Deadlines for Valley Notice in 2011: Issue Deadline Jan. 2011 Nov. 28 Deliver submissions to the Scottish Rite Office, or email to the editor: pm1989@comcast.net SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Please submit articles in MS Word format 10 point Times New Roman font, or in the body of your email only, photos in.jpg format. With the exception of order forms, no.pdf s or highly formatted submissions. Inside this issue: Officers Columns Page 2 Fashions in Bloom Page 3 Family Life Program Page 4 In Memoriam Page 5 Help Please Page 6 VALLEY NOTICE Is a publication of the four bodies of the Valley of Reading, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and is the official notice of meetings, events and activities of the Valley. Editor- Ill. Jon J. DeHart, 33 Associate Editor- Ill. Blaine F. Fabian, 33 The Valley of Reading, A.A.S.R. P.O. Box 6013 West Reading, PA 19610 Phone: 610-373-0722 Fax: 610-373-0795 Email: valley.of.reading@comcast.net November, 2010 Valley Of Reading Will Host RWGM Sturgeon At Fall Reunion The Valley of Reading is pleased to welcome Illustrious Brother Thomas J. Sturgeon, 33, Right Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania. Illustrious Brother Sturgeon was raised a Master Mason in Oakdale Lodge No.669 and served as Worshipful Master in 1969. He is a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 47 th Masonic District. He was Knighted a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret on November 1, 1971 in the Valley of Pittsburgh and served as Commander-in-Chief of Pennsylvania Consistory in 1988 and 1989. He was coroneted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council in 1988 and elected an Active Member of the Supreme Council in 1999. Illustrious Brother Sturgeon is also a member of Zerubbabel- Duquesne Royal Arch Chapter No. 162; Washington Council No. 1, Royal and Select Master Masons; Duquesne Commandary No. 72, The Red Cross of Constantine; and Syria Shrine. Illustrious Brother Sturgeon and his wife Joan live in Imperial, Pennsylvania. They have six children and eight Grandchildren. They are members of Crossroads United Methodist Church. Illustrious Brother Sturgeon s professional career was in law enforcement. The Commander-in-Chief and the Valley of Reading are pleased to present, Illustrious Brother Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33, The Right Worshipful Grand Master, to the class as their exemplar and an exponent of Scottish Rite Masonry. Active s Spot: WOW 2011 Already! By Ill. Russell W. Baker, 33 Active for Pennsylvania A New Year for the Valley of Reading and Scottish Rite in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction to grow will soon be upon us. I don t know if you have noticed, but your Valley Officers are working hard to give our membership more opportunities to live the Scottish Rite experience: interesting and shorter combined stated meetings; the performance of a degree following the stated meeting; new membership initiatives by the Valley Membership Committee; new Leadership programs beginning in April with a membership seminar for Valley Officers (details in the next Valley Notice). If you have not been to the Valley recently, do yourself a favor and come to the January Stated Meeting or attend one of the County Club events, or bring your children or grandchildren to the annual Family Life Program or Easter Egg Hunt, or participate as a cast member or worker at the Reunion. Come to the Reunion and make it a true reunion by visiting with your fellow Scottish Rite brethren. I look forward to seeing you at the next Valley of Reading meeting or event. I send my fraternal best wishes to each one of you my brothers. Director s Run-Down Sheet Available The sequence of events at Reunions is coordinated by the Director s Run-Down Sheet. If you would like to have a copy emailed to you prior to the Reunion, send an email to the Valley office at valley.of.reading@comcast.net. Please do not telephone the Office. The Director s Run-Down Sheet is finalized following the Department Heads Meeting, approximately two weeks prior to the Reunion. A hard copy of the final Director s Run-Down Sheet is available in the office the morning of the Reunion.
The Commander-in-Chief Ill. Victor M. Frederick III., 33 Well the much needed rain has finally stopped and the leaves are turning, all signs that winter is approaching. I hope many of you are planning to attend our Reunion on November 20 th and give a warm welcome to our honored guest RWGM Thomas Sturgeon. Come out and see the fine degree work exemplified by our actors and back stage crews. You won t be sorry. The lessons taught and the principles inculcated are worth the trip. Try to attend our Family life program as mentioned in this newsletter. A lot of effort is put into making the two weekends inspirational, convenient and enjoyable, not only for our Masonic Family but for the public as well. This event gives us another chance to show the world what we Masons are all about. Hopefully through our efforts we will entice new membership that we so desperately need. Children s Tattoos and pictures on the Bikes are once again being offered by the Hiram s Scottish Riders. The next Valley newsletter will give all of you further details for a Golf Tournament in May of 2010. Hopefully we can fill the course with brothers, sisters and friends. This is another opportunity for us to show how much fun we have as Scottish Rite Masons. Please take the time to read the many articles in this edition of our Valley News. You will find many county club events that could use your participation. Try to be as active as you can. Brotherhood is waiting for you to join in. Hope to see you soon, God Bless. Sovereign Prince Speaks Michael D. Wolfe It s that time of year again, before you know it Santa Claus will be showing his jolly spirit everywhere. This time of the season is where the families become closer and bonds become stronger. It s the same with the fraternal family. So many of the brothers come out to see their fraternal family and this is where the strong bonds of fellowship and respect are seen all over the Valley. The Valley is going to hold 2 special weekends in December for all families to enjoy. These of course are Family Life Days. All families, not just the Masonic families are invited. All the brothers and their families can help make this event a very fun and successful time for everyone. If all the families, in the Valley would spread the word throughout the community, it would have a great impact. Word of mouth is the best way to spread the news. Advertising is so 2 expensive; we need your help to make it grow. Come out one of the evening and bring the family, they will all enjoy. Dates and times are Dec.11-12 18-19, 6:00pm-8:00pm all four nights Congratulations to all the brothers who have received or will be receiving their special honors in the near future. We are all proud of you. Keep up all the good works for the Valley. Ill. Michael Black 33, Ill. William Ulrich 33 each received the honor this year. Bro. Kevin Barnhart and Bro. James Shaw will receive the honor of a 33 next year. Also Bro. Jay Coleman and Bro. John Freeston received their MSA honors this year. Next year Bro. Robert Bricker and Bro. Ralph Gutshall Jr. will receive their MSA honors. Again, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL. I am looking forward to meeting many of my good friends again at the Reunion. Help a brother when you can. Thrice Potent Master s Corner James A. Gilbert "The impact of Freemasony"- Brethern, I would like to share a true story of an experience that just happened during my part time work of driving school bus for the Wyomissing Area. I had just completed my morning run of delivering students and was arriving at the bus lot. Upon parking my bus in its slot, I noticed a strange car pulling onto the lot, since all the drivers were finished and had left the lot. I also noticed the Masonic license plate which was from the state of Virginia. I walked over to the driver s side and asked if I could help him with something. When I introduced myself and reached for a hand shake, his eyes made contact with my Masonic Ring and it was like two old friends that haven t seen each other for several years. After our reunion, I finally asked him what or where he was going. It turned out that he was looking for another brother who lived at The Highlands. I got into my car and he followed me to his destination which was one of the best mornings of my driving school bus. This is what we as Masons are and always will be, helping each other at the time of need. W e are coming up on a very busy fall schedule and I can t stress enough the combined effort that is needed from every brother to support each other, roll up your sleeves and get involved with some of the best stage work, degree work, and professional organizing of the Valley Of Reading. Oversight Advisory Committee The next Stated Meetings of the Oversight Advisory Committee will January 10, and March 7, 2011. To Contact Committee Members: L. Donald Loos, Chairman (610) 678-1063 Larry A. Buzzard (610) 286-6579 Victor M. Frederick, III (610) 970-2153 Mark A. Haines (610) 678-9874 Herbert K. Swisher (610) 670-8084 William J Oehme (717)-626-8888 Carl F. Berger, Secretary (570) 385-2567 Blaine F. Fabian, Consulting Aide (610) 678-4347
Ontelaunee Club Hauntingly Good Stag Night By Ill. Irvin D. Herring, 33, Sec./Trea. The Ontelaunee Club held their annual Stag Nite at the Virginville Hotel, Monday October 4th, as usual they had a full house and it was enjoyed by all the Brethren in attendance. Charles J. Adams, III was the program speaker, he shared with us all his ghost stories and experiences in and around the Virginville area including in the Hotel itself. A great big thank you from the Officers and Hotel Staff to all who supported this function by attending. MEMBERSHIP By Carl F. Berger INTERPRETATION: OK what s this mean? The truth in the matter is how we look at it or what our interpretation is of what it means. Are you this little guy all dressed up waiting for something to happen? Maybe someone might even make an effort to share the time of day. Don t compare yourself to this little guy, make an effort to attend some of your valley and county club functions. This attendance is also known as membership. Who knows your picture might be in our next issue. See you real soon. The Rituals of Supreme Council, 33, for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A. This unique work traced the obscure and complex origins and development of the 29 Scottish Rite degree rituals through the course of 200 years from the earliest surviving source, Henry Francken s 1783 manuscript of 300 pages, believed to be based on earlier French rituals entrusted to Francken by Stephen Morin. This compendium is available online and can be downloaded from the Supreme Council website. Check it out, there s a wealth of information at: www.scottishriteonline.org. 3
Scottish Rite Masonic Family Life Program Live Nativity Scene, Holiday Display, Santa Claus, Tattoos by the Motorcycle Club, Clowns, Fish Pond, Train Displays, Refreshments Scottish Rite Cathedral December 11, 12, 18, 19, 2010 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm TRAIN DISPLAY OPENS AT 5 P.M. Everyone Is Welcome It s ALL FREE! Make Family Life Activities a Success-Volunteer to Help Scottish Rite member's children and grandchildren are invited to have DINNER WITH SANTA either December 11th or 18th from 5:00-6:00pm in the Scottish Rite Ballroom. Santa will have a gift for each child (1 to 8 years of age), but you must register to insure a gift for your child. Dinner includes chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and dessert. Admission is $3.00 for children and $5.00 for adults. Deadline: November 27, 2010 Make checks payable to SRVC and mail with the form below to: Faye Baker, 440 Ford Dr., Elizabethtown, PA 17022. If you have any questions, please call Faye baker (717) 361-5582. Member's Name Phone Number Date Attending (circle one) December 11th December 18th Total Number Children Attending @ $3.00 ea Total $ Total Number Adults Attending @ $5.00 ea Total $ Girl/Boy (Ages 1-8) Child's First & Last Name Birth Date (Month & Year) If more space is needed, please use an additional sheet of paper
IN MEMORIAM The Valley of Reading remembers with respect the following Brethren whose deaths have been reported since the last publication of VALLEY NOTICE: Marvin C. Armentrout April 29, 2010 Harold H. Prince August 24, 2010 George Sirianni September 8, 2010 Roy O. Christman September 11, 2010 Leonard R. Wearne September 21, 2010 Larry A. Lutz September 22, 2010 Charles A. F. Fenstermacher September 23, 2010 Howard E. Hart, Jr. September 30, 2010 Carl F. Stauffer October 1, 2010 NOTICE: ALL MEMBERS We extend to you a cordial invitation to enjoy all the meals during the Reunion. BE FRATERNAL When you attend a Scottish Rite Reunion, do not sit down in a corner and expect every member to come and shake hands with you, and in case they fail to do so, complain that the members are not fraternal and lack sociability. It is no more their duty to do so than it is yours. Every member should aim to promote the fraternal spirit by saying a friendly word of greeting to the other members. Try it. You will like it. The 2010-2011 dues are now PAST DUE. If you have not paid yours please do so NOW. Send to: Scottish Rite Office, 310 S. 7 th Ave., PO Box 6013, Reading, PA 19610-0013. Or pay by credit card by logging on to: www.scottishriteonline.org Phone: 610-373-0722 Fax: 610-373-0795 E-mail: valley.of.reading@comcast.net When you pay your dues do not forget your voluntary contribution to the Building Fund and the Hospitaler s Fund. DON T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT Have your Passport stamped after each degree at this Reunion to verify that you have witnessed the degree. PLAN TO ATTEND THE REUNION YOU WILL LIKE IT T.T.G.O.T.G.A.O.T.U. Reunion meetings of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry sitting in the Valley of Reading, Pennsylvania will be held in the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 310 S. Seventh Avenue, West Reading, Pa., on the 13th day of the Hebrew month Kislev, 5771 corresponding to: Saturday November 20, 2010 The business and work will be conducted according to the program on these pages. A cordial and fraternal invitation is extended to all members of the Rite duly accredited. Your current dues card will admit you to all the Sessions of the Reunion and must be shown to the Tyler for admittance. By order of: JAMES A. GILBERT, 32 EDWARD R. STEIN, 32 Thrice Potent Master Most Wise Master MICHAEL D. WOLFE, 32 Sovereign Prince VICTOR M. FREDERICK, III, 33, DSM Commander-in-Chief ATTEST: Christopher H. Tecklenburg, 33, MSA Secretary Petitions for this class will be accepted until November 15. A list of candidates will be available in the Scottish Rite Office beginning November 17. SPONSOR S RESPONSIBILITY For every petitioner for the Scottish Rite degrees there are two Scottish Rite Masons on who rests a responsibility for the proper training of that petitioner. The two Scottish Rite Masons who sign the petition have a responsibility that does not end with their signature on the petition. If you invite a guest to a gathering at your home, you make sure that he meets all your guests, and is made welcome and comfortable. Isn t the Master Mason who you recommend to Scottish Rite Freemasonry entitled to the same courtesy? As his sponsor, is it not your duty to take an interest in his progress? It seems to us that it is, and that you should see to it that he fully understands the fine lessons of our degrees. If you recommend a man to the Scottish Rite, satisfy yourself that he is receiving that for which you recommended him. To do so is but a Masonic courtesy and it is also your duty as a Scottish Rite mason. Let s all give this matter some serious consideration. It will certainly bring forth good results if you attend the conferring of the degrees at our Reunions. Valley Notice Receives Recognition The Brother Franklin Awards are given to the best Valley publications in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Submissions are subdivided into categories, by size of membership. Valley Notice, the Valley of Reading s official newsletter, was awarded honorable mention during the recent Supreme Council Sessions in Philadelphia. Valley Notice Editor, Ill. Jon J. DeHart, 33 said, It s a nice acknowledgement of the efforts so many people in our great Valley make to not only provide family and fraternal activities for everyone to enjoy, but their subsequent effort to contribute related content for the newsletter. If we had no activity, we d have nothing to write about. The Valley is certainly blessed with great zeal for the institution. Thank you all. 5
ALLEGIANCE The Bodies of the Scottish Rite, sitting in the Valley of Reading, District of Pennsylvania, 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 Boston, Massachusetts, and whose officers are: Ill. John Wm. McNaughton, 33 Ill. Donald G. Hicks, Jr., 33 Sovereign Grand Commander Grand Treasurer General Ill. Jim S. Deyo, 33 Ill. C. DeForrest Trexler, 33 Grand Lieutenant Commander *lll.emanuel Iglesias, 33 MSA 1972 **lll. John G. Allen, 33 1972 Ill. George P. Meissner, 33 1973 Ill. William T. Hill, 33 1978 Ill. Malcolm B. Schaeffer, 33 1978 Ill. P. Thomas Feeser, 33 1979 Ill. Clarence R. Klopp, 33 1979 *lll. Norman A. Fox, 33 MSA 1980 Ill. Robert W. Fries, 33 1982 Ill. Lynn G. Brandt, 33 1984 Ill. Paul D. Fisher, 33 1985 Ill. Clarence J. Echternacht, 33 1986 Ill. Lincoln K. P. Buchanan, 33 1987 Ill. Clair P. Kessler, 33 1987 Ill. Blaine F. Fabian, 33 1988 Ill. Charles W. Steffy, 33 1988 Ill. Gerald R. Baum, 33 MSA 1989 Ill. Joseph Gentile, 33 1989 Ill. James L. Boyer, 33 1991 Ill. Marvin G. Speicher, 33 1991 Ill. Edward O. Weisser, 33 1992 Ill. Floyd A. Feger, 33 1993 6 Grand Secretary General Ill. William L. McCarrier, 33 Deputy for Pennsylvania Living Honorary Members of the Supreme Council Valley of Reading Ill. Irvin D. Herring, 33 1994 Ill. John L. Winkelman, 33 1994 Ill. Russell W. Baker, 33 1996 Ill. Larry A. Buzzard, 33 1996 Ill. Marion I. Miller, 33 1996 Ill. Louis A. Fiorini, 33 1997 Ill. John C. Evans, 33 1998 Ill. W. Randall Kegerise, 33 1999 Ill. Noah W. Wenger, 33 1999 Ill. Delight E. Breidegam, Jr., 33 2000 Ill. Donald F. Geschwindt, 33 2000 Ill. Richard E. Hummel, 33 2000 Ill. L. Donald Loos, Jr., 33 2000 Ill. Jeffrey K. Sprecher, 33 2000 Ill. J. Richard Eby, 33 2001 Ill. Thomas C. Keen, 33 2001 Ill. Clarence W. Martin, 33 2001 Ill. Harry Bertoti, 33 2002 Ill. Mark H. Haines, 33 2003 Ill. Herbert K. Swisher, 33 2003 Ill. Jon J. DeHart, 33 2004 Ill. Victor M. Frederick, III, 33,DSA 2004 Ill. Harriss A. Butler, III, 33 2005 Ill. Conrad L. Heimbach, 33 2005 Ill. Edward J. Stumm, 33 2005 Ill. Christopher H. Tecklenburg, 33, MSA 2005 Ill. Eric L. Brandt, 33 2006 Ill. Franklin D. Caltagirone, 33 2006 Ill. Kerry J. Cashman, 33 2006 Ill. William D. Coldren, Jr., 33 2006 Ill. Irvin C. Henry, Jr., 33 2006 Ill. Ray E. Feick, 33 2007 Ill. Irwin A. Kohler, 33 2007 Ill. William J. Oehme, 33 2007 Ill. Allen D. Moyer, 33 2008 Ill. Raymond Thompson, Jr., 33 2008 Ill. Robert S. Conway, 33 2009 Ill. Robert A. Swoyer, 33 2009 Ill. William H. Tennant, Jr., 33 2009 Ill. Michael A. Black, 33 2010 Ill. William P. Ulrich, 33 2010 *Valley of Abington merged 8/1/91 **Affiliate, Valley of Corning, NY Please Help If You Can Brethren, I would like to start by thanking all of you who have responded to the Valley s plea for help to balance the budget. If you have not given please consider doing so. At last count we have only received twenty percent of the needed funds. Asking the membership for help is the last thing the Executive board wanted to do but became necessary after carefully reviewing the Valley s budget, making many budget cuts, and careful study of our income. Our market investment income is slowly recovering but not fast enough to offset the two hundred membership decline we are experiencing every year. Some of the Brethren have asked if this request for help will become a yearly plea, while others have asked what measures are being taken to correct the situation. I can assure you that the Board has no intention of making this request a yearly event. The answer to balancing the budget comes down to two items, membership and income. We have an active membership committee, yet membership still declines yearly. If each of us would become a first line signer for one of our non-scottish Rite brothers our problems of membership would be over. Fifty percent of Pennsylvania Masons do not belong to Scottish Rite. There certainly is a pool for us to draw on. Our portfolio is suffering the same as I believe most of us can attest by our personal accounts. The trustees are monitoring our investments and looking as far into the future as possible. Recovery is happening slowly but as you all know no one can give one hundred percent assurance recovery will continue. Our trustees have performed excellently in the past and are working diligently to try and increase income. Investment monitoring is continuing and changes will be made if necessary. We have an opening for a trustee as one our members of the board has requested to retire. Should anyone who is knowledgeable in investments wish to have his name added to our list for consideration to become a trustee please contact the office. Brethren if you can, please help your Valley. Your officers are dedicated to doing all that they can to keep our Valley running efficiently. We do need your help to get past these hard times. All contributions have and will be appreciated. Thank you for consideration in this matter. Sincerely and Fraternally, Ill Victor M Frederick III, 33, DSM Commander-in-Chief
REUNION SCHEDULE 2010 Fall REUNION - SCOTTISH RITE CATHEDRAL SATURDAY, November 20, 2010 7:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast - Dining Room 7:30 a.m. - Class Registration Candidates Room 7:45 a.m. - Class Orientation Candidates Room 8:00 a.m. - Reading Lodge of Perfection 14 4 Master Traveler 5 Perfect Master 14 Grand Elect Mason 10 Master Elect 12:00 p.m. - Buffet Lunch Zimmerman Dining Room 1:00 p.m.. - C. Gilbert Steffe Council, 16 Prince of Jerusalem 16 Prince of Jerusalem - in full form 2:00 p.m. - Francis Marion Highly Chapter, 18 17 Κnight of the East and West in full form 18 Knight of the Rose Croix of H.R.D.M. in full form 4:00 p.m. - Reading Consistory, 32 Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret Reception of Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33, R.W.G.M. Presentation of 400 and 1,000 point awards 28 Knight of the Sun in full form 5:30 p.m. Reunion Banquet Zimmerman Dining Room 6:15 p.m. Class Registration Candidates Room 6:30 p.m. 31 Knight Aspirant in full form 32 Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in full form