason. While this particular ladder dates to the early 1900s, the history of its use in the Scottish Rite degrees goes back to the mid-1700s, when it appeared in the 24 th degree. Scholar Alain Bernheim has found evidence that this degree, complete with an illustration of the ladder, originated in France in 1750. The Francken Manuscript in the collection of the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, which dates to 1783, also includes an illustration of the ladder with the text of the 24 th degree, then titled Grand Elected Knight of Kadosh or Knight of the White and Black Eagle. As the degrees were rewritten and reorganized into the present-day system, the ladder remained in what became the 30 th degree. Ritual books from 1875, 1904 and 1939 include an explanation of the ladder and required the candidates to mount the steps and climb over it before receiving the degree. The 1904 and 1939 books show a scale drawing of the ladder and indicate its placement in a plan of the room or stage. The ritual explained that it is the only way of entrance to the Order, and we sincerely trust that the lessons taught on its several steps will make a deep and lasting impression on your mind. Regalia catalogs in the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library collection from the early 1900s offer the ladder of wood, well made and finished, the proper lettering in both English and Hebrew. Today, the ladder is no longer used in the 30 th degree. Now in the collection of the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, the ladder is currently on view in our exhibition, A Sublime Brotherhood: Two Hundred Years of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. The ladder helps show the change from intimate degree ceremonies conferred in the lodge room to elaborate staged degrees during the early 1900s. The exhibition will be ongoing into 2014 we hope you will be able to visit. The Museum is located at 33 Marrett Road in Lexington, Massachusetts, and is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday (www.nationalheritagemuseum.org). The Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library has a special interest in preserving and interpreting the history of the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A. Yet, Scottish Rite regalia, props and accessories form a notable gap in our collection. This is due, in part, to the Scottish Rite s success over the past 100 years Valleys used their props and costumes until they wore out. But, now, as times change, many Valleys are consolidating their space and may have surplus regalia and ritual items. We hope that they will contact the Museum before throwing anything away. We would love to strengthen our collection in this area. Questions can be addressed to Aimee E. Newell, Ph.D., Director of Collections, anewell@monh.org, 781-457-4144. Mysterious Ladder, 1900-1910, United States, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library purchase, 94.029. Photograph by David Bohl. Ladder illustration from Catalog No. 270, The Lilley Company, 1900-1920, Columbus, Ohio. Collection of the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library.
THE SCOTTISH RITE BODIES 196 Main Street, Suite 16 Nashua, NH 03060-2914 Non Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 6 Nashua, NH 03061 NOTICE OF REGULAR CONVOCATIONS AND RENDEZVOUS A Regular Convocation of Aaron P. Hughes, Lodge of Perfection, Oriental Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and St. George Chapter of Rose Croix, A A S R will be held in the Masonic Temple, 200A Main St, Nashua, New Hampshire Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at 7:30 o clock p.m. A regular Rendezvous of the New Hampshire Consistory, S P R S, 32 will be held jointly with the Convocations. REGULAR CONVOCATIONS AND RENDEZVOUS will also be held Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at 7:30 o clock p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at 7:30 o clock p.m. (Installation of Officers) ANNUAL AND REGULAR CONVOCATIONS AND RENDEZVOUS will be held Tuesday, September 16, 2014, at 7:30 o clock p.m. C Consistory; COD Council of Deliberation; LC Learning Centers; VC Valley of Concord; VK Valley of Keene; VLL Valley of Lancaster-Littleton; VN Valley of Nashua; VPD Valley of Portsmouth-Dover; SC Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Nashua November 2013 2 C 25, 31, 32, Penacook 3 COD 33 Testimonial Dinner, Concord 11 VC Veterans Program, Concord 15 VN Social Night, Nashua 17 VC Turkey Lunch, Concord 19 VN & C Stated Meetings, Nashua December 2013 5 VPD Christmas Party, Newington 10 VC Stated Meetings, Concord January 2014 17 VPD Stated Meetings, Portsmouth 25 VPD 4, 12, Portsmouth February 2014 8 COD Workshop, Concord 17 VN 4, 6, 15, Nashua 22 VPD Reunion Mystery Dinner, Portsmouth 28 VPD Stated Meetings, Portsmouth March 2014 1 VC 4, 14, 16, Concord 18 VN & C Stated Meetings, Nashua 21 VN Social Night, Nashua