Will Highsmith

\”Where the Land ends and the sea begins.” R.I.C. João CarvalhaAmbassador for Portugal General Grand Council Cryptic Masons, International R.I.C. João CarvalhaAmbassador for Portugal The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Portugal, was chartered in September 1st, 1998, signed by the Most Puissant Companion E. Wesseler. Although we are a very young jurisdiction,

A Challenge to Become an Individual GiverJerry Jerome MillerGulf Council No. 29 R.&S.M., Florida Editorial Note: This is an article from a Companion in Florida.  It is directed at his Council, but themessage of the article applies to all of us. It was my honor to serve as a delegate of Surf Chapter No. 57,

A Review, A Call, and A Need for the General Grand Council\’s HistoryAJ JohnsonGeneral Grand Historian AJ JohnsonGeneral Grand HIstorian Companions, how often have you asked yourself what is the history of the General Grand Council?  I have heard many people attempt to answer that question, but it usually involved an answer about a particular

General Grand Recorder\’s Update: July 2019Steve BalkeGeneral Grand Recorder Stephen BalkeGeneral Grand Recorder Good Morning Companions, The past few months has indeed been interesting (hectic), but there are as many opportunities as there are challenges (aren’t they the same thing?). In spite of loss of internet to the office, transition issues (for me), and competing

Snyder\’s Synopsis of three of the Thirteen Degrees in the American York RiteA Case for the Three Degrees of the Cryptic RiteBill SnyderGeneral Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Bill Snyder, General Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, and Kansas General Grand Ambassador Rodney Middleton at Emporia, KS, Grand Council Session May 3, 2019 It

Companions, We have recently starting sending out the Weekly Decryption again on a weekly basis.  We hope you are enjoying it and we could use your help in a few areas. We are actively looking for contributions to the newsletter.  If your Council of Royal and Select Masters is doing something that you would like

The Beginnings of the Thrice Illustrious Master\’s DegreeBy Will Highsmith Image courtesy of Companion Calvin Rogers When I served as Illustrious Master of a Council of Royal and Select Masters in North Carolina, I had the privilege of receiving the Degree of Thrice Illustrious Master also known as the Order of the Silver Trowel.  The

By Rod Wagoner, GCOG, Frank Edens, MIPGM, GL, and George Weil, GR Recently, Companions in Arizona performed their annual conferral of the Order of Ish Sodi and the Super Excellent Master Degree. Arizona is among very few jurisdictions who offer both of these conferrals on an ongoing basis. Because of its scarcity, the Illustrious Grand

Passing of Betty J. VanEtten, Widow of Charles VanEtten GGM 2002-2005 Companions, It is my sad duty to inform you of the loss of one of our Past General Grand Master’s widows.  The wife of Most Puissant Companion Charles VanEtten, 2002-05, Betty J. VanEtten has passed.  Her Obituary follows: Betty J. VanEttenNovember 09, 1931 –

Austria, GEKT Easter Observance, Maine, GGC-PHA, and Georgia Monty J Glover Deputy General Grand Master Greetings Companions, As usual, it’s been a while since I have written an article. Being a person that just doesn’t like writing a lot, it’s easy for me to get distracted and put it off. Next thing you know, I’m