Across My Desk, The Web Edition

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and welcome to Tuesday everyone!

Yesterday I posted a "Help Wanted" ad on the Valley's Facebook group and due to the sage and always welcome advice of our Illustrious Deputy, I took it down. Thanks again Russ! Now you folks know why I nicknamed him the Valley's "Best Friend." Always helpful and always keeping me straight! Sage advice? Okay probably not the best choice of description, but let it be known I wasn't calling Illustrious Bro. Russ old!

But we still have a void to fill! So, if you are interested in working in a Cast this coming Fall in a large part, that demands your talent to convey the message of a particular Consistory Degree in a very dramatic and touching fashion, to our Fall Class, we need you!

Yes, I said large part, and yes that might be intimidating, but, you have plenty of time to study it! It's June. We're not scheduled to confer this Degree until 21 November. That is plenty of time to learn the lines, and most importantly, enough time for you to practice the serious emotions that this character will put forth as part of the conferral.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking to possibly enter a line if they are not already there, or possibly one day become a Degree Master, and have direction over a Cast for a future Degree. You don't have to be a 33rd, MSA or even a Past Line Officer to do that. We're always on the lookout for new vision in our Degree Directors.

Please give this some thought. It's not that hard really. You can believe me on that. I've done my fair share of "BIG" Degrees in my time in Freemasonry and speaking from personal experience, not much will make you feel better than the moment after the Degree is over and the Brethren, YOUR Brethren, are not only congratulating you, but thanking you for the job you did.

If you have any questions at all, or you're ready to give it a go, give me a call at 215-563-1814.

Hey, have you sent in your check for the Valley's Family Summer Picnic yet? You have? And you're wondering where your tickets are? They're being created and once I have them I will get them out to you.

You haven't? Why not? This is going to be a GREAT Valley family event!

It happens on July 26th in the picnic grove at the Canstatter Volkfest Verein, 9130 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114. The picnic begins at 12 PM and ends at 5. The cost per person is $15 for adults, and $10 for kids 12 and under. The picnic grove is nicely shaded and even on the warmest Summer day is almost always cool and breezy.

We will have both a lunch and dinner served. The lunch menu includes Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans. French Fries, Pickles, etc. The dinner menu has, Roast Beef, Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Cucumber Salad, Corn on the Cob and other 'picnic fixins.'

Now, let me ask you. Where are you going to get TWO delicious meals for $15?

The young men of the DeMolay will be there and they will be running games and activities for the kids ALL DAY! That's right, you can relax and enjoy the company of your Valley Brethren and our Valley Ladies! We'll have games and activities for the grown ups too. But, you're welcome to bring your favorite board games or a deck cards. Bring along a table cloth for your picnic table and your lawn chairs too if you want.

PICNIC PLUS: The Executive Committee recently agreed to allow Master Masons and their families to attend our picnic as well. What this means is your non-Scottish Rite Masonic friend can come for FREE. He will have to pay for his family,but he is FREE. Our Membership Team will have an information table set up to discuss Scottish Rite should he want to become a member of our Fall Class.

So have I sold you yet? If I have, send your check made payable to, 'Scottish Rite Bodies,' to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520 along with the picnic flyer form which is in your May issue of THE DOUBLE EAGLE.

If I didn't sell you, go back and read everything again. Eventually I'll get you sold, I've been told I can be infectious. I hope that's what they meant!

Don't forget our Membership Team will be visiting Hackenburg-Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 19 on June 12th at the Masonic Temple, in Philadelphia. That's next Thursday! If you're able and available, why not come on down and support our guys?

If you are a Worshipful Master, Senior or Junior Warden, our Membership guys, Ill. Clay Melson, Illustrious-to-be Dan Scheetz, Bros. Jeffrey Lees, MSA and Yasser Al-Khatib would love to speak with you about presenting a program to your Lodge. Again, you can call 215-563-1814 and I'll put you in touch with them!

I know it's early but let me share with you our next BIG Family Life event!
Our Family Life Chairman, Ill. Jim Rae, 33, MSA has done it again!

We have two dates and times for you to choose from. Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 7 PM or Saturday, December 13th at 2 PM to see "Les Miserables" at the Media Theatre, 104 E. State Street, Media, PA. All for the NICE PRICE of $20 per ticket!

There will be a flyer for this event in your Summer DOUBLE EAGLE. 

Okay, last thing. Yesterday I sent the 2014-15 Officers and Committees Directory to the printer. I know it's a bit later than usual but as always I had a few, lets say, less than cooperative Brethren, when it came to getting their info forms back in the traditional 'timely fashion.' But all in all, I want to thank EVERYONE for getting back to me just the same. As soon as the Directories are back from the printer, I will get them out to those scheduled to receive one.

Whew! Okay that seems to be it for now. Think about that open part. Send in your picnic check. Talk to a Brother Mason about the Valley picnic. Call about a membership program. "Les Miserables" Did I forget anything? Oh yeah, I know, I now return you to your regularly scheduled Tuesday, already in progress.