Calendar
June 2021
Jun 7 Trustees Annual / Executive Committee “ZOOM” Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Jun 14 Knights of St. Andrew In-Person Meeting 7:30 PM
Note: We will continue to send Specific Event invitation notices from the office for all personal and virtual future events as we are allowed to meet.
Dates and times for all events are subject to change as we continue to work around the COVID-19 Pandemic Meeting restrictions
We are taking direction from the Grand Master, Sovereign Grand Commander, and the Memorial Masonic Temple Corporation Trustees directing the scheduling of meetings and events in the North Syracuse Masonic Memorial Center.
Consistory
Greetings,
What a year we have had in the Valley of Syracuse! Thanks to the talent, skills and dedication of our members the Valley of Syracuse was able to present programs for our Scottish Rite Brothers to participate in while sitting in the comfort and safety of their homes. For this I am extremely grateful. Many of our programs would not have been possible if they did not receive the support of Ill.: David P. Spencer, 33° Deputy for New York State.
We presented two virtual radio degrees, the 7th and 23rd degrees with the talents of the Ill.: Gary Hartman, 33° and Ill.: Richard J. Powell, 33°, these degrees were adapted, and special scenes and effects added to enhance the presentation of these degrees. Thanks to D.B. Terry Byard, 32°, M.S.A. and D.B. William H. Toth II, 32° M.S.A. respectively for casting these degrees. Many compliments were received for the presentation of these degrees. My thanks to all the cast members who took part.
Other virtual events were a special Music program presented by D.B. James Nelson, 32° M.S.A., The Robert Burns Supper was presented by Ill.: Richard J. Powell, 33°and was a success. The Children’s Dyslexia Center Virtual Gala fundraiser was successful. S.P.R.S. Gary Hamburg, 32° and the M.W.M. of the Chapter of Rose Croix put a cast together a cast for a live presentation of the Feast of the Paschal Lamb. This was live streamed for the benefit of those who could not attend in person due to Covid restrictions still in place, thanks to the skills of S.P.R.S. Joseph Stabb, 32°. Joe will be missed as he leaves for Tennessee in August to accept a teaching position there, Good Luck Joe!
Our first Rite on the Road presented by Terry brought in 4 new members, Good job Terry!
Thanks to S.P.R.S. James McNeal for taking on the task of organizing the D.S.A. members into a vital service group to become involved in activities that will enhance the events in our Valley.
I was pleased that we Knighted 9 of our newest members S.P.R.S. 32° A.A.S.R. Thanks for my Knighting team of Ill.: David E. Barnes, 33°, Ill.: Richard J. Powell, 33° and D.B. Douglas H. Storey, 32° M.S.A. We still have many Brother’s waiting to receive their 32 nd degree as soon as we can schedule another live event.
If your Lodge would like a Scottish Rite program for your Trestleboard please contact our office.
Special thanks go to our talented and dedicated office staff, Ill.: James D. Swan Jr., 33°, Sharon Swan and Sharon Fox. We are lucky to have them there.
Fraternally,
D.B. Lawrence W. Egnaczyk, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief
lwegnaczyk@verizon.net / (H) Ph. # 315-637-4143 / (C) Ph. # 315-632-1043
Chapter
The Chapter of Rose Criox’s year is drawing to a close, as I pen this article, with the election of new officers that was held on May 10 th . As the elected officers of the chapter have chosen to advance in their positions this will be my last article to my fellow brothers as Most Wise Master of the chapter.
The year was short due to the Covid 19 pandemic with the chapter limited to one event and no dinners. I am very thankful to all my fellow brothers that participated in the Feast of the Paschal Lamb which I felt was well done and honored those members who have passed on. This event may have been the first to be shown on the internet live by the Valley of Syracuse, but I trust not the last. Thank you to the new Senior Warden, Joe Stabb, for his experience to video this event
live online.
I would be remiss not to say Thank You also to Caleb Haines and Hank Havener, both Past Most Wise Masters, for their support and training while I served as Junior and Senior Warden. I trust that I have given to both Richard Barrett, the new Most Wise Master and Joe Stabb, Senior Warden, enough support and encouragement to perform their duties in the coming year. Remember that I am only a phone call away for advice and support.
The greatest Thank You needs to be expressed to the Administration staff (Jim, Sharon and Sharon), Larry Egnaczyk, Terry Byard (one of my sponsors for the Valley) and Jim McNeal for their encouragement, support and to do what is necessary to see that the Valley of Syracuse is the best possible in the Northern Jurisdiction. I have enjoyed this year, and to those I have not mentioned personally in this article but who have helped to make me a better Scottish Rite member, big Thank You.
I look forward to seeing all of you at the upcoming events as the Valley gets back to business as usual.
Gary W. Hamburg, 32°
Most Wise Master
Council
Greetings Sovereign Princes.
People are planting flowers and golfing, birds are singing in the early morning and people are actually outside – could it be that summer is finally coming to Central New York? I for one hope so because that means that getting together, at least in some capacity, can’t be far behind.
By the time you read this the Valley will have installed the officers for the next year. Let’s hope that this year we can do some live events, in a safe way of course. I wanted to take a moment to wish all the fathers out there a Happy Father’s Day on June 20th. Also don’t forget that Flag Day is June 14th so please fly our nation's flag with pride.
One thing that we would like to see more of is ideas from Brothers who are not officers, you never know if something will work until you try it. We have some of the most innovative and creative Brothers in all of Scottish Rite here in your Valley, let’s hear from you.
Stay safe everybody. God bless you all, Freemasons, our military and this great country.
James McNeal, 32º DSA
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
Greetings Princes: By the time of this writing, we should be full into our summer months, with fun and family in the great outdoors! We have many hopes that this summer brings renewed freedom from the long and laborious restrictions of COVID 19. Speaking of renewal, this Summer also marks renewed spirit in the Valley of Syracuse. May 10 th the Valley hosted its annual meeting, election and installation of Officers. Several Officers will be remaining in their positions, a few will be moving up, and a couple of new leaders have stepped up to play a more active role in the Valley. I know all are excited about serving the Valley and working hard to make the 2021-2022 season the best term ever. Congratulations to the entire Valley Leadership team for their dedication to our gentile craft.
Among the renewed spirit, is a project to enhance interest in the Valleys Knights of St. Andrew Chapter. The Knights of St. Andrew is a service club with the mission is to assist the Presiding Officers of the four Central City Bodies in the events and degrees of the Valley all while having fun with a Scottish flair. On Monday, May 24, 2021, the Syracuse Chapter held a reorganizational Zoom Meeting and plan on hosting an in-person evening of initiation, election and installation of officers on Monday, June 14 th . I highly recommend all our new Princes to get involved and attend the June 14 th Meeting. Also, we are so happy to say our 2021 Family Life Picnic is ON and scheduled for Saturday August 7th , at the Cicero Legion. It is sure to be a great Family event with great BBQ and games for the whole Family.
As the Leadership team continues to develop a content-filled program for the Valley, we hope you all will find renewed interest in the Scottish Rite and come out and support your valley. If you have found it to be an important part of your Masonic experience, ask a Brother to Join.
With Thursday Night at the Rite, Rite on the Road, and active Valley resources it's easier than ever to get started. In closing, The Lodge of Perfection and the Valley want to wish you and your Families the absolute best of summers, with warmth, sunshine, freedom, and Fun.
God Bless!
Terry A. Byard, 32° DSA
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Greetings Brothers, In last month’s article I said that I would address some of the issues of growing old. Each decade of our life is devoted to a specific task….for example, buying a home, raising a family, and planning our retirement. At age 70, ( for those of us lucky enough to get there ), we begin to address our mortality.
In my early seventies I began to notice a change in my abilities. What once was a brisk walk out to get the mail, has now slowed so that I have to stop and catch my breath. Things that I always did now became harder – such as maintaining the car, and doing yard work. Each year seems to bring on a new ache or pain, and a referral to another specialist. Aging is not just a physical
adaptation, but also an emotional one. Next month, I will address the emotional interaction with aging.
Please continue to keep those in need… in our thoughts. The Hospitalers Fund is always in need. If you are able to help, please send a check made out to Central City Bodies, and directed for the Hospitalers Fund, and if you hurry there may be some new Scottish Rite masks left. Stop by the Office and buy one.
If you are in need of some confidential assistance please contact Bob Tyrrell or myself…We may be able to provide some type of help.
Continue to follow safe guidelines…
Dick Freeman – 315-837-4962
freeman1574@frontier.com
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
All of us at the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY are finding it hard to believe that we are coming to the end of our academic year. It does not seem possible that we have done this last year following all the protocols for COVID-19 and due to that, had no first-hand issues with COVID. That being said, it does not mean that we did not have attendance issues on the part of both tutors and children due to possible exposure outside of the Center. We pray that next year will find us being able to resume a more normal schedule. We will have nine students returning next year, and at this time, are planning on welcoming eight new children. We have recruited a new class of three tutor/scholars for next fall and have two scholars from the last two years completing their training this month. Busy time!!!
We were deeply sorry to not have our Recognition Ceremony last June due to the pandemic and are very happy to be able to acknowledge all of the children and tutors from the last two years this June. Even though we cannot open the event to the public, as we have in the past (it is an Invitation/Reservation only admittance, following current COVID guidelines), I want to reiterate that this only happens because of your continued support of our program.
The Center continues to be busy with activity as tutors help their children close down their year (I am sure you will understand why we will not have a Summer Session this year), I am busy doing Post- Assessments on all of the children (another thing that did not happen last year due to COVID) and we are working on our schedule and roster for this coming fall. Gineal keeps us all on track, making sure we complete all of the End-of-Year requirements for Headquarters.
Although I cannot hope to see many of you at the Recognition Ceremony, I do hope to get to see as many as possible at the Annual Golf Tourney on August 6 th at Vesper Hills Golf Course. I am no threat to anyone as I have not played golf since our last Tourney. Also, keep a lookout for our Fall events and new of next year’s GALA.
Blessing to all and have a Super Summer!
Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- lmartin@cdcinc.org
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
2021 Teddy Bear Golf Classic
Reserve Friday August 6, 2021. The live Teddy Bear Classic Golf Tournament to support Children’s Dyslexia Center -Central New York is back in 2021. The Captain and Crew format tournament tees off at 10:00 a.m. at Vesper Hills Golf Course in Vesper, NY (Tully) with refreshments at the turn and a pork BB-Q when you finish.
Cost is $100.00 per golfer. Ladies and non Masonic golfers are welcome. Contact Craig Cobb (315) 446-0625; cobb3@verizon.net or the Valley of Syracuse office (315) 452-7976; ny017@twcny.rr.com if you have questions. Hole sponsors with a sign on the tee of the hole you sponsor are welcomed at $100.00 per hole. One hundred (100) Tickets are also available to win a custom fitted driver or $ 300.00 at $ 20.00 per ticket. Contact Craig Cobb or the Valley office to enter the drawing.
SPECIAL INVITATION TO ALL AREA MASONIC LODGES AND MASTER MASONS
Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R., Valley of Syracuse Invites YOU To a Masonic Lodge Outreach and Scottish Rite “Rite on the Road” Degrees Conferral Program
What: A Scottish Rite degree conferral program to confer the 4° “Builder”; the first Scottish Rite degree starting a Master Mason’s journey to become a 32° Scottish Rite Mason in a Master Mason’s Home Lodge and Community.
Where: At a Masonic Lodge building in your Community
When: On a scheduled date at a convenient time selected by your Masonic Lodge.
A Membership Team representative from Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R., Valley of Syracuse will make contact with your Masonic Lodge or you may contact the Valley of Syracuse Office for more information - Phone: (315) 452-7976 / E-mail: ny017@twcny.rr.com
Annual Member’s Dues Payments
A Notice to all members of the Valley of Syracuse - The collection cycle for paying Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R., Valley of Syracuse Annual Member’s Dues was changed by Supreme Council effective August 2020.
Member’s Dues notices for 2021 were sent from Supreme Council to all members in August 2020. If you have paid your Member’s Dues for 2021 and prior years if owed; thank you. If you have not paid your 2021 Member’s Dues to date. Please do so as soon as possible. Special notices will be sent out from Supreme Council to all members who are not current in their Member’s Dues payments in a few weeks.
Please contact the Valley office if you are experiencing difficulty in paying your dues. 315-492-7976 or ny017@twcny.rr.com
Your Scottish Rite membership in the Central City Bodies for all members owing dues for years 2019 and prior on June 10, 2021 will be suspended effective June 10, 2021. You will receive your 2022 Member’s Dues invoice sent from Supreme Council by the end of August 2021.
Please take notice that your 2022 Member’s Dues will increase by $3.00 for 2022 due to an increase in the Supreme Council Assessments charged to every member.
Summer events
Two very successful summertime Family Life programs; a baseball game night at the Syracuse Chiefs, now the Syracuse Mets, at the north side ballpark and a “Family Life” picnic at Cicero American Legion Post run in past years were very popular and well attended events. Both events were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.
We are in the preliminary planning stages to reinstate these events during the 2021 Summer months with our ability to host these events totally in the hands of the status of the COVID-19 restrictions regarding social gatherings
A date for the ball game event has not been set. The Family life picnic is tentatively scheduled for Saturday August 7, 2021 at the Cicero American Legion facilities.
Keep these events in mind as the days go by and hopefully we will be able to hold these events in the coming months. Your comments and thoughts about these events are welcomed by your office staff and Valley officers.
