March 2007 - Kansas City Scottish Rite

Volume 66
MARCH 2007
Edition 1
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR THE SCOTTISH RITE
Ron Hewitt, 32º, Herald Editor
On Wednesday, January 24th, Illustrious
Brother Robert Cockerham, Deputy for
the Orient of Missouri, delivered one of
the most positive speeches heard in our
Temple in a long time. The speech,
given after the installation of Valley Officers to approximately 200 members,
their wives and family, talked about the
importance of giving members the opportunity to be involved once they become Masters of the Royal Secret.
When speaking about the size of our
auditorium which seats 1,800 and the
number of members at 3,200 he said,
“Can you imagine what it would be like
if all of the members showed up here?
We would need to build a new Temple
just to hold them all!”
Ill. Brother
Cockerham spoke about the DeMolay in
Missouri which leads all the
Jurisdictions in the world for
growth and how this, along
with growth in the number of
new Master Masons in the
State increases the opportunity for new Scottish Rite
Masons in the Valley.
Clearly, we as an appendant
body of Freemasonry, have
an opportunity to grow more
than past years provided we
offer those coming into the
Rite more reasons to be involved than we have in the
past. We have so many tasks that are
done in association with the day to day
operation of the Valley and even more
that make up a successful reunion that
every member can be utilized to make
the work successful.
“What can I do to help?” When we hear
this spoken by (continued on page 4)
HOUSE OF THE TEMPLE GO’S NASCAR
Advertising for new members or wasting limited resources?
Yes, that’s the House of The Temple in
the picture and yes, that’s a NASCAR
vehicle in front of it, and yes, the Scottish Rite is sponsoring the vehicle in the
2007 race season that started in February.
In January, the Supreme Council announced an agreement between the
Frank Cicci Racing team and Brian
Conz who will drive the car (and also
happens to be a 32° Mason himself), to
sponsor #34 in the BUSCH races for the
year.
Now, before you join the thousands of
brothers who are shaking their heads
over such a relationship and complaining
of the complete waste of money such an
expensive venture will cost the fraternity
and how the images of “Rednecks, white
lighting and beer guzzling” don’t fit in
with the proper gentlemen of the order,
there are a few “facts” you should be
aware of.
First, over the years NASCAR has
evolved into a multi-billon dollar industry with millions of followers and fans.
From doctors, lawyers and factory workers, from southern to northern locations,
from country and city, they all share in a
love of the sport and watch weekly as
those cars race around tracks from New
England to California, from Florida to
Michigan. In the course of a race, the
Double Eagle that graces the hood of the
#34 car will make about 30 million impressions (a figure that calculates the
number of people watching, and the
number of times a portion of the car appears on screen.) to television viewers
and those that sit (continued on page 5)
LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE VALLEY
By Michael Mack, KCCH, Past Master of Kadosh
Leadership isn’t a function of position,
but rather a function of action. Mason’s
naturally become leaders as they learn
more and more about the fraternity and
become versed in its principles. So, it is
not surprising to see freemasons in positions of leadership throughout this country and around the world. Where there is
work to be done, we are there to do it
and do it right.
There is work to be done in the Valley of
Kansas City right now and for the foreseeable future. Renovations are ongoing
right now that will bring a luster back to
the building and grounds that hasn’t
been seen in years. The leadership of the
Valley has taken this task on and will see
it through to completion. Yet, renovating
the building isn’t the only work that
there is to do in Kansas City. We have a
renovation of the spirit to complete that
is just now getting started.
Of the approximately 3,000 members
that we have in this Valley today, barely
10% are actively engaged in the affairs
of the Valley. There are many days
where the seats of the auditorium, which
can easily seat 1,500 members, sit empty
and forlorn. The halls of our Temple are
silent and bereft of the sounds of conversation, laughter, camaraderie and soul.
The challenge for this generation of
members and generations to come will
be to restore the participation that once
made this Temple so great.
As brethren and members of the community, we each have a duty to see that
freemasonry is strong and successful. It
cannot succeed if we don’t participate in
its affairs. It cannot succeed if we let
petty jealousies, perceived slights or ill
tempers dissuade us from our purposes.
Apathy, intolerance, a lack of vision and
a lack of willpower can tear down this
fraternity and cause it to fade from the
memories of mankind.
If you wish to see Freemasonry and the
Scottish Rite succeed, take action! Get
involved at the Valley. Participate in the
clubs. Attend the meetings. Volunteer at
the rentals of our fine auditorium. We
must show the world at large that we are
the greatest philosophy that ever took
hold in the minds of men. It can never be
shown if we continue to plod down the
same path.
FREEMASONRY… IT’S OBJECT
By Ill. Brother Q. C. “Tony” Robbins, 33°
From it’s beginning, Freemasonry’s
chief object was to teach the doctrine of
one God, the resurrection of man to eternal life, the dignity of the human soul,
and to lead all of us to see the shadow of
the deity, in the beauty, magnificence,
and splendor of the universe.
By means of certain rituals and ceremonies; symbolic of purification and regen-
eration, ”Freemasonry” was organized
for the purpose of assisting mankind to
reawaken his spiritual powers that were
lost to him, many long years ago.
The secret processes whereby He is instructed, symbolized those means by
which man would be able to overcome
his lower nature, master his appetites,
and give expression to the higher side of
himself.
In other words, man was offered a way
by which he could regain his souls lost
place in the universe. These ancient religious and philosophic practices still survive in Freemasonry today.
WHAT COME YOU HERE TO DO?
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
JOIN US EACH MONTH AT THE
CLAY-PLATTE SCOTTISH RITE CLUB DINNER MEETING
FOR GREAT FOOD, GREAT FRIENDS AND LIVELY CONVERSATION IT'S THE MEETING TO MAKE TIME FOR!
We meet on the 3rd Monday of every month at
TOMMY’S ITALIAN GRILL
6221 N Chestnut Ave, Gladstone, MO 64119
Just off N. Antioch Road
Dinner at 6:00 PM – Meeting at 7:00PM
ARCHIE’S
CORNER
ROMANCE IN THE ARTIC
With Valentines day been and gone and
spring just around the corner, a time when,
traditionally, a young mans fancy turns to
thoughts of love I cast my mind back to try
and find a scenario that was truly romantic
and held traces of unrequited love. Read on.
In the late nineties I was serving in Her Majesties Royal Air Force at Goose Bay Labrador in Artic Canada. It’s a God forsaken
place where the harbor freezes in November
and thaws in July and temperatures are regularly in the minus twenties. In summer the
temperature can be as high as eighty with
black fly and mosquitoes as large as small
birds. The region has justifiably earned the
reputation as the land that God gave to Cain.
Goose Bay’s history goes back to the early
1950’s which were a fraught time. The Cold
War was just beginning and there was an air
of terror about an impending nuclear holocaust with the USSR. People were building
By Archibald Fletcher, 32°
nuclear shelters in their back yards and children in schools were being taught to hide
under desks to fend off the impending doom.
To combat this threat the USAF came to
Goose Bay and built a massive air base with
a nuclear capability to protect the northern
approaches to the USA. A nuclear weapons
bomb dump was built and hundreds of
American Airmen and Airwomen were given
the thankless task of manning and protecting
the northern approaches.
By the late 1990’s the threat was long gone,
the nuclear bombsite, no longer of strategic
importance, was gradually being reclaimed
by the tundra. Altogether it was an eerie
place full of shadows and decrepit buildings.
In winter the tracks of artic foxes, snow hares
and the occasional bear could be seen quite
clearly in the snow. It was an awesome place
in the true sense of the word given over to
solitude and reflection. On occasional warm
summer afternoons, I used to like to walk
there alone and pensive.
One day while I was walking past a bunker I
noticed some graffiti written on a wall it was
barely discernable but with time and patience
I deciphered it. It had the hallmark of a
lonely American service woman. I can visualize her being there in the 1950’s in Cain’s
land: cold, lonely, thinking of home looking
for romance in that inhospitable place. She
must have been in that frame of mind when
she picked up a stone and indelibly scratched
the following poem on to the wall:
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
“A fickle heart flew from a cage that I made
To the feet of a shy young gentleman laid.
But alas, being married, off loved ones
dreams carried.
He gave it back gently, not hurting intently.
To have it lie sleeping again in my keeping.“
Now that’s what I’d call romantic.
MARCH 28TH
DINNER MEETING
MENU
PORK CHOP
MACARONI AND CHEESE
GREEN BEANS
POTATO SALAD
FRENCH BREAD
PINAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE
REMEMBER:
OUR DINNERS ARE CATERED.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS
NOW
KEY MEMBER PROGRAM PRESENTATIONS MADE
ADVERTISE IN THE HERALD
Ill. Robert E. Miller, 33° Awards Members
On January 24th, following the installation
of Officers in the Temple Auditorium, Ill.
Brother Robert Miller presented Silver and
Gold Keys to those members who had, for
the past two years, acquired points through
membership enrollment, rental work, and
various other activities that helped to promote, preserve and grow the Valley of Kansas City.
The program, which was recognized by Ill.
Brother Robert Cockerham in his speech
following the presentation, is unique in the
Orient of Missouri and something that he
hopes will be adopted by other Valleys to
recognize the members who never tire from
helping out.
More than 46 brothers received gold or silver
Key Lapel pins made exclusively for the
Valley.
The Highest Point level was
achieved by Brother Morris Coburn, KCCH.
Other Brothers recognized included:
Jr., Bob VanVacter, Chilton Christopher,
Robert Miller, Dan Sewing, Bernard Meister,
Lloyd Callwell, Mike Madrigal, Matt Quesenberry, Roy Thomas, John Hess, Mike
Purdy, A. Freeman Stanfill, Harvey Wells,
Adam Fauss, Gary Barron, Frank Donohue,
James Alltop, Jimmy Douthitt, Carlos Scott,
Ron Hickey, Edwin Burr, James Snyder,
Archie Fletcher, Jim Nathan, Frank Chester,
Fred Troxel, Richard Houston, Marshall
Welch, Stan Carmack, Steve Hackett, Reuben Jamison, Dan Smothers, Michael Luellen, Doug Stanfill, J. Clark, Dan Quesenberry, Richard Middleton, A. Griffin and
Virden Daugherty.
Please remember to congratulate these brothers when you see them and let them know
how much we appreciate their hard work and
dedication to the Valley!
EACH QUARTER THIS PUBLICATION
GOES OUT TO OVER 3,000 BROTHERS.
NOW, YOU CAN REACH A TRULY
“TARGETED AUDIENCE”
OF FELLOW MASONS
BY ADVERTISING IN THE HERALD.
2007 ANNUAL RATES
Full Page
$800.00
Half Page
$440.00
Quarter Page
$235.00
One Eighth Page
$130.00
Business Card Ad:
$50.00
(4 Quarterly issues)
“FOR SALE” Ads:
$20.00
(maximum 12 lines; rates are for one issue)
Michael Mack, Tom Truman, Cody Hines,
Tom Christopher, Robert James, Bill Dean
ALL ADS APPEAR IN THE E-HERALD
AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE.
For more information or to place an ad,
contact the editor at:
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR THE SCOTTISH RITE
Continued from page 1
members of the Spring Class (and you
will hear it) we should be ready to invite
these new Masters of the Royal Secret to
become involved. Whether it is serving
on a committee or Sunday Morning
Breakfast with the Philosophical Society,
there is always something that goes on at
the Temple.
Temple? The local Scottish Rite Club
should offer the opportunities a new
member needs to feel involved.
[email protected]
Or
call the Valley office at
816-561-2277
What about those members that must
drive a great distance to come to the
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
DID YOU KNOW?
MOORHEAD BUSINESS BROKERAGE, LLC
LISTING AND SELLING BUSINESSES FOR OVER 25 YEARS
R. WAYNE MOORHEAD
4745 W. 136th Street
Leawood, KS 66224
www.rwmoorhead.com
Tel: 913-402-6008
Fax: 913-402-6001
Email: [email protected]
In North America alone, Freemasons reportedly give over
two million dollars every day to charitable causes – providing: assistance for children with language disorders and crippled children through the Scottish Rite, surgery for vision
loss through Knights Templar Eye Foundation, and aid to
burn victims, children with cleft lip and palate, spinal cord
injuries and orthopedic conditions through the Shriners.
NASCAR
(Continued from page 1)
in the stands during the race. That kind
of exposure in the BUSCH Series races
costs major sponsors like the Rite about
$2,000,000.00 a year.
Second, the membership of the fraternity
is aging. If we are to grow we need to
attract more young men from the lodges
to our valleys and this sport is a perfect
opportunity to gain positive exposure to
our targeted audience. The Scottish Rite
Double Eagle will appear on merchandise from Mugs to Model cars and tshirts to jackets that will be sold around
the country as the car travels to the various races. And will be seen long after
the season ends in the fall.
So what did our Supreme Council pay
for the opportunity? Nothing…Nada.
The following is from a forum posting
on the Supreme Council’s website by Ill.
Bro. Pete Normand from Texas: "(I) Had
a conversation with someone at the
House of the Temple (H.O.T.) in Washington DC on Monday. Apparently, the
driver of the car came to the H.O.T.
and introduced himself and stated that
he was looking for a sponsor, NOT to
provide him with money, but the other
way around. During the one-year-long
promotion of his Car, it will be taken
around the country in a shiny brand-new
18-wheel truck with a picture of the car
painted on the side of the truck, and they
will sell miniature models of the car
painted in the same colors, etc. (Some
people buy a complete set of all the cars
for each year.)
Ninety (90) percent of the money that
comes in from the sale of these cars must
go to a charity. His NASCAR Team
needed to find a charity. Since he is a
Scottish Rite Mason, he wanted to give
the money to the Scottish Rite. The folks
at the H.O.T. took a long look at the promotional campaign, how it is handled,
the advertising, etc. etc. etc. before making their decision. They decided that it
was too good to pass up. From what I've
been told, the Scottish Rite RiteCare
Clinics will receive as much as $400,000
for this promotion, and it will cost the
Scottish Rite nothing."
Now that you have a more complete
picture, things look a little different,
don’t they?
The Kansas City Valley is trying to get
on the schedule to have the car and it’s
driver make an appearance for photos at
the Temple.
{Editors note: On the 7th it was announced that our driver would be racing
in the ARCA events instead of the
BUSCH races until at least the end of
February due to his lengthy absence
from the NASCAR Circuit.]
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
The Scottish Rite Herald is published
quarterly by the Kansas City
Scottish Rite Valley.
Please direct all comments to:
The Herald Editor
1330 Linwood Blvd,
Kansas City, MO 64109
[email protected]
Ron Hewitt, 32°
Editor
Archibald Fletcher, 32°
Poet Laureate and Contributing Editor
2007 Officers
Matthew L. Quesenberry, KCCH
Venerable Master
Miguel P. Madrigal, KCCH
Wise Master
Lloyd C. Callwell, KCCH
Commander
Michael L. Mack, KCCH
Master of Kadosh
Gary Barron, 33°
Almoner
~
Dan Smothers, KCCH
Personal Representative
Don Hartstack, 33º
Assistant Personal Representative
Ron Hickey, 33°
Executive Secretary
Roger D. Salyer, KCCH,
Treasurer
OUR “EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER” - KANSAS CITY STYLE
By Ron Hewitt, 32° A look at Valley Improvements that are underway
Last quarter we looked back at the beginning of the Temple that we now call
home, and marveled at the changes that
time has brought about. This issue lets
you look at what’s being done to clean
and preserve the structure. Keep in mind
that the funds for these improvements
are coming from the Orient Scottish Rite
Foundation and not from the funds of the
Valley!
OFFICE SPACE IMPROVED
Nothing tells the hard working staff that
handles the day to day operations of our
Temple that they are appreciated like an
extreme makeover, Kansas City Style.
The Office received more space by the
removal of the old Electric Card File
System that has been replaced by computerized record keeping. The old floor
was replaced with hardwood which is
easier to maintain. The wires and cables
needed for phones and to network the
computers has been hidden in easy to
access compartments along the wall to
protect them and keep the mass of wires
from being an eyesore.
THE BREAK ROOM (COFFEE SHOP)
Anyone who has worked a rental knows
how valuable the Coffee Shop is to the
Volunteers who sometimes need a break
from their duties. The Office staff also
knows that the best way to have lunch
and still be available to those who need
them is to have a clean spot nearby the
office but away from their desks to eat.
The old break room had little refrigeration space and was lacking in many of
the features that make it a welcome retreat.
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIES OFFICE
The office space improvements were
completed with a new floor and fresh
paint on the walls of the Exec. Secretaries Office. With so many official meetings taking place in this room it was important that the space reflect the dignity
due the purpose of the room.
when the Temple was constructed and
now that project has been completed.
THE FIFTH FLOOR ACTIVITIES HALL
Long forgotten by many and never seen
by some, the fifth floor room was never
restored when the temple was repurchased in 1970. It had become a storage facility for items donated to the Valley and for which a use was never found.
Preserving it from further deterioration
and opening it up to members for meetings, luncheons, dinners and a myriad of
other potential uses will only increase
it’s value to the membership. This room
needs a name...any ideas?
The Valley Store is also in the process
of receiving a much needed overhaul as
well with new carpet already installed
that has greatly reduced the stale cigarette odor that offended some members.
The Parking Lot has been resurfaced
and the number of Handicapped parking
spots were expanded. A new roof was
also installed late in 2006 to protect the
investments inside.
THIRD FLOOR LODGE ROOM
The work doesn’t stop here. The Floor
and walls of the Lodge Room on the
third floor have been redone in anticipation of Blue Lodge use in the near future.
Volunteers enclosed the windows of the
room that allowed cold air and excessive
light into the room then the entire room
received a fresh coat of paint and a beautiful checker board marble floor was
added and topped off with new carpeting. The original plans called for this
room to have a marble floor work area
Plumbing and electrical work are in
the process of being done as well that
will continue to enhance the property.
The spring will bring more work on the
outside of the Temple that will continue
to show the Community that the Scottish
Rite is alive and well at Linwood and
The Paseo.
If you haven’t been in the Temple in the
last few months, you’ve missed the dust
and activities. Come by soon and see
what your valley has done!
~ I N R EMEMBERANCE ~
BROTHER, NOBLE AND JESTER
ILLUSTRIOUS GERALD RUDOLPH FORD, 33º
The 38th President of the United States, Born 1913 Called Home by the Grand Architect December 2006
MASONIC RECORD
Initiated: September 30, 1949, Malta
Lodge No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, along with his half-brothers Thomas
Gardner Ford (1918-1995), Richard Addison Ford (1924-) and James Francis
Ford (1927- ).
September 26, 1962, for which he served
as Exemplar (Representative) for his
Class., Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, in
1962. This is the highest honor that can
come to an honorary member of the
Northern Supreme Council of the
A.A.S.R.
The Fellowcraft and Master Mason Degrees were conferred by Columbia
Lodge No. 3, Washington, D.C., on
April 20 and May 18, 1951, as a courtesy to Malta Lodge. Brother Ford's father, Gerald R. Sr., a 33rd degree Mason
presented the lambskin apron.
Brother and President Ford was unanimously elected an Active Member of the
International Supreme Council, Order of
DeMolay and its Honorary Grand Master, at its Annual Session held at Orlando, Florida, April 6-9, 1975; Brother
Ford held this post until January 1977, at
which time he became a Past Honorary
Grand Master, receiving his Collar and
Jewel on October 24, 1978 in Topeka,
Kansas, from the Hon. Thomas C.
Raum, Jr., Grand Master, Order of De-
He received the Scottish Rite degrees in
the Valley of Grand Rapids in 1957 and
created a Sovereign Grand Inspector
General Honorary 33rd degrees at the
Academy of Music in Philadelphia, on
Molay as well as being an Honorary
Member, DeMolay Legion of Honor.
Noble Ford joined Saladin Shrine Temple, A.A.O.N.M.A.S. in 1959. Jester
Ford became a member of Court No. 11,
Royal Order of Jesters.
But his first services to Freemasonry
came way before this when he was selected for the Eastern Team on the
Shriner's East West Crippled Children
game at San Francisco. This was on
January 1, 1935. He was a member of
the University of Michigan's undefeated
national championship football teams
and in 1934, played in the Shriner's EastWest Crippled Children's benefit classic
in San Francisco.
Information provided by: Ralph W.
Semb, Chairman, Board of Trustees,
Shriners Hospitals for Children
~ IN MEMORIUM ~
The following brothers have been called by the
Supreme Architect of the Universe since our last Herald.
HARRY R CALLAWAY JR
JAMES W CHURCH
HOWARD W GERSTENBERGER
THOMAS C HUNT
MELVIN MILLER
RICHARD H OREAR
DON Q SNYDER
JOSEPH L SPEYER
RAY DUGAN
RAYMOND M BUCKLEY
LLOYD R WELCH
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
1330 Linwood Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64109
Printed by
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OFFICERS FOR 2007!
LODGE OR PERFECTION
CHAPTER ROSE CROIX
COUNCIL OF KADOSH
CONSISTORY
Robert L. James, KCCH
Venerable Master
Roy N. Thomas, KCCH
Wise Master
John W. Hess, KCCH
Commander
Richard C. Middleton KCCH
Master of Kadosh
James B. Alltop, KCCH
Senior Warden
Bernard J. Meister, 32º
Junior Warden
David C. Witte, KCCH
Orator
Adam L. Fauss, KCCH
Master of Ceremonies
Michael E. Luellen, 32º
Expert
Scott F. Peeples, 32º
Assistant Expert
Kevin L. Hampton, 32º
Captain of the Host
Aaron M. Shoemaker, KCCH
Prelate
Hank W. Koontz, KCCH
Tiler
Bernard J. Meister, 32º
Director of Degrees
William G. Snyder, KCCH
Senior Warden
Morris F. Coburn, KCCH
Junior Warden
Carlos J. Scott, 32º
Orator
Brent L. Winterberg, KCCH
Master of Ceremonies
Curtis R. Wilson, 32º
Expert
Wesley H. Wingfield, 32º
Assistant Expert
Spencer D. Warren, 32º
Standard Bearer
Aaron M. Shoemaker, KCCH
Prelate
Brent L. Winterberg, KCCH
Director of Degrees
John E. Schofield, KCCH
1st Lt Commander
H. Edward Shubert, KCCH
2nd Lt. Commander
Frederick J. Donohue 32º
Chancellor
Daniel A. Sewing, KCCH
Orator
Jimmy R. Douthitt, 32º
Master of Cermonies
Rocky E. Weaver, KCCH
Turcopilar
Donald L. Huggins, 32º
Draper
Ronald D. Jones, 32º
1st Deacon
Kenneth D. Best, 32º
2nd Deacon
Robert D. Whitney, 33º
Prelate
Jimmy R. Douthitt, 32º
Director of Degrees
Thomas L. Truman, 32º
Prior
T. Jason Truman, 32º
Preceptor
S. Patrick Barnhard 32º
Chancellor
Stewart L. Middleton, 32º
Minister of State
Steven P. Hackett, 32º
Master of Cermonies
Archibald Fletcher, 32º
Expert
Kenneth L. Valentine, 32º
Assistant Expert
James C. Womelduff, IV, 32º
Captain of the Guard
Aaron M. Shoemaker, KCCH
Prelate
Thomas L. Truman, 32º
Director of Degrees