What's Happening?

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Thursday! I know you're busy getting your bread, milk and TP in advance of the approaching storm, so I won't keep you too long. . .

As you know our Spring Reunion begins NEXT MONTH. Yes you read that right, our Reunion begins on Friday, February 19, 2016. No, I'm not kidding. Four of the five Casts have their scripts and are learning their parts as I type this. Well, in between the all important bread, milk and tp shopping that is, but they're doing it. We're getting ready. BUT, yes, there it is the ever dreaded, but. But, we need some help from YOU. Yes, you!

We currently have 10 Candidates for the Class. Not bad, but we can do better. Please everyone. Take a minute and think of a Brother you know not to be a Scottish Rite Mason. Won't you talk with him? It only takes a few minutes of your time to tell him all about YOUR Valley and how much YOU enjoy being a Scottish Rite Mason. Tell him about how our Degrees have enlightened you and have improved your outlook on life. Tell him about the euphoric feeling you have after attending one of our Reunions. Tell him about all the new and truly great friends you've made through the Valley. Tell him about the great time you had last Summer at Seven Springs (if you were there of course) when you attended the PA COD Annual Convocation. Tell him about how Scottish Rite fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members. Tell him all that and anything you can think of! Get a Candidate!

You don't just have to talk to that new member of the Lodge either. There are many Brothers who've been Masons for years, decades even, that have never gone no farther than the Lodge. Speaking from personal experience, when we get one of those Brothers in the Valley they always remark how much they enjoyed their experience as a Candidate and how they wished that they would have joined years ago. Don't let regret befall your old Lodge Brother, tell him about what's out there waiting for him to explore! Get a Candidate!

While we're on the subject of our Spring Class and Candidates, we're still looking for Mentors. If you're interested please let us know. Ill. Jeffrey Greene, 33°, our First Lt. Commander is looking for Brothers to add to the team.

As you know, our Scottish Rite fraternity has a charity and that charity is the Children's Dyslexia Centers. We have one here in the region, started by this Valley, at the Philadelphia Academy Charter High School, 1700 Tomlinson Road, in NE Philadelphia. The Center does wonderful work teaching kids affected by Dyslexia to read and succeed. But, it costs money to perform this miracle. The Center Board of Governors raises money through various projects and they have one coming up on Friday, February 5th and it's a "Designer Bag Bingo Night." It is exactly what it sounds like, you play bingo, and you can win a handbag, all while helping the Center help the kids.  If you are able and available, go on out and support this event. My Mrs. will be there, just like she is every time they have it. I hope she wins this year. The whining, the whimpering, but that's another story.

Hey, don't forget our Valentines Dinner and Dance on Saturday night, February 13th at the Canstatter. This was an event that used to be hosted annually by our former Bucks County Scottish Rite Club. It was held at the Buck Hotel and we used to have a very crowded room full of Valley Members not only from Bucks County; but, Philadelphia, Delco and Montgomery Counties as well. It was always a great night and was 'THE' event of the Valley's year.

So, we've brought it back. But so far surprisingly, it's not doing too well. We may have to cancel it and that is very dismaying. If you've responded on our event page and haven't sent in your money yet, please do. We have about two weeks remaining to the deadline and if we don't get our numbers up this past formerly very popular and successful Valley event will just pass quietly away.

It looks and sounds to be a great night. We have a four hour open bar, a delicious buffet dinner and LIVE music to entertain you. Not to mention you'll be surrounded by the very BEST Scottish Rite Masons and their Ladies in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. It's $50 per person to go which is a bargain for the Saturday night before Valentine's Day believe me.

Come on. Ask your wife. Ladies tell your husband. You don't want to miss this and if we have to cancel, it could impact planning of future social events in our Valley. That would be a shame. I always enjoying socializing with the Brethren and Ladies of this Valley and I know you probably do too. Any questions, give me a call in the Valley Office at 215-563-1814.

If haven't noticed yet, our Annual Officers Training Conference is scheduled a bit earlier than usual this year. It's happening on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Jenkintown Masonic Temple, 443 Old York Road. The Conference is open to ANY Valley member who interested in getting more active and involved in the Valley. Don't have a job or role in the Valley right now? Come to the Conference, you'll go home with one if you want one!  There will be a registration form in the February DOUBLE EAGLE.

Our Family Life Chairman, Ill. James Rae, 33° MSA is always looking for great ideas for programs for you and the family. And, his Spring offering is no exception.

The musical '1776' playing at the Media Theater, 104 E. State Street, Media, PA. Our show is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 2PM. Tickets are only $15 per person. There was a flyer in the December DOUBLE EAGLE and there will be one in the February, March and April issues too.

Hey, don't forget our Commander-in-Chief's trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto this August! Don't have vacation plans yet? This just might be the trip you want to do! Check your latest DOUBLE EAGLE or the very next one for the flyer.

Well, I know you're busy, so I'll close for now. PLEASE give our Valentine's party some thought. Get a Candidate. Have a great Thursday. And remember bend at the knees and take frequent breaks, while shoveling!

Good morning everyone. It's Thursday, 10 December and here is your news.

Our top story this morning is, IT'S RESERVATION DEADLINE DAY! If you're coming next Friday night and plan to have dinner with the Valley and you have not made reservations yet, get them in today, please. If you know of any Brothers that are planning to attend but haven't called in yet, please let them know that they must do so today.

No reservations will be accepted tomorrow or any day after that. No exceptions.

Please call 215-563-1814 today!

Thank you for your expected cooperation.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good morning everyone and welcome to Monday.

This Wednesday night, 9 December, at 7PM in Gothic Hall, our 32° holds its first rehearsal in advance of the presentation at our 18 December, Special Rendezvous.

Parking for the rehearsal is the Convention Center Parking Facility, 1324 Arch Street and as always the dress code for the Temple is jacket and tie.

Don't forget, this Thursday is our Dinner Reservation Deadline for next Friday's dinner. If you haven't called in, emailed, or clicked "Going" yet (our Facebook group members know what that means), lets get it done soon!

Last week I sent out a letter to all those Candidates that I have not heard from yet in regards to our Reunion's final night. I copied that letter to the Mentors as well. This is the first time that we are using Mentors and so far it seems to be successful. To all of our Mentors, Thank You!

Yeah I know, you're celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas shopping, but I have to remind you about our upcoming BIG night in the Valley; our Valentine's Dinner and Dance, on Saturday, 13 February at the Canstatter. This is going to be a fantastic event that you most definitely do not want to miss! $50 per person gets you a delicious meal, 4 hour open bar and live music to dance the night away. Don't miss this!

Our Valley Hospitaler, Bro. Norman Greene, 32° MSA is fully recovered from his two eye surgeries and he is back to full service form in his role and he has asked me to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. If you know of any Valley members in distress, please let myself or Bro. Norm know. We are fully committed to the Supreme Council's mission statement: "We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic Obligation to care for our members."

Have a great Monday everyone and an even better week ahead!

Dear Brethren and Friends,

Our Fall Reunion concludes on Friday, 18 December with the Special Rendezvous of Benjamin Franklin Consistory, 32°.

The Degree to be presented that evening will be the 32° Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. The meeting will be held in Gothic Hall, but following the close the Brethren are asked to retire to Corinthian Hall on the second floor of the Temple.

The evening begins at 6PM in the Lower Level Banquet Room with a buffet dinner selected by our Valley's 'First Lady,' Mrs. Linda Melson. Lady Linda hopes you'll love: Selected Salads, Marinated Pepper Steak over White Rice, Broiled Tilapia, Homemade Baked Ziti, Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes, Broccoli Spears and Ice Cream to finish. The cost per person is $20 with the exception of the Class.

Reservations for dinner are required and are very easy to make. Just call 215-563-1814 or email to phila.aasr@juno.com and you're done! 

Reservations MUST be made by or before, Thursday, December 10, 2015. No reservations will be accepted past that date. NO EXCEPTIONS!

During dinner we will present the 33° jewel and cap to Illustrious Brothers: Rick S. Freedman, William A. Klosz, Michael D. McKee. Edward J. Neilson, Daniel R. Scheetz, Gerard R. Sealy and Thomas F. Toscani, 33°. The red MSA cap will be presented to Valley Brothers, Michael C. Bauerle and Russell B. Combs, 32° MSA. Congratulations Brethren!

The Ladies of the Valley will have a very interesting program, “Eleanor Roosevelt” presented to them by actress, Linda Kenyon.

After the conclusion of the Degree, the Brethren and Ladies will be welcomed into Corinthian Hall for our salute to our Veterans, featuring an address by General and Brother, Wesley Craig, U. S. Army (Retired) and special appearance from the Color Guard of the First City Troop. As per our Commander-in-Chief, our Veteran Brethren are welcome and encouraged to wear their ribbons/medals to this meeting. We want to be able to recognize you!

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.

As always the dress code is tuxedo for the Officers, business suit or sport coat and tie for the members.

Hope to see YOU there!

Steven A. Morrison, 33°
Valley Secretary

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Monday! Yeah, I know I did that again, get over it.

The 15° Cast rehearses this evening at 7PM in Gothic Hall. Parking is at the Convention Center Parking Facility, 1324 Arch Street, and as always the dress code for the Masonic Temple is coat and tie.

This coming Thursday, 12 November is our Reservation Deadline! That's right, for dinner on Friday, 20 November! Came up pretty fast huh? Guess what? So's Christmas! I know, shocked me too.

If you haven't made your reservation yet; lets get it done by this Thursday. Again to our Recommenders & Mentors, there's still a number of Candidates I haven't heard from. Please touch base with them and ensure that they know that they must let us know if they're planning to attend and most importantly, if their lady will be accompanying them. We almost take it for granted that 'he' is coming as he is a Candidate, but if they fail to call and then bring their lady, she is not in the dinner count.

The 18th Degree Cast rehearses this Wednesday night, 11 November at 7 PM in Gothic Hall. Parking is, well you know by now.

Tomorrow is the Marine Corps birthday and I will recognize that important event then, but I wanted to wish all of our Valley Devil Dogs a great day today as well; and as it's Veterans Day week, to all of my Valley 'comrades in arms,' Thank You again for Your Service!

Have a great day everyone and an even better week ahead!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Friday! Yes, you made it.

So what's going on and coming up? Glad you asked!

First off, this coming Monday night, 9 November, the 15° Cast will hold their first rehearsal in preparation for their presentation at the Special Convocation. The rehearsal starts at 7PM in Gothic Hall. Cast members are reminded to park in the Convention Center Parking Facility, 1324 Arch Street; and as always, the dress code for the Masonic Temple is business suit or sport coat and tie.

Just spoke with our Commander-in-Chief, Ill. Clay Melson, 33° MSA and he has informed me that our Valley's First Lady, Linda is Bryn Mawr Hospital.  Lets all keep her in our thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery.

Next Wednesday night, 11 November, our 18° Cast has their first rehearsal in Gothic Hall at 7PM. Parking and dress code rules still apply!

This coming Thursday, 12 November is the deadline for dinner reservations for the Special Convocation and Special Assembly. If you haven't made a reservation yet, get it in now. Avoid the delay and more importantly avoid forgetting! No reservations will be accepted past that date.

Special note to our recommenders and our mentors: Please check with your Candidate/Mentees to see if they've check in yet. As of right now I have a large number of candidates NOT heard from. I send them a letter reminding them to call in upon receipt of the letter, you'd think that would work, but it doesn't always.

Be sure to talk to your lady about coming too. The Ladies welcome former 6ABC consumer reporter Amy Buckman as their very special guest that evening. With the approaching holiday shopping season on the horizon, maybe Amy will have some advice to lower the bruising on your credit card or bank account!

I have to apologize, sort of. I put an order form in the November issue of THE DOUBLE EAGLE for Christmas in Hershey tickets. At the time of preparation we still had tickets; I went to print, then we had a run on tickets. I am now returning checks to those ordering tickets as we are SOLD OUT again. Well, to be completely honest, we're not totally sold out. we have 1 ticket left. If you've ordered tickets previously and need 1 more, give me a call.

Congrats go out to our Family Life Chairman, Ill. James Rae, 33° MSA on another sell out. Yet another great job Bro. Jim in planning a Valley Family Event!

This Sunday evening we say farewell to Valley Brother, Skip Leopold, 32° MSA. The viewing is on Sunday evening, 5 to 7PM at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 2147 E. Cumberland Street, Philadelphia. There will be a Masonic Service at 7PM.

This is going to be a tough one, not that any of them aren't. Bro. Skip served our Valley from the moment he received his 32°. He was active in the Degree Casts, on our Marshals Committee, Stage Managers, pretty much anywhere he saw a need to get involved. He was also Santa for the kids at the Children's Dyslexia Center each year at their Holiday Party. The Celestial Lodge has received a 'squared away' new Brother.

If you're going, I will see you there.

On Monday morning at 9AM to 10:30AM there will be a viewing and memorial service at the Church and then our Brother and retired United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, Robert 'Skip' Leopold, 32° MSA will be laid to rest at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery. Fair winds and following seas my Brother and Shipmate. Save me a seat in the heavenly mess decks.

Next Friday, our Valley Hospitaler, Bro. Norman Greene, 32° MSA, has surgery to repair the tear in his retina. Norm tells me that following that procedure, his Doctor tells him that he will have better vision and can expect to give up his specs for a single contact lens! Best wishes Bro. Norm on your upcoming procedure. Thoughts and prayers continue.

And finally Congratulations go out to our By-Laws Chairman and one half of the 4° and 32° 'opening act,' Valley Brother, Leonard Altieri, 32° on his big win in Tuesday's elections. Our Brother was a candidate for the Marple Township School Board. Vote early. Vote often. Vote Altieri! First the Marple School Board. Next 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! Great job Leonard!

Well, that will do it for now. Get your dinner reservation in, if you didn't. If you did, Thank You! Call your Candidate and remind him to get his in. If you did, Thank You! Good luck to our 15° and 18° Casts for great rehearsals! Get Well First Lady, Linda Melson! Good Luck Bro. Norm! God Bless Bro. Skip.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

 I've been ignoring this for awhile but thought I'd better say something.

In the Valley's email each day I receive requests from some of you asking to be added to the "Valley's Linkedin network." We DO NOT have a Linkedin account and we never have. I have no idea how we got posted on Linkedin or why. But please understand that I am not ignoring your requests to 'link' you. I am ignoring the emails from Linkedin; as a matter of fact I've reported them several times as spam.

The Valley, as you know is on Facebook and Twitter (@PhilaScotRite), we have a website and a blog site (http://www.philascottishrite.blogspot.com/), but we are not on Linkedin and as far as I can forecast, we won't be anytime soon.

Thank you for your understanding and I apologize to anyone who sent link requests to our 'account.'

We're still in need of Brethren to volunteer to be mentors for the 2016 Spring Class.

Yes, it's early but, you will need to be trained as to what is expected.

This is a great opportunity for anyone (except the Fall Class mentors that is) to take a starting leadership role in the Valley; and who knows, you'll probably learn something along the way too.

Sign up today by calling 215-563-1814.

They say that 1 is the loneliest number and if that's true we have 1 lonely ticket remaining for Christmas in Hershey. If anyone who previously ordered tickets and needs one more let me know.

For those that missed out, we've got a GREAT Family Life program lined up for Spring 2016: 1776, the Musical at the Media Theater.

The show is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 2PM. Tickets are $15 per person and we have 100 of them! Don't miss this fantastic show, order your tickets NOW!

Missed out on Christmas in Hershey tickets? Don't fret. There's still a GREAT way for you to add some Scottish Rite flavor to your Holiday Season!

Don't forget the Valley's Holiday Party on Saturday, 28 November at the Lazaretto Ballroom in Essington.

Click on the FILES tab above to download a ticket flyer or check the October or November issue of THE DOUBLE EAGLE.

It's going to be a GREAT night! Don't miss it!

Don't forget our BIG VALLEY TRIP!

Next August 27-31, 2016 the Valley of Philadelphia will be traveling to Niagara Falls and Toronto, Ontario, Canada! This is normally the time of the year that Supreme Council would be meeting, and of course our 33° members would be going on that trip. Since Supreme has now moved to biennial sessions, our Commander-in-Chief, thought, "Hey, lets have a Valley trip that EVERY member of the Valley could go on." Great idea!

The package is excellent! This is going to be a spectacular trip! I've shared the flyer outlying the details of the trip for you. PLUS it will appear in every issue of THE DOUBLE EAGLE prior to the date.