Notables participating in the first annual Burl Ives Memorial Benefit Concert in Branson, Missouri, on October 26, 1998, included (l. to r.): M.W. Steven I. Toybes, 33°, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri; Ill. Mel Tillis, 33°, Valley of Joplin, Missouri; Dorothy Ives, widow of Ill. Burl Ives, 33°, G.C.; Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, (in Western garb); and Ill. Earl K. Dille, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Missouri and Grand Prior of the Supreme Council, 33°.

From all points of the compass, they converged on Branson, Missouri. On Monday evening, October 26, 1998, over 350 Scottish Rite Masons and their guests attended the “First Annual” Burl Ives Memorial Benefit hosted by Ill. Mel Tillis, 33°. Proceeds from this and future benefit concerts starring Brother Mel will be used to maintain the Burl Ives Collection housed in the Scottish Rite House of the Temple in Washington, D.C.  On this occasion, Ill. Tillis presented Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, a check for nearly $16,000 in support of this cause.

The benefit took place at the Mel Tillis Theater with performances by Ill. Tillis, his daughter, Pam, and Randy Sparks with his New Christy Minstrels. This was a fun event for all, and plans are already underway for the "Second Annual" Burl Ives Memorial Benefit to be held in 1999.

In April 1723, The Flying-Post or Post-Master, a London newspaper, published the first "exposure," known as "a Mason's Examination," of the secrets of Freemasonry. The next known published "exposure" was in 1724, The Grand Mystery of Free-Masons Discover'd, although there were references to another 1723 catechism in The Post-Boy which has never been found—that is until November 1998. Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33°, editor of Heredom, the annual transactions of the Scottish Rite Research Society, was in London for the installation of officers of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 (QC), when he met with Bro. Yasha Beresiner, W.M. of QC. Bro. Beresiner is a dealer in rare maps and prints and had recently come into possession of the December 26–28, 1723, issue of The Post-Boy. As Bros. Beresiner and Morris studied the old paper, they quickly realized it was a unique publication, and subsequent research has shown there are no known copies of this issue in the British Museum or any other American or British library. Ill. Morris quickly made arrangements for the Library of the Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., to purchase the unique newspaper. He presented it to Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°, on December 15, 1998, at the House of the Temple (photo below).
 

On December 15, 1998, Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33° (l.), editor of Heredom, presented a rare Masonic document, recently purchased by the Library of the Supreme Council, to Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°.

The text will soon be available for analysis by students of the Craft. A preliminary study of the Masonic questions and answers in the document has led Ill. Bro. Morris to conclude the catechism is a sham, either published as a red herring by Masons or as a practical joke by persons unknown. A complete transcription of the catechism will be in the Winter 1999 issue of the Plumbline, the newsletter of the Scottish Rite Research Society; a question-by-question analysis will appear in vol. 7 of Heredom, available in late fall of this year; and a color photographic copy of the original Post-Boy text is available to the Friends of the Library group. 

After over 10 years without a permanent home, the Scottish Rite Bodies of Columbia, Missouri, hosted a grand opening of their new Masonic Center on May 22, 1998. Construction began on the new facility, consisting of approximately 6,000 square feet, in the fall of 1997 and was completed in spring 1998, thanks to the supervision of Bro. Bill Reinhardt, 32°, who served as the general contractor on the project, and the commitment and hard work of many Valley Brethren.

The new Masonic Center is being made available for use by all Masonic organizations in Missouri, not just exclusively for the Scottish Rite, and is conveniently located on a major highway in the central part of the state. The Thilo Chapter O.E.S. will begin meeting at the facility later this year, and discussions are underway with Acacia Lodge No. 602 as to the possibility of constructing a Blue Lodge building on the property. Thanks to the county renaming the road leading to the facility, the new address is 33 Masonic Drive, PO Box 28, Columbia, Missouri 65205.
 

Pictured (l. to r.) holding the new street sign “33 Masonic Drive” for the new Masonic Center in Columbia, Missouri, are: Ill. H. Keith Neese, 33°, Valley Personal Representative; Ill. Dr. Gene Ridenhour, 33°, Choir Director; Ill. Earl K. Dille, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Missouri; Lt. Governor Roger B. Wilson, 32°, K.C.C.H.; and Bro. Bill Reinhardt, 32°, general contractor for the project.

The facility also houses the offices of the Robert G. Combs Children's Communications Disorders Clinic, which works with the University of Missouri–Columbia Communications Sciences Program to assist children with communications disorders in the central Missouri area. The clinic was named after the late Robert G. Combs, 32°, K.C.C.H., who was instrumental in establishing the clinic.

The weekend's festivities began on the morning of May 22 with a regular statewide board meeting of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri. Following the meeting, cornerstone laying and building dedication ceremonies were conducted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri under the direction of M.W. Jeffrey O. Nations, then Grand Master. Brother Roger B. Wilson, 32°, K.C.C.H., and Lt. Governor of the State of Missouri, was the keynote speaker. An open house and reception followed, with members of the Valley reconvening later that evening for the Columbia Valley's 75th Reunion, which carried over through the next day. The Tiger Shrine Club held a dinner and Shrine Ceremonial following the Reunion on Saturday evening.

Approximately 300 Masons from across the state turned out for the event. In addition to the Missouri Grand Lodge delegation and several Missouri Past Grand Masters, included among the dignitaries were Ill. Earl K. Dille, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Missouri and Ill. Wallace Willard, 33°, Assistant Personal Representative to the S.G.I.G. for the Orient of Missouri; Ill. Bob Coleman, 33°, Potentate of Moolah Shrine Temple; R.E. Sir Knight James J. Gibbons, Grand Commander of Knights Templar for Missouri; Bro. Paul Lineberry, 32°, Worthy Grand Patron O.E.S. for Missouri; representatives from the York Rite and various other Appendant Bodies, and representatives from the St. Louis, Kansas City, Joplin, and St. Joseph Missouri Scottish Rite Valleys.
A delegation representing the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge and Appendant Prince Hall Bodies accepted the Columbia Valley's invitation to attend the ceremonies. The delegation was led by R.W. Larry Bell, Senior Grand Warden, who graciously addressed the crowd at the conclusion of the Missouri Grand Lodge ceremonies.

"This is truly an eventful occasion," commented M.W. Grand Master Jeffrey O. Nations, "this is the first time in recent memory that all the Masonic Organizations in Missouri were in one place" for a Masonic function. Lt. Governor Roger Wilson, 32°, K.C.C.H., and member of the Columbia Valley, described Freemasonry as a “family affair, designed to make good men better for the good of the community” and urged the Brethren to use the new facility as a way to promote the fundamental principles of Masonry for future generations. In a show of Masonic unity, several active and prominent York Rite Masons received the Scottish Rite Degrees at the Reunion.

Following the December 1998 Scottish Rite Journal appeal for disaster relief, victims of Tropical Storm Mitch in Honduras and other Central American countries received donations from Valleys and individual Brethren totalling $25,000. This was in addition to a $5,000 donation from the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J., itself. In response, Ill. Bros. Peter Frohmander, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, Supreme Council for the Republic of Honduras, C.A., and Jesus Enamorado Suazo, Grand Secretary General, wrote in a recent letter to Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°: “We want to thank you and all our Illustrious Brethren at the Mother Council of the World for the great signs of solidarity shown in these sad and trying times for our nation. The Government and the people of the United States of America have been, as is always the case, most generous and first in line to offer help to countries that need aid and assistance. God bless this great country.... We are busy making sure that the most needy and outlying communities get their share of stoves and cooking utensils. This action is being carried out directly by our Masonic Brethren, without intermediaries....

"Our American Brethren can be sure that their donations will be managed with great love and care.... Thankfully and fraternally yours."

The Supreme Council now has available a new edition of the booklet "Presenting the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry." The new edition is expanded to 56 pages with updated text and full-color illustration throughout. The booklet provides an excellent introduction to nearly all aspects of the Rite from its origins and officers to its headquarters building, publications, programs, and philanthropies. Color maps indicate Scottish Rite Clinic, Center, and Program locations as well as the Jurisdiction's Sectors, Orients, and Valleys.

This attractive booklet is an excellent resource for reaching prospective members, the general public, and candidates for the Scottish Rite Degrees. Individual copies are $1.00 each (s/h included). A discount rate of $.75 per copy is available for orders of 50 or more (s/h included). Please make checks payable to the Supreme Council and send requests to: The Supreme Council, 1733 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009–3103.

Recently, Ill. Sam E. Hilburn, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Texas and Grand Treasurer of the Supreme Council (far right), joined M.W. Harry G. Cunningham, 33°, Grand Master of Masons in Texas (l.); Ms. Suzi Holt, Administrator, Scottish Rite Dormitory; and Ill. Roye A. Mulholland, 33°, President, Scottish Rite Dormitory, at the unveiling of a plaque designating the Scottish Rite Dormitory in Austin, Texas, as a listed site in the National Register of Historic Places. The Scottish Rite Dormitory opened its doors to young women attending the University of Texas at Austin in 1922.

DeMolay will celebrate 1999 as its 80th year. This fine Masonic youth organization has come a long way since 1919, when nine young men gathered and began what developed into a premier organization dedicated to teaching young men to be better persons and leaders.

Under the advisorship of adults, the International Order of DeMolay today still teaches leadership skills, civic awareness, personal responsibility, and character development through a variety of self-directed, real-world applications and activities. DeMolay builds confidence; teaches responsibility, cooperation and community service; and fosters trust, respect, fellowship, patriotism, reverence, and sharing. DeMolay is creating tomorrow's leaders today!

To celebrate its 80th anniversary, DeMolay has a 12-month project to complete the ceramic tile wallmap of the United States located immediately inside the front door of the DeMolay International Service and Leadership Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Names of DeMolay Chapters, Jurisdictions, Chevalier Courts, Legion of Honor Preceptories, Parents’ Clubs, Mothers’ Clubs, Knighthood Priories, Alumni Associations, all Masonic groups and individuals are allowed and inscribed on these tiles. There are three sizes of tiles: 4-inch for $200; 6-inch for $400; and 8-inch for $600. The program will end December 31, 1999. Tiles are limited and available on a first-come, first- served basis. Donating individuals or groups wishing to buy a tile for permanent recognition or to request more information, please contact: DeMolay International, 10200 N. Executive Hills Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64153–1367; call (816) 891–8333, e-mail demolay@demolay.org or visit the DeMolay website at www.demolay.org.

On December 3, 1998, in ceremonies held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Pensacola, Florida, Scottish Rite Brethren remembered the attack of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, and honored members of the local Chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Invited guests included members of the Silver Eagles Association, enlisted pilots from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps who constituted much of the initial air defense of the Pacific.

The guest speaker, Commander Roy S. Whitcomb, U.S. Navy, Retired, recalled the eventful days surrounding the Japanese attack upon Pearl Harbor. He also recounted his experiences as a member of the first Airborne Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron protecting the East Coast shipping lanes.

Pensacola Brother Joseph A. Wallace, Jr., 32°, concluded the program by reading one of his memorable poems, titled "Monuments," dedicated to all United States heroes.

On November 19, 1998, the Scottish Rite Bodies of Salem, Oregon, held a Law Enforcement Dinner to honor three Salem area police officers picked by their peers. The group included representatives from the Oregon State Police, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Salem Police Department.

Sheriff Raul Ramirez was the speaker at the Law Enforcement Dinner hosted by the Scottish Rite Bodies of Salem, Oregon, on November 19, 1998.

Raul Ramirez, Sheriff of Marion County, spoke at the occasion. Also present were Walter Myers, Chief of Police of Salem, and Leron Howland, Superintendent of the State Police.

The officers chosen by their peers were: Trooper Michael Howland, a five-year veteran of the Oregon State Police specially trained as a drug recognition expert; Deputy David Wagner, a nine-year member of the Marion County Sheriff’s office experienced as a DARE Officer for schools and one of the agency’s first motorcycle officers; and Officer James Aguilar, a three-year member of the Salem Police Department who works with the Southeast Salem Neighborhood Association and is also a member of the department's SWAT team. The Brethren of the Valley of Salem extended congratulations to all three officers and to the agencies they represent.

With Brother Don Lewis, 32°, K.C.C.H., as chairman of the program, the Salem Scottish Rite has been recognizing local Law Enforcement Officers since 1994.

Arizona Military Degree Team

Recently for the first time, the Arizona Military Degree Team performed the Second Degree Conferral in full uniform by invitation from Nogales Lodge No. 11 during that Lodge's Fellowship Day, when Masons from Arizona and Mexico get together for their Annual Masonic Day. Alonzo Flores Lodge members in Nogales, Mexico, visit their neighbor Nogales Lodge No. 11, in America in the city of Nogales, which borders the two countries.

Among the guests from Mexico were M.W. Jose Antonio Cuevas, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Del Pacifico, and Venerable Master Gilberto Ledezma Rodriguez, Master of Alonzo Flores Lodge No. 16, in Sonora, Mexico, along with their members.

R.W. Bro. Donald W. Monson, 32°, K.C.C.H., Valley of Phoenix, D.G.M. of Arizona, represented the Grand Master of Arizona, and with him that special day were five Grand Lodge Officers, plus a Lodge full of Brother Masons. The Degree was performed with military dignity and decorum by the Arizona Military Degree Team.

Upon completion of the Degree, the team received a standing ovation from everyone present. All of the Masons were then invited to cross the border after lunch and were welcomed to Alonzo Flores Lodge for dinner and socializing with their Mexican Brothers. A great day was had by all.

The Arizona Military Degree Team received their credential and recognition in 1997 from W.M. William B. "Bill" Jeffers, Jr., 32°, Valley of Tucson, Arizona, then Grand Master, and a dispensation to perform the Arizona Ritual from W.M. Larry C. Schafer, 32°, K.C.C.H., Valley of Phoenix, current Grand Master.

The Arizona Military Degree Team is constituted of Brethren who have served or are serving in any of our Armed Forces, have an honorable discharge, and agree to wear an appropriate dress uniform. The team only confers the Second Degree. It has conferred the Degree in several Arizona Lodges and was invited to Wichita, Kansas, to perform an evening outdoor Degree.

An honorary doctorate of humanities degree from Southeastern Louisiana University was conferred on Ill. Thomas Harrell Matheny, 33°, Valley of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the University's December 12, 1998, commencement exercises during which Congressman Robert L. "Bob" Livingston, U.S. House of Representatives, gave the keynote address to more than 950 Southeastern Louisiana University graduates.

Illustrious Tom Matheny, a 1954 Southeastern graduate, has a long and distinguished record of service to the community, his church, and Freemasonry. He is a member of Livingston Lodge No. 160, Hammond, Louisiana, New Orleans Shrine Temple, Tangipahoa Parish Shrine Club, and has served as District Governor to the Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, and as President of the Masonic Youth Foundation of Louisiana.

As an unprecedented six-term President of the World United Methodist Judicial Council, his influence on the future of many church-affiliated educational institutions has been felt internationally.

On the state and local level, Ill.  Matheny has served on the Council for a Better Louisiana, the American Academy for Political and Social Sciences, and the Louisiana Historical Society. As President of the Tangipahoa Parish Mental Health Association and the Louisiana Mental Health Association, he has been a tireless advocate for the rights of people with mental illness. A strong supporter of Southeastern and higher education in general, Matheny has served on the boards of trustees of American University, Centenary College, Iliff School of Theology, and Scarritt College. He has served as President of Southeastern’s Alumni Association and is a member of the Development Foundation Board of Directors. The history and government department lecture series during Southeastern’s Fanfare Arts Festival is named for Ill. Matheny, who was the 1981 Southeastern Alumnus of the Year.

Members of the Ballut Abyad Shrine Pipe and Drum Band of Albuquerque, New Mexico, are all Scottish Rite Masons. Performing throughout the Southwest, they represent the Fraternity in diverse festivals, gatherings, dinners, and parades. At the 11th Annual Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival and Highland Games in Albuquerque, for instance, these New Mexico pipers shared the field with Rufus Harley, "The World’s First Jazz Bagpipe Player." A recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Mr. Harley has recorded with nationally known jazz artists and appeared on television with Bill Cosby and Arsenio Hall. Performing at universities, museums and concert halls, he has been able to spread his great love for this country and his belief in American freedom, a message similar to the teachings of Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
 

Seen at the 11th Annual Rio Grande Celtic Festival (l. to r.) are: Bro. Bruce W. Squire, 32°, Valley of Santa Fe; Martin C. Martinez, 32°, Valley of El Paso; Rufus Harley, nationally known jazz bagpipe player; Michael W. Robertson, 32°, Valley of Santa Fe; Dwight D. Fletcher, 32°, Valley of Dallas, Texas; and James B. Stephenson, a guest member of the Ballut Abyad Shrine Pipe Band.

Brother Ted Malbone, 32° (right), Scottish Rite Bodies of Richmond, Virginia, is a strong, willing, and dependable worker who normally contributes from behind the scenes. Recently, however, he was briefly in the spotlight when he was honored by his Blue Lodge. Pictured left in photo, W.M. Michael E. Williams, 32°, K.C.C.H., Master of Bro.Malbone’s Lodge, Lewis Ginter Lodge No. 317 in Richmond, presented a check for $1,000 to the Eastern Star Home, Richmond, in honor of Bro. Malbone. Bro. Charles Carter, 32°, K.C.C.H. (center), President of the Board of Governors of the Eastern Star Home, received the donation and thanked Bro. Malbone (r.) for his outstanding service to Masonry, the Scottish Rite and, in particular, the International Order of the Eastern Star.

First Night Pensacola is the area’s drug-and-alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration, which started in Pensacola in 1992. In 1998, for the first time, the Scottish Rite Masonic Center served as the headquarters and focal point for the evening’s activities. This is an excellent example of the role local Scottish Rite Bodies are playing in public relations in the Pensacola community.

First Nighters found plenty to see, hear, and do. Many enjoyed musicians, clowns, mimes, and cloggers. Youngsters crowded the Creative Station to design their own holiday masks. Still others played in the snow area where manufactured snow turned Palafox Street into a small winter wonderland. The Pensacola Ice Pilots gave hockey demonstrations, and fireworks brightened the sky at midnight.

As one person remarked, "We wanted to spend the holiday as a family, and this is a great way to do that and still get out. It's nice to see the family atmosphere and realize you don’t have to have alcohol to have fun."

When Brother Edwin S. Douglas, 32°, K.C.C.H., Valley of San Diego, California, saw the cover of the July 1998 Scottish Rite Journal, he was so impressed that he decided to latch hook a rug of the same image, an American eagle with a United States flag background. Recently, he sent a snapshot of the rug (right) along with the rug itself to the Supreme Council in honor of the Rite’s good work supporting traditional American values. Appropriately, the rug will be displayed in the Americanism Room of the House of the Temple.

As a part of its Americanism program, the Greenville, S.C., Scottish Rite Valley sponsored a Massing of the Colors, presented by the Upstate Carolina Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars. This colorful,  patriotic ceremony was dedicated to the memory of those members of the military service who gave their lives to preserve our liberty and to honor those who have served or are presently serving our country to ensure our continued freedom.  Presented on the Sunday preceding Veteran's Day, Color Guards from 15 upstate high school junior ROTC units, several retired service-related and Veterans organizations, the DAR, and the Children of the American Revolution proudly marched their flags to center stage. The procession of colors and guards, the beautiful patriotic songs by Elizabeth L. Woodard, and the other ceremonials made this a moving event for the Scottish Rite. The featured speaker, King Dixon, a retired Marine Lt. Col. and former Athletic Director at the University of South Carolina, outlined historic examples of past heroes contributing to our country. The Massing of the Colors ceremony is planned as an annual event.

Bro. Laurence Oliver "Larry" Campbell, 32° (r.), Leon County, Florida, Sheriff and a member of the Tallahassee Scottish Rite Bodies, recently received the Florida Crime Prevention Association’s President’s Award, designating him the Sunshine State's finest crime-prevention officer. Sheriff Campbell was selected from a large field of police chiefs and sheriffs who were nominated by their agencies for leading the way in promoting crime prevention programs in their communities. Initially, Bro. Campbell was nominated by members of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit in recognition of his community involvement programs such as the Citizens Police Academy program and Community Picnics. Among Bro. Campbell's recent outstanding activities was his special part in the United Way campaign, which resulted in a record, over $40,000 in pledges for the Leon County Sheriff’s Department. Also, he gave his leadership to the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. This event, which supports over 19,000 children and adults with mental disabilities, netted more than $6,700 in contributions. Well done, Brother Campbell!

Recently, Illustrious  Don Hargraves, 33° (left), was pleased to receive a check from Brother Harry W. Lister, 32° (right), as additional support for the Scottish Rite Harry Walker Lister Scholarship Fund. Brother Hargraves has administered this fund for the Grand Lodge of California for ten years, and the check presentation took place before a dinner and award ceremony during which Brother Hargraves received his 50-Year Pin in Freemasonry.

Intended "to develop stronger bonds of mutual support among Masons in colleges and universities," a directory of Masons in higher education is being compiled by two professors, Bros. Jacques LaPere, M.M., and Salvatore Federico, 32°, Valley of Salt Lake City, Utah. To be listed, send the following information to the address below: name, address, telephone, fax, and e-mail numbers, institution, field, position, date of birth. Or use e-mail to: tricornio357@yahoo.es or federics@t-bird.edu. This directory is being prepared in electronic format and will be deliverable via Internet as a Microsoft Word document.

Salvatore Federico, Modern Languages
The American Graduate School of International Management
15249 N. 59th Ave.
Glendale, AZ  85306–6012

California DeMolay Provides Leadership Training For Officers

Northern California DeMolay held its 1998 Annual All-Officer Retreat at the Regional Learning Center in Sonora. During the weekend, the newly installed Northern California DeMolay Association Officers met with the new Divisional Officers and members of the Sweetheart Honor Court.

Among the many topics discussed were membership, program planning and execution, budgeting, time management, public relations, how to utilize resources, the importance of teamwork, plus many other subjects—all designed to provide the maximum assistance to the new officers. This DeMolay leadership program is supported by a yearly grant from the California Masonic Foundation and the Grand Lodge of California.

Welcome, Brothers!

Well-informed Brethren stand ready as guides to give you an interesting tour of the headquarters building of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, in Washington, D.C. Located just 10 blocks up 16th Street, NW, from the White House, the building is a capital city landmark noted for its beautiful architecture, world-famous Masonic library, impressive ceremonial rooms, and several specialized museums and collections related to Masonry and our nation. Pictured (l. to r. above) are guides Bruce F. Gilbert, 32°; Urban T. Peters, 33°; Harry Miller, Jr., 32°; Milton E. Daniel, 33°; George E. Enders, 33°; and Head Guide Arnold L. Flottman, 33°. Not pictured is Bro. Sheldon Arpad, 32°, K.C.C.H. 

Northern California DeMolay Honors The Grand Master

On October 17, 1998, M.W. Melville H. Nahin, 33°, the newly installed Grand Master of California, was honored by the Grand Master’s Class of Northern California DeMolay. Pictured above (seated, l. to r.) are: Jannik P. Catalano, Master Councilor of Northern California DeMolay; M.W. Melville H. Nahin, 33°; and Bro. Edwin D. Clarke, 32°, Executive Officer for Northern California DeMolay. See Ill. Nahin’s article, "Passover And The Struggle For Freedom," in this issue.