News

Added: July 18, 2005

An Evening with Ill. Ernest Borgnine, 33°, Grand Cross

Pictured left to right: Ill. H. Douglas Lemons, 33°, SGIG in California, Ill. Robert L. Goldsmith, 33°, SGIG in Florida, and Ill. Ernest Borgnine, 33°, G.C.

The Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida spent a fabulous evening with one of our most honored and distinguished Brothers, Illustrious Ernest Borgnine, 33°, Grand Cross. The widely acclaimed actor, humanitarian, and Scottish Rite Mason proved to be every bit as magnanimous as his reputation. That smile, his voice, and laugh held the guests entertained throughout the evening.

The Valley of Orlando hosted this event at the Orlando Scottish Rite Masonic Center where more than 300 attendees enjoyed a reception, prime rib dinner, music, and wonderful fellowship. The highlight, of course, was listening to the stories and humor with the unequalled magnetism of Ill. Borgnine. Ill. Robert L. Goldsmith, 33°, SGIG in Florida, introduced his good friend Ill. Douglas Lemons, 33°, SGIG in California, who traveled with his friend and Brother, Ill. Borgnine. The guest of honor was very surprised, moved, and delighted when Ill. Goldsmith announced that all money raised at this event would be used to establish the “Ernest Borgnine Endowment Trust Fund” used solely for the benefit of the Childhood Language Disorder Clinics supported by the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida.

As an incentive, everyone making a donation or a pledge to this endowment fund received personal thanks from and a picture taken with Bro. Borgnine as well as his autograph. The results were tremendous with donations exceeding $100,000 for the evening!

Mr. Barry Pendry with the All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg, who has been working with the Scottish Rite Foundation for over 30 years, gave a wonderful presentation and then Mrs. Sharon Sheridan, a speech pathologist from the Orlando Speech and Language Clinic, gave a short talk about her experiences and presented a family whose child is being treated by the clinic and receives help and assistance through the Scottish Rite. Ill. Borgnine also reiterated the tremendous work being done by these dedicated professionals and how wonderful it is to be able to be a part of this work.

Added: July 18, 2005

American Military Scottish Rite Bodies Award
$2,000.00 Scholarship

Recently, the Hohenfels American High School in Hohenfels, Germany, selected Kristin Donovan to receive a $2,000.00 Scholarship from the American Military Scottish Rite Bodies, Orient of NATO Bases.

Kristin is the daughter of Sean Donovan and Arlana Young. Kristin will be attending the State University of New York at Oneonta, New York, where she plans to study Fashion Merchandising. Kristin comes from Booneville, California. She has one sister, Caitlin Donovan who attends University of California at Riverside, California. Kristin has been a student of the Hohenfels American High School since the 7th grade, where she has made outstanding contributions to the Hohenfels American High School and her community.

Submitted by Clyde A. Barton, KCCH, Assistant Secretary, AMSRB

Added: July 18, 2005

H. Ross Perot Receives Anson Jones Award

Pictured left to right James D. Ward, 33°, Chairman of the Fort Worth Valley, H. Ross Perot, Margot Perot, and H. F. Tull, 33°, General Secretary. Photo: Fort Worth Business Press.

The Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation held its Grand Annual Banquet on May 21 with 280 members and guest attending at the Fort Worth Masonic Temple for the presentation of scholarships and the prestigious Anson Jones Award. Each year, one or more persons (not necessarily from the Masonic fraternity) are chosen for their humanitarian endeavors and outstanding citizenship to receive the Anson Jones Award.

The Award is named for Anson Jones, who was the first Grand Master of Texas and last president of the Republic of Texas.

The Anson Jones Award has been presented for 22 years to such prominent recipients as Abner V. McCall, Texas Supreme Court Justice and President of Baylor University; Dr. Lucius Waites, originator of Dyslexia training and testing program at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children; Jack E. Hightower, former U.S. Congressman, former Texas Supreme Court Justice, and SGIG in Texas; Sam E. Hilburn, chairman Midland American Bank and former SGIG in Texas; Robert R. “Bobby” Bragan, “Mr. Baseball” with Texas Rangers; Robert D. “Bob” Bullock, Lieutenant Governor of Texas; Dr. John A. Herring, chief Surgeon, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children; James C. Wright, former Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Doyle Willis, former Texas Senator.

This year the award was presented to H. Ross Perot, businessman and philanthropist by Ill. James D. Ward, 33°, President of the Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation. The Fort Worth Valley also presented 40 scholarships totaling $40,000 to merit students and $11,200 four-year scholarships to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Texas Masonic Home and School. Since 1952 the Valley has given over $500,000 to area graduating seniors.

Submitted by Dan Gilbert, 32°, KCCH

Added: July 18, 2005

House of the Temple Playing Cards

The House of the Temple store has a new item in stock: custom-designed bridge-sized playing cards with a unique Scottish Rite design. The backs of the cards include a blue checkered pavement surrounded by a blue border with squares and compasses in the corners. The House of the Temple is featured prominently in the center of the cards. The cards have been subjected to rigorous quality control testing and should satisfy the most demanding customer. They hold up well with standard overhand shuffling and the white borders lend themselves to an Elmsley count with a reversed card in the packet. Even a faro shuffle could be performed, but only after the cards were broken in. The House of the Temple playing cards sell for $10 for a single deck or $18 for a double deck plus $3.76 for domestic shipping (call for international shipping). Call 202-232-3579 or visit our online store to place an order.