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!