Brethren and Friends: Hope this edition finds you all doing well and enjoying the Summer. The HEAT has been here on and off, but hey, it could be SNOWING, so enjoy it while we have it I guess.
Our Fall 2011 Reunion is right around the corner. Our Director of Work, Ill. David T. Reppert, 33, MSA, has already sent me the Cast list for the 12th Degree, "Master of Mercy," which we will present at the Fall Special Communication of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, on Friday, September 16, 2011. Yes, this is an official "SCOTTISH RITE PASSPORT ALERT!"
There are still plenty of seats available on the bus to Autumn Day at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown on Saturday, September 17, 2011. We have two buses going on this trip. One will board at LuLu Shriners, 5140 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, the other at Tacony Masonic Temple, 4400 Magee Avenue, both at 9:00 A.M.
The cost per person is $23. Come on out and join the gang for a trip to Pennsylvania Freemasonry's annual outing on the campus of our beautiful Masonic Village at Elizabethtown.
Just think, you can browse the crafts created by the Village residents, shop the Masonic Village Orchards Farm Market (mmm, pumpkin butter, mmm, apple cider!), listen to the music provided by the bands from the Shrines of Pennsylvania, have fun with the clowns, see the stands set up by the Masonic bodies and our Youth Groups, tour the Independent Living Community, visit with a Brother who is now a resident, and enjoy the delicious food; "Homes made" Sausage, bean soup, and ice cream, yes that's right, ICE CREAM!! After enjoying all that food, fresh air and fun, you can climb aboard the bus for the ride home to LuLu or Tacony. No driving, no high gas prices, no tolls, what a perfect day! The buses will board at 4:00 P.M. for the trip home.
Make your check payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies," and send it in TODAY. Be sure to put "Autumn Day and the location where you will board the bus, LuLu or Tacony", on your check's memo line! Send it to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Our Sovereign Prince and Trip Planner, Bro. Steve Bradley hopes to see you and your family onboard!
The Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Children's Dyslexia Center is hosting their annual "A Toast To Reading" on Friday, October 28, 2011 at the William Penn Inn, Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd, PA. Special thanks to the Officers and Members of Richard Vaux - Ivanhoe Lodge No. 384, F.&A.M. for being this years Sponsor!
The event runs from 7:00 to 9:30 P.M. Hot and cold Hors D'oeuvres and wine will be served. Our Center provides tutoring to children afflicted with dyslexia, free of charge. This important fund raising event is one major reason why the Center is able to do that. It needs your support!
For more information on how you can help support the event or to purchase tickets, call the Scottish Rite Office at 215-563-1814.
Our Family Life Chairman, Bro. Jim Rae, 32, MSA, has announced the next Family Life event for the Valley and it is, drum roll please, "Christmas in Hershey" at Hershey Park in Hershey, PA, "The Sweetest Place on Earth!"
We do not have a particular day for this event, which means you can pick day, during the Christmas in Hershey promotion that best suits you and your family. The promotion runs from Thanksgiving until Christmas.
The cost person is $5. Each ticket includes $5 worth of "Hershey Bucks" good for purchases in the Park (mmm chocolate).
We do not have tickets on hand yet. We've been told to expect them about mid-September, but that doesn't mean you can't order them now. Make your check payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies" and send it in to the Office, see the address above. Be sure to put "Christmas in Hershey" on your check's memo line. What a great way to spend a part of the Holiday Season with your family and friends.
We have 14 Candidates for the 2011 Fall Class. But I'm looking for 20 or more. Do you have a Candidate yet? Remember, every Scottish Rite Mason should recommend at least 2 Candidates during his lifetime, one to replace himself and one for the growth of the Order. Have you gotten your two yet?
Our Fall Class is named in honor of our Right Worshipful Grand Master and Active Member of the Supreme Council for Pennsylvania, Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33. Be sure to mention that to your potential Candidate when letting him know about the Class. I've found that when the Class is named for the RWGM, Brethren who are not yet Scottish Rite Masons seem eager to join and be a part of the Grand Master's Class. So now you have a sales incentive, go get a Candidate or two. Petitions, always are available at http://www.philascottishrite.org/valley_petition.htm
Well that will do it for this edition of "Across My Desk, The Web Edition." Summer is almost over if you haven't gone on your vacation yet, have a safe and enjoyable time!
May the Grand Architect continue to watch over you and yours.
Sincere fraternal regards,
Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary
Brethren and Friends:
The Masonic Service for Bro. Terence P. Williams, 32, Past Sovereign Prince will be held on Friday evening, July 22, 2011 at the John Stretch Funeral Home, 236 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA 19083. Telephone: 610-446-1075. The Service is scheduled for 7:00 PM
May the Grand Architect have our Brother in His Holy Keeping.
Sincere fraternal regards,
Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary
Brethren and Friends: It is my sad duty to report the passing of Bro. Terence P. Williams, 32, Past Sovereign Prince of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 16th Degree. Bro. Terry died last night.
Our Brother served the Valley of Philadelphia on the Membership Committee and was recently appointed as Associate Degree Master for the 15th and 16th Degree Casts. His wife, June served as President of the Ladies Auxiliary this past year.
Funeral arrangements and Masonic Service information is not yet available but once I have the details, I will get them out to you.
If you wish to send a card or note to June, please contact the Scottish Rite Office for her contact information.
My the Grand Architect bless and our Brother and be with his family, friends and all of us during this most distressing time.
God Bless Terry.
Sincere fraternal regards,
Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary
Brethren and Friends:
I was reading back through the last issue of the web edition and I noticed a GLARING error!
In reporting to you about all that happened at the Council of Deliberation's Annual Meeting, I forgot to mention that we won for the 21st time, the Ill. Richard A. Kern, 33, Benevolence Award! This Award is presented to the Valley that has highest donation response to the Annual Blue Envelope appeal. Congratulations Brethren and Thank You as well!
Our Sovereign Prince, Bro. Steve Bradley is hoping to see you and your family on one of the two buses we have going to Autumn Day on Saturday, September 17, 2011. We have received a number of paid reservations for both buses, but there is still room for you. The buses will board at 9:00 AM at Tacony Masonic Temple, 4400 Magee Avenue and LuLu Shriners, 5140 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting. They will depart the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown for home at 4:00 PM. PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THIS CHANGE OF TIME. Originally they were scheduled to return at 3:00 PM but as the Autumn Day festivities conclude at 4:00, our Sovereign Prince didn't want anyone to miss out on anything. The cost per person is $23 for the trip. There is a reservation form in the Summer issue of The Double Eagle, but I understand that some folks don't like to cut up their Eagle (as the Editor, I have to say Thank You for your appreciation of my work!), so if you fall into that category, just send your check made payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies" to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Please put "Bus Trip" and either "Tacony" or "LuLu" on your check's memo line.
This is a great trip idea. You get to enjoy the beauty of the Masonic Village, eat all the food you can handle, shop the craft tables and the farm stand (mmm, apple butter) and then sit back and let someone else drive home. No high gas prices, no tolls, no traffic, just a great day in Elizabethtown and the fellowship of your Scottish Rite family. I'll bet you're reaching for the checkbook right now.
Don't forget our Fall Reunion starts in September this year. Friday, September 16, 2011 Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, Ill. Robert J. Burns, Thrice Potent Master, presiding, will present the 4th Degree (DVD format), the 12th Degree (Scottish Rite Passport ALERT!), and the 14th Degree.
Our Class is named in honor of our Right Worshipful Grand Master and Active Member of the Supreme Council for Pennsylvania, Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33.
As of right now we have 14 Candidates for the Fall Class which is nice but I never consider our Class to be "successful" until we have at least 20. Do you have a Candidate (or two) yet? What are you waiting for? I'll bet there is a Brother (or two) in your Lodge, that you talk to at every meeting who isn't a Scottish Rite Mason. He needs you to bring up the subject in order for him to want to join our Valley. Tell him how much you and your lady enjoy coming to the Reunions, how much fun the evenings are, how different and enlightening our Degree work is, and how much better it would be with him as a member!
There is a Petition for Degrees and Membership in the Summer Double Eagle and you can always get one at Printable Petition.
To our non-Scottish Rite Brothers that might be reading this edition, you too can download a petition there as well. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call me in our office at 215-563-1814 or toll free at 866-834-3432. Let me just say, it is quite an honor to be a 32nd Degree Mason and even more so to be made one in a Class named in honor of the Grand Master.
Did I mention that the Grand Master will join us on Friday, November 4, 2011? Yes, I know, I just did, but I still had to get that out there. Yes, he will be with us that evening to welcome the members of his Class, plan now to come on out and welcome him. Hey, no excuses here. He's coming all the way from Pittsburgh and you, well most of you, live right here in the Delaware Valley.
Well that will do it for this edition of "Across My Desk, the web edition." Enjoy these cooler temperatures while we have them.
May the Grand Architect continue to watch over you and yours.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary
Brethren and Friends: Well, we are back home from the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation. Here are some of the highlights:
Congratulations go out again to Bros. Paul Mandelaro and James Rae, both of whom received the Meritorious Service Award at the Annual Meeting. Bro. Paul serves as our Makeup Director and Bro. Jim, is Captain of the Guard in the line Benjamin Franklin Consistory. Jim is also our Family Life Chairman, an At-Large Member of the Executive Committee, Associate Stage Director, and a member of both the Marshals and Reception-Stewards Committees.
In 2012 the Council of Deliberation will meet at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. At the 2012 Annual Meeting Bros. Robert "Skip" Leopold and Thomas Wible, will receive the Meritorious Service Award. Congratulations to these two deserving Brothers.
Our State Deputy, Ill. William McCarrier, has announced that he will be stepping down as Deputy (he will remain an Active), at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council. Congratulations on a great term, Ill. Bro. Bill. Thank you for your leadership!
Well that will do it for this web edition.
May the Grand Architect watch over all of you and your families.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Steven A. Morrison
Valley Secretary
Hello Brethren and Friends: Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day holiday and weekend! We are so privileged to live in the United States and to celebrate our nation's birthday each year commemorates all that we stand for as a people.
This coming weekend the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation will hold its Annual Meeting at the Seven Springs Resort in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania. This resort is located in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania. If you've never been there, you are really missing a nice location to visit as well as the opportunity to learn about what is happening in Scottish Rite Masonry throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Annual Meeting alternates each year. Last year's meeting and next year's meeting was and will be held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, PA.
All 33rd Degree Members, MSA Recipients, Elected Officers of the Bodies of the Valley and Past Elected Officers are members of the Council. However, all 32nd Degree Members of the Valley are welcome to attend the Annual Meeting. If you are interested or would like more information, contact me in the Scottish Rite Office.
Bros. James C. Rae and Paul J. Mandelaro, will both be honored by the Valley of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation at this year's meeting, as they will each receive the Meritorious Service Award (MSA) for their dedicated and unselfish service to the Valley of Philadelphia. Both of these Brothers have shown through their actions the type of members we need more of. They are active and involved and committed to furthering our Valley. Congratulations again to both of them!
At the Annual Meeting the names of those Brothers selected to receive the Award next year will also be announced. Who is it going to be? You'll have to wait and see!
By now you have probably received your Summer issue of The Double Eagle. The issue features the biographies of our newly elected Valley Officers, as well as the schedule for the 2011 Fall Reunion, which is named in honor of our Right Worshipful Grand Master, Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33. Put those dates on your calendar now and be sure to be with us this Fall. Also if you haven't recommended a Brother to the Scottish Rite, why not do so for this Fall Class. We have found in the past that when the Class is named for the Grand Master, Brethren usually want to be a part of that. A petition is available in your Summer issue too!
We have 13 Candidates right now for our Fall Reunion, but more are always welcome!
The Summer issue also features an announcement of the Valley's Fall Bus Trip to the Grand Lodge's "Autumn Day" on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Our Sovereign Prince, Bro. Steve Bradley, 32, has planned this trip and it is an excellent idea. You can board the bus at either LuLu Shriners, or Tacony Masonic Temple at 9:00 AM and then enjoy the day on the beautiful campus of the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, without the hassle of driving two hours out and two hours back, plus the cost of gas and tolls! This trip is expected to fill up fast! Get your reservation in today! For more information click on over to; http://www.philascottishrite.org/announcebus_trip.htm
Our Valley web site is always the place to go for all the latest and up to date information. Check it out at http://www.philascottishrite.org/ You can even download a petition there!
Yes, I know your Scottish Rite Dues Card is about to expire. It is my intention to have the Supreme Council do our billing shortly. At the present time we are in the process of changing our Valley banking which has caused me to delay the billing as I want to be sure to have accurate information on the bill regarding how to make your check payable. We actually hope to have that resolved TODAY! Your patience and understanding is appreciated. Just so everyone knows, this year's dues are $81. PLEASE, DO NOT send in your check until you have received your bill for dues and then SEND THE CHECK with your DUES BILL ENCLOSED. I thank you and so does our auditors!
Well that will do it for this issue of the web edition. Enjoy your summer! I'll see you this weekend in Seven Springs at the Council of Deliberation (if you're going), if not, as the old song says, "I'll see you in September." Well actually, I'll see you here on the web edition long before that!
May the Grand Architect continue to watch over you and yours. God Bless America.
Sincere fraternal regards,
Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary
