Calendar
Mar 06 Executive Committee 7:00 p.m. Mar 12 CRC Rehearse 18⁰ 7:00 p.m. Mar 13 St. Patrick’s Day Irish Night Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m. Mar 18 (Saturday) CPJ Confer 16⁰ & 18⁰ Open 10:00 a.m. / Confer 16⁰ 10:30 a.m. / Lunch 11:30 a.m. / Confer 18⁰ 1:00 p.m. Mar 20 CRC Feast Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Mar 27 CON Confer 31⁰ (V) & MSA Recognition Night 7:30 p.m. Refreshments to follow Apr 03 Executive Committee 7:00 p.m. Apr 08 (Saturday) Feast of the Paschal Lamb Ceremony 2:30 p.m. / Buffet 4:00 p.m. Apr 10 Consistory Rehearsal 32⁰ 7:00 p.m. Apr 17 Consistory Rehearsal 32⁰ 7:00 p.m. Apr 24 Trustees Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee 7:00 p.m. Apr 29 (Saturday) Consistory Confer 26⁰ & 32⁰ Registration 9:00 a.m. Open 10:00 a.m. Confer 26⁰ (Video) 10:30 a.m Lunch 11:30 a.m. Confer 32⁰ 1:00 p.m. Consistory Greetings Brethren, As I write this article in February, the day is calm, mildly chilly but not a flake in sight. I hope that when you are reading this in March, we can say the same. March is another busy month. We have the Trustees & Executive Committee meetings on the 6th; a St. Patrick’s Day Program on the 13th; 18° Rehearsal on Sunday the 12th with the conferral on Saturday the 18th along with the 16°; a rehearsal for the Feast of the Paschal Lamb on the 20th: and finally on the 27th, the conferral of the 31° and MSA Recognition Night. The St. Patrick’s evening is something not done in my time with the Scottish Rite. Many of you know that my lovely wife is from Ireland, and I thought it would be nice to try to bring a little of Ireland to the Valley for one evening. We will tell you a bit of the country, Masonry there and try out a song or two. I hope to see you all out for these events and pray the weather cooperates. The Children’s Dyslexia Center, CNY will hold its 3nd Annual Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, March 11th at the Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro, NY. The Center is sponsored by the Valleys of Syracuse and Utica, who have a sizable financial responsibility to its success. I ask that any who can attend this event, to please do - it is a very worthwhile cause and we are very proud of the work the Center does. This a great event, a lot of fun and it supports a great cause. If you cannot attend, please consider a donation. For more information, call our office. We will hold a Scottish Rite Orientation/Mentoring Session on the morning of Saturday, May 6th See D.B. Egnaczyk’s article below for more details.details will be forthcoming. Finally, at the time of this writing, I am very sad to report that MW & Ill. Brother Bruce Widger’s health is failing. Bruce has been a great friend, mentor & brother to many of us. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I look forward to seeing you at these events... Fraternally, Ill.'. Richard J Powell, 33° Commander in Chief Chapter Brethren On Monday evening, March 13th, our St. Patrick’s Day Irish Night will take place. Social Hour starts at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30 and a program at 7:30. Have your reservation, along with a check, mailed to the Valley of Syracuse Office prior to Thursday, March 9th. Portrayal of the 16 & 18 for the Ill. Gary H. Kall Class of Candidates will take place on Saturday, March 18th, starting at 10:00 AM. Lunch will be served between degrees. If your college aged child or grandchild has applied for admission to college and could use some financial assistance, remind him or her that the deadline for application submission for the Leon M. Abbott and/or Council of Deliberation Scholarship is drawing near. All applications, complete with required attachments must be received in the Valley of Syracuse Office prior to April 1st. D.B. Douglas H. Storey, 32° MSA Most Wise Master Council Greetings Princes! On Saturday March 18 th , the Council Princes will be putting on the 16 th Degree. We are taught through the example of Zerubbabel the lessons of loyalty to conviction, fidelity to duty and devotion to truth. This degree contains many other lessons for those of you who been witness to this degree in the past. These degrees give us opportunity to take new lessons, if we but pursue it. Just as the Degrees of Blue Lodge, where we can gain new or fresh insight with each time we participate, the Degrees of Scottish Rite give us plenty to feast upon for further reflection. We also are given ample opportunity to build bonds with our brothers from other lodges. I hope we get to see you turn out on the 18th , share the conferral of two degrees, the 16th and 18th , and welcome our newer members into the deeper fraternal bonds that our Valley offers. Your involvement and participation is rewarded by the efforts you put into it. Sincerely and Fraternally, James A. Nelson, 32º Sovereign Prince Lodge Greetings My Brothers. I don’t know about you, but I could use some sunshine and warmer weather. I have had enough of the overcast and gray days of winter. Living in Syracuse in the winter is like living in a cave for 6 months. On the trestle board for March we find that on the 13 th we will have our St. Patrick’s Day- Irish Night. Our Commander In Chief promises it will be a night you won’t want to miss. On Saturday March 18, the 16th and 18th Degree will be conferred. March 27th the 31st Degree will be presented via video and we will honor our MSA’s. Just as a reminder, the Feast of the Paschal Lamb will take place on April 8th . Until next month, may the Great Architect keep you safe and well. Fraternally, H. Bruce Naumann, 32° Thrice Potent Master Hospitaler Greetings Brethren, Sadly, this past winter has taken its toll on our Valley members and their families as well. Spring will soon be here and give many of us that psychological shot in the arm, as we watch the snow-banks begin to melt, and the days getting a little longer. Donations in the form of gift baskets are being requested for a fund raising event at the Learning Center in Oriskany, coming up early in March. If you have any suitable items lying around the house, this would be a great opportunity to help these children. As always, under sickness and distress, Bob Tyrrell and I are the go-to guys. Give us a call if you are in need of assistance. Dick Freeman, 32° Hospitaler tel. 315-837-4962 freeman1574@frontier.com Welcome to My World Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY Here we are in the New Year with our mid-year assessments behind us and many great things to look forward to ahead of us. One of which, you know, is the GALA on March 11 th . We have been excited with the response so far and hope to surpass the attendance and fund-raising of last year. I trust you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Our tutors are moving forward and reviewing as necessary after the midyear assessment meetings. As a whole the children (and tutors) are doing very well. Justin did a stellar job and his mother said that his confidence and performance in school have improved greatly. She noted that he really did not want to come when he started (something he never let show at the Center) but now is truly ready to attend and do more each session. What a great thing for us to hear! We have brought in a new student as one of the children who began in September was unable to “get in the groove” in respect to attendance and performance. We will give that child another opportunity next fall (with a firm understanding of the terms of attendance) but our new student is thrilled to be here. In respect to this child, let me tell you what the mother said when we met to review the results of our in house pre-assessment. The mother told me that the girl’s father had been talking at work about having put an application in at the Center. A male co-worker told him that his son had come through the program and it had “changed his life.” When our new students father told his co-worker about her ability to start at the Center this month, the mother said the two men hugged and became emotional about this great opportunity, As I always say- it is because of your continued support that these wonderful things continue to happen. Thank you so much!!! Hope to See You at the GALA- March 11 th . Linda L. Martin, Director Email- lmartin@cnyclc.org Phone- (315) 736-0574 Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY PO Box 638 Oriskany, NY 13424 Mentoring Session Greetings my Brothers, On Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am, a special informational program will be presented at Memorial Masonic Center, North Syracuse. The goal of this program is to provide our newest Scottish Rite members with some insight regarding the four bodies that make up the Valley of Syracuse, how they function and the duties of the various officers. We also hope to answer any questions you may have regarding the history of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. I encourage all who have been a top line signer for members over the past few years to attend along with the Brother you had proposed for membership. If you want to become more involved with degree work please let us know. If you would like to attend this free program, please call the Valley office @ 315-452- 7976 so we can plan for material to be distributed and coffee and donuts. Fraternally, New Members Mentoring Program Chairman Lawrence W. Egnaczyk; lwegnaczyk@verizon.net (H) Ph. # 315-637- 4143 (C) Ph. # 315-632- 1043 Valley of Syracuse Obituary Notices In memory of Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite members who passed away November 2016 thru January 2017: Robert J. Carson, 32⁰ February 15, 2016 Notified November 23, 2016 Donald L. Livingston, 32⁰ January 13, 2016 Notified December 1, 2016 David P. Creed, 32⁰ November 15, 2016 William L. DuPree, 33⁰ December 21, 2016 Joseph E. Peter, 32⁰ November 3, 3016 Notified December 31, 3016 Jeffrey Merrill, 32⁰ December 30, 2016 Gordon W. Spearance, 32⁰ December 26, 2016 Robert Law, 32⁰January January 3, 2017 Nelson J. Dillabough, 32⁰ December 10, 2016 Oscar H. Yenson, 32⁰ December 11, 2016 The office thanks all who inform the Valley Office that a loved one has passed away. We follow the local Syracuse Post Standard newspaper each day to record the deaths of our current and former members. The office is particularly thankful to those who report the passing of our Members now living outside of the immediate surrounding area of Syracuse whose obituary notices do not get published in the Syracuse papers. 2017 – 2018 Scholarship Applications Available Applications to apply for 2017 - 2018 Supreme Council, AASR Leon M. Abbott Scholarships and New York State Council of Deliberation Scholarship Aid are available for pick up at the Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R. Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite Office (315) 452-7976, mailed to you from the Valley Office upon request, or online. Go to the Valley of Syracuse Web site www.syr-aasr.org for the links to obtain the information on line. Application titled “Application for Scottish Rite Scholarship Aid Leon M. Abbott and/or NYS Council of Deliberation” must be used to apply. To all applicants: The deadline date to submit your completed applications to the Valley of Syracuse is April 1, 2017. That means in the office by close of business on April 1, 2017. Applications received after April 1, 2017 will not be considered. New Applications must be used. There is one combined Application for 2017 submittal. The 2017 Application must be used. Graduating High School Seniors may apply again this year. To the members of our Youth Groups Triangle, Rainbow, Constellation of Junior Stars, and DeMolay; you may also apply. Ten applicants from the Valley of Syracuse received financial assistance from this program in 2016. Congratulations to all of them. Please contact the Valley Office at (315) 452-7976 or ny017@twcny.rr.com if you have any questions or require assistance and information. Electronic applications are NOT accepted. Valley of Rochester Celebrates 150 Years The Valley of Rochester is celebrating its 150th Anniversary Saturday April 22, 2017. Valley of Syracuse Officers received Program for the day and event Registration information from the Syracuse Valley Office Wednesday January 25, 2017. The Valley of Syracuse does NOT have any events scheduled for April 22, 2017. Anyone who does not have this information and desires to attend the event is urged to Contact the Valley of Rochester Office. 585-425- 0033 or by e-mail: secretary@valleyofrochester.org. Registration deadline at the Valley of Rochester office is April 14, 2017. James D. Swan, Jr., 33⁰ Valley of Syracuse Secretary Due to weather conditions, we have decided to postpone tonight's Sweetheart Dinner.
It has been rescheduled for February 27th, with Social at 6:00, Dinner at 6:30 and the Program at 7:30 PM. Sorry for the inconvenience but we this was done with concern for everyone's safety. If you have any questions, please contact the Office at 315-452-7976. Calendar
Feb 06 Trustees Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee 7:00 p.m. Feb 13 Sweetheart Program Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m. Feb 19 LoP- 14° Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Feb 20 LoP Confer 14° 7:30 p.m. / DSA Recognition Presentation / Camp Lecture Feb 27 CPoJ 16° Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Mar 06 Executive Committee 7:00 p.m. Mar 12 CRC Rehearse 18⁰ 7:00 p.m. Mar 13 St. Patrick’s Day Irish Night Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m. Mar 18 (Saturday) CPJ Confer 16⁰ & 18⁰ Open 10:00 a.m. / Confer 16⁰ 10:30 a.m. / Lunch 11:30 a.m. / Confer 18⁰ 1:00 p.m. Mar 20 CRC Feast Rehearsal MSA Recognition Night 7:00 p.m. Mar 27 CON Confer 31⁰ (V) 7:30 p.m. Refreshments to follow Consistory Greetings Brethren, On January 28th, the Annual Knights of St. Andrew Burns Supper was held at Coleman’s Irish Pub on Tipperary Hill. Once again, this was a brilliant evening and a full house to boot. I have recommended time and again that you get your reservation in early for this event because we have limited seating. We reached maximum capacity around Christmas and had to turn away many whose reservation requests came after that. I apologize to those who were unable to be part, we did indeed miss you. Winter is in high gear as I write this in early January. It is snowing hard and the temperature is in the single digits. Please be very careful when out in the snow and ice. Dress appropriately for the weather. If we decide to cancel a Scottish Rite event, we will notify the tv stations to post the notice on air with the other cancellations. Upcoming in February we have the Trustees & Executive Committee meetings on the 6th; Sweetheart Program on the 13th; 14° Rehearsal on Sunday the 19th with the conferral on Monday the 20th; and finally a rehearsal for the 16° on the 27th. The Children’s Dyslexia Center, CNY will hold its 3nd Annual Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, March 11th at the Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro, NY. The Center is sponsored by the Valleys of Syracuse and Utica, who have a sizable financial responsibility to its success. I ask that any who can attend this event, to please do - it is a very worthwhile cause and we are very proud of the work the Center does. If you cannot attend, please consider a donation. For more information, call our office. There has been a few requests from new members for a Scottish Rite Orientation/Mentoring Session so we have set aside the morning of Saturday, May 6th for just such an event. More details will be forthcoming. I look forward to seeing you at these events... Fraternally, Ill.'. Richard J Powell, 33° Commander in Chief Chapter Brethren On Monday evening, February 13th, our Sweetheart Program for Valentine’s Day will take place. Social Hour at 6:00 PM, followed by Dinner at 6:30 and Program at 7:30. Have your reservation along with check mailed to the Valley of Syracuse Office prior to Thursday, February 9th. Portrayal of degrees for the Ill. Gary H. Kall Class of Candidates is well underway. The 14° is scheduled to be conferred starting at 7:30 PM on February 20th, followed by a DSA Recognition Presentation. As a current member of the Valley of Syracuse, if you have a child or grandchild of college age who will be attending college in the Fall 2017-Spring 2018 academic year, have him or her request a Leon M. Abbott and/or New York State Council of Deliberation Scholarship Application from the Valley of Syracuse office. Call 315-452-7976 for more information. Please ensure that the applications are completed in full and include all the necessary attachments prior to submitting. The deadline is April 1st! D.B. Douglas H. Storey, 32° MSA Most Wise Master Council Greetings Princes! We are off and running in this not quite so New Year. By now, many have made and broken many resolutions they made. One thing that we, as fellow travelers resolve to do, is seek further light, and look to improve ourselves. We don’t do this totally on our own. The various degrees contain lessons for us to use in life, lessons which teach, instruct, and which have a visual component to them to help us recall what was important messages they are conveying. If it’s been a while since you’ve last been to watch a degree, come on out. We will see movies or listen to music many times over, and we find that even on those shows or performances we know so well, there are new little sparks we might not have noticed before, little gems of some insight or knowledge we glossed over before, and those can have big meanings for us. A young man I’ve worked with for years in Scouting was elected to a National position. He had talked about the start of his journey, and how the ceremonies used in his initiation and the ceremonies used for different presentations were the first things that gave his drive to know more. And with further knowledge came the desire to share that through leadership. As it was for this young man, so it can be for all of us. Opportunities abound for being a part of the degrees, of joining the line in any of the bodies, and even just joining others in a social setting and getting to know one another better, all help us to travel a bit further on our journey, and help us become better men. Sincerely and Fraternally, James A. Nelson, 32º Sovereign Prince Lodge Greetings My Brothers. With February here we are almost through winter on our way to spring. On February 13, we will be having our Sweetheart Program with Social Hour beginning at 6PM. A program will follow dinner at 7:30PM. On February 19th we will have a rehearsal for the 14th Degree at 7PM. On Monday February 20th we will confer the 14th Degree and have our DSA Recognition Night. Please plan on staying after the meeting for refreshments and Fellowship. A look into the future shows me, that on March 13th we will have a St. Patrick’s Day Irish Night. I am sure the Commander In Chief has a fun filled evening planned for us. May the Great Architect keep you and yours safe and well until we meet again. Fraternally, H. Bruce Naumann, 32° Thrice Potent Master Hospitaler Greetings Brethren, Well January is about behind us and February is a short month. It seems that the older I get, the more I look forward to Spring each year. Just a reminder to remember our Snow Bird Brothers down South, Although they may be nice and warm, the aches and pains of old age have not gone away, and loneliness never takes a vacation. Give them a call each month and let them know what is going on in their Lodge and in the Valley. With sadness I must recognize the passing of Ill. William DuPree. Bill was one of the first people that “adopted” me when I became a member Onondaga Lodge No. 802 many years ago. As always, under sickness and distress Bob Tyrrell and I are the go-to guys. Give us a call if you are in need. Dick Freeman, 32° Hospitaler tel. 315-837-4962 freeman1574@frontier.com 2017 – 2018 Scholarship Applications Available Applications to apply for 2017 - 2018 Supreme Council, AASR Leon M. Abbott Scholarships and New York State Council of Deliberation Scholarship Aid are available for pick up at the Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R. Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite Office (315) 452-7976, mailed to you from the Valley Office upon request, or online. Go to the Valley of Syracuse Web site www.syr-aasr.org for the links to obtain the information on line. Application titled “Application for Scottish Rite Scholarship Aid Leon M. Abbott and/or NYS Council of Deliberation” must be used to apply. To all applicants: The deadline date to submit your completed applications to the Valley of Syracuse is April 1, 2017. That means in the office by close of business on April 1, 2017. Applications received after April 1, 2017 will not be considered. New Applications must be used. There is one combined Application for 2017 submittal. The 2017 Application must be used. Graduating High School Seniors may apply again this year. To the members of our Youth Groups Triangle, Rainbow, Constellation of Junior Stars, and DeMolay; you may also apply. Ten applicants from the Valley of Syracuse received financial assistance from this program in 2016. Congratulations to all of them. Please contact the Valley Office at (315) 452-7976 or ny017@twcny.rr.com if you have any questions or require assistance and information. Electronic applications are NOT accepted. Need a Suit? Business suits and formal wear belonging to Ill. Bruce Ackerman are in the closet in the Masonic Center for Brothers to take and use in the Future. Help yourself to clothing you can use. Grace Ackerman, Brother Bruce’s Widow requested that anyone taking the clothing make a donation to Children’s Dyslexia Center Central New York in Oriskany. Envelope Forms for making donations to the Learning Center are available in the Valley of Syracuse office at the building. Call the Valley office at 315.452.7976 if you have questions. |