Current Interest

June 1998

Little Rock, Arkansas, Scottish Rite Children's Center Dedicated

On March 20, 1998, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) dedicated the Scottish Rite Children's Language Center, on the UALR campus, in recognition of the Valley of Little Rock's 22 years of partnership with the center. The Valley of Little Rock has provided scholarships for children, whose families could not otherwise afford it, to receive treatment from the Audiology and Speech Pathology Department. During this time, over 500 children have been helped with scholarships totaling more than $84,000. Because of a recent gift of $60,000 the center has undergone major renovation and expansion. In recognition of this gift and the support given over the years, UALR and UAMS have renamed the center the "Scottish Rite Children's Language Center."
 
 
 Dr. Hope Keiser, University of Arkansas at Little Rock's chair of the Audiology and Speech Pathology Department (right) presents Ill. Dwane F. Treat, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Arkansas, (center) with the dedication plaque naming the Scottish Rite Children's Language Center. Assisting in the ceremony (l. to r.) are: Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director; Ill. Warren D. Lichty, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Nebraska; Ms. Kathy Shaneyfelt whose son, Adam, has been a student at the center for seven years; and Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/ RICK MCFARLAND

On hand for the dedication ceremony were Ill. Dwane F. Treat, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Arkansas; Ill. Frank Whitbeck, Jr., Board of Regent UALR; Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill. William G. Sizemore, 33°, G.C., Grand Executive Director; the officers of the Valley of Little Rock, S.G.I.G.s from various Orients, and representatives of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. A large contingent from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, as well as students and their parents, were on hand for the dedication.
Ill. Treat stated in his remarks, "This center has made such a positive impact on the lives of so many of our children. It is an honor and pleasure to be associated with such an institution. One of the goals of the Scottish Rite is to make this world a better place, and I can think of no finer way for us to help achieve this goal than to serve the children of our great state."
The Arkansas Scottish Rite of Arkansas supports several other philanthropic activities, including scholarships for public school teachers, assistance with dyslexia training for children throughout the state, with centers in Bounden, Fort Smith, West Memphis and Jonesboro, and a speech and learning center on the Harding University campus in Searcy.

Eighth Printing Of "H.E.L.P." Brochure

Designed to promote a national image for the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Program, the H.E.L.P. brochure (Help Eliminate Language & Learning Problems in Children) has proved, since it was first printed in 1987, to be one of the most popular and useful of The Supreme Council's several brochure publications.

By promoting a national image, the brochure supports local foundations which are the very strength of our program. Thus, Brethren are urged to distribute the latest edition of the "H.E.L.P." brochure, as is most appropriate, throughout their Valleys.

By giving public notice to this brochure, our Order reaches out to all concerned citizens and welcomes their contributions. As in the past, copies are available free of cost for judicious use.

Write: Grand Executive Director's Office, 1733 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009-3103.

Birmingham Centennial Celebration

A Special Centennial Reunion was held on November 7-8, 1997, by the Birmingham Scottish Rite Bodies to celebrate their 100th Anniversary. The permanent charter of the Birmingham Lodge of Perfection was signed October 20, 1897. The Anniversary Reunion was a great success with 128 candidates welcomed into Scottish Rite Freemasonry. Also, many of our older Brothers were able to reminisce about the days in the Old Temple in downtown Birmingham, and Brothers from all five Alabama Scottish Rite Valleys were in attendance. Degree teams from four of the five Alabama Valleys participated by exemplifying one or more of the Degrees conferred during the Reunion. All eleven of the Lodge of Perfection Degrees were conferred, in addition to the Mandatory Degrees of the other three Bodies.

A souvenir magazine was published for this occasion. Special lucite Pyramids, encapsulating a 14th Degree ring, with a special Centennial Class inscription, were presented to each candidate, and commemorative coins in both silver and bronze were struck for this milestone in Alabama Masonry. The souvenir magazine includes a discussion of the very early history of the Valley of Birmingham, of the Scottish Rite in Alabama, and of those Brothers who did so much throughout the years to create what we now take for granted. The magazine also includes descriptions and photographs of both the old downtown Scottish Rite Temple and the present beautiful building, thus graphically recording the growth of the Rite and the beauty of both Temples. This souvenir magazine will allow Masons both to remember this occasion and to review many of the accomplishments of the Scottish Rite in Birmingham.

The Valley of Birmingham still has a supply of the souvenir magazine and bronze coins for interested Brothers. A few of the limited edition 99.9 silver coins produced are also still available. For more information, call 205-942-2687 or write Scottish Rite Temple, 400 Valley Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama 35209-3806.
Submitted by Ill. Rod J. Patefield, 33°
General Secretary, Valley of Birmingham

Journal Index Available

The Index for the 1997 Scottish Rite Journal is now available. It and indexes from previous years may be ordered for $2.00 each. Please send remittance payable to The Supreme Council, 33° to:
Grand Executive Director
The Supreme Council, 33°
1733 16th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009-3103

New Scholarship In California

In December 1997, Bro. Harry Walker Lister, 32°, Valley of Santa Ana, California, establisheda new scholarship program in California. He is pictured here in the office of Ill. H. Douglas Lemons, 33°, S.G.I.G. in California, presenting an initial check for the Harry Walker Lister Scholarship Fund to Ill. Lester W. Miller, 33°, (left) Secretary of the Scottish Rite Foundation of California. The new scholarship will be administrated through the Scottish Rite Foundation and will benefit California college students who have a Masonic family affiliation.

Bro. Lister is also a generous donor to Grand Lodge of California scholarship programs. In beginning the new Scottish Rite scholarship fund, Bro. Lister doubles his investment in America's future.

Masons And American Legion Honor Noted Minnesota Centenarian

 Over 250 Masonic and American Legion dignitaries and close friends gathered at the Minnesota Masonic Home to honor George Washington Bentley, 32°, K.C.C.H., a member of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Minneapolis. The occasion celebrated Bro. Bentley's 100th birthday and his national distinction as the last surviving member of the original caucus that founded the American Legion in Paris in 1919. Leading the presentations to Bro. Bentley was Ill. Edward W. Waldon, 33° (Maj. Gen. Ret.), Personal Representative of the S.G.I.G. in Minnesota for the Valley of Minneapolis. On behalf of The Supreme Council, Ill. Waldon presented Bro. Bentley with a Supreme Council Certificate of Honor from Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°.

Louisville Foundation Benefit Concert

On Saturday, March 14, 1998, a benefit concert was held in the Louisville, Kentucky, Scottish Rite Temple which yielded $3,400 to be used for the Childhood Language Development Program of the Valley of Louisville. Bro. Daniel J. Anderson, 32°, a member of the Valley of Louisville, and his wife, Jil, volunteered their musical abilities to provide piano and vocal renditions of Broadway show tunes and selections from the compositions of George Gershwin. Jil Anderson, President of her own company, TALK Foreign Language Service, also generously underwrote the staging costs of the concert.

A reception was held in the dining room of the Temple following the concert, and those in attendance had an opportunity to talk to the artists and to enjoy an excellent evening of Scottish Rite fellowship. Ill. John E. Moyers, P.G.M., 33°, and S.G.I.G. in Kentucky, summed up the evening by commenting: "We are always grateful to those who support language development by their monetary contributions, but those who give generously of their time and talents deserve special thanks!"

New Washington State Videotape Builds "Bridges To Light"

In response to the urgent need to showcase the Masonic Fraternity--its history, philosophy and philanthropy--the Bremerton Valley, Orient of Washington, has produced a 16-episode VHS videotape series at the behest of Ill. William R. Miller, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Washington State, and with the consent of M.W. Thomas C. Ehlers, 33°, Grand Master Lodge of Washington.
This series, titled "Building Bridges to Light," comprises 16 30-minute episodes. Each episode focuses on Masonry and its Concordant or Appendant Bodies. The themes throughout this series, presented in a panel format, convey to the public the involvement of the Masonic Family in their community.
"Building Bridges to Light" is designed for replay on public access television and for every private collection or Masonic library. In the spirit of community outreach, it is a welcome addition to the local public library video collection.
The price has been adjusted to reflect the cost of reproduction, shipping, and handling. Together, 16 videotapes cost $192.00, with $13.00 s/h additional, for a final cost of $205.00. Please make checks payable to Scottish Rite and mail to: Building Bridges to Light Series, c/o J. Mac Intyre, 1281 Mission Creek Rd., Belfair, WA 98528-9483 or E-Mail: haggis@hctc.com

Washington, D.C., Clinic Expands For Second Time

The demand for its services has increased to such an extent that Ill. Charles S. Iversen, 33°, S.G.I.G. in the District of Columbia, has approved the hiring of a third full-time therapist in that Valley's Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders. The clinic will now have three full-time and one part-time therapist, together with the director, Dr. Tommie Robinson, and two administrative personnel plus, sometimes, a therapist in training. Due to the large Spanish-speaking population served by the Center, it is necessary that the therapists speak both English and Spanish in order to perform at full capacity.
Three years ago, a decision was made to add the second full-time therapist with the hope that it would not cost the Valley of Washington any additional funds. The influx of new patients covered by medical insurance benefited the Center to such an extent that, despite the cost of employing a second therapist, the Center's annual budget, which is also supported by the Valley Brethren, increased by only one dollar. Now that the demand for its services has increased sufficiently again, it is hoped and expected that the additional cost to the Valley will amount to an equally reasonable figure.
The operation of the clinic in our nation's capital is entrusted to the Department of Hearing and Speech of the National Children's Medical Center, usually referred to as Children's Hospital of Washington.

Illustrious Trachtenberg Receives Grand Cross Cap

At its stated weekly meeting of the Valley of the District of Columbia held on March 3, 1998, Ill. Charles S. Iversen, 33°, S.G.I.G. in the District of Columbia, (left) presented to the President of The George Washington University (GWU) his patent and cap designating him as a recipient of the Grand Cross. Illustrious Stephen Joel Trachtenberg was one of seven Inspectors General Honorary who were elected in October 1997 by The Supreme Council, 33°, to the Grand Cross, the highest honor which can be bestowed upon a Scottish Rite Mason in the Southern Jurisdiction.
During His tenure as President of GWU, Ill. Trachtenberg has greatly elevated the standing of the university among other educational institutions and has significantly increased its financial holdings. This has occurred simultaneously with the expansion of the institution's new satellite campus in Loudon County, Virginia, and improvement to its renowned hospital. The university has an extensive Scottish Rite scholarship program and is the largest private employer in the nation's capital.
We are most grateful to Ill. Trachtenberg for his many instances of assistance to our Fraternity since his affiliation with the Valley of the District of Columbia in 1990.


Philalethes CD-ROM

A new CD-ROM, the philalethes May 1946-December 1996, is now available. It is viewable using most common graphical Word Wide Web browsers such as Netscape® or MS Internet Explorer®. The files are also viewable using text-based browsers such as Lynx®, and they are ISO9600 compliant.
Containing all the articles published in the philalethes Magazine from May 1946 to December 1996, this new CD-Rom celebrates 50 years of outstanding international scholarly publication and is fully indexed. It is dedicated to the memory of the late Ill. Allen E. Roberts, 33°, FPS, Secretary of the philalethes society.
For more information, contact: The Philalethes CD-ROM, PO Box 70, 110 Quince Avenue, Highland Springs, VA 23075. Or write Brother Nelson King, FPS, Vice President, by writing to: The Philalethes, 2 Knockbolt Crescent, Toronto, ON M1S 2P6 CANADA or call 416-293-8071. WEB SITE http://www.freemasonry.org

Public Profile Aids Restoration In St. Louis

Community involvement is an essential part of the effort to restore the Scottish Rite Cathedral in midtown St. Louis, Missouri. Demonstrating this fact, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper of February 10, 1998, devoted a feature article with color photographs to the project and noted how the monumental Greek-revival building on Lindell Boulevard is "important to helping St. Louis maintain its physical image as an architecturally significant city." The article praised the Scottish Rite's commitment to the area's resurgence spearheaded by St. Louis University and the Grand Center arts and entertainment district.
Ill. Gilbert L. Mattli, 33°, Executive Secretary of the Valley of St. Louis, is quoted in the article regarding the Cathedral's several services to the community. Aside from housing the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders (where all eligible students receive full, free scholarships), the building in recent months has hosted drug-awareness workshops sponsored by the St. Louis Public Schools District, album recording sessions by the Scott Air Force Band, rehearsals for the Broadway show Chicago, and performances by a number of other musical and cultural groups.
Income from these events, from corporate donations, and from the support of the Brethren have allowed significant improvements to the building such as a resurfaced and wrought iron fenced parking area, the renovation of the 2,750-seat auditorium's sound/lighting system, and the replacement of the stage curtain with a new heavy red velvet copy of the original, right down to a 3-feet-wide band of gold raised embroidery and gold fringe. Much remains to be done, but the St. Louis Brethren are determined to make the Scottish Rite Cathedral a gem in the crown of midtown development as well as of community service in St. Louis.

Video Of 1998 Rose Parade Masonic Float Available


Ill. Stanley L. Channon, 33°, Chairman, Tournament of Roses Parade Float Committee, notes the VHS color 26-minute videotape of Masonic participation in the parade is now available. It features the making of the 1998 "Fantasy on Wheels" float sponsored by the Family of Freemasonry, footage from TV broadcasts, and interviews with float participants. In particular, the float caught the attention of the media and received wide coverage because of Mildred "Dolly" Burke, a centenarian resident of the Covina, California, Masonic Home which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Dolly captured everyone's heart as she waved enthusiastically to the crowd along the float's route and gave sprightly responses to interviewers. As "the old lady who lived in a shoe," updated to an in-line skate for the float, she is pictured below wearing the in-line skate helmet and protective gear she donned for the parade. It is estimated that more than 450 million people in 10 countries viewed the Masonic float and received a positive impression of Freemasonry.
Showing the tape provides a heart-warming program for any Masonic group. To receive a copy, at cost, of this fine video, send a check for $18.00 (s/h included) payable to Rose Parade Masonic Float to Committee Treasurer: Robert C. Coe, PO Box 661567, Arcadia CA 91066-1567.

166 Years Of Rainbow Love

On December 22, 1996, 166 years of love and dedication came together in service to the officers and members of Lake Worth, Florida, Assembly No. 15, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. On that historic evening, five young ladies were initiated into the Assembly: Tiffany Wagner, Katie Hogan, Julie Baumann, Kathy Simmons, and Kristina Karizmaniz. The figure 166 represents the years of service the seven girls of the bow stations have accumulated since they were 12 years old and were initiated as Rainbow Girls.
Filling the seven bow stations on this occasion were the Sisters of Love, Karen Mead Wagner; Religion, Kim Mead Hogan; Nature, Nancy Mead Miller; Immortality, Mary Mead McClory; Fidelity, Cindy Mead Lund; Patriotism, Dorothy Lund Fretenborough; and Service, Lucinda Kay Lund. As their full names indicate, these offices were filled by the five daughters and two granddaughters of Ill. Charles L. Mead, 33°, Valley of Lake Worth, and his wife, Gladys. The girls all came together to initiate two more granddaughters: Tiffany Wagner, daughter of the Sister of Love, Karen Mead Wagner, and Katie Hogan, daughter of Sister of Religion, Kim Mead Hogan. By helping the five girls initiated prepare for their teen-age years and all their life to come, the girls were fulfilling their Rainbow obligation of service.
Mary Mead McClory also filled the office of the Sister of Charity and delivered the traditional lecture of the Pot of Gold. All the Officers of Lake Worth Assembly, along with the Pro Tem Officers, did an outstanding initiation in an exemplary and, yes, tearfully happy manner. All the Mead family, along with those who were in attendance, wish to thank Rainbow Assembly No. 15's sponsoring body, Lake Worth Chapter No. 111, Order of Eastern Star, and its Advisory Board. Because of their sponsorship, the five young ladies initiated will be guided to a better life in Rainbow love.

Miami Scottish Rite Gains Exposure As A Festival Location

Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite took a big step forward on April 4, 1998, when Miami civic groups promoted the second RiverDay observance. A focal point of the event was the renovated Scottish Rite Masonic Center across the street from Lummus Park and the riverfront. Thousands thronged the exhibits, concessions, and reenactments of colonial activities. The Scottish Rite theater welcomed dancers and featured gospel renditions as well as a performance by the St. Andrew Pipe Band. Between shows, Scottish Rite members conducted tours of the impressive temple, rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Miami RiverDay was presented by the Dade Heritage Trust, Miami River Coordinating Committee, City of Miami, Miami River Marine Group, and Miami Downtown Development Authority.
Lummus Park holds item of historic significance such as the Wagner Homestead and old fort Dallas. Exhibits lined the riverfront and flowed onto the park acreage. According to Ill. Vance E. Larkins Jr., 33°, Personal Representative for the Valley of Miami, the Scottish Rite in Miami gained high public visibility by its participation in the Riverfront Festival and through its cooperation with community leaders striving to preserve the historic riverfront.

"What Is A Mason?" CD-ROM

Bro. Russell H. Wagner, 32°, Valley of Lake Worth, Florida, has compiled materials contributed by Masons from around the world to create a very interesting and enjoyable CD-ROM titled "What Is a Mason?" It contains an eclectic mix of essays on Masonry, links to Internet sites relevant to the Craft, biographical sketches of and quotations by famous Masons, as well as fraternal clip art and many Masonic poems and stories. Income above the cost of producing and distributing the CD-ROM will go to Masonic charities. For more information and cost, http://wpblf.com/Masonry, e-mail Bro. Russell at rusty151@earthlink.net or write to him at: 1073 Camprock Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33417-5419.

In Memoriam

Ill. James R. Rogers, 33°, 1925-1998
Emeritus Member of The Supreme Council

With great sorrow, we record the passing of Ill. James Richard Rogers, 33°, who passed away in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 8, 1998, after a long illness. In these last years, he was sustained by the love of his beloved wife, Faye, his dear friends, Brother Masons, and extended family, the Marvin Williams Sunday School Class of Highlands Methodist Church.
Ill. Rogers was born on July 27, 1925, in Tarrant, Alabama, and served in Combat Engineers in the Far East during WW II. In 1946, he began a 28-year career with Republic Steel, becoming District Manager not only in Alabama but also Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. In 1975, he was appointed a member of the Executive Reserve, Department of Commerce, by the Secretary of Commerce, Washington, D.C. In 1985, Ill. Rogers received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Montevallo in recognition of his many contributions to Alabama and the nation.
Raised a Master Mason in Acipco Lodge No. 855, Birmingham, in 1946, Ill. Rogers embraced Freemasonry wholeheartedly, served the Grand Lodge of Alabama as Grand Marshall, and held important offices in a variety of Masonic organizations. Among them were: the Shrine, Order of Eastern Star, Rainbow, DeMolay, York Rite, Red Cross of Constantine, Royal Order of Scotland and, most of all, the Scottish Rite.
Made a Master of the Royal Secret in 1950 in the Valley of Birmingham, his outstanding work as a ritualist and promoter of Scottish Rite programs caused him to be elected a K.C.C.H. in 1959, coroneted a 33° in 1963, and crowned an Active Member of The Supreme Council in 1975, serving until 1993. Elected Grand Minister of State, he also served as a member on the Ritual Committee.
Grand Commander Kleinknecht was represented at a memorial service for Ill. Rogers by Ill. William M. Hutcheson, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Georgia, joined by Ill. Karl F. Reed, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Alabama. In offering condolences to the widow and family of Ill. Rogers, Grand Commander Kleinknecht expressed the feelings of all the Brethren by saying: "Jim was devoted to the cause of Freemasonry. An esteemed advisor to The Supreme Council, he led the Masons of Alabama and guided and nurtured the Scottish Rite's Childhood Language Disorders Program to establish five clinics for children with communication problems. In all his work, he gave his best in service to others and gained the respect and admiration of all his Masonic Brethren."