Blog Posts

R.I.P. R.W. & Ill. Paul C. Fritsch, 33°

11/13/2017

It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of our Brother, R.W. & Ill. Paul C. Fritsch.

Brother Paul was of the great leaders of Skaneateles Lodge No. 522, the Onondaga District and the Valley of Syracuse, AASR. He will be dearly missed by all.

A Masonic Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday November 14, 2017 at the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home in Skaneateles. The Scottish Rite 33rd Degree Salt and Rose Ceremony will follow.

Paul Carl Fritsch, 101, of Skaneateles, passed away on November 8th, at the Commons in Auburn. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Skaneateles for more than 60 years and a 63-year member of Skaneateles Lodge 522 F. & A.M. Paul served in the Army Air Corps from 1943-1946. Paul was predeceased by his wife Helen, daughter Dawn and son in law James Pitman. He is survived by a son Bruce (Barbara) Fritsch, grandson Brett (Cheryl) Pitman, Guy (Kelly) Pitman, granddaughter Julaine (Rob) Frye, 9 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, November 14th from 4 to 7pm at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.
Private burial in Lake view cemetery.

Donations in his honor may be made to St. James Episcopal Church or Lodge 522 F.& A.M. Skaneateles.

To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

Date of Death: November 8, 2017

Published in the in the Syracuse Post Standard from Nov. 11 to Nov. 12, 2017
http://obits.syracuse.com/obituaries/syracuse/obituary.aspx?n=paul-carl-fritsch&pid=187214372&fhid=11719

November 2017 News

11/7/2017

Calendar
November 2017
Nov 06 AASR Trustees 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee 7:00 p.m.
Nov 13 Veteran’s Recognition Night
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Nov 20 13° Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Nov 27 Confer 13° (L) 7:30 p.m.

December 2017
Dec 04 Executive Committee 7:00 p.m.
Dec 11 Holiday Celebration at MMC with the Ladies
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Special Christmas Entertainment planned
Dec 13 Hanukkah Begins
Dec 25 Merry Christmas
Dec 27 Holiday Luncheon (Wednesday) @ Twin Trees III Restaurant
11:30 a.m. ‘til??
Order from menu

Consistory
Wow, how the months are flying! At COD, we had 2 Brothers receive their Meritorious Service Award. DB J. Michael Gates and Leon Bulriss both received their awards. Brother Richard Freeman was elected to receive the Meritorious Award at COD in 2018. Ill. James Swan was presented the Supreme Council Medal for Masonic Service and the following Brothers received their Certificates for completing the Passports: Ill. Richard Powell, Ill. Robert Tyrrell and DB Leon Burliss. Congratulation to all.
Coming up in November we find Executive Committee meeting on the 6th at 7pm.
November 13th we are holding our annual Veterans Ceremony with Rear Admiral John Paddock Talking about Syracuse Honor Flight. We will be also honoring our Masonic and Non Masonic Veterans of the year. This should be a great program.
November 27th we will have the 13th Degree. This Degree has not be done in our Valley in several years so come on out and enjoy it.
We have started working with the Valley of Rochester along with the Valley of Utica on programs and Degrees. This is a great time to come out and join in.
Hope to see you in Lodge.

D.B. Garry L. Visconti, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief

Chapter
Greeting Brethren,
As I am writing this article, the calendar says it’s Fall but it sure feels like summer. It sure beats shoveling snow, which is sure to come.
Mark your calendars and make your reservations to attend your Veterans Recognition Dinner on November 13. The 13th degree will be conferred on November 27th. Hope to see you there.
I wish you and yours a HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Please keep those in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico who are struggling to recover from the effects of recent hurricanes in your thoughts and prayers.

Ill. Gary H. Kall, 33°
Most Wise Master

Council
Greetings Princes,
With the Degree presentation involving Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, it had me thinking of some of the interesting things that this Masonic Brother had accomplished in his life. He is known for a number of inventions, such as Bi-Focal glasses, the Franklin Stove which gave more heat for less fuel being used, experiments (and quite a number of amusing demonstrations) with electricity. There are some which you may not be familiar, he invented a musical instrument known as the Armonica, a device which created harmonics of glass bowls spinning on a shaft. Of interesting note, both Mozart and Beethoven composed music for this instrument.
Franklin also discovered the Gulf Stream, when he noticed that the westbound trip took longer. He made measurements of ocean temperatures and from finding the Gulf Stream, it cut two weeks off the previous sailing from Europe to North America.
To think that he was self-educated, though he earned honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, Oxford and Scotland’s University of St. Andrews.
It was his inquisitive mind, his pursuit of gaining more understanding of the world around us, looking for hidden reasons for things being as they were, or improving on things that just didn’t work as well as they could have, and acting upon his observations which made him such an incredible man of that time.
We might not be of his caliber in terms of inventiveness, but as we watch our degrees being performed, we should look to emulate our Brother Franklin, in gaining new meaning and insight, looking for not only the obvious lessons given, but the connections in small ways to our principles. While Ben Franklin had stopped his formal education at age 10, he continued learning and educating himself as a life-long pursuit. We can follow that example, and continue our journey to becoming better men.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
James A. Nelson, 32º
Sovereign Prince

Lodge
Welcome back brethren! So this month isn’t a crazy busy month for the LOP. We only have one degree to do, the 13th degree. This valley hasn’t done a 13th degree in, well, I honestly couldn’t tell you how long it’s been. So we are in the process of casting and directing the degree from the ground up. The degree rehearsal is scheduled for 20th November and the conferral is scheduled for the 27th of November. I am planning on scheduling another rehearsal since we are building the cast up from scratch. I do not have a date as of yet but once I do I will have the casting director, Terry Byard, reach out to the cast and let everyone know when and what time the second rehearsal will be scheduled for.
I look forward to seeing you all at the lodge for fellowship and further education in Masonry!

Fraternally,
Ken Sterling, 32°
Thrice Potent Master

Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
We are back and in full swing. It is our busiest year yet with 22 children attending the Center. Working with the children are 4 tutors, 3 Initial Level Scholars and 5 Advanced Level Scholars. We also have two Advanced Scholars who are tutoring off-premise.
Our Parent Information session took place in September in the Pavilion- we just had too many people to fit in my office. The Pavilion was a great place for everyone to be and the weather cooperated and we could keep the sides open.
Also in the Pavilion was the BBQ which accompanied our Walk-A- Thon. For the few who were able to attend, Thank You (the Scholars and I were in training all day, but I did get my chicken).
Despite the small turnout we had a successful fundraiser (Thanks to many of you who donated) and had media coverage on the Utica evening news. It’s all good.
By the time you read this, I will have seen many of you at COD. I know those who attended the Friday evening dinner were truly impressed by the mother and child speaking about our Center. Their sentiments of appreciation for all of your support is echoed by me.

Wishing you a wonderful Fall.

Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- lmartin@cnyclc.org
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
         PO Box 638
         Oriskany, NY 13424

2018 – 2019 Scholarship Applications Available
Applications to apply for 2018 - 2019 Supreme Council, AASR Leon M. Abbott Scholarships and New York State Council of Deliberation Scholarship Aid are now 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, or on line. 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”
To all applicants: The deadline date to submit your completed applications to the Valley of Syracuse is Monday April 2, 2018. That means in the office by close of business Monday April 2, 2018. Applications received after 4:00 p.m. Monday April 2, 2018 will not be considered.
New Applications must be used. There is one combined Application for 2018- 2019. The Combined Application must be used. Graduating High School Seniors may apply again this year.
The members of our Youth Groups; Triangle, Rainbow, and DeMolay; are eligible to apply for financial assistance. Students who complete the program at the Children’s Dyslexia Centers in New York State may also apply.
Six applicants from the Valley of Syracuse received financial assistance from this program for the 2017-2018 scholastic year. Congratulations and best wishes to them.
Please contact the Valley Office at (315) 452-7976 if you have any questions or require assistance and information.

Widows Invitation
Dear Masonic Widows
The Central City Bodies A.A.S.R. hosts and invites ladies to several evening events each year. We cordially welcome any Masonic Widow wishing to attend these events. Cost of the meals for these evenings is normally $13.00 per person. This includes before dinner social time and snacks, dinner, and an entertainment program following the dinner. Start time for the Social period is 6:00 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Program normally concludes prior to 9:00 p.m.

Please contact the Central City Bodies, A.A.S.R. Valley of Syracuse office 315-452-7976 or ny017@twcny.rr.com if you wish to be placed on our mailing list and receive invitations and meeting notices to attend these social evening events.

Happy Thanksgiving
Family Celebrations are important to all of us. Thanksgiving is a festive time for Families to gather together to give thanks and blessings for the bounty we all enjoy. Many college students are home for their first break from studies. Parents and Grandparents gather around the “Harvest Table” with their families for the traditional Thanksgiving Feast.

The Valley Office Staff, on behalf of all Officers and Members of Central City Bodies A.A.S.R., Valley of Syracuse wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

May peace and goodwill be the toast of this special Day. Please take care when you travel to be with your families and have a safe Holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving to all,
From
Sharon Fox
Sharon Swan
Jim Swan

October 2017 News

10/7/2017

Calendar
October 2017
Oct. 02 Executive Committee 7:00 p.m.
Oct 16 Confer 14° (L) 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow
Oct 21 (Saturday) Degrees At Valley of Rochester 9:30 a.m.
Valley of Syracuse will Confer 14° (L)
Oct 23 Recognition & Awards Night
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Oct 30 Confer 25⁰ (L) 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow Con

November 2017
Nov 06 AASR Trustees 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee 7:00 p.m.
Nov 13 Veteran’s Recognition Night
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Nov 20 13° Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
Nov 27 Confer 13° (L) 7:30 p.m.

Consistory
Well we are off to a great start of the year. It was great being able to attend the Supreme Council Meeting in Rochester this year. It was interesting session and a lot different than attending Grand Lodge. It will be interesting where the new Grand Commander leads us in the coming years. Thank you to all that helped out at the Supreme Council weekend to help make it a success.
Looking forward in October we have scheduled the 14th Degree on October 16th at 7:30 pm and then we go to the Valley of Rochester on October 21st to participate in their fall Reunion with the 14th Degree. On October 23rd, we will be having our annual Awards and Recognition Program Social at 6:00 pm, dinner at 7:30 pm with the program at 7:30 pm. Finally, we will have the 25th Degree on October 30 th at 7:30 pm. This Degree has not been performed in several years so come out to see it.
We also have Council of Deliberation on October 6th and 7th where Distinguished Brothers G. Michael Gates and Leon Bulriss will receive their Meritorius Service Awards.
I look forward to seeing you in the meetings and having your continued support.

D.B. Garry L. Visconti, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief

Chapter
Greeting Brethren,
Labor Day has come and gone and with it the unofficial end of summer. Which means it’s time to get back into our Masonic routines. I hope you were able to attend the Kick Off Dinner, the Encampment Program and witness the Conferral of the 4° in September.
The Lodge of Perfection will confer the 14° on October 9th and again in Rochester on October 21st . The Consistory will the confer the 25° on October 25th . Please mark you calendar and make every effort to attend these events.
Please keep those who have been affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma in your prayers.

Ill. Gary H. Kall, 33°
Most Wise Master

Council
Greetings Princes,
As I am writing this we are in anticipation of Irma making landfall, and it gives one pause to think of how so many people will have their lives uprooted, changed, or even ended, all by the force of nature. I pray those affected can rebuild their lives. I hope those of us who were not in harm’s way from these storms have done our part to help where and how we can.

This year brings some degrees which we haven’t put on for a long, long time. I find doing “new” (at least to some of us) degrees gives us new opportunities to gain insight in our own lives, both with watching the degrees and performing in them. I hope to see many brothers turn out for the various programs, as it is in fellowship we gain the most from this fraternity. This could be an opportunity to ask those fellow brothers in the Scottish Rite who haven’t been to a degree in a while to come on out, they would be welcomed, and it might help spark renewed interest in getting to know each other again.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

James A. Nelson, 32º
Sovereign Prince

Lodge
Welcome back brethren!
As we are now in full swing of our “busy season” we continue with our masonic schedule of meetings, degrees, and other outings and gatherings both inside and outside the lodge rooms.
Just a reminder, the Lodge of Perfection will be conducting the 14° rehearsal on October 15th at 6:00 p.m. and the conferrals are scheduled for October 16th at 7:30 p.m. in the lodge room and again on October 21 st in the Valley of Rochester.
I’m looking forward to the continued support and all the challenges and fellowship that comes along with it! Hope to see you all soon!

Fraternally,
Ken Sterling, 32°
Thrice Potent Master

Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY

The Valleys of Syracuse and Utica sponsor the Children’s Learning Center, Central New York on the Order of the Eastern Star Campus in Oriskany, NY for children with Dyslexia. You are invited to come to the learning Center to learn more about dyslexia and the negative impact that it has on a child.
The Annual Walk-A- Thon and Chicken Barbecue fundraiser to support the Learning Center is September 23, 2017 at the Center. Join us and help us help our children. Information has been sent to every member and questions regarding the event can be answered by contacting the Learning Center at (315) 736-0574 or (315) 736-0576, or the Valley office at (315) 452-7976.

Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- lmartin@cnyclc.org
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424

Hurricane Harvey Texas Disaster
Recent news media reports continue to report increasing personal property losses in the Houston, TX region as result of Hurricane Harvey.
You recently received a letter in your mail with information from your Valley Office informing all how to assist our Scottish Rite Masonic Brothers in Texas. Please respond to the memo and assist in any way that you can with a monetary contribution to the Supreme Council NMJ Almoner’s Fund.
Checks can be made payable to Grand Almoner’s Fund with a memo note for “Texas Hurricane Relief” and sent to Supreme Council ATTN: Mae Ann Bichajian, P.O. Box 519, Lexington, MA 02420-0519.
The Valley of Syracuse Hospitaler Fund has made a contribution to this effort.
Your office staff thanks everyone for your cooperation and timely support of this effort to aid our brothers and their families.

D.B. Garry L. Visconti, 32⁰ MSA
Commander-In- Chief
&
Ill. J.D. Swan, Jr., 33°
Valley Secretary

D.B. Garry Lee Visconti, 32° MSA Elected to Receive 33° at 2019 Supreme Council Biennial Session

9/7/2017

It is our extreme pleasure to announce that our Commander-In-Chief, D.B. Garry Lee Visconti, 32° MSA was elected at the 2017 Supreme Council Session to receive the 33° and become an Honorary Member of Supreme Council. He will be coronetted during the 2019 Supreme Council Biennial Session to be held August 24 – 27, 2019 in Milwaukee, WI.
Congratulations D. B Visconti!

September 2017 News

8/25/2017

Calendar
September 2017
Sept 11 Valley Fall Kick off Program “Bring a Brother Night at MMC
Social 6:00 p.m. /Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Candidates needed for September 25
Sept 18 Encampment Program 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow Consistory
Sep 23 (Saturday) Children’s Dyslexia Center Walk-a- Thon 9:00 a.m.
Chicken Barbecue 11:30 a.m. ‘til gone
Sept 25 Confer 4° (L) 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow

October 2017
Oct. 02 Executive Committee 7:00 p.m.
Oct 16 Confer 14° (L) 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow
Oct 21 (Saturday) Degrees At Valley of Rochester 9:30 a.m.
Valley of Syracuse will Confer 14° (L)
Oct 23 Recognition & Awards Night
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Oct 30 Confer 25⁰ (L) 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments to follow Con

Consistory
Well it is time to start another great Masonic year. And we have a lot of good items planned for 2017 – 2018.
We are starting off with our kick off dinner on September 11 th . This is will be a great time to bring those brothers who would make great Scottish Rite Masons to see what we have going on. We have reduced the cost for this Steak Dinner to $10.00 for members of the Valley. Let’s get out there and bring in some members for our Onondaga District Sponsored Class.
The next event that we have is a program that used to be in the 32nd Degree. The Ill Richard Powell will do the Encampment Program on September 18th at 7:30 pm. If you have not seen this program now is a great time to attend and see. It is also a great program for all those that have seen it to be refreshed. This is going to be a great night for all Scottish Rite Masons. There will be refreshments after the program.
We will start our fall Degrees on September 25th at 7:30 pm with the 4th Degree. Let’s get the petitions in for our new class of Scottish Rite Masons. There will be refreshment after the meeting.
Looking ahead a little, we are planning to go to the Valley of Rochester on October 21st to confer the 14th Degree. We plan to work with other Valleys with more programs later along with a trip to the Valley of Norwood.
We are also going to start a Masonic Education program though the Knights of St. Andrews. This will be based on a selected book and was the idea of two of our new members. See the article below.
Officers of the Valley - I am looking for your support and attendance at the Valley meetings and functions. Please do all you can to attend the COD session October 6th and 7th . I am looking forward to working will all of you to continue moving the Valley of Syracuse forward.
I am looking forward to a great year and I hope to see all of you at our meetings. If you have any ideas that you would like for the Valley to do, please bring it to our attention. Anyone can attend our Executive Committee meetings and bring Ideas.

D.B. Garry L. Visconti, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief

Chapter
Greeting Brethren,
It’s been a interesting summer with all the rain, but at least we didn’t have to shovel it.
Be sure and mark your calendar for Monday, September 11th, the night of the Scottish Rite Kick Off Dinner. Bring a friend who you think would make a great Scottish Riter. They will be our guest for dinner. Contact Sharon in the office to make your reservation.
Not much news right now. More to come later.

Ill. Gary H. Kall, 33°
Most Wise Master

Council
Greetings and Salutations Princes,
I trust that all have enjoyed their summer, creating precious memories and moments, or just having some additional time to relax.
One of the things which I thought about regarding our summer dark period, is it can be a time when we shed some of the hubris of life, sort of like clearing the cache memories on our computer browsers, letting go of some of the things which aren’t useful in our pursuits to become better men, so we are better enabled to be open to new ideas and to gaining new, better insights.
I enjoy having the more relaxed pace through the week day evenings, allowing time for reflection, evaluation of where I’ve been in my journeys through the past year, and hopefully to be honest enough with my thoughts, to cast away those things which can make a barrier to open fraternal relationships, as well as to my personal life.
I am looking forward, as always, to another year when we look to gain progress in our journey toward the light, where we can work to help our brothers on their paths and help the lives of those whom we serve through our causes. It will be good to see all of you again, as we continue the journey, in fellowship and brotherhood.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
James A. Nelson, 32º
Sovereign Prince

Lodge
Welcome back brethren! As the summer begins to dwindle down closer to fall, we begin to increase our masonic schedule with meetings, degrees, and other outings and gatherings both inside and outside the lodge rooms.
Just a reminder, the Lodge of Perfection will be conducting the 4th degree rehearsal on September 17th at 6:00 p.m. and the conferral is scheduled for September 25th at 7:30 p.m. in the lodge room.
I’m looking forward to the start of and new Masonic year and all the challenges and fellowship that comes along with it! Hope to see you all soon!
Fraternally,
Ken Sterling, 32°
Thrice Potent Master

Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
Wow- Who could believe that we have just completed the Summer Program for our 12 th year and are ready to start a new year in September.

Along with our summer tutoring we have been busy starting our Scholar Training for the coming year and preparing for the new Advanced Scholar training which will begin in September.
As always, we are ever grateful for you continued support and interest. I am in hopes that I will see many of you at the Teddy Bear Classic and/or the Annual Walk-a- Thon (which will take place in September this year on the 23 rd ). Remember that we have a BBQ and Bake Sale at the Walk – something for everyone-- --
We are looking forward to a full house this coming year and are always happy to have you visit, should you be able. We will reopen on Sept. 18 th and be on premise from 1-6PM Mon-Thurs.
Wishing you a wonderful “rest of your summer!”

Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- lmartin@cnyclc.org
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424

Obituary Notices
In memory of Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite members whose deaths were reported to the Valley office May 2017 thru August 2017:

Richard W. Holland, 32⁰ May 1, 2017
William E. Moran, Sr., 32⁰ June 6, 2017
Wilfred V. Farnham, 32⁰ August 24, 2017

The Secretary thanks all who inform the Valley Office when a loved one passes away. We follow the local Syracuse Post Standard newspaper each day to record the deaths of our current and former members. The Secretary is particularly thankful to those who report the passing of our current and former Members now living outside of the immediate surrounding area of Syracuse whose obituary notices are not published in the Syracuse Post Standard newspaper.

The Valley Invites You
Central City Bodies invites all Scottish Rite Masons to join us this Fall and Winter for our regularly scheduled meetings and events. The Commander-In-Chief, Most Wise Master, Sovereign Prince, and Thrice Potent Master have planned an excellent schedule of meetings for the 2017-2018 year. Many members seem to say “I do not like to attend boring meetings where the same thing happens at every meeting. Your Valley Officers have a variety of interesting meetings planned so that the same thing does not happen at every meeting. Programs planned include a presentation of the “Encampment” lecture from prior versions of the Thirty-second degree no longer presented; special programs that include your lady or special friend or family members. Also, several of the Scottish Rite Degrees have changed. There are new lessons to be learned and new ritual to be witnessed.
Read the WORD every month, check your mail for special meeting and events notices, and plan to attend. Your Valley is very active with many brothers attending every meeting and event. Come out and join your fellow members of the Masonic Family and enjoy the fellowship. I know that every organization is constantly mentioning the need for new members. Scottish Rite Masons and Central City Bodies, Valley of Syracuse are no different. Statistically the Valley of Syracuse membership has decreased over the past five years from 691 members in 2012 to our current membership of 572 members in 2017. Fellow members, we lose an average of 35 members per year due to death. A large reason for that loss is due to the advancing ages of our membership.
The Valleys of Syracuse and Utica together, in a joint effort, started in 2005, sponsor the Children’s Learning Center, Central New York on the Order of the Eastern Star Campus in Oriskany, NY for children with Dyslexia. You are invited to come to the learning Center to learn more about dyslexia and the negative impact that it has on a child. The Annual Walk-A- Thon and Chicken Barbecue fundraiser to support the Learning Center is September 23, 2017 at the Center. Join us and help us help our children. Information has been sent to every member and questions regarding the event can be answered by contacting the Learning Center at (315) 736-0574 or (315) 736-0576, or the valley office at (315) 452-7976. Six Children, Grandchildren, and a Valley member were among the fifty-two individuals who received financial assistance to continue their college studies for the 2017-2018 academic year from the Supreme Council and New York Scottish Rite Charities Educational Assistance funds.
Remember, we have many Family events with our ladies. Bring your lady out for a social evening. Contact the office 452-7976 if you have any questions regarding our events and programs. A special notice for each of these events is sent from the Valley office to our members.
A gentle reminder! The most important tasks of a Scottish Rite Valley are to create new Scottish Rite Masons. To provide Masonic education and fellowship to our members and to make our members better men and Masons. Join us for a steak dinner, September 11, 2017 when we kick off our Fall 2017 Scottish Rite year in the Valley of Syracuse. You received a special notice for this event in your recent mail. Invite a Master Mason who is not a Scottish Rite member to attend this event as a guest of the Valley. From the Valley Office

Masonic Academy of Central New York
The Masonic Academy of Central New York (MACNY) is a project of the Valley of Syracuse Chapter of the Knights of St. Andrew. Its purpose is to extend the Light of Masonic Knowledge beyond the educational programs provided by the Grand Lodge of New York.
Each MACNY course will be centered around a designated Masonic book, which will act as that course’s text. Participants will be required to read the book, attend a few classes and participate in an online discussion forum. It is hoped that the books chosen and the ensuing discussions will extend the Light of Freemasonry beyond the Lodge Room and encourage Brethren to improve themselves.
The initial book for MACNY’s Fall 2017 course is W.L. Wilmshurst’s classic “The Meaning of Masonry”, which can be purchased from Amazon.com. The recommended edition is “The Meaning of Masonry, Revised Edition (Agapa Masonic Classics)”, edited by Shawn Eyer with a Forward from Robert G. Davis.
Date, Time & Place will be forthcoming. If interested, more information can be found by emailing macny@syr-aasr.org

Walk for Dyslexia 9/23/2017 @Eastern Star Home and Campus

8/25/2017

We’re walking to raise money to help children with dyslexia learn to read and write. As many as one in five U.S. school children are living with dyslexia. Dyslexia can’t be cured, but it can be overcome. The program offered at the Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc. offers the most effective treatment of its kind in battling this disorder. No one else in the nation has a program remotely like it with one-on-one professional tutoring offered to children free of charge. We need your help.

When: Saturday, September 23,2017 (rain or shine)
Where: Eastern Star Home and Campus
8280 State Rt. 69
Oriskany, NY 13424
Course: 5K (3.1 miles)
Time: 9:30 AM Registration
10:00 AM Start
Info: Craig Cobb 315-446-0625

HELP CELEBRATE OUR 11TH YEAR OF SERVICE!
JOIN US FOR A CHICKEN BAR-B-Q
11AM (AFTER THE WALKATHON)
$10.00/PERSON
* ENJOY SOME GOODIES FROM OUR BAKE SALE TABLE

Happy Independence Day!

7/4/2017

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

2017 Children's Dyslexia Center CNY Recognition Ceremony

6/19/2017

A fantastic evening occurred on June 13th at the Children's Dyslexia Center of Central New York located on the campus of the Eastern Star Home in Oriskany, NY. Proud parents watched as each child was recognized for their achievements in overcoming their dyslexia disability. Two children met all requirements needed to graduate from the program. Congratulations to them!

Ill. David Spencer, 33°, AASR, NMJ, & Deputy for the State of NY, spoke to the audience and the children about dyslexia and being persistent in overcoming obstacles. He cited several famous dyslexic people, from Muhammed Ali to Jay Leno and Albert Einstein, who did not let their dyslexia hold them down.

Refreshments followed the ceremony.

June 2017 News

5/23/2017

Calendar
Jun 05 Trustees Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee 7:00 p.m.
Jul 15 Annual Masonic Bodies Scholarship Presentations 5:00 p.m.
          Masonic Memorial Center, 648 Centerville Place, North Syracuse, NY
Aug 04 Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY Annual “TEDDY BEAR CLASSIC”
            CAPTAIN & CREW FORMAT GOLF OUTING
            Vesper Hills Golf Course, Tully, NY
            10:30 a.m. SHOTGUN START
Aug 21 Valley Trustees Meeting 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Aug 27-29 Supreme Council, 33⁰, N.M.J. Biennial Session in Rochester, NY

Consistory
First I would like to thank the Brethren for the opportunity to serve as your Commander in Chief. I have large shoes to fill following Ill Richard Powell but I will do my best to do so. Rick has done an outstanding job the past 2 years with new programs that he arranged. Thank you, Rick, for your leadership.
Thank you to all who took Officer positions this year. I look forward to working with you to continue the good work in the Valley.
We are going to start out over the summer with Supreme Council being held in Rochester August 26 thru 29, 2017. We have several of our members helping Jim Swan in Registration and Rick Powell in Tiling. Thank you to all who have volunteered to help with this.
I am looking forward to an exciting 2 year, we have some degrees scheduled that have not been performed in a while and have been asked to do some Degrees with our neighboring Valleys.

I hope that everybody has a great summer.

D.B. Garry L. Visconti, 32° MSA
Commander in Chief

Chapter
As our 2016-2017 year come to a close, I would like to extend a hardy and sincere CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME to our new Princes of the Royal Secret and urge them to attend and participate in the Valley of Syracuse upcoming events. Please join us in the TEDDY BEAR CLASSIC golf outing at Vesper Hills Golf Course on August 4.
Our 2017-2018 Kick- Off dinner will be on September 11. Past Most Wise Master, D. B. Douglas H. Storey, MSA, has asked me to pass along the following message:
“Since this is my final column as Most Wise Master for the ROSE CROIX BODY of the
Central City Valley of Syracuse, I wish to thank all those Scottish Rite Brothers who graciously have played a part in the portrayal of the 18° on March 18th and the Feast of the Paschal Lamb Ceremony on April 8th. Last but not least, I wish for the best success for our incoming officers for 2017-2018.”
Have a GREAT SUMMER and look forward to seeing you all in the Fall.

Ill. Gary H. Kall, 33°
Most Wise Master

Council
Greeting Princes,
As we near the end of events and activities and enter into our dark period, so we may recharge our batteries and have time to spend on other pursuits, I find it puts me in a reflective state of mind.
I recently watched a movie called A Dog’s Purpose. It was a very touching and enjoyable film. In the opening portion the dog asks the question “what is the purpose of life?”. While this is from a dog’s point of view, mostly, it is a question I think we all have asked at some point in our lives. This caused me to think also about a film I saw many years ago, City Slickers. City Slickers is about men going through a bit of mid-life crisis, and going to a ranch. During one scene in that movie Mitch Robbins (played by Billy Crystal) is taken with how tough, yet some how, serene Curly (played by Jack Palance) is, how Curly is satisfied with his life in a rugged outdoors, filled with hard work. Mitch asks Curly “What is your secret, what is the secret to life?” (Please note, this is from memory, so it isn’t an exact quote). Curly holds up one finger and says “This”. Of course it left Mitch puzzled, and Curly goes on to explain that it isn’t what he holds as his secret that is the answer, it depends on yourself to figure that out. It is the one thing that you hold dear, that you hold close and helps define what your meaning of life is. It can be specific, or more general. It is ultimately what makes you happy, gives you a sense of fulfillment. It is what you hold close, that special passion, person, interest or ideal, which gives meaning and depth to all other things.
I think many of us in our Fraternal Order, regardless of which body we are most involved with, can find that “one thing”, that special something, which gives us the secret to our life, the purpose to our life. We talk of it often, either directly or symbolically, it is ultimately the aspect of our brotherhood which binds us the closest. I find the emblem we use to illustrate it, and remind us of it, to be one I have always been very fond of. We call it the mortar of Brotherly Love.
While we all have diverse passions, be it ritual, giving leadership, giving help to a distressed worthy Master Mason or their family, or even just sitting on the sidelines and contributing in fellowship, the secret is we have a love for our Brothers. We care, even for those we don’t personally know, because we have this brotherly love. John Lennon wrote “All You Need Is Love”, the Bible writes many things about love, including that love is the greatest of all things. How rich our lives become when we grasp “the secret”, and we all engage in spreading the cement of brotherly love.
Have a wonderful summer. Live. Laugh. Love.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
James A. Nelson, 32º
Sovereign Prince

Lodge
No News Received…

Ken Sterling, 32°
Thrice Potent Master

Hospitaler
Greetings Brethren,
May is here and the fragrance of apple blossoms is everywhere. Another Masonic year is winding down fast. St. John’s day will be here soon. If you plan on visiting and taking part in the festivities at the Masonic care community in Utica, make sure you allow time to visit the residents there.
If anyone is in need of our aid or assistance, Give Bob Tyrrell or the new Hospitaler, D.B. Doug Storey, a call.
See you around the Valley, and don’t forget the Blue envelopes,

Dick Freeman, 32°
Hospitaler
tel. 315-837-4962
freeman1574@frontier.com

Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
I hope that last month’s April Showers have brought you beautiful May Flowers!
This continues to be a very busy time at the Center as we continue to prepare the students for the end of their year. We have begun our post-assessments for the children and the (seemingly endless) end of year paperwork required to maintain our credibility and certification.
We have seven applicants for the upcoming class for Advanced Training for Certified Tutors and two applicants for the Initial Level Training. The Center will be an even busier place next year as all but two of these scholars will tutor on site. We expect to have 9 of our children return next year and we plan to bring in up to 14 new children in the fall. We know there will be changes but we will be planning for all eventualities as there will be no room for error in our room and time scheduling.
We are in the final stages of planning for our Recognition Ceremony on June 13 th . It is always a wonderful time of sharing and honoring the children and tutors and we feel fortunate to have the use of the Pavilion and services on the Eastern Star Campus. Please feel free to contact us if you can join us that evening- the program will begin at 6:30 with a light lunch after.
Our continued gratitude and appreciation for all that you do to encourage and support our work!

Linda L. Martin, Director
Email- lmartin@cnyclc.org
Phone- (315) 736-0574
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
         PO Box 638
         Oriskany, NY 13424

From The Office
The 2016-2017 Valley of Syracuse business year is rapidly coming to a close. Our regularly scheduled meetings and events for 2017-2017 are completed. On behalf of your office staff we thank and congratulate the 2016-2917 Valley Officers for providing the Valley membership quality programs and events.
Ill Richard J. Powell, 33⁰ completed his two years as our Commander-In- Chief in May. He and H. Bruce Naumann, 32⁰ Thrice Potent Master, Lodge of Perfection, James A. Nelson, 32⁰, Sovereign Prince, Council Princes of Jerusalem, and D.B. Douglas H. Storey, 32⁰ MSA Most Wise Master, Chapter of Rose Croix were our Valley leadership team for 2016-2017. Thru their efforts much was accomplished during the year. All are to be congratulated for what was accomplished. If you have followed our monthly reports and articles in the WORD I am sure that you can appreciate the efforts of our Valley Bodies Leaders and their officers this past year.
A very LARGE THANK YOU to all who assisted in any way to present the Scottish Rite Degrees and their messages to our new members this past year.
Another page in the book of time has turned and we now move forward to 2017-2018 business year in the Valley of Syracuse. Please congratulate our new Valley leaders as the step forward into their leadership roles for the next year.
We meet on Monday evenings from September thru May each year. Our monthly schedule is published each month in the WORD. All Valley members will receive the 2017 – 2018 Valley meetings and events schedule in the next few weeks.
Your office staff thanks everyone for your cooperation and timely support this past year and we wish each of you a happy and safe summer season in the upcoming weeks.
Relax, be safe, and we will greet each of you in September.

J.D. Swan, Jr., 33°
Valley Secretary

Valley of Syracuse Obituary Notices
In memory of Valley of Syracuse Scottish Rite whose deaths were reported to the Valley office January 2017 thru May 2017.
Wesley K. Lane, 32⁰ February 19, 2017
Robert Hamilton, 32⁰ February 27, 2017
Dr. Bruce W. Widger, 33⁰ Active Emeritus Member March 3, 2017
Lawrence J. Andrews, 32⁰ Notified March 10, 2017
John S. Curtis, 33⁰ April 5, 2017
Robert W. Brown, 32⁰ April 15, 2017
Alois Engler, 32⁰ April 20, 2017
Richard W. Holland, 32⁰ May 1, 2017
The Secretary thanks all who inform the Valley Office when a loved one passes away. We follow the local Syracuse Post Standard newspaper each day to record the deaths of our current and former members. The Secretary is particularly thankful to those who report the passing of our current and former Members now living outside of the immediate surrounding area of Syracuse whose obituary notices do not get published in the Syracuse Post Standard newspaper.

Teddy Bear Golf Classic to Support Children’s Dyslexia Center, CNY
Friday, August 4th
@ VESPER HILLS GOLF COURSE, 4291 Octagon Rd., Tully, NY 13159
Registration: 9:30 a.m. / Shotgun Start: 10:00 a.m.
Captain & Crew Format / Mixed foursomes welcome
$60.00 per person / $240.00 per team
Open to all-men and women
Food at the turn / Buffet to follow
Send reservations by: Friday-July 28,2017
Make checks payable to: CDC CNY-103

Send Reservations to or for more information Contact:
Craig E. Cobb
115 Haverhill Dr.
DeWitt, NY 13214
(315) 446-0625
cobb3@verizon.net

Congratulations to the New Officers

5/23/2017

Congratulations to the newly elected & installed Officers for the Valley of Syracuse:

2017-2018 Lodge of Perfection Officers
Thrice Potent Master: Kenneth D. Sterling, 32°
Senior Warden : Terry A. Byard, 32°
Junior Warden : Johnnie T. Pierce, 32°
Orator : David H. Golding, 32°
Master of Ceremonies : Jorge L. Romeu, 32°
Captain of the Guard : D.B. Kevin M. Cobb, 32° MSA
Trustee: H. Bruce Naumann, 32° DSA

2017-2018 Council Princes of Jerusalem Officers
Sovereign Prince: James A. Nelson, 32º
High Priest: Michael A. Miller, 32°
Senior Warden: Brian E. Ziegler, 32°
Junior Warden: Frank K. Wheelock, 32°
Master of Ceremonies: Jorge L. Romeu, 32°
Master of Entrances: D.B. Kevin M. Cobb, 32º MSA
Trustee: D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA

2017-2018 Chapter of Rose Croix Officers
Most Wise Master: Ill.'. Gary H. Kall, 33°
Senior Warden: Caleb W. Haines, 32°
Junior Warden: Henry R. Havener, 32°
Orator: David H. Golding, 32°
Master of Ceremonies: Jorge L. Romeu, 32°
Captain of the Guard: D.B. Kevin M. Cobb, 32° MSA
Trustee: Ill.'. Milo J. Peterson, 33°

2017-2019 Consistory Officers
Com. in Chief: D.B. Garry L. Visconti, 32° MSA
1st. Lt. Commander: D.B. Lawrence W. Egnaczyk, 32° MSA
2nd LT. Commander: D.B. Earl L. Tuttle, 32° MSA
Orator: William H. Toth, 32° DSA
Chancellor: Ill.'. Gary S. Hartman, 33°
Master of Cer.: D.B. Leon A. Bulriss, 32° MSA
Engineer and Sen'l: D.B. Garret A. Wikoff, 32° MSA
Master of Robes: H. Bruce Naumann, 32° DSA
Color Bearer: D.B. David A. Barnello, 32º MSA
Standard Bearer: Jack G. Dombrowski, 32º DSA
Capt. Guard: D.B. Kevin M. Cobb, 32° MSA
Trustee: Richard M. Torrey, 32° DSA
Trustee: Carl F. Fahrenkrug, Jr., 32°

Officers In All Four Bodies
Treasurer: D.B. J. Michael Gates, 32° MSA
Secretary: Ill.'. James D. Swan, Jr., 33°
Hospitaler: D.B. Douglas H. Storey, 32° MSA
Hospitaler: Ill.'. Robert M. Tyrrell, 33°
Tiler: D.B. Melvin W. Sitts, 32° MSA

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