Scottish Rite Masons and their Families

March 2011

VALLEY VOICE

Inside This Issue

Spring Reunion InformationBurns Dinner Wrap Up

Valley of DetroitVALLEYVOICE

March, 2011

Valley Voice is the official publica-tion of Detroit Scottish Rite. The Bod-ies of the Scottish Rite, sitting in the Valley of Detroit, State of Michigan, ac-knowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council, 33o, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America whose Grand East is in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Ill. John Wm. McNaughton, 33o

Sovereign Grand Commander

Ill. David R. Bedwell, 33o

Deputy for Michigan

Ill. William J. Dover, 33o, MSAActive Member for Michigan

Ill. Walter F. Wheeler, 33o

Active Member for Michigan

Ill. Robert H. Sale, 33o, MSAActive Member Emeritus

Ill. Erwin W. O’Dell, 33o, MSAActive Member Emeritus

Ill. Gerald F. Thorp, 33o, MSAActive Member Emeritus

32ndDegreeMasons.org

All correspondence concerning this Publication should be directed to the Executive Secretary of the Valley of Detroit, Timothey S. Marshbanks, 33o

Mailing Address907 Monroe St.

Dearborn, MI 48124-2309313.724.1907

Fax 313.724.1996Toll Free 877.320.6432

Email valleyofdetroit@32nddegreemasons.org

EditorIll. David R. Bedwell, 33o

dbedwell@ameritech.net

Permission to reprint original articles in the Valley Voice is granted to all recog-nized Masonic publications with cred-it to the author and this publication.

Copyright © 2011 Board of Trustees of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Detroit If you’re on Facebook, keep up to date with late breaking news,

and event reminders.Search on Valley of Detroit and “Click on Like”

The George Washington Masonic Memorial

Presented byIll. Brother Robert P. Conley, 33o, MSA,

member of the Executive Board of the George Washington Masonic Memorial

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 ~ 7:30 P.M.Non Scottish Rite Masons invited

Refreshments Following

Originally scheduled for the January Valley Meeting, which was canceled due

to inclement weather.

April Valley Meeting

March Valley Meeting ~ Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - 7:30 P.M.Guest Speaker Mr. Tyrone Chatman

Annual Easter Eve ServiceSaturday, April 23, 2011, 7:00 P.M.

Scottish Rite Masonic Center

The officers of Rose Croix will preside over an Easter Service that is both inspiring and moving. The “service” will be followed by a fellowship hour and refreshments, and as always, children are

welcome. We urge you to consider attending the Easter Eve Service as part of your family tradition. This is a way of easing into the holiday with reflection and fellowship before the egg and Easter basket hunts and busy family dinners.

Will you be there? We hope so.

Front Row: (L-R) Ill. Raymond E. Fowler, 33o; Arthur Gareau; Robert Legowsky; Donald Mayville; Donald L. Trumbull, MSA; and Ill. Kenney L. Lenfestey, 33o

Back Row: Officers of the Detroit Lodge of Perfection (L-R) Robert A. Moore, Junior Warden; Joel E. Clement, Deputy Master; Howard H. Crumit, Jr., Thrice Potent Master; John P. Kilbourne,

Senior Warden; and Marc B. Liljegren, Orator.

Club Highlight ~ Club of the LakesOn Saturday, January 29, the officers and ladies of the Detroit Lodge of Perfection traveled to the Club of the Lakes to install the officers for 2011. Bob Legowsky was installed as President, Art Gareau and Don Mayville as Vice Presidents, Donald L. Trumbull, MSA, as Chaplain and Director, Ill. Kenney L. Lenfestey, 33o, and Ill. Raymond E. Fowler, 33o, as Directors.

The Club meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 11 a.m. in conjunction with Livingston Lodge’s monthly breakfast. Pinckney Masonic Center, 210 Mann St., in Pinckney.

Illustrious Brother Ardys D. Bennett, 33o, was born in Albia, Iowa on October 8, 1925. When he was three, his family moved to Dearborn where Ardys attended school. A few months before graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy

Air Corp. and was called to duty in February 1944.

After his discharge in November 1945 he started working at Household Finance and thereafter at the Small Loan Co. where he became a Branch Manager. His career as a mortgage banker began at General Mortgage Co. in 1953. When the company was sold in 1958, he joined Detroit Mortgage Co., where he remained until retiring as a Vice President in 1981.

He then began a career as a Household Inspector and Building Code Officer in Dearborn and Allen Park. In 1985, Ardys formed the Down River Association of Code Officials

to provide continuing education and training, and continues to serve as its President. He is certified as a teacher of the Michigan Building Codes and has taught since 1989. He retired in 2010 as the Building Inspector Plan Reviewer Building Official for the City of Dearborn.

In June 2010, Ardys became the oldest graduate from Baker College, having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Leadership for Code Administration, a program he was instrumental in starting.

Ardys was married 38 years to Beatrice and was widowed in 1984. He has been married to Sylvia since 1985. He is the father of two daughters, two stepdaughters, and one stepson and the grandfather of three.

Ardys and Sylvia reside in Allen Park, Michigan, where he is an honored citizen. Among his numerous positions held with the city, is his service as Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission, as President of the school district, and as a Building Inspector Plan Reviewer. He was honored with the Allen Park J.C. Man of the Year Award, and the City of Allen Park Liberty Bell Award for outstanding service.

Ill. Brother Ardys was raised a Master Mason on February 17, 1966, in Livonia Lodge #586. He was President of the Temple Board from 1966-1983 and was voted Head Architect in 1970. He served as Master in 1974, and his Lodge brothers voted him Mason of the Year in 1978.

He was High Priest of Colonial Chapter in 1986, and earned the Zerubabel Apron for the number of candidates signed for. He was Commander of Detroit Commandery #1 in 1987, during which time he signed for over 50 members. He served as Captain General for 14 years before retiring in 2010 and is now Captain General Emeritus.

He was Sovereign Master for the Allied Masonic Degrees in 1996. He was also Governor of the York Rite College in 1996, which he now serves as Treasurer. In 1999, he was Thrice Illustrious Master of Monroe Counsel and now serves as its Treasurer. He was elected to the K.Y.C.H. in 2000. He is an elected representative to the Masonic Temple Association of Detroit since 1974 and served as President in 1993.

In 1995, Ardys served as Most Wise Master of Mt. Olivet Chapter Rose Croix, Valley of Detroit and was Commander in Chief 2001-2002. He was coronetted a 33o, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council in 1999.

Among his many awards, he is the deserving recipient of the Grand Commander’s Service Award, the York Rite Order of the Purple Cross, the Alhambra Helping Hand Award, and the Knight Commander of the Temple Award.

Ardys was selected as our Honoree for his long-term continuous involvement in Scottish Rite Masonry and for his accomplishments as a Most Wise Master and Commander-in-Chief. He continues to support our Valley by serving in every Reunion as the Master of Ceremonies in the 32o, and in the appointed position of Marshall for the Valley of Detroit.

Faces of Scottish RiteMeet Ill. Ardys Bennett, 33o, Father, Grandfather, Reunion Class Honoree

Saturday, March 26, 2011Scottish Rite Masonic Center

Free Parking available 1 block North at Ford Field Park. Complimentary Shuttle Service from the Park to the Front Door.

Honoring Ill. Ardys D. Bennett, 33o

Spring Reunion

AgendaCandidate Registration: 8:00 A.M.

9:00 A.M. - 4o Master Traveler - Here is the introduction to Scottish Rite Masonry. This degree provides us with a preview of the moral truths we shall witness on our journey through the Scottish Rite.

9:30 A.M. - 12o Master of Mercy - Exemplified in this degree is the quality of forgiveness, not just to forego the opportunity for revenge, but to cease to feel enmity or resentment toward the transgressor.

10:30 A.M. - 16o Prince of Jerusalem - This degree exemplifies fidelity to duty and devotion to truth.

11:15 A.M. - Lunch - Complimentary - Reservations Required - No Exceptions - No later than Monday, March 21.

1:00 P.M. - 31o Knight Aspirant - In this degree we learn that service to humanity should be our response when God calls us to labor.

32o Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret - As the culmination of Scottish Rite Masonry, this degree celebrates the triumph of individual integrity and our obligation to serve humanity.

Immediately following the 32o, Reception Afterglow ~ Reservations Required

For petition information or to make reservations for lunch and the reception please contact theValley Office toll free at 877.320.6432 or online at www.32ndDegreeMasons.org

officer positions because they will still have three-year terms and a six-year term limit (eight for line officers who want to go right onto the BOT as “at large” members). The Reunions will go back to a set schedule, so that officers do not have to worry about which ones to do. The Nominating Committee will continue to monitor the performance of the officers; advancement is not automatic. The Nominating Committee will also recommend that good candidates for whom there is no opening be placed on one of the Membership subcommittees, so that they can start to learn about event planning and membership development. The Nominating Committee will consist of three past presidings or two past presidings and an active SR Brother who is also a PM.

Here is how we propose to make the transition, with numbers representing current officers and letters representing new people added in the future:

May 2011LOP 1 Council 1 RC 1 Consistory 1LOP 2 Council 2 RC 2 Consistory 2LOP 3 Council 3 RC 3 Consistory 3LOP 4 Consistory 4

May 2012LOP 2 Council 2 RC 2 Consistory 2LOP 3 Council 3 RC 3 Consistory 3LOP 4 Consistory 4

May 2013LOP 3 Council 3 RC 3 Consistory 3LOP 4 Council A RC B Consistory 4

May 2014LOP 4 Council 3 RC 3 Consistory 4LOP C Council A RC B Consistory D

May 2015LOP 4 Council A RC B Consistory 4LOP C Council E RC F Consistory D

Two terms expire on the BOT in 2013; by not filling those positions, we will reduce that body to five at large members at the same time that the four bodies get down to two officers.

Please feel free to call me 734-665-2236 with any questions or comments.

Sincerely and fraternally,Justin F. Krasnoff, PCnC, Chairman-Nominating and Governance Committees

Last fall the Supreme Council requested every Valley look into restructuring the officer lines and to establish a Governance Committee to do so. The need for potential changes may not be readily apparent to those of you who see the lines of the four bodies continuing to do their jobs year in and year out, but their success in doing so masks the reality: Each year it is harder and harder for the Nominating Committee to come up with suitable candidates to install at the bottom of the four lines. All of you can think of a capable Brother whom you have seen in a degree or working in a committee. I can, too, and have been personally in touch with many of them about the possibility of becoming a line officer. But because of other obligations...family, business, and financial...most of them must limit their activities to the Reunions. (Thank goodness they can do that much). As a result the Governance Committee, consisting of Ill. David Boring, 33o; John Chamberlain, Ill. Elbert Taylor, 33o; Ill. Ric Testasecca, 33o, MSA; and myself, has designed the following model, which will cut the number of new line officers needed every year from four to a more manageable two. You will be asked to vote on these changes at the April Valley Meeting. We propose maintaining the traditional four bodies. Officers will continue to be elected, not appointed. There will be two officers per line, and each office will be a two-year term... a total of four years of service. We shall stagger the lines so that every year only two of them will need a new “junior” or starting officer. The “junior” officers will serve for two years with the Membership Committee, which already does a lot of the event planning and which will do all of it under the new model. They will plan events in their first year and manage them in the second year. They will also work with the Membership Committee on attracting new members and membership retention. Since the lines will be staggered, there will always be two second-year junior officers, as well as the rest of the Membership Committee, to help the two new officers learn the ropes...a process that is now very hit-and-miss. The “senior” officers (3rd and 4th years) will act as executives and advisors. Their primary responsibilities will be organizing and casting the reunions and serving on the Board of Trustees. By the 4th year the presiding officers should work actively with their lines to ensure that each stage is progressing as planned. The Board of Trustees (BOT) will consist of five “at large” members and the four “senior” line officers for a total of nine. The at-large members will fill all BOT

New Valley Governance Model Proposed

Saturday, January 22, the Membership Committee of the Valley hosted a unique evening of good food, and outstanding fellowship, celebrating the life and poetry of Robbie Burns. The sell out event included a beautiful two handled Scottish cup (quaich) engraved with the Doubled Headed Eagle and “Valley of Detroit” that was presented to each guest. Special thanks to Brother Paul N. Cross, Senior Warden of Carson Council, who did an great job serving as Master of Ceremonies.

Another Outstanding Event in the Valley of Detroit!

CalendarMarch 2011 5 Mardi Gras Party 8 Valley Meeting 7:30 p.m. 17 Board of Trustees 6:00 p.m. 26 Spring Reunion

April 2011 12 Valley Meeting 7:30 p.m. 21 Board of Trustees 6:00 p.m. 23 Easter Eve Service

May 2011 10 Annual Meeting / Election of Officers 7:30 p.m. 19 Board of Trustees 6:00 p.m.

June 2011 11 Michigan Council of Deliberation - Shanty Creek 14 Valley Officer Orientation 16 Board of Trustees 6:00 p.m.

July 2011 23 Casino Trip

Blue Water Club Lou Stevich 810.982.6579Port Huron Masonic TempleRear Door - Lower Level927 6th StreetPort Huron , MI 48060 3rd Monday, 6:30 P.M. Macomb ClubAl McKay, MSA 586.773.3093Old Country Buffet35543 S. Gratiot Clinton TownshipLast Saturday, 9:00 A.M. Oakland Club Kenneth Martin248.889.9774Jimi’s Restaurant714 S. Washington Royal Oak2nd Monday, 6:15 P.M.

Club of the LakesLes Ferguson517.546.1880Pinckney Masonic Center210 Mann St. in Pinckney3rd Sunday, 11:00 A.M.

Downriver ClubMichael J. Stetz 313.271.8018Leon’s Family Dining23830 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn2nd Saturday, 9:00 A.M. Jackson ClubKen Strobel 517.787.2680Marr’s Grill 3306 Francis St.. - Jackson2nd Sunday, 8:30 A.M. Monroe Club Joel E. Clement734.752.8834Leon’s Family Dining23830 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn2nd Saturday, 9:00 A.M.

Support Your Club

The Board of Trustees of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Detroit

32o Masons and Their Families907 Monroe StreetDearborn, MI 48124-2309

Dated Material - Please Do Not Delay