Monday, February 28, 2011

March 2011 News

Calendar

Mar 7 Executive Committee 7:00 p.m.
Rehearse 14° “Grand Elect Mason”

Mar 14 Lodge of perfection 7:30 p.m.
Confer 14° “Grand Elect Mason”

Mar 16 CNY 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center
Board of Governors 12:00 Noon
Corporation Trustees Meeting to follow

Mar 21 Consistory rehearsal
26° “Prince of Mercy” 7:00 p.m.

Mar 24 Deadline to submit 2011 Scholarship applications
Contact the office to obtain forms or if you have questions

Mar 26 Council Princes of Jerusalem /Chapter of Rose Croix

Confer 2 Degrees
16° “Prince of Jerusalem”
18° “Knight of the Rose Croix of H.R.D.M.

Mar 28 Executive Committee 7:00 p.m.

Apr 4 Rehearsal Feast of the Pascal Lamb and 26° 6:30 p.m.

Apr 11 Feast of the Pascal Lamb 7:00 p.m.

Apr 16 Consistory 9:00 a.m.
Confer 26°, 31°, 32° in Utica


Consistory

I would like to express my appreciation to Brother Allan Ferguson for the find job he has done in presenting, for the first time, “The Last Full Measure”. I congratulate all those who participated.

We have a full plate of exciting programs in March beginning with the conferral of the 14th degree on March 14th. Saturday, March 16th, we join the Valleys of Utica and Norwood for the conferral of the 16th and 18th degrees at our Masonic Memorial Center.
 

Also, please note April 11th on your calendar for our annual “Feast of the Pascal Lamb”.

If you are wondering how you might get more involved with your Valley, please don’t hesitate to ask one of our Body heads or call Jim Swan, Acting Secretary at 315-452-7976.

Sandy Samson


Chapter of Rose Croix

A good “thank you” always has a place in Masonic conversation. I thank the Brothers who put on “The Last Full Measure” at our February 21 gathering. Their excellent work always makes me feel proud to be a Scottish Rite Mason.

The Chapter of Rose Croix will confer the 18th Degree on Saturday, March 26, after the Council of Princes of Jerusalem confers the 16th Degree. Bro. Lawrence Egnaczyk, our Chapter’s Senior Warden, will direct this degree. I thank Larry for putting the time and effort into organizing this degree because it involves men of three different Valleys: Norwood, Syracuse and Utica. Working together in this way demonstrates the unity of Brothers. (For more on unity, check the Great of Light of Freemasonry, Psalm 133, the reading used for our First Degree as Masons.)

Finally, the Chapter is preparing for the Feast of the Paschal Lamb in April. The officers decided months ago they will present the Feast as the elected and appointed line of Rose Croix. This draws from a tradition the Chapter’s officers carried on in the past. Masons are men who value tradition, but traditions like this emphasize our obligations to serve the Craft, the Rite and the world. Keep up the good work! Effort like this strengthens every Body in the Valley.

Allan Ferguson



Council Princes of Jerusalem

Brethren,

Greetings from the Council Princes of Jerusalem.

February did continue winter from where January left off. However, the “Work” continued. The Trustees Meeting with the representative from Manning and Napier in attendance was held on the 7th of February wherein he presented an updated report on the Valley's investment portfolio. Directly following that presentation, the monthly Executive Committee Meeting was convened and the on-going business of the Valley was critiqued and discussed. The financial reports, Profit & Loss and the Balance Sheet, were presented by the Valley Treasurer. Upcoming degree presentation planning status for the month of March was critiqued. The continuing efforts on the Mentoring and Membership programs were discussed. Hospitalar report was presented. These, plus other subjects of concern to the Valley operations: charitable functions supported, future special meetings/events, office secretarial issues, etc., are regularly on the agenda for discussion that are germane to the timing of the Executive Committee Meeting being held. I include the preceding information as some in the Valley may wonder what the works of the Executive Committee may entail. Reference the schedule for the month of March, come and witness the degrees to be presented and hope that March actually does “go out like a lamb”.

Milo Peterson


Lodge of Perfection

Greetings from the LOP! This has been a long, rough winter, and I want to give much thanks and credit, to the cast of the Seventh Degree. They not only gave a
remarkable performance on February 28th, but they came out on three cold, snowy nights for rehearsals. Due to schedule conflicts, some cast members had to change roles after already have learned lines for a different part. So, this cast really came together to make this work. Again, I give them all my thanks! As this degree had not been done by the valley in ten years, I hope every member who needed it, got to see it.

With winter not yet over, I know the last thing we want to think about is next
November. However, I want to remind all members to start thinking about candidates for the next Veteran's Program. Every year we award one Mason, and one Non-Mason. This person should not be someone who is just a great Mason, or military person, but someone who is involved in their community, helps others, and displays the characteristics that we strive for in Masonry.

With the spring coming up, there are many degrees, and other work to be done in
  the Valley. All members, new and not-so-new, are encouraged to get involved. It is never too early, or too late, to start participating in Valley events and programs.

Many brother's have helped me, and the LOP this year, and it has not gone unnoticed.
Thank you! And a sincere thank you to Gary Hartman - we could not have gotten this far without you.

Hope to see everyone at all the up-coming degrees.


Tom Santmyer


A New Name For Our Learning Center

Greetings from Central New York

As the headline indicates and the quote from Lexington below tells you, the Board of Governors has been discussing a new name to replace Central New York 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children.


“Each Board of Governors may now take the steps necessary to rename their individual Centers within the prescribed guidelines. The existing Corporate stationery is being redesigned and will be provided to each Center in late January or early February of 2011. The same redesign applies to our informational brochures and other paraphernalia. “

“I am also pleased to inform you that the Teddy Bear will continue to be the logo for the Corporation.”

At its January monthly board meeting, after much discussion, the board settled on the following: Children’s Dyslexia Center Central New York


However, questions were recently raised after seeing the article that is in the February Northern Light issue. See page 14 to see why. The article seems to contradict the prescribed guidelines each Learning Center was provided.

When clarification is made, we will use our new name. There may be a slight variation by the next news article. Stay tuned!

Hopefully you will be ready to prepare for the next Timothy O’Connor-Slater Walk for Dyslexia in September. We are organizing early and will be looking for help advertizing and gathering walkers in April-May. Look for our new design on the flyers and pamphlets.


Sincerely and fraternally

Steve Park
Chairman-Board of Governors


Notes from the CNY Learning Center

Welcome to My World

To all of our “sweethearts” out there- Happy Valentines and St. Patrick’s !!

It has been an interesting start of the New Year with weather and illness. Everyone is back but we keep getting interrupted, thanks to Mother Nature.

One of the major things that we do after the December holidays is our mid-year assessment which gives us an idea how well the children are retaining and using the phonemes (sounds), rules and tools that the tutors have been presented to them this year. This assessment is done on a program that we have on the computer and covers all the visual, auditory and tactile areas the children have been working on.

One of the nice things that happens is a graphic display (circles, with the goal to get as much as possible to the outside) and specific words and concepts written out that the child had difficulty with. This allows the child, tutor and family know exactly what areas the child needs some reinforcement in and what still needs to be presented.

Bryce, who I have been telling you about, did quite well on his assessment. He worked methodically and consistently mastering many areas. Though he still needs reinforcement in some areas, he did not require any materials that he has covered to be totally presented again in levels I, II, and III. Good job on his part and that of his tutor. We know he will continue to work hard as he progresses through level III and into level IV (we only have five levels!!)

We are looking forward to spring but know that the children and tutors will be working hard throughout the long winter to achieve their goals.

This only happens thanks to the fact that you are behind us all the way.

Linda Martin
Director

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

February News

Calendar

Feb. 07 Trustees Meeting 6:30 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting to Follow
Feb. 21 Presidents Day with Family and Friends: “Last Full Measure” Program
Social 6:00 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. / Program 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 28 Central City Lodge of Perfection 7:30 p.m. / Confer 7th Degree “Provost

and judge”
Mar 7 Executive Committee 7:00 p.m. / Rehearse 14° “Grand Elect Mason”
Mar 14 Lodge of perfection 7:30 p.m. / Confer 14° “Grand Elect Mason”
Mar 16 CNY 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center Board of Governors 12:00

Noon / Corporation Trustees Meeting to follow
Mar 21 Consistory rehearsal / 26° “Prince of Mercy” 7:00 p.m.
Mar 24 Deadline to submit 2011 Scholarship applications / Contact the office to obtain forms or if you have questions
Mar 26 Council Princes of Jerusalem / Chapter of Rose Croix / Confer 3 Degrees:

16° “Prince of Jerusalem”, 17° “Knight of the East and West”, 18° “Knight of
the Rose Croix of H.R.D.M.

Consistory


As we embark upon the New Year, your officers are beginning to plan for the 2011-2012 term which will begin on May 23rd.
We are looking for brothers who might have an interest in leadership opportunities and / or getting involved with our degrees (both speaking parts (large and small) as well as non-speaking parts. Perhaps you have a hobby or unique interest in something where you might like to share in a meeting night. Perhaps you have a talent that you would be willing to share with the Valley.

If you would like find out how you might help your Scottish Rite valley, please let one of our body heads know or call Jim Swan (our acting secretary) at 315-452-7976.

Please mark Monday night, Feb. 21 on your calendar. Our Chapter of Rose Croix will be putting on the “Last Full Measure” ). This production is open to the public. More info will follow. Hope to see you there.

Sandy

Council

Brethren,
Greetings from the Council Princes of Jerusalem.

Winter picked up in January where December left off. February may continue. But, I digress. January was busy with the holding of the “Brother Bring a Brother” event on the 10th. The program for the evening was presented by the Right Worshipful, brother Richard Powell, 32 degree, DSA, member of the board of trustees of the Robert Livingston Library. It was an informative program, complete with power point presentation. I like “visuals”!

The 4th Degree was presented on the 17th of January, beginning the journey of the George Black Class candidates. And, rehearsals for upcoming degree presentations occurred on Jan 24th and Jan 31st.

February will kickoff with the Trustees meeting and Executive Committee meeting on the 7th, the President's Day with family and friends where the “Last Full Measure” will be performed as the evening program and, the month will finish with the presentation of the 7th Degree on Feb 28th.

Also, keep our Military in your hearts in minds, those far away, those close to home and especially those in harm's way.

Milo Peterson


Hospitaler

Brothers and Sublime Princes, The press deadlines for a monthly newspaper like this leave out many things that happen between the deadline and when the article appears. Such is the case with this article.

Many things happened in the Valley of Syracuse in December that only now appear in print in February. At the top of the list is our need to share condolences with the families of Bros. Ed Sinay Sr., Reggie Butler, Harry Alheid, Roy Neer Jr. and Robert Morse, all members of the Valley who laid down their working tools during the last month of 2010.

The harsh weather of December took its toll on Leo Searfoss, Sr. MSA, who fell while assisting a Knights Templar project collecting money for the Salvation Army. Leo fractured his wrist and needed surgery to set the break. He is recuperating at home. Bro. George Laird spent a short time in an area hospital after a fall in Syracuse during the record-setting snows. We continue our prayers and best wishes for all our brothers and members of the Scottish Rite family who experienced hardship, injury or sickness during the end of the past year.

The last item relates to the sending of dues notices. Ill. Jim Swan, the Valley Secretary, shares with me the occasional story of a Brother in his 70's, 80's or 90's who asks for a dimit from Scottish Rite. The story often includes things like illness, reduced income from pensions or investments and increased medical and living expenses. The brother may have moved away and is not active in a Master Mason lodge in the new community, let alone the Valley of Syracuse. Driving at night is a serious issue for others. The end of the story comes as the Brother says he no longer feels like he can carry out his obligations or good intentions as a member of his lodge or the Valley.A brother’s request for a dimit is a Masonic right, but we hear the stress of the situation and want to our best for Brothers who have been loyal to the Craft and the Valley for years.

One thing the Hospitaler does–without revealing any details–is help a Brother in such circumstances maintain his good standing in the Valley if he is a member in good standing with his Lodge. We believe that loyalty to the Craft and the Rite deserves our loyalty in return–if that is a Brother’s situation in life and desire.

Allan Ferguson,Hospitaler


Lodge of Perfection

Greetings from the Lodge of Perfection. I want to thank all cast members for their outstanding performance of the Forth Degree, on January 17th. I would like to encourage all brothers to attend these degrees, even if you have already received them. You can gain something new each time you see it. Many of our newer brothers are participating in degree work, and that is very good for them, and our Valley.

I also want to remind the cast for the Seventh Degree that February 28th will be here soon. Rehearsals are scheduled for January 24th and 31st, at 7:00pm. If you have any conflict with the degree date or rehearsals, please contact me at 315-243-8784, or
santmyer@oswego.edu. If we need to, we will schedule a rehearsal in February.

This degree has not been done by the Valley in about ten years. It is an interesting degree, and I would suggest that any member who has not seen this degree, join us on Feb. 28th.

Scholarships


ABBOTT SCOTTISH RITE SCHOLARSHIPS 2011 APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Applications to apply for the 2011 Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship Program are available in the Valley of Syracuse Business Office. Applications can be obtained by written request, letter or e-mail, a telephone call, or a personal visit. Members, Children, Grand children of current and deceased members, members of the Masonic Youth Groups, (DeMolay, Rainbow, Triangle, Constellation) and graduates of the Dyslexia Learning Center Program are eligible to apply for one of these scholarships. You must be attending school full time, completing one or more years of college study by June 2011, and have an accumulated grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 grade scale to apply.

Completed applications, including all of the required associated documentation, must be received at the Valley of Syracuse Office before close of business at 4:00 p.m. on March 24, 2011 to be considered.

Contact the office at secccbaasrny017@twcny.rr.com or (315) 452-7976 if you have any questions.