NYRAM News - Grand Chapter State of New York Royal Arch Masons

In This Issue:
Grand High Priest Message The New 9 th Capitular District
Grand Convocation Pictures Zerubbabel Medal - Melchizedek Chapter No. 273
Meet and Greet – March 3, 2011 39 Exalted in East Aurora
Grand High Priest’s Message – M.·.E.·. Kenneth J. Fischer
Continued on next page
The NYRAM NEWS
The Official Newsletter of
The Grand Chapter
State of New York - Royal Arch Masons
http://www.ny-royal-arch.org
03 / 30 / 2011 2361 A.I. Vol. 04 – Issue 06
Companions there is no more important duty for a chapter in
our jurisdiction than conferring more light to our less informed
brethren. We do this by accepting them into our chapters
through the conferral of our degrees.
Regrettably we see all too often candidates that have been
lingering on our chapter trestleboards for, at times, over one
year! This practice must end if we are to continue to attract
new members. The Grand Chapter and our Grand Line are
determined to assist our High Priests in every way that is
necessary to have our degrees conferred in a timely manner.
Our District Deputy Grand High Priest’s and our Grand Line
have been requested to determine in their districts exactly how
many candidates are in waiting and to address the most
serious cases immediately. We will be pro-active in providing
assistance to our chapters with the conferral of our capitular
degrees in order to prevent the situation of our candidates
waiting an inordinate length of time to become Royal Arch
Masons.
SUPPORT OUR ROYAL ARCH CHARITIES 1

Grand High Priest’s Message Continued from previous page
Our Grand Chapter has begun a new year and it is my pleasure to report that we are on sound financial footing as we
address this fiscal year. It is important for membership to be aware of the revamped Tuberculosis Fund into the Diseases
of the Lung Fund. This change will facilitate the disbursement of more funds to our companions in need of financial
assistance. The chapter secretaries have the necessary paper work or it can be available on the Grand Chapter web-site.
Our programs, which were introduced in 2010, will continue as we constantly try to improve our Grand Chapter. I urge our
companions to be in touch with the Grand Chapter web-site. I will be posting messages during the course of the year in an
effort keep to the membership informed. Your responses and questions are always welcomed and you can be assured
they are read and will answered!
Cordially
M.·.E.·. Kenneth J. Fischer
Grand High Priest ♦
Grand Convocation Pictures
Credentials Desk: (front to back) E.·. Selom Adjogah, R.·.E.·.
Harley DeShane, R.·.E.·. David Raymond
Continued on next page
Office Manager Joan M. Vivacqua with R.·.E.·. Ralph Rosenthal
Keystone Award Recipients
SUPPORT OUR ROYAL ARCH CHARITIES 2

Grand Convocation Pictures Continued from previous page
M.·.E.·. Jeffrey M. Williamson – Grand High Priest – 2010 and
M.·.E.·. Kenneth J. Fischer – Grand High Priest – 2011
congratulates members of the new 18 th Capitular District in
Lebanon.
(left to right) Lady Carmen Roché, Lady Dorinda Dunn,
Ms. Barbara Barcomb, Lady Debra Testut
Enjoying the festivities
(left to right) Lady Carla Williamson, Lady Marion Fischer and
Lady Gloria Ghirarduzzi
(left to right) R.·.E.·. Michael T. Dunn – Grand King, M.·.E.·. Jeffrey
M. Williamson – Grand High Priest – 2010. M.·.E.·. Kenneth J.
Fischer – Grand High Priest - 2011
SUPPORT OUR ROYAL ARCH CHARITIES 3
♦

Meet and Greet on Thursday, March 3 rd
Lady Carla and M.·.E.·. Jeffrey M. Williamson welcome all
to Albany.
Joey D and R.·.E.·. Keith Poppendeck
Plenty of food
M.·.W.·. Libone participates in the Magic Show
Most High Chief Dog Bruce Widger – Grand Lodge
of the Order of Yellow Dog, Skaneateles, New York
You may have heard of the Order of Saratoga Degree but have you heard of the Yellow Dog Degree?
The Order of the Yellow Dog was conferred on the evening of March 3 rd , 2011 in Albany, New York
immediately after the fabulous dinner which occurred that Thursday evening. ♦
SUPPORT OUR ROYAL ARCH CHARITIES 4

Working hard in the New 9 th Capitular District
On Jan 10 th , 2011, Royal Arch Masons from the
18 th Capitular District, now known as the new 9 th
Capitular District presented a Fervency & Zeal
program for the members of Utica Lodge No. 47 in
Utica NY.
Participants in the program included. R.·.E.·.
Michael T. Dunn, Grand King, R.·.E.·. Raymond
Roché, Grand Royal Arch Captain, R.·.E.·. Keith
Folger, DDGHP, R.·.E.·. Louis Denato Sr.,
Secretary of Oneida Chapter No. 57 and E.·. Phillip
Chandler, High Priest of Doric Chapter No. 193.
The program generated much interest and several
petitions.
On January 13, 2011, Officers of the new 9 th
Capitular District again participated in a long
standing District tradition, they had a joint
installation of officers. The installing officers
included R.·.E.·. Michael T. Dunn, Grand King,
R.·.E.·. Keith Folger, District Deputy and R.·.E.·.
Dennis Davis, Assistant Grand Lecturer. ♦
Zerubbabel Society Presentation
On Monday, March 14, 2011, R.·.E.·. Bruce Testut, Grand
Master of the Third Veil attended a meeting at Melchizedek
Chapter No. 273 in Oyster Bay.
As part of the program that evening, he presented Companion
Martin Mishket with his Zerubbabel Jewel. Companion
Mishket is the 48 th member of the Society which now numbers
over 65 members. Each has pledged to donate $1000 over
the next 10 years. ♦
Left to right:
R.·.E.·. Keith Folger – DDGHP– 9 th CD
R.·.E.·. Raymond Roché – Grand Royal Arch Captain
R.·.E.·. Michael T. Dunn – Grand King
R.·.E.·. Lou Denato Sr. – Past DDGHP – 9 th CD
E.·. Phillip Chandler – High Priest – Doric Chapter No. 193
SUPPORT OUR ROYAL ARCH CHARITIES 5

39 Companions Exalted During East Aurora Festival
Thirty-nine Companions were exalted on
February 19, 2011 at East Aurora Chapter
No. 282 which is located in East Aurora,
New York. The Class was named in honor
of Most Excellent Jeffrey M. Williamson,
who was at the time - the sitting Grand
High Priest of the Grand Chapter.
The degree teams were comprised of
various Companions all hailing from the
Western New York area. Of note - many
Grand Line Officers of Commandery,
Chapter and Council were actively
participating even to the point of
conferring the degrees! This certainly is a
tribute to the knowledge and skill of these
leaders as they “walk the talk” when it
comes to conferring our ritual and
lessons.
At the end of the festivities, Most
Excellent Williamson pointed to the Red
Ritual Book and exclaimed to the
class…that they received everything in
the Red Book! Each member of the class
also received a welcoming handshake
from the Grand High Priest and his GHP
pin as well!
Congratulations are extended to all the
Companions who participated in the
festival, from registration, breakfast,
lunch, stage crew and the degree teams.
Continued on next page
SUPPORT OUR ROYAL ARCH CHARITIES 6

39 Companions Exalted During East Aurora Festival Continued from previous page
SUPPORT OUR ROYAL ARCH CHARITIES 7
♦