December News

Consistory

As we gather together with friends and family during this holiday season, may we always remain mindful of the real “Reason for the Season”.

Let us remember those who may not be as fortunate as we. Perhaps it is a soldier stationed in a far away land placing his or her life in harms way so that we may have the freedom to worship and celebrate this season according to the dictates of our own conscience. Perhaps it is a brother or a widow of a brother who lives alone, or is confined in a hospital and would welcome a kind note or call. How about the young family members of our fraternal brotherhood who are attending college and may be struggling with financing their education. Perhaps it is the young boy or girl challenged with a learning disability and believes that no one understands or cares. Maybe it’s a young out of work family who does not have the resources to celebrate Christmas the way you and I will.

When we sit down this December and begin to make out the labels for the multitude of gifts we are planning to give and begin drafting the menus for our bountiful holiday dinner tables, let us pause and take a moment to: call a homebound or hospitalized brother and sister, send a brother a thoughtful holiday greeting, post a letter to a solder letting him or her know that we care. Let us put our loose change into the Salvation Army’s red kettle. Let us also consider making a donation (of any amount) to our Scottish Rite Charities so that we may continue our youth scholarships and sponsor our children’s learning centers.

But most important of all, Let us always remember to give Thanks, each and every day, to Him who has blest our Country, our Families, our Fraternity, ourselves, and who has given us the greatest gifts of all, His love, His understanding, His Mercy and His Spirit.

Thoughtful mentions:
We send our condolences to Brother Rick Powell on the passing of his dad.
Let us keep Charlie Gray and Charlie Victory in our thoughts and prayers.
We are pleased to see Dick Freeman around and about.

Please email me at sandy.samson@fnfg.com and let me know if there is anyone who you would like to have us be especially mindful of.

May God Bless each of you and may He keep you and yours under His protective Wing always. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah to all.

Brother Sandy Samson, 33°, Commander in Chief

Chapter

Greetings Brethren, from the Chapter of Rose Croix.

Once again I would like to start by shouting, Membership, Membership!!, We had several new members receiving their 32 Degree last month at Utica, but we need to keep the new applicants coming. Our Valley needs new members to keep all of our great programs moving forward. In the Cortland / Madison, District see Freddie Liehs or myself if any one needs an application, literature, or someone to visit your Lodge and do a program on Scottish Rite.

In addition to our plea for new members, I would like to extend an invitation to any of our Senior members that have not attended Scottish Rite in awhile. Should you need a ride and, or would like to reconnect with us please call me at 315-837-4962.

The Lodge of Perfection will be doing the 10th Degree sometime in January. Please give Adam Ferguson a call if you would be free to help.

I hope that you and your Lady will be attending our Holiday Celebration! December 14th is the night, with the Social hour starting at 6:00pm, dinner at 6:30 and a little entertainment at 7:30. This will be our last event of 2009, and I would ask that each of us pause and remember our Troops around the world, and all that they sacrifice for us. I wish everyone all the best in 2010. Please stay safe, stay healthy, and have a great Holiday!

May God Bless America.

Brother Dick Freeman, 32°, Most Wise Master

Council

Brethren,
Greetings from the Council Princes of Jerusalem.

Congratulations again to all the recipients of awards at the Recognition and Awards Night event of November 23rd. They richly deserved to be recognized.

And, a hearty “Welcome Aboard” to all the new Scottish Rite 32nd degree members.

The month of December contains only one event. That being, the Holiday Celebration at the Lodge on December 14th. Remember to make your reservations early and attend this event.

The following is background on another of the Officers of the Council Princes of Jerusalem. Brother Carl F. Fahrenkrug, Jr. 32º is serving as the Master Of Ceremonies in the Council this year.

He is an active Mason in Fayetteville Lodge # 305. He was raised as a Master Mason in 2005. He acquired his 32nd degree in 2006.

Carl has resided in the Syracuse area all of his life, is married to Susan and has three children. His oldest daughter Calista is 11, stepson Josh is 9 and youngest daughter Morgan is 1 and one-half years old.

Carl is presently employed as the Vice President of Manufacturing at Microwave Filter Company located in East Syracuse, New York. He obtained his BSEE from Clarkson University, MSEE from Binghamton University and his MBA from LeMoyne College. He has acquired his EIT (Engineering in Training) certificate and is currently working towards acquiring his PE license. He is working towards certification for Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from RIT and PMP (Project Management Professional. He is also a graduate of 2005 Leadership Greater Syracuse, Dale Carnegie and an IEEE member.

Brother Milo Peterson, 32°, Sovereign Prince

Lodge

No News from the Lodge of Perfection!

Brother Adam Ferguson, 32°, Thrice Potent Master

Lynwood Bennerson to Receive 33° in 2010

At the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Bro. Lynwood Bennerson, 32°, was elected to receive the 33° to be awarded att the 2010 Meeting.

Born in Manhattan, raised and educated in Queens, NY, Lynwood accepted a Senatorial Nomination to the Air Force Academy to begin his collegiate career. After receiving a B.A. in Biology at Queens College, he entered in a post baccalaureate program at C.W. Post Center of Long Island University where his field of research was Sickle Cell Anemia. Prior to completing his work, Lynwood left to pursue his dental degree. He received his doctorate in dentistry from New York University College of Dentistry in 1980. From 1980 to 1982 he was Chief Resident at Columbia University in New York, at Harlem Hospital.

Prior to relocating to the Syracuse area in 1991, Lynwood practiced general dentistry not only in private practice, but also worked for the Public Health Department of NYC. Before starting his own practice on the Syracuse University campus in 1993, he worked in a large clinic in Syracuse. In addition to his private practice, he is also on faculty at NYU College of Dentistry as Clinical Professor Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care, as well as Adjunct Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, CWPost Campus, Long Island University. In addition, he is the director for the NYU College of Dentistry Outreach Program to Grenada, and is a member of the Board of Admissions.

Lynwood was raised on April 21, 1998 at Fayetteville-Central City Lodge #305 and was Master of the Lodge 2003 – 2004. He received his 32nd degree in the fall of 1998 at the Masonic Memorial Center. He served as Most Wise Master of Chapter Rose Croix in 2001 – 2002. He also holds dual membership with Military Lodge #91. Lynwood also is a member of York Rite, Central City Commandry #25, Shrine and the Order of the Eastern Star. He has held various seats in the organizations, including Patron of Centerville Chapter #185 Order of Eastern Star in 2008.

While living in New York City, Lynwood was a member of Starlight Lodge #13, Prince Hall, Hiram International. He started work in the Fall of 1987 and was raised in 1988.

Lynwood and his wife of 32years, Denise, live in Manlius, N.Y. They are parents of two children, Anthony, who lives in Manhattan and Ashley who lives in Buffalo, NY. When not involved in Masonic or professional activities, Lynwood enjoys listening to jazz, and traveling. One of his greatest loves is to relax on his deck, listen to some quiet jazz and watch the sun set.