For one man, it’s a resurrection, and for the other, it’s beginning to look a lot like what his grandfather experienced as a Free Mason.
That’s why Rich “Butch” Brown and Justin Sindorf have worked tirelessly the past few months while promoting this Saturday’s Robert Burns Supper at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in East Wheeling. A Burns Supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, the author of many Scots poems who died in his late 30s.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a social gathering, and then the McDonald Pipe Band and West Virginia’s Poet Laureate Marc Harshman will be on hand. Chef Rocco Basil will prepare several Scottish dishes – including the traditional Haggis – and Chef Bob Bailey will create the dessert Cranachan for the crowd.
“I’m very excited for the Robert Burns Supper because it’s a terrific tradition, and because we really need to bring the public and our membership all together,” Brown said. “Because we plan to use several areas of the building as event space, we’re hoping to get as many folks inside so they can see how magnificent it really is.
“If we can accomplish that, I believe a lot of people will at least think about having their next event at the Scottish Rite,” he said. “We still have a lot of work that needs to get done before the building can be used at any time of year. It gets pretty warm in there sometimes. But we’re determined to keep making it better all the time.”
Brown is married to Kathie Brown, the long-time executive director of local non-profit Wheeling Health Right, and he’s been a Scottish Rite member for decades after learning about the organization from his father-in-law. That history is one of several reasons why he was thrilled when possession of the Cathedral reverted back to the Scottish Rite after Roxby Development collapsed in Spring 2023.
“Once we went back into the building, we saw there was a lot of work we were going to have to do to get it back to normal because there was quite a mess,” he explained. “We’re still working on some areas, but the interior is really looking better than it did, and I think people will love to see all of the improvements.
“Just being around my father-in-law allowed me to appreciate the Masonry and the building as much as he did, and I fell in love with it all, too. I know there are a lot of great organizations out there and I’d never say a negative things about any of them, but the Masonry is truly a brotherhood for me,” Brown said. “I really believe the Masonry has taught me how to be a better man.”
Sindorf gravitated to Free Masonry – one of the world’s oldest social and charitable organizations – because he learned after his grandfather’s passing that he was a member. These days, he’s a very active member and has been involved with the preparations for the Burns Supper.
“I am so happy I decided to find out what this is all about because, when you’re a member, it doesn’t matter who you are or what you do; you’re respected just the same,” he said. “It’s not a religious thing either because we have members from all kinds of religions.
“When you walk through the door and into the Scottish Rite Cathedral,” he said, “you’re all the same.”
The Free Masons do not recruit new individuals, but each member is always happy to answer whatever questions people may have about the organization. Those inquiries, Sindorf hopes, is a part of this Saturday evening.
“The Burns Supper means a lot of different things to me because of the position we’re in with the building and with our membership,” he said. “It’s all part of getting back to the roots of this organization so we can celebrate all of the traditions that make Free Masonry what it is.
“Recruiting new members is not something we do as Masons, but we will answer any questions someone may have about the Scottish Rite and about the organization. It’s really a fascinating history that goes back centuries, and it’s important to a lot of people here in the Wheeling area,” Sindorf added. “The Burns Supper might represent an opportunity for someone who is curious.”
