Spring Things!

Brethren and Friends:

I write this message with a heavy heart in the days following the funeral of our Illustrious Brother, Thomas Hopkins, 33, Past Thrice Potent Master of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection. Tom's impact on the Valley of Philadelphia was very prominent.

He served as the presiding officer of the Lodge of Perfection in 2010-11 and also served on a number of Valley Committees. He will probably be best remembered however for his work with the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Children's Dyslexia Center. It was through his chairmanship of the annual, "A Toast to Reading," that many of the needed funds to operate the Center were raised.

Our Brother was so honored by the Valley of Philadelphia and the Supreme Council when he was coroneted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33 at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction held at Boston, MA.

Stay tuned for news regarding this year's "Toast" as it will, beginning this year, honor our Brother's work and his memory.

We ask the Grand Architect bless our Brother and be with his family during this most difficult time.

If you wish to send a card or note to the family, contact the Scottish Rite Office for addressing information.

If you were present at the March 16th Special Communication of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, you not only saw some great Degree work (Especially the PHENOMENAL Cast that put on the 8th Degree. I was particularly impressed by the performance of the guy that played role of King Hiram of Tyre!), but you also saw the large Class of Candidates we have going through the Degrees.  Congrats again to all of them for selecting our Valley to assist them in their search for further Masonic Light and also to our Candidate Recommenders. Great work as always guys!

The aforementioned Class will be back with us for the Spring Special Convocation of DeJoinville Council  and the Spring Special Assembly of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix on Friday, April 20, 2012 and you should be there too!

The evening begins with dinner in the Grand Banquet Room at 6PM. A buffet dinner featuring a Roast Turkey Carving Station will be served. The Special Convocation opens at 7:30 PM at which time the 16th Degree, Prince of Jerusalem will be presented. The Special Assembly follows, in which the Officers of Kilwinning Chapter will present the 18th Degree, Knight of Rose Croix.

Before the commencement of the Degree work, we will pause for a moment to recognize two of our Valley's leaders, Illustrious Brothers and Past Commanders-in-Chief, Anthony J. Garvey and G. Kent Hackney, 33. It is appropriate to honor them both on this night as they are both also Past Most Wise Masters of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix. Our Illustrious Deputy, Russell W. Baker, 33, is expected to be with us as well. Come out and welcome him.

Call the Scottish Rite Office at 215-563-1814 for more information or to make your dinner reservations BEFORE the 18 April Deadline!

If you are interested in getting more involved in the Valley or maybe just in learning what might be expected of you should desire to get more active, why not register to attend our Annual Officer's Training Conference on Saturday, April 14th at Tacony Masonic Temple? If you have any desire to serve the Valley in virtually any capacity, there will be something you will glean from the Conference that will assist and enable you to become a DYNAMIC Scottish Rite/Masonic Leader.

The day kicks off at 7:30 AM with a Continental Breakfast. The Conference begins at 8:30 AM and will conclude by 12PM at which time lunch will be served.

All Valley Officers, both elected and appointed are expected to attend. Valley Committee members and Degree Cast members should plan to be there too. If you are interested in attending, call the Scottish Rite Office at 215-563-1814 to register. You can also register through the Valley's Facebook group page by going to either one of the two Conference event postings and click the "Going" button.

Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33, RWDGM, and the other Officers of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, hope to see you and your family at the Valley of Philadelphia's Annual Memorial Service on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at Gloria Dei (Old Swede's) Church, Columbus Blvd & Christian Street in South Philadelphia.

The Service which memorializes our Valley Brethren lost over the past year, will again be lead by The Reverend and Ill. William D. Hartman, 33. Bro. Bill always has an inspiring and meaningful message to impart. Following the Service a COMPLIMENTARY dinner awaits you and your family in the Church's Social Hall, but (isn't there always a but?), you must have a dinner reservation. To make a reservation, you can call 215-563-1814, send an email to phila.aasr@juno.com or by going to the Memorial Service event page through the Valley's Facebook group page and click the "Going" button. Remember, if you do not have a reservation, we cannot, will not, can't, won't, and shouldn't guarantee you a meal. Don't miss out!

We have been invited to have a Valley table at the Shiloh Lodge No. 558 Annual Banquet. The banquet will be held on Monday, April 30, 2012 at the William Penn Inn, 1017 DeKalb Pike, Gwynedd, PA 19436. The special guest speaker for this event is R.W. Bro. James W. Daniel, MA,PhD, Past Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England.

The Executive Committee voted not to purchase a table for this event as we have other financial attentions at the moment. However, if any Valley member is interested in going and coordinating with other Valley members to sit together at the banquet as a representative delegation of the Valley of Philadelphia, we can work to put this effort together through the Scottish Rite Office.

The three course dinner (with wine) is for Masons only. Jacket and tie are required. The choice of entree is Capon Marsala or Blackberry Barbecued Pork. The cost per person is $40. Make your check payable to "Shiloh Lodge No. 558." Contact the Scottish Rite Office for addressing information. DO NOT SEND ANY CHECKS FOR THIS EVENT TO THE SCOTTISH RITE OFFICE.

The Valley's next big Family Life event is right around the corner! Well, actually right over the river! The Valley's Family Day at Campbell's Field featuring the Camden River Sharks vs the Somerset Patriots, is scheduled for Sunday, June 3, 2012.

This Family Life event is open to all Valley members, their families, and Masonic friends. The cost per person for tickets is $12 for ages 13 and up and $6 for ages 12 and under. For an additional $10 per ticket you can order a River Sharks ball cap with "Valley of Philadelphia" on the back.

We again have the picnic pavilion for this outing which means your ticket entitles you to a half-hour of food before the game and an hour and a half during the game.

This will be our third year with the River Sharks. The past two years have been sell outs. Don't be left out! Look for the ticket order coupon in your April issue of THE DOUBLE EAGLE!

Supreme Council is producing a video to celebrate the bicentennial celebration in 2013. One scene in this video wil feature US, the Valley of Philadelphia singing the National Anthem and "God Bless America." We are in the process of coordinating a date for the shooting. It will most likely be a Saturday afternoon and will be at the Grand Lodge. We need about 60 Brethren to participate. Once the details are finalized I will let you know so that you can sign up to be a part of the show!

Well that will do it for this edition. I want to wish all of our Brethren and Friends a joyous and peaceful Easter/Passover Season.  May the Grand Architect continue to bless and watch over each of you and your families.

God Bless Ill. Bro. Thomas Hopkins and offer His Divine Comfort to Tom's family during this most difficult time.

Sincere fraternal regards,

Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary

It's Been Awhile

Dear Brethren and Friends:

It has been awhile since the last “Across My Desk, the web edition,” so here goes.

First to our Jewish Brethren and their families I want to say, Happy Purim! and to our Irish Brethren and their families, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Second, it is my unfortunate duty to announce that the Showboat Hotel and Casino Bus Trip scheduled for Sunday, March 25, 2012 has been cancelled. Sorry folks but we just didn’t get enough interest in the trip to make it a go. Refunds will be forthcoming.

Don’t forget to “SPRING FORWARD” on Sunday, March 11, 2012!

The beginning of our Spring Reunion is just around the corner. The Spring Special Communication of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, 14° kicks things off on Friday, March 16, 2012.

Ill. Robert J. Burns, 33°, Thrice Potent Master and the Officers look forward to welcoming  you, your lady and the members of the Ill. Armando M. Duran, 33° Memorial Class. The Degrees to be presented that evening include, the 4° (DVD format), the 8°, Intendant of the Building, and the 14°, Grand Elect Mason. The 8° features an interesting and historic story from the Solomonic era. Don’t miss it!

The evening begins with a buffet dinner featuring a Roast Beef carving station in the Grand Banquet Hall at 6:00 PM. The cost per person for dinner is still a great value at $15 per person. The deadline for dinner reservations is Wednesday, March 14, 2012. You can make a reservation either by calling 215-563-1814, or by email to: phila.aasr@juno.com or through the Valley’s Facebook group page by clicking on “Events,” then “Spring Special Communication” then, “Going.” Remember all dinner reservations made past the deadline and walk up dinners the night of the Communication now cost $25 per person. Don’t let this happen to you!

As always the Ladies of the Valley will have a fun program planned so be sure to bring your lady along for a great night!

Speaking of our Spring Class, as you know by now, I always say that a Class isn’t a “successful” Class until it has at least 20 Candidates. As this Class is named in memory of my friend and our Illustrious Brother,  Armando M. Duran, 33°, and as he was the first line signer for 33 Valley members, 20 petitions wasn’t going to cut it. We need at least to match the total number of our Illustrious honoree in new Candidates. Well as of today, we have 30 Candidates, so we still have some work to do! Speak with that Master Mason friend of yours and invite him to become a member of “Pennsylvania Freemasonry’s Best Kept Secret!” To our Master Mason followers, if you’re interested in becoming a member, petitions are always available on our Valley web site at http://www.philascottishrite.org/printable_petition.htm If you need more information, give me a call at 215-563-1814.

Remember that starting with the 2012 Spring Class all Candidates will receive the Supreme Council Bicentennial Jewel. Be sure to mention that to your prospect!

The Challenge Update: As of right now, NOT ONE of the 33 Brethren Armando was the recommender for has brought in a petition for the Class. What’s with you guys? Is this anyway to honor his memory? LETS GO!

All Elected and Appointed Officers, Committee Members are reminded about our Annual Officer’s Training Conference on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Tacony Masonic Temple, 4400 Magee Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia.

ANY Valley Member interested in getting more active or involved in the Valley are welcome and encouraged to attend the Conference!

The doors open and a complimentary Continental Breakfast will be served at 7:30 AM. The Conference begins at 8:30 AM. The Half Day format includes the topics; Finance/Budgets, Family Life, Membership, the Supreme Council Bicentennial, Masonic Protocol, and the Children’s Dyslexia Centers, plus ANY and ALL questions you may have. The Conference will conclude at noon, at which time a complimentary lunch will be served.

If you are interested in attending, you must register. You can do that by calling 215-563-1814 or by email to: phila.aasr@juno.com

As always the dress code for the Conference is Business Casual. Remember, this Conference is definitely worth your time if you plan to become active in the Valley. Did I mention that a Candidate for the Spring Class, who will only be a 14° Mason the day of the Conference has already signed up? Well, he did! You’ve got to love that sort of enthusiasm!

Our Spring Reunion continues on Friday evening, April 20, 2012 with the Spring Special Convocation of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 16° and the Special Assembly of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, 18°. The Degrees to be presented that night are the 16°, Prince of Jerusalem (featuring Bro. Peter B. Lavelle, 32° in a starring role!) and the 18°, Knight of Rose Croix.

Also, our State Deputy, Ill. Russell W. Baker, 33° will be present that evening as we will take a moment to recognize the commitment and leadership of Illustrious Bros. Anthony J. Garvey and G. Kent Hackney, 33°. Congratulations Bud and Kent! You guys deserve this!

Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33°, Most Wise Master and the other Officers of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, want to welcome you and your family at the Valley’s Annual Memorial Service on Sunday, April 29, 2012. This year’s Service will begin at 3PM at Gloria Dei (Old Swede’s) Church, Columbus Blvd & Christian Street in South Philadelphia. As always, a complimentary dinner will follow in the Church’s Social Hall, but again like ALWAYS, a dinner reservation is required. Call the Scottish Rite Office at 215-563-1814 to register!

The Spring Reunion will conclude on Friday, May 11, 2012 with the Special Rendezvous of Benjamin Franklin Consistory. The Degrees to be presented that evening are the 30°, Grand Inspector (YES, this is an OFFICIAL Scottish Rite Passport ALERT!), the 31° Knight Aspirant and the 32°, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret.

Our Commander-in-Chief, Ill. Raymond G. Brown will be making a special presentation that evening to Mrs. Duran. You definitely will want to be there for that.

Our Family Life Chairman, Bro. James C. Rae, 32°, MSA wants me to remind everyone about our upcoming Family Day at Campbell’s Field on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 1:06PM.

This Family Life event is open to all Valley Members, their Families and Masonic friends. The cost per person is $12 for ages 13 and up and $6 for ages 12 and under. For an additional $10 per ticket you can purchase a River Sharks baseball cap with “Valley of Philadelphia” on the back.

Campbell’s Field has a “Kids Zone,” with lots of fun activities for the little folks to enjoy including a carousel, moon bounce, and rock climbing wall.  For the rest of us there is exciting Atlantic League baseball action as the River Sharks take on the Somerset Patriots.

We again have the picnic pavilion for this Valley outing, which means your ticket entitles you to a half hour of food before the game and an hour and a half during the game.

You want to go? Send your check payable to “Scottish Rite Bodies,” to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520, Be sure to include how many adult and how many kids tickets you need.

From the amount of phone calls and emails I’ve received, it seems like everyone has read their March Double Eagle and are eager to purchase a Supreme Council Bicentennial Jewel. Please understand that at this point I have not received any information other than the fact that the Jewel will cost $25 and all 32° Brethren are entitled to wear one. I promise, once Supreme Council releases information on how and when to order the Jewel, it will be published in THE DOUBLE EAGLE and right here on “Across My Desk, the web edition. Be Patient!

Well that will do it for this edition.

As always I pray that the Grand Architect watches over all of you and your families.

Sincere fraternal regards,

Steven A. Morrison, 33°

Valley Secretary