Happy Independence Day America! Take a few minutes today and read the Declaration of Independence https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
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The Syracuse Knights of St. Andrew held its first Bannockburn Banquet on Saturday, June 15th, 2019 at the historic Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia, NY. The Bannockburn Banquet commemorated the Battle of Bannockburn of June 1314. It was a Scottish victory by King of Scots Robert the Bruce against the army of King Edward II of England in the First War of Scottish Independence. Legend has it that a band of Knights Templar assisted the Bruce in achieving this victory. Rev. Steve Maddox recited some items of note with regard to the Battle. Venerable Master, Ryan Hanlon did a fine job setting up the event at the Brae Loch, even arranging for a Scotch tasting! Rick Powell hosted the event despite sporting a back brace due to a recent injury. Special thanks to Mark Stinson who provided the bagpiping for the evening. A great time was had by all. See you next year! The Children's Dyslexia Center - CNY held its Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, June 11th in the Pavilion at the OES Campus... On Saturday March 9th, representatives from ALL the Scottish Rite Valleys in New York State gathered in Syracuse for the 2019 Council of Deliberation Leadership Conference. It was a day filled with great education, discussion and fellowship!   Robert Sullivan Finley, 82, of Jamestown, NY, passed away unexpectedly at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 12, 2019, in his home.
An area resident for most of his life, he was born February 22, 1936 in Albuquerque, New Mexico the son of the late Robert Rankin and Mary Jane Sullivan Finley. Robert was a graduate of the former Bemus Point High School in 1954 and attended Jamestown Community College for two years. After college he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Maine for two years where he attended on base classes from the University of Maine. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force on July 24, 1958. Following his discharge he returned to Jamestown where he met his wife of 54 years ‘Kay”. They were married in 1961 and at that time he became associated with is father-in-law in C.H. Bromley Motor Lines where he worked as a truck driver and later was a supervisor. The business was sold in 1970 and he became a customer service manager for a large local sheet metal fabrication company and was promoted to New York State Sales Manager where he served clients such as Eastman Kodak, IBM and Zerox Corporation. Bob was also associated with a local radio station and worked as a play-by-play sports announcer, broadcasting over 1500 games, both at the high school level and the college level. He had the opportunity to broadcast the NJCAA National Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson, KS, four times. Over the years Bob had owned and operated a local bedding manufacturing company for 10 years and also owned a small market radio station and served as President for 8 years, serving on the Board of Directors of ABC Information Radio. His later years were spent working in the automobile business as a salesman and sales manager for three local auto dealers retiring in 1999. For the next 16 years he worked as a part-time Medical Courier for a large national clinical laboratory, finally retiring in 2014. Bob was a very active member of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where he served as an acolyte, dean of acolytes, sang in the choir for 30 years and was a licensed lay reader and a vestryman for over 25 years. He was also a community activist having memberships in several organizations including Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, Jamestown Elks Lodge, serving as Exalted Ruler from 2011-2012 and a trustee from2012-2017, the Thule Lodge, Viking Lodge, the American Legion and the War Vets Recreation Club. Bob’s major involvement for many years was his dedication to the Masonic Lodge both on the local, state and national level, where he has held many offices and has received numerous accolades for his love and dedication to Masonry. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in the Mount Moriah Lodge #145, Jamestown, NY in June 1970. He held plural memberships in Peacock Lodge #696, Mayville, NY, where he served as Master in 1985 and Carroll Lodge #1147, Frewsburg, NY. His other memberships include, Pennsylvania Lodge of Research (charter member), Jamestown Lodge of Perfection (Honorary Thrice Potent Master), Jamestown Council Princes of Jerusalem (Honorary Sovereign Prince), Jamestown Chapter of Rose Croix (Most Wise Master), Jamestown Consistory (Past Commander in Chief), Valley of Jamestown (Past Treasurer), the Valley of Rochester, New York State Council of Deliberation (Past Secretary), Western Sun Chapter #67, Royal Arch Masons, Jamestown, (Past High Priest), Order of the Olde Saratoga, Dunkirk Council of Crypic Masons # 25, Dunkirk, NY, (Past Master), St. Georges Council, Order of Anointed Kings, Jamestown Commandery #61 (Past Commander), Dunkirk Commandery #40, Blaney Commandery #5, Tremont, IL, Empire State Commandery #83Willermoz Lodge #1, Sovereign Order of the Knight Preceptors, Demolay, Honorary Legion of Honor, the Knights of the York Cross of Honor, the Red Cross of Constantine, St. Marks Conclave, Buffalo, NY, United Grand Imperial Council, Red Cross of Constantine (Past Grand Sovereign), St. Thomas of Acon, Pilgrim Chapel #1, Royal Order of Scotland, Grand Lodge of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, Knight Masons, Fenian Council #72 (Life Member), York Right College, Niagara Frontier College #77, Buffalo, NY, Kharram Grotto, Jamestown, NY, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Rochester Forest #133, Ismailia Shrine Temple AAONMS, Buffalo, NY, Jamestown Shrine Club (Past President), Royal Order of the Jesters and Life Member of the Kachina Klub. Surviving is his wife, Katherine (Kay) Finley, whom he married May 13, 1961, a sister, Elizabeth (Leonard) Nordin of Jamestown, NY, a niece, Dinae Cooksey of Spartanburg, SC, two nephews, Dr. Jeffery (Dawn) Nordin of Grayslake, IL, Daniel (Maria) Nordin of Dunbarton, NH. A memorial service and Masonic funeral service will be held at a later date to be announced in the spring of 2019. Memorials may be made to the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 410 North Main St. Jamestown, NY 14701. You may leave words of condolence to Bob’s family at www.lindfuneralhome.com http://www.post-journal.com/obituaries/2019/01/robert-s-finley/ The Valley of Norwood hosted a successful Brother Bring A Brother event in Norwood, NY last evening. Following a fantastic meal from the Eastern Star, Ill. Rick Powell presented on the College of Freemasonry & the Path Forward and answered questions along with Ill. Robert Crump.  This year we will be offering both the Leon M. Abbott Scholarship through the Supreme Council AASR-NMJ and the NYS Council of Deliberation Scholarship through the NYS Scottish Rite Charities Corporation. Leon M. Abbott Scholarship In 1922, a college scholarship program was inaugurated with an initial appropriation from Supreme Council funds. In 1932, Leon M. Abbott bequeathed additional funds to establish an Education and Charity Fund. The first Abbott scholarship was awarded in 1951. NYS Council of Deliberation Scholarship The New York State Council of Deliberation Scholarships are open to any NY Scottish Rite Mason, his child or grandchild and any member of the NYS Masonic Youth Groups. Be certain to follow the guidelines on the applications and adhere to all deadlines. We do not want to see qualified candidates’ applications rejected due to clerical errors or incomplete documentation. Please be certain to use only the current application form. THIS IS THE ONLY FORM TO BE USED THIS YEAR. Some of our members continue to use old forms that are outdated. Please discard all old applications. Applications submitted on previously issued forms will be returned to the valley submitting them. PLEASE NOTE: This year we will be using one form for the Abbott and NYSCOD Scholarships. Eligibility: Those meeting any of the following criteria are eligible to apply for the 2019 Abbott Scholarship program for undergraduate studies:
Scottish Rite Mason, or a member of a youth organization sponsored by the Masonic fraternity in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction who is:
Remember that all applications and supporting documentation must be submitted and signed by the valley scholarship committee chairman. Incomplete or unsigned forms will be returned to the valley. Supporting documentation must include two (2) copies of the following: a. at least one confidential letter of recommendation; b. the most current college transcript; c. the most current copy of the FAFSA form; d. Students must have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale to qualify. Click on link below for Current 2019 application: 
The Valley of Syracuse held their Veterans Program on Monday, November 12th as part of their Scottish Rite Month activities. Nearly 80 people attended the dinner with more showing up for the program following to celebrate our Veterans. All who have served were brought to the East and presented certificates of appreciation and the Valley honored their Masonic and Non-Masonic Veterans of the Year. Following the presentations, the crowd was treated to Ill. Sandy Sampson's "Ring that Went Around the World" program. |
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