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Friday, June 30, 2017

SR Express - One Day Reunion on July 22, 2017

June 30, 2017
OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN SCOTTISH RITE IN ONE DAY
 
I want to remind you that the Des Moines Scottish Rite is offering a one-day opportunity for Master Masons to join the Scottish Rite.  The one-day reunion will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017.
 
If you have a Masonic friend who might be interested in joining the Scottish Rite but does not have the time on his schedule to participate in a full Scottish Rite Reunion, please contact him and encourage him to take advantage of this opportunity to join the Scottish Rite.  You don't want your friend to miss the experience and benefits of being a Scottish Rite Mason.
 
If you have any questions or need petitions for membership, please contact the Consistory office at 515-288-8927.
 
Fraternally,
 
Sam Wise 33°
Des Moines Scottish Rite
Membership Chairman


Saturday, July 22, 2017

7:30 am          Class Assembles
8:00 am          Opening of Reunion & Receive Class
8:20 am          4th Degree - Secret Master
9:00 am          8th Degree - Intendant of the Building
10:00 am        13th Degree - Royal Arch of Solomon
10:40 am        14th Degree - Perfect Elu
11:30 am         Reunion Luncheon
12:30 pm        18th Degree - Knight Rose Croix
1:55 pm          28th Degree - Knight Commander of the 
                      Temple
2:45 pm          30th Degree - Knight Kadosh
4:05 pm          32nd Degree - Master of the Royal Secret
6:00 pm          Social Hour
6:30 pm          Consistory Steak Fry

Thursday, June 29, 2017

SR Express - Passing of a Brother


  
June 29, 2017

Announcing the passing of

 Brother William O. Cook, 32° 
Brethren,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you to inform you of the passing of William O. Cook, 32°.   
William O. Cook, 63, passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, with his family by his side. Family will receive friends at Iles Grandview Park Chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 30th with a 7 p.m. Masonic Service with an additional service to follow.

Bill was born September 23, 1953 in Des Moines to William and Shirley (Dobberthein) Cook. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local Union 234 where he worked as a heavy equipment operator. After retirement he worked for Hedberg and Son. 

He was a member of Daylight Masonic Lodge No. 660, Za Ga Zig Shrine and the Shrine Ambassadors Unit. 

Bill was an avid Chicago Bears fan and also enjoyed NASCAR, cruising Saylorville Lake on his pontoon boat and spending time with friends and family.

Bill received his Master of the Royal Secret (32°) on June 25, 2016.


Keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely and Fraternally,

Shane A. Harshbarger
Secretary/Registrar

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

SR Express - Food, Fun, Fireworks, Flags & Scottish Rite - July 3rd

June 27, 2017
Food, Fun, Fireworks, Flags, 
& Scottish Rite - July 3rd
________________________________
Please join us at our "indoor picnic" on July 3rd!
This patriotic event will be held at the Top of the Tower at the Holiday Inn Downtown.
There will be a choice of hamburger or hot dogs, plus popcorn and chips.  The Iowa 34th Army Band brass band assemble will be providing tunes to liven up the party. 
The Holiday Inn, Top of the Tower, will also provide a great view to watch fireworks at the State Capital and after the Iowa Cubs Game at Principal Park.  It is air conditioned, no mosquitoes, and you don't have to bring a lawn chair.
Details:
Who:       Scottish Rite Masons, their friends, and families.

What:      Food, Fun, Flags,
               Fireworks, & Scottish Rite

Where:    Holiday Inn - Downtown
              1050 6th Ave. Des Moines

When:     July 3rd at 6:30 pm

Cost:        Picnic Dinner
($15 adults or $10 for children)

RSVP required by June 29:
SR Office 515-288-8927 or rsvp@dmscottishrite.org

Friday, June 23, 2017

SR Express - Passing of a Brother

 June 23, 2017

Announcing the passing of
             Ill. Brother William M. Anderson, 33° 
  

Brethren,
 
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you to inform you of the passing of William M. Anderson, 33°.   
 
William McCornack Anderson, 94, was born March 21, 1923 in Des Moines, Iowa to Peter and Abbie Rose Anderson. He died June 20, 2017 at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines. Bill was raised and educated in Des Moines, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1941, where he was an All-City baseball player. His college education started at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. It was there he met his future wife, Aileen Ruth Allen. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was called up for World War II and served as a commissioned officer (Guam) until 1946.

Upon his return from the war, he resumed his education at Drake University obtaining a Business Administration Degree.

Bill married Aileen on August 31, 1946. Their union lasted a loving 68 years. He worked in the retail office supply trade from 1947 until his retirement in 1992. He was the president of Office Supplies, Inc. from 1962 to 1992.

Bill was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Westgate-Adelphi Masonic Lodge, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine.

Bill received his Master of the Royal Secret (32°) on November 19, 1960. his Knight Commander Court of Honour (KCCH) on October 20, 1975, and the Inspector General Honorary (33°) on December 7, 1985.

The family will receive friends 1-3:00 pm Sunday, June 25th at Scottish Rite Penthouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Life at Scottish Rite Park or Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
 
Sincerely and Fraternally,

Shane A. Harshbarger
Secretary/Registrar
 

SR Express - 300th Anniversary of GL of England Update and Details

June 23, 2017
300th Anniversary Update and Details
 
Our 300th Anniversary Celebration of the Founding of the Grand Lodge of England is tomorrow and will be one of the most exciting events we have had in several years.  We have over 475 Master Masons and their ladies attending this event.  We are especially pleased to host dignitaries from England and a special guest from Australia.  Lastly, we have representatives from almost every Masonic organization in Iowa.  Unfortunately, due to the size and scope of the event.  We cannot take additional reservations.
We have had several phone calls regarding details for this auspicious occasion.  Since Donette and I will be at the Scottish Rite golf out for much of the day, I hope this SR Express will answer a few questions for you.

Parking:
We have tons of parking.  American Republic has graciously allowed us access to their ramp to the east of the Scottish Rite building.  The entrance is on 5th Avenue.  You will need to tell Kamden (Scottish Rite staff member) that you are attending the 300th Anniversary event so he can let you in.  It will be staffed from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

We have also rented the surface lot directly west of the Scottish Rite building.  You can enter it from Park Street.  Lastly, the north lot and on street parking will be available.

As we have many guests from out of town, if you would park in the ramp or the west lot, that would save the more obvious parking for those who do not know Des Moines as well.

Doors Open and Registration:
Registration will be at the main entrance (1st floor).  All attendees need to check in to receive your banquet tickets and to pick up your program of events.  The main entrance will be open at 2:00 pm.  After checking in, everyone will congregate in the Tapestry room for the initial welcome and proclamation of Masonic Month.

Program of Events:
Following the proclamation, the men will adjourn to 3rd floor to the Consistory Auditorium for the opening of Grand Lodge and the reception of dignitaries.  The ladies will remain in the Tapestry room for the high tea and program by chocolatier, Tom Coleman.

Following our reception of dignitaries, the Masons will be spilt into two groups.  Those attending the forum on Freemasonry will adjourn to the Symbolic Lodge room and the those attending the Past Master Ceremony will stay in the Auditorium. 

After these sessions and the ladies' tea, all attendees will adjourn to the WT & Edna Dahl Grand Banquet room for the social hour and hors de oeuvres.  There will be place cards for you to designate your seat but this is a social event so we encourage you to mingle during this time.  Our first two of 7 toasts will take place during the social hour and continue throughout the evening.  Our toastmasters will be assisted by the Double Eagle Chorus. 

Next up will be the time capsule dedication.  It will take place in the Grand Banquet room on a center stage for all to view.  The time capsule will be dedicated by the officers of the Grand Lodge of Iowa in a special ceremony.  The time capsule was carved by Brother Ben Mayer.  It is amazing.

Following the time capsule dedication will be the festive board.  It will be a served prime rib dinner with all the trimmings.  There will be a few more toasts during dinner as well as music by Beaver Creek Jazz.  We plan to wrap up by 8:30 pm.
 
Dress Code
We have also had many questions regarding dress code.  A suit or coat and tie is ideal.  Most importantly, wear your Masonic regalia.  We want a showcase of Freemasonry.  If you have an apron, please wear it during the session in the auditorium.  If you have a Masonic jewel, collar, sash, or pins, showcase them as well.  Scottish Rite caps and fezzes are encouraged during the social hour and dinner but cannot be worn during open lodge.  There will be tables in the George Washington room and Pike room for you to store apron cases.

Hopefully this helps answer a few questions in regards to schedule, registration, dress code, and parking.  We look forward to seeing you Saturday.  It is going to be an amazing day.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
 
Shane Harshbarger
Secretary

Click here for program

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

SR Express - 2017 Honor Men have been selected

June 20, 2017
2017 HONOR MEN HAVE BEEN SELECTED!

Earlier this spring the members of the Des Moines Valley who have been honored with the Knight Commander Court of Honour (32nd KCCH) and the Inspector General Honorary (33°) met to ballot on honor selections for the 2017 session of the Supreme Council.  Once the members of the Des Moines Valley had an opportunity to make their wishes known, these recommendations were forwarded to our Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Gary L. Sissel, 33°.  Following the approval of Ill. Bro. Sissel these recommendations were then submitted by him to the Active Members of the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the USA.  

The members of the Supreme Council met in a special session to discuss and ballot on the nominations for all honors for the Southern Jurisdiction.  

The Des Moines Valley is pleased to announce that we received 7 Knight Commanders of the Count of Honour and 3 Inspectors General Honorary.

2017 33rd Degree
Inspector General Honorary (elect)
igh cross

Ricky N. McCampbell
Wade E. Sheeler
Paul R. Tyler



2017 Knight Commander Court of Honour (elect)


KCCHMark W. Allen          Bradley A. Reichardt
Terry L. Augustus     Carl J. Van Der Kamp
Arthur G. Crandon    Timothy J. Whipple
Ryan A. Genest

SR Express - Passing of a Brother

Announcing the passing of
             Ill. Brother Robert M Speed, 33° 
  

Brethren,
 
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you to inform you of the passing of Robert M. Speed, 33°.   
 
To say Brother Bob's passing leaves a void in the musical life of the Scottish Rite would be a great understatement.  Bob's skills at the organ were tremendous, a result of his over 75 years as an organ student, then teacher, and performer as Church Organist.  Bob's vast skills included improvisation, which enabled us to enjoy great "marching music" during the degree work, Fanfares of unsurpassed complexity, and incidental music that never failed to enhance the activity going on during the degree. We were so fortunate that even after he had retired from all other organist jobs, he was willing to continue as one of our organists.  We will always remember Bob when we sing the special final "Amen" of the 32nd degree that he composed for us.

Bob never complained about his failing health.  Just a couple of years ago, you would never have guessed that he was entering his mid-eighties.  He remained vibrant and healthy, and I remember him still taking spinning classes at the gym during those years when most of us would had given up on such activity... but  a couple years ago,  he began to fail.  He remained optimistic much of the time, but at the last reunion, he indicated that he didn't feel up to playing for all the the degrees any longer, but would continue playing for the 32nd Degree, and turned in much of his music.  I accepted his partial resignation reluctantly, but with the realization that this was something he needed for his health and his peace of mind.

As a friend, I will personally miss Bob greatly.  His sense of humor, his quick wit, and his musical knowledge, were all precious to me. Just sitting and talking with Bob was an educational experience and always ended with a laugh!

As a conductor, I have never worked with anyone as knowledgeable, forgiving, patient, and helpful as Bob Speed.
 
I'm sure everyone in the Double Eagle Chorus has special memories of Bob.  Take just a moment today, and remember him.
 
I'll let you know when I learn something about memorial services.
 
Ron Lindhart, Director
Des Moines Double Eagle Chorus

Bob was raised in Capital Lodge on Feb. 26, 1963 to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. He joined Scottish Rite on June 25,1994 and received the Knight Commander Court of Honour on October 4, 1999. He received the Inspector General Honorary (33°) on November 10, 2007.

Keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
 
Sincerely and Fraternally,

Shane A. Harshbarger
Secretary/Registrar

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

SR Express - Reservations for 300th Anniversary of GL of England are now closed

June 14, 2017
300th Anniversary of Grand Lodge of England
June 24, 2017

The 300th Anniversary celebration has proven to be immensely popular. Unfortunately that means that we will not be taking any additional reservations.

However, if you are interested in attending the Past Master Degree or the Forum on the History of English Freemasonry, we can accommodate additional reservations for these events only. The cost for these activities will be $10.00 and includes your event certificate. We need this reservation by June 19th so the proper certificates can be made.

Lastly, we are opening the Grand Lodge of Iowa as part of the festivities, so an apron is required in the lodge room.  We encourage you to bring or wear your own apron if you have one.  It should make for a much simpler process when we are opening the Grand Lodge.  There will be a quantity available for those who need an apron.  Past Master aprons are welcome as well. 
~Shane



2017 Charitable Golf Outing
WHO: 
  Anyone who likes to play     golf
WHAT: 
  A Great day of Golf & Fun
  4 Person Best Shot
WHEN:
  June 23, 2017 @ 1:00 pm
  Shotgun start
WHERE:
  Terrance Hills Golf Course
  Altoona IA
WHY:  
  For fun and to preserve and protect on of Des Moines'     most historic buildings