THE BILLBOARD
JUNE 2015
For The Valley of Billings, Orient of Montana - serving Eastern Montana Scottish Rite Members
Special points of interest:
Message from PR
Bob Hanson 33°
Page 1
Message from VM
Jason M. Smith, 32°
Page 2
Message From Deputy in
Montana
David L. Nielsen 33°
Page 3
PICNIC
Page 4
Officers 2014 Page 2
To The Celestial Lodge:
Harold L. Davidson
1928—2015
S. Verne Cooper, Jr.
1921 - 2015
A FEW WORDS FROM YOUR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
I want to remind
everyone
that
June, July and
August meeting
nights are casual
dress, no ties are
needed. Our chef
Bob Snow has put
together a dinner
that rivals the best
restaurants in Montana, and the price is
right!
I want to thank Michael Welton also for
going the extra mile on our new
projectors, he has worked tirelessly
getting them set up and when you see the
results you will be amazed. During our
last reunion you could see the results of
Michaels efforts. The room lit up with
brighter slide quality and much clearer
graphics, what a difference it made for
the candidates. Dave Armstrong copied
the slides and put them in digital format
so we now have them on computer. They
will always be available for our reunions
without worrying if the old slide
projector will work, plus the quality is
much improved.
PLEASE LET THE OFFICE
KNOW IF YOU MOVE.
Billboard costs 13 Cents to
mail out and when it is
returned it is 49 Cents
This goes for the
Snow Birds too.
we all know that the food will be
outstanding.
The last thing I have this month is a
plea to every member. Please send an e
-mail
to
the
office
at
[email protected]. He
will add you on our e-mail list. He will
send you notices of upcoming events
and will always keep you informed
about meetings and any news that we
have. All you have to put in the
subject line is “put me on the list”. We
always want to keep everyone
informed so do it today before you
forget. You will be glad you did it.
The Scottish Rite picnic will be on July Bob Hanson
18th (11:30 to 1:30) so make a note in Personal Representative
your calendar because this year will be
the best picnic that we have ever had.
Our Venerable Master has made plans
for the whole family to enjoy, so let's all
get together and have a great day. By the
way, every one is invited including your
friends and relatives. This is not for just
Scottish Rite members, it is for everyone.
The clowns will entertain the kids and
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Message from The Venerable Master
It is that time
again. The time
where I get to try
and figure out how
to express my
feelings of what
good and great
things
we
as
Scottish
Rite
Masons
are
accomplishing. In the past months
the Billings Valley had three major
events in addition to our normal
meetings. These were our Spring
Reunion, Mother's Day Brunch,
and the Celebrating the Craft
event. I am going to elaborate why
I feel that the end of April and
early May were, to me, one of the
most important periods that our
Valley has had since I was elected
to serve as your Venerable Master.
The fancy phone I have allows me
to search for definitions of certain
words. a REUNION is defined as
"A social gathering attended by
members of a certain group of
people who have not seen each
other for some time." Obviously,
the current officer line and I did
not properly communicate this
definition to most of our members.
I firmly believe that our reunions
are to be a celebration! Let us all
take a moment and remember why
the
Supreme
Council
has
authorized the verbiage in naming
this event. It might be a self
gratification thing on my part, but
seeing ALL of our Brethren attend
our future reunions would be a
most pleasant experience. One of
the great honors that we
incorporate in this event is making
new Scottish Rite Brothers, and
indeed we did so. Brother Mark
Williamson is a valuable asset to
the Craft and I encourage
everyone to welcome him
accordingly. I guarantee that the
Officers elected and appointed that
serve the Billings Valley will make
the Fall Reunion something you
will not soon forget. Please plan on
attending it in September. Onward
and forward...
No biscuits and gravy. No cinnamon
rolls. Whoops! We will endeavor to
persevere next year! The Knights of
Saint Andrew took the task over of
cooking our Mother's Day Brunch
this year. There was not one
professional chef that helped out,
yet we dished out 37 dozen eggs,
60lbs of hash browns, 18lbs of
sausage, 24lbs of bacon, 25lbs of
ham, 60 plus custom made omelets,
pastries, fruit and more. We had
over 150 people in attendance and
I consider it a GREAT success! I
need to personally thank Michael
Welton, Adam Johnson, Sean
McDuffee, the entire Aasterud
family, and Jillian Smith. Without
all of you, this would have been a
day that would be remembered as
the worst ever. Instead it was one
of our best Mother’s Day meals
with $543.15 going to the
Building/Kitchen Fund.
I am
forever in your debt.
Last on the list was our
Celebrating the Craft event held
on May 16th. For the uninformed,
this was an event that provided free
live streaming of the MAJOR event
of raising money for the House of
the Temple. In addition, a FREE
taco bar was offered to everyone in
attendance. I must say that I
enjoyed the tacos and the
fellowship that was served up that
night. We raised $315 for our
Billings Valley donation. The
Association paid for the food. This
event was advertised in our SR
Bulletin Board, the SR Chirp app, on
Facebook and by word of mouth at our
last two Stated meetings. We had a
rather small attendance, yet it was a
great night with those that did show
up.
weight. The current officer line is no
exception, and I would expect that all
officers would attend as many events as
possible within the Rite. We send
Brothers to leadership conferences,
membership meetings and schools to
learn more about the Scottish Rite. I
wonder what would happen if we took
the time to reach out and embrace the
Brothers that have gone astray instead of
doing nothing? Let us remember why we
are here, and whom we are here for. I
challenge you all to each call a Brother
you haven't seen for a while. I certainly
know I am.
In closing, July 18th is our KSA
Picnic (11:30 to 13:30) where the
Knights will be cooking a wonderful
meal for everyone to partake in. This
event is open to the public, so don’t
hesitate to bring family and friends!
It is my firm belief that if a group
wants their club to succeed, the SALVE FRATER!
members ALL need to pull their Jason M. Smith VM
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THE RITE CORNER
“House of the Temple”
David L. Nielsen,
Deputy in Montana
As the brothers of
the Billings Valley
know, four of your
members took in a
road trip this last
March to visit the House of the
Temple in Washington, D.C. As
is described in Brother Jason
Smith’s article in the May-June
edition of the Scottish Rite
Journal, the trip was described as
life changing.
My sincere
congratulations to Brothers Smith,
Ronny Aasterud, Lewie Fletcher
and Sean McDuffee for taking
such an unprecedented trip. In
the relatively short time of the trip
they immersed themselves in
Masonry—from the Blue Lodge
to the Supreme Council of
Scottish Rite to the Shrine.
expanded beyond Montana and the United States and my interest in seeing
Masonry in action in other states, provinces, and countries only made my
desire for extended Masonic comradery and learning more addictive. I
suspect that a simple out of town trip for these brothers to Portland last
April for the Scottish Rite Regional Leadership Conference planted the
seed for more Masonic experience and these brothers are hooked. I think
the Voodoo doughnuts in Portland were the icing on the cake for Masonic
experiences.
From the description of their trip, I hope their message is clear that it is
okay to travel beyond the walls of the lodge and temple to experience
Masonry with newly met brothers. Not only is it okay, you will be very
glad that you did. Remember being a Master Masons entitles you to
travel in foreign countries.
This year is the 100th Anniversary of
Temple—October 18, 1915. The
SGIG from Montana at the time was
Ill. Brother Edward C. Day, who was
a prominent attorney and Mason in
Helena and Livingston.
At the
Biennial Session this year—August
23-25, 2015—the House of the
Temple will be used for the Conferral
of the 33rd Degree. This is a first in
many years. There will be tours of
our House of the Temple, including
ghost tours in the evening.
(Apparently not just the CIA or FBI
have spooks, the House of the
Temple has some as well.) There
will be a dedication reenactment,
Garden Party and Banquet on the
August 22. This is a historic time for
Scottish Rite Freemasonry and our
House of the Temple. If you feel
adventurous and would like to see the
Supreme Council in action, this
would be the premier event.
Too many times as Masons we
find a comfort zone in our local
lodge, Valley or Temple that does
not encourage us to go outside
and explore the new and novel.
These four brothers found the
courage and determination to
leave Billings and Montana and
explore the wonderful world of
Masonry in Washington, D.C. I
understand personally very well
the magnetism of staying put in a
local lodge. For many years I was
content in going to lodge as
sideliner, taking an occasional Enjoy the fruits of our labors and
part, and going to the monthly visit Masonry in a new place and at a
Shrine Club meeting, which had different time.
the best steaks and cinnamon
rolls. As I took positions in the
line, I found that I would even
travel out of town for annual
district meetings and once to
Regina, Saskatchewan for a
Canadian-American
Masonic
Exchange. Later in my Grand
Lodge experience, my travels
3
the dedication of the House of the
MIC’S PICKS
WHAT REALLY MAKES
A SUCCESSFUL LODGE
By
Frederic L. Milliken
“This Model is the one that makes a
successful Lodge. Let me expound on
that some more.
The knowledge of who you are and exactly what that means and how it affects
you is vital to the pride, enthusiasm and
workings of an organization. When an
individual is part of a group that feeds
on the interaction of its philosophy it
creates an aura of appeal and a group
identity that cannot be artificially created. The camaraderie comes as a result of
the knowledge – the light – and is not an
equal partner in the process. The camaraderie does not create the thirst for
knowledge; the thirst for knowledge
creates the camaraderie. The perks and
amenities flow from the light and the
camaraderie, as a result of them not the
other way around.
When the light of your raising makes
you born again into a new life, and what
Masonry has imparted is so awesome
and earth shaking that it has transformed
you into something so wonderful that
you will never forget it – well then such
a group, a Lodge will never die. It will
always grow and be successful. But
when a Lodge downplays the importance of the Light and the education
to sustain it and turns the Lodge into a
social Lodge or a Service Club, then the
Lodge no longer has the real transforming power to sustain success.”
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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PICNIC
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July 18th 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
514 14th St West, Billings, MT
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SCOTTISH RITE LANGUAGE
CLINIC
www.ritecarebillings.org
Coverage continues for 14
Children. We have completed
treatment support for one child.
Our maximum support per
month is $4000 total.
We have agreements with three Clinics and now we have
completed the paperwork to work with Easter Seals of Billings.
Clinic Board: Will now meet on the first Tuesday of the Month
at Dos Machos, 12 Noon even if that falls after the Normal
Scottish Rite meeting.
Banquet is the 10 October at the Big Horn Resort.
Pumpkin Patch is 09th of October at the Shrine
Reserve these dates on your calendar.
Welcome to our newest Scottish Rite
member Mark Allen Williamson pictured here with the Deputy of Montana David Nielson and Venerable
Master Jason Smith.. Per the VM our
Fall Reunion should be very interesting for he is taking a very active interest to make it an event to remember.
“Koffee Klatch”
Every Thursday
7:30 AM to 9 AM
Just a $1.00
Money goes to
Put September 25th and 26th on
your calendar “Fall Reunion”
Be there.
Library
A Message from the Clan of the Knights of St. Andrew
On May 20th @ 18:00 the movie Arn the Knights Templar was played. Only 2 members
showed up and no guests.
Next KSA meetings:
Class I: June 17th at 18:00 and again attempt to present a movie about Masonic roots, in order to underline
the purpose of education within our group. The movie is about the conflict between the Muslims and Christians during early medieval times (Knights Templars). Set aside 2 hours.
Class II: June 19th at 17:00 and again attempt to present a movie about Masonic roots, in order to underline
the purpose of education within our group. The movie is about the conflict between the Muslims and Christians during early medieval times (Knights Templars). Set aside 2 hours.
Will order Pizza if enough show up. ALL BROTHERS ARE WELCOME
Each KSA group (I & II) will progress learning thru all the degrees independently, so each group is on
same level of learning and understanding as they progress within each group.
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Come support your DeMolay
Magic City Chapter - Order of DeMolay
DeMolay is finishing out the school year with an End of the Year Bash at the Scottish Rite. We plan on
doing some community service in the morning and then having a BBQ in the afternoon, which may lead to a
trip out to the drive in Movie Theater and then a lock-in. It’s going to be quite the event. Come on out to the
BBQ if you are available around 1:00 on Jun 6, 2015. We are in the final stages of preparing for the Month
of June. As you all know, June is a busy month with all the Masonic Activities going on. I hope we make it.
In the Order of DeMolay, the sixth candle is symbolic of cleanness, not only the bodily cleanness we all
practice but cleanness of every thought, word and deed. What the Psalmist was thinking when he wrote
“Create in me a clean heart, O God?” There are times when we are so focused on outward appearance and
looking clean and neat but what we need to have is a clean heart. A heart that is pure, with kindness,
compassion and a willingness to practice good habits.
In our world today, the lessons of developing good habits are so important in the teenage years. Everywhere
you look there is presence of unclean practices such as drugs, smoking, and violence. These are the difficult
activities that many teenagers succumb to through peer pressure. When one gives into these, it leads to the
consequences that destroy the mind and the body.
DeMolay gives young men the opportunity to develop good habits in thoughts, words and deeds. While
combating the negative effects of unclean living. Our ritual work helps us to focus and sharpen our minds.
The recognitions and awards give us opportunities to reward upright acts and deeds. We have advisors and
parents that are there to guide and be role models to help young men grow into great citizens. Each day, a
DeMolay makes the choice to live and practice cleanness in every way.
Thanks,
Dan Massey
Chapter Advisor
100 YEAR CELEBRATION - Lavina Temple Lodge 101
The Brethren of Lavina-Temple Lodge No. 101 would like to invite you to join us in celebration of 100 years of Masonry in Broadview, Lavina and Ryegate area. Temple
Lodge No. 101 was founded on September 15, 1915 and Lavina Lodge No. 1
07 founded on August 30, 1916. The two Lodges consolidated on January 1, 1996 as
Lavina-Temple Lodge No. 101 located at 101 Main, Lavina, Montana. The Celebration
will be on Saturday, August 22, 2015.
We plan to start the celebration at 10:00 AM at the Lavina High School gymnasium
featuring speakers, music and entertainment. The program will last until noon when lunch will be available at a reasonable cost. After lunch there will be a parade down main street and conclude with a concert at the park on Main
Street. The Lodge which is located in the historical Bank Building at 101 Main Street and the historical Slayton Mercantile Building will be open for visitors to enjoy in the afternoon. Come to Lavina on August 22nd and enjoy a day
in the history of Masonry in Montana.
Thank you, Brother Francis Rose, Secretary of Lavina Temple Lodge No. 101
406-690-8215, [email protected]
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MEAL MENU
BY RED FEZ CATERING
BUFFET STYLE
CONTRIBUTIONS
Tossed Salad with
French Dressing
MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO
CONTRIBUTE TO
SCOTTISH RITE PROGRAMS
Grilled Chicken Breast and
BBQ Pork Spareribs
Baked Beans
Included with Membership Fees
Clinic—Ronald R. Boyd
T.A. Morrison
Scottish Rite Language Clinic
General Fund
TRUIST/CostCo United Way
In Honor of Larraine Marsh
EUM/United Methodist Women
Grand Park LLC Assisted Living
Baked Potato
Buttermilk Biscuits
Relishes
Sour Cream Rhubarb Cake
With Whipped Topping
Coffee or Hot Tea
Language Clinic Endowment Fund
In Memory of Edna Hein
Clarence Hein
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
259-6683
New Language Clinic Building Fund
Transportation Van
.
Building/Kitchen Fund
None
Shoes for Kids Fund
Library Fund
In Memory of Harold L. Davidson
Jered H. Scherer
CTC HOT Fund Raiser at the Rite
Total raised was $315
Jack & Pat Rehberg
Bob Hanson
Plus various Cash donations during the event.
.
MAKE OR CANCEL
By MONDAY AT 10:30 AM
before Dinner
WE HAVE TO PAY
FOR ALL RESERVATIONS
Breakfast.
13 June
THANK YOU
Western Emporium
On King Ave West
Get up and come on
down and have a bit
with a Brother.
MEAL PRICE NOW
7:30 AM
THAT YOU MAKE
$11.00
NO SHOWS WILL BE
BILLED
If not Cancelled by 10 AM
The Monday before
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U.S. Postage Paid
Non Profit Org
Billings, MT
Permit No. 724
Billings Scottish Rite Bodies
514 14th Street West
Billings, MT 59102-5216
Tel: (406) 259-6683
Fax: (406) 256-0695
PR:
[email protected]
PR:
[email protected]
SEC: : [email protected]
Return Service Requested
________________________
We’re on the Web at
www. Billingsscottishrite.com
Or send an email to SEC above to
be added to our Auto Email listing
Need to Know Information
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Times: 6:00
6:30
7:30
7:30
PM Executive Meeting
PM Meal
PM Stated Meeting/Program
AM Monthly Breakfast (2nd Sat)
03 Jun Stated Meeting—Ladies Welcome
13 Jun Breakfast at Western Emporium on King
Lodge of Perfection
Venerable Master
Jason M. Smith, 32º
Chapter of Rose Croix
Wise Master
Tim Hert 32°
Council of Kadosh
Commander
Daniel Massey 32°
Consistory
Master of Kadosh
David Schantz,32°
01 Jul
11 Jul
State Meeting—Ladies welcome
Breakfast at Western Emporium on King
18 Jul BBQ/Picnic by Knights of St Andrew
31 July Honormen's Luncheon
05 Aug Stated Meeting—Ladies Welcome
08 Aug Breakfast at Western Emporium on King.
NOTE: NO BILLBOARD IN AUGUST , MICHAEL
IS OUT OF TOWN.
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Visit the Supreme Council
www.scottishrite.org
1733 16th Street, NW, in
Washington, D.C.