VOL. 2, Issue 7

Jul 2023

Scottish Rite

The Ashlar

Valley of Columbus, Orient of Georgia

Serving Scottish Rite Masons in the Chattahoochee Valley

Personal Representative's Message


Joseph F. Oelgoetz III

32° KCCH

colpr@gascottishrite.org

Personal Representative 

to the SGIG


Greetings Brethren,


HONORMEN, 2023

It is with great congratulations that I announce the Honormen for 2023.  The following good Men and Masons were nominated by the current Knight Commander Court of Honor recipients and 33rd Degree Illustrious Brethren of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus and voted affirmatively by Supreme Council to be Invested with the Order of Knight Commander Court of Honor:

-        Brother Jonas E. Barlow

-        Brother Cameron Davis

-        Brother Scott M. LaVelle

-        Brother Bayardo Reyes

Brother Cameron Davis was also nominated by the Scottish Rite, Valley of Washington DC.  As that Valley does an Investiture in Genoa, Italy in October, the Sovereign Grand Inspector General agreed to the Scottish Rite, Valley of Washington DC to invest Brother Cameron with his Red Hat.

The other three Brethren will be invested with their Red Hats over the weekend of August 25 – 27, 2023 at the Scottish Rite, Valley of Savannah.  Friday night will be a River Boat Cruise along the Savannah River.  Saturday morning at 10:00am will feature the Investiture of our three Brethren. 

Please consider attending this very special event and supporting our three new 32֯ Knight Commander Court of Honor recipients.  For more information contact the Valley of Savannah at 912-232-5132 for tickets.

I also want to congratulate Honorable Brother (and our General Secretary) Roger W. Buterbaugh for being nominated by our 33 Degree Illustrious Brethren and voted upon affirmatively by the Supreme Council to be Coronated a 33֯ Honorary.

I am also very honored and humbled to have also been nominated and voted upon affirmatively to receive the 33֯ Honorary.  I am truly grateful to those brethren who felt me worthy to receive such a high honor.

The Biennial Session for the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction will happen August 20-22, 2023, at Washington DC.  Go to scottishrite.org to get information and tickets to attend.  Additionally, the plan for Orient of Georgia’s Coronation will be over the weekend of September 29-31, 2023, at the Scottish Rite, Valley of Atlanta.  More information to follow.

Please congratulate these brethren who have served the Scottish Rite and in particular the Valley of Columbus with distinction. 

NEW MASTERS OF THE ROYAL SECRET

I want to, once again, welcome to our membership our newest Masters of the Royal Secret.  Brothers Timothy Brad Coleman, Sr., Warren Clayton Daniel, Raine Ascott Miller (goes by Chance), Joseph Steve Rooks, and Joshua Michael Royster.  These Brethren were made Masters of the Royal Secret at the Orient Wide Reunion at the Valley of Atlanta on June 2nd.  

Three of them attended our last Lodge of Perfection meeting to receive their Black Caps, Rings and “Bridge to Light”.  They were Timothy Brad Coleman, Sr., Raine Ascott Miller, and Joseph Steve Rooks.  Our hope is that Brothers Warren Clayton Daniel and Joshua Michael Royster will attend the Lodge of Perfection meeting on Friday, July 21st to receive their caps and other materials.

KNIGHTS OF SAINT ANDREW

At our next Lodge of Perfection meeting to be held on Friday, July 21st we will have another of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus’ keystone events: The knighting ceremony of new Knights of Saint Andrew and the installation of Officers for our Chapter of Knights of Saint Andrew.  The pageantry and pomp – with many wearing the Tartan along with Scottish Bag Pipe music make this a very special event on the Valley’s calendar.

ZOOM ACCESS TO OUR LODGE OF PERFECTION MEETINGS

We plan to offer this capability to our membership going forward.  We want to offer this to those of our brethren that may be homebound, unable to drive at night or any other member that would benefit “attending” our meetings virtually.  This capability is also great for our members and other Scottish Rite Brethren who are remote and live great distances from Columbus.  Look for the Zoom link about a week prior to each of our Lodge of Perfection meetings.  Any questions, please call the office.

MASONIC HENRY RIFLE RAFFLE TO SUPPORT THE GEORGIA SCOTTISH RITE FOUNDATION

Brethren, in support of our efforts to provide scholarships to worthy students who attend a Georgia four-year University or College and funds for RiteCare in the Orient of Georgia an Orient wide raffle of a Masonic decorated Henry rifle is in effect.  This effort will run to early June.  Tickets can be purchased at all Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus events.  Cost: one (1) ticket for $10.00 or six (6) for $50.00.  See Brother Bayardo Reyes for tickets.

MASONIC RESUME

Brethren, I want to reiterate a new program for the Valley of Columbus.  I am asking each of you to provide a digital Masonic Resume to our General Secretary, Honorable Brother Roger Buterbaugh, 32° KCCH.  This can be sent to him via his Valley email: colsec@gascottishrite.org.  What is expected in this resume?  Masonic Organizations, when joined (for example when initiated, passed and raised a Master Mason); Officer Positions held, when and dates of service; community service (any community organizations that you belong to - dates joined and time served), examples may include Lions, Rotary, etc.; service to your faith and or church/temple (are you an usher, serve on committees, etc.); Government service such as county commissioner, city service, etc.  Any other important information such as employment, education or what you may want to include.  Any updates (elected to a new office, join another concordant body), please update with an updated date and forward to our General Secretary.

Why are we putting this in place?  This will help us in supporting brethren for honors, possible newsletter articles or any situation where “color commentary” may be useful to the brother.  Please note, information will only be used with the express approval of the brother whose information is to be used. 

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

September will be here before you know it.  Many of our brethren have worked diligently in pulling together a memorable celebration to recognize the first 100 years of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in Columbus and along the Chattahoochee River Valley.  Saturday morning beginning at around 10:00am the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Georgia – Most Worshipful & Illustrious Michael A. Kessler, 33°, along with the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction – Illustrious James D. Cole, 33°, and our Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Orient of Georgia – Illustrious Ted C. Collins, 33° will officiate at a rededication of the Columbus Scottish Rite Temple.  After which there will be served a lunch for a small donation.  There will be speeches (the Mayor of Columbus will be in attendance) after lunch. Dress for this section of the celebration is coat and tie for men, Sunday Church wear for the ladies.

After the morning festivities, we will be offering our out-of-town guests transportation to and from the National Civil War Naval Museum or the National Infantry Museum.  They will have up and till 5:00PM to visit these wonderful landmarks of Columbus, Georgia.  We do need volunteer drivers to escort our guests to one of the two museums.  Please contact the office or any of the officers if you are willing to help with this event.

At 6:00PM our Centennial Masquerade Gala will begin at Bibb Mill Event Center.  This will be Black Tie, Ladies in Formal Gowns.  Masks are much encouraged.  There will be an incredible buffet, cash bar, music and dancing.  Cost is $100 per single or $175 per couple.  This will be a once in a lifetime event as a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus.  So, please consider participating.  Get your tickets by contacting the General Secretary.

Please consider attending our next Lodge of Perfection meeting either in-person or via Zoom.  The program is our Knights of Saint Andrew Chapter Knighting Ceremony and Installation of Officers.  Our meeting is Friday, July 21st.  Dinner is at 6:00pm with the meeting starting at 7:00pm.  Your significant other is welcome, as well as your other family members and friends.  



Warmest Fraternal Regards,  Joe


Joseph F. Oelgoetz III, 32° KCCH

Personal Representative to the

Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the

Orient of Georgia


Key Notes from the Valley

Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus - 2023 Officers 

Lodge of Perfection

Chapter Knights Rose Croix

Council of Kadosh

Consistory

Baron L. Conklin, 32° KCCH

Fraternally yours,

Baron L. Conklin, 32° KCCH

Venerable Master

Valley of Columbus

Venerable Master

Comments

Dear Brethren of the Valley of Columbus,


Last month, we welcomed three new Masters of the Royal Secret into our Valley, as they received their caps and rings. Later, we were notified of honors that are to be presented to six of our Brethren. Congratulations to Br. Jonas Barlow, Br. Scott LaVelle, Br. Cameron Davis, and Br. Bayardo Reyes, who will be invested with the  Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH); and HB  Roger W. Buterbaugh and HB Joseph F Oelgoetz III, for coronation as 33° Inspectors General Honorary.


All reports indicate that our TNT fireworks stand was a great success, and have added significant funds to our coffers. Kudos to all our hard-working Brethren who helped make it happen. A special ‘well done’ to Jonas Barlow, whose almost constant presence there kept it moving from start to finish.


This month, our Knights of Saint Andrew will hold their annual meeting to install new members and officers for the coming year. Make plans to join us on the 21st, to witness this event. Our Centennial Celebration is right around the corner. If it is not already on your calendar, mark the 23rd of September. You don’t want to miss it!



General Secretary

Comments

Brethren, 

I join our Personal Representative in congratulating Brothers Jonas Barlow, Cameron Davis, Scott Lavelle, and Bayardo Reyes for their selection to be invested with the KCCH.  The investiture will be at the Valley of Savannah on August 26, 2023 (festivities begin Friday evening).  We are planning to have a Valley of Columbus dinner at the Pirate House Restaurant in Savannah Saturday evening.  We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate the investiture.  In this Ashlar you will find information on hotel rooms as well as buying tickets for Friday night's dinner river cruise and Saturday's investiture luncheon.  

In addition, HB Joseph Oelgoetz and I were selected to be coronated as 33 Degree.  We are both honored and humble to have been selected to receive this honor.

At our June Lodge of Perfection meeting we conducted a Cap and Ring ceremony for our new Masters of the Royal Secret.  New Brothers Timothy Brad Coleman, Raine Ascott Miller, and Joseph Steve Rooks received their black cap and ring, and were warmly welcomed into the Valley of Columbus.  Our other two new members, Clayton Daniel and Joseph Royster, were unable to attend and will receive their cap and ring at our July meeting.  After the ceremony Daniel Morgan Camp, Heroes of 76, led by HB Baron Conklin, conducted our annual Flag Day Ceremony.   Attached is a picture from that meeting.

Our July Lodge of Perfection meeting will be our Knights of St. Andrew meeting.  The Valley of Columbus, Knights of St. Andrew will initiate three new members followed by the installation of their new officers.  Plan to join us to support the Knights in their work.

We just finished a very successful fireworks fundraiser.  We started on June 24 and ended on July 4.  In fact, July 4 was our best sales day!  It appears that the Valley of Columbus made around $6,000 from the fundraiser, but we will not know for sure the exact amount until TNT Fireworks completes their final audit and mails us our final check.  A big hat off to Brother Jonas Barlow, our Fireworks Fundraiser Captain, who orchestrated the entire fundraiser and worked the most hours at the stand.  Many of our Scottish Rite Brethren volunteered to work at the stand.  We could not have realized the success we enjoyed without the effort of many of our Brethren, thank you to all of you for your support.

Our next fundraiser will be the play, "12 Angry Jurors", to be held at the Scottish Rite Center.  The cast has been selected and is rehearsing.  The play will be August 11-12 and 19-20.  We will need volunteers to collect tickets, usher, and perform other duties associated with a stage play.  If your schedule permits we hope that you will donate a few hours of your time to help with this fundraiser.

We have received approval from the Columbus Facade Board to create a paver garden in front of the Scottish Rite Center.  It will run from both sides of the front entrance porch to the edge of both sides of the building.  Each paver will cost a $100 donation to the Building Fund.  See the order form in this issue of the Ashlar for more information and to place your order.  We plan to dedicate our paver garden during our Centennial Celebration on September 23 but we will certainly accept orders afterwards.  This is an excellent opportunity to memorialize a special person or organization in your life (or even yourself!).

The Supreme Council is sending out 2024 dues cards and notices, you should be receiving them soon.  As a reminder, you are advanced your dues card in anticipation of paying your dues.  Even though you will have your 2024 dues card in hand you will still have to pay.  You can pay cash, check, or money order to the Valley of Columbus (make checks payable to Columbus Scottish Rite Bodies).  If you want to pay by credit card, go to your account on the Supreme Council website - you can pay using your card there.  Our mailing address is Columbus Scottish Rite Bodies, PO Box 727, Columbus, GA  31902-0727.

Again, congratulations to our new Masters of the Royal Secret and our new KCCH's.  The Valley of Columbus is doing great things!

Fraternally yours,


Roger Buterbaugh, 32° KCCH

General Secretary

Valley of Columbus

Roger Buterbaugh, 32° KCCH

Scan here for our online petition
Click the button above or read the below flyer for information surrounding the KCCH investiture event & ceremony scheduled for 25-26 Aug 2023.

Paver Program

Sir Knight 

Bayardo Reyes, 32°

Knights and Brethren,

It's finally here. Knights of St Andrew Night. As our chapter performs our annual presentation and open to public ceremonies. This is not your regular Scottish Rite night meeting. Join us and witness our knights indulge you with a little tradition and chivalric history. Open to all Masons, Friends and Family to experience. 

It's been an honor serving as the Knight Commander and I want to congratulate the new Officers line and new commander. Not spoiling the surprise... Have to be there at installation for the names. I would also like to thank all the Knights that supported the Valley and performed their duties to the fullest. Your hard work has been noticed throughout our Orient and would ask you to continue striving to improve or excel on every task the knights are tasked with. Hard work it's not forever and it will pass. The profits or gains achieved as a result of hard work, it's sweeter when not expecting it. Do it because you love the work, not for any other reason.

Upcoming KSA Meetings, Events, & Important Dates

Agenda

Lodge of Perfection Opened
Turned over to KSA 

Final Remarks
Closing of Lodge of Perfection


Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for the Centennial Celebration of the founding of the Valley of Columbus, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry – Saturday, September 23, 2023.  We have gained acceptance of our invitation to Sovereign Grand Commander, Illustrious James D. Cole, 33°, Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, who will be in attendance for this event.  Additionally, we have gained acceptance to attend by Most Worshipful & Illustrious Michael A. Kessler, 33°, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Georgia.  The Grand line will also be in attendance.

The current overall elements of the celebration event would be the following:

We are being led in our planning of this very special event by Brother Bayardo Reyes, 32°.  He is looking for others to join the planning committee.  Brethren and Ladies are welcome to be a part of the planning of this once in one-hundred years event.  If interested, please do not hesitate to contact either our General Secretary: Honorable Brother Roger Buterbaugh, 32° KCCH at colsec@gascottishrite.org, or Brother Bayardo Reyes, 32° at bayardo.reyes.32@gmail.com.

College of Freemasonry

Short Talks   by Joseph Fort Newton

Between the years 1923 and 1927, Brother Joseph Fort Newton, at the request of the Masonic Service Association, wrote a series of talks designed to be read at Lodge meetings. They proved to be so popular that they were collected and published in book form in 1928 as Short Talks on Masonry. Throughout the coming year, the College of Freemasonry will re-publish many of these talks in email format because, while the material in the book was written many years ago, we find that it has enormous relevance in the world today. 

Current Blog Post

A Young Man Learns What's Most Important in Life

A Young Man Learns What's Most Important in Life

By: V. W. Bro. Norman McEvoy, The Educator, October 12, 2021  Original Source

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him. Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.” Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

”Jack, did you hear me?”

Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago.

”Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,” Mom told him.

”I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.

”You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,” she said

”He’s the one who taught me carpentry,” he said.. “I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him.

He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important…. Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,” Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture….Jack stopped suddenly.

”What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked.

”The box is gone,” he said

”What box?” Mom asked.

”There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk.

I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most,’” Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box.

He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

”Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said. “I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.”

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died.

Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. “Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days,” the note read..

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. “Mr. Harold Belser” it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package.

There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside.

”Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.”

A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box, there inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

”Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser.”

”The thing he valued most was…my time”

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” Janet, his assistant asked. ”I need some time to spend with my son,” he said. ”Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!”

”Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,”

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

Send this letter to all the people you care about, if you do so, you will certainly brighten someone’s day. and might change their perspective on life…for the better. To everyone I sent this to”

Committee Reports

Cast Call from the Theater Coordinator

Dear Columbus SR Community,

The Scottish Rite Little Theater is now preparing and rehearsing for the next production of the year, "12 Angry Jurors" scheduled for August 11-12, 19-20.  The play finishes with a Sunday Matinee at 230pm - other dates are at 7pm.  The on-stage actors are nearly all non-masons as in the past, but they depend on Scottish Rite masons (working in the back ground) to help make it a success.  This play is directed by one of our newest Scottish Rite Masons, Brother Chance Miller 32°.

We need a few members to assist with promotions, ticketing, ushering, setting up refreshments, and securing the theater at the conclusion of each show.  If you are able to volunteer for one show or two it would be appreciated.  Contact the general secretary or Dan Dawson with your offer to assist.   

Our next production for 2024 will be "A Christmas Carol" to be presented on December 1-2, 8-9.  This is a live radio show much like the one in 2023 that was so well received. 

Danny L. Dawson, PM  33°
Theater Coordinator
(706)681-0871

300th Celebration Silver Coin

300th Anniversary Coin commemorating the first constituted Grand Lodge from 1717-2017. 1 oz .999 Fine Silver Masonic coin. [One side stamped with Square and Compass and Genesis 1-3. Other Side with Appendant Bodies of masonry and coin sequence Number]. Each are serial number stamped 1-150. Can ask for specific number and availability but requires coordination with Bayardo Reyes at colsm@gascottishrite.org. 

Building Committee

Brethren,

I hope everyone is well! Our roof seems to be sealed good and we have not noticed anymore leaks!!! Knock on wood!!!

Our Scottish Rite building is in need of  some repair and beautification inside and outside. We would like to improve our outside appearance, not only to show the city and our community that we do care for our building, but to be looking good, and well maintained  for our Bicentennial in September. Several of our air conditioners have needed repair - one unit may need a fan motor. We are looking at a service agreement for maintaining our units.

 We need volunteers of  time, funds, or both to help with Cleaning, Painting, Repairing.

Cleaning of the Bricks, Sidewalk, to remove the algae and vinyl siding of the building. Scaffolding  would be needed to clean and repair the top part of the building. The Vinyl is very old and brittle in spots. Pressure washing would have to be with very,very low pressure. Or some type of a cleaning rinse.

Repairing parts of the building and front porch, ie; the carpet material on the front porch.   Outside of some windows, improve on bathroom appearance and fixtures. Overhead tile and above stage repair. Also some trim needs to be replaced or repaired.

Painting of the front porch and railing, Doors, Trim and Columns.

Please,  any assistance will be greatly appreciated! Suggestions & ideas are welcome.  We would like to get these building items completed before our Bicentennial celebration in September. Please contact me or our Valley Secretary for coordination of times and verification of materials on hand for work.

Fraternally yours,
Harry Ross,  KCCH

Vol. 2, No. 7 - Jul 2023