Scottish Rite News · 2019-03-13 · Truman in full Masonic regalia standing in the hallway of the new Scottish Rite Cathedral. It currently sits on display in the Harry S. Truman

Scottish Rite NewsIn This Issue: 1 Spring Reunion Review

4 Harry S. Truman Class

6 Fighting Fires and a Sea Serpent

7 Upcoming Events

8 Annual Meeting Review

9 Calendar of Events

11 Stanley Smith, MSA The Table Setter

Summer 2014

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States.” This famous historic Amer-ican introduction was exclaimed in 1953, just before the President entered a White House State Dinner. The Valley of Chicago kicked off its 2014 Spring Reunion on April 4 with an event reminiscent of this State Dinner

2014 Spring Reunion RoundupThe Scottish Rite traveled back in time to revisit the era of the Truman presidency during its recent Spring Reunion

1953

“To have [Harry S. Truman’s] grandson [Clifton Truman Daniel] as a member of the class is truly a

special occasion. We are very proud.”– John T. Phillips, 33°,

Active for the Valley of Chicago(continued on page 2)

which took place between President Harry S. Truman and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, circa 1953. The menu was a direct recreation of the meal served in the White House East Room that evening. A barbershop quartet was on hand to entertain the members with songs from the era.

President Harry S. Truman was the centerpiece of the 2014 Spring Reunion, and the incoming class of candidates was named in his honor. President Harry S. Truman’s grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel, was a member of the class, adding a family tie to the fraternal one.“I can’t think of anything more appropriate than to have the new Scottish Rite class named after President Harry S. Truman. He was a great man and a great Mason. To have his grandson as a

Nominees to Receive the

Meritorious Service Award Announced

William E. Carlton and Burton K. Schorr, Jr., have been nominated by the Valley of Chicago to receive the Meritorious Service Award at the 2015 Illinois Council of Deliberation. Congratulations!

The Constitution of the Supreme Council provides that the Meritorious Service Award (MSA) may be con-ferred upon members of the Scottish Rite who have rendered exemplary mason-ic service. The MSA can be awarded only by a State Council of Deliberation to a member in good stand-ing for outstanding or sig-nificant services performed within the Scottish Rite and cannot be applied for. Recipients of the MSA are adorned with a Red Hat and an accompanying jewel.

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“Candidates deserve the best we have to offer–they are the lifeblood of the organization.”

– Greg Klemm, MSA, 33°, Executive Secretary, Valley of Chicago

“I loved stepping back in time and giving our candidates a taste of how things used to be.”

–Stage crew assistant, Hilton Kaufman

member of the class is truly a special occasion. We are very proud,” said John T. Phillips, 33°, Active for the Valley of Chicago.

On April 5, candidates of the Harry S. Truman Class received the 4°, 6°, 14°, 15°, 23°, 31°, and 32°. The day was filled with excellent performances and fellow-ship. “Reunions are the most important part of our calendar year. They allow us to induct new members and connect with current ones. It is very important our members return and participate in the weekend. Candidates deserve the best we have to offer–they are the lifeblood of the organization,” observed Greg Klemm, MSA, 33°, Executive Secretary, Valley of Chicago.

The greatest accomplishment of the weekend was welcoming 60 new class members from all across the area. The new members were treated to a historic weekend that featured a memorable class gift. The Class Exemplar Clifton Truman Daniel presented a pen and ink illustration by artist Peter Landis Blair. This unique piece of art was specially designed for the

occasion and displays President Harry S. Truman in full Masonic regalia standing in the hallway of the new Scottish Rite Cathedral. It currently sits on display in the Harry S. Truman conference room in the Valley’s administrative offices.

The Reunion covered two days and included social and fraternal events. It brought in new members and brought

together old ones. It took us away from the instant connectivity of the cell phone era and re-imagined a simpler time with images and displays from the Truman era crafted by chief set designer Stanley Smith, MSA. “I loved stepping back in time and giving our candidates a taste of how things used to be,” stated stage crew assistant Hilton Kaufman.

A very special thank you goes out to all the volunteers who helped present this unique experience for the candidates. Everyone from stage, lighting, sound, act-ing, wardrobe, makeup, hospitality and Knights of St. Andrew’s deserves special recognition for the time and energy spent making the 2014 Spring Reunion a huge success.

SummeR 2014 • ScottiSh Rite NewS 3

A pen and ink illustration by artist Peter Landis Blair was presented by Class Exemplar Clifton Truman Daniel.

President Harry S. Truman Facts

• Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°

• Honorary Grand Master of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay.

• Received Masonic 50 year golden anniversary award.

• Grand Master of the State of Missouri.

• Thirty-Third President of the United States.

1953

Clayton R. Shoaf George N. Smith Jody M. Switzer Arthur C. Tancl Jr. William E. Taylor Jr.

Daniel Adamek Andrew J. Adamowski Jeremy C. Andersen Robert D. Arnold Usman B. Askofare

John Q. Carlson Christopher J. Castro Scott S. Cox Clifton T. Daniel Naseem El-Barbarawi

Robert E. Gaylor Carlos Hernandez James R. Holderfield Jose M. Huila Baeza Edin Ivanovic

Curtis A. Leopardo John P. Leopardo Steven L. Lugovsky William D. Macak Mark D. Manetti

Michael A. Norwood Sr. Alfred A. Paniagua Terry D. Parks John J. Payne Nestor O. Policarpio

2014 Scottish Rite Valley oIll. Harry S. Truman,

James B. Triplett Jr. Eduardo E. Velasco James C. Welch Daniel C. Woodshank Ronald L. Zenarosa

Romeo Avendano Robert P. Bakker Anthony J. Belcore Stanley Buford Rob Candos

George W. Endahl Lance K. Filip Sean P. Flisk Frank J. Fokta Manolito D. Gawat

Joel R. Jaffe Michael C. Jungles Jr. Richard C. Kayer Robert J. Kurek Wayne S. Kurzeja

Roy J. McCommons Warren McElroy III Darwin J. Minehart Jr. Michael L. Motzny Marco P. Neri

Georgio Rich Reginald P. Roberts Andrew J. Rucker Joseph R. Scavelli Ronald J. Schrader

f Chicago Spring Reunion33°, Presidential Class


By Aimee E. Newell, Ph.D.Director of Collections, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library, Lexington, Massachusetts

At the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library in Lexing-ton, Massachusetts, we actively

collect objects to continuously strengthen and improve our existing holdings. Our primary strength is American Masonic and fraternal items and we look for things that tell an engaging story, are in good condition and do not duplicate our exist-ing holdings. Recently, I was contacted by an antiques dealer who had a fascinating painted leather fire bucket for sale. The bucket was in nice condition and had a square and compasses symbol on the front above a pair of clasped hands and the name “J. Beach.” At the top of the bucket, a painted banner read “Friendship in Adversity.” On first glance it looked like a terrific addition to our collection.

My first step was to analyze it accord-ing to our collecting criteria as described above. So I searched our collections data-base to see just how many fire buckets we already have. Imagine my surprise to find the one pictured here, which the Museum purchased in 1981, was almost identical to the photo that the dealer had sent me! While we are fortunate to have

Fighting Fires – and a Sea Serpent?

a large storage area at the Museum, space is always finite, so I passed on buying the second one and promptly did some research on the one we already owned.

Antiques are rare and valued for a reason – as time passes objects break, get lost, thrown away and disintegrate. Yet, before they became antiques, they were often common household items. While it was surprising to turn up two fire buck-ets with almost identical decoration, it shouldn’t be unexpected. During the 1700s and early 1800s, most households had at least a couple of buckets like these ones. They were often the most effective way to combat a fire. Local residents could line up and form a bucket brigade passing buckets from hand to hand to try and quench the blaze. Decorating them with symbols and the owner’s name meant that they would be easy to return when the fire was over.

Groups of local residents also formed fire companies or societies to assist with fighting fires in their neighborhoods. It makes sense that these local groups would procure fire buckets with similar decoration – as is the case with these two buckets. The Museum’s bucket is almost identical to the one that was owned by J. Beach. Virtually the only difference is the owner’s name – Z. Stevens – and the date it was presumably made – 1799. Thanks to an email with a colleague, Timothy Winkle, associate curator in the Division of Home and Community Life at the

Masonic Fire Bucket, 1799, unidentified maker, probably Gloucester, Massachusetts. Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Collection, Special Acquisitions Fund, 81.48.

National Museum of American History, I was able to determine that John Beach and Zachariah Stevens were members of the Masonic Fire Society in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Formed in 1789, the Masonic Fire Society aimed to “be helpful to each other in extinguishing [fires in Gloucester], and in saving and taking the utmost care of each other’s goods.” The printed “Rules and Orders” go on to require that each member “always keep ready, two good Leather Buckets, and two strong bags.” Members of the Society were also required to be “an approved Mason.” Indeed, both John Beach and Zachariah Stevens, who owned the fire buckets, were members of Gloucester’s Tyrian Lodge. Beach was raised in 1779 and served the lodge as Master in 1802. Stevens was raised in 1804.

Thanks again to Timothy Winkle, I discovered that Stevens was a witness to the “sea serpent” sighted in Gloucester in 1817. Starting in August 1817 and continuing for the next few years, reports of a strange sea creature off the coast of Gloucester began to circulate. The accuracy of these accounts was debated throughout the country and never conclu-sively resolved. But this rather outlandish tale adds another layer of interesting his-tory to Stevens’ Masonic fire bucket. And keep your eyes peeled – there may be oth-er fire buckets just like this one waiting to be discovered!

M U S E U M & L I B R A R Y


U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

Please Join the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago for Our Upcoming Summer Events!

S c o t t i s h R i t e D a y a t t h e R a c e s

D e M o l a y H o n o r s N i g h tS c h o l a r s h i p & L e a r n i n g C e n t e r

R e c o g n i t i o n N i g h t

Join us in Celebration of our Masonic Youth and witness the conferral of the Chevalier Degree, Legion of Honor

and Adviser Cross of Honor.

The event is open to members and their guests. There is no cost to attend.

Scottish Rite Cathedral383 E. Lake Street

Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108

Thursday,August 21

5:30 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Program

Program includes:

• Admission into the park

• Daily racing guide

• Gourmet buffet lunch

Sunday, July 27

Noon until 6:00 pm$65 per person

Bar package available for an additional $20 per person

Arlington Racetrack2200 West Euclid Avenue

Arlington Heights, IL 60006

Join us in the newest venue at Arlington Park: “Silks at 2200,” located

on the 2nd floor near the finish line with indoor

and outdoor views

Join us as we recognize our children’s educational achievements.

This event is open to members and their guests. There is no cost to attend.

Scottish Rite Cathedral383 E. Lake Street

Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108

Thursday,August 7

5:30 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Assembly

Scottish Rite Scholarships

Register now at www.ScottishRiteChicago.org or call (800) 774-3467


Annual Meeting Review

Board of Directors Scottish Rite Cathedral Association of ChicagoPresidentAnthony R. Cracco1st Vice PresidentCraig C. Stimpert2nd Vice PresidentDavid P. Crosson

Dale P. CyrierJohn T. DowlingAhmad M. “Andy” HassanNoel J. KalisJohn W. QuinnJohn D. RevereDaryl W. SelockJerry D. SparksFrank S. Winans

Van Rensselaer Lodge of Perfection

Thrice Potent MasterDale P. Cyrier Deputy MasterMichael E. EhleSenior WardenDonald E. Esser, VA, MSA

Junior WardenAngelo S. DeserioOratorReuben M. OwensTreasurerMarvin L. Selock, 33°Secretary Richard R. Salsbury, 33°Master of CeremoniesPatrick J. RobinHospitalerEdward C. Steffy, MSACaptain of the GuardRussell A. ScanlanTyler Mark D. Nokes

Chicago Council, Princes of Jerusalem

Sovereign PrinceJohn D. Revere, MSA, 33° High PriestJ. Kenneth LudwigSenior WardenAlan M. Hubble

Junior WardenStephen W. FordTreasurerMarvin L. Selock, 33°Secretary Richard R. Salsbury, 33°Master of Ceremonies Chad M. LacekHospitalerSteven A. SchenkMaster of EntrancesDavid A. TruaxTylerJoseph W. PegoraroAssistant HospitalerBurton K. Schorr, Jr.Assistant HospitalerRichard H. Bruett

Gourgas Chapter of Rose Croix of Heredom

Most Wise MasterFrank S. Winans, MSA, 33° Senior WardenFrank P. Lasick Jr., MSA, 33°Junior WardenAntwane O. Lee

OratorJoseph H. Santisteban, VA, 33°TreasurerMarvin L. Selock, 33°Secretary Richard R. Salsbury, 33°

Master of CeremoniesJeffery T. HensonHospitalerWilliam B. WojtasCaptain of the GuardCharles H. ReedTylerJay A. ReedPrelate Dennis R. HennebryAsst. Hosp. – ChapterJoseph E. Malatia

Oriental ConsistoryCommander-in- ChiefJohn W. Quinn First Lieutenant CommanderAndrew A. Keppy

Second Lieutenant CommanderLance J. Welter, VA, MSAOratorHarvey A. WigdorChancellorKarl J. NygardTreasurerMarvin L. Selock, 33°SecretaryRichard R. Salsbury, 33°Master of CeremoniesCraig C. Stimpert, 33°Hospitaler Brandon A. ZearsEngineer and SeneschalPaul A. ScheelerStandard BearerMichael W. BehmCaptain of the GuardBruce H. ZimmermanSentinel Kyle R. Bruett

The annual meetings of the Coordinate Bodies of the Valley of Chicago and the Scottish Rite Cathedral Association of Chicago were held on Thursday, May 22, 2014, in Bloomingdale, Illinois. The following members have been elected or appointed to govern the Valley of Chicago for the ensuing Masonic Year.

Full text copies of the annual reports given on May 22, 2014, are available online at www.ScottishRiteChicago.org.

S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 C A L E N D A R

For reservations or more information about our events, please visit us online at www.ScottishRiteChicago.org or call (800) 774-3467.

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Arlington Park Day at the Races

S U N D A Y M O N D A Y T U E S D A Y W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y F R I D A Y S A T U R D A Y

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Family Picnic Day at Brookfield Zoo

Scholarship & Learning Center Recognition Night

DeMolay Honors Night


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Scottish Rite Day at the Races

Sunday, July 27 Noon until 6:00 pm

$65 per person

Bar package available for an additional $20 per person

Program includes: • Admission into the park• Daily racing guide • Gourmet buffet lunch

Arlington Racetrack2200 West Euclid Avenue

Arlington Heights, IL 60006

Thursday, August 75:30 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Assembly

Scottish Rite Scholarships

Scholarship & Learning Center Recognition Night

This event is open to members and their guests. There is no cost to attend.

Thursday, August 21 5:30 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Program

DeMolay Honors NightThis event is open to members and their

guests. There is no cost to attend.

S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 C A L E N D A R

For reservations or more information about our events, please visit us online at www.ScottishRiteChicago.org or call (800) 774-3467.

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Back to the Rite Night


September 2014

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Grand Lodge

Stated Meeting

Grand Lodge

Oktoberfest


OCTOBER 2014


2014 Fall Reunion

Road Trip to Memphis

Friday, November 14 through

Sunday, November 16

Become a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of

Chicago as we journey to the home of Elvis, Beale Street,

Gibson Guitars & Great Blues Bands!

Register now at www.ScottishRiteChicago.org

or call (800) 774-3467

Scottish Rite NewsSummeR 2014

The Bodies of the Scottish Rite, sitting in the Valley of Chicago, State of Illinois, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America, whose Grand East is in Lexington, Mass., and whose officers are: Ill. John William McNaughton, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander; Ill. Benny L. Grisham, MSA, 33°, Deputy for Illinois, and whose other Active Members for the State of Illinois are: Ill. John T. Phillips, 33°; Ill. Gregory L. Clark, 33°; and Ill. James L. Tungate, 33°; and Ill. Norman R. Buecker, 33°, Emeritus; Ill. Phillip C. Kenney, 33°, Emeritus; Ill. Lawrence D. Inglis, 33°, Emeritus; Ill. Robert W. LaSurs, 33°, Emeritus; Ill. Lee B. Lockwood, 33°; and Emeritus Ill. Richard L. Swaney, 33°, Past Active.

Correspondence concerning the magazine or mail deliver should be addressed to Edward J. Witas III, MSA, Chief Operating Officer.

Volume LVIIII • Summer 2014 • Number 2

Scottish Rite News (ISSN 0893-5114), Vol. LVIIII No. 2, is published seasonally, March, June, Sept., and Dec. by the Scottish Rite Cathedral Association of Chicago, 383 E. Lake St., Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Chicago, IL.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SCOTTISH RITE NEWS, 383 E. Lake St., Bloomingdale, Illinois 60108.

Phone: (800) 774-3467Fax: (630) 439-3401

www.ScottishRiteChicago.org

Officers and directOrs

scOttish rite cathedral assOciatiOn Of chicagO

Anthony R. Cracco, PresidentCraig C. Stimpert, 1st Vice PresidentDavid P. Crosson, 2nd Vice President

John T. Dowling Andy M. Hassan John D. RevereDale P. Cyrier Noel J. Kalis John Quinn Daryl W. Selock

Jerry D. Sparks Frank Winans

Edward J. Witas III, COOGregory R. Klemm, Executive Secretary

Wallace B. Dunn, Treasurer

PublicatiOn staff

Editor Edward J. Witas, III, MSAReviewing Editor Gregory R. Klemm, MSA, 33°Reviewing Editor Martin P. Starr, 33°Support David R. KossSupport Lee Bradley, 33°Art Director Kristin Ashley

Official nOtice

Meetings of the coordinate bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Chicago, IL, for the period July 1, 2014, to October 31, 2014, are listed in this issue.

Dale P. Cyrier, Thrice Potent MasterVan Rensselaer Lodge of Perfection

John D. Revere MSA, 33°, Sovereign PrinceChicago Council, Princes of Jerusalem

Frank Winans, MSA, 33°, Most Wise MasterGourgas Chapter, Rose Croix

John Quinn, Commander-in-ChiefOriental Consistory

Richard R. Salsbury, 33°, Fraternal Secretary

Marvin L. Selock, 33°, Fraternal Treasurer

© 2014 Scottish Rite Cathedral Association of Chicago. All rights reserved.

F O C U S O N …

We caught up with the Valley of Chicago’s Stage Manag-er and Set Designer Stanley

Smith, MSA, for a conversation about his work both professionally and with the fraternity. Stanley Smith, MSA, has been designing sets ever since he gradu-ated from Rockford College. After which he went to work for Chicago based Mar-shall Field’s Company. He worked on the 13th floor of the flagship State Street store in downtown Chicago, there he learned the craft of set design, building displays and, of course, the famous Christmas windows. After a while, Stanley opened his own shop working with companies all over Chicago to build displays and sets. His clients include the Four Seasons, Art Institute, Union League Club and many others. Despite a busy professional life Stanley has always made time for the Valley of Chicago.

Crafting the Truman Displays Anyone who attended the Spring

Reunion, was treated to Stanley’s magnif-icent displays of Harry Truman and the different depictions and stages of his life. Stanley said the key to creating those dis-plays starts by listening, then gathering the parts of the story and finding things that visually represent those areas of Tru-man’s life including the lodge life, the campaign life and the White House life. Stanley said that understanding how 3-D objects can represent emotions and tell a story is key to staging any display.

When asked about his professional life and what he was most proud of, he talked about his ongoing coordination of the Window Display Contest for Michi-gan Avenue magazine. “In this day and age people are so caught up in instant technology they forget to stop and look at things,” stated Smith. He wants these displays to be an opportunity for people to just stop and look for a minute and appreciate the intricacy and time people spend building these pieces of art. When asked if he would recommend this line of

Stanley Smith, MSA The Table Setter

work as a career for young people he said “Absolutely!”

In his fraternal work as stage manager and set designer for the Valley of Chica-go’s degree performances, Stanley relies on the vast collection of props located behind the theater in our prop storage room. He said it reminds him of the prop room on the 13th floor of the old Marshall Field’s building. Our resources give Stanley the tools he needs to design sets and scenes for many different degrees that range all the way from Biblical times to a WWII Naval vessel. Its not always easy but Stan-ley makes it look that way.

Stanley’s favorite thing about what he does involves a common piece of furniture used in many different Masonic degrees: the table. When asked about what his favorite prop was that the Valley of Chica-go had in its large collection, right away he stated it was a collection of several antique tables. These tables are the ones used in the various degree performances. He said, “At the old building downtown it was all about a large number of impressive chairs or thrones we had. At the new build-ing we’ve been able to incorporate more tables. And the table symbolizes coming together and that is something import-ant for Masonry and the Scottish Rite. I try to use them as often as possible when designing a set.” Many thanks to Stan-ley Smith, MSA, on setting the Valley of Chicago’s table for all our performances.

Scottish Rite Bodies — Valley of Chicago383 E. Lake StreetBloomingdale, Illinois 60108

Details will be available soon!

2014 Fall Reunion Road Trip to Memphis

Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16

Become a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago as we journey to the home of Elvis, Beale Street,

Gibson Guitars & Great Blues Bands!

Save t

he Date

!

Documents

Scottish Rite News · 2019-03-13 · Truman in full Masonic regalia standing in the hallway of the new Scottish Rite Cathedral. It currently sits on display in the Harry S. Truman