VALLEY ECHOES

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Danville

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite 109 W. North Street Danville, IL 61832

217-446-7620 1-800-917-2277

execsec@aasrdanville.org aasrdanville.org

Winter 2016

THE CLINTON L. SANDUSKY, 33° CENTENNIAL CLASS

April 1 & 2, 2016

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Candidate Registration

4:30 p.m. Class Orientation

5:00 p.m. 4th Degree

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Dinner (Class Dinner will be at 5:45 p.m.)

6:30 p.m. 7th Degree

8:00 p.m. 14th Degree

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016

7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Coffee and Donuts

8:30 a.m. Class Photos

9:00 a.m. 18th Degree

11:15 a.m. 31st DVD Degree - Lodge Room

12:00 Noon Lunch and 16th Degree - Dining Room

1:30 p.m. 32nd Degree

3:00 p.m. Reception - Dining Room

4:30 p.m. Afterglow

Candidate Fees are $200.00 plus dues of $90.00, which will keep the member current until June 30, 2017 for a total of $290.00.

Page 2 Clinton Sandusky Article

Page 2 Building Progress

Page 3 Fall 2015 Class

Page 3 Council Line Article

Page 4 Feast of the Paschal Lamb

Page 4 Ambassadors

Page 5 100 for 100

Page 5 York Rite/Scottish Rite Day

Page 6 Mustang Raffle

Page 6 Chicken Noodle Dinner

Page 6 FAVOR Golf

Page 7 Life Membership Table

Page 7 Scholarships

Page 8 Secretaries Corner

Brothers, Your Valley has established a Brother to Brother calling program with the goal of re-establishing/continuing contact with every member of our Valley. We will at-tempt to communicate with each of you over the next several months, preferably by phone but if not, we will use the US Postal Service. This program is designed to

help us fulfill our Masonic obligation we each took to care for our Brothers. We WILL NOT be asking for time nor money from the members but rather what can your Valley do to help you or to improve your Scottish Rite experience. We have a small group of Brothers who plan on mak-ing these calls and writing these letters. However, if

any of you would like to help with the Brother to Brother program please contact the office or just show up at the next Valley Board meeting(2nd Wed of each month). We will have some pizza for supper and then start in making calls. Fraternally, James W. Both, 33°

BROTHER TO BROTHER PROGRAM

Clinton L. Sandusky, 33°

IN THIS ISSUE:

The Illustrious Clinton L. Sandusky, 33° Centennial Class April 1 and 2, 2016

Article written by Brian L. Pettice, 33°

The Valley of Danville’s spring reunion is scheduled for April 1 and 2, 2016. The year 2016 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Masonic Center in Danville. As we observe this historic milestone, the Valley has decid-ed to celebrate our beginnings as we look to our future. We will, once again, celebrate one of the great men and masons who led the Fraternity in Danville during the years in which the Scottish Rite Bodies were estab-lished here and in which our “new” Masonic Temple was built and occupied. The class for this reunion will be named the Illustrious Clinton L. Sandusky, 33° Centennial Class. Nearly 100 years ago, on April 26, 1916, the corner stone of the “new” Masonic Temple in Danville was laid by Brother Ralph H. Wheeler Most Worship Grand Master of Ma-sons in Illinois. The Valley of Danville, at its spring reunion that year, named its class in honor of Clinton L. Sandusky whose leadership was instrumental to not only bringing the Consistory to the Valley, but also in seeing the new temple built. To this day, Brother Sandusky’s name continues to be associated with the early success of the

Valley of Danville and the development of the Masonic Temple. The Scottish Rite Valley of Danville began its journey in 1904 with the establishment of the Danville Lodge of Perfection. Charters for the Walter A. Stevens Council Princes of Jerusalem and the Gil W. Barnard Chapter of Rose Croix were issued in 1909. On October 2, 1911 a Consistory dispensation was issued and presented to Wilbur Fisk Heath who served as Commander-in-Chief under dispensation. On October 3, 1912 the Char-ter for Vermilion Consistory was issued and the Consistory was constituted on January 10, 1913. Officers were elected at once and Clinton Leroy Sandusky was elected Com-mander-in-Chief. Brother Sandusky served as Commander-in-Chief from 1913 to 1916. He also served as the Thrice Potent Master of the Danville Lodge of Perfection in 1913-1914. It was during his term of office on December 2, 1914 that a vote was held “to buy our present site” and he would help lead the effort as part of the Valley building com-mittee. Brother Sandusky was coroneted a 33° Mason at Boston Massachusetts in 1911. These accomplishments alone warrant admi-ration and honor, but our Illustrious Brother was accomplished in every facet of his life. Brother Sandusky was born on September 30, 1871 in Catlin Illinois. He was raised on his family’s farm near Catlin and attended Fair-mount Schools. He married Miss Sara Mar-ble on October 5, 1892. They would have two children; a daughter, Nina, born in 1894 who died in infancy and a son, Clinton D. Sandusky born in 1912 who, among many accomplishments of his own, would go on to serve the Valley of Danville as Most Wise

Master of the Gil W. Barnard Chapter of Rose Croix and also be coroneted a 33° Ma-son. Brother Sandusky came to Danville in 1896 and, in March of 1900, bought an interest in the business that would become the Sandusky Furniture Store, which he and his wife would operate successfully for many years. As a Freemason, Illustrious Brother Sandusky was among a group of outstanding Freemasons at the beginning of the last cen-tury that would build the foundations on which the fraternity in Danville and Eastern Illinois would thrive for many years to come. He served Olive Branch Lodge No. 38 as Worshipful Master in 1905. He served the Grand Lodge, as well as the brethren and lodges of the region for many years as a Grand Lecturer and as District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-seventh District. He was a member of the Danville York Rite Bodies and Ansar Shrine Temple. In addition to his masonic activities, Brother Sandusky was a leader in many community and benevolent organizations and causes. He was affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332. Along with his wife, he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served it as vice president. He was a Director of Lakeview Hospital and, again with his wife, was on the Board of the Webster Home for Aged Women for many years. Brother Sandusky was often among the first to offer his assis-tance with civic and charitable projects and he and his wife’s efforts benefitted the com-munity and its citizens greatly. Brother Sandusky died on August 26, 1921. He is buried in Danville’s Springhill Ceme-tery. So, we invite you to join us April 1st and 2nd as we celebrate 100 years in our Building and honor the life of one the Masons who made it possible. While you are here take the stairs and stop on the landing between the first and second floors. There you will find a picture of Illustrious Clinton L. Sandusky, 33° and a wonderful stained glass window he donated to beautify the Temple he was so crucial in bringing to our Fraternity.

The Tenth Class, Spring 1916.

BUILDING COMMITTEE PROGRESS A great deal has happened since the last Valley Echo was sent. I hope you have had an opportunity to see the positive changes to the building’s exterior. The next step is making the front of the building ADA compliant. We are hoping this can be accomplished by the time of the spring reunion; it all depends on the weather and contractor. It will definitely be finished in time for our 100th anniver-sary the end of April.

The building committee continues to meet monthly and is starting to priori-tize projects according to the Master Plan. We know the roof needs to be replaced and that is a priority, but also a very expensive item. We are consider-ing an ADA compliant women’s bath-room adjacent to the men’s bathroom on the first floor. This would enable us to rent the dining area and keep the Learning Center secured.

We are proud of what has been accom-plished thus far and look forward to our future improvements. We would en-courage you to consider making a con-tribution for the maintenance and up-grades of the building in this our 100th year. Have you joined the 32 Club by pledging 32 cents per day? Michael Puhr, Building Committee Chairman

THE SOCIETY OF PAST MASTERS CLASS - FALL 2015

William L. Alexander Derek J. Ballard William A. Evans Richard F. Gray David L. Hamilton James D. Johnston, Jr. Sean R. Kilian

Robert S. Meece James D. Peplow, III Ian L. Pettman Gary L. Phillips Michael A. Robinson Charles R. Ross Rodney S. Symonds

Robert W. Szoke William L. Szoke Clarence L. Walker, III

Brethren,

First of all, I hope you have all been well during this past quarter, and have had a good holiday season. I also hope to see, as many of you as are able to attend, at our upcoming Spring Reunion. While the Reunion is an event built around the focus of the exemplification of our Degrees, thus conveying the principles therein contained, and is the avenue through which we wel-come new Brethren into the fold of our Val-ley, it is also so much more. It is an oppor-tunity for us to meet new Brethren, to get to know one another a little better, and renew acquaintances with friends and Brothers whom we may only see a couple times a year. Hence, why it is called a “reunion.” As such, your Scottish Rite “Family” is waiting to reunite with you in friendship, fellowship, and camaraderie; and I encour-age, and invite, you to avail yourself of this wonderful opportunity.

Your Council Officers continue to work diligently to formulate ideas for activi-ties and events that might pique your inter-

est. As mentioned in the previous issue of the “Valley Echoes,” on January 23rd we conducted the first annual “Council of Reflection.” This was the sec-ond installment of a two part Council “Line” event. It was very well received, with a lot of positive remarks and feedback from those attending. It began with a nice meal, graciously prepared and served by Illustrious Brother Bob Jones and his staff, while music appropriate to the occasion played softly in the background. The pro-gram commenced after dinner with some brief welcoming and explanatory remarks, as well as the proposal of a philosophical question to be discussed later in the pro-gram. Following the opening comments, there was an educational presentation on St. John the Evangelist, given by Past Sover-eign Prince Jimmy Frey, we then proceeded with the observance of the traditions associ-ated with the celebration of the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, together with an expla-nation of the meaning and symbolism of those traditions, and the feast itself. Finally, in accordance with the traditions laid down in the Degrees of the Council of Princes of

Jerusalem, a discussion, or debate, was held on the philosophical question proposed ear-lier in the program, with a prize being awarded to the person who was deemed to have answered most wisely. A video record-ing of this event is available on the Valley website in the photo and video gallery.

The Officers of the Council Line are still willing to take the 15° & 16° on the road. As such, we will be performing the16° at the Travelling Board Meeting at Bridge-port on April 13th. So please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to see these degrees exemplified at your Lodge. We have also discussed the possibility of a fundraiser or two. While nothing is current-ly planned, further information will be forthcoming as talks proceed and decisions are made. Finally, please remember that your Council Officers are here to serve you, and we welcome your input as to how we may best do this. I hope to see you all at the upcoming Spring Reunion.

Fraternally, Jason C. Kinsolving Sovereign Prince

News from the Council Line

Class Officers: President - Ian L. Pettman; Vice President - Clarence L. Walker, III;

Secretary - James D. Peplow, III; Treasurer - Robert W. Szoke; Orator - James D. Johnson, Jr.

Photos by Bruce Huff Photography

Valley Ambassadors - Make sure you are sharing Scottish Rite information with your Lodge! If you need flyers for upcoming Scottish Rite Events or petitions to pass out, please call the Valley Office. Flyers and Petitions can also be found on our website: aasrdanville.org. It would also be helpful if you reported deaths of members in your lodge. Ambassadors are still needed for the following Lodges: Ridge Farm #632, Bement #365, Bloomfield #148, Paris #268, Jackson #53, Watson #602, Olney #140 and Flora #204. Ambassadors share information with their Lodge about Scottish Rite. If you are excited about Scottish Rite and want to share information about it, call the Valley Office at 217-446-7620. Brother Michael Dooley is our Ambassador Committee Chairman.

VALLEY AMBASSADORS

Brethren…As we are approaching our Spring Reunion 2016; we are also approaching another milestone in our Valley of Danville’s rich histo-ry. I am speaking of the Centennial Year of our building and current location. We are celebrat-ing our fraternal home, steeped in traditions and significance to us all.

Thinking of the historical significance of our Valley building not only to our fraternity, the Members it has served and continues to serve; but also to our community and the region. In 1916….Woodrow Wilson was President, the Chicago Cubs played their first game at Wee-ghaman Park now known as Wrigley Field that year and the Valley of Danville – AASR opened its doors to a brand new building and location. What an exciting time that must have been and the confidence those Members had in them-selves as Masons, a relatively new Valley; but also in the confidence they had as a Masonic appendant fraternity to last for years to come.

I am sure many of you who have been on the second & third floor have looked through the pictures of significant events and pictures of Classes from these years gone by. Good men, our fraternal Brothers and Master Masons who had and have participated in Scottish Rite, who helped to create and expand the Valley of Dan-ville over the years. Thinking of that…would it not be great to have Classes like that again and fill our Preceptory at Reunion time? I for one think we can if we all work together. I think working together we can strive for 100 Candi-dates for our 100th building year for the Spring Reunion.

Our internal research tells us there are many Brother Master Masons within the theoretical borders of our Valley, in good standing with their Lodge that for whatever reason have no affiliation nor membership with Scottish Rite, Valley of Danville in particular or another Valley besides ours. I for one was surprised at the numbers and within our geographic area. Thinking of how vast the Valley of Danville the-oretical boundaries are, north to south and east to west, the number of Blue Lodges contained within that area we might serve , one can only assume from this research information there are many other Brother Master Masons , for whatever reason, have not yet enjoyed the Scottish Rite Experience of Masonry.

Now, we do know that there is no higher Degree than that of a Master Mason. The Scottish Rite however offers, through the Degrees and op-portunity, an enrichment of the tenets, princi-pals and philosophy of Freemasonry found in the Symbolic Lodge and a widened fellowship. It is what a Brother from the Valley of Chicago coined the phrase at a meeting I had attended a while back saying … “Scottish Rite is the Col-lege of Freemasonry’’.

With that said …is there a Brother Master Ma-son you may know who has not enjoyed the honor and fellowship of the Scottish Rite Expe-rience and in becoming a 32nd Degree Scottish

Rite Mason? If you are like me Brother…that answer is yes. Thinking of all of our current Scottish Rite Members throughout our Valley and if together we all asked just one to consider petitioning, our membership would double. It may just start with a single friendly conversa-tion, with a Brother Master Mason and friend you know well and it goes from there. Intro-ducing Scottish Rite membership and the sup-port of current Members is everyone’s oppor-tunity.

I am asking you Brother for the favor of your review and consideration to help share the Scottish Rite Experience, in building member-ship and fellowship in the one of the finest Val-leys of the AASR Northern Masonic Jurisdic-tion; the Valley of Danville. We, as a Scottish Rite Mason do have a lot to offer, specifically in our Valley of Danville and with 100 plus years of heritage and counting. Share with others, what you have enjoyed as a Member of the Valley of Danville.

In the last issue of Echoes a Petition for De-grees was provided. Petitions can also be ob-tained and downloaded from our Valley of Dan-ville web-site. If you have questions or need to request additional petitions or information re-garding petitioning and fees; you may contact your Valley Ambassador in your Lodge , the Valley of Danville office by “E” mail

execsec@aasrdanville.org or by calling (217) 446-7620 or 800- 917-2277. Web-page www.aasrdanville.org

Let us all work together in sharing our Scottish Rite Experience with our Brother Master Ma-sons and to make this Spring Reunion 2016 and our building Centennial Year one they will talk about for years to come.

Michael J. Dooley, Membership Chairman

100 FOR 100

What does F.A.V.O.R. stand for? FAVOR stands for Fraternal and Veterans Or-ganization Rally. We are working along with other Fraternities and Veterans Groups in our Valley. What is FAVOR Golf? Favor Golf is a Valley of Danville Fundraiser! It is barstool golf that happens at several locations in Danville. The Fraternal Organizations and Veterans Groups sell raffle tickets and raise money through registered teams. How can you get involved? Call 3 friends, call the Valley Office to register your 4 person team for $80, show up on Satur-day, April 23, 2016 and have fun! You can also call the Valley Office for 50/50 Raffle tickets. The last 2 years, the winners have won over $1,000! Raffle tickets will be sold at our Spring Reunion on April 1 & 2, 2016 as well. Still have questions? Call the Valley Office at 217-446-7620. See you there!

Danville Children’s Dyslexia Center CHICKEN NOODLE DINNER

Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable, Drink,

Dessert

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016

Masonic Temple - 109 W. North Street, Danville, IL

Serving 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Call 217-446-7620 or 217-446-9377 for Tickets

$7.00 Carry-Outs Available

Our own Robert E. Jones, 33° is not only the Learning Cen-

ter Board President, but the head chef for this event!

Current Valley of Danville Annual Dues = $90.00 Age Life Membership 3 Annual 12 Quarterly 36 Monthly Age Life Membership 3 Annual 12 Quarterly 36 Monthly

Fee Payments of Payments of Payments of Fee Payments of Payments of Payments of

18 $2,051.10 $683.70 $170.93 $56.98 67 $1,058.40 $352.80 $88.20 $29.40 19 $2,042.10 $680.70 $170.18 $56.73 68 $1,025.10 $341.70 $85.43 $28.48 20 $2,032.20 $677.40 $169.35 $56.45 69 $992.70 $330.90 $82.73 $27.58 21 $2,023.20 $674.40 $168.60 $56.20 70 $959.40 $319.80 $79.95 $26.65 22 $2,013.30 $671.10 $167.78 $55.93 71 $927.00 $309.00 $77.25 $25.75 23 $2,002.50 $667.50 $166.88 $55.63 72 $893.70 $297.90 $74.48 $24.83 24 $1,991.70 $663.90 $165.98 $55.33 73 $861.30 $287.10 $71.78 $23.93 25 $1,980.90 $660.30 $165.08 $55.03 74 $828.90 $276.30 $69.08 $23.03 26 $1,969.20 $656.40 $164.10 $54.70 75 $796.80 $265.50 $66.38 $22.13 27 $1,957.50 $652.50 $163.13 $54.38 76 $765.00 $255.00 $63.75 $21.25 28 $1,944.90 $648.30 $162.08 $54.03 77 $733.50 $244.50 $61.13 $20.38 29 $1,932.30 $644.10 $161.03 $53.68 78 $702.00 $234.00 $58.50 $19.50 30 $1,918.80 $639.60 $159.90 $53.30 79 $672.30 $224.10 $56.03 $18.68 31 $1,905.30 $635.10 $158.78 $52.93 80 $642.60 $214.20 $53.55 $17.85 32 $1,890.90 $630.30 $157.58 $52.53 81 $613.80 $204.60 $51.15 $17.05 33 $1,876.50 $625.50 $156.38 $52.13 82 $585.00 $195.00 $48.75 $16.25 34 $1,861.20 $620.40 $155.10 $51.70 83 $558.00 $186.00 $46.50 $15.50 35 $1,845.00 $615.00 $153.75 $51.25 84 $531.90 $177.30 $44.33 $14.78 36 $1,828.80 $609.60 $152.40 $50.80 85 $506.70 $168.90 $42.23 $14.08 37 $1,811.70 $603.90 $150.98 $50.33 86 $483.30 $161.10 $40.28 $13.43 38 $1,794.60 $598.20 $149.55 $49.85 87 $459.90 $153.30 $38.33 $12.78 39 $1,776.60 $592.20 $148.05 $49.35 88 $438.30 $146.10 $36.53 $12.18 40 $1,757.70 $585.90 $146.48 $48.83 89 $417.60 $139.20 $34.80 $11.60 41 $1,737.90 $579.30 $144.83 $48.28 90 $396.90 $132.30 $33.08 $11.03 42 $1,718.10 $572.70 $143.18 $47.73 91 $377.10 $125.70 $31.43 $10.48 43 $1,698.30 $566.10 $141.53 $47.18 92 $358.20 $119.40 $29.85 $9.95 44 $1,677.60 $559.20 $139.80 $46.60 93 $340.20 $113.40 $28.35 $9.45 45 $1,656.00 $552.00 $138.00 $46.00 94 $322.20 $107.40 $26.85 $8.95 46 $1,634.40 $544.80 $136.20 $45.40 95 + $305.10 $101.70 $25.43 $8.48 47 $1,612.80 $537.60 $134.40 $44.80 48 $1,589.40 $529.80 $132.45 $44.15 49 $1,566.90 $522.30 $130.58 $43.53 50 $1,543.50 $514.50 $128.63 $42.88 51 $1,519.20 $506.40 $126.60 $42.20 52 $1,494.90 $498.30 $124.58 $41.53 53 $1,470.60 $490.20 $122.55 $40.85 54 $1,444.50 $481.50 $120.38 $40.13 55 $1,419.30 $473.10 $118.28 $39.43 56 $1,392.30 $464.10 $116.03 $38.68 57 $1,365.30 $455.10 $113.78 $37.93 58 $1,337.40 $445.80 $111.45 $37.15 59 $1,308.60 $436.20 $109.05 $36.35

LIFE MEMBERSHIP TABLE

Below is the Life Membership Table. If you decide that you would like to buy a life membership, you can pay by mail with a check, stop in at the office or call the office to discuss credit card payments. If you choose this option, the total can be paid over 3 years time. We can take 3 annual payments, 12 quarterly payments or 36 monthly payments. Life Membership payments go into our investment accounts and can only be withdrawn to pay per capita to Supreme Council of our Life Membership Members. As a reminder, annual dues can be paid monthly by credit card by calling the Valley Office and making arrangements.

60 $1,278.90 $426.30 $106.58 $35.53 61 $1,249.20 $416.40 $104.10 $34.70 62 $1,218.60 $406.20 $101.55 $33.85 63 $1,187.10 $395.70 $98.93 $32.98 64 $1,155.60 $385.20 $96.30 $32.10 65 $1,123.20 $374.40 $93.60 $31.20 66 $1,090.80 $363.60 $90.90 $30.30

Do you know a high school senior? We have 6 different scholarships available and award around 50 to 60 schol-arships each year. We have 2 scholarships open to the public, the Health Career Fields and Sherwood and Eve-lyn Kresin Scholarships and 4 scholarships requiring a Masonic relationship. They are: Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Illinois, Robert B. Perkins, Louis L. Williams and Abbott Scholarships. There is just one easy application and it can be found on our website: aasrdanville.org under scholarships. You can also call or stop by the Valley Office to obtain one. The application, high school or college transcripts and letters of recommendation must be received in the Valley Office by April 1 to be considered. Our scholarship chairman is Peter J. Eisenmenger, 33°

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Danville PO Box 693 Danville, IL 61834 Forwarding Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 538

DANVILLE, IL.

Do you have a new phone number or did you get rid of your land line? GIVE US A CALL!

Did you move? GIVE US A CALL!

Have an email address you would like to share? GIVE US A CALL!

Call us at 217-446-7620 or 1-800-917-2277

Our April 13, 2016 Board Meeting will be at Bridgeport

Lodge #386, 201 Washington St, Bridgeport, IL 62417 at 7:00 p.m.

March 6, 2016 Feast of the Paschal Lamb 4:00 p.m. - Masonic Center

March 9, 2016 Stated Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Masonic Center

April 1, 2016 Scholarships are to be in Valley Office by

end of day

April 1 & 2, 2016 Spring Reunion - Masonic Center

April 13, 2016 Stated Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m. Bridgeport

Lodge # 386, 201 Washington St., Bridgeport, IL

April 16, 2016 York Rite/ Scottish Rite Day

Sand Valley, 16395 Lewis Road, Danville, IL

April 23, 2016 FAVOR Golf - Around Danville

April 25, 2016 Learning Center Chicken Noodle Dinner and

Mustang Raffle Drawing - Masonic Center

May 11, 2016 Stated Board Meeting (Annual Meeting) -

7:00 p.m. Masonic Center

June 8, 2016 Stated Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Masonic Center

July 13, 2016 Stated Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

Masonic Center

See flyers and articles in this publication for more information. Check the website: aasrdanville.org and our Facebook Page for upcoming events!