October-December 2009 Vol IX Issue 4

October-December 2009 Vol IX Issue 4

In This Issue... Fall Schedule.............................................................. 3 Featured Presiding Officer................................................... 3 Valley News.............................................................. 4 Family Life Program News.................................................. 6 Reservation Forms (Dinners, Luncheon).....................................11, 13 Scottish Rite Day Information............................................... 12 From the Desk of the Editor................................................ 15 Valley of Hartford Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite View of the Valley The View of the Valley is the official publication for the Valley of Hartford, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U. S. A. Ill. John Wm. McNaughton, 33º, Sovereign Grand Commander Ill. James R. Spencer, Jr. 33º, Deputy For Connecticut Ill. Richard V. Travis, 33º, Active for Connecticut Ill. David L. Sharkis, 33º, Active for Connecticut The Scottish Rite Bodies, sitting in the Valley of Hartford, State of Connecticut, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council, 33º, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America whose Grand East is in Lexington, Massachusetts View of the Valley Editor: Francis G. Way, MSA, 33º way2go@cox.net Valley of Hartford Office: 207 Deming St,.Newington, CT 06111 Office Hours: M,W 8:30-noon, F 9:00-11:30, otherwise leave a phone message. Mailing Address: PO Box 310198, Newington, CT 06131-0198 Phone Number: (860) 666-0712 Fax Number: (860) 666-5448 Email Address: sect@snet.net Valley of Hartford Officers 2007-2008: Charter Oak Lodge of Perfection Thrice Potent Master: Hartford Council Princes of Jerusalem Sovereign Prince: Cyrus Goodell Chapter of Rose Croix Most Wise Master: Nathan Hale Consistory Commander-in-Chief Eric W. Manner, 33º Dale Cunningham Theodore L. Hasty William E. Bohman, 33º Valley of Hartford Treasurer Allan E. Acker, 33º Valley of Hartford Secretary David R. Blythe, Sr., 33º Scottish Rite Foundation President John F. Kessler, 33º Copyright 2009 by the Board of Trustees of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Hartford 2

Schedule This Edition's Presiding Officer (see www.valleyofhartford.org/calendar.html) Thursday, September 24 Candidate Information Night, Valley of Hartford, 7:30pm. All Officers required to attend. Thursday, October 1 th 4 Degree, Master Traveler 7th Degree, Provost and Judge Thursday, October 22 th Old 4 Degree, Secret Master 14th Degree, Grand Elect Mason Thursday, October 29 th 15 Degree (Vignette) Knight of the East 16th Degree (Full) Prince of Jerusalem Thursday, November 5 Thrice Potent Master Eric W. Manner, 33º was born in Hartford CT on December 11, 1955, grew up in West Thursday, November 12 Hartford and graduated from Hall High School in 1974. He attended Manchester Community College where he met his th 19 Degree, Grand Pontiff future wife Diana. They were married in Casco, Maine on Saturday, November 14 June 17, 1978. They currently reside in Manchester. Ric and Diana have two sons and a daughter-in-law: Karl and st nd Scottish Rite Day, 31 and 32 Degree, Combined Cast from all five Valleys. Valley of New Haven, 285 his wife Amber, who live in Bloomfield, and Kurt, who resides in Manchester. Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 10:00am. See article, Ric joined IBM as a field engineer in 1977 and is currently Page 12, Reservation Form Page 13.. employed by Aetna. Friday/Saturday December 11 & 12 Ric is an active member of the United States Power Squadrons, Hartford Squadron, where he serve as the TNOS Production, Valley of Hartford Cathedral. Administrative Officer from 2005-2008. He is currently the Squadron Safety Officer as well as a certified Vessel Safety Examiner. Friday, January 29, 2010 Graduation Dinner, Sphinx Shrine, 6:30 p.m. Members Ric was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in November 1993 in Evening Star Lodge #101 in Unionville. of the Fall Class, Heads of Bodies, Committee He has served as their Worshipful Master in 1999 and members, invited guests. By invitation only. 2005. He joined the Valley of Hartford in 1999 and has previously presided as Most Wise Master in 2005-2006. Ric was coroneted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, NOTE: 33º on August 25, 2009 in Boston Massachusetts. All Thursday activities start at 7:30 p.m. unless Ric is also active in the York Rite and March 19, 2009 he otherwise specified. became a Knight Companion of St. Andrew s Conclave of Please see Valley Calendar on the website for rehearsal the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. dates. (www.valleyofhartford.org/calendar.html) 18th Degree, Knight of the Rose Croix of H.R.D.M. 3

Valley of Hartford News View of the Valley, Reservation Forms, Calendar: All On-Line Copies of View of the Valley (in PDF format), petitions and reservation forms, as well as a calendar of Valley events, are all available on the Valley's website http://www.valleyofhartford.org Please bookmark this site, as it is the most up-to-date reference of Valley events available. A common calendar of all Scottish Rite events in CT is available at http://www.ctcouncilofdeliberation.org/calendar.html View of the Valley Wins Benjamin Franklin Award On Monday, August 24, 2009, at the Annual Session of the Supreme Council in Boston, Massachusetts, it was announced the the Valley of Hartford's newsletter, View of the Valley, won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Publication for Valleys with 800-1500 members. The editor, Francis G. Way, MSA, 33º, would like to thank all of the brothers who have contributed articles and advice, helped with news and, best of all, provided encouragement, over the last two years, as that has been a tremendous help in publishing our newsletter. Valley Email Software to Get an Upgrade The Valley of Hartford will be upgrading the software we use to send email updates to members in the very near future. Before the end of the year, the Valley will begin to use Constant Contact, an email solution used in the business world primarily for email marketing. This tool will enable us to better handle the task of sending emails to large numbers of email addresses, while also helping to ensure that we are in compliance with antispam laws. We will also have more control over our email list, by being able to create sublists to target specific messages at specific groups. Also, the tool will allow for easy forwarding of our email messages to brothers who may not yet be on the list, thus allowing that brother to easily sign up, or opt-out. And it will also give us better control over bounced emails as well. Watch for the new look emails in the near future! And if you're email address is not on file with the secretary, you're not allowing yourself to get the most up-to-date information coming from the Valley! Send it to him today! Scottish Rite Ambassador Program Gets Rolling Brother Richard Denno, Ill. Brother Richard Jones, 33º, and Ill. Brother Ric Manner, 33º, have the Ambassador Program off the ground, with 20 Ambassadors currently named. Very shortly they will hold a training class for this first group of Ambassadors. The Ambassador program is designed to designate Scottish Rite brothers as liaisons with their blue lodge and the Worshipful Master, to coordinate schedules, to make our services available to the blue lodge, and yes, to recruit new members for the Valley. If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador for your blue lodge, please let our Secretary, Ill. Brother Dave Blythe, 33º, know via email (sect@snet.net) or phone 860-666-0712. 4

MONH: Massachusetts Grand Lodge Exhibit Closes October 25 The Museum of National Heritage in Lexington, MA, one of the philanthropic endeavors of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ, has announced that the exhibit honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts will close on October 25, 2009. This exhibit has some fascinating masonic items, and has been very well reviewed by those who have attended the Museum. If you have not had the chance to visit this exhibit, by all means make it a point to do so. You will not be disappointed! Sovereign Grand Commander to Visit in May 2010 Ill. John William McNaughton, 33º, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, AASR, NMJ, has accepted an invitation for an official visitation to Connecticut in May, 2010. At this time, the tentative plan is for a combined Consistory Day to be held at the Valley of Hartford, followed by a dinner and fellowship. Watch our website (www.valleyofhartford.org) and the View of the Valley for more information as it becomes available. Extra Degree (19th) This Fall Because the Scottish Rite Day on November 14 will not fulfill the Valley's requirement for portraying Consistory Degrees, we will be portraying the 19th Degree, Grand Pontiff, on Thursday evening, November 12, 2009. We will be having a pre-degree dinner, and it will take place at 6:00pm like all of our other pre-degree dinners. However, this dinner will not be part of the four-dinner package for the fall. Please see the reservation form online or on page 11 of this issue. Valley Directory Late But Arriving Shortly Our Valley of Hartford Directory has been late this year, however, there is a good reason. We have changed printers this year, having the Directory printed by the same firm who current prints and mails the View of the Valley. You should see the Directory in your mailbox shortly, if you have not already received it by the time you read this. Valley of Hartford Necrology Since the last publication of the View of the Valley, we have been notified of the following deaths. We mourn the passing of our fellow brethren who have been called to their eternal reward in the Paradise of the Grand Architect of the Universe: (50 year members designated by italics) George E. Becker Leon Louis Del Giudice Stephen G. Grossomanides Peter B. Janes Alvin E. Jernstrom Richard R. Rangoon Ernest J. Smith, MSA John W. Symonds Village Lodge No. 29 Silas Deane Lodge No. 147 Hartford-Lafayette No. 88 Coastal Lodge No. 57 Uriel Lodge No. 24 Valley Lodge No. 36 Manchester Lodge No. 73 Orient Lodge #62 5 06/26/2009 06/18/2009 07/18/2009 12/31/2008 06/14/2009 07/24/2009 06/13/2009 08/21/2009

Valley of Hartford Family Life Program News Valley of Hartford's 5K Race a Huge Success The inaugural Valley of Hartford 5K Road Race, held on July 25, 2009, was an unqualified success. In spite of some small, first time glitches that arose during the course of the morning, the brethren of the Valley (and other Valleys who helped) and family member volunteers were equal to the task. The runners were all very pleased with the entire race experience, and in some cases offered helpful suggestions that Jeff Flynn and his road race team will implement in future events. The tentative date for next year's race is July 24, 2010. A more complete article on this event can be found on page 7. THEATRE NEWINGTON-On Stage To Run Winter Production Hot on the heels of their successful summer production The Marquis Crossing Ladies Society's First Attempt At Murder, THEATRE NEWINGTON-On Stage will be presenting a winter production this December. On Friday evening, December 11, 2009 and Saturday evening, December 12, 2009, they will be presenting PLAY ON!, a comedy in three acts. This will be TNOS's third production since they found a new home in our auditorium. Please come out and support their efforts (and have a few hearty laughs in the process!). You won't be disappointed. Fall Bus Trip (CT Wine Trail) Does Not Roll... The tentatively planned fall bus trip to the Connecticut Wine Trail will not be held this fall. Unfortunately, a shortage of manpower meant that there was no one available to help plan this trip. We will continue to keep this event in mind for next fall. Watch for a potential spring bus trip on the website and here in the View of the Valley. New Family Life Committee Member We are pleased to announce that Brother Ben Isaacson has joined the Family Life Committee. Brother Ben will be helping to plan bus trips. As Ben is in the travel business and intimately familiar with all aspects of these trips, he is definitely the right person in the right seat on the bus (no pun intended). Ideas Still Needed... In spite of adding a new member to the committee, we still need your ideas for trips and events that you all will find fulfilling and enjoyable. Family Life is a part of the new Supreme Council ICE philosophy (Inspiration, Convenience and Enjoyment) and your ideas can contribute to great activities for the Valley! 6

Valley of Hartford 5K Road Race a Win for Learning Center On Saturday morning, July 25, 2009, the Valley of Hartford held their first annual 5K road race to benefit the 32º Children's Masonic Learning Center for Children with Dyslexia. A large number of volunteers turned out to assist in putting on this event, and an even larger number of runners and walkers showed up to compete. The Valley had hoped for 100 runners, and by the time they were lined up waiting for the starting gun to go off, 148 people had registered to run. The field was varied, with some excellent and highly trained runners, and with some folks who just wanted to walk and have a good time. The race was won by Will Sanders of Wethersfield, in 15:44. He was 45 seconds ahead of second place finisher Phil Reutlinger. The first place finisher in the female category was Katherine Peterson of Hartford, in 19:39. Mr. Sanders and Ms. Peterson's names have been inscribed on a plaque that will hang in the Valley of Hartford Scottish Rite Cathedral. The names of the winners of next year's race will also be added, and we hope that this tradition continues. The runners continued to stream across the line, and most whom we spoke to really enjoyed the race, even though the course was just a bit challenging. We received several suggestions on improving the race for next year, and we plan on implementing them. Several post-race meetings have already been held to improve our planning and execution for next year's event, scheduled for July 24, 2010. Notable runners that attended the race were Mike Murray, former Junior Warden of our Lodge of Perfection, who relocated to Georgia several years ago, as well as our very own race organizer, Jeff Flynn. As this edition of View of the Valley goes to press the tally of contributions to the Learning Center from the event has not been finalized, but is believed to be in excess of $5,500. If so, that would be enough to sponsor one child for a year at the Center. The athletic spirit of the day was not lost on those who helped. Before the morning was over, Ill. Brothers Howard Turner, 33º and David Sharkis, 33º, made a bet to run in next year's race. The loser will sponsor a child at the Center in the winner's name. Both racers will be looking for sponsors themselves, and more information can be found at www.valleyofhartford.org/thebet.html. As we look forward to next year's event, we look forward to more runners (projections are for between 200-225, and more than 500 by 2014). We will have the kinks worked out for the volunteers, so they can arrive at the optimal time for their task, and we will have another superb race. A more complete event report can be found at www.valleyofhartford.org/events/race2009.html 7

What is The Scottish Rite Foundation of Hartford, Inc.? BY SPECIAL ACT 47 OF THE 1949 General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, The Scottish Rite Foundation of Hartford came into being. The Incorporators, with one exception are the present Directors whose names are listed elsewhere in this note. The Purpose of the Foundation The principle purpose of the Foundation is to provide a suitable home for Scottish Rite Masonry in the Valley of Hartford sometime in the future. No one can foresee at this time what the future may hold. Just what form these Scottish Rite premises may take, just where they shall be located or when they shall be built and occupied must necessarily be left to the wisdom of the craft in the years to come. Membership in The Foundation It is hoped that every Scottish Rite Mason in the Valley of Hartford will desire to become a part of this contribution to the future; and both the Act of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the foundation are framed to allow you as a Scottish Rite Mason of the Valley of Hartford, to enjoy the privilege of participating in its affairs and of voting at its meetings. Founding Officers & Directors The Following Scottish Rite Masons were founding Officers & Directors: H. Mead Alcorn William E. Hanmer Alvin E. Howard (V. Pres.) Philip J. Jones (President) Irving E. Partridge Jr. R. Stanley Penfield Karl F. Sanders (Secretary) Edward M. White Ralph B. Wright (Treasurer) Present Day "Any Mason in good standing of Charter Oak Lodge of Perfection, and of Hartford Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and of Cyrus Goodell Chapter, of Rose Croix, and of Nathan Hale Consistory and who shall have contributed a "one time" sum of not less than One Hundred ($ 100.00) Dollars to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Hartford, Inc., shall be eligible to become a member and participate in the affairs of said foundation, as long as they shall be a member in good standing of the aforementioned four bodies. Contributions made payable to "The Scottish Rite Foundation of Hartford, Inc." in the amount of $ 100.00, may be sent to the Secretary of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Hartford, Inc., at any time. The current officers for the year 2009-2010 are: Ill. John F. Kessler, 33º President Ill. David R. Blythe, Jr., 33º Vice President Ill. Allan E. Acker, 33º Treasurer Ill. Bruce T. Work, 33º Secretary Any of the current officers are available to answer questions you may have regarding this Foundation. Please feel free to ask at any of our scheduled meetings. Fraternally, Ill. Bruce T. Work, 33º Secretary, Scottish Rite Foundation of Hartford, Inc. 8

Valley of Hartford Brother Coroneted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33º The ultimate degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry was conferred upon a Valley of Hartford brother at the Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council, AASR, NMJ, August 23 through August 25, 2009, in Boston, Massachusetts. This degree cannot be applied for, and is given only to those 32º members who have performed outstanding service for humanity or the fraternity that bring great credit upon the order. Eric W. Manner, 33º was born in Hartford CT on December 11, 1955 to Eugene Walter Manner and Edythe Osberg Manner. Brother Ric grew up in West Hartford and graduated from Hall High School in 1974. He attended Manchester Community College where he met his future wife Diana. They were married in Casco, Maine on June 17, 1978. They currently reside in Manchester. Ric and Diana have two sons and a daughter-inlaw: Karl and his wife Amber, who live in Bloomfield, and Kurt, who resides in Manchester. On somewhat of a whim, Ric took a Field Engineering job with IBM in 1977. Over the next 21 years he held various positions with IBM. In late 1997 Ric decided he d had enough of life on the road and began a career as an Information Technology Architect at Aetna where he is currently employed. Ric is an active member of the United States Power Squadrons, Hartford Squadron, where he served as the Administrative Officer from 2005-2008. He is currently the Squadron Safety Officer as well as a certified Vessel Safety Examiner. He is also a past President of the former Avon chapter of Jaycees. While playing in the West Avon Congregational Church golf league Ric struck up a friendship with Worshipful Brother Charles Castle. One day the conversation turned to Freemasonry and soon enough Brother Ric s Masonic journey began. He was raised on November 22, 1993 at Evening Star Lodge No. 101 in Unionville. He has been an active member there ever since serving as Master in 1999 and again 2005 where he had the distinct pleasure of raising his oldest son Karl. He has been a member of the Charity committee for many years. In 2006 he received recognition at the Masonicare Autumn Gathering for his dedication to the Masonic Fraternity. Brother Ric has served as Chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Rituals and Ceremonies for the past 4 years. Ric joined the Valley of Hartford in 1999 and served as Most Wise Master in 2005-2006, and currently serves as Thrice Potent Master. He has been very active in the Valley and has appeared in a degree or two over the last several years. Brother Ric is also a member of the York Rite in Columbia Chapter #31, Lee Council #25 and Washington Commandery #1. On March 19, 2009 he became a Knight Companion of St. Andrew s Conclave of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. Valley Brother to Receive 33º in 2010 in Philadelphia, PA The Supreme Council announced at its Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts in August 2009, that the Valley of Hartford Nominee for 2010 is Brother Newton Bud Buckner, III. Brother Buckner currently serves as the 2nd Lt. Commander of Nathan Hale Consistory and is a past Sovereign Prince as well. Brother Buckner has served as the Chairman of the Council of Deliberation Strategic Planning Committee for many years. The Valley of Hartford is pleased to congratulate Brother Buckner on his nomination to receive this singular honor. 9

Valley of Hartford History Project by Francis G. Way, MSA, 33º This summer, while proof-reading the Valley Directory, I realized that though we may list 20 to 25 living past presiding officers of our subordinate bodies, there is obviously a much longer list of all past presiding officers that we never, ever see. That brought to mind the photos of the Past Masters that adorn the walls of most Blue Lodges, and I began to wonder about these men of the past who guided our Lodge, Council, Chapter and Consistory. I decided to try to remedy this situation. And so began a very interesting journey, one that is far from complete, but aims to recognize and remember those men on our website. It is by no means an easy effort, as our Lodge has been in existence for 145 years, and our Council and Chapter for 133 each. Our Consistory has existed for 26 years, but before that the Valley of Hartford's SPRS belonged to Connecticut Consistory, which also has a very long history. Through the help and assistance of Illustrious Brothers Richard V. Travis 33º, Ken Hawkins 33º, Vern Cleaves 33º, David Blythe 33º, and Brother Carl Edgerton, MSA, I have been able to pull together some complete lists of past presiding officers, all of our recipients of the Meritorious Service Award, and all of the 33º Masons of the Valley of Hartford. Further, with even more investigating and digging, I've been able to pull up some small amounts of biographical data on many of them. It is an on-going effort, but here is what has been done. On our website, in the navigation panel, you'll find a link called Valley History (http://www.valleyofhartford.org/voh_history.html). Clicking this link takes you to a clearinghouse page. You will find links to a complete list of Past Presiding Officers for our Lodge, Council, Chapter and Consistory. There is not yet data on those Valley of Hartford brethren who served as Commander-in-Chief of Connecticut Consistory, but that, too, is in the works. Also there you will find links to page listing all of our MSA recipients, all of our 33º Masons (our first was Illustrious Brother Joseph K. Wheeler, 33º in 1865), and a list of Class Honorees, pulled from the old Valley Directories we have on hand. Additionally, I have started scanning the old directories, and they can be found on that page, in PDF format, as well. Most of the brothers in those lists have at least some biographical data associated with them. Thus, their names appear as hyperlinks, and clicking that link will pull up biographical data. I have spent much time this summer prowling Google and pipl.com to find biographical information on these brethren. I will continue to do so as time permits. Perhaps the most interesting thing to come out of this whole effort is that it has changed my perception of the Valley, how I fit into it, and how it grew and developed. Until I began to investigate our history, it never really hit home that for twelve years our Valley solely consisted of the Charter Oak Lodge of Perfection, or that for all but the last 25 or 26 years, our 32º brethren were members of the Connecticut Consistory in Norwich. Realizing and exploring our rich history has been inspirational. Many of the men who have led our subordinate bodies were men of great accomplishment in other areas of their lives. They have laid down a foundation upon which we can now build our little legacies, and we owe them so much. When you have some time, visit the Valley history page, and explore the names, and explore the biographies. If you have historical information on anyone named in the listings, please don't hesitate to send it to me. Hopefully we can build a fitting memorial to all those who have served our Valley by taking on the responsibility of presiding over one of the subordinate bodies. Hopefully that memorial will, in some small way, inspire those brethren who today fill the lines. And hopefully, that memorial may move some brother who has not served to volunteers for a seat in the line. 10

Valley of Hartford Lunch & Dinner Reservation Forms Make all checks payable to: Valley of Hartford, AASR Mail all reservations to: Valley of Hartford, PO Box 310198, Newington CT 06131-0198 (clip on lines and send with payment...) PRE-DEGREE DINNERS Name: Amount Enclosed: Email Address: Please sign me up for the following meals: Please sign me up for the 4 meal package: ( ( ( ( ( ) ) ) ) ) Phone: ( ) October 1 @ $12.00 per meal October 22 @ $12.00 per meal October 29 @ $12.00 per meal November 5 @ $12.00 per meal All 4 meals @ $10.00 per meal NOTE: This form is not used for the 19th Degree (Thu. November 12) or the Scottish Rite Day Luncheon (Sat. November 14). Please use the form below for the 19th Degree. (If reservations are made without advance payment, and the member is a no-show, a bill will be issued in the amount of $18.00, the cost of the dinner) Make all checks payable to: Valley of Hartford, AASR Mail all reservations to: Valley of Hartford, PO Box 310198, Newington CT 06131-0198 PRE-DEGREE DINNER 19th Degree Name: Amount Enclosed: Email Address: Please sign me up for the following meals: ( Phone: ( ) ) November 12 @ $12.00 per meal This form is for dinner reservations for the 19th Degree dinner on the evening of November 12, 2009. Please ensure that your reservation is received by November 9, 2009. (If reservations are made without advance payment, and the member is a no-show, a bill will be issued in the amount of $18.00, the cost of the dinner) 11

Scottish Rite Day, November 14, 2009, New Haven Inspiration, Convenience, and Enjoyment! Illustrious Brother John Wm. McNaughton, 33º, has declared that Saturday, November 14, 2009, will be Scottish Rite Day across the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. On that day, all Valleys in the jurisdiction will portray the 31st and 32nd degrees, beginning at 10:00 a.m. local time. Further, there will be no introduction of dignitaries, except for Grand Masters, and following the degrees, a luncheon will be held, and afterwards fraternal fellowship will be enjoyed. To comply with that declaration, the five Valleys of Connecticut will join together in New Haven, at the Masonic Temple, 285 Whitney Ave, New Haven, and perform the stated degrees, have lunch and enjoy our fraternal brotherhood. We will be joined that day by Illustrious Brother Solomon Wallace, 33º, Sovereign Grand Commander of the AASR NMJ Prince Hall Affiliation. We will also have the opportunity to view a recorded message from our Sovereign Grand Commander McNaughton. The day will commence with registration at 9:00 a.m. The 32nd Degree, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret will be portrayed promptly at 10:00 a.m. Following the degree there will be a short intermission. Sovereign Grand Commander Wallace will be introduced, there will be a short ceremony to honor our veterans, and we will view the message from Sovereign Grand Commander McNaughton. Following the intermission, the 31st Degree, Knight Aspirant will be portrayed, after which we will enjoy lunch. Lunch will be a hot buffet, and there will be no charge. However, reservations are required, and must be sent in either by US Mail or email, to Ill. Brother Vernon K. Cleaves. There is a reservation form on page 13 of this issue. After lunch the brothers are encouraged to stay and enjoy the fellowship that marks our fraternity. Adult beverages will be available at this time. Sovereign Grand Commander McNaughton has often stated that in all our involvement with our charities, we sometimes forget that we are, first and foremost, a fraternity. This day in New Haven gives us a chance to see some great degree work, with all-star casts, and to meet and greet old friends that we may not have seen in quite a while. We will have the opportunity to share a meal, share good conversation, tell old stories, and make new plans. The Valley of Hartford is considering hiring transportation to take brothers to New Haven. At we go to press those plans are not finalized. If you wish to go (and all our encouraged to go!) then please watch the website or give your email address to the Secretary to be put on to our email list. As a reminder to our brethren in the casts, the rehearsal dates are September 23, October 15, Saturday October 31 (morning rehearsal) and November 4. Please see the Valley calendar (www.valleyofhartford.org/cal30.html) for more information. 12

Scottish Rite Day Luncheon Reservation Form On Saturday, November 14, 2009, all Connecticut Valleys will be concluding the 2009 Fall Class Degrees with the conferral of the 32nd and 31st Degrees in New Haven The day's schedule is approximately as follows: 9:00am: 10:00 am: Registration Opening & Portrayal of the 32nd Degree, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret Welcoming Dignitaries, Saluting Veterans, Portrayal of the 31st Degree, Knight Aspirant Lunch Fraternal Fellowship (with adult beverages) Lunch will be a Hot Buffet consisting of a beef, chicken, and fish entree, mixed vegetables, salad, rolls, desert, coffee, and soft drinks. Reservations are required and must be in to the Council of Deliberation Secretary, Ill. Vernon K, Cleaves, 33º, no later than November 7, 2009. Reservations may be sent via US Mail, by clipping the form below, or sent via email to the email address below. There will be NO CHARGE for lunch. Luncheon Price: No charge, but we MUST have your reservation. Please Return This Reservation Form Mail to: Please reserve ( Vernon K. Cleaves 31 Stillwood Road Wallingford, CT 06492 Email: sphinx97@juno.com ) Luncheon ticket(s) in the name of: (Please PRINT) Email Address: Tickets will be available for pick-up when you register. 13

Leon M. Abbott and Valley of Hartford Scholarship Programs It is once again time to remind everyone that applications for the Leon M. Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarships will be available in the Valley of Hartford Office as of January 4, 2010. Applications are also available on-line through the Supreme Council website, or directly at http://www.childrenslearningcenters.org/scholarnew.pdf (the PDF has fillable form fields and may be filled out and then printed). Completed applications, including all supporting documents, must be returned to the Valley of Hartford office no later than April 1, 2010. However, it is strongly suggested that the forms be returned to the office by March 20, 2010, so that the forms can be reviewed. If it is found that any supporting documents have been omitted, that still leaves time to obtain and submit them. Applications without a properly completed form, and without all required supporting documentation, cannot be considered. Abbott Scholarships are awarded to those students already enrolled in an accredited college or university and whose father or grandfather are or were members in good standing in the Valley of Hartford at the time of application. The student must have maintained a minimum 2.75 GPA (based on a 4.0 GPA system) in order to qualify. Valley of Hartford Scholarships are awarded to those students who are not awarded an Abbott Scholarship, as well as any high school graduate who will be entering an accredited college or university for the first time, provided he or she meets all the requirements to apply for an Abbott Scholarship. In 2009, two Abbott Scholarships awarded by the Supreme Council to Valley of Hartford applicants, and the Valley of Hartford awarded 21 additional scholarships to those who applied but did not receive Abbott Scholarships. The number of Abbott Scholarships awarded by the Supreme Council to a Valley is directly based on the participation in and income from the Annual Blue Envelope Appeal. The Blue Envelope Appeal is a campaign to support the charities of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. While we realize that economic times are somewhat difficult, we would urge you all to support the Blue Envelope Appeal so that we may continue to provide help to our next generation as they continue their education. Links to scholarship forms, the forms themselves can be found on our Valley of Hartford website on the forms page: http://www.valleyofhartford.org/forms.html. Additionally, the deadlines for application will be posted on our Valley calendar: http://www.valleyofhartford.org/calendar.html If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Valley Secretary, Ill. David R. Blythe, Sr., 33º at 860-6669712. Valley of Hartford Office Hours Monday & Wednesday..8:30 AM until Noon Fridays..9:00 to 11:30 AM The Office will be closed on all Holidays that fall on any of these days. Above are the anticipated times that the Valley Secretary will be in the office. Otherwise in case of an emergency, the Valley Secretary can be reached, if necessary, at home (203) 265-1801 or via e-mail: sphinxpote00@sbcglobal.net 14

Help Keep Our Membership Records Up-To-Date We need your assistance to keep our membership records up to date. Please notify the Valley Secretary of any address, email address or phone number changes. If you know of the passing of a Scottish Rite brother, please pass that information along to the Secretary as well. (This can also be done on-line by clicking on Contact Us in the navigation bar at www.valleyofhartford.org). Personal Info Change (please print): Name: Old Address: City: State: Zip: New Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: ( ) Email: Passing of a Brother: (please print): Name: Address: Date of death: City: State: Zip: Please Mail To: Valley of Hartford, PO Box 310198, Newington, CT 06131-0198 A Final Word from the Editor... Brethren, Family and Friends, As the year continues its inevitable journey towards winter, we're just now enjoying the beautiful late summer weather of September gorgeous blue skies, warm days, cool nights. But already I see signs of fall and winter approaching. Some leaves are beginning to turn, and the squirrels seem more active in gathering food for the winter. Even the grass isn't growing as quickly between cuttings. For us in the Valley, that means a return to labor. The summer has been good we had an enjoyable time in Boston, and in spite of the long rainy start to the summer there were some fine afternoons in the pool. But labor beckons, and responsibility calls. Please attend the Scottish Rite Day event in New Haven on Nov. 14, 2009. If you have not been to the Valley and enjoyed our renewed sense of fraternity and fellowship, make sure you get out and visit us this fall! New and exciting things are happening in the Scottish Rite it's not just degrees and it is not just meetings! It's the wonderful friendships we are forming, and the warmth of our fraternity. Lastly, to all who congratulated me on the View of the Valley winning the Benjamin Franklin Award, I say thank you. But I do not put this newsletter together all alone. Thanks to Dave Blythe, Bill Bohman, Rich Jones, Bruce Work, Ric Manner, and all the other brothers who've contributed to helping to keeping our members informed... Fraternally yours, Francis G. Way, MSA, 33º 15