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