News

Portland Valley Rite Night Guest Speaker

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Rite Night Guest Speaker

Tuesday April 3rd, at 7 pm the Rite Night Guest Speaker will be our very own Brother Bruce Kent, 32°, KCCH & Financial Advisor from Edward Jones sharing with us two exciting topics. Brother Kent’s talk will be on the “100 drop in the Dow is not what it use to be and Take off your rose colored glasses.”

This is definitely one not to miss!

Schedule
6:00 pm Dinner [Meatloaf]
7:00 pm Presentation

Visiting Scottish Rite members welcome. Dinner is just $15. Please RSVP for dinner by 11am Monday the 2nd at officemanager@portlandsr.com

2018 9th Annual Southern Oregon Spring Reunion Pre-Registration Attendance Form

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2018 9th Annual Southern Oregon Spring Reunion

Pre-Registration Attendance Form

Those attending the Spring Reunion in Medford on May 18 & 19, 2018, are requested to fill in this form with the names of valley members, candidates.

The Friday evening’s events will include a gourmet buffet dinner at 5:30 pm Friday the 18th includes:

(3) Chicken Cacciatore w, homemade marinara sauce w, Sweet Onions & tri-colored bell peppers, or (4) Poached Salmon with a lemon and fresh dill cream sauce.

Both dinners will have an Oregon salad – with pears, crumbled bleu cheese and walnuts with a balsamic vinaigrette, a vegetable, starch and dessert.

(If any in your party requires a vegetarian dinner or is allergic to nuts, cheese products, or other, there is a space provided on this form)

(Saturday morning’s Continental Breakfast is free and will begin at 7:00 am)

 

There will be no dinner or lunch tickets sold at the door

 

Fridays’ Dinner – Candidates x ______ Valley Members x _______ Which Valley__________

 

Total Attending________ x $ 15.00     $ __________

 

Saturdays’ Lunch – Candidates x ______Valley Members x _______

 

Total Attending________ x $ 10.00     $ ___________

 

Total >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>       $ ___________

 

Please send your check with this form to be received by May 10th, 2018 To;

 

Medford Valley Scottish Rite

3581 Lear Way

Medford, Or. 97504

541-772-2205 Fax 866-906-0266

Medfordscottishrite.org

 

In the spaces provided below please list (print) the candidates and valley members by name and check off their meal preference 1,2,3, or 4 with # 1 for Vegetarian or # 2 for allergic in the box provided.

 

Candidates:                                                                 Valley Members

 

___________________________________[   ]   _____________________________________[   ]

___________________________________[   ]   _____________________________________[   ]

___________________________________[   ]   _____________________________________[   ]

___________________________________[   ]   _____________________________________[   ]

___________________________________[   ]   _____________________________________[   ]

___________________________________[   ]   _____________________________________[   ]

___________________________________[   ]   _____________________________________[   ]

___________________________________[   ]   _____________________________________[   ]

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Please make a note, this reunion is a men’s only event

 

9th ANNUAL SOUTHERN OREGON SPRING REUNION SCHEDULE

 

MEDFORD VALLEY SCOTTISH RITE

May 18th and 19th 2018

 

Friday

1:30 – 2:30 pm            Registration – Check-in – Snacks in Dining Room

2:30 – 3:15                  4th Degree Conferral – Medford

3:15 – 3:30                  Communicate 5th Degree

3:30 – 4:00                  6th Degree Conferral – Medford

4:00 – 4:15                  Communicate 7th degree

4:15 – 5:00                   8th Degree Conferral – Medford

5:00 – 5:30                   Communicate 9th through 13th degree

5:30                             Banquet Dinner

 

Saturday

7:00 –  8:30 am           Continental breakfast

8:45 –  9:45                14th Degree Conferral – Medford

9:45- 10:00                Communicate 15th – 17th Degree

10:00 -11:15               18th Degree Conferral – Eugene

11:15 -12:30 pm         Lunch

12:30 – 1:15                Communicate 19th – 29th Degree

1:15 –  2:15                30th Degree Conferral – Roseburg

2:15 –  2:30                Communicate 31st degree

2:30 –  3:30                32nd Degree Conferral – Medford

3:30 –  4:00                Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Closing remarks and

Capping Ceremony

Click Here to download form S. Oregon reunion registration 2018

Annual Ceremony of Remembrance & Renewal. Portland Valley.

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Greetings Brethren,

On Tuesday March 13th, 2018 the Portland Valley Scottish Rite will be having our Annual Ceremony of Remembrance & Renewal.

This Ceremony is observed by Scottish Rite Rose Croix Chapters around the world and is considered to be a mandatory meeting for all Scottish Rite Members. During this ceremony Scottish Rite Freemasons remember and honor their Brethren who have passed to the Celestial Lodge in the previous year and commemorate the dignity and divine origin of mankind.

This observance is to strengthen the ties of brotherly love, past and present. Particularly highlighted are the ideals of Rebirth, Freedom and Fraternity.

Schedule
Clarke Trust 5:30 pm
Officers Meeting 6:00 pm
Doors: 6:00 pm
Dinner 7:00 pm [Braised Brisket & Brown Mushroom Gravy]
Ceremony 7:30 pm

Invited Guests of Scottish Rite Members and all Masons and their loved ones are welcome, the preferred attire for the occasion is formal.

Please RSVP for you and your guests if you plan to attend dinner by Email at officemanager@portlandsr.com.

Humility by Jason Jones

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A young man in Masonry receives many invaluable gifts and experiences that he should always cherish, for me the on of the most invaluable gifts that I truly cherish are those brethren who have lived many of years more than myself. The lessons they have taught me I will never forget and often times remind me of characteristics I believe is necessary of a Mason, that I should never neglect.  Those brethren are often times two even three times my age, which many would presume would leave a generational gap, but for what they continue to do for me I consider them the best of friends.

            I have never thought of myself as one to brag, as far as Masonry I believe my excitement and pride overwhelms me, but a brother Mason well beyond my years reminded me to always be humble. One evening, a group of Masons assembled to support the local Order of Rainbow Girls Chapter at an inspection. I had and still do on occasion attended Rainbow functions dressed in Class A Commandery uniform, and always share my Commandery name, office and attempt to explain the uniform.

We each wore the regalia of a Masonic body in town, and at the start of the meeting the Mother Advisor asked us to stand so we could be recognized by all in attendance.

            As we rose the first brother to speak, one of the most decorated Masons I have ever had the privilege to know, a 50+ year Mason with more accolades than everyone else in the room combined says to the lodge “My name is Bob and I am a Master Mason.” To the young ladies about to be inspected this did not mean much, but the Masons in the room were rather taken back. The man who we all admire and look up to refused to acknowledge any of his hard work and dedication that he has given to Masonry over his many years of service.

            While the others waited on me to introduce myself I could not help but lose myself in thought. I thought back to when I began my journey in Masonry, the presentation of the White Leather Apron in the Entered Apprentice Degree and all the lessons of the Masters Degree. In my head I remembered hearing the Masters words “There is no higher honor…” After my thought, I answered, “My name is Jason, and I too am a Master Mason.” The rest of the brothers assembled in the room did the same. While something rather small I will always be so grateful for instances such as that one, reminding me of how to conduct myself in life.

            Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility gentleness, and patience

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Medford Valley Reunion Update and Awards

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1.  The date of our 2018 Southern Oregon Scottish Rite Reunion held at the Medford Valley Scottish Rite Center has been recently changed due to scheduling conflicts with various Masonic organizations.

The new dates for the 2018 Reunion will be May 18th & 19th, 2018.  More information will be forthcoming on this but, we wanted to get the revised dates out as soon as possible.  The registration Forms for the Reunion will be posted on the Scottish Rite Blog when available in the near future.

2.  Illustrious Brother Jim Preston, 33* presented Brother Gary Cadle with his Certificate, Jewel and Pins for completion of the Master Craftsman Program at the Medford Valley Stated Meeting on February 12, 2018.

The Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection lead a hardy round of applause for our Brothers hard work and dedication to the Master Craftsman Program and his meritorious achievement; well done Gary!

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3.  The Medford Valley Scottish Rite recently initiated the Knight of the Double Eagle Service Award program as a means of recognizing those members who actively participate in Valley programs and Scottish Rite sponsored events.  Medford Valleys first Knighting ceremony of the Order of Knights of the Double Eagle was held on February 19, 2018.   This investiture was given to those Brothers who demonstrated conspicuous zeal in their efforts to further the customs and ceremonies of the Medford Valley of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.  The ceremony was open to the public and eleven Brothers of the Medford Valley earned the privilege of being conferred the title of Knight of the Double Eagle, were presented with the jewel, and patent prior to a Banquet Dinner held in their honor.   Illustrious Brother Jim Preston, 33* conducted the ceremony and complimented the new Knights on their dedication and commitment to the Medford Valley Scottish Rite and community.

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Portland Valley 22° and 23° Conferral

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Tuesday the 20th of March, at 7:30 o’clock pm, the Portland Valley Scottish Rite will confer the 22nd & 23rd Degree of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, “Knight Royal Axe, Prince of Libanus” and “Chief of the Tabernacle”.

All Scottish Rite Members of the 21st° or higher are welcome to attend. Visiting Brethren will need current dues card showing membership in the Scottish Rite. Attendance is exclusively for members of the Scottish Rite, as with all of our events, this is not open to the public.

The Duties of the Degrees are; “Respect labor for its own sake, and do work” and “Be devoted to the service of God. Constantly endeavor topromote the welfare of man. Act with proper subordination to your superiors.”
The Lessons of the Degrees is; “Work is the mission of man” and “Simple faith is wiser than vain philosophy. A society’s concept of the Deity and the universe are consistent with its development.”

Schedule
7:00 pm Dinner [Meatloaf & mashed potatoes]
7:30 pm Scottish Rite University Intro
7:45 pm Degree
After the degree there will be a cast party and Social in the Members Lounge.

Confirmations on Facebook of attendance will not be counted for dinner. Please RSVP by email to officemanager@portlandsr.com for dinner reservations by no later than 11:00 am on the Monday before the event. Any requests that come in after the cut off will go on the standby list.

Kadosh Stated Meeting for March 2018 Portland Valley.

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Greetings Brethren,

On Tuesday, March 6th the Council of Kadosh will be opening for the March Stated Meeting for the Portland Valley.

We will have short reports & the status of various projects in the works as well as discussing logistics of the upcoming May Reunion.

*Body Heads will talk about their specific body’s duties and what they have coming up in the future.
*Membership growth – Get petitions out to the Blue Lodges!
*Status of ritual work…specifically about the upcoming Spring Reunion.
*Balloting on new candidates for Reunion.

Dinner will be just $15 and it’s Taco Tuesday!
Please RSVP for dinner by emailing officemanager@portlandsr.com

Schedule
6:30 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Stated Meeting (Council of Kadosh Full, other Bodies open by proclamation)
Refreshments to follow

Frank W. Baltes Ca. 1882 by Michael D. Robinson 32° KCCH.

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1897 Frank W Baltes

Frank W. Baltes Ca. 1882 

Frank William Baltes was born on March 19, 1860 near Oak Point, Washington, just across and upriver from Astoria. He was trained in the Printing business and became President and Manager of the F.W. Baltes Printing Co. in Portland by 1890, they specialized in “Books and Job printers”.

Cylinder press Baltes

On November 12, 1887 he filed a patent for a Receiving Table for Cylinder Printing Presses (serial # 254965). The combination, with a receiving-table, of finger guides, adjustably secured to said table and provided with laterally projecting arms, substantially as described, whereby the fingers are made to serve a twofold purpose-viz., guides to the sheet and stops for the fly-asset forth.

He printed the books and Reunion programs for the Scottish Rite for many years.

He was Raised a Master Mason in Temple Lodge #7 in Astoria on March 27, 1882[1]. He was appointed Senior Deacon to serve out the rest of 1882. He demitted from Temple Lodge and petitioned Portland Lodge #55 in Portland on February 2, 1883 and was received by affiliate on March 2, 1883. He was appointed Senior Deacon in 1884 and elected Junior Warden for 1889 and 1890. He was elected Senior Warden in 1890 and served as Master of Portland Lodge #55 in 1891. He joined Al Kader Shrine on May 17, 1888.

1897 F W Baltes 1891

Frank W. Baltes

Master of Portland Lodge #55 in 1891

He joined the Portland Scottish Rite and received the 4° on March 3, 1891, 14° March 17, 1891, 18° July 21, 1891, 30° January 26, 1892 and the 32° January 31, 1893. He was elected KCCH on October 19, 1897. He received his 50 year pin on December 25, 1931. He died on October 31, 1932 in Portland, Oregon. His Masonic service was held at the Portland Crematorium on November 2, 1932. He was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Astoria.

 

Baltes married page 69

Frank Baltes married Josephine May on Jan 17, 1895 in Tecoma, Washington

Baltes Printing

Baltes Company from the Portland Directory

 

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Early Reunion Program Printed by the F.W. Baltes Company

[1] The records of Portland Lodge #55 say he was Raised on March 27, 1881. First problem was he couldn’t legally join until he was 21, his birthday being March 19, that would leave 8 days to receive the degrees and give back his proficiencies. Second the Grand Lodge Proceedings show that he went through the degrees between May 1881 and May 1882.

About the author:

MDR Fall 2016

Michael D. Robinson 32° KCCH, was the second Master Mason Raised in Esoterika Lodge #227, and the first member Raised in that Lodge to serve as Worshipful Master. He was elected Master in 2013 and 2014, and currently serves as Historian.  He is also Historian for Research Lodge #198 and Eugene Lodge #11 and District Deputy of District #13. Brother Robinson was appointed Historian of the Scottish Rite Orient of Oregon in December of 2014. He was the recipient of the “Novus Astorum” from the Portland Valley Scottish Rite in 2010, and the Hiram Award from Esoterika Lodge in 2012. In March of 2015 he was made Secretary of the Eugene Valley, and Director of the Work for that Valley in January of 2017.

Portland Valley 21st° Conferral

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Tuesday the 20th of February, at 7:30 o’clock pm, the Portland Valley Scottish Rite will confer the 21st Degree of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, “Noachite, or Prussian Knight”.

All Scottish Rite Members of the 20th° or higher are welcome to attend. Visiting Brethren will need current dues card showing membership in the Scottish Rite. Attendance is exclusively for members of the Scottish Rite, as with all of our events, this is not open to the public.

The Duties of the Degree are; “Be humble and modest, trusting in God. Be steadfast and courageous in the face of adversity”
The Lesson of the Degree is; “The downfall of evil is certain. A free and independent judiciary is necessary to human progress. Journalism should be fair, just and responsible.”

Schedule
6:45 pm Dinner [Meatloaf and mashed potatoes]
7:30 pm Scottish Rite University Intro
7:45 pm Degree
After the degree there will be a cast party and Social in the Members Lounge.

Confirmations on Facebook of attendance will not be counted for dinner. Please RSVP by email to officemanager@portlandsr.com for dinner reservations by no later than 11:00 am on the Monday before the event. Any requests that come in after the cut off will go on the standby list.