VOL. 2, Issue 9

Sept 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, 33° 

colpr@gascottishrite.org

Personal Representative 

to the SGIG


Greetings Brethren,

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

September is here!  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.  On September 23rd, Saturday morning beginning at around 10:00am the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Georgia – Most Worshipful & Illustrious Brother Michael A. Kessler, 33°, along with the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction – Illustrious Brother James D. Cole, 33°, and our Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Orient of Georgia – Illustrious Brother Ted C. Collins, 33° will officiate at a rededication of the Columbus Scottish Rite Temple.  After which there will be a lunch for a small donation.  There will be speeches (the Mayor of Columbus will be in attendance). 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 affair with Ladies in Formal Gowns.  Masks are much encouraged.  There will be an incredible buffet, card 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.  Or go online at scottishritecolsga.com.  There is a button on the home page the states “More Information”.  Follow that to reservations set-up. Or see the section on this Ashlar to secure reservations.  Your need to get your reservations and payment in as soon as possible so that we can properly plan this once in a lifetime event.  HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

CENTENNIAL PROJECT

In support of our Centennial, we have gained approval from the City of Columbus to build a monument and a paver walkway to memorialize this important event in the history of our Valley.  The memorial has been built near the Northeast Corner of our Temple.  This will be the centerpiece of the rededication ceremony held at 10:00am on Saturday, September 23rd. 

The paver program is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to memorialize themselves as part of the Valley’s Centennial celebration.  Purchase a paver for a minimum donation of $100.  You can add three lines at 20 characters a line.

To purchase a paver simply go to the Valley’s website.  There is a button that will lead to putting in your three lines of the paver and to make your payment and additional donations via debit/credit card.  Please consider purchasing a paver.  All proceeds above the expenses will be put in the building fund. 

DOVE SHOOT

Our annual Dove Shoot was held on Saturday, September 2nd.  Thanks to the hard work of Illustrious Brother Phil Harris, 33° this Dove Shoot was another outstanding success. 

The setting was beautiful thanks to both Worshipful Brothers Phillip and Darryl Jones’ Farm.  Both brothers are Past Masters of Smith Lodge No. 85 in Richland, Georgia.  Brother Phillip is a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus, and a Knight of Saint Andrew. We thank the Brothers Jones for not only the use of their wonderful farm, but their hard work during the event.

There were so many other contributors that must be thanked.  Two of our “Lilys” were working hard: Ms. Kathleen L. Adams (Kat) and Ms. Ivy Harris.  Thank you, Ladies.  We could not have been successful without the hard work of the men from the Valley Rescue.  These young men did much of the “heavy lifting” and we are so very thankful to them.  So many of our brothers and their Ladies helped to make this Dove Shoot a great success.  I thank you all. 

Early results are showing that we have another financial success in support of our RiteCare program.  The Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus’ RiteCare partner is the Autism Learning Center of Columbus.  Proceeds from fundraisers such as this Dove Shoot will help the Autism Learning Center to purchase much needed durable medical equipment such as communication pads that will be used by non-verbal children so that they can communicate.  The Dove shoot was a joy, a lot of fun, and dedicated to support our RiteCare effort.

SAVANNAH

On August 25 & 26 the Knight Commander Court of Honor Investiture occurred at the Scottish Rite, Valley of Savannah.  Brothers Bayardo Reyes, Jonas Barlow and Scott LaVelle were invested with their Red Hats.  Friday night we enjoyed a River Boat Cruise along the Savannah River.  It was a beautiful night, and much enjoyment was had by all.  Saturday morning at 10:00am the Investiture was performed by a very good Degree Team.  Happy to say that Illustrious Brother Paul Wells, 33° and myself performed roles in the Investiture ceremony.  A true honor and privilege.  Thus, our three Brethren now enjoy all the benefits and hold all the responsibility of being a Knight Commander Court of Honor.   

To cap off the weekend we started a new tradition for the Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus and that was a celebratory dinner at the Pirate House Restaurant in Savannah.  Word got out and before we knew it, we have several guests join us that included our Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Illustrious Brother Ted C. Collins, 33° and his wonderful wife Charlene, Three Past Grand Masters, the Personal Representative from the Valley of Middle Georgia, Illustrious Brother Dave Baxter and his wonderful wife Linda, and other dignitaries and Brethren.  It was a fantastic gathering to cap-off an outstanding weekend.

Unfortunately, a different type of gift followed many who attended the Investiture at Savannah.  Several attendees became sick a few days after returning home and found that they tested positive for COVID.  I wish and pray that all become healthy very soon.

WASHINGTON DC

Illustrious Brother Roger Buterbaugh, 33°, his wife Donna, my wife Karen and I were honored to attend the 2023 Biannual of the Supreme Council of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction in Washington DC from August 19 through August 22nd at the Washington Hilton.  We enjoyed a wonderful welcome reception at the Saint Regis Hotel, followed by the Memorial Albert Pike Service at Saint John’s Episcopal Church (built in 1805).  A beautiful Church across the street of the from the White House.  A church known as “The Presidents Church”.  This church has been used be every President since it’s founding.  Historical markers indicate the pews that each President sat in during his tenure.

On Monday, August 21st we attended the open session of the Supreme Council were the pomp and ceremony is hard to describe.  The link below shares the Sovereign Grand Commander, Illustrious Brother James D. Cole, 33° final message that discusses the accomplishments of the last four years of the Supreme Council.  It is incredibly impressive.  The last portion of this video is done at the session where both Roger and I, along with our wives attended.

https://vimeo.com/858364984/42d5bda96c?share=copy

Then on Tuesday, August 22nd, we attended the 33rd Degree given by the Valley of Washington DC.  Both Illustrious Brother Roger Buterbaugh, 33° and I are honored to receive the 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary.  We both felt great privilege to have been selected to receive such an honor.  Later that evening we celebrated all that had occurred with the Honormen Banquet.  It truly was a lifetime experience.

ATLANTA

On September 29th and 30th the Scottish Rite, Valley of Atlanta will be holding a weekend to invest those of the Orient of Georgia who have been nominated for the honor of the 33rd Degree, Inspector General Honorary.  All the Valley’s 33rd Degree members are invited to attend the Degree conferral and the banquet on Saturday, September 30th is open to both our 33rd Degree members, KCCH recipients and their ladies.  The banquet is to celebrate all honormen.  For more information get in contact with the Valley Secretary. 

Please consider attending the Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus’ Masquerade Ball to celebrate our Centennial on September 23rd.  I also look forward to seeing you at our Lodge of Perfection meeting on Friday, September 15th where we will be celebrating our Feast of Tishri.  Our guest speaker will be our Deputy Grand Master of Masons of the State of Georgia, Right Worshipful and Illustrious Benjamin Polston II, 33°   Until then, God Bless.



Warmest Fraternal Regards,  Joe


Joseph F. Oelgoetz III, 33°

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,


I hope everyone enjoyed our family picnic meeting last month. I am happy to say that all of the feedback I got from those who attended was positive. Perhaps our incoming Venerable Master, Illustrious Roger Buterbaugh will consider a similar event next summer.


Wonderful news! Thanks to two long-term, no interest loans, one from Muscogee Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, and one from an anonymous donor. We are in the process of replacing the old, broken air conditioning unit for the dining room, which will be operational before our next Lodge of Perfection. 


This month right before our Centennial Celebration, we will observe our annual Feast of Tishri, when we will be visited by our Deputy Grand Master, RW Brother Ben Polston. In addition to the 15th of this month, be sure to join us at ten o’clock, on Saturday, the 23rd, for an incredible day, as we celebrate one hundred years of the Valley of Columbus. Dignitaries present will include MW Brother Michael Kessler, Grand Master of Masons in Georgia, who will conduct a rededication of the Temple and the newly erected cornerstone monument in front, along with our Sovereign Grand Commander, Illustrious James D. Cole, Georgia’s Sovereign Grand Inspector General, MW and Illustrious Ted C. Collins, and the Mayor of Columbus, Skip Hernderson. After the ceremonies, there will be a light lunch, followed that evening by our Gala Masquerade Ball at the Bibb Mill Event Center. It promises to be a day to remember, so make plans to join us for what will truly be a once in a lifetime event!

General Secretary

Comments

Dear Brethren, 

There has been a whirlwind of Scottish Rite activities in August.  Ill Bro. Joseph Oelgoetz, 33°, and I had the honor of attending the 2023 Biennial of the Scottish Rite in Washington, DC August 20-22.  The public business portion of the Biennial gave us insight on the operation of our Supreme Council.  We were also able to tour the House of the Temple.  On Tuesday Ill Bro. Olegoetz and I were coronated as 33d Degree Inspector General Honorary, receiving our white hats in a very profound and moving ceremony.  We met many of the Supreme Council staff and fellowshipped with our fellow Scottish Rite Masons from across the US.  It was a fantastic experience and I recommend that Scottish Rite Masons attend at least one Biennial.  The next one will be in August 2025.

We made it home in time to repack and head to Savannah for the KCCH Investiture.  I congratulate our three newest members of the KCCH - HB's Jonas Barlow, Scott Lavelle, and Bayardo Reyes.  Our fourth Red Hat, Brother Cameron Davis, will be invested in Genoa, Italy on 7 October 2023.  Our Georgia KCCH Degree Team was superb in their work and conducted a very meaningful ceremony.  If you missed our congratulatory dinner at the Pirate House Restaurant you missed a great time.  We had around 25 people in attendance, many from other Valleys who wanted to join in the fun with the Valley of Columbus.  This was a great time to fellowship with our fellow Georgia Scottish Rite Masons.

While all of this was going on Ill Bro. John Ohrt, 33°, was hard at work on our paver garden at the Scottish Rite Center.  Thanks to his hard work (and guiding an operative Master Mason!) the pavers are laid and the granite Centennial Monument built.  Thanks, Ill Bro. John!  There is a misconception that it's too late to buy pavers.  Not true!  The deadline was to guarantee that the pavers would be installed prior to our Centennial Celebration on September 23.  We will continue to sell and install pavers until all 234 pavers are sold.  If you have not yet had the opportunity to purchase your paver, you can do so by completing the form in this issue of the Ashlar or go to www.scottishritecolsga.org where you can order and pay for your paver online.

Our August Lodge of Perfection meeting was an old-fashioned picnic (after a short business meeting) to celebrate the end of the summer.  Our next Lodge of Perfection meeting will be September 15, when we will celebrate the Feast of Tishri.  Our guest speaker will be RWB Ben Polston, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia (and our presumptive Grand Master in October if elected).  We are back in regular attire (coat and tie) for our Lodge of Perfection meetings - summer attire season is over.  Join us for our next meeting and give a hearty welcome to RWB Polston.

We are on track for our Centennial Celebration on September 23, 2023.  We will have a rededication of the Scottish Rite Center by the Grand Master of Masons in Georgia starting at 10:00 a.m.  The Sovereign Grand Commander will join us from Washington, DC as well as our SGIG and the Mayor of Columbus.  That evening is our Masquerade Ball at the Bibb Mill Event Center, starting at 6:00 p.m.  We still have tickets for sale - $100 each or $175 for two.  See the flyer in this issue to purchase tickets or go to scottishritecolsga.org/Centennial.

We had four showings of our fundraiser play, "Twelve Angry Jurors".  Thanks to Ill Bro. Dan Dawson, 33°, Brother Chance Miller, 32°, and the Scottish Rite Little Theater players for putting the play on.  We had a good showing at each of the performances.  We're still waiting for all of the money to come in, but it appears that the play was quite successful.  Our next fundraiser will be the play, "A Christmas Carol" by the Scottish Rite Little Theater in December.  And we will have another fireworks sale the last week of December for New Year's.  Plan to help us with both.

By now you should have received your 2024 dues card and invoice from the Supreme Council.  Remember, the Supreme Council is advancing you your new dues card anticipating you will pay your dues.  You still have to pay!  You can either give me a check or cash at a Scottish Rite meeting or mail me a check to Columbus Scottish Rite Bodies, PO Box 727, Columbus, GA 31902-0727.  If you wish to pay by card go to your account at scottishrite.org - they will forward your dues to us.

I hope you will join us at our next Lodge of Perfection meeting, either in person or by Zoom.

Fraternally yours,


Roger Buterbaugh, 33° 

General Secretary

Valley of Columbus

Roger Buterbaugh, 33°

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.

Sir Knight Russell Ward, 32°

Knights and Brethren,

I hope everyone is doing well.  Remember that this meeting is the Feast of Tishri.  Also, it was announced that we will be back in our red jackets.  I hope to see all of you there.

We have some things coming up in the near future that will require some help.  We are looking for three knights to present the colors at the 100 year commemoration ball on September 23rd.  Please let me know if you can assist.  I would like to remind everyone that we have a reunion coming up in October and there may be some additional assistance need if you are available.

Thanks for all that you do.

Fraternally,

Sir Knight Russell Ward, 32°
Knight Commander
Knights of St Andrew

Upcoming Events & Programs

Paver Program

The Valley of Columbus is establishing a paver garden in front of the Scottish Rite Center. It will start at the bottom of the steps on both sides of the front porch and extend to the end of each side of the building. It will be similar to the pavers at the Masonic Children's Home in Macon. This is a great opportunity to support the Valley of Columbus Building Fund by purchasing a paver, and to honor those people or organizations that have a special meaning to you (to include yourself!). Complete the order form in this issues of The Ashlar or open in a new window HERE.

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

Are You a Master Mason?

Are You a Master Mason 

by VW Brother Norman McEvoy, May 2, 2005, Original Source

Are you a Master Mason? “I have been a Mason for a year now,” remarked the Young Brother to the Old Past Master. “While I find a great deal in Masonry to enjoy and I like the fellows and all that, I am more or less in the dark as to what good Masonry really is in the world. I don’t mean I can’t appreciate its charity or its fellowship, but it seems to me that I don’t get much out of it. I can’t really see why it has any function outside of the relationship we enjoy in the Lodge and the charitable acts we do.”

“I think I could win an argument about you,” smiled the Past Master.

”An argument about me?”

“Yes. You say you have been a Master Mason for a year. I think I could prove to the satisfaction of a jury of your peers, who would not need to be Master Masons, that while you are a Lodge member in good standing, you are not a Master Mason.”

”I don’t think I quite understand,” puzzled the Young Mason. “I was quite surely initiated, passed, and raised. I have my certificate and my dues card. I attend Lodge regularly. I do what work I am assigned. If that isn’t being a Master Mason, what is?”

”You have the body but not the spirit,” retorted the Old Past Master. “You eat the husks and disregard the kernel. You know the ritual and fail to understand its meaning. You carry the documents, but for you they attest but an empty form. You do not understand the first underlying principle, which makes Masonry the great force she is. And yet, in spite of it, you enjoy her blessings, which is one of her miracles. A man may love and profit by what he does not comprehend.”

“I just don’t understand you at all. I am sure I am a good Mason.”

“No man is a good Mason who thinks the Fraternity has no function beyond pleasant association in the Lodge and charity. There are thousands of Masons who seldom see the inside of a Lodge and, therefore, miss the fellowship. There are thousands who never need or support her charity and so never come in contact with one of its many features. Yet these may take freely and largely from the treasure house which is Masonry.

“Masonry, my young friend, is an opportunity. It gives a man a chance to do and to be, among the world of men, something he otherwise could not attain. No man kneels at the altar of Masonry and rises again as the same man. At the altar something is taken from him never to return, that being his feelings of living for himself alone. Be he ever so selfish, ever so self-centered, ever so much an individualist, at the altar he leaves behind him some of the dross of his purely profane make-up.

“No man kneels at the altar of Masonry and rises the same man because, in the place where the dross and selfish were, is put a little of the most Divine spark which men may see. Where the self-interest was is put an interest in others. Where the egotism was is replaced by the love for one’s fellow man. You say that the ‘Fraternity has no function.’ Man, the Fraternity performs the greatest function of any institution at work among men, in that it provides a common meeting ground where all of us “be our creed, our social position, our wealth, our ideas, our station in life what they may” may meet and attempt to understand one another.

What caused the American Civil War? Failure of one group of people to understand another, and an inequality among men which that country could not endure.

What caused the Great War? Class hatred. What is the greatest leveler of class in the world? Masonry. Where is the only place in which a capitalist and laborer, socialist and democrat, fundamentalist and modernist, Jew and Gentile, sophisticated and simple alike meet and forget their differences? In a Masonic Lodge, Through the influence of Masonry. “Masonry, which opens her portals to men because they are men, not because they are wealthy or wise or foolish or great or small but because they seek the brotherhood which only she can give.

Masonry has no function? Why, son, the function of charity, great as it is, is the least of the things Masonry does. The fellowship in the Lodge, beautiful as it is, is at best not much more than one can get in any good club, association, or organization. These are the beauties of Masonry, however they are also beauties of other organizations. The great fundamental beauty of Masonry is all her own. She, and only she, stretches a kindly and loving hand around the world, uniting millions in a bond too strong for breaking. Time has demonstrated that Masonry is too strong for war, too strong for hate, too strong for jealousy and fear. The worst of men have used the strongest of means and have but pushed Masonry to one side for the moment; not all their efforts have broken her, or ever will!

Masonry gives us all a chance to do and to be; to do a little, however humble the part, in making the world better; to be a little larger, a little fuller in our lives, a little nearer to the G.A.O.T.U. And, unless a man understands this, believes it, takes it to his heart, and lives it in his daily life, and strives to show it forth to others in his every act and unless he live and love and labor in his Masonry “I say he is no Master Mason; aye, though he belong to all Rites and carry all cards, though he be hung as a Christmas tree with jewels and pins, though he be an officer in all Bodies. But the man who has it in his heart and sees in Masonry the chance to be in reality what he has sworn he would be, a brother to his fellow Masons, is a Master Mason though he be raised but tonight, belongs to no body but his Craft Lodge, and be too poor to buy and wear a single pin.”

The Young Brother, looking down, unfastened the emblem from his coat lapel and handed it to the Old Past Master. “Of course, you are right,” he said, lowly. “Here is my pin. Don’t give it back to me until you think I am worthy to wear it.”

The Old Past Master smiled. “I think you would better put it back now,” he answered gently. “None are fit to wear the Square and Compasses than those who know themselves unworthy, for they are those who strive to be real Masons”.

Committee Reports

RiteCare

Thanks to WB Brother Philip Jones, KSA and WB Darryl Jones, this years RiteCare Charity Dove Shoot was the best ever! The use of their land and their help putting this event together was a Godsend to be sure. We had  sixty one registered shooters, and thanks to the Good Lord, the weather was beautiful and there were plenty of birds. Twenty eight volunteers spent the day serving RiteCare on Saturday and many others gave their time freely both before and after this event to make it a success. We raised over $12,000, in cash registration and sponsorships and received more than $11,000, of "In kind" contributions including two hundred fifty radio spots that played on four PMB Broadcasting radio stations in the Chattahoochee Valley, new side by side vehicles used to shuttle hunters to the field and of course the famous, "Table of Cheer!". A special thank you to the Crossroads men's group from Valley Rescue Mission who are always their to help us. We have updated the interior and exterior signs at the  Autism Learning Center office to include the name of the parent company, KNR Therapy and the new RiteCare logo. Attached are some photos and a short radio spot example that played to the community. Thanks again to all who helped make this a great success.

Fraternally,

Phil Harris, 33°

VMAP & Membership


Fraternally,

Jonas Barlow, 32° KCCH

Building Committee

Hello Brethren,

Hope all is well with everyone! Update on some building Issue's

Our Ladies restroom has been repaired and refreshed giving it some much needed attention.

Some small repairs have been done to the men's room.

With help from some donations, a New AC/ Heat pump unit for the dinning room area is being coordinated for installation, for a much needed upgrade! Some more light bulbs have been changed out for LED bulbs to help with energy savings.

Beautification of our building is ongoing, Hon Brother Scott LaVelle has been doing some pressure washing and cleaning of the sidewalks and the area around where our new pavers will be in the front of the building. Have done some painting, Still need to give our front doors and pillars a fresh coat of paint. Also need to paint our handicap ramp and rails. Keeping back room clean and organized is ongoing.

Also time to clean and put down some new wax on the main floor. Still some minor cosmetic items to address.

Please contact the General Secretary or myself if you have time to help with some maintenance activities.

Respectfully & fraternally, 

Harry Ross,  32°  KCCH

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. 

Vol. 2, No. 9 - Sept 2023