Spring Kick Off Photos

Click on the photo or here to go to a slide show of all the pictures from tonight's event.

Good Conversations

Good Cooks

Good Friends

Good Food and Fellowship

Good Discussions

Man, that Prime Rib was Good!

Brian makes the obligatory introductions.

Ron gives the obligatory talk about what we do. He asked us the question,

"Why did we join the Scottish Rite?"

The Lost Flag Lecture was also good. No, I take that back, Mike did an excellent job!. He said that the Lost Lectures are available for programs at area Lodges.

Are you coming to the Spring Reunion and Membership kick-off?

It is tomorrow, beginning at 6:00 pm. Our list of reservations is very thin. Since we are having Prime Rib, it would be very helpful if you could let me know if you are attending so we can purchase enough but not too much. Cost is $10.

6:00 pm Social Hour
7:00 pm Dinner
8:00 pm Program (Flag Lecture from the “old” 30th degree by Mike Fletcher)
Building Tours
Shane Harshbarger

Des Moines Scottish Rite
515-288-8927 (O)
515-865-4727 (Cell)
www.dmscottishrite.org

Friends of the Des Moines Consistory

“The Premier Masonic Building in Iowa” Friends of the Des Moines Consistory

John Clearman 33° & Mark Clark 33° collected
over $20,000 in donations and pledges at the
2008 launch party.

“Outstanding! The evening was simply outstanding” said Mark Clark 33° at the end of the Friends of the Des Moines Consistory Fund-raiser. On Friday night, over 100 SR Masons and their ladies gathered at our launch party for our 2008 renovations.

The evening had many highlights, the wine & cheese, the company, the buffet, the music but what made it one to remember was the John

generosity of those in attendance. Over $20,000 was raised for our 2008 campaign, which will be the air conditioning of the Tapestry Lounge, 2nd floor restrooms, and the Blue Lodge room. In addition a challenge was offered by Jim Windsor 33° and Dick Langdon 33°. If the members of the DSM Consistory can raise $40,000 they will each add $5000 to make it $50,000. If the members of SR will donate a total of $50,000 by May 1st, they will each donate $10,000 to make our 2008 fund-raising total $70,000.

During his remarks, Jim commented that his wish would be that each member of the Des Moines Consistory make some sort of donation. He said “All donations matter, let’s show the city of Des Moines how much we believe in the preservation of one of the great treasures of Des Moines.”

Thank you to all members of the DSM Valley who continue to share their time, talents, and wealth to make our building, “The Premier Masonic Building in Iowa.” If you would like to donate to the 2008 campaign, please make your check payable to the Des Moines Consistory Building Trust.

Help Wanted

The Consistory is in need of electricians,
plumbers, carpenters, etc. to
assist with building maintenance projects
on our Saturday workdays. There
are a number of things we would like to
complete before the Spring reunion.

We will be having another work day on
March 8th from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
All members are welcome and invited
to attend. While specialized skills are
needed for certain projects, there are
ways that everyone can contribute.
Thank you to those members who have
helped at the last couple of work days.

Spring Kick Off/Reunion Schedule

RSVP by February 27th by calling the SR office or emailing the office. Parking will be available in the north lot by showing your 2008 dues card to the attendant.


6:00 pm Social Hour
7:00 pm Steak Dinner
8:00 pm Program $10 per person

The Spring Reunion Kick-off is coming up on February 28, 2008. This event is designed to build enthusiasm for the upcoming Spring Reunion and as a chance to invite potential SR Masons to a fun event to meet other Scottish Rite Members. It will feature a steak dinner. There will be a special program introducing the Scottish Rite as well as building tours.

Cost is $10 for SR Masons. However, SR candidates are free. If you bring a candidate with a signed & paid petition, your dinner is free as well. This event is for men only.

Remember the reunion this Spring is in honor of Pete Pascal, PGM 33°. Now is the perfect time to approach that Master Mason who has been considering joining but hasn’t for one reason or another. If you plan to attend please contact the office (515-288-8927 or sharshbarger@ dmscottishrite.org.)
2008 SPRING REUNION SCHEDULE HONORING PETE PASCHAL 33°
Click on M.W. Pete's Name to read about him.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
SANDWICH DINNER 5:30 PM
PASCHAL CLASS ASSEMBLE 6:00 PM
RECEIVE PASCHAL CLASS 6:15 PM
LODGE OF PERFECTION DEGREES
The 4th Degree-Secret Master 6:35 PM
The 5th Degree-Perfect Master 7:35 PM
The 6th Degree-Intimate Secretary 8:25 PM
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
PASCHAL CLASS ASSBMBLE 8:00 AM
The 7th Degree-Provost and Judge 8:15 AM
The 8th Degree-Intendant of the Building 9:05 AM
The 9th Degree-Elu of the Nine 9:55 AM
The 10th Degree-Elu of the Fiftee
The 11th Degree-Elu of the Twelve 10:45 AM
The 12th Degree-Master Architect (communicated)
The 13th Degree-The Royal Arch of Solomon 11:30 AM
LUNCH 11:55 AM
The 14th Degree-Perfect Elu 12:50 PM
CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX DEGREES
The 15th Degree-Knight of the East 1:50 PM
The 16th Degree-Prince of Jerusalem 2:45 PM
The 17th Degree-Knight of the East & West 3:40 PM
The 18th Degree-Knight Rose Croix 5:00 PM
SOCIAL HOUR 6:25 PM
DISMISSAL
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
LIGHT DINNER 5:30 PM
PASCHAL CLASS ASSEMBLE 6:00 PM
COUNCIL OF KADOSH DEGREES
The 20th Degree-Master of the Symbolic Lodge 6:15 PM
The 21st Degree-Noachite or Prussian Knight 7:20 PM
The 22nd Degree-Kinght of the Royal Axe 8:50 PM
DISMISSAL 9:30 PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
PASCHAL CLASS ASSEMBLE 7:45 AM
Communication of Degrees 19 - 27 8:00 AM
The 28th Degree-Knight of the Sun, Prince Adept 8:30 AM
The 29th Degree-Scottish Knight of St. Andrew 9:25 AM
The 30th Degree-Knight Kadosh 10:20 AM
LUNCH 11:45 AM
CONSISTORY DEGREES
The 31st Degree-Inspector Inquisitor 12:45 PM
The 32nd Degree-The Royal Secret (1st Section) 2:00 PM
The 32nd Degree-The Royal Secret (2nd Section) 3:00PM
SOCIAL HOUR 4:30 PM
BANQUET 5:30 PM

Secretary-Registrar's Report

Secretary-Registrar Harshbarger gave the following statistics and information at the Annual Meeting and again at the Friends of Consistory Party.

2007 Activities

• Blue Lodge Breakfast & Cribbage Tournament
• University of Freemasonry "Unseen Journey"
• Maundy Thursday Services
• Fall & Spring Kickoffs
• Ascension Service
• University of Freemasonry Royal Mile Night
• AASR Golf Outing
• SR Appreciation Dinner
• University of Freemasonry "Trial of Jacques DeMolay"
• KCCH Investiture

1. Peter W. Taggart
2. Lawrence H. Crist
3. Robert E. Derby
4. D. Patrick Griffin
5. Steven G. Jacobs
6. Ivan L. Johnson
7. Kimberly e. Jones
8. Rex L. Kehoe
9. Michael J. Lange
10. John D. Lillibridge
11. Rick N. McCampbell
12. Richard J. Noyce
13. Wade E. Sheeler
14. Randall C. Simmons
    

• 33rd Conferral

1. John W. Clearman
2. Donald A. Driscoll
3. Lester C. fleming
4. Jack C. Frost
5. Bryce B. Hildreth
6. Richard W. Hudnall
7. Robert M. Speed
   

• Double Eagle Gala - Fall Reunion

Spring Reunion - In honor of O. R. Eddy - 12 new members
Fall Reunion Classes - In honor of W.T. Dahl & William Koch - 24 new members

Membership

The Des Moines Valley consists of 1633 Members

2007 Statistics

• 36 Initiates
• 3 Affiliations
• 26 Rinstatements
• 58 Deaths
• 30 Demits
• 5 Suspensions (other)
• 125 Suspensions NPD's
• Net loss of 160 members from January 1 to December 1, 2007

Consistory Building Projects

2007

• Grand Banquet Room Painting
• Repainting of Stairways and Halls
• Thermostat/HVAV Replacements
• New Tapestry Lounge Carpet
• Blue Lodge Reception Room (Carpet and Paint
• New Convection Oven and Refrigerator for kitchen

2007 Capital Campaign

• Donations to Consistory Building Trust in 2007 were $125,853.00
• Successful Campaign to repalce the carpet in the Tapestry Lounge
• Donations from a larger number of Consistory members than in 2006
• Renewed sense of pride in our building

Consistory Building
2007

• The installation of the HVAV systems (thermostats, valves, etc.) cost approximately $10,000. In 2007 our building gas bills were almost $8,000. less than in 2006.
• Our Building Use Net Income increased almost 25% over 2006
• Over 25,000 people attended events at the Scottish Rite in 2007

AASR Event Attendance

• Fall Kickoff - 2006 - 45
• Fall Kickoff 2007 - 66

• Royal Mile 2006 - 66
• Royal Mile 2007 - 102

• Worker's Dinner 2006 - 87
• Worker's Dinner 2007 - 108

• Fall Reunion Banquet 2006 - 64
• Fall Reunion Banquet 2007 - 275

Des Moines Conistory

• We perform 22 of the 29 Scottish Rite degrees. More than any other valley in Iowa
• A varied list of events and activities
• A fun and classy place to spend our time.Thank You for your support

Special Thanks to our Masonic Partners

• Capital Lodge # 110
• Daylight Lodge # 664
• Des Moines York Rite Bodies (Corinthian Chapter, Alpha Council and Temple Commandery)
• Iowa DeMolay
• Red Cross of Constantine
• YOSHI
  

Knights of St. Andrew

The Knights of Saint Andrew was first organized in Oklahoma at the Tulsa Valley. It is an organization composed of "Black Hats" (32 degree Masons)

The Des Moines Valley organizing group voted to ask Personal Representative, Bill Knull to request permission from Ill. Gary Sissel, S.G.I.G to organize a Knights Organization for our Valley.

Tonight a group of members met under the direction of Jeremy Davis for an organizational meeting and voted to request that permission.

The Mission is tentatively:
To serve as a leadership development tool for our membership
To provide opportunities for 32 degree Members to become more involved in the Rite.
To become a visible, viable entity of the Des Moines Scottish Rite.

Members wear distinctive regalia to distinguish them as Knights of St. Andrew. They will be expected to participate in the organization. This is not a "join and disappear" group but rather a group which will be of service to the Rite.

Over the next month committees will work on various aspects of the organization. Constitution and By-laws Committee, Membership recruitment, Public Relations, Regalia and Finance Committees were formed.

The next meeting will be held Saturday, March 22 at 10:00 AM at the Consistory. If you are interested in participating in any of the committees or in joining and becoming a Charter Member contact Jeremy Davis at (515) 291-7016 or via e-mail at jeremyndavis@gmail.com.


The Knights of St. Andrew (KSA) is an organization exclusively for 32° SR Masons with the mission of advancing the mission of the Scottish Rite. SR Valleys across the United States have formed their own KSA organizations and have had a great deal of success.
This is a great opportunity for our members to learn more about the Scottish Rite and as well as a way to network and develop an organization focused on making SR more successful!

Friends of the Consistory

The Friends of the Consistory meeting was held tonight at the Des Moines. Click on the Emblem to view the Slide Show On-line of all the pictures.

Members begin to gather for the wine and cheese tasting and social hour.

A variety of cheese and crackers for your sampling pleasure/

Members enjoy each other's company and good conversation.

An absolutely wonderful meal. Notice the mound of shrimp in the middle of the back. No one went home hungry.

Entertainment was just right. Not too obtrusive and gave a great background.

Shane gave a report about the 2007 activities that had been accomplished. A general clean-up of the building makes it look fresh and new. The carpet which was financed with a lot of $50. donations. New Thermostats and other equipment which I did not get written down were installed at a cost of $10,000. They have already saved the Consistory $8,000 in heating bills.

Projects planned for the coming year were also outlined including air conditioning for the Tapestry lounge and small lodge room and other projects around the building including the women's restroom. There are two challenge grants from Brothers who will provide funds if a certain amount of dontaions are reached.
And of course we had an opportunity to donate funds before we went home. If you would like to donate the address is at the top of the blog.

A wonderful evening with a chance to socialize and visit with friends. Another successful Consistory Event.

Two Announcements

Parking Tonight

If you are attending the Friends Night, this evening, the parking lot north of the building will be available for Scottish Rite members. There will be a gentleman, his name is Mark, at the entrance to the parking lot. He will ask for your Scottish Rite dues card, this not because we want to see your card but to ward off the wrestling fans who would like to park in “our” lot. Please call Shane at 515-865-4727 if you have questions or concerns.





Knights of St. Andrew

Have you heard the latest news? The Des Moines Scottish Rite is forming a Knights of St. Andrew organization.



The Knights of St. Andrew (KSA) is an organization exclusively for 32° SR Masons (i.e.: Black Hats ONLY!) with the mission of advancing the mission of the Scottish Rite. SR Valleys across the United States have formed their own KSA organizations and have had a great deal of success. This is a great opportunity for our members to learn more about the Scottish Rite and as well as a way to network and develop an organization focused on making SR more successful!



If you are a 32° SR Mason and are interested in learning more about the Knights of St. Andrew and how you can become a founding member, please plan to attend an organizational meeting to be held at the Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory on February 18th at 7 p.m. The organizing committee has developed a number of ideas and options for the Valley to pursue as the KSA organization becomes a reality. If you have any questions or are unable to attend this meeting but would like to still be involved with KSA, please contact Brother Jeremy Davis at (515) 291-7016 or via e-mail at jeremyndavis@gmail.com. I will look forward to seeing you on February 18th!

Meeting Night

Lots of activity at the Consistory tonight. But none in the newly remodeled "skybox" room on the 4th floor.
















The Officers held their meeting in the Classroom.

















The planning meeting for the Knights of St. Andrew met in the 33 degree room. Steering Committee members Kurt Hoffman, Doug Petty, Steve Hall and Jeremy Davis. The first meeting is next Monday Night.

George Carr was meeting with his computer doing some Foundation business when I intruded to take his picture.

A chili and taco bake supper. Spicy.

Master of Kadosh Brian held the annual meeting. He kept things moving and reports were made about the Spring Reunion plans. It is time to start getting petitions.

Shane gave his report about the use of the building and membership figures. I have asked him to send me the Power Point so I can put the information on here. The use of the building statistics and the projects which were done in 2007. Friday Night at the Friends of the Consistory meeting we will hear the plans for 2008.

Shane emphasized that the $50.00 donations from members really are important and do add up, so anything a member can afford is helpful.

Following the meeting several of us went to the auditorium to take pictures of the flags for the next "Lost Lecture" You can see all of the pictures from tonight by clicking on Shane's picture or here.

Two Events this week.

Did you know the members of the Des Moines Consistory have donated almost $1 million dollars towards the renovation of our Consistory? Air conditioning, carpet, paint, to name a few of the projects this money has financed. As well move into year four of our renovation, we invite you to join us as we launch our 2008 renovation.

The Friends of the Des Moines Consistory will be hosting the 2008 launch party on February 15th at 6:00 pm.

There will be wine and cheese tasting to start the evening, followed by a dinner buffet featuring shrimp cocktail and london broil.

This event will save you competing with the Valentine's weekend crowds at our own private Consistory. Following dinner a brief program will outline our 2008 renovation campaign.

There will be live jazz music by Janey Hooper throughout the evening.

6:00 pm: Wine & Cheese

7:00 pm: Dinner Buffet

8:00 pm: Program

RSVP by February 13th by calling the SR office or emailing the office.

515-288-8927
515-288-8929 Fax
dmscottishrite.org


The annual meeting of the Des Moines Consistory will be this Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the Classroom.
6:30 pm:
Light Dinner

7:30 pm:
Annual Meeting

Knights of St. Andrew

Have you heard the latest news?

The Des Moines Scottish Rite is forming a Knights of St. Andrew organization.

The Knights of St. Andrew (KSA) is an organization exclusively for 32^nd Degree Scottish Rite Masons (i.e.: Black Hats ONLY!) and with the mission of advancing the mission of the Scottish Rite. Numerous Scottish Rite Valleys across the United States have formed their own KSA organizations and have had a great deal of success.

This is a great opportunity for our members to learn more about the Scottish Rite and it is also a great way for 32nd Degree members to network and develop an organization focused on enhancing the leadership skills necessary to make the organization successful!

If you are a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and are interested in learning more about the Knights of St. Andrew and how you can become a founding member of the KSA, please plan to attend an organizational meeting scheduled to be held at the Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory on February 18th at 7 p.m.

The organizing committee has developed a number of ideas and options for the Valley to pursue as the KSA organization becomes a reality.

If you have any questions or are unable to attend this meeting but would like to still be involved with the Knights of St. Andrew, please contact Brother Jeremy Davis at (515) 291-7016 or via e-mail at jeremyndavis@gmail.com . I will look forward to seeing you on February 18th!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Jeremy N. Davis

Images "borrowed from KSA Home.

Scottish Rite Express - What is happening?

February 9, 2008

The breakfast club is an informal group of Scottish Rite Masons who coordinate a variety of mantainance projects around our Scottish Rite. These projects can be anything from painting and plaster, to wood working, to electrical. At the most recent workday, they refurbished a mop closet and replaced some of the plastic sheeting on the windows. They will meet this Saturday, February 9th at 8:00 am. Rolls and coffee will be available. Any SR Mason is welcome and all skill levels are needed.
Friends of the Des Moines Consistory

February 15, 2008
Are you looking for a great meal without the wait of our area restaurants? The Friends of the Des Moines Consistory will be hosting the 2008 launch party on February 15th at 6:00 pm. There will be wine and cheese tasting to start the evening, followed by a dinner buffet featuring shrimp cocktail and london broil. This event will save you competing with the Valentine's weekend crowds at our own private Consistory. Following dinner a brief program will outline our 2008 renovation campaign. There will be live jazz music throughout the evening. Cost is $20 per person

6:00 pm: Wine & Cheese
7:00 pm: Dinner Buffet
8:00 pm: Program

RSVP by February 13th by calling the SR office or emailing the office.
515-288-8927
sharshbarger@dmscottishrite.org

RSVP
I would like to RSVP for the Friends of the Des Moines Consistory event on February 15th.

Enclosed is my payment of ________ for _________ dinners.

My name is: _________________________________

Pictures from Consistro Bistro

About 125 were in attendance at the Consistro Bistro. Our Secetary-Registrar's boy was having a great time.

Mark Christianson was the entertainer.




































Brother Wade Sheeler 32, KCCH took these pictures.