April-June 2013

April - June 2013

Volume 1, Issue 15 Valley of Newport News, Orient of Virginia, AASR

2013

The Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite

100th Year Anniversary Celebration

100th Anniversary Year Ill. David Burkus, IGH

We Need Your Support For over six months now, we have been informing you at our meetings and newsletters that

during this year we will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary as a Valley in October. In what I

thought would become a growing anticipation of excitement has become a basic state of

doldrums. Nobody really seems to care. WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT.

Since last September we have been having a monthly fundraiser on the third Friday of the

month. The food and fellowship have been in abundance, unfortunately the crowds to help support

them have not. For those who have come to support the fundraisers and to those who have donated to

our fund, we say thank you so very much. We have discovered it is hard to raise money to plan items

for the anniversary if you have no money and it is even harder to plan when you have no idea of what

money you will have to get the job done.

We hope by the end of April we will have emblematic items for sale: shirts, cups, lapel pins,

coins, and a couple more items. We are planning on having a 100th Anniversary Memory Book

which will hopefully be a treasured item to keep. The content will include a copy of the

program for 100th Anniversary banquet, the history of our Valley, pictures taken throughout

the years, pictures of our Honour men, and membership pictures. We have set up for our

members to get their picture taken with their wife (if desired) wearing coat & tie and their

hat. These pictures will be included in the book and the members will have an opportunity to

purchase the pictures to keep at home or give to family and friends. The pictures are

currently set up to be taken prior to the May, June, and September stated meetings.

Hopefully we will get a good turnout for this and collect many pictures. Our next fundraiser, an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner with all the trimmings, will be on

April 19th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Hope to see you there!

Valley of Newport News

Ill. James D. Cole, 33º Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Virginia

Ill. Clifford A. Parker, IGH Personal Representative of the SGIG in Virginia

Ill. Adrian L. “Pete” Eure, IGH Secretary for the Valley of Newport News

Ill. Danny O. Belott, IGH Assist. Secretary for Valley of Newport News

Ill. Gerald E. Burks, IGH Treasurer for the Valley of Newport News

Bro. Harold C. Joyner, KCCH Almoner for the Valley of Newport News

Ill. Jack L. Smith, IGH Chairman of the Trustees

Newport News Lodge of Perfection

Ill. Danny O. Belott, IGH Venerable Master

Newport News Chapter of Rose Croix

Bro. Harris T. Luscomb, III, KCCH Wise Master

Newport News Council of Kadosh

Ill. George A. Hollingsworth, III, IGH Commander

Newport News Consistory

Ill. Jimmy C. Willis, IGH Master of Kadosh

Knights of St. Andrew

Bro. Page S. Neale, Jr., 32º Venerable Master

Chartered October 12, 1912

Upcoming Activities

April 5-6 - Joint Valley Spring Reunion at the

Valley of Norfolk

April 19 - Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite

Monthly Family Dinner 5:00pm - 7:00pm

April 24 - Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite

Stated Meeting 7:30pm, Dinner at 6:30pm

May 17 - Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite

Monthly Family Dinner 5:00pm - 7:00pm

May 22 - Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite

Stated Meeting 7:30pm, Dinner at 6:30pm

May 28 - Knights of St. Andrew

Stated Meeting 7:00pm

June 7 - Grand Master’s Official Visit to

Masonic District 57 at the Valley of Newport News

Scottish Rite Masonic Center 6:00pm

June 13 - Valley of Newport News Golf Tournament,

Williamsburg National Golf Course

June 21 - Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite

Monthly Family Dinner 5:00pm - 7:00pm

June 22 - Valley of Newport News Family Picnic 4-6pm

June 25 - Knights of St. Andrew

Feast of Bannockburn 6:30pm

June 26 - Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite

Stated Meeting 7:30pm, Dinner at 6:30pm

Our stated meetings are held on the fourth

Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm. A

deliciously prepared Dutch Treat dinner is

served at 6:30pm prior to all meetings w/e of

July & August. The Ladies of the Scottish

Rite meet at all meetings w/e of the July &

August Stated meetings.

Editor: Bro. J. Richard Rawls, KCCH Asst. Ed.: Ill. David A. Burkus, IGH

Offices: 65 Saunders Rd.

Newport News, VA 23601 Phone: 757 599 6617

Fax: 757 599 0021

Email: [email protected]

Please support your Blue Lodge, your

Scottish Rite and all other Masonic Bodies

you are a member of.

They all need your support.

Page 2

Inside this Issue

Page 2 - Upcoming Activities

Page 3 - Personal Representative

Page 4 - 2013 Golf Tournament Announcement

Page 5 - “From the Secretary”

- Orient of Virginia Membership

Page 6 - Venerable Master’s Message

- Knights of St. Andrew

Page 7—Valley Officers 2013-2014

Valley of Newport News:

http://newportnewsscottishrite.org

Orient of Virginia:

http://www.orientofvirginia.org

Page 3

Valley Personal Representative Message Ill. Clifford A. Parker,

Sincerely & Fraternally,

Skip Parker

Brethren,

I’m sure by now we are all wondering if we will ever see warm weather again, I

know I am. Nevertheless, life goes on.

There are just a few short weeks until our annual William M. Johnson Memorial

Golf Tournament. Once again it will be hosted at the Williamsburg National Golf club.

We have moved our start time up to 11:00am to allow time for fun, food, and fellowship at

the conclusion of the golf. If you have not received a flyer for the event, please call our

Secretary, Ill. Pete Eure, at the Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Ph.

599-6617.

Plans are moving ahead for our 100th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday,

October 27th, 2013. The events will be in conjunction with our Fall Ring Ceremony for our

new Scottish Rite Masons. The Ring Ceremony is one of the few Masonic ceremonies that

may be viewed by the public and we want the entire event to be a rewarding experience for

the families of the candidates as well as our honored guests for the weekend. Please mark

your calendar now so that you may bring your family and friends to this memorable event.

To support our 100th Anniversary, we are having our 3rd Friday Family Dinners at the

Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite Masonic Center and we would love to have you

join us. The dinner for April is Spaghetti and the cost is $7.00 per person. Come out and

bring the family.

2014 Scottish Rite Regional Workshop – The Valley of Newport News has been

chosen to host the 2014 Regional Workshop which will be held in Williamsburg. We had

previously hosted the workshop in 2000. Mark your calendars for April 10-12, 2014, and

plan to attend. Members from up and down the east coast will be in attendance. This is an

excellent opportunity to learn about and discuss some of the challenges the Valleys face as

we travel through the 21st century.

With the arrival of warm weather, you will probably notice more activity around

the outside of the Valley of Newport News Masonic Center building. If you have a few

minutes, stop by and lend a hand moving and removing debris as we give the facility a

spring facelift. We are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00am to

12:00pm with a light lunch being served on Wednesday at 11:00am.

Our monthly Stated meetings are on the 4th Wednesday of each month (except

November & December) beginning at 7:30pm. The meeting is preceded by a dinner at

6:30pm for $7.00 per person. Brethren, this truly is the best meal in town.

That’s all for this quarter, and we hope to see you soon.

Page 4

From the Secretary’s Desk Ill. Adrian L. Eure, IGH

Orient of Virginia Membership “Are You Doing Your Part?” Bro. J. Richard Rawls, KCCH

Ill. Adrian "Pete" Eure, IGH Secretary

Page 5

Freemason Network: www.FreemasonNetwork.net

Update your Scottish Rite Information: http://update.scottishrite.org

Pay your dues online: https://secure.scottishrite.org/OnlineDuesPayment/DuesPayment1.asp

The Spring Reunion is just around the corner and the Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite

will join with the Valley of Norfolk Scottish Rite on April 5-6, 2013, in the Norfolk Masonic Center

on Granby Street to confer the degrees. The 4th, 14th and 15th Degrees will be exemplified, beginning

promptly at 6:30pm on Friday evening April 5th. On Saturday April 6th, coffee, sausage biscuits, and

donuts, will be served at 7:30am with the 18th Degree to begin at 8:00am. Lunch will be served and

the 32nd Degree will conclude at about 3:00pm. As of this date, the Valley of Newport News Scottish

Rite has six (6) candidates. Please take time out of your busy schedule and support the Valley of

Newport News Scottish Rite by attending the Friday and Saturday sessions of the Spring Reunion.

The dues continue to come in slowly and I urge all members to check their dues cards and if

it does not say “2013”, please remit your dues as soon as possible. If this office can be of assistance

to you concerning dues, please contact me, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday, between

9:00am and 12:00 Noon.

Phone number 757-599-6617 or email me at [email protected].

Spring is Here!!! Thank goodness!!!

Are you doing your part? What a unique question to ask. Membership is one of those areas in the

Orient of Virginia Scottish Rite that is need of your help. Each and every member in the Orient

should be active in their Blue Lodge and constantly looking for prospective new members for the

Scottish Rite in Virginia. Are you doing your part? Are you attending your Blue Lodge on a regular

basis? Brethren, this is where our new Scottish Rite Masons come from. Do you speak about the

great work of the Scottish Rite in your Blue Lodge? Our Blue Lodge Brethren need to know of the

outstanding work that the RiteCare Childhood Language Program is providing to children in need.

Have you invited Brethren from your Blue Lodge to a Scottish Rite event, like a dinner or social

activity? Have you done anything to encourage your Blue Lodge Brethren to be a part of Scottish

Rite Masonry? Brethren, it is up to each and every one of us to reach out to our Brethren and seek

new members for the Scottish Rite. As you know, there are 8 Valleys in the Orient of Virginia and

every one of them needs members. Our declines in membership are due to deaths, demits and

suspensions for Non-Payment of Dues. Deaths we cannot stop, but if we are doing our part, we can

help to slow the demits and suspensions for Non-Payment of Dues. You have all heard about the

Brother-to-Brother Program for several years and it is still a wonderful program that can help stem

the losses we are seeing. Are you doing your part? Have you been a Brother to another Brother

recently? Have you picked up the phone and called a Brother that you have not seen in a while?

Have you ever wondered about a Brother that once attended every meeting and now seems to not

attend? Have you simply extended your hand to help another Brother in need? As Membership

Chairman of the Orient of Virginia, I do not have the answers to moving our membership forward

except to suggest that we need to do more. We need to do our part as Scottish Rite Masons every

day to let fellow Brothers know about the great work of the Scottish Rite. Please join me in making

it a priority to do your part to help increase Scottish Rite Membership in the Orient of Virginia. Are

you doing your part? Fraternally,

Richard Rawls, Orient of Virginia Membership Director

I thank you for your confidence in electing me as your Venerable Master. I would ask that you please

join me in welcoming the new Newport News Scottish Rite Ladies President, Mrs. Pam Neale. Invite your

lady to join the ladies if she is not already a member. The ladies meet every Stated Meeting except July and

August.

Congratulations are extended to our new Chapter of Rose Croix Wise Master, Bro. Harris T. Luscomb

III., KCCH; Council of Kadosh Commander, Ill. George A. Hollingsworth III, 33°; and Consistory Master of

Kadosh, Ill. Jimmy C. Willis, 33°. The Knights of St. Andrew of the Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite

has a new Venerable Master, Bro. Page Neale, 32°. Please join me in congratulating him on his new office.

The Spring Reunion will be held at Valley of Norfolk Scottish Rite, April 5 - April 6, 2013. Please

show your support of our candidates and attend. Mark your calendar for the Valley of Newport News Scottish

Rite Annual Family Picnic June 22, 2013 4:00pm until 6:00pm at the Newport News Scottish Rite Masonic

Center Dining Hall. Hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings will be served. Bring your family and invite

your friends.

Please join us for our monthly Family Dinners on the third Friday of each month. Also, we look

forward to seeing you at our Stated Meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Thanks to all of you

for what you do and for your support.

Venerable Master ‘s Message Ill. Danny O. Belott. IGH

Fraternally Sir Knight Page S. Neale, Jr., Venerable Master

Page 6

The winter months are over and we look forward to spring and milder temperatures. Spring is my favorite

season of the year where we see God’s miracles everywhere; flowers blooming, trees budding, grass growing and

new beginnings all around us.

As all Sir Knights know, this has been a busy winter and will be a busy spring, summer, and fall with our

desire and obligations to support the Valley of Newport News at the Stated meetings and third Friday night Family

Dinners in support of our 100th Anniversary Celebration to be held in October.

By the time this announcement goes to print Brother Brian Croteau will have been “Knighted” into the

Knights Commander of Saint Andrew at our March 26th communication. We welcome Sir Knight Croteau with

open arms and are looking forward to working with him. On that note, I will remind all Red Hats and White Hats

that, although you cannot hold office or vote, you are still welcomed and encouraged to either keep up your

membership or seek membership. This goes for all Black Hats as well. All Black Hats who have an interest or

have questions, please do not hesitate to speak with one of the Knights, we would like to add you to our

membership. Over these last few years we have lost several members for one reason or another and with an

increased workload we could certainly use the help. Dues are $25.00 per year and if you haven’t paid them please

do so. If the dues are a problem, please see me and we can make arrangements.

Our next meeting will be held on May 28th at 7:00 p.m. Our Annual Feast of the Battle of Bannockburn,

to include wives or significant other, will be held June 25th at 6:30 p.m.

Knights of St. Andrew Page S. Neale, Jr. 32o, Venerable Master

Fraternally, Ill. Danny O. Belott, Venerable Master

Page 7

Officers of the Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite 2013-2014

Newport News Lodge of Perfection

Venerable Master Ill. Danny Belott, IGH

Senior Warden Bro. Harris Luscomb, III, KCCH

Junior Warden Bro. Keith Winder, KCCH

Orator Bro. William Green, 32o

Almoner Bro. Harold Joyner, KCCH

Secretary Ill. Adrian Eure, IGH

Assist. Sceretary Ill. Danny Belott, IGH

Treasurer Ill. Gerald Burks, IGH

Prelate Bro. Patrick Murphrey, 32o

Master of Ceremonies Bro. Steve Wiggington, KCCH

Expert Bro. Dale Jones, 32o

Assist. Expert Bro. Al Wagner, 32o

Captain of the Host Bro. J. Richard Rawls, KCCH

Tiler Bro. Joseph D. Myers, 32o

Newport News Chapter of Rose Croix

Wise Master Bro. Harris Luscomb, III, KCCH

Senior Warden Bro. Gerald Frey, KCCH

Junior Warden Bro. Dale Jones, 32o

Orator Ill. James Freeman, IGH

Almoner Bro. Harold Joyner, KCCH

Secretary Ill. Adrian Eure, IGH

Assist. Secretary Ill. Danny Belott, IGH

Treasurer Ill. Gerald Burks, IGH

Prelate Bro. Page Neale, 32o

Master of Ceremonies Bro. Steve Wiggington, KCCH

Expert Bro. J. Richard Rawls, KCCH

Assist. Expert Bro. Robert Humrich, KCCH

Standard Bearer Bro. Brian R. Croteau, 32o

Guardian of the Temple Bro. Al Wagner, 32o

Tiler Bro. Patrick Murphrey, 32o

Newport News Council of Kadosh

Commander Ill. George Hollingsworth, III, IGH

1st Lt. Commander Ill. Danny Belott, IGH

2nd Lt. Commander Bro. Hassel Johnston, KCCH

Chacellor Ill. Charles Sutphin, IGH

Orator Bro. James Gillikin, KCCH

Almoner Bro. Harold Joyner, KCCH

Recorder Ill. Adrian Eure, IGH

Assist. Recorder Ill. Danny Belott, IGH

Treasurer Ill. Gerald Burks, IGH

Master of Ceremonies Bro. Steve Wiggington, KCCH

Turcopolier Bro. Keith Winder, KCCH

Draper Bro. Gerald Frey, KCCH

1st Deacon Bro. William Overby, 32o

2nd Deacon Ill. James Freeman, IGH

Bearer of Beausant Bro. Page Neale, 32o

Bearer of White Standard Bro. Patrick Murphrey, 32o

Bearer of Black Standard Bro. Al Wagner, 32o

Lt. of Guard Bro. Harris Luscomb, III, KCCH

Sentinel Bro. Jeremy B. Utt, 32o

Newport News Consistory

Master of Kadosh Ill. Jimmy C. Willis, IGH

Prior Bro. Keith Winder, KCCH

Preceptor Bro. Dale D. Jones, 32o

Chancellor Bro. William Green, 32o

Minister of State Bro. Patrick Murphrey, 32o

Almoner Bro. Harold Joyner, KCCH

Registrar Ill. Adrian Eure, IGH

Assist. Registrar Ill. Danny Belott, IGH

Treasurer Ill. Gerald Burks, IGH

Prelate Bro. Steve Wiggington, KCCH

Master of Ceremonies Bro. Harris Luscomb, III, KCCH

Expert Bro. Alvin H. Wagner, 32o

Assist. Expert Bro. Page Neale, 32o

Captain of the Guard Bro. J. Richard Rawls, KCCH

Tiler Bro. Joseph D. Myers, 32o

Nonprofit Organization

U. S. Postage Paid

Newport News, Virginia

Permit No. 54 Valley of Newport News

Orient of Virginia

65 Saunders Road

Newport News, Virginia 23601

Return Service Requested

Our Departed

Brethren

Their spirit to God,

their memory in

our hearts.

Domingo Mendicuchia, Jr., 32o

October 19, 2012

Herbert E. Anderson, 32o November 9, 2012

Robert M. Ruscansky, 32o

November 9, 2012

Roberts M. Johnson, 32o November 19, 2012

Early E. Jordan, 32o December 3, 2013

W. E. Williams, 32o December 3, 2012

Melvin R. Knuth, 32o February 20, 2013

William N. Branch, 32o February 23, 2013