Calendar
February 2023
Feb 06 Trustees 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Feb 11 Crunch Hockey Night at the “Crunch” at Upstate Medical University Arena At the Onondaga War Memorial
Puck Drop at 7:00 p.m.
$20.00 per person
Feb 13 Caregivers Recognition at MMC With the Ladies
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Feb 27 Confer 4° (V) “Builder” 29° “Knight of St. Andrew” (V)7:30 p.m.
KSA Program follows the degrees
Refreshments to follow
March 2023
Mar 06 Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Mar 11Children’s Dyslexia Center Gala @ Hart’s Hill Inn
Mar 18 (Saturday) Scottish Rite Mason in a Day @ Masonic Memorial Center
9:00 a.m. Register
9:30 a.m. Open Meeting
10:00 a.m. Confer 4° (V) “Builder”
11° (L) “Sublime Master Elected”
11:00 a.m. Confer 19° (V) “Brother Of The Trail”
23° (V) “Knight of Valor”
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Confer 32° (V) “Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret” w/live Knighting
Ceremony
Consistory
Greeting Brethren, I hope that the first month of 2023 has begun as a healthy, happy and prosperous year for each of you. As I pen this article my thoughts drift back to December 2022 with great sadness when Freemasonry and our community at large lost two mighty pillars. On December 18, Charles Richard Trust, best known as Dick or C. Richard, laid down his working tools of the Craft. Brother Dick was Past Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons, Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar, Past Commander in Chief of the Valley of Syracuse A.A.S.R., 33rd degree Honorary Member of the NMJ Scottish Rite, Past-Master of Pulaski Lodge No. 415 and President of the Oswego District Purple Club. Dick was bigger than life in Lodge or out; always ready with a great story or to spread light from his vault of Masonic knowledge. He wore many hats from Baseball player, US Army Soldier, Father, Husband, Mason, Successful Business Owner, Gentleman and a Friend to so many just to mention a few. He will be sorely missed by all.
On December 29, a second pillar fell. The Hon. Norman A. Mordue. Brother Mordue’s accolades are too many for proper acknowledgment in this article. I will try to summarize and suggest that you review both Brother Mordue and Brother Trust’s Obituaries in the Post Standard. Brother Norman Mordue attended Syracuse University with a full football scholarship. He played under Coach Ben Schwartwalder and alongside Floyd Little and Jim Nance. He was a member of the 1964 Sugar Bowl team. Upon graduating from SU with a BA in Economics he entered the Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Soon after Basic and various other specialty training schools he was deployed to Vietnam. While leading his platoon on a search and clear mission he was severely wounded and received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism, the Bronze Star with V device for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. At the rank of Captain he was retired for wounds he had sustained in combat. He returned to law school at SU and this is where his whirlwind career really begins. After graduation he worked his way from Law Clerk in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office to Chief Assistant District Attorney. After leaving the DA’s Office he was elected to Onondaga County Court Judge, from there to New York State Supreme Court Justice. He next was appointed to the District Court, joining the Federal Bench, followed by his Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation. His list of honors and affiliations are great but not the least of these is that he was a Mason and known best to us as Brother and 33rd Degree Honorary Member NMJ Scottish Rite in the Valley of Syracuse. The world is left a better place for Brother Trust and Brother Mordue’s service to Freemasonry and mankind.
On Saturday February 4, 2023 there will be a Pathfinder Workshop Event presented by D.B. James Nelson, 32 nd degree, MSA and Ill. Richard Powell 33 rd degree Active. It begins with Coffee and Donuts @ 8:30 a.m. followed by the Workshop Program from 9:00 – 12 noon.
Reminder- on February 6, there will be the Trustee’s Meeting @ 6:15 p.m. followed by the Executive Committee @ 7:00 p.m.
Saturday February 11th is “Syracuse Crunch Hockey Time”. “Syracuse Crunch vs. Rochester Americans”. Prepaid Tickets Purchase Cut-off date is February 6.
February 13th will be our Caregiver’s Event. It is my pleasure to announce that the recipient of the Ill. John S. Curtis, 33 rd degree Caregiver Award is Bro. David A. Van Auken, 32 nd degree. Congratulations and well deserved.
Member to Member Contact Committee calling deadline is rapidly approaching. At this writing 4 out of the 11 Calling Books have been completed and turned in. Please complete your calls a.s.a.p. and return the books to the Valley Office. Thank you.
The Children’s Dyslexia Center’s GALA will be held on Saturday March 11, 2023 at Hart’s Inn. All Basket donation submissions for this event must be received at the Learning Center by February 15th.
Happy Valentine’s Day to ALL!
Fraternally,
D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
Greetings Princes. I have located an article on the internet written by the Valley of New York City. It states that in 1797 a Chapter of Rose Croix was formed in New York City, the first for North America. Its secretary was a Frenchman named J.J. Gourgas.
In 1813 the Mother Supreme Council recognized this group. That same year the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction was formed from the Scottish Rite Bodies active in New York. Daniel Tompkins was named the First Sovereign Grand Commander and J.J. Gourgas was Grand Secretary.
Meanwhile Joseph Cerneau, a member of Washington lodge No.21, with another group of masons, formed a rival Chapter of Rose Croix in 1806, and a Grand Consistory in 1807. This group was denied by the Mother Supreme Council of the A.A.S.R. in Charleston until 1867.
When the two rival Supreme Councils in New York merged into form our present Supreme Council for Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, A.A.S.R. All the various Scottish Rite Bodies united to form our present Rose Croix Chapter on February 28, 1880. The Charter issued by the Supreme Council in 1880 shows a founding date of October 30th,1856, which is the official founding date of our Chapter Rose Croix. I hope you found this article informative.
I want to remind all cast members that there is a practice on February 8, 2023 at 7:00P.M.
There is the Caregiver's Dinner with Ladies on February 13, 2023. The Caregiver Award
will be announced and entertainment will be after the dinner. I hope to see you there.
Richard E. Barrett
Most Wise Master.
Council
Valiant Princes,
By the time you read this the 2023 season has already commenced. I hope you all look
forward to the New Year. We also will have conferred the 15th and 16th degree. I wish to thank
all who made time for the rehearsal and casting of the 16th degree. I also wish to congratulate
all CPJ and Valley Officers who have decided to move forward in line for their continued
dedication to the Valley of Syracuse.
As we also reflect let’s not forget as well of our time at the Robert Burn’s Supper and be inspired to keep active in the ensuing Masonic Year. Please keep in mind that Mar 18 th is our Valley Reunion for our incoming Sublime Princes. If you know of anyMason in search of further light in Masonry please refer them to the Valley of Syracuse and get involved.
Until we meet again, may the G:.A:.O:.T:.U:. continue to grant peace and blessings to you, the NMJ, America and our Men and Women of service.
Caleb W. Haines, 32° HGA
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
Princes, Some of you know that goff (golf) is a passion of mine. This time of year gives me an opportunity to repair some of my older clubs (100+ years old) and to catch up on my reading. One of my favorite websites that I mentioned last month is written by noted Scottish author Neil Laird and is entitled Scottish Golf History. I have been in contact with him and have asked his permission to reprint portions of his website entitled Freemasons Invent Golf Club. He has graciously given his permission.
With the exception of northern and Western New York we don’t seem to have transitioned into winter and so I hope you’ll indulge me in my golf musings.
“Though it may be a slight exaggeration to say that the 'Speculative Freemasons' invented the golf club, being a Mason or a Burgess was certainly a condition of the earliest known clubs in Scotland and England. Still today, very few golf clubs in the world do not have some entry criteria, if only financial.”
“Until 1789, the Royal Blackheath GC was open only to Freemasons and for a generation afterwards there was a clique of Masons called the Knuckle Club who played out-of-season on Blackheath to avoid the non-mason members. They continued 'as golfers' only in 1825 and disbanded in 1844. Their minutes and medals are now part of Royal Blackheath GC. “
“The main reason that the members of early golf clubs were Freemasons was because, in the century after 1717, virtually all middle class men of ability in Scotland were Freemasons from senior law officers to skilled artisans as well as poets and writers, as listed here. (Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott were Masons). This was because, from 1717, the Scottish 'stonemason' Freemasons, called Operative Masons, apparently began to allow merchants and professional people, termed Speculative Masons, to join Lodges or create their own. This practice spread elsewhere in the world. For example, in France Voltaire and Napoleon's mistress Josephine were Masons as were the luminaries of the American Revolution including George Washington, who was buried with full Masonic honours.”
During the next few months I’ll share additional information about how the greatest game in the world came to be associated with the greatest fraternity in the world.
Fraternally,
D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Greetings Brothers, Under sickness and distress, I have been informed that Carlton Swanker, Norman A. Mordue, Karl Parker, and Gil Walter, are in need of our aid and Sympathy. Please keep all of them including the family of Ill. Richard Trust in our thoughts and prayers.
The tri-demic of flu, covid, and SRV is still with us so don’t be shy about wearing a mask, using hand sanitzer, and frequently washing your hands or any method of protection that could help.
On a brighter note for us non skiers the snow is gone (1-9-23) and the days are beginning to get just a little bit longer. If anyone is experiencing a personal hardship, please feel free to
contact Robert Tyrrell or myself in strict confidence, we may be able to help in some way.
Dick Freeman – 315-837-4962
freeman1574@frontier.com
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
Exciting new things have happened at the Center. As I reported last time, the Board undertook the major project of getting needed new flooring put down in the Reception area, Halls and Office. Many members came to help remove and replace the books from the bookshelves and Bill and Lou were here to help Gineal and I put all the Reception, Office and closet materials back in their general areas. Gineal and I had moved those with the help of Alyssa and Sharon after the children left on the last day before break.
We look very fresh and clean (and somehow a bit bigger) and are extremely grateful to the Board and Meelan Carpets. So that brings me to the very important GALA, one of our major fundraisers, coming up on March 11th . The funds are needed even more, as the flooring was a bit of an unexpected expense and not in our budget for this year. The Board has covered the cost at this time, but we need to get those funds back in the pool if possible. (If you know of anyone looking for a worthwhile project to support, please let them know about the Center and our flooring venture.)
We are hoping you will come and join us for the GALA. We will again have our basket raffle with baskets on display in the Center and pictures on-line. We will accept baskets at the Center from February 13 th to the 16 th (the Center is closed for school break the week of the 20 th .) We ask that no baskets be brought last minute to the GALA without advance notice as we need time to set up the bags and plan for space for all the baskets at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. The raffle will be an ongoing part of the evening with Entertainment provided by The ACME Mystery Theater Company. Dinner, as always, will be a delicious buffet prepared and served by the staff at Hart’s Hill. Watch for your invitation which should arrive soon and we look forward to seeing you on March 11th .
Thank you again for Being Here for us for the last 19 years- Let’s hope we all make 19 more.
Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- lmartin@cdcinc.org
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
Scottish Rite Degrees March 18, 2023
Registration and Candidates should be present by 8:45 a.m.;Coffee will be available and we will Open at 9:30 a. m.
Five Degrees will be conferred starting at 9:30 a.m. and finished by 4:00p.m. Candidates completing the 5 degrees will be 32° Scottish Rite Masons at the end of the event. All in a one day event.
Initiation Fee: $ 160.00
Bring your Masonic “Blue” Lodge Member’s Card confirming that you are Master Mason in Good Standing in your Masonic Lodge.
New Dates for Spring Events
There has been some reshuffling of the Spring Schedule. PLease note the new dates for the following:
159th Annual Reunion is Monday May 8, 2023
Guard’s Club Dinner / Four Bodies Annual Meeting/Election of 2022-2023 Officers is Monday May 15, 2023
Public Installation of Officers is June 5, 2023
Organizational meeting for Trustees is Monday June 12, 2023.
Please watch the WORD as we progress towards the Spring.
Blue Envelope Appeal
You recently received the annual “Blue Envelope Appeal” letter from Supreme Council requesting your annual contribution. I urge you to support this request. Any contribution you may make is significant. The number of members from a valley that contribute to the “Blue Envelope Appeal” directly impacts the dollar amounts allocated to the Valleys within each state for distribution to our scholars. The percentage of members from each Valley that contribute is key to distribution of the Abbott Scholarship Funds and to the Valley’s rankings in the Supreme Council “Valley of Excellence” ratings.
Abbott Scholarships funded by Supreme Council, NMJ or a New York State Educational Financial Assistance Grant funded by the New York State Scottish Rite Charities Corporation are assisting the children and grandchildren of our current and deceased members.
The Valley of Syracuse submitted financial aid requests for six students seeking financial aid to assist them pay for their education during the 2022-2023 year.
All six of the students related to our Valley’s members that requested financial assistance are currently receiving Scottish Rite funded financial aid for the 2022 - 2023 academic year. These young people are our future. We thank you for your support.
Jim Swan
Valley Secretary
2023 Thursday Night at the Rite
Supreme Council Thursday Night at the Rite program with video degrees and other special events returns Thursday January 19, 2023. The 20° “Master ad Vitam” is featured. Continuing dates are February 2, and 16; March 2, 16, and 30 with the last event April 13, 2023.
E-mail notices will be coming out from the office.
If you have any questions regarding the planned schedule please contact the office. (315) 452-7976 or e-mail at adminny017@twcny.rr.com or ny017@twcny.rr.com .
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary
2023 – 2024 Scholarship Applications Available
Applications to apply for 2023 – 2024 Academic Year Supreme Council, AASR Leon M. Abbott Scholarships and New York State Council of Deliberation Scholarship Aid are now available for online pick up at the Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R. Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite Web Site. Go to the Valley of Syracuse Web site www.syr-aasr.org or the New York State Council of Deliberation Web site www.nyscottishritemasons.org for the links to obtain the information online. Applications received from a Scottish Rite Mason’s relatives are to be submitted thru the member’s Valley of membership.
Application titled “2023-Abbott-Application” is to be used.
To all applicants submitting your application thru the Valley of Syracuse: The deadline date to submit your completed applications to the Valley of Syracuse business office is Monday April 3, 2023. That means in the office by close of business Monday April 3, 2023. Applications received after 4:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2023 will not be considered.
New Applications must be used. The 2023 Leon M. Abbott Scholarship Application to be used.
Graduating High School Seniors may apply again this year.
The members of our Masonic Youth Groups; Triangle, Rainbow, and DeMolay; are eligible to apply for financial assistance. A masonic relationship is not required.
Students who complete the program at the Children’s Dyslexia Centers in New York State may also apply. A masonic relationship is not required.
Six applicants from the Valley of Syracuse received financial assistance from this program for the 2022-2023 scholastic year. Congratulations and best wishes to them. Please contact the Valley Office at (315) 452-7976 or adminny017@twcny.rr.com if you have any questions or require assistance and information.
2023 Annual Membership Dues
Thank you to those who have paid their 2023 Member’s Dues. A reminder that the 2023 Members Dues payments are due.
If your Member’s Dues for 2022 and earlier years were not paid by January 31, 2023 your membership in the Valley of Syracuse could be suspended by Supreme Council for non-payment of your Member’s dues.
A new 2023 Scottish Rite Member’s Dues Card was included with your invoice for your 2023 Member’s dues. If you have misplaced it or did not receive the 2023 Annual Member’s Dues card please notify the office and a replacement card will be requested for you.
If your 2023 Member’s Dues were not received by the Valley of Syracuse office or Supreme Council by January 31, 2023 you will receive another follow up notice from Supreme Council in your mail in February. Please respond to that request.
If you have any questions regarding the status of your payment of your 2023 Member’s Dues please contact the Valley office. (315) 452-7976 or e-mail at adminny017@twcny.rr.com or ny017@twcny.rr.com .
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary
February 2023
Feb 06 Trustees 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Feb 11 Crunch Hockey Night at the “Crunch” at Upstate Medical University Arena At the Onondaga War Memorial
Puck Drop at 7:00 p.m.
$20.00 per person
Feb 13 Caregivers Recognition at MMC With the Ladies
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Feb 27 Confer 4° (V) “Builder” 29° “Knight of St. Andrew” (V)7:30 p.m.
KSA Program follows the degrees
Refreshments to follow
March 2023
Mar 06 Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Mar 11Children’s Dyslexia Center Gala @ Hart’s Hill Inn
Mar 18 (Saturday) Scottish Rite Mason in a Day @ Masonic Memorial Center
9:00 a.m. Register
9:30 a.m. Open Meeting
10:00 a.m. Confer 4° (V) “Builder”
11° (L) “Sublime Master Elected”
11:00 a.m. Confer 19° (V) “Brother Of The Trail”
23° (V) “Knight of Valor”
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Confer 32° (V) “Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret” w/live Knighting
Ceremony
Consistory
Greeting Brethren, I hope that the first month of 2023 has begun as a healthy, happy and prosperous year for each of you. As I pen this article my thoughts drift back to December 2022 with great sadness when Freemasonry and our community at large lost two mighty pillars. On December 18, Charles Richard Trust, best known as Dick or C. Richard, laid down his working tools of the Craft. Brother Dick was Past Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons, Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar, Past Commander in Chief of the Valley of Syracuse A.A.S.R., 33rd degree Honorary Member of the NMJ Scottish Rite, Past-Master of Pulaski Lodge No. 415 and President of the Oswego District Purple Club. Dick was bigger than life in Lodge or out; always ready with a great story or to spread light from his vault of Masonic knowledge. He wore many hats from Baseball player, US Army Soldier, Father, Husband, Mason, Successful Business Owner, Gentleman and a Friend to so many just to mention a few. He will be sorely missed by all.
On December 29, a second pillar fell. The Hon. Norman A. Mordue. Brother Mordue’s accolades are too many for proper acknowledgment in this article. I will try to summarize and suggest that you review both Brother Mordue and Brother Trust’s Obituaries in the Post Standard. Brother Norman Mordue attended Syracuse University with a full football scholarship. He played under Coach Ben Schwartwalder and alongside Floyd Little and Jim Nance. He was a member of the 1964 Sugar Bowl team. Upon graduating from SU with a BA in Economics he entered the Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Soon after Basic and various other specialty training schools he was deployed to Vietnam. While leading his platoon on a search and clear mission he was severely wounded and received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism, the Bronze Star with V device for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. At the rank of Captain he was retired for wounds he had sustained in combat. He returned to law school at SU and this is where his whirlwind career really begins. After graduation he worked his way from Law Clerk in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office to Chief Assistant District Attorney. After leaving the DA’s Office he was elected to Onondaga County Court Judge, from there to New York State Supreme Court Justice. He next was appointed to the District Court, joining the Federal Bench, followed by his Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation. His list of honors and affiliations are great but not the least of these is that he was a Mason and known best to us as Brother and 33rd Degree Honorary Member NMJ Scottish Rite in the Valley of Syracuse. The world is left a better place for Brother Trust and Brother Mordue’s service to Freemasonry and mankind.
On Saturday February 4, 2023 there will be a Pathfinder Workshop Event presented by D.B. James Nelson, 32 nd degree, MSA and Ill. Richard Powell 33 rd degree Active. It begins with Coffee and Donuts @ 8:30 a.m. followed by the Workshop Program from 9:00 – 12 noon.
Reminder- on February 6, there will be the Trustee’s Meeting @ 6:15 p.m. followed by the Executive Committee @ 7:00 p.m.
Saturday February 11th is “Syracuse Crunch Hockey Time”. “Syracuse Crunch vs. Rochester Americans”. Prepaid Tickets Purchase Cut-off date is February 6.
February 13th will be our Caregiver’s Event. It is my pleasure to announce that the recipient of the Ill. John S. Curtis, 33 rd degree Caregiver Award is Bro. David A. Van Auken, 32 nd degree. Congratulations and well deserved.
Member to Member Contact Committee calling deadline is rapidly approaching. At this writing 4 out of the 11 Calling Books have been completed and turned in. Please complete your calls a.s.a.p. and return the books to the Valley Office. Thank you.
The Children’s Dyslexia Center’s GALA will be held on Saturday March 11, 2023 at Hart’s Inn. All Basket donation submissions for this event must be received at the Learning Center by February 15th.
Happy Valentine’s Day to ALL!
Fraternally,
D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
Greetings Princes. I have located an article on the internet written by the Valley of New York City. It states that in 1797 a Chapter of Rose Croix was formed in New York City, the first for North America. Its secretary was a Frenchman named J.J. Gourgas.
In 1813 the Mother Supreme Council recognized this group. That same year the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction was formed from the Scottish Rite Bodies active in New York. Daniel Tompkins was named the First Sovereign Grand Commander and J.J. Gourgas was Grand Secretary.
Meanwhile Joseph Cerneau, a member of Washington lodge No.21, with another group of masons, formed a rival Chapter of Rose Croix in 1806, and a Grand Consistory in 1807. This group was denied by the Mother Supreme Council of the A.A.S.R. in Charleston until 1867.
When the two rival Supreme Councils in New York merged into form our present Supreme Council for Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, A.A.S.R. All the various Scottish Rite Bodies united to form our present Rose Croix Chapter on February 28, 1880. The Charter issued by the Supreme Council in 1880 shows a founding date of October 30th,1856, which is the official founding date of our Chapter Rose Croix. I hope you found this article informative.
I want to remind all cast members that there is a practice on February 8, 2023 at 7:00P.M.
There is the Caregiver's Dinner with Ladies on February 13, 2023. The Caregiver Award
will be announced and entertainment will be after the dinner. I hope to see you there.
Richard E. Barrett
Most Wise Master.
Council
Valiant Princes,
By the time you read this the 2023 season has already commenced. I hope you all look
forward to the New Year. We also will have conferred the 15th and 16th degree. I wish to thank
all who made time for the rehearsal and casting of the 16th degree. I also wish to congratulate
all CPJ and Valley Officers who have decided to move forward in line for their continued
dedication to the Valley of Syracuse.
As we also reflect let’s not forget as well of our time at the Robert Burn’s Supper and be inspired to keep active in the ensuing Masonic Year. Please keep in mind that Mar 18 th is our Valley Reunion for our incoming Sublime Princes. If you know of anyMason in search of further light in Masonry please refer them to the Valley of Syracuse and get involved.
Until we meet again, may the G:.A:.O:.T:.U:. continue to grant peace and blessings to you, the NMJ, America and our Men and Women of service.
Caleb W. Haines, 32° HGA
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
Princes, Some of you know that goff (golf) is a passion of mine. This time of year gives me an opportunity to repair some of my older clubs (100+ years old) and to catch up on my reading. One of my favorite websites that I mentioned last month is written by noted Scottish author Neil Laird and is entitled Scottish Golf History. I have been in contact with him and have asked his permission to reprint portions of his website entitled Freemasons Invent Golf Club. He has graciously given his permission.
With the exception of northern and Western New York we don’t seem to have transitioned into winter and so I hope you’ll indulge me in my golf musings.
“Though it may be a slight exaggeration to say that the 'Speculative Freemasons' invented the golf club, being a Mason or a Burgess was certainly a condition of the earliest known clubs in Scotland and England. Still today, very few golf clubs in the world do not have some entry criteria, if only financial.”
“Until 1789, the Royal Blackheath GC was open only to Freemasons and for a generation afterwards there was a clique of Masons called the Knuckle Club who played out-of-season on Blackheath to avoid the non-mason members. They continued 'as golfers' only in 1825 and disbanded in 1844. Their minutes and medals are now part of Royal Blackheath GC. “
“The main reason that the members of early golf clubs were Freemasons was because, in the century after 1717, virtually all middle class men of ability in Scotland were Freemasons from senior law officers to skilled artisans as well as poets and writers, as listed here. (Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott were Masons). This was because, from 1717, the Scottish 'stonemason' Freemasons, called Operative Masons, apparently began to allow merchants and professional people, termed Speculative Masons, to join Lodges or create their own. This practice spread elsewhere in the world. For example, in France Voltaire and Napoleon's mistress Josephine were Masons as were the luminaries of the American Revolution including George Washington, who was buried with full Masonic honours.”
During the next few months I’ll share additional information about how the greatest game in the world came to be associated with the greatest fraternity in the world.
Fraternally,
D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Greetings Brothers, Under sickness and distress, I have been informed that Carlton Swanker, Norman A. Mordue, Karl Parker, and Gil Walter, are in need of our aid and Sympathy. Please keep all of them including the family of Ill. Richard Trust in our thoughts and prayers.
The tri-demic of flu, covid, and SRV is still with us so don’t be shy about wearing a mask, using hand sanitzer, and frequently washing your hands or any method of protection that could help.
On a brighter note for us non skiers the snow is gone (1-9-23) and the days are beginning to get just a little bit longer. If anyone is experiencing a personal hardship, please feel free to
contact Robert Tyrrell or myself in strict confidence, we may be able to help in some way.
Dick Freeman – 315-837-4962
freeman1574@frontier.com
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
Exciting new things have happened at the Center. As I reported last time, the Board undertook the major project of getting needed new flooring put down in the Reception area, Halls and Office. Many members came to help remove and replace the books from the bookshelves and Bill and Lou were here to help Gineal and I put all the Reception, Office and closet materials back in their general areas. Gineal and I had moved those with the help of Alyssa and Sharon after the children left on the last day before break.
We look very fresh and clean (and somehow a bit bigger) and are extremely grateful to the Board and Meelan Carpets. So that brings me to the very important GALA, one of our major fundraisers, coming up on March 11th . The funds are needed even more, as the flooring was a bit of an unexpected expense and not in our budget for this year. The Board has covered the cost at this time, but we need to get those funds back in the pool if possible. (If you know of anyone looking for a worthwhile project to support, please let them know about the Center and our flooring venture.)
We are hoping you will come and join us for the GALA. We will again have our basket raffle with baskets on display in the Center and pictures on-line. We will accept baskets at the Center from February 13 th to the 16 th (the Center is closed for school break the week of the 20 th .) We ask that no baskets be brought last minute to the GALA without advance notice as we need time to set up the bags and plan for space for all the baskets at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. The raffle will be an ongoing part of the evening with Entertainment provided by The ACME Mystery Theater Company. Dinner, as always, will be a delicious buffet prepared and served by the staff at Hart’s Hill. Watch for your invitation which should arrive soon and we look forward to seeing you on March 11th .
Thank you again for Being Here for us for the last 19 years- Let’s hope we all make 19 more.
Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- lmartin@cdcinc.org
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
Scottish Rite Degrees March 18, 2023
Registration and Candidates should be present by 8:45 a.m.;Coffee will be available and we will Open at 9:30 a. m.
Five Degrees will be conferred starting at 9:30 a.m. and finished by 4:00p.m. Candidates completing the 5 degrees will be 32° Scottish Rite Masons at the end of the event. All in a one day event.
Initiation Fee: $ 160.00
Bring your Masonic “Blue” Lodge Member’s Card confirming that you are Master Mason in Good Standing in your Masonic Lodge.
New Dates for Spring Events
There has been some reshuffling of the Spring Schedule. PLease note the new dates for the following:
159th Annual Reunion is Monday May 8, 2023
Guard’s Club Dinner / Four Bodies Annual Meeting/Election of 2022-2023 Officers is Monday May 15, 2023
Public Installation of Officers is June 5, 2023
Organizational meeting for Trustees is Monday June 12, 2023.
Please watch the WORD as we progress towards the Spring.
Blue Envelope Appeal
You recently received the annual “Blue Envelope Appeal” letter from Supreme Council requesting your annual contribution. I urge you to support this request. Any contribution you may make is significant. The number of members from a valley that contribute to the “Blue Envelope Appeal” directly impacts the dollar amounts allocated to the Valleys within each state for distribution to our scholars. The percentage of members from each Valley that contribute is key to distribution of the Abbott Scholarship Funds and to the Valley’s rankings in the Supreme Council “Valley of Excellence” ratings.
Abbott Scholarships funded by Supreme Council, NMJ or a New York State Educational Financial Assistance Grant funded by the New York State Scottish Rite Charities Corporation are assisting the children and grandchildren of our current and deceased members.
The Valley of Syracuse submitted financial aid requests for six students seeking financial aid to assist them pay for their education during the 2022-2023 year.
All six of the students related to our Valley’s members that requested financial assistance are currently receiving Scottish Rite funded financial aid for the 2022 - 2023 academic year. These young people are our future. We thank you for your support.
Jim Swan
Valley Secretary
2023 Thursday Night at the Rite
Supreme Council Thursday Night at the Rite program with video degrees and other special events returns Thursday January 19, 2023. The 20° “Master ad Vitam” is featured. Continuing dates are February 2, and 16; March 2, 16, and 30 with the last event April 13, 2023.
E-mail notices will be coming out from the office.
If you have any questions regarding the planned schedule please contact the office. (315) 452-7976 or e-mail at adminny017@twcny.rr.com or ny017@twcny.rr.com .
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary
2023 – 2024 Scholarship Applications Available
Applications to apply for 2023 – 2024 Academic Year Supreme Council, AASR Leon M. Abbott Scholarships and New York State Council of Deliberation Scholarship Aid are now available for online pick up at the Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R. Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite Web Site. Go to the Valley of Syracuse Web site www.syr-aasr.org or the New York State Council of Deliberation Web site www.nyscottishritemasons.org for the links to obtain the information online. Applications received from a Scottish Rite Mason’s relatives are to be submitted thru the member’s Valley of membership.
Application titled “2023-Abbott-Application” is to be used.
To all applicants submitting your application thru the Valley of Syracuse: The deadline date to submit your completed applications to the Valley of Syracuse business office is Monday April 3, 2023. That means in the office by close of business Monday April 3, 2023. Applications received after 4:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2023 will not be considered.
New Applications must be used. The 2023 Leon M. Abbott Scholarship Application to be used.
Graduating High School Seniors may apply again this year.
The members of our Masonic Youth Groups; Triangle, Rainbow, and DeMolay; are eligible to apply for financial assistance. A masonic relationship is not required.
Students who complete the program at the Children’s Dyslexia Centers in New York State may also apply. A masonic relationship is not required.
Six applicants from the Valley of Syracuse received financial assistance from this program for the 2022-2023 scholastic year. Congratulations and best wishes to them. Please contact the Valley Office at (315) 452-7976 or adminny017@twcny.rr.com if you have any questions or require assistance and information.
2023 Annual Membership Dues
Thank you to those who have paid their 2023 Member’s Dues. A reminder that the 2023 Members Dues payments are due.
If your Member’s Dues for 2022 and earlier years were not paid by January 31, 2023 your membership in the Valley of Syracuse could be suspended by Supreme Council for non-payment of your Member’s dues.
A new 2023 Scottish Rite Member’s Dues Card was included with your invoice for your 2023 Member’s dues. If you have misplaced it or did not receive the 2023 Annual Member’s Dues card please notify the office and a replacement card will be requested for you.
If your 2023 Member’s Dues were not received by the Valley of Syracuse office or Supreme Council by January 31, 2023 you will receive another follow up notice from Supreme Council in your mail in February. Please respond to that request.
If you have any questions regarding the status of your payment of your 2023 Member’s Dues please contact the Valley office. (315) 452-7976 or e-mail at adminny017@twcny.rr.com or ny017@twcny.rr.com .
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary
