Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Summer Breezes

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



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