Did You Pay Your Dues? If Not, Please Do So Soon!

Brethren:

As of right now, we still have about 300 of you that still haven't paid your Scottish Rite dues for 2018.

Now, before you remind me that it's only December 20, 2017, the Valley's fiscal year of 2018 began on August 1, 2017. This is why you were billed for dues back in June.

The Supreme Council's Constitution prohibits Valleys from suspending members for non-payment of dues for two years UNLESS the Valley has it in their by-laws to suspend for owing only one year's dues.

This past June at our Valley's Annual Meeting, we, YOU approved a new full code of by-laws which included an amendment that says the Valley of Philadelphia will now suspend members who owe one year's dues.

So far we've billed twice for our 2018 dues. Each time we do this the Supreme Council runs the billing statements and mails them and then charges the Valley for this service, plus postage. Which means if you received two billing statements we've paid twice to remind you to pay your dues.

On or about February 1, 2018 I will have the Supreme Council send our third and FINAL dues billing out. Anyone still owing dues when that notice is sent is hereby notified that if your dues are not paid by our May 18, 2018 Spring Rendezvous, you will be suspended.

We expected to have a large amount of Brethren at this point still owing dues as some have gotten 'comfortable' with the former two year grace period; not to mention, this is a new by-law requirement. But, we'd rather not see a large amount of suspensions because of that former level of comfort.

I fully realize that it's the holiday season and that money is going to gifts, etc. But I would ask everyone to please consider giving themselves a deadline to pay their dues to avoid being in the count for the February 1, 2018 Third Notice billing. This will save YOUR Valley money too.

If you want to, you can pay your dues with your credit card via the Supreme Council's web site (www.scottishritenmj.org), but please be advised, if you do that, they, the Supreme Council will take their $27 assessment (dues) and then the bank charges, sending us less than the $72 the Valley counts on to keep our budget and financial requirements in check.

We have 94 members who owe two years dues at this time making them eligible for suspension RIGHT NOW, but as this is still a new by-law requirement we are unwilling to suspend them without a prior notice and the opportunity to get caught up in their dues. I have notified each of them of this by letter and they have until February 1st to remit their dues or face suspension without the third notice.

If you've paid your dues, thank you for your continued interest in and support of Scottish Rite Masonry and YOUR Valley of Philadelphia. If you haven't please consider doing so soon. We don't want to lose you!

Dinner Reservation Deadline Tomorrow!!!!!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Tomorrow is our Dinner Reservation Deadline for our Dinner on Friday, 17 November.

Not in yet? Do so now.

If you miss tomorrow, you're welcome to come to the meeting, but you will not be able to join us for dinner. No ifs, No ands. No buts. No fooling. No exceptions.

Call Now! 215-563-1814.

Our New Sovereign Grand Commander to visit our Brethren in Arizona and Florida

Dear Brethren and Friends:

For any of our Valley Brethren residing in Arizona and Florida:

Newly installed Sovereign Grand Commander David A. Glattly, 33°, First Lady Monica Glattly, and Vice President of Charities Michael C. Russell venture to the great states of Arizona and Florida early 2018.

Commander Glattly's goal during this time is to meet with Scottish Rite Freemasons and their guests to discuss the future of the our fraternity and Freemasonry. The events are open to any Brother or Masonic family member who chooses to attend. All dates and locations are listed below.

Every dollar collected for these receptions goes directly to the Scottish Rite Benevolent Foundation. We hope to see you and gather together in fellowship, Brotherhood -- and to have a great time!

Questions? Email MaryAnn Bichajian MBichajian@srnmj.org or call 781-465-3326.

The Arizona date and location is:

Sun City West
Luncheon
Tuesday, January 30
11:30 am 
Briarwood Country Club
20800 N 135th Ave
Sun City West, AZ

The Florida dates and locations are:

Port St. Lucie
Luncheon
Thursday, March 1
11:30 am
PGA Golf Club - Wanamaker Room
1916 Perfect Drive
Port St. Lucie, FL

Naples
Luncheon
Wednesday, March 7
11:30 am
Spanish Wells Country Club
9801 Treasure Cay Lane
Bonita Springs, FL

Sarasota
Luncheon
Tuesday, March 13
11:30 am
Peridia Golf & Country Club
4950 Peridia Blvd. East
Bradenton, FL

The Villages
Breakfast
Monday, March 19
9:30 am 
The Waterfront Inn
1105 Lakeshore Dr. 
The Villages

Tampa
Luncheon
Thursday, March 22
11:30 am
DoubleTree Suites
3050 N. Rocky Point Dr. West
Tampa, FL

Dear Brethren and Friends: 

First I want to thank everyone who's made their dinner reservations for our meeting on 17 November. Big help and I mean that. Thank You!

But, for those that haven't made your reservation yet, this coming Thursday, November 9th is your last chance to do that. Seriously. I won't take any reservations on Friday. Nope. Not one. I don't care what your circumstance or issue is or was. We have a deadline meet it or miss it. Yes, it has to be that way.

Also, we recently had an issue with a Brother and to keep that from happening again: If you click 'Going', call or email and tell me you're coming, YOU'VE MADE A DINNER RESERVATION. If you're just coming to the meeting, you do not need to RSVP. If you check in, a reservation will be made and you will be charged for the dinner. This is a decision made by the Valley's Executive Committee and you will be billed. Govern yourself accordingly. Thank You.

As always, Recommenders are reminded to check with your Candidate to be sure he called in too. This is your responsibility as his recommender. This is still a new experience for him. He's counting on you. Don't let him down.

I've received a few messages, calls and emails regarding Illustrious Bro, Dan Martin's email address from 32° Cast members. Yes the email address provided in your Cast assignment letter is Dan's email address; but, I checked with him this morning. He's having an issue with his phone presently and because of that, his email has been affected. 

Speaking of the 32° Cast: Your first rehearsal is this Wednesday at 7PM in CORINTHIAN HALL. Please make note of that change.

ATTENTION MEMBERS OF THE VALLEY'S HONOR GUARD: By now you should have received my letter letting you know that your presence has been requested at the 32° Cast rehearsals too. With the change of venue for this meeting (Corinthian Hall instead of Gothic) we're going to need everyone involved acclimated to the room; not too mention with the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, our Active and the Chicago folks visiting we want to be sure to look sharp and professional in our manner of reception of Masonic/Scottish Rite dignitaries.

Hey, we still have PLENTY of tickets available for our Family Life event, 'Christmas in Hershey.' If you want some you better hurry. We always sell this one out. Ticket order forms are available in both the October and November issue of THE DOUBLE EAGLE and you can download one from the Valley website's Announcement page too.

Got to ask. Are you getting tired of my Holiday Party posters yet? Well, like I said, until that ticket stack gets thinner or gone, you're going to see them. Did you order your tickets yet? The Valley's Holiday Party is always an evening of fun. Don't miss it!

Get that dinner reservation in! Have a great week everyone!

Brethren:

 I am sorry to have to announce that our upcoming Family Life event, Villanova vs Georgetown at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, March 3, 2018 has been cancelled.

We were forced to cancel this event due to attempted post contract price increase from the Wells Fargo Center.

Our Family Life Chairman, Ill. James Rae, 33° MSA works very hard to keep our Family Life Program alive and enjoyable for you and your family. He is actively searching for a new program to replace this.

I am returning checks to those that have ordered tickets to this event.

As always, Thank You for your continued interest in Scottish Rite Freemasonry, our Valley and its events and programs.

Our Dinner Reservation Deadline plus!

Brethren:

Don't forget tomorrow is deadline day for dinner reservations for the Valley dinner on Friday, 27 October. Call 215-563-1814 or email to valleyofphiladelphia@outlook.com today! Absolutely no reservations will taken after tomorrow. No exceptions!

Also please know; by order of the Executive Committee, if you make a dinner reservation and do not cancel it before the deadline, you will be charged for the dinner or dinners you've ordered.

Keep an eye on this page this coming Friday for your chance to get in early on reservations for our Friday, 17 November meeting. This is the evening that the Valley of Chicago will be visiting with us. We are expecting a big crowd that evening; with a large turnout from our own Valley, our Chicago Brethren and their Ladies, along with visitors from surrounding Valleys in our region. Priority will be given to our members and Chicago first, but the sooner we have everyone in the better we'll be prepared to accommodate everyone. I want to thank you now for your expected cooperation. The deadline for reserving dinners for that meeting will be Thursday, 9 November. Please wait until I post that am accepting reservations. Thank you.

The Valley's Holiday Party is right around the corner. It's on Friday, December 2, 2017 at the Cannstatter. Tickets are just $35 per person and that includes, a complimentary 2 drink Social Hour with hors d'oeuvres followed by a delicious buffet dinner. DJ Bill Scheivert is back again this year to entertain everyone. Bill loves performing for our Valley. How do I know that? When I inquired if he was available he told me that he already had another party booked for the same night as ours but was going to give it to one of his other guys so that he could work ours, Nice!

Order your tickets soon! Send your check made payable to 'Scottish Rite Bodies' to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 191072-2520.

Our BIG Fall Family Life event is 'Christmas in Hershey.' This is a popular outing each year and we always sell out our ticket allotment. I have tickets available in the office and you can get some NOW for only $12 per person. The nice thing about this event is, you can go any day or time you want during the promotion, which I believe runs from November 11 until January 1. You want to be sure to check with the Park's web site at www.hersheypark.com or call 1-800-242-4236 to check the Park's availability for the date you want to go. Some days the Park's hours are different as well.

Remember Brethren: Our Family Life ticket purchases are subsidized for the use of you and your family only. We define family as: you, your spouse, you children and or grandchildren. It's not fair to your Brethren if you 'extend' your family. Please remember that.

Flyers to order your tickets are available on our Valley web site at www.philascottishrite.org/announcements.html or in your October and the upcoming November issues of THE DOUBLE EAGLE.

While on the Valley's Announcements page, you will also see advertisements for the Holiday Party and the BIG Spring Family Life event, Villanova vs Georgetown at the Wells-Fargo Center on Saturday, March 3, 2018!

Again, tomorrow is the meal reservation deadline. Did you remember to make yours? Candidate Recommenders are reminded to check with your Candidates as well. Thanks!

The Valley's Family Summer Picnic!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

The Valley of Philadelphia's annual Family Summer Picnic happens on Saturday, July 29, 2017 in the picnic grove at Canstatter Volksfest Verein, 9130 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114.

The picnic begins at 12 PM and runs until 5PM. Lunch and Dinner will be served. The lunch menu includes: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans & French Fries. The dinner menu includes: Fried Chicken, Eggplant Parmigiana, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Cucumber Salad, Tomato Salad, & Corn on the cob.

Tickets cost $15 for ages 13 and up and $10 for 12 and under. We will activities and entertainment all day, and our Membership Team will be on hand to talk to your Master Mason guest who can come for FREE. No tickets will be available at the door. Master Mason guests must have a ticket and their families are welcome for the regular admission price. Download your ticket order form at http://www.philascottishrite.org/announcements.html

Bring your own table cover, lawn chairs, cards, board games, whatever you like! This is a rain or shine event.

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.

Hope to see you and your family there!

It's Council of Deliberation Weekend!

Dear Brethren and Friends,

COD weekend is here.

If you're planning to attend the Annual Convocation tomorrow, the meeting begins at 1:30 PM at the Valley Forge Hotel & Casino. Dress code is business suit or sport coat and tie.

If this will be your first time attending COD, when you enter the meeting look for our Commander-in-Chief and myself as we will be saving rows of seats for our Valley. Traditionally all the Brethren sit together in groups by Valley.

If you're a member of the Council of Deliberation (Presiding Officers, Elected Line Officers, 33°'s Past Presiding Officers and MSA's) and have registered to attend the luncheon 'before the meeting or if you're just a Valley member who happens to get there early, stop on by the Council's Hospitality Room. Bro. Norman Greene III, 32° MSA and myself are your hosts from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.

I truly hope we will have a LARGE delegation in attendance. Nothing to do tomorrow? Looking to escape the 'honey do' list? Come on out!

Hello Everyone, it's your friendly neighborhood Valley Secretary with an update.

So what's going on?

This past Thursday evening the Valley's Executive Committee met and some changes were made regarding our 2017 Fall Reunion:

Due to the Blue Lodge One Day Class event on 23 September, we have cancelled our 15 September Fall Reunion opener. This will give us a chance to have our Membership Team present on September 23rd to recruit from the One Day Class.

Our Fall Reunion will now begin on Friday, 27 October. Yes, that is the fourth Friday instead of our usual 3rd Friday. The Grand Lodge had mistakenly scheduled another event on the same evening as our Reunion meeting, so they've asked us to move our meeting to the following week.

That evening we will present to the Class, the 4°, the 16° and the 18°.

Our Fall Class is named in honor of Ill. Mark Haines, 33°, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He will be with us on Friday, 17 November, which in itself will be a BIG night for our Valley.

Why? Well, not only do we have the Grand Secretary honoring our Valley with his appearance, but we will also welcome the Valley of Chicago including their Fall Class!

The Classes will be 'merged' to witness a yet to be named Degree presented by a Cast from the Valley of Chicago, followed by the conferral of the 32° by our Valley. Get that date on your calendar now and plan to be here!

Regarding the date change for the 4°, I will be sending out a letter to the Cast members with the new rehearsal dates and times and they will also be posted the calendar on the Valley's web site.

Don't forget the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation's Annual Convocation on Saturday, 8 July at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia, PA. The Convocation opens at 1:30 PM. Members of the Council are all the current Presiding and Elected Line Officers, all Past Presiding Officers, 33° members and MSA recipients. But, all Scottish Rite Masons are welcome to attend. The dress code is business suit or sport coat and tie. For those that are registered, lunch will be served at 12PM in the Independence Ballroom, Lower Level and the evening banquet will be served in the Delaware Room at 6:30 PM. Registration was required for those meals. If you didn't register by the 8 June deadline, you will not be served a lunch or dinner but you can still attend the meeting. It always looks good for the Valley to have a large representation present. Come on out!

Again this year. Bro. Norman Greene, 32° MSA and myself will be hosting the State Hospitality Room (Bar Foyer and South Ballroom-Lobby Level) from 9:30 until 11:30 AM on Saturday morning. Stop on by and say Hey!

Bro. Yasser AlKhatib, 32° MSA, our Sovereign Prince and the other Officers of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 16° hope to welcome you and your family at the Valley's Family Summer Picnic on Saturday, 29 July in the picnic grove at Cannstatter Volkfest Verein, 9130 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA, 19114.

The day begins at 12PM. We will have entertainment, including new this year; a DJ, games and activities for the kids (of all ages) all day. Lunch and dinner will be served. The lunch menu includes: hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, sauerkraut, cole slaw, baked beans, french fries with all the trimmings. For dinner: Eggplant Parmigiana, fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, cucumber salad, tomato salad and corn on the cob. The cost per person is $15 for those 13 and over and $10 for 12 and under. The picnic is over at 5PM

Again this year, we are inviting you to bring along a non-Scottish Rite Mason, a Master Mason, whose admission is free. He is welcome to bring his family along for the regular admission price. Our Membership Team will be on hand to welcome him and to speak with him about Scottish Rite and the Valley of Philadelphia.

Tickets are required for everyone. Including your Master Mason friend. Our Council Officers will exchange your ticket for a bracelet that day indicating that you've paid to attend.

Tickets can be ordered by mail. Send your check to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Make your checks payable to Scottish Rite Bodies.

Soon you will receive your bill for your 2018 Scottish Rite Dues. When I had the Supreme Council run our dues the other day we still had 142 Brethren that hadn't paid their 2017 Dues.

Remember our new by-laws indicate that a member owing one years dues will be suspended following the May Reunion meeting. If you are one of these 142 members please remit your dues. We didn't suspend you as we couldn't until our by-laws were adopted by the Valley; so essentially you are being given a one year grace period to get current. If your dues are not paid in full by our May 2018 Reunion meeting, you will be suspended as will all Valley Brethren still owing their 2018 Dues.

If you are having trouble paying your dues, please contact me in the Scottish Rite Office. We can work out something to help you retain your Scottish Rite Membership.

Our BIG event of the year, The Feast of Tishri happens on Friday, 6 October at Twining Hall at the Trevose Fire Company, 4900 Street Road, Trevose, PA.

Our very special guest keynote speaker for the evening will be Ill. Thomas Gamon IV, 33°, Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

This is a men only black tie event. Business suits are acceptable for those Brethren that do not own a tuxedo. All Masons are welcome to purchase tickets to attend. Perhaps you can get a table together from your Lodge or another Masonic body. Tickets at $65 per person.

The evening begins at 6PM with the Social Hour (cash bar) featuring butlered hors d'oeuvres. A delicious buffet dinner will be served at 7PM. Everyone attending will receive a souvenir wine glass from which you will take your toasts during the event.

Tickets are available by mail to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19017-2520. This is a not to be missed event!

I've begun work on the 2017-18 Valley Officers and Committees Directory. There are still a few of our Officers and Committee members out there that have not returned their information form to the Valley Office. These were due on Monday, 19 June. You were provided with an addressed postage paid return envelope with your form. Please get it in NOW. The sooner I have everything the sooner the Directory gets out to YOU. Thank you for your expected cooperation. I'd rather not leave you out of the Directory or publish the wrong information, but the longer I have to wait that is a possibility.

And, that's the news!

Our 2018 Dues Billing

Dear Brethren and friends:

Good afternoon everyone,

I just ordered the printing of our 2018 dues bills. Now I know a few of you are wondering why would I order 2018 bills in June of 2017?

Our fiscal year begins on 1 August in the Scottish Rite, so essentially 1 August is new year's day in the Valley of Philadelphia.

Once Supreme Council runs our dues bills they will mail your bill to you. When you receive your bill and remit your payment, please be sure to include your bill with your check for payment. If you do electronic banking, you cannot send your bill along and that is understandable and is fine. Please wait until you actually receive your bill before paying your dues!

We currently do not accept credit cards in the Valley, however, you may pay your dues by credit card through the Supreme Council's web site (scottishritenmj.org). But, please be advised, when you pay your dues in that manner, they deduct the banking charge from your payment. They will credit your record that you paid your dues in full, but we will receive less than that amount. Please consider that.

Supreme Council recently relaxed a rule in the Constitution that required Valley's to hold a non paid member for two years prior to suspending them for non payment of dues. This new 'policy' says that if the Valley has in its by-laws that it will suspend after one year, they may. Well, as you might recall this past Friday, we adopted a new full code of by-laws and one of the amendments to those by-laws is that those members who haven't paid their dues for the year will be suspended at the end of the year. To clarify, if your 2018 dues are not paid by our May 2018 meeting, you will be suspended.

On behalf of the Commander-in-Chief and the other Officers of the Valley, I want to thank you in advance for your payment of dues and for your continued interest and participation in our Valley.

If anyone is having trouble paying their dues and wishes to remain a member of the Valley, please do not hesitate to call me in the Valley Office at 215-563-1814 and we will discuss options to help you remain a member of the Valley.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

BRETHREN TAKE NOTICE:

For Friday's Annual Meeting, all Elected and Appointed Officers, this includes those Brethren standing for appointment as Guards (14°) Satraps (16°) and Acolytes (18°) should be in tuxedo (short coat). The Officers for Election and Appointment in the Consistory (32°) line should be in tails with white vest and tie.

After dinner you should report to the Ill. Carl D. Homan, 33° Complex on the fourth floor to get the appropriate collar or sash (18°) and apron for your line. Candidates for Guards, Satraps and Acolytes are welcome and encouraged to wear the appropriate regalia for your line; however, we ask that you wait until the current Elected and Appointed Officers are in their regalia before putting any on, just be sure we have enough for the line. Even if you do not have the regalia on you will still be installed to office and will muster with your line when your name is called during the installation ceremony.

Gold Officer caps should be worn as well and they are also available in the Complex. 33°'s and MSA's will wear their appropriate cap,

The Honor Guard will be required for this meeting as our Active, Ill Robert J. Bateman, 33°, RWPGM will be in attendance and will be received. Honor Guard members should be in tuxedo with a gold officers cap or white 33° or red MSA if applicable.

After dinner Honor Guard members should report to Ill. Philip J. Janusz, 33° MSA in Gothic Hall for rehearsal of duties.

Any questions or comments or concerns? Please ask.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Tomorrow, Thursday, 8 June is the Reservation Deadline for dinners at the Annual Meeting.

If you plan to attend and wish to have dinner, make your reservations NOW! Also, please be sure to let me know what your entree choice is: Chicken, Salmon or Vegetarian.

Call 215-563-1814 to make your reservation or email to valleyofphiladelphia@valleyofphiladelphia.com. Be sure to include your entree choice!

Remember, by direction of the Executive Committee I am no longer permitted to order extra meals, which means that I will take NO reservations beginning Friday. Also, if you order a dinner and fail to show for the meeting you will be billed.

Govern yourself accordingly.

Good Morning Brethren and Friends!

This coming Thursday, June 8th, is our dinner reservation cut off for the Valley's Annual Meeting on Friday, June 16th. Have you made your reservations yet for the Annual Meeting?

If you are planning on attending and wish to have dinner, please do so no later than this coming Thursday. We will not accept any reservations after the cut off. Nope. Sorry. Just not going to happen. No exceptions.

When making your reservations, as this will be a sit down dinner, please be sure to let me know what your entree choice will be: Chicken Tuscany, Broiled Filet of Salmon or the Vegetarian option.

Reservations are easy to make too. All you need to do is call, 215-563-1814 or by email to valleyofphiladelphia@valleyofphiladelphia.com. Please be sure to include your entree choice

By direction of the Executive Committee I am no longer permitted to order a few extra dinners for 'walk ups.' Which means if you do not have a reservation, you cannot join us for dinner; but you are still welcome to attend the Annual Meeting.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Plan now to join us for the Valley’s Most Important Meeting of the year: The Annual Meeting, on Friday, June 16, 2017

It is at the Annual Meeting where we will elect and install the Officers of Benjamin Franklin Consistory, 32°, Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, 18°, DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 16°, Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, 14° and the Coordinate Bodies.

Action will be had on the proposed budget for the 2017-18 Scottish Rite year and on a full code of by-laws.

Following the close of the joint sessions we will welcome the Ladies and other guests into Gothic Hall for the installation of officers. We will also recognize our 50+ year members, present checks to our Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship recipients and present the Past Most Wise Master’s, Past Sovereign Prince’s and Past Thrice Potent Master’s jewels to Ill. William Klosz, 33°, Ill. Harry Rutter, 33° and Bro. Joel Wolfert, 32°, respectively. We will also present the Valley of Philadelphia’s Scottish Rite Lifetime Achievement Award to a very deserving Brother.

The evening begins at 6PM in the Grand Banquet Room with a sit down dinner. We have two entrée choices, Broiled Filet of Salmon served with fire roasted red pepper sauce or Chicken Tuscany; boneless rustic breast of chicken topped with fire roasted red peppers, onions, Portobello mushrooms & sweet Italian sausage with chef’s homemade marinara sauce. The balance of the dinner menu includes: Classic Caesar Salad, Chef’s choice vegetables and Apple Pie ala mode to finish. The cost for the dinner is $20 per person.IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

By action of the Executive Committee, any member who reserves a dinner and doesn’t show for the meeting will be billed. If you are attending the meeting only you do not need to click ‘Going’ for so doing will order you a dinner and you will be billed for that meal. If you are attending the dinner please be sure to leave a comment regarding what your entrée choices are.Also, in the past I’ve ordered a few extra dinners for those that might call or email past the deadline. We will no longer offer that. If you do not reserve by the deadline you will not be able to eat with the Valley. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is by order of the Executive Committee. Please make a note of it. 

Reservations MUST be made by or before, Thursday, June 8, 2017. Absolutely NO reservations will be accepted past that date. NO EXCEPTIONS! Govern yourself accordingly. And again, TICKETS WILL BE COLLECTED IN THE BANQUET ROOM!

Reservations can be made by calling 215-53-184 or by email to valleyofphiladelphia@valleyofphiladelphia.com or by mail to: Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Please make checks payable to Scottish Rite Bodies.

Parking for the evening is in the Convention Center Parking Facility, 1324 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. This is only garage we have chasers/validations for! Park elsewhere and you are on your own.

Dress Code: All Valley elected and appointed officers should be in tuxedo. All other members should be in business suit or sport coat and tie. Those Brethren that will be newly appointed to the lines should also be in tuxedo

Hope to see YOU there!

Good Morning everyone! Happy Earth Day!

Great meeting last night! The Degrees were fantastic.
The 15° Cast led by our Sovereign Prince, Ill. Harry Rutter, 33° was perfect. The scene with Bros. Yasser AlKhatib,32° MSA and Lawrence Hicks, was really great. You wouldn't know it to see but Bro, Yasser wasn't able to attend any of the rehearsals (because of his work commitments) but he and Lawrence did their scene seamlessly in my opinion. Great work Brethren! It was good to see Ill. Robert Burns, 33° back and involved as well. As many of you know Bro. Bob is currently serving as the Most Excellent Grand King of the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania, so his time is obviously limited. But he was there for his Valley last night. And, how can I sing the praises of the 15° Cast without mentioning Bro. Louis Krass? Bro. Lou was a member of our Fall Class and he's done a speaking part in the 4° and now the 15°! He's on his way, stay tuned! I can't forget Bros. Joe Robert and Glen Tyson too!

Again this Degree was directed by our Valley Organist, Bro. Jeffrey Lees, 32° MSA, Past Sovereign Prince. This was his directorial debut. The Cast's performance is an example of Jeff's leadership. He has already expressed an interest in coming back to direct again. That's great news for our Valley. We've been searching for new Degree Masters. We've added two new ones this Spring with Bro. Jeff and Bro. Russell Combs, 32° MSA, who directed the 9° in March. Great work Brethren!

The 18° conferral as explained by Ill. Bud Garvey, 33° was quite a hurdle with Bros. Norman Greene III, 32° MSA and Bro. Brian Skoff, 32° being out with health concerns. But their teammates picked up for them. Plus, how nice was it to see Ill. G. Kent Hackney, 33°, back out there for the Story of the Cross? You can't beat having that story told by someone that was ACTUALLY THERE! I'm kidding of course, he tells me he was born two days later. Ill. Philip Janusz, 33° MSA, Past Most Wise Master, didn't miss a step since he left the line. Our Most Wise Master, Ill. Bill Klosz, 33° as always did perfect work! Bro. Leonard Altieri, Esquire, stepped up to cover for parts for which we had missing Cast members and he did a great job. Speaking of great jobs, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the EXEMPLARY work presented by Bros. Jon Solheim, Rick Santella, Dean Jones, Tim Curran and Thomas J. Brotherton III. We could have had another missing Knight last evening, as Bro. Tim was experiencing the pain of sciatica but, hey, he's a Marine, they're tough dudes and Tim was no exception out on the floor doing his part and not showing he was hurting. Way to go Bro! Hope you're feeling better today.

Personally, I want to thank the guys on 'my team' for their help last night. We were missing Bro. Norm on one of our Stewards tables, but thanks to Bros. Thomas J. Brotherton III, Frank J Lorine, Rick Santella and new Valley Brother, Samuel Justice Morrison, 32°, everything ran smoothly. Morrison? Hmm why does that name sound familiar? Yes, everything ran smoothly, but that doesn't mean we don't need you back Bro. Norm! Get well soon Brother!

Also a huge, THANK YOU goes out to everyone who attended last night! Without your support, what do we have? You, are what makes us, 'Pennsylvania Freemasonry's Best Kept Secret.' God Bless you Clay.

My most sincere apologies go out to Illustrious Rick Freedman, 33°. It appears one of my fingers wasn't paying attention when I gave it a downward depression and it hit the 2 instead of the three and as a result our Illustrious Brother is shown in the 4° Cast listing as a 32° instead of his much deserved, 33°. Again, my apologies my Illustrious Brother. I own my mistakes!

To all those hard working dedicated Brethren that will attend our Annual Worker's Night this evening (a reward for their efforts) I'll see you there! Thanks to our Thrice Potent Master, Bro. Joel Wolfert, 32° and Lady Barbara for all their work in putting this evening's festivities together. Want to go to Worker's Night next year? Get involved!

Have a great Saturday everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Happy New Year!

Before I begin, just a note of assistance to you: Get used to writing a seventeen (17) at the end of the year. We all always seem to have trouble with that.

Okay, so what's going on?

Tonight is our 4° Cast Kick Off meeting. This is the meeting we have to introduce our new Brethren who are interested and have volunteered to to take part in the 4° conferral all they'll need to know about being a Cast member. We'll also assign parts. We had two classes to have volunteers from this time, both the Spring and Fall Classes of 2016. Unfortunately out of 128 potential Brothers the response wasn't all that overwhelming, but we did get a few of them and to those Brethren we say, 'Thank You!' You are about to begin an exciting and fun journey of involvement in your Valley and I guarantee it will be time well spent!

Thanks to all our 'veteran' or 'seasoned' Brothers who volunteered to take part in the Cast again as well. We just couldn't do it without the stalwarts in this Valley and we're glad to have you.

For those attending the meeting, parking is in the Convention Center Parking Facility, 1324 Arch Street. If you park there, your parking is FREE. If you park anywhere else you are on your own.

The dress code for the Masonic Temple is always business suit or sport coat and tie. No tux's are necessary for our rehearsals or cast meetings. Besides, unless you're an elected or appointed Valley Officer, you never have to wear tuxedo to a Valley function!

The meeting will begin promptly at 7PM in the Ill. Carl D. Homan, 33° room on the fourth floor of the Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street.

The 4° Degree will be presented on the opening night of our Spring Reunion, which is Friday, 17 March. The 14° will also be a part of that night as well. There should be one other Degree presented that evening too and as soon as our Director of Work lets me know which Degree it is, I'll let you know.

Don't forget our next Valley Family Life event, 'Valley of Philadelphia Night at the Harlem Globetrotters, on Sunday, 5 March at the Wells Fargo Center. Tickets are available for $15 per person. You can download an order form right here from our Valley group page by clicking on the EVENTS tab ^ above or by visiting the Announcements page on our Valley's web site (philascottishrite,org)

Our name, 'Valley of Philadelphia Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite' will appear on the Jumbo-tron and there will be an on the court meet and greet for all of our folks with the Globetrotters, plus a group picture with the team!

This should be a great family night. Order your tickets soon!

Our Spring Class has been named in honor of Ill. Arthur D. Becker, 33° MSA, Past Commander-in-Chief. What a great honor for Bro. Art! Very happy for him!

Now is the time to get a Candidate for the Class. To our new Brothers, if you are the first line signer on 3 initiated petitions in the same year, your Scottish Rite dues the following year are FREE! If you are the first line signer on 25 petitions over the course of your lifetime, you become a Life Member and will then pay NO dues ever after! Talk to those Brothers in your Lodge now!

Petitions are always available by visiting the Valley's website or give me a call in the Valley Office at 215-563-1814.

Second Notices for Dues are in the mail. If you've received one of these notices, please remit your dues.

As part of our new full code of by-laws, we will no longer hold a Brother for two years prior to suspension. Doing this we're still billable to the Supreme Council for the $27 per member assessment and when do not receive a dues payment from a Brother or a number of Brethren, that expense can add up.

Our new by-law article will now allow us to suspend a Brother from the Scottish Rite for failing to pay one year's dues. These suspensions will occur following our Valley's Annual Meeting which this year will be held on Friday, 16 June.

If you are having an issue paying your dues and would like to remain a member of the Valley, please contact me in the Scottish Rite Office and we can work out an affordable payment plan to help you retain your Valley membership. Please understand it is no longer affordable for the Valley to simply remit dues.