Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Great Tuesday everyone! That's right. It's Tuesday. I know it feels like a Monday, been there, felt that, but it's Tuesday. You're one day closer to the weekend!

So, how was your holiday weekend? Did you go away? Stay home? Go to a family outing? March with your Lodge in a Memorial Day parade?

Better yet, did you discuss Scottish Rite with a worthy Masonic Brother?

I'll bet you didn't know it, but that is my second Summer project. Yes it is. I plan to let as many Masonic Brothers that are not Scottish Rite Masons know all about our Valley. We have a Fall Class to fill. But, Steve, it's only the week after Memorial Day! We haven't had fireworks, or a beach day yet and you're already talking about, Fall? Yes I am! It's NEVER too early to let a Brother know that you're a Scottish Rite Mason and his DIRECT link to becoming one himself!

Even our Membership Team has a "Scottish Rite Night" coming up on June 12th at Hackenburg-Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 19. No ones sleeping around here!

So like I said, new membership is my second Summer project and I'll be working hard at it. My first? Well, as an amateur web master and Front Page devotee, I plan to learn Wordpress and Drupal this Summer. Never too old to learn something new.

Have a great day, a great TUESDAY everyone!

Farewell My Brother

The Officers and Members of the Valley of Philadelphia join all of Pennsylvania Freemasonry in mourning the passing of Ill. Arthur J. Kurtz, 33, Right Worshipful Past Grand Master of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Free and Accepted Masons and Active Emeritus Member of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

May the Grand Architect of the Universe have our Illustrious Brother in His Holy Keep and offer His Divine Comfort to our Brother's family during this difficult time.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Great Wednesday everyone!

Well it's "Hump Day" of the week of the starting weekend of Summer!

After the long, cold, icy and snowy winter we had I know you're ready for it. But. do you have our Valley's Family Summer Picnic on your calendar? Have you ordered your tickets yet?

Come on! You gotta be there!

Bring your Family and join us for our picnic on Saturday, July 26, 2014 in the picnic grove at the Canstatter, 9130 Academy Road in Northeast Philadelphia. The picnic will run from 12 to 5PM and both lunch and dinner will be served, for ONE PRICE!!!!

The cost per person is $15 for ages 13 and up and $10 for ages 12 and under. We will have games and activities for the kids all day, so you can relax and enjoy everything. Bring your table cover, lawn chairs, decks of cards, board games, whatever you want.

The menus include: For Lunch: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, French Fries, Pickles, Condiments. For Dinner: Roast Beef, Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Cucumber Salad, Tomato Salad and Corn on the cob.

You must purchase your tickets to the picnic in advance. No tickets will be sold that day. 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.

Bring your family and join with us for this great Valley Family event!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and welcome to Tuesday!

First, I want to take a minute "Welcome Home," Bro. Andy Dobson. We were all praying for you during your recent hospital stay and I'm sure the prayers continue on.

Second, Thank You to each of you who responded to my call for Cast Members yesterday. If you haven't signed up yet, but are still thinking about it, not to worry, we still have time. Don't cheat yourself. You might be thinking, "I can't do that." Get that thought out of your head. We had a few guys that were nervous or 'on the fence' prior to taking parts and you know what? They're back, eager, ready and willing to do it again!

Ask any of our Officers, or any of the guys that have served in the Casts. You are guaranteed at least three things by taking a part. 1. You'll have a great time working with the Brothers. 2. You'll make a few new friends. 3. Nothing will make you feel quite the way that sense of accomplishment does after the Degree has been presented. Talk about a confidence booster!

As much as I want to see even more of you sign up for the Fall Reunion, and again, you are encouraged to continue to do that, we still have our Summer events happening.

But, before we get to the Summer: Our Membership Team is already working on the Fall Class. They have a "Scottish Rite Night," at Hackenburg-Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 19 on Thursday, June 12th at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. If you're able and available come on out to support our guys. I'm sure Bros. Dan Scheetz and Yasser Al-Khatib would love to see your smiling face in the place!

Now where was I? Oh yes, Scottish Rite in the Summertime!

Don't forget the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation's Annual Meeting on Saturday, July 12th at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. This is Pennsylvania's annual gathering of the Valleys. There aren't any Degrees conferred, but it is your opportunity to see and hear all about what is happening in Scottish Rite in the Keystone state!

The meeting usually opens around 1-1:30 in the afternoon. So you can drive out for the day and sit with our Valley. It always looks good for the Valley to have LARGE delegation in attendance. You don't have to stay at the hotel, but you are welcome to do that if you choose. I will say that the Hershey Lodge is very expensive even with our 'discount.' If you're not a Council member, once we receive our notices, I will let you know so that if you're interested in staying at the hotel, I can assist you with that. As always we will have a hospitality room there as well. Be sure to stop by if you do come out. We always have a good time.

If you're interested, in the evening following the meeting, there is a banquet. You will have to purchase tickets for that. I don't have the cost details yet, but once I do, I will post them here along with information on how you can purchase tickets. Should you wish to go.

It will be at that banquet that two of our Valley Brothers, Past Sovereign Prince of DeJoinville Council, current Hospitaler of Benjamin Franklin Consistory and NEW Executive Committee At-Large Member, Steve Bradley and our Valley's Make up Director and Acolyte of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, Norman Greene will receive the Meritorious Service Award! Congratulations again guys!

Our next Summer event is going to be FUN, FUN, FUN! Not to say the PA COD meeting isn't, but this is a first time event that you do not want to miss!

Our Valley's first ever Summer Family Picnic happens on Saturday, July 26th, 12 to 5 PM in the picnic grove at Canstatter Volkfest Verein, 9130 Academy Road, Philadelphia PA 19114. Tickets are $15 for those 13 and up and $10 for those 12 and under. Your tickets get you two meals. Yes, lunch and dinner! We have activities for the kiddies all day and our NEW Sovereign Prince, Bro. "Aloha Tom," Tom Wible is planning some fun things for the 'older' kids too!

All you need to do is bring a table cover. Other than that, you can bring your lawn chairs if you want, your favorite board games or deck of cards. This is a make your own fun sort of day. But it will be a fun day!

If you plan to attend send your check made payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies" to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520.

I don't have tickets yet, but once I do, I will get them out right away, Speaking of which, I am looking for a printer that can do a two perforation ticket, as we need to have a tear off for the lunch and one for the dinner. If any of you know of someone you can recommend give me a call at 215-563-1814. Thanks in advance!

It's that time of year again. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, this Friday is Memorial Day weekend. Which means the return of my "Summer Fridays." I take my vacation days in Fridays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good morning and Good Monday everyone! Oh Happy Anniversary too!

Yes, today, May 19th is the 148th Birthday of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, DeJoinville Council Princes of Jerusalem and Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix! Our Consistory, Benjamin Franklin, didn't come along until 1946. The Valley did have a Consistory prior to that. Philadelphia Consistory had to return it's warrant to the Supreme Council during the Second World War.

So our Annual Meeting has come and gone, we have a new Thrice Potent Master, a new Sovereign Prince, and a new Most Wise Master as well new officers in the lines of our Lodge of Perfection, Princes of Jerusalem Council and Chapter of Rose Croix. We wish them well in the coming year.

Our new Sovereign Prince, Bro. Tom Wible, MSA, is vacationing in Hawaii and wasn't able to be there Friday night to be installed. Ill. Bud Garvey, our Installation Officer and myself as Secretary (Hey, you got to have minutes!) volunteered to travel to the Aloha State to install our Brother in person, but the other Members of the Executive Committee agreed that Tom could be installed in absentia. So, when he returns and you see him, be sure to congratulate Bro. Tom.

Now, you might ask. what's next? Well, for our elected Officers, past elected Officers. MSA's and 33rd's, it's the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation, this July 12th at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. But does that mean, you, a Valley Brother, who does not fall into one of the above categories cannot attend the meeting? Of course it doesn't! You're very welcome to attend, the only difference is as a non Council of Deliberation Member you will not receive the notice. But you can always call me in the Office at 215-563-1814 and I'll be glad to pass that information on to you.

 Have a great Monday everyone and again, Happy Birthday!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Tonight is the night! The most important evening of the Valley's year.

The Annual Meeting is tonight. I know the weather doesn't look all that great, and I do have a theory on that, but I'll keep that to myself.

This evening we will elect, appoint and install those Officers who will serve Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, DeJoinville Council Princes of Jerusalem, and Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix. We also elect and install a both a 33rd and a 32nd Degree At-Large member of the Executive Committee and a new Trustee.

We have a number of 50, 60, 65, and 70 year members whom we will also recognize this evening, if they are in attendance.

Our Finance Chairman, Ill. Frank Weckenman, 33 MSA will present the proposed budget of the 2014-15 Scottish Rite year. This budget has been approved by both the Finance and the Executive Committee.

We will open all four bodies in joint session, hold the election, take action on the budget and then close. At that time we will welcome the ladies and other guests into Gothic Hall for the open installation of our new elected and appointed Officers.

We will also present our outgoing Presiding Officers, Bro. Gerry Sealy, Bro. Jeffrey Lees, MSA and Ill. John Wagner, with their past Thrice Potent Master's, Past Sovereign Prince's and Past Most Wise Master's jewels and certificates.

We thank our soon to be "Pasts" for their service to our Valley as they progressed through the chairs. Congratulations!

Be careful coming in tonight. Get and early start if you can. Remember, you can get into the Convention Center Garage (1324 Arch Street) by 3PM.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday everyone!

Well, here we are the middle of the week. Two days away from the weekend. It's Spring, the weather's getting warmer. We're heading outdoors and doing things. Life is moving. So it is easy to forget details no matter how major or minor they maybe.

So that's where I come in! Your friendly Valley Secretary and Valley Event Reminder! Okay some of you just said, "Friendly? You?" Yes, me!

Today, as I did yesterday, I want to remind you that this coming Friday is the DEADLINE (insert the virual kettle drum here. Yes, they're back!) for your dinner reservations for the Valley's Annual Meeting, which happens next Friday, 16 May.

Have you called in yet? Have you emailed yet? If you have, thank you. If you haven't. What are you waiting for?

Have a great day everyone! Smile, the weekend is almost here!

ATTENTION BRETHREN: If you are currently a Valley Officer, or expect to be one this coming year, or if you are serving on one of our Valley's committees, AND, you DID NOT attend the Annual Officer's Training Conference:

Yesterday I sent out your Valley Directory information form. With your form, I included an addressed, stamped return envelope. After you review and confirm your information, please, Please, PLEASE, return your form to me. Don't be that guy that calls or emails and says, "Everything's okay." Why? Because then I have to print out another form from which to work from. Now I've spent postage twice and printed forms twice. We're trying to save money here.

Thanks!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Great Tuesday everyone!

Did you know that this coming Friday is the DEADLINE for your dinner reservation for next Friday's Annual Meeting? It is.

If you've been following along and gosh I hope you have, it's not easy to eat breakfast, have a cup of coffee and type at the same time, like I do every morning for you. So a little cooperation on your part isn't too much to ask is it? Well anyway, as I said if you've been following along, you know our Annual Meeting is the MOST important meeting of our Valley's year, yet, it is the LEAST attended! What's up with that?

That's the meeting that we elect, appoint and install those Officers that will be YOUR Valley's leaders over the coming year. It's also the meeting that we approve the budget that will GOVERN YOUR Valley over the coming year. It's the BIG night for our 50+ year Brethren. Don't YOU think they'd love to have YOU there as part of their BIG moment?

If you haven't made up your mind about coming to our Annual Meeting, give it some thought. But, make up your mind by Friday!

I won't name him because I'm not in the 'embarrass a Brother' business, but I asked one of our Brethren if he was coming to the Annual and he replied, "No." When I asked why he said it was because he only comes out to see the Degrees. Which isn't a bad thing, don't get me wrong. But when I asked him if he attended only the Stated, or the Extra Meetings of his Blue Lodge, he replied, "Stateds only." Hmm. See what I mean?

If you haven't called in to 215-563-1814, emailed to phila.aasr@juno.com or to our Valley Facebook group members, clicked "Going" yet, lets get it done soon!

Have a great day everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

It's here! Our annual Valley Family Day at Campbell's Field!

If you're going I'll see you there!

Looks like it's going to be a great day weather wise. A little cooler this year than in the past, as we are going a bit earlier than we have in prior years, but, you'll be warmed by the fellowship and friendship of your Valley Brethren and their families.

It's going to be a fantastic day. Again proving my often repeated, but very true point that: