Valley of Portland

Valley of Portland Holds Annual Abbott Scholarship Luncheon

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The Valley of Portland, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, held its annual Leon M. Abbott Scholarship luncheon on June 18 at the Masonic Temple in Portland. This year we were pleased to offer scholarships to 18 very deserving local students, totaling $24,200.

Applications for annual Leon M. Abbott Scholarships are due by April 1 each year. Members, their children, and their grandchildren are eligible for these scholarships, and they may apply each year they will be attending college.

Pictured above at this year’s luncheon are recipients Courtney Jackson–Gordon College; Kayla Jackson–University of New Hampshire; Kyle Fairfield– Rensselaer Institute; Lauren Johnson–Clark University; Margaret Boislard–University of Maine at Farmington; and Jack Simonton–Wentworth University.

Officers in the picture are Maine Consistory: Ill. Claire V. Tusch 33° ; First Lieutenant Commander, Rose Croix; Brian S Jackson–Most Wise Master, Lodge of Perfection; Jody J. Hersey–Thrice Potent Master, Princes of Jerusalem; Paul F. Poulin – Sovereign Prince. Brother Edward “Andy” Caron, Jr. received his scholarship at our June 25 Degree.

A big THANK YOU to all members who helped set up and clean up after the event!

 

REMINDER—Valley Secretary’s Office Has Returned to the Masonic Temple

Just a reminder that, as of this past June 1, the Valley Secretary’s Office has returned to the Masonic Temple at 415 Congress Street in Portland. The telephone number remains 207-772-7711 and the email address of the Secretary remains secretary@valleyofportland.org.

 

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland is available here and at our website here. Interested in learning more about local events? Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

Valley of Portland Announces Rescheduled Consistory Spring Reunion, June 25

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The Valley of Portland, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, is pleased to announce the rescheduled Maine Consistory Spring Reunion, coming on Saturday, June 25.  The Consistory Degrees illustrate the creation of the ideal balance between the spiritual and the temporal. Please note that you MUST register in advance for this enriching, invaluable degree work. Here is the information you will need to attend and benefit from this important upcoming event:

32° Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret

31° Will be shown at 2:00 digital in the 5th Floor conference room.

When:   Saturday, June 25, 2022

                (Candidate Registration from 2 to 3 p.m.; Degree Work at 3 p.m.)

 

Where:    Portland Masonic Temple, 415 Congress Street, Portland, Maine
                  (Please use the Chestnut Street Entrance.)


Ladies Program:   During the Degree Work, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Social Hour:    5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with cash bar

FREE Evening Banquet:   6:30 p.m., with Our Ladies

 

Easy Advance Registration (Required)

You MUST register by Friday, June 17, if you plan to attend the banquet. And please be sure to let us know if your Lady will be joining you. There is no charge for the meal, but we guarantee our count and must pay for it. Unfortunately, we cannot provide meals for those who do not register in advance.

To make reservations for the FREE banquet for you or you and your Lady, please call Secretary Michael J Chambers, 32°, at (207) 772-7711 by Friday, June 17,
or send email to Secretary@ValleyofPortland.org.

 

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland is available here and at our website here. Interested in learning more about local events? Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

New Election of Officers

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The Annual Meeting of Yates Lodge of Perfection, Portland Council Princes of Jerusalem, Dunlap Chapter of Rose Croix and Maine Consistory will be held at the Portland Masonic Temple, 415 Congress Street, Portland on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 7:00 PM for the consideration of the Reports of the Officers and several Committees, the Election and Installation of Officers, and such other business as may regularly come before the meeting.

Under the Election of Officers it is worth noting that we will be electing a new Valley Secretary.  After sixteen and a half years, Brad will be retiring.  Interviews were held and Brother Michael Chambers has accepted the position of Valley Secretary.

Also Brethren you should know that effective June 1st the Secretary’s Office will be returning back to the Masonic Temple at 415 Congress Street in Portland.  The telephone number will remain 207-772-7711 and the email address of the Secretary will remain secretary@valleyofportland.org.

So when you are in Town, stop in and meet your NEW Secretary, Brother Michael Chambers!!

Valley of Portland Announces Maine Consistory Spring Reunion, May 14

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The Valley of Portland, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, is pleased to announce the Maine Consistory Spring Reunion, coming on Saturday, May 14.  The Consistory Degrees attempt to illustrate the creation of the ideal balance between the spiritual and the temporal. Please note that you MUST register in advance for this enriching, invaluable degree work. Here is the information you will need to attend and benefit from this important upcoming event:

32° Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret

 

When:   Saturday, May 14, 2022
                        (Candidate Registration from 2 to 3 p.m.; Degree Work at 3 p.m.)

    

Where:        Portland Masonic Temple, 415 Congress Street, Portland, Maine.
                        (Please use the Chestnut Street Entrance.)


Ladies Program:   During the degree work, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Social Hour: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with cash bar

FREE Evening Banquet:   6:30 p.m., with Our Ladies.

EASY ADVANCE REGISTRATION
(REQUIRED)

You MUST register in advance if you plan to attend the banquet. And please be sure to let us know if your Lady will be joining you. There is no charge for the meal, but we guarantee our count and must pay for it. Unfortunately, we cannot provide meals for those who do not register in advance.

How to Make Banquet Reservations:

To make reservations for the FREE banquet for you or you and your Lady, please contact Secretary Bradford D. Blake, 33°, at (207) 772-7711 at your earliest convenience, or send email to Secretary@ValleyofPortland.org.

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Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland is available here and at our website here. Interested in learning more about local events? Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

Interested in taking an active part in your Scottish Rite Valley?

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DEGREE WORK

The Valley of Portland will be showing the videos of the 17° “Knight of the East and West” along with the 24° “Brother of the Forest” on April 16, 2022 at the Portland Masonic Temple, 415 Congress Street in Portland.  (Please use the Chestnut Street Entrance.)

Candidate Registration will begin at 1:00 PM and the Degree Presentations will begin at 2:00 PM

Dinner will be served at 4:30 PM by Deering Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.  (Reservations required)

 

HELP WANTED

If you have ever considered taking an active part in your Scottish Rite Valley, now is the time.

It takes manpower and teamwork to put on our Degrees in the Scottish Rite Auditorium.

 

We had hoped to put on the 24th Degree with a LIVE Cast, but that did not come to fruition for the need of Cast Members.

Our “Master of Robes” will be retiring after our Consistory Degree in May.  He is responsible for getting out and putting away our Degree Costumes, along with making sure that they are cleaned when needed, keeping inventory by Degree and letting us know when new ones need to be ordered.  Now would be the time to work with him in learning the job, if you would be interested.  More than one performing this service to the Valley would be GREAT.

 

We are always in need of more Stage Assistants to get the Drops down and the Props out for the Degrees.  The more Assistance we have the faster the changeover time is between Degrees and the less time those witnessing the Degrees have to wait.

 

How about helping with Make-up?  You must have noticed that our Cast Members are made up with wigs and beards and they need assistance in getting them on.  

 

All of these positions need to be filled for our Valley to be successful and grow.  Many of our members are trying to get their Passports filled and are asking for us to put on some of the Degrees that they have not been able to witness.  In performing these tasks, you can imagine the Fellowship and Comradery that is experienced.  So as you can see, not all Degree work in the Scottish Rite is ritual.

 

Finally, at this time we also have an opening in the Line of Officers in Yates Lodge of Perfection.  If you think you might be interested in taking an Officer in the Scottish Rite, please contact the Valley Secretary.

Valley of Portland Announces Opening of 2022 Abbott and Veague Scholarships-Application Process

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Valley of Portland Announces Opening of 2022 Abbott and Veague Scholarships-Application Process

The Valley of Portland announces that the application process for The Leon M. Abbott Scholarship and The Arnold Veague Scholarship is now open. Eligible candidates may access scholarship applications online from now through April 1, 2022 here. 

Once applications are filled out, they must be “snail-mailed” to the Home Valley Secretary at the following address:

Bradford D. Blake, Secretary
Portland Masonic Temple
415 Congress St.
Portland, ME  04101

Despite the pandemic-related hardships experienced throughout 2021, the Valley of Portland Scottish Rite Masons continue to positively impact the lives of students, assisting them in their dreams of achieving a higher education via a trade or accredited college or university degree. In 2021, the Scottish Rite awarded a total of $99,600 in scholarship funds to local students. The Leon M. Abbott Scholarship awarded $14,600 and The Arnold Veague Scholarship Fund awarded $85,000.

One of the main goals of the Scottish Rite Masons is to support those who seek to grow and improve themselves so that they might make their family, friends, and community a better place. By supporting educational goals, we are supporting the bright and promising youth of the future.

More About The Leon M. Abbott Scholarship and Arnold Veague Scholarship:

Named for Leon M. Abbott, Sovereign Grand Commander from 1921 to 1932, The Leon M. Abbott Scholarship provides financial support for the continuing undergraduate and graduate education of Scottish Rite Masons, Scottish Rite Mason family members, and members of Masonic Youth Groups, including (but not limited to) the Order of DeMolay, Job’s Daughters International, and The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

The Arnold Veague Scholarship, named for Arnold L. Veague of Bangor, has the same requirements, except that only Maine children are eligible. 

Scholarship Program Application Process:

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for scholarships from the Valley of Portland (Scottish Rite Masons of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction), please first read our eligibility requirements. You are eligible to apply if you are: 

  • A Scottish Rite Mason of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction who is in good standing;
  • A student related (by blood or legal means) to a current or deceased member of the Scottish Rite in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction;
  • A member of a Masonic-sponsored youth group located within the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, such as DeMolay International, Job’s Daughters, or Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

Scholastic Qualifications:

To be considered for The Leon M. Abbott Scholarship or The Arnold Veague Scholarship, applicants must meet one of the following qualifications. You must be:

  • A high school senior, currently accepted at an accredited trade school, who has attained a minimum grade-point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale;

or

  • A high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student currently enrolled at an accredited college or university.

 

Where to Apply:

Your application for The Leon M. Abbott Scholarship or The Arnold Veague Scholarship should be submitted to the local Valley of the sponsoring Scottish Rite Mason. The application deadline is April 1st of each year. Please reach out to the Secretary of the Valley of Portland or to your local Valley. You can find applicable contact information here.

When you apply, you will be able to apply for both scholarships. However, only one scholarship will be awarded to each scholarship recipient. If you have any questions while reviewing or filling out your application, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Access scholarship applications Here.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland is available here and at our new website here. Interested in learning more about local events? Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

Year in Review: The Valley of Portland, 2021

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Year in Review: The Valley of Portland, 2021

Here at the Valley of Portland, we are proud to serve southern Maine as part of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. In this capacity, we join with our Scottish Rite Masonic brothers nationwide in our commitment to enhance our members’ lives and the lives of others by teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth.

In what specific ways did we do this throughout 2021?  How did our activities reflect our embrace of deep values such as fellowship, compassion, and dedication to God, family, and country?

An Exciting and Pivotal Year

To offer you a Year in Review assessment that we hope will be concise and enriching, let’s focus on a few key topics, as illuminated by blogs we posted throughout 2021:

New Website

On June 4, we enthusiastically announced in a blog post the launch of our new website. We told you about all the specific improvements offered by the site, including how it would more effectively help us support and educate our members, and better serve the community as a whole.

Events

Special Scholarships Luncheon

On Saturday, June 26, the Valley of Portland held a special luncheon and presented scholarship checks to five students in attendance. For more information about how the Valley of Portland positively impacts the lives of students through scholarships, please see below.

Grand Master’s One-Day Class Reunion

The Illustrious and Most Worshipful Brother, Richard M. Nadeau, 33°, Grand Master of Maine, was honored with a Grand Master’s One Day Class Reunion in October at the Portland Masonic Temple. The event was unique in that it allowed brotherhood participants to complete five degrees in one day, and become a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.

“Feast of Tishri”

Throughout 2021, the Valley of Portland held its regular stated meetings, as well as special meetings to mark distinctive occasions. On Saturday, November 6, we held a “Feast of Tishri” to honor Maine’s newest 33° Honorary Members of the Supreme Council, who were coroneted this past August in Cleveland, Ohio. The Feast is a seven-course banquet, consisting of seven toasts, similar to that of a Table Lodge of Instruction. It was held at the Kora Shrine Center in Lewiston.

Festival of Trees Fundraiser
for Portland Children’s Dyslexia Center

After our kick-off Gala on Thursday, December 2, we participated in and ardently supported our 1st annual Festival of Trees Fundraiser to benefit the Portland Children’s Dyslexia Center. The event was from Friday, December 3, through Sunday, December 5. Held at the Portland Masonic Temple at 415 Congress Street, this distinctive fundraiser continued the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction’s 25-year-long passionate commitment to helping children regain confidence and self-esteem through proven methods of reading instruction, tutoring, and dyslexia remediation.

Additional Charitable Donations to Our Local Community

To continue our support of local children’s education, we offered a donation of $500 to Portland’s new Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. We value the organization’s dedication to relationships, and their ability to work together with parents, caregivers, and diverse partners to build a foundation of educational support for children and families across Maine.

We also stepped up in the fight against hunger and food-insecurity. To help two southern-Maine-based nonprofits in this critical effort, we offered $500 donations each to the Wayside Food Programs of Portland and to the York County Shelter Programs Food Pantry.

Empowering Scholarships

The Valley of Portland ardently believes in helping students achieve their dream of achieving a life-enhancing higher education. This year, the Scottish Rite awarded a total of $99,600 in this effort. The Arnold Veague Scholarship Fund awarded $85,000 and the Leon Abbott Scholarship Fund awarded $14,600 in Maine. A total of 41 students were awarded scholarships: 37 received Veague Scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000; four received Abbott Scholarship of $3,650; and $20,000 each was awarded to the Portland and Bangor Children’s Dyslexia Centers. Of the 41 students receiving scholarships, 11 were from the Valley of Portland!

Why You Should Consider Membership in the Valley of Portland

Do you want to embody noble values and truly make a difference in your community? Do you want to “walk the talk” in a way that spreads brotherly love, tolerance, charity, and truth-telling?  We invite you to visit our website and discover the rich benefits of membership in the Valley of Portland. New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

You’re Invited to the Portland Children’s Dyslexia Center’s Festival of Trees

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Portland Children’s Dyslexia Center Festival of Trees Fundraiser 

The Valley of Portland is honored to announce we will be participating and supporting the 1st annual Festival of Trees Fundraiser to benefit the Portland Children’s Dyslexia Center. This exceptional fundraiser continues the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction’s 25-year-long passionate commitment to helping children regain confidence and self-esteem through proven methods of reading instruction, tutoring, and dyslexia remediation.

Important Note

The Portland Children’s Dyslexia Center is actively seeking tree sponsors, donations, and other forms of support, to maximize the positive impact of this important fundraiser. So why should you sponsor a tree?  Here’s why! Aside from knowing you’ve empowered a child’s life for the better, sponsorship showcases you or your company.  Rich benefits include advertising, marketing flyers, excellent exposure at the festival, social-media and email-generated marketing exposure, a tax deduction, and more.

Please consider lending your support!  Here are the key details you’ll need. 

Setup Dates:   Monday, November 29 through Thursday, December 2

Kick-off Gala Date: Thursday, December 2 (the night before the festival’s opening); hours TBA. Sponsors and volunteers only.

Festival of Trees Dates/Hours: Friday, December 3, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  / Saturday, December 4, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  / Sunday, December 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location:   Portland Masonic Temple, 415 Congress Street, Portland

How to Support the Fundraiser:  Become a tree sponsor! Sponsors bring and decorate their own tree, and each sponsor covers the cost of decorations and labor for their tree. Each tree will be raffled off, with a value of at least $300 per tree. Winners of the tree drawings will be announced at the closing of the festival, on Sunday, December 5, at 5 p.m.

Admission Fee: $2; FREE for children under 12

Raffle Ticket Prices: $2 each or 6 for $10.

Contact Information for Sponsors: To sponsor the Festival of Trees and support the Portland Children’s Dyslexia Center, contact Peg at 207-773-4949 or email portland@cdcinc.org.

About the Portland Children’s Dyslexia Center

For over two decades, the Scottish Rite Masons, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, have been national leaders in the effort to help children and their families overcome the painful obstacles of dyslexia. With more than 40 Dyslexia Centers in 13 states, the Children’s Dyslexia Centers tackle the challenge of dyslexia head-on, by providing free tutoring for children with dyslexia and by training a growing cadre of highly skilled and dedicated tutors. View website. 

About the Valley of Portland, Maine

Additional information about the Valley of Portland is available at our new website and subscribe to our email newsletter. 

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.

Valley of Portland, Maine to Hold Scottish Rite “Feast of Tishri” Ceremony November 6

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Valley of Portland, Maine to Hold Scottish Rite “Feast of Tishri” Ceremony November 6

The Valley of Portland, Maine will be holding a “Feast of Tishri” in early November to honor Maine’s newest 33° Honorary Members of the Supreme Council, who were coroneted this past August in Cleveland, Ohio. The Feast is a seven-course banquet, consisting of seven toasts, similar to that of a Table Lodge of Instruction, although this event is semi-public with all “our ladies” welcome. 

Here are the key details you’ll need:

When:  Saturday, November 6, beginning at 5 p.m.

Where:  The Kora Shrine Center, 11 Sabattus Street, Lewiston, Maine.

Cost:   $10 per person.

Dress:   Business suit or jacket and tie, along with “decorations.” 

Reservation Information & Deadline:  

Please make reservations through Your Home Valley Secretary or Bradford D. Blake, 33°, by Thursday, October 28th.

Email: secretary@valleyofportland.org

Phone: +1-207-772-7711

About the Feast of Tishri

The original Feast of Tishri is described in the book of Leviticus, in which the Lord speaks unto Moses, saying that on the 15th day of the month of Tishri of the Hebrew Civil Calendar, “Ye shall have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord.” Thus, the Feast of Tishri is the Hebrew equivalent of our Thanksgiving holiday and harvest festivals. The origin and significance of the Feast of Tishri make it the most Scottish Rite of festivals.

No other occasion epitomizes the character and purpose of the Feast of Tishri more wholly than the dedication of King Solomon’s Temple. The rich legend of the Temple’s dedication, celebrated during the Feast of Tishri, is an essential part of the Scottish Rite 14th Degree. By observing the Feast of Tishri, Scottish Rite Masons share the fraternal spirit, and reaffirm our dedication to human concord and the brotherhood of all men. As Brothers, we resolve to build, as King Solomon did, peace for all mankind.

Thank you for your continued support of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. It is our belief and hope to continue to help those who most need it strive for greater heights. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, November 6, at this Feast of Tishri ceremony!

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland, Maine is available at our new website. Interested in learning more about local events? Visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in completing the application process can do so by filling out the online application here.