LAKE WORTH SCOTTISH RITE
Lake Worth, Florida
PAST EVENTS
"Too late to attend but never too late to remember"
June Consistory Meeting
Widows of deceased Scottish Rite Members were honored at the June Consistory Meeting held on June 26. A specially designed "widow's pin" was presented to those widows present for the ceremony. Honorable Mike Cribbet, our General Secretary, will mail pins to the widows who could not be present on that night.
May Consistory Meeting
Illustrious Robert Langford, 33rd Degree, spoke at the Consistory Meeting on May 28 about famous Masons who served in the Nations Military from the War of Independence to the current conflict in the Middle East. The closeness of the meeting date to the celebration of Memorial Day made the talk very timely. Especially interesting was the "slides" that Illustrious Langford had prepared to go with his talk.
April Consistory Meeting
On April 23, the Lake Worth Scottish Rite performed
the traditional 14th Degree Ring Ceremony for the second
time in recent years. The evening started with Master of
Kadosh John Clarke, 32nd Degree K.C.C.H. directing the
opening ceremonies. After dinner, we moved to the
Auditorium where the Venerable Master of the Lodge of
Perfection Seymour "Ziggy" Friedman, 32nd Degree
K.C.C.H., directed the Ring Ceremony. The Ring Ceremony
is public and involves the newly inducted Scottish Rite
member and his escort passing through a large gold ring.
The new member is then invested with his 14th degree
ring pyramid and his 32nd degree cap. His escort is
presented with a red rose.
Years ago, each new member was required to purchase and wear the 14th Degree ring, which is a simple gold band with an equilateral triangle embossed thereon. Within the triangle is engraved the Hebrew letter "yod". Inside the ring is the inscription, "Virtus Junxit, Mors Non Separabit" meaning Virtue united and death will not separate. Today, candidates receive a simulated 14th Degree ring in a Plexiglas pyramid. Many members
subsequently elect to purchase either a gold 14th Degree Ring or a 32nd Degree ring with our famous double eagle symbol attached thereon.
Following the Ring Ceremony, Brother J. Scott Carnegie,
32 Degree, lead the induction of the new members joining
the Knights of St. Andrew. Brother Scott was assisted by
Honorable Nat Smith, 32nd Degree K.C.C.H., who placed a
KSA pin on each new member's lapel. The Knights of St.
Andrew is a body of 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Masons
who provide personnel for Flag Ceremonies, Color Guards,
and Arch of Steel Presentations. KSA members also
volunteer for work parties doing maintenance on our
beautiful Scottish Rite facility.
Annual Barbecue
The renowned Scottish Rite Barbecue is a major fund raiser for the Lake Worth Scottish Rite. Held on Sunday, April 13, we continued the old ways by firing up our outdoor barbecue pits to prepare the chicken while the ribs were slow cooked in a smoker. Accompanying the entree were sides of Cole slaw, baked beans and corn. Tea and coffee were available as complementary beverages. Our thanks to Brothers Roy Hernandez Jr. and Roy Hernandez III for coordinating this activity and special thanks to the numerous Brothers who spent many hours helping make this event one of our best ever.
Spring Reunion
Twelve Masonic Brothers became Masters of the Royal Secret when they joined the Lake Worth Scottish Rite at the Spring Reunion on March 28 and 29. Congratulations and welcome.
Ceremony of Lights
The Easter season came early this year, and was duly celebrated by the Scottish Rite Ceremony of Lights on March 20, Maundy Thursday. This ceremony portrays the customs from both the Jewish Passover and Christian Good Friday and Easter. A special part of the Ceremony is the reading of names of our Brothers that passed to the Celestial Lodge during 2007.
March Consistory Meeting
On March 26, 2008, the Consistory Meeting of the Lake Worth Scottish Rite featured the Tax Assessor of Palm Beach County, Gary R. Nikolits speaking about the changes in homestead exemption and portability provisions as contained in the recently passed Constitutional Amendment. Mr. Nikolits also discussed the Tax Assessor's Data Base which allows Internet access to property tax assessment information and data in Palm Beach County.
Knight of the Double Eagle Award Presentation and
Official Visit of the S.G.I.G.
On February 27, 2008, the Valley of Lake Worth held its most popular event of the year, the Knight of the Double Eagle Awards Presentation and the Official Visit of Illustrious Robert L. Goldsmith, Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the State of Florida. Eleven members of the Valley were recognized as new Knights of the Double Eagle for service to the Lake Worth Scottish Rite and were presented with appropriate medallions hung on black ribbons. Thirteen members were awarded either a red, white, or blue bar to attach to the medallion to indicate substantial continuing service to the Rite. Five members received a Gold Bar, indicating completion of the program. Recognizing service beyond the medallion program, four members, Donald Kelley, Sydney King, Glenn Peck and Mike Sinatra, were awarded Red Ribbons; Mervin Stewart was awarded a White Ribbon; and Ewell Menge was awarded a Blue Ribbon. This year, no member qualified for the Gold Eagle Pin. Brother Nat Smith, Jr. received the coveted "Red, White, and Blue Final Award" Ribbon given for a total of 25,000 points earned in service to the Lake Worth Scottish Rite.
Luncheon for Grand Lodge and Eastern Star of New York
On January 26, 2007, the Grand Lodge of New York and the Eastern Star of New York once again held their annual luncheon at the Lake Worth Scottish Rite Masonic Center for their members who now reside in this area. Following the meal, Grand Lodge Officers and Officers of the Eastern Star spoke of the current activities of the Masonic bodies in New York State.
January Consistory Meeting
In recognition of the importance of the Local Masonic Community, the Lake Worth Scottish Rite, at its monthly Consistory Meeting on January 22, recognized and honored incoming and outgoing Masters of Masonic Lodges in our area. Congratulations to Brother John Clarke, 32 Degree KCCH, on presiding over the first Consistory Meeting of his year as Master of Kadosh. Our thanks to Brothers Mike Cribbet, 32 Degree KCCH and Neil Stegall, 33 Degree, for their contribution and participation in the Recognition Ceremony.
December Consistory Meeting
The election of officers for 2008 was the business of the Consistory on December 12, 2007. Brother John Clarke, 32 Degree KCCH, was elected Master of Kadosh, Brother Gunter Diehl, 32 Degree, was elected Prior, Brother Paul Friend, 32 Degree KCCH, was elected Preceptor, and Brother Scott Carnegie, 32 Degree, was elected Chancellor.
In the Council of Kadosh, Brother Ewell Menge, 32 Degree KCCH,was elected Commander, Brother David Lund, 33 Degree, was elected 1st Lt. Commander, and Brother Sydney King, 32 Degree KCCH, was elected 2nd Lt. Commander.
In the Chapter of Rose Croix, Brother Wes Dickmann, 33 Degree, was elected Wise Master, Brother Eric Wold, 32 Degree, was elected Senior Warden, and Brother William Clark, 32 Degree, was elected Junior Warden.
In the Lodge of Perfection, Brother "Ziggy" Friedman, 32 Degree KCCY, was elected Venerable Master, Brother John Kemp, 32 Degree, was elected Senior Warden, and Brother Edwin Yabrow, 32 Degree, was elected Junior Warden.
Brothers Nat Smith, 32 Degree KCCH, and Edwin Yabrow, 32 Degree, were elected as members of the Executive Board At-Large and Brother James Davis, 33 Degree, was elected Treasurer.
Congratulations to all of our new officers.
November Consistory Meeting
At the Consistory Meeting on November 21, Prior John Clarke, 32 Degree KCCH, presented a taste of program to be expected during his tenure as Master of Kadosh in 2008. At the evenings end, Brother Clarke and outgoing Master of Kadosh Ewell Menge KCCH, shook hands as Brother Clarke thanked Brother Menge for his leadership during 2007.
Boston Boil
Members and guests joined together on October 27 for the first annual "Boston Boil". Menu included lobster, clams, mussels, and shrimp. Potatoes, Cole slaw, and rolls rounded out the meal. Much good fellowship transpired.
October Consistory Meeting
At the October Consistory Meeting, it is the custom of the Lake Worth Scottish Rite to recognize members who have obtained 25 years and 50 years of membership in the Rite. We also take this opportunity to honor Community Leaders and to award members who have provided exceptional service to out Valley. This year we were pleased that Boca Raton Naval ROTC lead the opening Flag Ceremony. Brother Nat Smith, KCCH, was selected as the outstanding volunteer for the year and his name will be engraved on the "John Lund" Trophy Plaque".
Fall Reunion
At the 173rd Scottish Rite Reunion held on October 19 and 20, 19 Masonic Brothers were anointed Master of the Royal Secret and constituted Priest and Apostles of the Holy Doctrine. We welcome our new members.
September Consistory Meeting
Long term member John Lund, KCCH, was honored at the September Consistory Meeting. General Secretary Mike Cribbet presented a slide show highlighting the many activities that Brother Lund had participated in over his year of involvement in Scottish Rite Masonry. Brother John's son. David Lund, 33 degree, helped collect information for this presentation. Unveiled at the end of the program was a permanent plaque onto which the name of the outstanding LWSR volunteer for the year will be engraved.
Feast of Tishri
The Lake Worth Scottish Rite observed the Feast of Tishri on Saturday September 8, 2007. The Feast of Tishri is our annual ceremonial observance of the ancient Hebrew Harvest Celebration coupled with the dedication of Kings Solomon's Temple as described in the Holy Scriptures. Held in our Dinning Room, this event is made even more special by the beautiful mural on the west wall portraying the construction of this magnificent temple.
Our thanks to Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection David Haycock, 32 degree, for his effort in coordinating this event and thanks to the many Brothers who assisted in the program and to those who assisted in the food preparation and service.
August Consistory Meeting
The Consistory on August 22 featured a presentation of the 29th Degree, Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew. This was the first time this degree had been performed at the Lake Worth Scottish Rite in twelve years. The cast for this degree was comprised of members of the Lake Worth clan of the Knights of St. Andrew. The performance cast and support groups worked many hours to provide us with a memorial performance.
July Consistory Meeting
On July 18, a Pamela Murphey, a naturalist for the Parks Department of Palm Beach County presented us with view of the recently opened River Bend Park in northern Palm Beach County. This park features many miles of improved hiking and canoe trails, passing through habitat that would have been found in Florida around 1850. The park includes replicas of a homesteaders cabin, a saw mill, and an Indian village. The park is the launch point for the Loxahatchee River Canoe Trail.
