Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday. Yes, it's snowing but RELAX, it isn't going to stick.

Can you believe our Fall Reunion is over, done, completed, this coming Friday? It is.

Kilwinning Chapter and Benjamin Franklin Consistory, will cap it all off with the 18th and 32nd Degrees. I am sure that they will both perform exemplary work and make us all proud as well as inspire both the Class and our usual gang of sideliners, and of course, Illustrious Brother, Cliff Hutchens.

As we welcome our new Brothers into our Valley as Sublime Princes, we hope that they will become active and participating Scottish Rite Masons among us. As always opportunity to become involved is always there, but this Class has the very unique chance to make history in our Valley.

Beginning this Spring we will return to actively presenting the 4th Degree, Master Traveler, with a live Cast. Yes, we're going to 'retire' the DVD. We hope to build this Cast from the members of the Fall Class, and going forward having the preceding Class cast the Degree for the next conferral. This could be the start of great tradition in our Valley.

Bro. Brian Skoff, has agreed to take on the role of Degree Master for this new adventure. He and I will be addressing the Class about this on Friday night, but, we have a number of our new Brethren in this group already (the Facebook group, that is to our Web Edition followers. You REALLY need to get a Facebook account!), and hopefully they will be interested in being a part of this new project.

If any of you are interested in taking part, please let us know.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

On this Veterans Day, I would like to thank not only my fellow Valley Vets, but everyone who has ever honorably worn our nation's uniform.

Thank you for your Service!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Thursday everyone!

I called our numbers in to the Caterer yesterday and she now has our 'official' count. But in 26 years in Freemasonry I know (as you probably do too) that we shouldn't just be "Free and Accepted," but also "Procrastinating" Masons as well.

With that in mind I reserved for an extra 10 possible reservations. I already have 1 of those gone. So that means that there are 9 left. Did you call in yet? You have 9 chances to avoid paying a late fee for your dinner ticket. Call TODAY, don't delay. Or you can email to phila.aasr@juno.com, or the EASIEST way of all (Again, So Sorry, Web Edition Followers), click, "Going!"

See that, we're not just, "Pennsylvania Freemasonry's Best Kept Secret," but also the "Valley of Second Chances" too!

Have a great, try to stay dry, Thursday everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Day after the Deadline!

As of last evening we have 205 folks that have reserved for dinner on Friday, 15 November. Not as big a crowd as we had last month, but that's still not bad.

So, dinner reservations are over. Now comes the next phase, and that starts this evening with our 18th and 32nd Cast rehearsals. We have a few new guys in the 18th and we have two in the 32nd. But I'm sure our Degree Masters will bring out the very best in their respective Casts.

Have a great day everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Dinner Reservation Deadline Day!

Yes today is the day. If you plan to have dinner with the Valley on Friday, November 15th, you MUST have your reservation into the Scottish Rite Office today! Call 215-563-1814, email it to phila.aasr@juno.com, or click "Going" (Sorry Web Edition!) on the event page, Today!

I still have a number of Candidates that I have not heard from. Hopefully we'll get them in today too.

Today is election day in the region too. If your registered, make the time and go vote.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and welcome to the start of a new week! See what I did there? I avoided the whole, "It's Monday, yuck!" thing.

Today is Monday (yuck!) November 4th, the day before Tuesday, November 5th, which is. . .? Come on shout it out. Don't be shy. Yes, you got it, the November Dinner Reservation Deadline!

That's right if you're planning to attend the Special Assembly & Rendezvous on Friday, November 15th, and plan to have dinner with the Valley, you MUST have your dinner reservation made by tomorrow. If that doesn't happen, your reasonable $20 dinner becomes, $30! Yes, $30! Per person! Don't let this happen to you. Call 215-563-1814, email to phila.aasr@juno.com, or (Sorry Web Edition Followers) click, "Going" on the event page, TODAY!

Our 18th and 32nd Degree Casts have their first rehearsal this coming Wednesday. The ball is rolling. The wheels are turning and all those other forward sounding metaphors are happening as we come upon our Special Assembly and Rendezvous.

This will officially end our Fall Reunion. For those that are still in pre-Bookend Concept mode, this means there is no meeting in December. I know a few folks are still confused and that is understandable as this is only our second run in the Bookend.

So, why am I mentioning that? Because it's time to start working on possible Candidates for the Spring 2014 Reunion! This Reunion will be special because we will honor our Valley Brother and the next Right Worshipful Grand Master of Pennsylvania, Illustrious Robert J. Bateman, 33! Lets show Bro. Bob our support by working towards a BIG Class in his honor now!

Have a great week everyone. Get your dinner reservation in, if haven't. If you have, THANK YOU. Check with your Candidate. Did he call in yet?

Dear Brethren and Friends:

I've been debating with myself as to whether or not to post this. Partly because it's been somewhat of an emotional issue for me. But, I feel you should know.

Our Valley Treasurer, Illustrious John H. Platt, Jr., 33, has been facing some health issues of late. This past week, he called and tendered his resignation as our Treasurer.

Bro. John served our Valley in an exemplary manner for a number of years. He served as our Soloist for our Annual Memorial Service too. Anyone who has attended that can attest to John's beautiful singing voice....

I've known John for 26 years, and he has been a great Brother and friend. I will miss working with him and wish him well going forward.

There will be cards at our Stewards tables on Friday, November 15th. Please take the time to sign one of them to wish our Illustrious Brother, good health and thank him for his many years of Service to Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite.

Folks, I noticed that I am beginning to receive orders for the Valley's Family Life event, "Christmas in Hershey." This is a good thing and I'm glad to see that our Valley membership is interested in the programs our Family Life Chairman puts together.

 Our ticket allotment has been paid for and ordered. Once I receive them in the office I will begin sending them out to those that have paid and ordered them.

One note however, you do not need to let me know what date you are planning to go to the Park. These tickets can be used on any date the Park is open during the "Christmas Candy Lane" promotion. I only provided you with the dates in The Double Eagle and on the flyer, so that you could check your calendars as to whether or not you and your family would be able to participate.

Speaking from personal experience, if you're still on the fence about going, yes, it can be cold, and yes, the rides at the Park are limited if you compare to the rides open throughout the summer season, but the Park is beautifully decorated, they have their "Sweet Lights" attraction which you can drive through after dark, and the shops all have some beautiful holiday items for decorating your home. My family and I have gone every year, we really enjoy it, and of course, THE CHOCOLATE!