30 seconds for 32nds
New Officers, Same Brotherhood, at the Scottish Rite
The Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute officially ushered in a new chapter of leadership during its officer installation ceremony held on May 20, 2026.
This transition highlights the Valley’s commitment to continued service and fraternal excellence, with a dedicated team stepping into key roles to guide the organization through the upcoming year.
The newly installed leadership includes Richard Brinson, 33°, who assumes the role of Commander in Chief, alongside Max Short, 32°, as the Most Wise Master. Completing the executive team are Terry Bisping, 32°, serving as Sovereign Prince, and Joseph Sparks, 32°, as the Thrice Potent Master.
This installation serves as the springboard for a vibrant and active summer season for the Valley. Members are already looking ahead to a busy schedule, beginning with the Council of Deliberation held in Terre Haute on June 11–12.
Following this significant regional gathering, the fraternity engaged with the wider community during the Scottish Rite Car Show, scheduled for June 20 at the Plumbers and Steamfitters Park.
With this new leadership team at the helm, the Valley is well-positioned to maintain its momentum, fostering a summer defined by both Masonic dedication and strong community outreach.
New officers and their respective lines gathered for installation this spring. Many familiar faces were on hand for the celebration.
Executive Secretary’s Report
Joseph F. Osborn, 32nd
The Annual Council on Deliberation Comes to Terre Haute
The Scottish Rite Council of Deliberation gathered at the Terre
Haute Convention Center on June 11–12, fostering fellowship and administrative progress. The event featured engaging activities for
brothers and their wives, including competitive golf outings, an MSA breakfast, formal awards ceremonies, and the essential annual business meeting to conclude the year.
The Council of Deliberation serves as the Scottish -
Rite’s regional governing body, fostering unity across
Indiana. By convening representatives from the Valleys
of Evansville, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Bloomington,
South Bend, and Terre Haute, it aligns strategic initiatives and strengthens fraternal bonds, ensuring a cohesive vision for the entire state organization.
As we move through the summer months, I am reflecting on a season of remarkable activity and fellowship here in the Valley of Terre Haute.
We were incredibly proud to host the recent Indiana Council of Deliberation. It was a privilege to see our Valley shine, particularly as we honored Nick Dom and James Hallmark with the Meritorious Service Award (MSA).
Please join me in congratulating them for their tireless dedication to our craft.Our presence throughout the event was outstanding. Beyond the business sessions—where our presiding officers engaged productively with state leadership and Sovereign Grand Commander Walt Wheeler—our members showed true spirit on the greens.
With Terre Haute teams taking second and third place in the golf outing, and our volunteers earning many compliments for the meal served at our Valley, we proved once again that our hospitality is second to none. Thank you to everyone who contributed and for hosting such a successful event.
Finally, I am pleased to report that our first car show in years, held on June 20, was a delightful success. While the primary goal was community engagement, I am proud to announce that committee chair Tom Collins will be presenting a $500 donation to the Gibson Family Hospice Center of the Wabash Valley.
We have already begun planning for next year and are excited to build on this momentum.
Thank you all for your continued commitment to our Valley. Enjoy the remainder of your summer, and I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming gatherings.
Horace Tune Chapter of Rose Croix Most Wise Master - Max Short 32nd
Hello Brothers,
It is my honor and pleasure to be installed as the Most Wise Master of the Horace E. Tune Chapter of Rose Croix for 2026–2027. Line officers for the year include Bryan Wilson, Dale Giffey, Corey Bailey, Kory Krider, and John Coughanowr II.
The Valley of Terre Haute put its best foot forward in hosting the 2026 Indiana Council of Deliberation, and I am excited for the upcoming year. I would like to thank and congratulate outgoing Most Wise Scott Harrison on a successful year.
As a member of the Rite for nearly a decade and an officer for several years, I have heard the name Horace E. Tune hundreds of times. I found myself curious and wanting to know more about Mr. Tune. With limited experience in genealogical research, it was a challenge to learn about a man born more than 150 years ago. Despite that, I felt this would be an appropriate place to share some information about him.
Horace Eugene Tune was a prominent businessman and Freemason in Terre Haute. He and his brother, Lewis, owned Tune Brothers—Clothiers and Gents Furnishers—at Fifth Street and Wabash Avenue in downtown Terre Haute. He later served as President of the Morris Plan Bank.
He also served as Indiana’s Fifth District representative to the 1924 Republican National Convention. His participation and contributions to Freemasonry were significant, including serving as Worshipful Master of Terre Haute Lodge No. 19 in 1905. He passed away unexpectedly from pneumonia while traveling on business on October 15, 1938, at the age of 71. His funeral was held at the Terre Haute Masonic Temple, and he is buried at Highland Lawn Cemetery.
The newly formed Valley of Terre Haute established a building fund with an initial contribution of $25,000 from Horace’s widow, Estelle Tune. In 1952, the Horace E. Tune Chapter of Rose Croix was named in his honor and granted dispensation. The Valley of Terre Haute owes the Tune family a great debt. Horace’s impactful life and family;s generosity has ensured that his name will be remembered and mentioned for generations to come. Fraternally,
Max L Short, Most Wise Master, Horace E Tune Chapter of Rose Croix
Terre Haute Lodge of Perfection
Thrice Potent Master - Joseph Sparks, 32nd
Dear Brothers,
I am pleased to announce that in lieu of a stated meeting we will have our annual scholarship program. The doors will open at 5:00 PM on Wednesday July 8 th , 2026. We have 44 scholarship recipients for this year. The scholarships to be awarded include the Abbot Scholarship, Wabash Valley Community Foundation Scholarship and theTerreHaute Valley of Scottish Rite scholarship. This is a great opportunity to showcase our Valley
We have several speakers lined up for the evening. The Executive Secretary will have the officers to line the hallway to the cathedral at 5:25 p.m. The Executive Secretary will welcome the guests and ask them to make their way to the Cathedral. Program start time will be 5:30 pm and will conclude with pizza in the dining area. Ill. Joel Harbaugh will welcome the guest to the program and will explain the Scholarship process.Joe Sparks with assistance from the Knights Templar will present the flag and lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Ill Joel Harbaugh to introduce Carol Davis Past Grand Matron of the Indiana Order of the Eastern Star, Emma Nicoson, Ill Brother Randy Mitten who will offer a brief explanation of the evening’s program.
Many thanks to the Scholarship committee for their hard work and careful selection of this year’s scholarship recipients: Chairman of the committee and now past chairman Ill Dick Boyce Vice-Chairman, Ill Jack McCullough, Ill Rick Allen, Ill Doug Wokoun, Ill, Randy Mitten, Joseph Sparks.
The scholarship recipients will be presented with their certificates by; MWM, Benjamen Franklin, and George Washington.
I look forward to a great turnout and hope to see you all there.
Samuel Dillon Jackson Council Princes of Jerusalem
Sovereign Prince - Terry Bisping 32nd
Dear Brothers.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a very worthy cause. If we didn’t have any firefighters, police, or military personnel on our front lines, we would be a very different nation, certainly not the USA we know. Being a proud Marine, I support this cause.
There is a QR Code on our own website of the Valley of Terre Haute you can scan and make a charitable donation as you see fit.
For those unfamiliar with the project, more information can be found at t2t.org. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a national nonprofit dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life on September 11, 2001.
The organization supports our nation’s heroes
by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families. Additionally, it builds specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, ensuring those who served our country receive the support and stability they deserve.
This is part of a larger effort coordinated by the
Sovereign Grand Commanders of the North and
South Masonic jurisdictions, and the North and South Prince Hall jurisdictions, with a goal of raising $25,000 to be presented jointly by all four at the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedra at 9
a.m. on 9/11, the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
Feel free to contact me any time with questions, and I look forward to seeing you all at our next event.
Terre Haute Consistory
Commander-in-Chief Ill. Richard Brinson 33rd
There is something uniquely restorative about gathering at the Scottish Rite. As a member of the Terre Haute Valley, I always look forward to our annual fish fry, but this year’s event feels particularly significant. We’re opening our doors on September 18, and I want to personally invite you to join us from 4 to 7 p.m. for what is easily one of the most relaxed, genuine evenings we host all year. This isn’t just about the food—though, if you know anything about our kitchen crew, you know the fish is going to be top-tier. More importantly, this is a prime opportunity for us to grow as a fellowship.
I’m strongly encouraging every one of our members to bring a brother from their respective Blue Lodges. We often talk about the value of the Scottish Rite, but there’s no better way to share that experience than by simply sitting down, sharing a plate, and enjoying good conversation in a casual environment.
What I appreciate most about this gathering is that it is truly spouse-friendly. Too often, our commitments keep us away from home, and this is the perfect chance to bridge that gap.
Bring your wives along. It creates a much warmer, inclusive atmosphere when our families are included, and it reminds us that the bonds we build in the Rite extend well beyond the walls of the lodge.
I’m looking forward to seeing the hall full, the energy high, and making some new connections. I’ll see you there on Friday, September the 18th.
Called from Labor...
Charles J. Granger
Died: February 25, 2026
Lodge: Terre Haute #19
Hollie E. Gess
Died: July 1, 2025
Lodge: Twelve Points # 769
Alvin E. Gilmore
Died: January 15, 2021
Lodge: Bloomfield #84
Russell E. Allen
Died: April 3, 2026
Lodge: Kingman #314
John P. Curran
Died: June 13, 2026
Roachdale #602
Leslie F. Bolin, 33°
Died: June 22, 2026
Riley #390
John D. Wolf
Died: May 26, 2026 Lodge: Social #86
Daniel B. Kane
Died: May 31, 2026
Lodge: West Terre Haute #687
Bernard J. Ridens Jr.
Died: June 3, 2026
Lodge: Pimento #292
Morris L. Ricketts, Sr.
Died: April 22, 2026
Lodge: Vigo #29
Roger L. Hamilton
Died: September 10, 2025 Lodge: Linton 560
From the Wall into the Hall
Upon the wall are pictures displayed Of men who have walked a noble way. They sought no praise, nor spoke a word, Yet honor came from those who heard.
These brothers framed upon the wall Still guide the young who heed their call. Their lives reflect what we hold true — To lead with strength, be bold, be true. Those there pictured here upon the wall still guide thir brothers one and all. In word and deed, they light the way, to help shape the men we are today. Those gone from life, remembered still In every vow, in strength and will.
Their pictures are displayed within the hall.
A silent legacy that guides us all.
With every visit I view those pictures in the hall And each year brings more memories to recall. The years go on, the pictures grow of Brothers I was proud to know. One day my photo, framed with care, May leave this wall to join them there. No longer present, but yet not gone, My spirit lives, my work lives on. And when that move at last is made, I pray my deeds outshine the shade. Illustrious Bill Corey, 33rd