Our Latest Fall Class Count and What Else is Happening

Good Friday Morning everyone!

I went to Lodge last night and came home with 5 petitions for the One Day Masonic Journey. That gets us up to 31. I had 'promises' from two other Brothers who will petition at the event. In the mean time I received emails from Ill. Rick Freedman and Bro. Lou Eggert letting me know to expect more. The Valley of Pittsburgh is leading the pack right now with 101 petitions. Now I don't know if we'll get that many, but the challenge is out there. Lets get at it!

I spoke with our Trustees Chairman, Valley Bro. Rick Santella in regards to his Dad and our Brother, Americo D. Santella's surgery yesterday. He came through it well and Rick wanted me to let you all know that he smiled when Rick let him know that we were all praying for him. Brotherhood in action! Please keep our Brother in your prayers and thoughts as he faces a lengthy recovery time.

Don't forget the Feast of Tishri. One of the Candidates from my Lodge also purchased a ticket. He's very excited about it and you should be too! This is going to be a fantastic evening of fellowship and Freemasonry. I had a Brother last night ask me why it cost so much? I told him that not only are you receiving a great meal, it is also a fundraiser for our Valley. We have to make something on it, don't we? Not sure if he's going to buy a ticket or not, but I left him thinking about it.

The Feast happens on Friday, 30 September at Twining Hall at the Trevose Fire Company. Very nice place too and the food is tremendous! The address is 4900 Street Road in Trevose. The evening begins with a cash bar Social Hour at 6 PM with 15 different butlered hors d'oeuvres. Yes, I said 15! How many times have you seen that? A delicious buffet dinner will be served at 7PM featuring a carving station. After dinner we will have the ceremonial portion of the evening, explaining the traditional means of the Feast, accompanied by toasts. Everyone will receive a souvenir toast glass. Following that, our Keynote Speaker, our own, Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33° RWPGM and Active Member of the Supreme Council will offer us a few words of wisdom.

We have the hall until 11 PM although our activity will probably only last until around 9 or 9:30, so once we're done, we'll reopen the cash bar and there will be cigars for those that enjoy them. An outdoor party tent will be set up for the cigar loving Brethren to fellowship in.

Yes, this has been advertised as a Black Tie event and we'd like to see as many of you possible attired that way, but, business suits are acceptable and welcome for those that might not have a tux. We do not want to exclude anyone who wishes to attend. Tickets cost $65 per person and Tables of 10 are available for purchase. Ticket sales are going great but we still have plenty of seats for those that are lollygagging. Come on already! Don't miss this!

The very next day, Saturday, 1 October, at the Cannstatter is our first ever Double Eagle Car Show! Cannstatter is located at 9130 Academy Road, in NE Philadelphia. The show begins at 10 AM and runs until 2 PM. It's only $5 to get in and if you have a car to show, it's $20. This is also a fundraising event for our Valley. Please give it your support as well. If you wish to show a car or have a vendor table at the event, please get in touch with our Chairman, Valley Brother, Tim Curran at doubleeaglecarshow@gmail.com or by calling 267-495-9855.Tim will be glad to fill you in on all the particulars needed to participate. While the Feast of Tishri is a Masons only event, the Double Eagle Car Show is open to the entire family!

I won't ruin the surprise now, but watch your October issue of THE DOUBLE EAGLE for information regarding our event to celebrate National Scottish Rite Day on Saturday, 12 November.

Well, I have 5 petitions to process among my other duties here in the office, have a great Friday everyone and an even better weekend ahead!

The Feast of Tishri, a spectacular evening of Masonic fellowship and heritage

Dear Brethren and Friends:  

On Friday, September 30, 2016, the Valley of Philadelphia will observe its first ever 'Feast of Tishri' event. The gathering will happen at Twining Hall at the Trevose Fire Company, 4900 Street Road, Trevose, PA. Tickets are $65  per person and must be purchased in advance. This is a 'Brethren only' event and ALL MASONS are welcome.

The Feast of Tishri is a celebration commemorating the dedication of the Temple by King Solomon (II Chronicles 7:8-10). There is a ceremonial portion to the evening's program in which toasts are offered. Everyone attending will receive a souvenir wine glass, designed exclusively for the Feast. It will be from this glass that participants will take their toasts.

Our evening will begin at 6PM with a cash bar Social Hour featuring butlered hors d'oeuvres. A buffet dinner will follow at 7PM.

After dinner the ceremonial portion of the Feast will be observed, featuring traditional presentations and toasts offered. After the ceremonies our Keynote Speaker for the evening will be the Valley of Philadelphia's own, Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33°, RWPGM and Active Member of the Supreme Council.

Twining Hall has been reserved until 11 PM, so, following the program the bar will be reopened and cigars will be available for those that wish to imbibe. The hall itself is smoke free, a party tent will be set up outside for those that wish to enjoy the fellowship with a cigar.

This is a Black Tie event, however; if a Brother wishing to attend doesn't own a tuxedo, business suits are acceptable and welcome. 

Tables can be reserved for up to 10 people. Lodges and other Masonic Bodies are welcome and encouraged to purchase a table. The deadline for ticket purchases is Monday, September 26, 2016.

This is going to be an evening of classic and unique Masonic fellowship with some of our rich Masonic heritage thrown in.

If you are interested in attending and would like more information, please call 215-563-1814. If you wish to purchase a ticket, tickets or a table, please make your check payable to 'Scottish Rite Bodies' and send it to, Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520, before Monday, September 26, 2016.