Orient of Maryland
3800 North Charles Street
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Dr. Hans R.
Wilhelmsen, 33°
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From Albert Pike, 33°, “That which we do
for ourselves dies with us … that which we do for others lives forever.” |
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Message from Our S.G.I.G.
Dear Brethren,
May I wish all the brethren and their families a happy and healthy 2008. The year 2007 was a good year for the Scottish Rite. The Baltimore Region brought in seventy-eight new members and the Valley of Cumberland brought in twenty-seven members for the year. In Baltimore, we had a reduction in the number of the brethren called to rest. The non-payment of dues could reflect a higher cost of living for those on a fixed income, but the Almoner, Ill. J. Fred Hobine, 33°, is helping out everyone that requests financial assistance with their dues.
The financial picture for your Valley is sound, including the Maryland Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation, which supports the Hilgenberg Childhood Speech and Language Center. The Scottish Rite contribution for the operation of the clinic has increased over 50% since 2003, but with your faithful support of our Foundation and our fundraisers, the assets of the Foundation are growing.
Plans have been made for the third Scottish Rite cruise in August 2008. We will be heading to Alaska. Forty cabins have been set aside and thirty-eight of those have been booked already, a full year in advance. I call the it Scottish Rite Cruise “Fundraising with Fun.”
On the Panama cruise we made $15,000, and on the 14 Day New England Cruise, in October 2007, we raised $20,000. We were delighted that the Grand Master Jack Biggs and lady Pat as well as the Deputy Grand Master Tom Velvin and lady Carole sailed with us. Nobody gets a free cabin. The free cabins that the company awards per cabins sold will be resold for additional revenue. “There is no free lunch!”
The Bull and Oyster Roast was very successful. We netted $12,000, thanks to your support, especially the Scottish Rite Woman's Club. Their cake wheel was the greatest moneymaker. It brought in $703.00. We hope that the ladies will come back for this fall's Bull and Oyster Roast. I want to add a special thank you to all who bought raffle tickets for the cruise.
Shortly, you will receive tickets for another fundraiser. A generous donation was made by the Ill. Past Grand Master Bennie Owens, 33° and Lady Ruth. They deeded their timeshare at Massanutten, VA to the Scottish Rite. It is a beautiful place in the mountains, near Harrisonburg, VA. It was personally visited by Ill. Marlin Mills, 33° and myself. It is a great place for a family vacation and the date for this year's week is in the beginning of August. The drawing will be at the annual Scottish Rite Family Picnic at Sunnybrook Farm on Sunday, June 10, 2007. We will attempt to sell some tickets by mail.
We were so delighted that the Grand Commander, Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, was able to join us for the Low Vale on Saturday, June 9th. This was the first time in history that the Grand Commander had been in attendance for this event.
As far as any changes in the sale of the building, at present, there is little interest. The day will come when we need to downsize, due to the high cost of maintenance of our beautiful Temple. Hopefully we will be prepared for that day.
May our Creator grant you His peace and support as you pursue your journey in Freemasonry. May God Bless all of our brethren and their families.
Cordially and Fraternally,
Ill. Dr. Hans Wilhelmsen, 33°,
Sovereign Grand Inspector General
Orient of Maryland
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ILL. Bro. Thomas M. Velvin, 33°
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