April 2000

New Minnesota Scottish Rite Clinic Building Dedicated | Eighth Anniversary In Richmond | Washington, D.C., S.R. Center Celebrates Tenth Anniversary | Knoxville Scottish Rite Foundation, Inc., Community Services | Golf Tournament A Success | Scottish Rite Masonry At Work In Louisiana | International Group In Saudi Arabia Supports Scottish Rite Clinics | Masonic Shoe Program | A Unique Birthday Party Benefits Shreveport, Louisiana, Clinic | Micro Society A Hit | Symbolic Groundbreaking In Greenville, South Carolina | Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Makes A Difference In Alaska | Wyoming Grads | Commemorative Belt Buckle Boosts Scottish Rite Clinic In Alaska

Pageantry marked a significant event for the Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders in the Valley of Duluth, Minnesota. On Saturday, September 18, 1999, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota dedicated a new, modern home for the Scottish Rite Clinic adjacent to the Scottish Rite Temple on a busy thoroughfare in the central business area of Duluth. Following the formal opening of the Grand Lodge at the Temple, the Aad Shrine Color Guard and Pipe Band led a parade of Scottish Rite officers and Grand Lodge officers headed by M.W. Jeffry N. Lewis, 33°, Grand Master, to the site of the new building where a large crowd of Masons and their families, parents of children treated at the clinic, and local civic leaders were present for the dedication ceremony. III. John D. Morrison, 33°, Clinic Committee Chairman, was Master of Ceremonies. Speakers were the Hon. Gary H. Doty, Mayor of Duluth; James H. Proctor, 32°, K.C.C.H., President of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Duluth; and Ill. Daniel F. Levenduski, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Minnesota.

Since its opening in 1990, the clinic has been located on the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus. During past years, a growing demand for additional clinical services to children and parents, coupled with space constraints at the University, necessitated a move to a more convenient, roomy building with readily accessible parking areas.

The new building was purchased and completely remodeled by the Scottish Rite Foundation of Duluth with support from the Valleys of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The new 2,550-square-foot facility has four therapy rooms with corresponding observation areas for parents, a large audiometric sound suite complete with state-of-the-art audiometric testing instruments, a spacious reception area for clients, and capabilities to videotape each therapy session. The facility is handicapped accessible and fully complies with all requirements of the American Disability Act. It has a safe, appealing outdoor area where a playground for clients will be completed in spring 2000.

In addition to adequate office facilities for the clinic staff, space is available for parent education classes to assist them in understanding their child's communication disorder and learning new techniques to use at home. Through the generosity of the Scottish Rite members, the clinic has a wide array of assessment tools, toys, therapy resource supplies, textbooks, a children's library, and an array of helpful home programs for parents.

Ms. Carol L. Roberts, M.A., CCC–SLP, clinic director, leads a staff that includes one full-time and one half-time speech/language pathologist, a part-time audiologist, all certified by the American Speech/Language/Hearing Association, and an office manager. With this staff, the clinic provides services for children five days per week at no cost to their parents. The clinic continues a working relationship with the University of Minnesota Duluth, serving as a site for graduate student interns in the University's Speech and Hearing program each year.

On November 14, 1999, the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center at Richmond, Inc., proudly celebrated its eighth anniversary of providing speech and hearing services to children by hosting a "Communication Carnival." Hosting an event of this nature proved to be a wonderful experience and targeted three important goals emphasized by the center. First, it invited a celebration of the achievements that have been made at the clinic over the years and by the children treated there. Second, it offered an opportunity for the center to become more visible in the greater Richmond area by inviting community involvement and attracting media attention from area newspapers, magazines, and radio stations. Third, it increased public awareness of the fine work of the Scottish Rite, giving Freemasonry the recognition it so richly deserves.

A "Communication Carnival" celebrated the 8th anniversary of the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center at Richmond, Inc. Pictured above at the carnival are (l. to r.) Emily, age 4, Bro. Harry E. Moore, Jr., 32°, also known as "Dimples," and Joshua, age 2.

The event was held on the grounds of the Richmond Scottish Rite Temple, and over 130 people attended. Some of the more popular features of the "Communication Carnival" included an inflatable moonwalk, a petting zoo, games, a NASCAR racecar, clowns, face painting, and a cakewalk. As a community service, the center's speech-language pathologists and audiologist offered free speech and hearing screenings to Richmond area children. Local merchants were invited to become involved by donating food, beverages, and prizes. Members of the Scottish Rite Woman's Club, as well as other volunteers, gave generously of their time and talents. The day's festivities were featured in the community calendar section of the Richmond–Times Dispatch newspaper, local magazines, and on a local radio station. The combined efforts of all involved resulted in making the day a huge success. It is hoped the carnival will become an annual event, and everyone looks forward to next year's celebration with excitement.

On September 18, 1999, a fun-filled day of activities, food, the Children's Hospital Dr. Bear, and community participation ushered in the Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorder's Tenth anniversary in Washington, D.C. The festivities included a "Dragon Chute" (pictured on following page) and other large inflated play stations, a carousel, just-made cotton candy, face painting, and many other fun foods and activities from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Many of the D.C. Brethren and their ladies, including Ill. Charles S. Iversen, 33°, S.G.I.G. in the District of Columbia, and his wife, Eleanor, volunteered to make this an outstanding event. For the past decade, the Scottish Rite Center has been a strong resource in our nation's capital for children with language and speech disorders. It serves over 500 children and their families each year. Tommie L. Robinson, Jr., Ph.D., directs the center, established as a cooperative program of the Children's Hearing and Speech Center, Children's National Medical Center, and the D.C. Scottish Rite Bodies. The center's bilingual staff provides speech-language diagnostic and therapy services in English and Spanish regardless of a family's ability to pay. This is made possible by the generous support of the center by the local Scottish Rite Foundation. In the past 10 years, the center has provided over $1.4 million in free care to children whose families could not otherwise afford it.

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In 1960, the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Knoxville, Tennessee, adopted a policy of community service to provide shoes for needy children of school age and sick room equipment for those in need. These programs have grown and expanded many times since then. They meet basic needs for a large number of families. As of December 1998, over 153,000 pairs of shoes have been distributed. Some 900 folding wheelchairs and 450 hospital beds are on loan, without charge, to needy people in the East Knoxville area. Twenty annual college scholarships of $1,000.00 each are also awarded to qualified students.

In 1989, a new service was adopted, that of providing corrective therapy for speech impaired preschool children. The clinics are located in Kingsport and Knoxville. As of December 1998, over 503 children have been evaluated and treated with 5,900 hours of treatment and $296,000 expended. Over the years, the Knoxville Brethren have also provided many thousands of Americanism booklets to the public schools in the East Tennessee area. All the above services are financed by tax-deductible, voluntary contributions.

The Second Annual Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center Golf Tournament was held on Friday, October 1, 1999, at the beautiful Quinton Oaks Golf Course in Callao, Virginia, to benefit the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center at Richmond, Inc. The event was a tremendous success, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Scottish Rite Golf Committee, many devoted Scottish Rite volunteers, enthusiastic center staff members, generous sponsors, and, of course, the golfers themselves. Surpassing last year's total, the event raised $30,000. Participants enjoyed a picture-perfect day of golfing, followed by a steak dinner, and concluding with an awards ceremony. Plans are already underway to tee-off at the Third Annual Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center Golf Tournament to be held this fall.

The Monroe Scottish Rite Bodies are doing a great job in support of the Childhood Language Disorders Clinics in Louisiana. In accordance with a suggestion by Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, for example, the Monroe Bodies have taken on the sponsorship of a significant local community endeavor, the Louisiana Walking/Racking Horse Association's annual charity horse show as a fund-raising endeavor to support the Orient's Childhood Language Disorders Program.

As a fund-raiser for the Scottish Rite's Childhood Language Disorders Program in Louisiana, the Brethren of the Valley of Monroe sponsor the Louisiana Walking/Racking Horse Association's annual charity horse show.

The Brethren sell ads in the event's program, assist in setting up the arena, sell tickets and programs, usher people to their seats, man the gates to allow the horse in each class to enter and leave the arena during judging, assist crowd control, and ensure that safety procedures are followed. The Monroe Bodies took over the sponsorship in 1992 at the request of the officers of the Horse Show Association. Prior to that date, the show had not been as successful as the association had anticipated. Through the good work and planning of the members of the Monroe Valley, the show has raised in excess of $20,000 since Monroe Scottish Rite assumed sponsorship. The proceeds are given to the Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation which supports the Childhood Language Disorders Clinics in Shreveport and New Orleans as well as the newest facility in Louisiana, the Adm. E. A. Barham, 33°, G.C., Scottish Rite Speech and Hearing Clinic in Monroe, dedicated on September 3, 1998.

This clinic is a cooperative effort with the Department of Communicative Disorders (CODI) at Northeast Louisiana University. Speech/Language pathology services are provided to youngsters from throughout northeast Louisiana by graduate student clinicians under the supervision of CODI faculty, who are speech/language pathologists certified by the American Speech/Language/Hearing Association and licensed by the Louisiana Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology.

Submitted by Ill. Beryl C. Franklin, 33°, Valley of Monroe, Louisiana

Known as the DKs, a group of expatriates of various nationalities work and live in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. They always have a strong desire to support worthwhile causes. Many of them are separated from their families and loved ones for months at a time and often endure harsh living and working conditions with very hot and humid temperatures, often in excess of 100 degrees. Yet, their spirit of care and concern remains high. Every six months, they consider a charitable project worthy of their support. Recently, they selected the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinics of the Southern Jurisdiction, USA.

Martin Waterman (r.) is a member of the DKs, a group of expatriates of various nationalities, some of them Freemasons, working in Saudi Arabia. The group recently selected the Childhood Language Disorders Program of the Southern Jurisdiction as a charitable cause and contributed a challenge/grant of $7,200. This sum was matched and exceeded by Valley contributions so that the benefit to the children we serve has doubled to well over $14,400. Mr. Waterman is pictured presenting the DK's check to Bro. Reginald L. Brittan, Past Grand Master, American Canadian Grand Lodge.

In a six-month period, the DKs raised $7,200.00. These monies were placed in the Challenge/Grant Program of the Southern Jurisdiction, Scottish Rite. The program challenges Valleys to meet or exceed $2,000.00 by donations within the Valley. The DKs of Saudi Arabia (some of whom are Masons working under the American Canadian Grand Lodge) are very proud to know that the funds they raised have exceeded $14,400 in value because of the support within various Valleys. Thus, their monetary support more than doubled their gift of care and compassion, gifts truly beyond measure.

Many school children in the Valley of Olympia, Washington, area are feeling better about themselves now that they're wearing new shoes. In a program that began last fall with one school district and has spread to the rest of the districts in the Valley, appropriate students are provided with a pair of shoes and socks at no cost to them. Ill. Merlin F. Smith, 33°, Valley Almoner, saw a need and responded with the purchase of 300 new pairs of shoes. Every Wednesday afternoon, Brother Merlin and a few helpers fit selected first through sixth graders with high quality footwear. To date, about 200 students are wearing shoes provided by the Olympia Valley.

"We make sure every student who comes through the door of the Masonic Center leaves with a new pair of shoes." Ill. Smith explains. "Elementary school counselors determine which students need shoes and those students come to the center with an authorization form completed by the counselor."

New shoes bring smiles. A student in North Thurston School District is pleased with new shoes and socks provided by Olympia Valley Scottish Rite and other Masonic Bodies.

With every new pair of shoes a simple message goes home with the student explaining that the shoes were provided free by the Scottish Rite, along with other participating Masonic Bodies. Those participating with Scottish Rite in the shoe program include Harmony Lodge No. 18; Trinity Chapter No. 215 O.E.S.; Olympia Chapter No. 36 O.E.S.; and Capital Court No. 37, Order of Amaranth.

On the rare occasions when a student's shoe size is not available at the center, Brother Smith gives the child or counselor a gift certificate for a pair of shoes and a pair of socks at a local shoe store.

"To see the joy on the faces of students who receive the shoes is worth every minute of our time spent on the program" Brother Smith says. "Students who come in with a floppy soled shoe and walk out with a new pair certainly feel better about themselves. We're not only providing shoes, we're helping to build self-esteem in potential future leaders."

For more information on how to start a shoe program in your Valley, please contact Ill. Bro. Smith at (360) 357–3584.

After you have read this article, you will know why they call seven-year-old Morgan Ehrenberger "a little girl with a big heart." She wanted to have a special birthday party for her five-year-old sister, Mary Cameron, who is receiving therapy at the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinic in Shreveport, Louisiana. She invited over 20 girls to the party and made it a dress-up affair where each of the young ladies created a special costume for the occasion and had her hair, nails, and makeup done to perfection. Then they assembled on the stage of the Scottish Rite Temple (photo left) for a group photo and performed a birthday dance before enjoying "Queen Cake" and fresh fruit in the Temple's dining hall. To make the event even more special, Morgan requested that guests don't bring birthday gifts but, instead, a check payable to the Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation. This was Morgan's way of thanking the clinic for helping her sister. Nearly $300 was donated to help other children with speech and learning problems, and everyone learned a valuable lesson about supporting community programs. Thanks, Morgan, you truly are a little girl with a big heart!

The Sheridan Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry have long supported programs for the benefit of youth. They believe that innovative programs lead to success. On September 10, 1996, the Sheridan Bodies hosted a presentation by Mr. Steve Stadick, Micro Society Coordinator of Tongue River Elementary School. This presentation outlined the background, object, and direction of the Micro Society program as instituted in the Tongue River Elementary School. Mr. Stadick appeared before them not only to inform about this innovative program but also to solicit financial support from the Bodies. Since Mr. Stadick's presentation three years ago, Sheridan members have visited Tongue River Elementary School to see the program in operation and have supported the program financially. The members are so enthusiastic about Micro Society, and its positive effects on youth, that they have given $2,000 in support during the past three years.

Since it teaches real-life skills and values, the Micro Society program at a local elementary school is supported each year by the Brethren of the Sheridan, Wyoming, Scottish Rite Bodies.

Micro Society allows students to apply the skills they learn in math, social studies, English, etc. immediately and in real-life situations. This innovative process gives the students the skills to enter the work force of tomorrow. The Sheridan members, as business and community leaders, recognize the value of hands-on training. New concepts and skills are more readily acquired when you can see the practical application of a new lesson learned. This is the reason that Sheridan Bodies are so committed to the concept of Micro Society and why they have been so willing to support it financially.

On November 26, 1999, a symbolic groundbreaking (photo right) took place for a new Childhood Language Disorders Center adjacent to the Scottish Rite building in Greenville, S.C. This is the culmination of a long effort, starting with the chartering of the Scottish Rite Foundation of South Carolina in 1985, to have a state-of-the-art facility to serve children in the upstate area of South Carolina. Initially, a ladies lounge was converted to a clinic in the Columbia Scottish Rite Temple, and during 11 years, 850 youngsters were treated. In 1998, using funds provided for charitable purposes by the late M.W. John I. Smith, 33°, P.G.M. and S.G.I.G. in South Carolina, John I. Smith Charities, Inc., gave a challenge grant of $500,000. By dint of hard effort and the assistance of the Supreme Council and the Orient of California, the Brethren of South Carolina raised an equal sum. The Honorable Frank S. Holleman III, Deputy U.S. Secretary of Education, gave the principal address at the symbolic groundbreaking on November 26, 1999, and Ill. H. Wallace Reid, 33°, S.G.I.G. in South Carolina, congratulated all involved in carrying this great work forward. By fall 2000, the $1 million clinic is expected to be built and functioning in Greenville. Congratulations, Brethren, on a job well done!

It's a known fact that Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) in Dallas has touched the lives of countless Texas children. But the hospital's reach has now even extended as far as Stony River, Alaska, to a nine-year-old boy named Gusty.

Gusty has never actually set foot in the TSRHC building. And he's never met any hospital staff members in person. But thanks to TSRHC, he's overcome a significant learning difference and is now able to read.

Gusty gained this essential life skill by using the TSRHC Dyslexia Training Program videotapes. The tapes were introduced to him by a teacher from Texas who now lives in Alaska. They provided Gusty with the teaching expertise of a dyslexia therapist and his teacher with an effective curriculum for her student. The tapes also brought great relief to Gusty's father who had become frustrated trying to find help for his child.

Fate intervened by bringing the hospital and this special young boy together in the far reaches of the United States. Developed as a way for the hospital to provide service to children outside of the actual hospital setting, the dyslexia training tapes have also helped children in other countries such as Germany and Africa.

Marietta Biddle, supervisor of the TSRHC dyslexia lab and one of the instructors on the videotapes, says, "The idea was to reach a greater number of people and help more children learn to read. The tapes are especially helpful for people who don't have access to their own therapists. The tapes guide children through the process and work in conjunction with accompanying workbooks."

Less than a year after beginning his training with the tapes, Gusty could make sense of letters and words that had confused him for years. His teacher witnessed a transformation in him: "He reminds me of someone who was starving and is now seated at a banquet. He just doesn't seem to get his fill."

For more information about the TSRHC Dyslexia Program, please contact the Luke Waites Child Development Center at 214–559–7800. Also, click here.

Recently, four students graduated from the Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Helping with the graduation ceremonies are (back row, l. to r.) Jan Dowse and Karyn Longstreet, graduate clinicians from the University of Wyoming, and Ill. Jack E. Nixson, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Wyoming.

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The Orient of Alaska has struck a limited edition commemorative belt buckle as a fund-raiser for the Alaska Childhood Language Disorders Foundation. The success of the belt buckle program will allow more children to be treated at the Anchorage clinic. Designed by an Alaska Scottish Rite Brother, the solid brass buckle features the double-headed eagle totem style, reminiscent of the Indian art of Southeast Alaska. The cost, $15.00, includes handling and shipping. Please send check or money order to: Alaska Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Foundation, PO Box 101445, Anchorage, AK 99510–1445.