I hope this edition finds you well and recovering from your best Thanksgiving ever!
It is my unfortunate duty to announce that the Valley's Holiday Celebration Dinner which was to be held on Friday, December 14, 2012 has been cancelled. We did not have enough members participating to make the event happen.
Those that sent in ticket orders will be reimbursed and we thank them for their support of and continued interest in our Valley and its activities.
A "Mother's Day" Ladies Night event is in the planning stages for the Spring. Stay tuned!
The Holiday Season is officially underway, and we want to wish a Happy Hanukkah to all of our Jewish Brethren and their families. Hanukkah is observed this year December 8th through the 16th.
By now you have no doubt heard all the hysteria regarding the Mayan calendar and how the world is supposed to end on December 21, 2012. Well, I'm here to tell you that, the MAYANS ARE WRONG!!!!!
Yes, that's right. They're wrong. Think about it. Our Fall Special Rendezvous is happening on Friday, December 21, 2012. Our Class Honoree, Ill. Jay W. Smith, 33, Right Worshipful Grand Master and our Illustrious Deputy, Russell W. Baker, 33 will be with us that evening. How can the world possibly end when we have such a huge event happening? It just goes to show you that the Mayans didn't read THE DOUBLE EAGLE and quite possibly weren't subscribed to "Across My Desk, the web edition!" So we'll give them a pass on this one.
Friday, December 21, 2012 is going to be a big evening for the Valley of Philadelphia. In addition to the R.W. Grand Master and the Deputy's visit, we will recognize our Class of 2012 33rd Degree Members and our 2012 Meritorious Service Award recipients as well as those Brethren that have recently completed their Scottish Rite Passports.
We will present the 22nd Degree, "Prince of Libanus" that evening by showing the brand new DVD production of the Degree, our Valley Cast will present the 31st Degree, "Knight Aspirant," and again we have a Cast full of first timers. Come out and support them! The Commander-in-Chief and the Officers of Benjamin Franklin Consistory will confer the 32nd Degree, "Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret."
The evening begins at 6 PM with our buffet dinner in the Grand Banquet Hall. The menu for the buffet includes; Caesar Salad, New England Clam Chowder, Prime Rib Carving Station, Boston Scrod, Roasted Potatoes and Succotash. The cost per person for dinner is $20. The deadline is Wednesday, December 19th. Reservations may be made by calling 215-563-1814, by clicking the "Going" button on the Fall Special Rendezvous event page on the Valley's Facebook group page (If you belong. And if you don't, why not? You're missing instant updates to all that is happening in our Valley!) or by email to phila.aasr@juno.com
The Ladies Auxiliary have a fun evening planned. They're asking all Valley Ladies to bring along a favorite card or board game to share for a night fun and, yes, games!
Take a break from the hustle and bustle (and shopping) of the Holiday Season and join with us for the VERY LAST DAY of, no, not the world, but, our Fall Reunion!
If you cannot be with us, we want to wish you and yours a very Happy Hanukkah, a very Merry Christmas and of course a very Happy New Year too!
Don't forget the time is now here to apply for the Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship! This general scholarship is available to Scottish Rite Masons in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, their children, their grandchildren (if the the grandfather can claim the the grandchild as a sole dependent) and the young people of our Masonic Youth groups, DeMolay, Job's Daughters and Rainbow.
Individual scholarships are limited to funds available from donations to the annual Blue Envelope Appeal.
Applications may be obtained by writing to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520, or by email to phila.aasr@juno.com and returned on or before MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013, in order to be eligible for submission.
2013 is going to be a busy year in the Valley of Philadelphia and we already have bunch of dates to put on your calendar.
Our Spring Reunion begins on Friday, March 18th with the Special Communication of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection. The Reunion continues on April 19th, with the Special Convocation and Assembly of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem and Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, respectively. The Reunion concludes Friday, May 10th with the Special Rendezvous of Benjamin Franklin Consistory.
Our Annual Officers Training Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 27th at Tacony Masonic Temple, 4400 Magee Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. All elected and appointed Officers are expected to be there. Valley Committee members are encouraged to attend and ANY Valley member who is interested in getting more involved are welcome to attend too. For more information or to register your attendance, please call 215-563-1814, or email to phila.aasr@juno.com. For Valley Facebook group members, there will be an event page set up for the Conference as the date draws closer. You will be able to RSVP there as well.
Ill. Jeffrey S. Greene, 33, Most Wise Master and the other Officers of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, welcome you and your family to attend the Valley's Annual Memorial Service on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Gloria Dei (Old Swede's) Church, Columbus Boulevard and Christian Street in South Philadelphia. The Service begins at 3PM and as always a complimentary dinner will follow in the Church's Social Hall. Everyone is welcome, but to attend the dinner you MUST have a prior reservation. To make a reservation, please call 215-563-1814, or email to phila.aasr@juno.com. As we get closer to the date of the Service, there will be an event page on the Valley's Facebook group, where you can also RSVP your attendance.
The Valley's Annual Meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2013. That evening we will elect and install those that will serve the Valley for the 2014 Scottish Rite year, as well as recognize our 50 year members and present Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship checks to deserving students.
Well that will do it for this edition. I pray the Grand Architect continues to watch over all of you and bless you and your families with all the goodness there is to offer, not only through this Holiday Season, but also in the coming new year too!
Oh, I almost forgot! What sort of Navy Veteran would I be if I didn't remember the annual Army-Navy game on Saturday, December 8, 2013? The Navy is going for it's eleventh straight victory this year. I'm sure all of our Valley Sailors and Marines will join me in wishing the Midshipmen a successful and victorious game! Oh and to our Valley Soldiers, good luck, you're going to need it!
GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!
Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary
