Calendar
October 2022
Oct 03 Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. Virtual meeting “ZOOM”
Oct 10 LOP Degrees 7:30 p.m.
4° “Builder” Video / 14° “Grand Elect Mason” Live Cast
Live Meeting at Masonic Center
Refreshments to follow
Oct 17 Awards & Recognition Night
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Oct 24 Council Princes of Jerusalem 7:00 p.m.
16° “Prince of Jerusalem” Degree Rehearsal
November 2022
Nov 07 AASR Trustees Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. on
“ZOOM”
Nov 14 Veteran’s Recognition Night
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Nov 28 C-R-C & Consistory Degrees 7:30 p.m.
17° “Knight of East & West” Video & 32° “Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret” Video
32° Allegory & Knighting Ceremony Live
Refreshments to follow
Consistory
Greeting Brethren, Fall is now in full swing. We had a successful Valley Fall Kickoff and Brother Bring a Brother Night from which we are hoping to gain several new member. At the Council of Deliberation session three of our Sublime Princes received their prestigious Meritorious Service Award. Congratulations to D.B. James McNeal, 32nd Degree MSA, D.B. Kenneth D. Sterling, 32nd Degree MSA, and D.B. Philip A. Spadaccini 32nd Degree MSA [Valley of Norwood ]. Several other Brothers from our Valley have been nominated to receive their MSA awards at the next C.O.D. session which will be held in June of 2023. Their names were not disclosed at the time of this writing.
Our first Trustee Meeting and Executive Committee Meeting were held on August 22, I will try to give you an overview of some of the goals and concerns discussed and ourAction Plan. This year we have several new tools to work with to help us reach our goals. Ultimately a Valley of Excellence.
As always one of are main goals is to increase our membership, which is the main source of the Valleys revenue and without which our Brotherhood would not exist. This is a never ending battle against the attrition rate and N.P.D.s. In the past our Ambassador Program, Lodge Ambassadors reached out to the Lodge Masters in their District and offered to put on a program for them on a meeting night or other time of their choosing. This gave our Ambassador the opportunity to introduce the Blue Lodge membership to Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masonry. Supreme Council has now updated and improved on this recruitment method to help us become even more successful with our presentations. Myself and several of our Valley members attended an all day class in Utica on August 13. In the near future these new concepts will be shared with our current Lodge Ambassadors and members of the Valley interested in joining this program.
The successful Supreme Council, Rite on the Road Program which was instituted last year by our
Committee Chairman 2nd Lt. Comdr. D.B. Terry Byard 32nd Degree MSA. will continue this year. This program enables us to present the 4th Degree and several others approved by Supreme Council to Brothers who have completed their Valley application and paid the initiation fee. These degrees can be conferred in their home Lodge anytime other than on a Lodge meeting night.
The above two recruiting methods are great tools but will never replace our best and most successful resource- YOU our members- through your word of mouth, your actions and your enthusiasm for the A.A.S.R. and our Valley.
In all Masonic groups a common problem is retaining membership. One way we are addressing this is through the Member’s Mentoring Committee and the Scottish Rite New Member Orientation Program headed up by 1st Lt. Cmdr. D.B. William Toth, II, 32nd Degree MSA, Chairman. This program is dedicated exclusively to an evening with our new members. It is structured to be a guided tour for our new Brothers covering all areas from our Valley Secretary’s Office, Four Bodies, Hats, Family events, Charity programs, etc. A basic Valley of Syracuse 101 course with ample time built in for Q & As.
Secondly, we have all heard it said that we need to get our new members involved. We also know this is easier said than done. The Valley is taking an innovative approach this year by challenging our new Sublime Princes to cast their own degree. The initial planning meeting was held on September 26 with LOP Thrice Potent Master, D.B. Steve Maddox, MSA. The 11th Degree, Sublime Master Elected was selected and planned to be conferred on 3/18/ 2023. The seed has been planted!
The Black Hat Program for new 32 Degrees has been restructured this year and is unique to the Valley of Syracuse. This is another program geared toward new member involvement and retention. All new members will be given a Score Card which they will sign each time they attend a Valley function such as degrees, dinners, taking part in a degree, family picnics, meetings etc. By their attendance and participation they will accumulate points toward earning their Black Hat. They will have two years to complete their score card from the time it is issued. When completed, they will be presented their Black Hat on Awards Night.
Early last summer the PathFinder Program was introduced to all our members by Supreme Council. You all should have received a PathFinder Field Book and packet of information. This program is designed for new and old members alike, encouraging interest and involvement . Visit the Supreme Council website for more information.
This year the Valley will be continuing the Annual Brother to Brother Contact Program. Every Brother in the Valley of Syracuse will be contacted or attempted to be contacted. Valley Officers have been assigned contact lists of our members who they are responsible to call. This program serves a multi- purpose. First and foremost, it lets our members know that they are not forgotten; it gives us a chance to see if they are in need of our assistance in anyway; it gives us an opportunity to try to get them active again in the Valley if they haven’t attended in awhile and it updates their contact information and status for the Valley Office Records so that they can be kept informed of our Valley activities etc.
I mentioned at the beginning of this article that our Trustees Meeting was held on the same evening as the Executive Committee meeting. At that meeting an Investment Review was presented by Edward Grassi, Vice President of J.W. Burns & Company, the Valley’s investment firm. Without going into details the bottom line will come as no surprise, our investments have declined. So with the Valley’s investments down, expenses rising with inflation and membership declining a considerable amount of discussion took place. Unlike our government and many businesses, the Valley does not have the luxury of building so called pork in the budget and the belt can only be tightened so far without sacrificing quality and that is not an option. Due to these increased costs the Executive Committee has found it necessary to raise the price of our dinners to help offset expenses. I am sure everyone will understand as we are all
experiencing the crunch. Even with an increase in dinner prices our quality dinners and programs are an exceptional bargain at today’s prices. Speaking of dinners and programs I hope to see you all on October 17th at Awards and Recognition Night.
As I have tried to point out, we have a proactive plan in place which encompasses our Valley Programs and those provided by Supreme Council. With your continued help and support 2022-2023 will be another Valley of Excellence Award year. Thank you for all you do!
Please renew your membership a.s.a.p. If you have not received your renewal information in the mail yet call the Valley Office @ 315 452-7976.
Fraternally,
D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
Greetings, Princes, I am again writing this month’s column due to our continuing Most Wise Master, Bro. Richard E. Barrett illness. We wish him a complete and prompt recovery, and hope to see him back in his Most Wise Master’s chair, very soon.
In September, we had two important events: our Valley’s Fall Kickoff & Brother-Bring-a-Brother Night, and the 2022 Council of Deliberation meeting. The first event helps us bring in new Brothers to our Valley (in addition to Internet advertising, as the Ad that automatically got in my computer screen while reading the Internet Sunday Syracuse Newspaper: Become a 32° Scottish Rite Freemason | Expand Your Craft (scottishritenmj.org)
On September 21 and 22 the 153rd Convocation of the Council of Deliberation (COD), A.A.S.R., for the State of New York was held at the DoubleTree Hilton, in East Syracuse. The COD, in addition to a very instructive experience, is an opportunity to meet Scottish Ritters from other New York Valleys. Our C-i-C and other Valley officers will provide the highlights of this meeting, in their articles in this issue of The Word.
In October we will have two degrees: the Confer for the 4th Degree, on the 10th, and the rehearsal for the 16th Degree, on the 24th. Even when the Degrees are not part of our Rose Croix Chapter, it will be friendly if some of our Chapter Brothers partake, a great experience for all, especially for the new Rite members and officers. On the 17th, we will have the Awards and Recognition night, and on the 31th, the KOSA Program. October will be a very busy month!
As an aside, I will be giving a PPT presentation about the origins and differences between the York and Scottish rituals, in my Liverpool-Syracuse Mother Lodge, on Monday, October 3rd. All are cordially and fraternally invited. If our Valley is interested, I can redo the a program here.
Please, keep our military and our country in your prayers.
Keep safe. Fraternally,
Jorge Luis Romeu
Senior Warden.
Council
Valiant Princes, I hope you all are well. Firstly, I wish to remind you again that this year the 16th degree will be conferred after the 15th degree video on Jan 30th of 2023. If any of you are interested in taking part in the 16th degree please contact cast director and Senior Warden Mike Miller before the rehearsals scheduled for Oct. 24th and Dec. 19th of 2022.
Secondly, as Sovereign Prince and on behalf of the Valley of Syracuse, I would like to thank and give the highest regards to my entire C:.P:.J:. Officer line present at our Aug 22nd Executive Committee meeting. The fact that you all were present showed a sincere respect for your Office, qualities of dependability and leadership and is a sign of a healthy and active Scottish Rite Body.
As a result of this perfect attendance, I felt great support as a Body Head and I encourage all Body heads to request that their subordinate Officers attend Executive Meetings to maintain a strong Chain of Union with their fellow Officers, Commander in Chief, Secretary, Valley membership and Supreme Council. By encouraging your Officer line to attend these meetings it ensures that the duty and light of the Scottish Rite and Valley of Syracuse remains bright, strong, and inherited by those next in line. It ensures that we remain a Valley of Excellence at the local level and strong as the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
Indeed, it is not often that health, vocation, travel and other unforeseen aspects of life allow perfect attendance of our Officers and membership for whom we care, pray and offer consideration so let us remain humble and grateful as we continue to labor with our swords in one hand and trowels in the other.
To our Valley of Syracuse members, I hope to see you as your cable-tow permits. If you find it difficult to attend in person consider online participation to see degrees during the upcoming Thursday Night at the Rite season, updating your member profile if necessary or enrolling in the Hauts Grades Academy classes via https://scottishritenmj.org
Finally, please support the Blue Envelope membership appeal in any monetary increment. Any amount given via the Blue Envelope contributes to our membership participation goal that helps us remain a Valley of Excellence. Until we meet again, may the G:.A:.O:.T:.U:. grant peace and blessings to you, our Sovereign Grand Commander, our Country and our Men and Women of service.
Caleb W. Haines, 32° HGA
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
With the arrival of September it’s time to once again plan for participation in the activities of our Valley. On September 19 an officer’s installation for those who could not be in attendance at the June Installation and a training for all officers will be presented at the Masonic Memorial Center. Please, if you are an officer in the Lodge of Perfection, plan to attend this important event. The next event will be the following Monday at 7:30 in the same location and will be a special project meeting for the purpose of planning the 11° that will be presented on March 18. It is our hope to engage new members in the planning and presentation of this degree.
October 3 will be the next executive committee meeting. All L-O-P officers are invited to participate and I encourage you to come and offer insights into our activities. Finally on October 10 the L-O-P will be presenting the 4° and 14° at 7:30.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Council of Deliberation on September 23 and 24. This is an excellent opportunity to gain further light in Scottish Rite Masonry and is well worth the time to attend.
D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Greetings Brothers & Sisters, Under sickness and distress, I am sad to announce the passing of Marion Teachout. Richard E. Barrett is recovering nicely from his recent heart attack, but still faces another procedure to get him back in top shape. Bill and Diana Toth will have hopefully returned safely from their Alaskan cruise by the time on this printing.
As the days start getting shorter, I would remind all of our senior members that have trouble driving at night…..don’t hesitate to call someone and ask for a ride. Your attendance at Valley meetings is very important and much appreciated.
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.
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.
Don’t forget the Blue envelopes!
Dick Freeman – 315-837-4962
[email protected]
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
The Children’s Dyslexia Center of Central New York’s Annual 3 & 5 K Walk for Children with Dyslexia is October 1st, 2022 at the Eastern Star Campus in Oriskany. We begin with a 9:30 registration, kick-off at 10:00 AM, followed by a chicken BBq @ 11:00 AM. It should be lots of fun!
Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- [email protected]
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
St. Andrew’s Day Brunch
The Knights of St. Andrew invites everyone to celebrate St. Andrew's Day with a Brunch at the Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia, NY on Sunday, November 20th at 11:00 AM!
Brunch will begin at 11:00 AM and cost will be $40.00 per person. Wives/significant others/guests are invited. This event is open to all! Make your reservation now! This event is open for all! A great opportunity to introduce non-Scottish Rite Brothers to the Rite! Or non-Masons to the Fraternity! Dress is Kilt or business casual.
The Brae Loch puts out a great spread for its brunches and Cazenovia is lovely in the fall. Come out and make your reservation for the Burns Supper (to be held at Colemans on 1/28/23). Reservations are due no later than October 30th, 2022. Mail Reservations & Checks to: Richard Powell, 4717 Broad Road, Syracuse, NY 13215
Attention Members
You will read information articles from each body in the Valley of Syracuse in the WORD this year. There are other changes coming in the forms of communication we use to communicate with everyone. Traditionally you have received e-mail notifications and snail mailed meeting and event notices for each event and meeting from the Valley office. Meeting the changing times and requests to modernize our communications links a new digital information system using the Supreme Council’s J365 communications network to further communicate with our members is coming from Supreme Council in the near future.
As mentioned in other notices sent from the Valley Office in the past month we now have a PAYPAL account set up allowing you to make reservations for and pay for events online. More information is coming to you as we implement this service. Many of you will receive email messages direct from Supreme Council as they implement their new communications module.
Remember you can go on line using “Mynmj.org”, enter your member number and password you provide and search thru and change your personal member records. This can be done anytime by you. There are certain fields in this information that only you can change.
Many of these changes are as new to me as they are to you. I will assist you where I can and will arrange for assistance from the Supreme Council Support team when I cannot answer your questions. Thursday Night at the Rite returns first quarter 2023 with more new subjects being
Presented. Scottish Rite communications improvements continue to come on line each month.
Fraternally,
Jim Swan
Valley Secretary
2023 Member’s Dues
Most of you have received the invoice for your 2023 Member’s Dues from Supreme Council by the date you read this article. A new Member’s Card replacing your old card is included in the envelope with the invoice. Please be prepared to present that card to the Sentinel or his assistant when you attend a Valley meeting.
If you have not received both the 2023 Member’s Dues invoice and your 2023 Member’s Dues Card; please contact the Valley Office by calling 315-452-7976 immediately.
If you have not paid your 2022 Member’s Dues to date; please do so. The Supreme Council implemented a new annual dues collection schedule in 2021. Remember, 2023 Member’s Dues are due to be paid by January 31, 2023 to be current for 2023. At the present time the Valley of Syracuse is owed more than $6,000.00 in arrears member’s dues dating from 2022 back to 2019 from its members.
As a reminder to all members the Valley must pay $30.00 to Supreme Council and $6.00 to the New York Council of Deliberation for every member on its rolls effective June 15 each year. Money not paid prior to June 15 is paid to Supreme Council from the GENERAL VALLEY FUNDS.
If your 2021 Member’s Dues are not paid by January 31, 2023 your Scottish Rite membership can be suspended. This policy was suspended for two years due to COVID PANDEMIC but is now reinstated.
By popular request the Valley office has initiated a “PayPal” payment account to assist our members desiring to pay their Member’s Dues or to make reservations for Valley Events by an alternate method other than by check or by credit card, or cash. Immediately contact the Valley of Syracuse office if you have a problem using this convenience.
Please contact the Valley Office (315) 452-7976 if you have any questions regarding the status of your Member’s Dues.
Rest in Peace
Please pause for a moment to remember these dedicated Scottish Riters who laid down their working tools these past few months. They have left us but they are not forgotten
Name Deceased Date
Ernest W Bump 08/28/2021
Robert F Coulter 04/09/2021
Jeffrey J Dixe 10/17/2021
Roy R Dixon 06/22/2021
Alan M Downing 10/10/2021
Alan S Drohan 10/10/2021
Paul E Foster 01/23/2022
David J Freeman 06/19/2021
Richard P Gunsalus 08/03/2021
Carl R Hoyt Sr. 02/27/2022
Leon Milner 02/10/2021
Anson S Piper Jr. 03/31/2019
James S Russell 01/14/2022
Robert H Smith 05/25/2021
David A Stevenson 05/25/2021
Alan N Timmerman 04/14/2021
Robert C Torgersen 12/09/2019
Walter Vladuchek 12/12/2020
Alan L Wood 02/12/2022
Harold F Clark Jr. 11/27/2020
James P Hall 04/07/2021
Donald B Hanson 04/03/2021
Waldo S Lyman 06/10/2021
Robert E Moore 10/31/2021
William R Porteous 01/11/2021
Alfred J Smith 09/21/2021
October 2022
Oct 03 Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. Virtual meeting “ZOOM”
Oct 10 LOP Degrees 7:30 p.m.
4° “Builder” Video / 14° “Grand Elect Mason” Live Cast
Live Meeting at Masonic Center
Refreshments to follow
Oct 17 Awards & Recognition Night
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Oct 24 Council Princes of Jerusalem 7:00 p.m.
16° “Prince of Jerusalem” Degree Rehearsal
November 2022
Nov 07 AASR Trustees Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. on
“ZOOM”
Nov 14 Veteran’s Recognition Night
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Nov 28 C-R-C & Consistory Degrees 7:30 p.m.
17° “Knight of East & West” Video & 32° “Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret” Video
32° Allegory & Knighting Ceremony Live
Refreshments to follow
Consistory
Greeting Brethren, Fall is now in full swing. We had a successful Valley Fall Kickoff and Brother Bring a Brother Night from which we are hoping to gain several new member. At the Council of Deliberation session three of our Sublime Princes received their prestigious Meritorious Service Award. Congratulations to D.B. James McNeal, 32nd Degree MSA, D.B. Kenneth D. Sterling, 32nd Degree MSA, and D.B. Philip A. Spadaccini 32nd Degree MSA [Valley of Norwood ]. Several other Brothers from our Valley have been nominated to receive their MSA awards at the next C.O.D. session which will be held in June of 2023. Their names were not disclosed at the time of this writing.
Our first Trustee Meeting and Executive Committee Meeting were held on August 22, I will try to give you an overview of some of the goals and concerns discussed and ourAction Plan. This year we have several new tools to work with to help us reach our goals. Ultimately a Valley of Excellence.
As always one of are main goals is to increase our membership, which is the main source of the Valleys revenue and without which our Brotherhood would not exist. This is a never ending battle against the attrition rate and N.P.D.s. In the past our Ambassador Program, Lodge Ambassadors reached out to the Lodge Masters in their District and offered to put on a program for them on a meeting night or other time of their choosing. This gave our Ambassador the opportunity to introduce the Blue Lodge membership to Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masonry. Supreme Council has now updated and improved on this recruitment method to help us become even more successful with our presentations. Myself and several of our Valley members attended an all day class in Utica on August 13. In the near future these new concepts will be shared with our current Lodge Ambassadors and members of the Valley interested in joining this program.
The successful Supreme Council, Rite on the Road Program which was instituted last year by our
Committee Chairman 2nd Lt. Comdr. D.B. Terry Byard 32nd Degree MSA. will continue this year. This program enables us to present the 4th Degree and several others approved by Supreme Council to Brothers who have completed their Valley application and paid the initiation fee. These degrees can be conferred in their home Lodge anytime other than on a Lodge meeting night.
The above two recruiting methods are great tools but will never replace our best and most successful resource- YOU our members- through your word of mouth, your actions and your enthusiasm for the A.A.S.R. and our Valley.
In all Masonic groups a common problem is retaining membership. One way we are addressing this is through the Member’s Mentoring Committee and the Scottish Rite New Member Orientation Program headed up by 1st Lt. Cmdr. D.B. William Toth, II, 32nd Degree MSA, Chairman. This program is dedicated exclusively to an evening with our new members. It is structured to be a guided tour for our new Brothers covering all areas from our Valley Secretary’s Office, Four Bodies, Hats, Family events, Charity programs, etc. A basic Valley of Syracuse 101 course with ample time built in for Q & As.
Secondly, we have all heard it said that we need to get our new members involved. We also know this is easier said than done. The Valley is taking an innovative approach this year by challenging our new Sublime Princes to cast their own degree. The initial planning meeting was held on September 26 with LOP Thrice Potent Master, D.B. Steve Maddox, MSA. The 11th Degree, Sublime Master Elected was selected and planned to be conferred on 3/18/ 2023. The seed has been planted!
The Black Hat Program for new 32 Degrees has been restructured this year and is unique to the Valley of Syracuse. This is another program geared toward new member involvement and retention. All new members will be given a Score Card which they will sign each time they attend a Valley function such as degrees, dinners, taking part in a degree, family picnics, meetings etc. By their attendance and participation they will accumulate points toward earning their Black Hat. They will have two years to complete their score card from the time it is issued. When completed, they will be presented their Black Hat on Awards Night.
Early last summer the PathFinder Program was introduced to all our members by Supreme Council. You all should have received a PathFinder Field Book and packet of information. This program is designed for new and old members alike, encouraging interest and involvement . Visit the Supreme Council website for more information.
This year the Valley will be continuing the Annual Brother to Brother Contact Program. Every Brother in the Valley of Syracuse will be contacted or attempted to be contacted. Valley Officers have been assigned contact lists of our members who they are responsible to call. This program serves a multi- purpose. First and foremost, it lets our members know that they are not forgotten; it gives us a chance to see if they are in need of our assistance in anyway; it gives us an opportunity to try to get them active again in the Valley if they haven’t attended in awhile and it updates their contact information and status for the Valley Office Records so that they can be kept informed of our Valley activities etc.
I mentioned at the beginning of this article that our Trustees Meeting was held on the same evening as the Executive Committee meeting. At that meeting an Investment Review was presented by Edward Grassi, Vice President of J.W. Burns & Company, the Valley’s investment firm. Without going into details the bottom line will come as no surprise, our investments have declined. So with the Valley’s investments down, expenses rising with inflation and membership declining a considerable amount of discussion took place. Unlike our government and many businesses, the Valley does not have the luxury of building so called pork in the budget and the belt can only be tightened so far without sacrificing quality and that is not an option. Due to these increased costs the Executive Committee has found it necessary to raise the price of our dinners to help offset expenses. I am sure everyone will understand as we are all
experiencing the crunch. Even with an increase in dinner prices our quality dinners and programs are an exceptional bargain at today’s prices. Speaking of dinners and programs I hope to see you all on October 17th at Awards and Recognition Night.
As I have tried to point out, we have a proactive plan in place which encompasses our Valley Programs and those provided by Supreme Council. With your continued help and support 2022-2023 will be another Valley of Excellence Award year. Thank you for all you do!
Please renew your membership a.s.a.p. If you have not received your renewal information in the mail yet call the Valley Office @ 315 452-7976.
Fraternally,
D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
Greetings, Princes, I am again writing this month’s column due to our continuing Most Wise Master, Bro. Richard E. Barrett illness. We wish him a complete and prompt recovery, and hope to see him back in his Most Wise Master’s chair, very soon.
In September, we had two important events: our Valley’s Fall Kickoff & Brother-Bring-a-Brother Night, and the 2022 Council of Deliberation meeting. The first event helps us bring in new Brothers to our Valley (in addition to Internet advertising, as the Ad that automatically got in my computer screen while reading the Internet Sunday Syracuse Newspaper: Become a 32° Scottish Rite Freemason | Expand Your Craft (scottishritenmj.org)
On September 21 and 22 the 153rd Convocation of the Council of Deliberation (COD), A.A.S.R., for the State of New York was held at the DoubleTree Hilton, in East Syracuse. The COD, in addition to a very instructive experience, is an opportunity to meet Scottish Ritters from other New York Valleys. Our C-i-C and other Valley officers will provide the highlights of this meeting, in their articles in this issue of The Word.
In October we will have two degrees: the Confer for the 4th Degree, on the 10th, and the rehearsal for the 16th Degree, on the 24th. Even when the Degrees are not part of our Rose Croix Chapter, it will be friendly if some of our Chapter Brothers partake, a great experience for all, especially for the new Rite members and officers. On the 17th, we will have the Awards and Recognition night, and on the 31th, the KOSA Program. October will be a very busy month!
As an aside, I will be giving a PPT presentation about the origins and differences between the York and Scottish rituals, in my Liverpool-Syracuse Mother Lodge, on Monday, October 3rd. All are cordially and fraternally invited. If our Valley is interested, I can redo the a program here.
Please, keep our military and our country in your prayers.
Keep safe. Fraternally,
Jorge Luis Romeu
Senior Warden.
Council
Valiant Princes, I hope you all are well. Firstly, I wish to remind you again that this year the 16th degree will be conferred after the 15th degree video on Jan 30th of 2023. If any of you are interested in taking part in the 16th degree please contact cast director and Senior Warden Mike Miller before the rehearsals scheduled for Oct. 24th and Dec. 19th of 2022.
Secondly, as Sovereign Prince and on behalf of the Valley of Syracuse, I would like to thank and give the highest regards to my entire C:.P:.J:. Officer line present at our Aug 22nd Executive Committee meeting. The fact that you all were present showed a sincere respect for your Office, qualities of dependability and leadership and is a sign of a healthy and active Scottish Rite Body.
As a result of this perfect attendance, I felt great support as a Body Head and I encourage all Body heads to request that their subordinate Officers attend Executive Meetings to maintain a strong Chain of Union with their fellow Officers, Commander in Chief, Secretary, Valley membership and Supreme Council. By encouraging your Officer line to attend these meetings it ensures that the duty and light of the Scottish Rite and Valley of Syracuse remains bright, strong, and inherited by those next in line. It ensures that we remain a Valley of Excellence at the local level and strong as the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
Indeed, it is not often that health, vocation, travel and other unforeseen aspects of life allow perfect attendance of our Officers and membership for whom we care, pray and offer consideration so let us remain humble and grateful as we continue to labor with our swords in one hand and trowels in the other.
To our Valley of Syracuse members, I hope to see you as your cable-tow permits. If you find it difficult to attend in person consider online participation to see degrees during the upcoming Thursday Night at the Rite season, updating your member profile if necessary or enrolling in the Hauts Grades Academy classes via https://scottishritenmj.org
Finally, please support the Blue Envelope membership appeal in any monetary increment. Any amount given via the Blue Envelope contributes to our membership participation goal that helps us remain a Valley of Excellence. Until we meet again, may the G:.A:.O:.T:.U:. grant peace and blessings to you, our Sovereign Grand Commander, our Country and our Men and Women of service.
Caleb W. Haines, 32° HGA
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
With the arrival of September it’s time to once again plan for participation in the activities of our Valley. On September 19 an officer’s installation for those who could not be in attendance at the June Installation and a training for all officers will be presented at the Masonic Memorial Center. Please, if you are an officer in the Lodge of Perfection, plan to attend this important event. The next event will be the following Monday at 7:30 in the same location and will be a special project meeting for the purpose of planning the 11° that will be presented on March 18. It is our hope to engage new members in the planning and presentation of this degree.
October 3 will be the next executive committee meeting. All L-O-P officers are invited to participate and I encourage you to come and offer insights into our activities. Finally on October 10 the L-O-P will be presenting the 4° and 14° at 7:30.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Council of Deliberation on September 23 and 24. This is an excellent opportunity to gain further light in Scottish Rite Masonry and is well worth the time to attend.
D.B. Stephen G. Maddox, 32° MSA
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Greetings Brothers & Sisters, Under sickness and distress, I am sad to announce the passing of Marion Teachout. Richard E. Barrett is recovering nicely from his recent heart attack, but still faces another procedure to get him back in top shape. Bill and Diana Toth will have hopefully returned safely from their Alaskan cruise by the time on this printing.
As the days start getting shorter, I would remind all of our senior members that have trouble driving at night…..don’t hesitate to call someone and ask for a ride. Your attendance at Valley meetings is very important and much appreciated.
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.
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.
Don’t forget the Blue envelopes!
Dick Freeman – 315-837-4962
[email protected]
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
The Children’s Dyslexia Center of Central New York’s Annual 3 & 5 K Walk for Children with Dyslexia is October 1st, 2022 at the Eastern Star Campus in Oriskany. We begin with a 9:30 registration, kick-off at 10:00 AM, followed by a chicken BBq @ 11:00 AM. It should be lots of fun!
Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- [email protected]
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
St. Andrew’s Day Brunch
The Knights of St. Andrew invites everyone to celebrate St. Andrew's Day with a Brunch at the Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia, NY on Sunday, November 20th at 11:00 AM!
Brunch will begin at 11:00 AM and cost will be $40.00 per person. Wives/significant others/guests are invited. This event is open to all! Make your reservation now! This event is open for all! A great opportunity to introduce non-Scottish Rite Brothers to the Rite! Or non-Masons to the Fraternity! Dress is Kilt or business casual.
The Brae Loch puts out a great spread for its brunches and Cazenovia is lovely in the fall. Come out and make your reservation for the Burns Supper (to be held at Colemans on 1/28/23). Reservations are due no later than October 30th, 2022. Mail Reservations & Checks to: Richard Powell, 4717 Broad Road, Syracuse, NY 13215
Attention Members
You will read information articles from each body in the Valley of Syracuse in the WORD this year. There are other changes coming in the forms of communication we use to communicate with everyone. Traditionally you have received e-mail notifications and snail mailed meeting and event notices for each event and meeting from the Valley office. Meeting the changing times and requests to modernize our communications links a new digital information system using the Supreme Council’s J365 communications network to further communicate with our members is coming from Supreme Council in the near future.
As mentioned in other notices sent from the Valley Office in the past month we now have a PAYPAL account set up allowing you to make reservations for and pay for events online. More information is coming to you as we implement this service. Many of you will receive email messages direct from Supreme Council as they implement their new communications module.
Remember you can go on line using “Mynmj.org”, enter your member number and password you provide and search thru and change your personal member records. This can be done anytime by you. There are certain fields in this information that only you can change.
Many of these changes are as new to me as they are to you. I will assist you where I can and will arrange for assistance from the Supreme Council Support team when I cannot answer your questions. Thursday Night at the Rite returns first quarter 2023 with more new subjects being
Presented. Scottish Rite communications improvements continue to come on line each month.
Fraternally,
Jim Swan
Valley Secretary
2023 Member’s Dues
Most of you have received the invoice for your 2023 Member’s Dues from Supreme Council by the date you read this article. A new Member’s Card replacing your old card is included in the envelope with the invoice. Please be prepared to present that card to the Sentinel or his assistant when you attend a Valley meeting.
If you have not received both the 2023 Member’s Dues invoice and your 2023 Member’s Dues Card; please contact the Valley Office by calling 315-452-7976 immediately.
If you have not paid your 2022 Member’s Dues to date; please do so. The Supreme Council implemented a new annual dues collection schedule in 2021. Remember, 2023 Member’s Dues are due to be paid by January 31, 2023 to be current for 2023. At the present time the Valley of Syracuse is owed more than $6,000.00 in arrears member’s dues dating from 2022 back to 2019 from its members.
As a reminder to all members the Valley must pay $30.00 to Supreme Council and $6.00 to the New York Council of Deliberation for every member on its rolls effective June 15 each year. Money not paid prior to June 15 is paid to Supreme Council from the GENERAL VALLEY FUNDS.
If your 2021 Member’s Dues are not paid by January 31, 2023 your Scottish Rite membership can be suspended. This policy was suspended for two years due to COVID PANDEMIC but is now reinstated.
By popular request the Valley office has initiated a “PayPal” payment account to assist our members desiring to pay their Member’s Dues or to make reservations for Valley Events by an alternate method other than by check or by credit card, or cash. Immediately contact the Valley of Syracuse office if you have a problem using this convenience.
Please contact the Valley Office (315) 452-7976 if you have any questions regarding the status of your Member’s Dues.
Rest in Peace
Please pause for a moment to remember these dedicated Scottish Riters who laid down their working tools these past few months. They have left us but they are not forgotten
Name Deceased Date
Ernest W Bump 08/28/2021
Robert F Coulter 04/09/2021
Jeffrey J Dixe 10/17/2021
Roy R Dixon 06/22/2021
Alan M Downing 10/10/2021
Alan S Drohan 10/10/2021
Paul E Foster 01/23/2022
David J Freeman 06/19/2021
Richard P Gunsalus 08/03/2021
Carl R Hoyt Sr. 02/27/2022
Leon Milner 02/10/2021
Anson S Piper Jr. 03/31/2019
James S Russell 01/14/2022
Robert H Smith 05/25/2021
David A Stevenson 05/25/2021
Alan N Timmerman 04/14/2021
Robert C Torgersen 12/09/2019
Walter Vladuchek 12/12/2020
Alan L Wood 02/12/2022
Harold F Clark Jr. 11/27/2020
James P Hall 04/07/2021
Donald B Hanson 04/03/2021
Waldo S Lyman 06/10/2021
Robert E Moore 10/31/2021
William R Porteous 01/11/2021
Alfred J Smith 09/21/2021