Governor Buren R. Sherman, 33 Class

On Friday, April 27th, the Des Moines Valley welcomed the Governor Buren R. Sherman, 33 class.  This special condensed class had three candidates:

Bro. Tom Sands
Bro. Jeff Kaufmann
Bro. Terry Branstad

What made this class extra special is that Bros. Sands and Kaufmann are State Representatives, and Bro. Branstad is the current Governor of the State of Iowa.  Two special guests were on hand to assist the Valley in welcoming the new brothers, Bro. Gary Sissel, 33 SGIG of the Orient of Iowa, and Bro. Chuck Grassley, 33 GC and United States Senator from Iowa.

One thing that we learned is that Governor Branstad is the longest serving governor under the US Constitution, and the second longest serving governor since the founding of the United States.  Governor George Clinton of New York (also a brother Mason)  was the longest serving governor, serving under the Articles of Confederation for 12 years, and the US Constitution for 6 years.  Governor Branstad has served as Iowa's governor thus far for a total of 17 years.  By the end of his current term, Governor Branstad will have served Iowa for a total of 20 years.

In addition to the conferral of the 4th, 14th, 18th, 30th, and 32nd Degrees, the 21st Degree: Prince Noachite or Prussian Knight was conferred in full theatrical form.

Congratulations and welcome to all three brothers.

Lunch at the Reunion

Scottish Rite Express

Spring Reunion Starts Friday April 20

Our Master of Kadosh, John W. Clearman, 33° has chosen to honor at our Spring Reunion: Howard T. "Pete" Coll  32°  KCCH , Larry E. Blom 32° KCCH, Isadore J. Andriano 32° KCCH and Robert E. Steenrod 32°KCCH.  Each of these men were very active in putting on our Scottish Rite Reunions in days gone by.      Brothers Coll, Blom, and Andriano were committeemen serving behind the scenes at our reunions.  Pete served as Chairman of the Wardrobe committee for several years.  Larry Blom was a member of both the Sound and Stage committee.  While Brother Andriano served on our famous "Kitchen Krew".  Bob Steenrod was Adolph the Saxon in the Prussian Knight Degree for many years.     The reunion begins on Friday, April 20th with dinner beginning at 5:00 pm in the members lounge on third floor.  We will be having bbq pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, chips, and dessert for $5.  The opening of the reunion begins at 5:45 pm and the 4th degree (Secret Master) kicks off at 6:05 pm.  We look forward to seeing you as we share the light of Scottish Rite Masonry with a class of new members.     If you have a candidate final balloting will be on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.  Please contact the SR office should you need a petition or additional details.  515-288-8927 or rsvp@dmscottishrite.org

2012 Spring Reunion Schedule

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012 4:30 PM COMMITTEEMEN CLASS ORIENTATION 5:00 PM DINNER BUFFET 5:45 PM RECEIVE COMMITTEEMEN CLASS LODGE OF PERFECTION DEGREES 6:05 PM 4th Degree Secret Master 7:00 PM 5th Degree Perfect Master 7:50 PM 6th Degree Confidential Secretary 8:30 PM 7th Degree Provost and Judge 8:55 PM DISMISSAL SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2012 7:45 AM COMMITTEEMEN CLASS ASSEMBLES LODGE OF PERFECTION DEGREES 8:00 AM 8th Degree Intendant of the Building 9:00 AM 9th Degree Elu of the Nine 10th Degree Elu of the Fifteen 9:50 AM 11th Degree Elu of the Twelve 10:40 AM 12th Degree Master Architect 11:25 AM 13th Degree Royal Arch of Solomon 11:50 AM LUNCH 12:35 PM 14th Degree Perfect Elu CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX DEGREES 1:35 PM 15th Degree Knight of the East 2:35 PM 16th Degree Prince of Jerusalem 3:30 PM 17th Degree Knight of the East & West 4:50 PM 18th Degree Knight Rose Croix 6:00 PM SOCIAL HOUR FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012 5:00 PM DINNER 5:45 PM COMMITTEEMEN CLASS ASSEMBLES COUNCIL OF KADOSH DEGREES 6:00 PM 20th Degree Master of the Symbolic Lodge 7:10 PM 21st Degree Noachite or Prussian Knight 8:20 PM 22nd Degree Knight of the Royal Axe 9:00 PM DISMISSAL SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2012 7:30 AM COMMITTEEMEN CLASS ASSEMBLES COUNCIL OF KADOSH DEGREES 8:00 AM 23rd Degree Chief of the Tabernacle 8:45 AM 24th Degree Prince of the Tabernacle 9:30 AM 27th Degree Knight of the Sun, or Prince Adept 10:35 AM 28th Degree Knight Commander of the Temple 11:40 AM 29th Degree Scottish Knight of St. Andrew 12:10 PM LUNCH 12:55 PM CLASS PICTURES 1:10 PM 30th Degree Knight Kadosh CONSISTORY DEGREES 2:30 PM 31st Degree Inspector Inquisitor 3:45 PM 32nd Degree Master of the Royal Secret  (1st Section) 4:40 PM 32nd Degree Master of the Royal Secret (2nd Section) 5:45 PM SOCIAL HOUR 6:30 PM CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA

Don't Miss Our First Cinco de Mayo Celebration

You are invited to our first ever Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.  This party is our celebration of Scottish Rite Masonry for the Spring Reunion in honor of our "Committeemen"  Bob Steenrod, Isadore Andriano, Pete Coll, and Larry Blom.  Get ready to journey "South of the  Border" for a great time as we celebrate new Scottish Rite Masons and honor these outstanding brothers! The party will be held on May 5th beginning with Cerveza, margaritas, cocktails & hors de oeuvres at 5:45 pm and our banquet at 6:30 pm.  After the banquet, a variety of music will be provided by "A Select Entertainment DJ". It is hot this time of year so a coat and tie is all you need to dress for the occasion.  It is not a black tie affair.  Menu  Salad Mixed Greens with citrus vinaigrette dressing Choice of Entrees Grilled Ribeye Steak or Tequila Lime Chicken Breast Sides Roasted Baby Red Potatoes Sautéed Onions & Peppers Fresh Green Beans Dessert Cinnamon Apple Crisp a la mode Cost is $25 per person. Reservations & advance payment requested by April 27th, 515-288-8927 or rsvp@dmscottishrite.org. You can download the invitation and reservation form here.