Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Friday! You made it!

Okay time to get serious. TODAY is exactly one week until the Valley's Holiday Party. You haven't heard, seen or read me using the word, "DEADLINE" in referring to the Party, but TODAY, I have to.

If you're planning on going, thinking about going, definitely going and haven't ordered your tickets yet, next Wednesday, 17 December is the DEADLINE to get them! I will not put any tickets into the mail after that date. If you plan to come into the Scottish Rite Office on Thursday, 18 December to pick them up in person, that we can make happen, but NOTHING will be mailed past WEDNESDAY, 17 DECEMBER!

The event is being held at the Lazaretto Ballroom, 99 Wanamaker Road, Essington, PA. No tickets will be sold at the door! No exceptions.

At the Holiday Party we will be making a special presentation to our very own Illustrious Valley Brother, Robert J. Bateman, 33, Right Worshipful Grand Master and Active Member of the Supreme Council. Also, we're going to be making a SUPER SECRET SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Want to know what it is? Send in your check for tickets today!

Tickets are $35 per person. This gets you, a one hour open bar social hour, a delicious buffet dinner, DJ entertainment, and the great fellowship of your Valley Brethren and their Ladies. 

Make your check payable to 'Scottish Rite Bodies' and mail it to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520, TODAY!

Have a great day and an even better weekend.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Monday everyone!

That's right, it's Monday, the start of the work week. Which means you're one day closer to Hanukkah, one day closer to Christmas and one day closer to the VALLEY'S HOLIDAY PARTY! Do you have your tickets yet?

I know, believe me I know, with all the running around and shopping for the perfect gifts, can be hectic and stressful. Your nerves are frayed from standing in lines waiting to check out to "rush home with your treasures," as the song goes. But did you know, that nothing and I mean, NOTHING reduces stress like a party does! It's true. It's scientifically proven that having some fun with friends will calm you down and help you reduce stress! Now who are you or even me for that matter to argue with proven science? ?

Also, it's at the Party where you, yes YOU are making a special presentation to our own Valley Brother and Right Worshipful Grand Master, Robert J. Bateman, 33, and that a SUPER SECRET SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT will be made. Only a few of us in the Valley know what it is and we're all being held in secret contract not to reveal it until the Commander-in-Chief does at the party. If you're not one of us who've been sworn to secrecy, you won't know until the night of the Party when the announcement is officially made. Believe me it's going to be a special moment you won't want to miss!

There's still time to get your tickets. Send your check in today to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Make your check payable to Scottish Rite Bodies. If you need a flyer to order your tickets (they're $35 a piece. The tickets, NOT the flyers), it's available in both the October and November issue of THE DOUBLE EAGLE.

So this past Saturday evening was the first showing of our Valley's Holiday Season Family Life event, "Les Miserables" at the Media Theater. Did you go? Did you enjoy the show? I hope so, The next showing is this coming Saturday afternoon. Both shows sold out, which is great news! Thank you to everyone who supported this Valley program! By the way, "Christmas at Hershey," will be back next year,

Have a great Monday everyone and an evening better week ahead!

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Wednesday!

This Friday, 14 November is our dinner reservation deadline for next Friday's Fall Reunion Closing Ceremony. If you haven't made your reservation yet, please do so today or tomorrow at the latest. Remember, I will be calling the number into the Caterer on Friday, so you surely want to be in that count.

Also, if you are a Candidate Recommender, please check with your Candidate to see if he is planning to attend and if he has checked in as of yet. This is your responsibility to him as his recommender and to the Valley as well. I send both the current and the hold over Candidates a letter prior to each meeting and that letter directs them to contact the Office upon receipt, but that doesn't always happen. As of right now I haven't heard from quite a few of the Candidates.

If they don't check in, I have to order them a dinner just in case they do show up. How would we look if we weren't prepared for a Candidate? But, if they don't show up, WE, you and I are paying for a dinner for no one and if it's more than one, it can add up. If you are a recommender of any of the aforementioned Brethren, or even if you're not but you know one or more of them, please reach out to them and have them check in, regardless if they plan to attend or not. Thank You.

Our 32nd Degree Ceremonial Cast rehearses this evening at 7PM. Good Luck guys on your first rehearsal of the new ritual.

7 Tickets remain for our Valley's Family Life event "Les Miserables" at the Media Theater on Saturday, 6 December at 7PM. We've sold out of our share of tickets for the 13 December 2PM matinee showing. Owing to the obvious popularity of that date and time, the theater management is offering us a trade of our remaining 6 December tickets for 13 December tickets, but we have to let them know by this Friday. So, if you want to go to the sold out show, ACT NOW!!! Let me know.

Ticket orders are coming in for the Valley's Holiday Party on Friday, 19 December at the Lazaretto Ballroom in Essington and that is great to see. We're going to have a good time. During the evening we will be making a very special presentation to our Illustrious Valley Brother, Robert Bateman, 33, RWGM and Active Member of the Supreme Council. The evening begins with the Social Hour at 6PM featuring an open bar and hot and cold hors doeuvres. A cash bar begins at 7PM and a delicious buffet dinner will be served. DJ Bob Schiavert entertains us until 10PM. Sounds like fun doesn't it?Tickets are $35 per person in advance. That's right. NO, no tickets will be sold at the door. If you show up and do not have a ticket, you'll be going home. Talk about being all dressed up with no where to go! Don't let that be YOU! Send your check payable to 'Scottish Rite Bodies,' to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520, TODAY!

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Reunion Week Monday!

If you haven't made your dinner reservation yet for this Friday night, you have one more chance to get it done. Yes, that's right. I have given the Caterer a count of 170 persons but at that time we had a count of 148 and I still had a few Degree Cast members and Candidates that I hadn't heard from. She agreed to have me call her again this morning to up that count should we need to. As of right now, I have 162 on actual count, so 170 may need to jump up. I will find out for sure when I get into the office this morning and check both the voice and emails. So yes, THIS ONE TIME, you can still get into the count. Do it now or pay the higher price on Friday night!

The Valley of Philadelphia's Best Friend also known as Ill. Russell W. Baker, 33. Deputy for Pennsylvania is coming to visit us on Friday night. Come on out and say hi to Bro. Russ!

Both our 6th and 23rd Degree Casts are taking advantage of this extra week and have scheduled 3rd rehearsals for this coming Wednesday night. The 6th Degree Cast will rehearse in Gothic Hall at 7PM and the 23rd Cast will come in at 8PM. Please take note of the time changes! Remember, the dress code for the Masonic Temple is coat and tie and parking is ONLY in the Convention Center Parking Facility conveniently located at 1324 Arch Street!

Unless something changes in today's mail, we still have 9 tickets remaining for the December 6th Family Life event, "Les Miserables" at the Media Theatre. The show begins at 6PM and tickets are a great deal at $20 per person. If you want to go send me a check made payable to Scottish Rite Bodies to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520.

Don't forget the Valley's Holiday Party on Friday, December 19th at the Lazaretto Ballroom in Essington, PA. I'm going. Are you? Please send your check in. Yes, you need to do that if you're planning to go. No, repeat, NO tickets will be sold at the door! Tickets cost $35 per person. We're having a buffet dinner and dj entertainment too. Also, we'll be making a special presentation to our very own Illustrious Valley Brother, Robert J. Bateman, 33, Right Worshipful Grand Master and NEW Active Member of the Supreme Council. This is an honor not only for Illustrious Brother Bateman but also for our Valley to have one of own chosen for this most important Scottish Rite office. Get your check into the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520, today to avoid the Holiday rush and to insure that you do not miss this great Valley gathering!

Well that'll do it for this morning. Have a great Monday and an even better week ahead. If you haven't called in for dinner yet, DO IT NOW!!!!!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday!

6th and 23rd Casts rehearse this evening. The 6th Cast comes in at 6PM and the 23rd Cast starts at 7:30PM in Gothic Hall. Remember the dress code for the Masonic Temple is coat and tie, and parking is at the Convention Center Parking Facility, 1324 Arch Street.

To those two teams, have a great rehearsal. We're all looking forward to your presentations, next Friday night!

Do I have your dinner reservation yet? If not please call today! 215-563-1814.

Got an interesting email from Supreme Council this morning, and they've asked me share the information with you.

With the launch of the new Scottish Rite website, they are starting a campaign promoting the fraternity with the phrase "A Friend in Every Town." The idea goes back to the very beginnings of our organization - a network of like-minded people that you can find anywhere you go.

To highlight this they want to put very short bios of members across the Jurisdiction in the system that will pop up randomly on the Supreme Council web site. They hope to promote the idea that, through our Brotherhood, we are connected to someone in every community. They are looking for willing participants to give us their names (or even nicknames), local Lodge, Valley, and if you would like, a one or two sentence bio of their professions or interests.

I did it. If you want to do the same, please visit: https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=RWI96FoO5n2VYIOnX1Kd7A

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Tuesday!

This Friday, 17 October, our original meeting date is now our Petition Deadline and Reservation Deadline day. I've had a number of Brethren contact me about getting petitions in the past few days, Friday's coming; lets get them in!

If you haven't made your dinner reservations as of yet, lets get that done too. Although Friday, is the deadline and you actually have to get your reservation in by Thursday, Why? Because I have to call our final number in to the Caterer on Friday. Makes sense right? If you haven't gotten your reservation in yet, please do so soon. Thanks. Call 215-563-1814 or email to phila.aasr@juno.com

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Tuesday!

We had some confusion last night regarding the 4th Degree rehearsal. I can understand as we usually have the rehearsals a week apart, but due to another body meeting in Gothic Hall last night the 4th Degree Cast rehearsals had to be spaced two weeks apart. The letter that went out to the Casts identified this fact, but habits are what they are, so this confusion is understood. To those that showed up last evening, we hope that you will be able to attend next week's rehearsal and thank you for your continued commitment to presenting the very best ritual to our Fall Class.

I am very happy to announce that we currently have 31 Candidates for our Fall Class! But I do have a disclaimer, 6 of those are Brothers who petitioned previously and failed to report. Hopefully they will come out this time or they will all be declared null and void. This is why it is so important for our recommenders to be sure that their Candidate has called in and plans to attend. We cannot over emphasize this most important duty enough! Remember, you get FREE dues the following year, if you are the first line recommender on three INITIATED Candidates in the same year!

As you probably know by now, the Family Life event, "Les Miserables" on Saturday, 13 December at the Media Theater has sold out! Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets to support this Valley activity.

9 tickets still remain for the 6 December "Les Mis" show. Tickets cost $20 per person. Make your check payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies" and send it to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. There is a flyer in your October Double Eagle.

Our Fall Reunion begins on Friday, 24 October. Yes, that's right the fourth Friday. Our usual third Friday night had to be moved at the request of the Grand Lodge as they have a movie company working in the building that week and they didn't want us or them getting in each other's way. Personally I think they should have left us here. We have a lot of good looking and talented folks in this Valley and those movie people may have discovered the next big star!

Anyway, because of this set back, our dinner reservation deadline is now Friday, 17 October. If you haven't called, emailed or clicked "Going" (for our Facebook group members) please do so soon. We're going back to buffet dinners, as we've found that still seems to be the most efficient way to get everyone their meal and able our Cast Members, Officers and Candidates where they need to be on time.

When I pick the menu for these buffets, I will be sure to have a meat (beef, chicken, pork or turkey), a fish, and a vegetarian choice, that way all tastes are satisfied. Thanks to everyone for their understanding of this needed change.

During the dinner portion of the evening, our Commander-in-Chief will present our 2014 Meritorious Service Award recipients, Valley Bros. Stephen Bradley, 32 MSA and Norman Greene, 32 MSA with their Scottish Rite MSA caps. Be on hand to congratulate these two worthy Brothers on this honor.

On Friday, 24 October we will present the required 4th Degree, Master Traveler, along with the 6th Degree, Master of the Brazen Serpent and the 23rd Degree, Knight of Valor.

The 6th Degree is directed by Past Most Wise Master, Ill. John "Doc" Wagner, 33. This is his directorial debut! Come on out and show the Doc some love.

The 23rd Degree is being presented by a Cast made up mostly of Valley members from Jerusalem Lodge No. 506. Many thanks go out to Ill. Cliff "Hook em Horns" Hutchens, 33 MSA, our Cast Director for putting this Cast together and presenting this World War II drama to the Class and the Valley. Surely, Illustrious Bro. Cliff and the Cast will do a better job than Cliff's beloved Longhorns are doing this season...

While all this Degree conferring is happening, the Valley's First Lady, Annette has planned an interesting program for Ladies. "Famous American Women -History Alive!" Sounds interesting. If your Lady isn't involved with our Ladies group yet, why not encourage her to come with you? She will meet some QUALITY people, I guarantee.

Our Fall Reunion concludes on Friday, 21 November. That evening we will present the 'new' 32nd Degree ritual for the very first time in the Valley of Philadelphia. For this one conferral only, this Degree will count as both the 31st and the 32nd Degrees. You'll see why when you see it and for all of us 'oldtimers' you'll recognize something not so 'new' about the change.

Don't forget our Valley Holiday Party on Friday , 19 December at the Lazaretto Ballroom, 99 Wanamaker Avenue, Essington, PA 19029.

This is an advance ticket event. Which means NO tickets will be sold at the door. The cost per person is $35. The evening will include a Social Hour beginning at 6PM, followed by a buffet dinner at 7PM. Entertainment will follow dinner.

As per our Commander-in-Chief, this party is for you to enjoy. There will be no auctions or any fund raising events happening. Just a good time during the Holiday Season with your Valley Family.

We will have one duty to perform at the party and that will be to honor our Valley Brother and Right Worshipful Grand Master, Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33. As you are aware, Illustrious Bro. Bateman was recently elected to Active status within the Supreme Council. We will present him with his purple Scottish Rite Active's cap at the party. Come on out and help us congratulate our honored Brother!

There is a flyer for the party on Page 11 of the October Double Eagle and it will appear again in the November issue. Send in the tear off along with your check made payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies" to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Order your tickets now and avoid the Holiday rush!

Well, I've taken enough of your time this morning. If you've already reserved your dinner for the 24th, Thank You. If you haven't, I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Don't forget tomorrow, 8 October is our salute to our late Ladies Auxiliary President, Carol Butterwick, with "Give of Yourself Day." Lady Carol loved to volunteer and to do nice things for people. If you can 'participate' by doing something for someone or volunteering for something tomorrow, which is Carol's birthday, you will help to honor her memory.

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Welcome to October everyone!

Our Fall Reunion kicks off on Friday, October 24, 2014. Don't forget that date change! If you show up on Friday, the 17th they probably won't let you in the building!

As of today, right now, this minute, we have 26 Candidates for the Fall or "Ill. Raymond G. Brown, 33, Past Commander-in-Chief Class."

20 of those are Petitioners to this Class and 6 are No-Shows from previous Classes. Usually I give a No-Show three Classes to present themselves before declaring their petition null and void. All 6 of these Brethren are on their third invite now. If they do not attend on Friday, 24 October, they're out. I'll never understand someone who can write a check for $150 and just let us have it for free. I'll never understand that, but I'm thankful for the money! That's right. It's right there on our petition; "Funds Not Returned After One Year."

So with our meeting date being kicked back a week, this means both our Dinner Reservation Deadline and our Petition Deadline have changed as well. Instead of Friday, 10 October they are now, Friday, 17 October.

Have a great month everyone!

Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Thursday everyone!

I received a petition yesterday and an email came in informing me that another one is in the mail. Small steps, but steps just the same.

How about you? Do you have a Candidate yet? It's the end of the month which means you've probably been to Lodge. Did you talk to a Brother about our Valley? If you did, did you follow up? He may have another question or two. Maybe he won't petition this Class but the Spring might be in his sights. Diligence gets it done.

Have a great day everyone and stay dry. If you're a member or an invited guest of the Executive Committee, our meeting is this evening. Travel safe!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning Everyone and Welcome to Fall, well, almost.

That's right we are on the cusp (whatever a cusp is) of Autumn and that means that our Fall Reunion is ever so closer to its beginning.

It all begins on Friday, 24 October. Yes, that's right, October 24th, we had to move it back a week due to a conflict rental with the Grand Lodge.

Did you know that although this date change might have created some difficulty for some of you, hopefully not our Cast members, but, it has done ONE good thing! What's that you ask? Well, it will now EXTEND our petition deadline by one week! Yes, that's right. You now have until Friday, 17 October to get petitions in for this Class!

Did I mention how bad we need those? Well we do. As of right now, we are way behind our normal Candidate sign up. I know we've had some heavy classes of late, so maybe the 'orchards' are bit bare, but there are those guys that have been Masons for years, decades even, who've never gone beyond the Blue Lodge. Those are the guys that you want to approach. Tell them about they've missed so much already and hey, didn't you always want to be a 32nd Degree Mason anyway? Or my personal favorite, that guy who isn't a Scottish Rite Mason, but yet complains whenever the 33rd Candidate lists comes out. He's not even a Scottish Rite Mason, but yet every year, you'll hear him grumble about "How did he get it? He don't deserve it." Unbelievable! You probably know one of those guys yourself.

Enough of that rant. We need Candidates. Lets get them!

Okay where was I? Getting back to the 24th; we will present the 4th, 6th and 23rd Degrees that evening. Bro. Brian Skoff returns as Degree Master for the 4th Degree. Ill. John Wagner takes on his first duty assignment as Degree Master for the 6th, and a Cast made up of members of Jerusalem Lodge No. 506 will present the 23rd.

Get a Candidate!

Just a little observation that I thought I'd share from Saturday's Autumn Day event;

During the ceremony for the new Eternal Flame at the Veteran's Grove at our Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, our Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer in his remarks, commented that Freemasons are Patriots. No truer words were ever uttered. As the band played the anthems of the branches, our Veteran Brethren rose to stand while their song played. You saw uniforms, hats, shirts and jackets sprinkled through the crowd representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

Illustrious Brother Coy also provided a history of members of the Craft that served in all the wars and conflicts. When he discussed World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the current War on Terror, he asked Veterans who served in those conflicts to arise, which they did to the applause of everyone present.

I'm also so glad I had my sunglasses on to shade the tears in my eyes as I sang along with the crowd to "God Bless America."

And when our very own Valley Brother and Right Worshipful Grand Master, Ill. Robert Bateman put the torch to cauldron to light the Eternal Flame, you could feel the pride throughout the crowd, and then came the flyover by the World War II era bomber. Wow.

Each Veteran was provided with a lanyard to wear with his service branch seal on it to identify him as a particular service member. Wearing my Navy seal, I was approached several times throughout the day, by extended hands thanking me for my service. That, I have to tell you is something you never get tired of.

I wore my ship's ball cap to the outing and while looking at wood crafts for sale at the Freemason's Cultural Center, an elderly Brother asked me what the "DDG" on my cap stood for. When I told him, "Guided Missile Destroyer," he said to me, "You were a long time after me." and then showed me his old and weathered cap for the ship he served on. I immediately stuck out my hand and said, "Thank You for your Service, Shipmate." It took him a minute to rise up from the chair to shake my hand, but if you could have seen the pride and gratitude in his eyes, for being recognized that way, it would have stole your heart, much like it did mine.

I don't think I have to remind anyone of how proud I am of having been allowed the privilege to serve our country, or to be a member of our beloved Fraternity. I am prouder today to see our Veteran Masonic Brethren forever remembered by that Eternal Flame.

ATTENTION EVERYONE: I received a call from the Superintendent of the Masonic Temple, our current Most Wise Master, Ill. Daniel Hinds, 33, this morning asking me if we could move our October meeting. They have a movie company coming into the Temple for a few days of filming and one of those days happens to be on our October meeting date, Friday, 17 October. Which would cause a lot of issues for both them and us.

After speaking with our Commander-in-Chief, Ill. Arthur Becker, 33 MSA, we have agreed to move our Fall Reunion Opening Night to, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014.

I will be sending out letters to all our Fall Cast Members and the Candidates to this effect. Hopefully none of our Cast Members have a conflict that evening (he said prayerfully). If anyone serving in a Cast does have a conflict, PLEASE CONTACT ME OR YOUR DEGREE MASTER IMMEDIATELY!

Now I have a favor to ask each of you, I will be sending out those letters, and posting the change here and Twitter, and THANKFULLY the October DOUBLE EAGLE doesn't go to print until Monday, but if you can help me by spreading the word, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you all for your anticipated cooperation and understanding of this unexpected change.

Brethren:

 I ordered our 2nd Notice Dues Billing today. There are currently 526 members of the Valley that have not paid their dues yet. Which isn't too bad actually.

If you've yet to pay your dues, you will be receiving a Second Notice in the mail shortly When you receive your second notice, or before that, please pay your dues and REMEMBER to return your dues bill with your check! Please be sure to make your check payable to 'Scottish Rite Bodies.'

If you haven't paid your dues yet because you were the First Line Signer of three INITIATED candidates last year, I still need you to send in your dues bill. Just write, "Membership Builder" on the bill and once I confirm that, your dues will be remitted. Remember 3 or more INITIATED Candidates in the same year gets you FREE dues the following year and 25 INITIATED Candidates over the course of your Scottish Rite career, gets you LIFE membership!

Your bill should say that your dues are $87. This represents the $60 which stays here in the Valley and the $27 assessment, or dues to the Supreme Council. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU DO NOT PAY YOUR SUPREME COUNCIL DUES YOU WILL BE SUSPENDED, EVEN IF YOU PAY YOUR VALLEY DUES!

Just as your Lodge must pay dues for you to the Grand Lodge, we must pay dues for you to the Supreme Council.

If your dues bill has an amount higher than $87, you are in danger of being suspended and losing your Scottish Rite Membership. Suspensions generally occur following the Valley's Annual Meeting in May (15 May 2015). If you're having trouble paying your dues and want to remain a member, please contact me in the Scottish Rite Office. We can work out a payment plan to keep you in the Valley. Please understand that the Valley can no longer afford to just remit the dues for those that are unable to pay. We can work out a plan though. Lets talk!

For those that have already paid, Thank You. For those that have yet to pay, I hope to hear from you soon.

To everyone, Thank You for your continued interest and support of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and the Valley of Philadelphia.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Welcome to September. I hope everyone had a great Summer and are now enjoying this Holiday weekend with your families and friends.

The young folks will be returning to school is coming week. Please bear that thought in mind when you're out behind the wheel. Sometimes they forget to look both ways. For all our Valley of Philadelphia kids returning to reading, writing and arithmetic, we wish you a successful year and for my fellow Valley parents out there, don't worry, I forgot all the rules of algebra too. . .

September for the Brethren also means the return to the labors of our Lodges, York Rite Bodies and others, please remember our Valley in your discussions especially with your non-Scottish Rite Brethren, Companions, Illustrious Companions, Fraters, etc. We have a Fall Class to fill and you are their REPRESENTATIVE for Scottish Rite!

Speaking of our Fall Reunion, tomorrow evening is our 4th Degree Cast Kick-off meeting. It begins at 7PM in Gothic Hall. The dress code is business suit or coat and tie. Parking is in the Convention Center garage, 1324 Arch Street. This is the ONLY garage that we will pay for your parking in!

At the meeting we will hand out parts and go over everything we need to guarantee a successful conferral.

I want to personally thank everyone of you who responded to our call for help last week. We couldn't present this Degree by a Valley Cast if not for you. Your dedication to our Valley and the Candidates of our Fall Class is very much appreciated.

Our Associate Membership Coordinator, Bro. Dan Scheetz, 32 1/2 has a few "Scottish Rite Nights" coming up at local Lodges this month, and if you're able and available, I'm sure Bro. Dan would love to see you at; Hermann-Humboldt Lodge No. 125 at the Masonic Temple in Warminster on Wednesday, September 10th, at Jerusalem Lodge No. 506 at the Tacony Masonic Temple on Thursday, September 11th, or at Concordia Lodge No. 67 at the Masonic Temple in Jenkintown on Thursday, September 18th. Bro. Dan and his associate, Bro. Yasser Al-Khatib have done great work in presenting our Valley to local Brethren. If you can make it out to one of these evenings, be there!

Speaking of Dan and Yasser, they will represent our Valley at the Supreme Council's Membership Conference this month in Chicago. Safe travels guys and Thank You for agreeing to be there!

Our Fall Reunion begins on Friday, October 17th, that evening we will present the 4th, 6th, and 23rd Degrees. The 6th Degree, 'Master of the Brazen Serpent,' has a great story to tell. Also this Degree will mark the directorial debut of Ill. John 'Doc' Wagner, 33! Doc, having just completed his term as Most Wise Master was looking for a new challenge and I believe he's found it. Good luck Ill. Bro. John and all the Cast members. The 23 Degree, 'Knight of Valor' also has an exciting as well as true historic story to tell. And this will be an historic conferral as for only the second time in our Valley's recent history will we have a Cast made up of Valley Brethren who are also members of the same Lodge! The Brethren comprising this Cast are all from Jerusalem Lodge No. 506. As we wish them well, let each of us look to our own Lodges and see if we can't do this with more Casts. Imagine the possibilities! Congratulations go out to Ill.Cliff Hutchens, 33 MSA on making this happen with the Jerusalem Brethren.

Our Fall Reunion will conclude on Friday, November 21st. That evening we will present the new 32nd Degree for the very first time in the Valley of Philadelphia. For our Passporters this Degree will count for the both the 31st and 32nd Degree. But, that being said, quite possibly the next time we put it on it will count for the 32nd only. The Supreme Council is working on a new 31st Degree to be known as, "My Brother's Keeper." I'm sure once that ritual becomes available, it will find its way on to our Degree schedule.

Remember, once our Reunion ends that doesn't mean our Fall activities have ended.

Our Family Life Chairman, Ill. Jim Rae, 33 MSA has booked two opportunities for you and your family to enjoy the musical, "Les Miserables" at the Media Theater! The shows are scheduled for Saturday, December 6 at 7PM and Saturday, December 13th at 2PM. Tickets are only $20 per person and available by sending your check made payable to 'Scottish Rite Bodies' to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Tickets must be purchased in advance!

Our Fall activities come to end on Friday, December 19th at the Lazaretto Ballroom in Essington, when we celebrate the season at our Valley's Holiday Party! Plan now to join us for an enjoyable evening of fellowship, food and fun! Leave your checkbook home, there won't be any auctions or fund raisers happening. This evening is just for you! Tickets are $35 per person. Beat the Holiday rush by sending your check made payable to 'Scottish Rite Bodies' now to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Tickets will not be available at the door for this event, so be sure to act now!

Before I sign off, if you're not currently involved in the Valley, but would like to be, give me a call in the Office (215-563-1814) tomorrow and lets see where we can get you started. I GUARANTEE, you'll love it!

Have a great Labor Day everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends: 

We are proud to present these just announced Valley events:

The Valley's Next Great Family Life Event!

Experience this critically acclaimed show adapted from the Victor Hugo novel of the French Revolution.

We have two shows scheduled: Saturday, December 6 at 7 PM and Saturday, December 13 at 2 PM at the Media Theater, 104 E. State Street, Media, PA 19063.

Tickets cost $20 per person. We have 20 tickets per performance in the Center Orchestra section of the theater. We've been assured that more tickets for each performance will be made available to us should we need them.

Tickets must purchased from the Valley Office for each performance. No tickets at our price will be available at the theater!

Please make your check payable to 'Scottish Rite Bodies' and send it to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Be sure to include which date you are purchasing tickets for!

Nous esperons que vous et votre famille y voir!

(We hope to see you and your family there!)

Come on out and share a part of the Holiday Season with your Valley of Philadelphia Family!

The Valley's Holiday Party will happen on Friday, December 19, 2014 at the Lazaretto Ballroom, 99 Wanamaker Avenue, Essington PA 19029.

The evening begins with the Social Hour at 6 PM with a buffet dinner following at 7 PM. The Social Hour will feature an open bar, with a cash bar beginning at 7 PM. The party will conclude at 10 PM.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from the Scottish Rite Office. The cost per person is $35. Make your check payable to, 'Scottish Rite Bodies' and send it to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Be sure to put "HOLIDAY PARTY" on your check's memo line.

As per the Commander-in-Chief: This event is going to be a Valley function featuring dinner and fellowship. There will not be any fund raising auctions or gift basket sales happening. This evening is for you to enjoy, period.

Order your tickets now and avoid the Holiday Rush!

We hope to see you and your Lady there!

Our Fall Almoner Fund fundraiser is still going on too!

http://teespring.com/FallAlmonerCampaign

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Our Fall Almoner Fund Campaign has begun! We have 7 Days to sell 50 shirts to make it happen!

Our Fall Shirt is Flyers Orange in color and features the Valley Seal on the left breast and the Square Compass with the Double Headed Eagle on the back. These are the high quality Hanes tagless shirts.

Can we count on your support? Click on the link below to get your shirt today! Shirts CANNOT be ordered through the Scottish Rite Office and after the campaign closes, that's it!

Fall Almoner Fund Campaign

Dear Brethren and Friends: 

Congratulations go out to the High Priest of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and our Valley's Wardrobe Director, Russell Combs, who will receive the Meritorious Service Award (MSA) at the 2015 Annual Meeting at Seven Springs, next July!

Bro. Russ along with another Brother from our Valley were elected to receive the Award at yesterday's Annual Meeting.

At this time I cannot announce the other Brother's name as he has not been notified personally yet.

Way to go Russ!

Just to let everyone know, I recently gave the Valley's website a face lift. If you're on there and you're looking for the Valley calendar, the tab for it is in the upper right hand corner of the site. The tab reads "Our Events." Click on that and the calendar will open for you. Once opened you can now click on the actual event to get more information.

I'm using a new off site calendar maker called Tockify. It's free for the any of you web designers out there. I like it.

Also if you're one of the blog followers, the link for that can now be found under the "Contact Us" tab.

www.philascottishrite.org

Hey, did I mention that Valley Family Summer Picnic tickets are flying out of the office lately? They are.

Folks are excited about our Valley picnic, well some folks anyway. I won't name names but a certain Valley Brother, tells me that he, doesn't "do picnics." So, he's going to miss out on all the fun.

But you don't have to! The picnic is scheduled for Saturday, 26 July, from noon to 5 PM at the picnic grove at Canstatter, 9130 Academy Road in NE Philadelphia. EASILY accessible from I-95!

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for folks 12 and under. Make your check payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies" and put it in the mail today to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520.

If you're thinking "I'll just show up and get my tickets the day of the picnic," THINK AGAIN. There will be NO, NONE, NADA, tickets available at the picnic. They must be purchased in advance. Your Master Mason friend can come for FREE but he must have a ticket! Call the Scottish Rite Office to order his. His family can come too for the regular price.

Our above mentioned Brother is going to miss out on the picnic Lunch and Dinner, the fellowship and the fun, but again, YOU DON'T HAVE TO!

Just wanted to let everyone know that our recent Valley T-shirt sale to benefit the Valley's Almoner Fund raised a grand total of $672.98!

If you bought one of the shirts, wear it proudly because it not only represents our Valley, but your good works in our Valley!

Thanks!

We will have another shirt campaign in the Fall. Stay tuned!

So, do you have your tickets yet?

This is going to be a fun day, but you already know that. I've been telling you that for weeks now.

So, why haven't you ordered your tickets? They're not expensive. Tell me where else are you going to go to get TWO meals for $15?

Come on, you know you want to be there. If you're thinking now that you don't, you might regret it afterwards when everyone who does are telling you what a great time they had.

Don't be that guy that says, "I wish I had." Don't miss it. Don't make us miss you. Order your tickets today!

$15 for adults, $10 for 12 and under. Make your check payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies," and send it to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520.

Oh and don't forget, your Masonic friend can come for free. All he needs to pay for is his family. But, he, like you must have his tickets in advance.

Will we see you there? I hope so.

Dear Brethren and Friends: 

There's only 18 Days remaining until the Valley's Family Summer Picnic at the Canstatter. This is a rain or shine event.

The picnic happens on Saturday, 26 July. It begins a 12 PM and wraps up at 5 PM. We have both lunch and dinner being served for the low cost of $15 for adults and $10 for those 12 and under. It's in the nice, SHADED, picnic grove at the Canstatter. If you've ever been there you know the food there is GREAT.

The Rainbow girls are coming and they're going to be running games for the kids all day. Our Sovereign Prince/Picnic Master, Tom Wible has arranged for some entertainment and he's planning on some games for the big kids (yeah, that's you) too.

All you need to bring is a table cover. If you want you can bring your lawn chairs and a favorite board or card game.

You can also bring along your Master Mason friend for FREE! That's right he's free and he's under no obligation to petition the Valley, but he will be introduced to our Membership Team. His family is welcome to come along for the regular price. They must have their tickets in advance.

Make your check payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies," and send it to, the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Any questions, concerns or comments, please call 215-563-1814.

This is going to be a fantastic Valley day. Don't miss it!