Scottish Rite Masons and their Families

Scottish Rite Masons and their Families VALLEY VOICE March 2011 Inside This Issue Spring Reunion Information Burns Dinner Wrap Up

Valley of Detroit VALLEYVOICE March, 2011 Valley Voice is the official publication of Detroit Scottish Rite. The Bodies of the Scottish Rite, sitting in the Valley of Detroit, State of Michigan, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council, 33 o, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America whose Grand East is in Lexington, Massachusetts. Ill. John Wm. McNaughton, 33 o Sovereign Grand Commander Ill. David R. Bedwell, 33 o Deputy for Michigan Ill. William J. Dover, 33 o, MSA Active Member for Michigan April Valley Meeting The George Washington Masonic Memorial Presented by Ill. Brother Robert P. Conley, 33 o, MSA, member of the Executive Board of the George Washington Masonic Memorial Tuesday, April 12, 2011 ~ 7:30 P.M. Non Scottish Rite Masons invited Refreshments Following Originally scheduled for the January Valley Meeting, which was canceled due to inclement weather. Ill. Walter F. Wheeler, 33 o Active Member for Michigan Ill. Robert H. Sale, 33 o, MSA Active Member Emeritus Ill. Erwin W. O Dell, 33 o, MSA Active Member Emeritus Ill. Gerald F. Thorp, 33 o, MSA Active Member Emeritus March Valley Meeting ~ Tuesday, March 8, 2011-7:30 P.M. Guest Speaker Mr. Tyrone Chatman 32ndDegreeMasons.org All correspondence concerning this Publication should be directed to the Executive Secretary of the Valley of Detroit, Timothey S. Marshbanks, 33 o Mailing Address 907 Monroe St. Dearborn, MI 48124-2309 313.724.1907 Fax 313.724.1996 Toll Free 877.320.6432 Email valleyofdetroit@32nddegreemasons.org Editor Ill. David R. Bedwell, 33 o dbedwell@ameritech.net Permission to reprint original articles in the Valley Voice is granted to all recognized Masonic publications with credit to the author and this publication. Copyright 2011 Board of Trustees of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Detroit If you re on Facebook, keep up to date with late breaking news, and event reminders. Search on Valley of Detroit and Click on Like

Annual Easter Eve Service Saturday, April 23, 2011, 7:00 P.M. Scottish Rite Masonic Center The officers of Rose Croix will preside over an Easter Service that is both inspiring and moving. The service will be followed by a fellowship hour and refreshments, and as always, children are welcome. We urge you to consider attending the Easter Eve Service as part of your family tradition. This is a way of easing into the holiday with reflection and fellowship before the egg and Easter basket hunts and busy family dinners. Will you be there? We hope so. Club Highlight ~ Club of the Lakes On Saturday, January 29, the officers and ladies of the Detroit Lodge of Perfection traveled to the Club of the Lakes to install the officers for 2011. Bob Legowsky was installed as President, Art Gareau and Don Mayville as Vice Presidents, Donald L. Trumbull, MSA, as Chaplain and Director, Ill. Kenney L. Lenfestey, 33 o, and Ill. Raymond E. Fowler, 33 o, as Directors. The Club meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 11 a.m. in conjunction with Livingston Lodge s monthly breakfast. Pinckney Masonic Center, 210 Mann St., in Pinckney. Front Row: (L-R) Ill. Raymond E. Fowler, 33 o ; Arthur Gareau; Robert Legowsky; Donald Mayville; Donald L. Trumbull, MSA; and Ill. Kenney L. Lenfestey, 33 o Back Row: Officers of the Detroit Lodge of Perfection (L-R) Robert A. Moore, Junior Warden; Joel E. Clement, Deputy Master; Howard H. Crumit, Jr., Thrice Potent Master; John P. Kilbourne, Senior Warden; and Marc B. Liljegren, Orator.

Faces of Scottish Rite Meet Ill. Ardys Bennett, 33 o, Father, Grandfather, Reunion Class Honoree Illustrious Brother Ardys D. Bennett, 33o, was born in Albia, Iowa on October 8, 1925. When he was three, his family moved to Dearborn where Ardys attended school. A few months before graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Corp. and was called to duty in February 1944. After his discharge in November 1945 he started working at Household Finance and thereafter at the Small Loan Co. where he became a Branch Manager. His career as a mortgage banker began at General Mortgage Co. in 1953. When the company was sold in 1958, he joined Detroit Mortgage Co., where he remained until retiring as a Vice President in 1981. He then began a career as a Household Inspector and Building Code Officer in Dearborn and Allen Park. In 1985, Ardys formed the Down River Association of Code Officials to provide continuing education and training, and continues to serve as its President. He is certified as a teacher of the Michigan Building Codes and has taught since 1989. He retired in 2010 as the Building Inspector Plan Reviewer Building Official for the City of Dearborn. In June 2010, Ardys became the oldest graduate from Baker College, having earned a Bachelor s Degree in Business Leadership for Code Administration, a program he was instrumental in starting. Ardys was married 38 years to Beatrice and was widowed in 1984. He has been married to Sylvia since 1985. He is the father of two daughters, two stepdaughters, and one stepson and the grandfather of three. Ardys and Sylvia reside in Allen Park, Michigan, where he is an honored citizen. Among his numerous positions held with the city, is his service as Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission, as President of the school district, and as a Building Inspector Plan Reviewer. He was honored with the Allen Park J.C. Man of the Year Award, and the City of Allen Park Liberty Bell Award for outstanding service. Ill. Brother Ardys was raised a Master Mason on February 17, 1966, in Livonia Lodge #586. He was President of the Temple Board from 1966-1983 and was voted Head Architect in 1970. He served as Master in 1974, and his Lodge brothers voted him Mason of the Year in 1978. He was High Priest of Colonial Chapter in 1986, and earned the Zerubabel Apron for the number of candidates signed for. He was Commander of Detroit Commandery #1 in 1987, during which time he signed for over 50 members. He served as Captain General for 14 years before retiring in 2010 and is now Captain General Emeritus. He was Sovereign Master for the Allied Masonic Degrees in 1996. He was also Governor of the York Rite College in 1996, which he now serves as Treasurer. In 1999, he was Thrice Illustrious Master of Monroe Counsel and now serves as its Treasurer. He was elected to the K.Y.C.H. in 2000. He is an elected representative to the Masonic Temple Association of Detroit since 1974 and served as President in 1993. In 1995, Ardys served as Most Wise Master of Mt. Olivet Chapter Rose Croix, Valley of Detroit and was Commander in Chief 2001-2002. He was coronetted a 33 o, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council in 1999. Among his many awards, he is the deserving recipient of the Grand Commander s Service Award, the York Rite Order of the Purple Cross, the Alhambra Helping Hand Award, and the Knight Commander of the Temple Award. Ardys was selected as our Honoree for his long-term continuous involvement in Scottish Rite Masonry and for his accomplishments as a Most Wise Master and Commander-in-Chief. He continues to support our Valley by serving in every Reunion as the Master of Ceremonies in the 32 o, and in the appointed position of Marshall for the Valley of Detroit.

Spring Reunion Saturday, March 26, 2011 Scottish Rite Masonic Center Free Parking available 1 block North at Ford Field Park. Complimentary Shuttle Service from the Park to the Front Door. Honoring Ill. Ardys D. Bennett, 33 o Candidate Registration: 8:00 A.M. Agenda 9:00 A.M. - 4 o Master Traveler - Here is the introduction to Scottish Rite Masonry. This degree provides us with a preview of the moral truths we shall witness on our journey through the Scottish Rite. 9:30 A.M. - 12 o Master of Mercy - Exemplified in this degree is the quality of forgiveness, not just to forego the opportunity for revenge, but to cease to feel enmity or resentment toward the transgressor. 10:30 A.M. - 16 o Prince of Jerusalem - This degree exemplifies fidelity to duty and devotion to truth. 11:15 A.M. - Lunch - Complimentary - Reservations Required - No Exceptions - No later than Monday, March 21. 1:00 P.M. - 31 o Knight Aspirant - In this degree we learn that service to humanity should be our response when God calls us to labor. 32 o Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret - As the culmination of Scottish Rite Masonry, this degree celebrates the triumph of individual integrity and our obligation to serve humanity. Immediately following the 32 o, Reception Afterglow ~ Reservations Required For petition information or to make reservations for lunch and the reception please contact the Valley Office toll free at 877.320.6432 or online at www.32nddegreemasons.org

New Valley Governance Model Proposed Last fall the Supreme Council requested every Valley look into restructuring the officer lines and to establish a Governance Committee to do so. The need for potential changes may not be readily apparent to those of you who see the lines of the four bodies continuing to do their jobs year in and year out, but their success in doing so masks the reality: Each year it is harder and harder for the Nominating Committee to come up with suitable candidates to install at the bottom of the four lines. All of you can think of a capable Brother whom you have seen in a degree or working in a committee. I can, too, and have been personally in touch with many of them about the possibility of becoming a line officer. But because of other obligations...family, business, and financial...most of them must limit their activities to the Reunions. (Thank goodness they can do that much). As a result the Governance Committee, consisting of Ill. David Boring, 33 o ; John Chamberlain, Ill. Elbert Taylor, 33 o ; Ill. Ric Testasecca, 33 o, MSA; and myself, has designed the following model, which will cut the number of new line officers needed every year from four to a more manageable two. You will be asked to vote on these changes at the April Valley Meeting. We propose maintaining the traditional four bodies. Officers will continue to be elected, not appointed. There will be two officers per line, and each office will be a two-year term... a total of four years of service. We shall stagger the lines so that every year only two of them will need a new junior or starting officer. The junior officers will serve for two years with the Membership Committee, which already does a lot of the event planning and which will do all of it under the new model. They will plan events in their first year and manage them in the second year. They will also work with the Membership Committee on attracting new members and membership retention. Since the lines will be staggered, there will always be two second-year junior officers, as well as the rest of the Membership Committee, to help the two new officers learn the ropes...a process that is now very hit-and-miss. The senior officers (3 rd and 4 th years) will act as executives and advisors. Their primary responsibilities will be organizing and casting the reunions and serving on the Board of Trustees. By the 4 th year the presiding officers should work actively with their lines to ensure that each stage is progressing as planned. The Board of Trustees (BOT) will consist of five at large members and the four senior line officers for a total of nine. The at-large members will fill all BOT officer positions because they will still have threeyear terms and a six-year term limit (eight for line officers who want to go right onto the BOT as at large members). The Reunions will go back to a set schedule, so that officers do not have to worry about which ones to do. The Nominating Committee will continue to monitor the performance of the officers; advancement is not automatic. The Nominating Committee will also recommend that good candidates for whom there is no opening be placed on one of the Membership subcommittees, so that they can start to learn about event planning and membership development. The Nominating Committee will consist of three past presidings or two past presidings and an active SR Brother who is also a PM. Here is how we propose to make the transition, with numbers representing current officers and letters representing new people added in the future: May 2011 LOP 1 Council 1 RC 1 Consistory 1 LOP 2 Council 2 RC 2 Consistory 2 LOP 3 Council 3 RC 3 Consistory 3 LOP 4 Consistory 4 May 2012 LOP 2 Council 2 RC 2 Consistory 2 LOP 3 Council 3 RC 3 Consistory 3 LOP 4 Consistory 4 May 2013 LOP 3 Council 3 RC 3 Consistory 3 LOP 4 Council A RC B Consistory 4 May 2014 LOP 4 Council 3 RC 3 Consistory 4 LOP C Council A RC B Consistory D May 2015 LOP 4 Council A RC B Consistory 4 LOP C Council E RC F Consistory D Two terms expire on the BOT in 2013; by not filling those positions, we will reduce that body to five at large members at the same time that the four bodies get down to two officers. Please feel free to call me 734-665-2236 with any questions or comments. Sincerely and fraternally, Justin F. Krasnoff, PCnC, Chairman-Nominating and Governance Committees

Another Outstanding Event in the Valley of Detroit! Saturday, January 22, the Membership Committee of the Valley hosted a unique evening of good food, and outstanding fellowship, celebrating the life and poetry of Robbie Burns. The sell out event included a beautiful two handled Scottish cup (quaich) engraved with the Doubled Headed Eagle and Valley of Detroit that was presented to each guest. Special thanks to Brother Paul N. Cross, Senior Warden of Carson Council, who did an great job serving as Master of Ceremonies.

The Board of Trustees of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Detroit 32 o Masons and Their Families 907 Monroe Street Dearborn, MI 48124-2309 Dated Material - Please Do Not Delay Support Your Club Blue Water Club Lou Stevich 810.982.6579 Port Huron Masonic Temple Rear Door - Lower Level 927 6th Street Port Huron, MI 48060 3rd Monday, 6:30 P.M. Macomb Club Al McKay, MSA 586.773.3093 Old Country Buffet 35543 S. Gratiot Clinton Township Last Saturday, 9:00 A.M. Oakland Club Kenneth Martin 248.889.9774 Jimi s Restaurant 714 S. Washington Royal Oak 2nd Monday, 6:15 P.M. Club of the Lakes Les Ferguson 517.546.1880 Pinckney Masonic Center 210 Mann St. in Pinckney 3rd Sunday, 11:00 A.M. Downriver Club Michael J. Stetz 313.271.8018 Leon s Family Dining 23830 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn 2nd Saturday, 9:00 A.M. Jackson Club Ken Strobel 517.787.2680 Marr s Grill 3306 Francis St.. - Jackson 2nd Sunday, 8:30 A.M. Monroe Club Joel E. Clement 734.752.8834 Leon s Family Dining 23830 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn 2nd Saturday, 9:00 A.M. Calendar March 2011 5 Mardi Gras Party 8 Valley Meeting 7:30 p.m. 17 Board of Trustees 6:00 p.m. 26 Spring Reunion April 2011 12 Valley Meeting 7:30 p.m. 21 Board of Trustees 6:00 p.m. 23 Easter Eve Service May 2011 10 Annual Meeting / Election of Officers 7:30 p.m. 19 Board of Trustees 6:00 p.m. June 2011 11 Michigan Council of Deliberation - Shanty Creek 14 Valley Officer Orientation 16 Board of Trustees 6:00 p.m. July 2011 23 Casino Trip