What's Coming Up This Fall?

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