Dear Brethren and Friends:

If you've ever wanted a Valley of Philadelphia golf/polo shirt, we have GREAT NEWS for you!

These shirts are available in both the 32nd or 33rd Degree so that every Valley member can purchase one! They come in variety of colors and sizes, with or without a pocket and you have have your name embroidered on it as well.

Please visit: http://store.dryheatembroidery.com/valley-of-philadelphia-masons-polo-shirt.html  to order your shirt!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Tuesday!

Through the 'miracle' of rest, plenty of fluids (mostly tea and Theraflu), I am alive and well this morning and am ready to negotiate the ice coating the sidewalks and streets between my humble abode and the Ardsley train station! Take that, flu-like thing! Schools are opening 2 hours late, so I think I'll play it safe and leave a little later too.

Parts are out to those that will serve in our Casts this coming Spring, but there's still a place for YOU to get involved. Yes, yes there is! We're always in need of guys to help out with the Stage crew and with the Wardrobe Committee. Especially at the end of the night. Our Wardrobe guys can always use a hand putting the costumes away and if more volunteered to help out, drum roll please, the work would get done quicker! So if you're looking to be involved, please consider these opportunities.

If you're more interested in Cast work and didn't get a part this time around, let me or our Director of Work, Ill. Phil Janusz, 33 MSA know of your interest and we will be sure to get you started this coming Fall.

Our Spring Reunion is just around the corner and so is so many other things in happening in our Valley.

For instance:

Sunday, April 26th- Our Annual Memorial Service at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church. The Service starts at 3PM and a complimentary dinner follows, BUT, yes there really always is one, Reservations Are Required!

Saturday, May 9th-The Valley's Annual, 'You don't have to be an Officer' Officer's Training Conference! It's returning to the Jenkintown Masonic Temple (443 York Road) again this year. Fellowship, that's masonic talk for Coffee and Donuts begins at 0730AM and the Conference kicks off at 8:30AM. You need to register your attendance for this, but it is well worth your time and, you're outta there at NOON!

Friday, May 15th-Our MOST IMPORTANT gathering of the year, our Annual Meeting! This is the night we elect, appoint and install those who will serve in our four officer lines, approve our annual budget, recognize our 50+ year members, present Abbott Scholarship checks, present jewels to our outgoing presiding officers and so much more! It's an open event so even the ladies and your Masonic friends are welcome to attend too!

Sunday, June 28th- We're going back across the river for yet another Valley Family Day at Campbell's Field! Picnic, Baseball, Family Fun! Order your tickets NOW. I'm going, you going?

Saturday, July 11th-The Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation at the Seven Springs Resort in the beautiful Laurel Highlands. A gaggle of us, will be traveling out there to see Valley Bros. Mike Bauerle and Russ Combs receive their Meritorious Service Award, plus we'll be there to support our 'Best Friend' Ill. Russ Baker, 33 host his last meeting as Commander-in-Chief of Pennsylvania. Valley Council members will receive their notice in the mail from the Council office, BUT, yes there it is again, all and any Valley members are welcome to attend!

Saturday, August 1st- The Valley's 2nd Annual Family Summer Picnic in the picnic grove at Canstatters! We had a small but dedicated group there last year and we had a GREAT time! There were games for the kids, yes of all ages, good food, both Lunch and Dinner too! Watch THE DOUBLE EAGLE for ticket info for this beginning with the March 2015 issue. I'm going. You going?

Friday, October 2nd-'Scottish Rite Night at Lodge No. 9' Our Membership Team is ready, willing and able to come to YOUR Lodge too to present their FUN and INTERACTIVE program on the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and the Valley of Philadelphia. Interested? Call the Office for details 215-563-1814.

Whew! Never let it be said that the Valley of Philadelphia doesn't have 'it' going on!

It's icy out there this morning, be careful!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning Everyone!

They say it's cloudy out there in Punxy this morning. Old Phil did see his shadow this morning. 6 more weeks of winter. Let it Go Phil!

Be careful out there as you head to work or wherever you may be going to. It's supposed to get real cold this afternoon so all this rain will no doubt leave ice everywhere on your way home tonight.

Well regardless of what the Groundrat said, Spring is indeed on its way and with it comes our Spring Reunion! Degree rituals have and are going out, rehearsals are booked, the 4th Degree Cast has kicked-off, albeit after a winter weather delay, but; yes there's always a but, WE NEED CANDIDATES!!!!!

Lets get to work Brothers!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

We had a small but good group of Brethren show up for the 4th Cast Kick-off last night.

Parts were distributed and the Cast is on its way. If you volunteered but were not able to make the meeting, I will mail your part to you today.

Thanks to everyone who attended last evening and to all who will participate.

ATTENTION PHILADELPHIA REGION MASTER MASONS: This Spring you can become a 32nd Degree Mason as part of the Valley of Philadelphia's Spring Class.

Our Spring Reunion begins on Friday, March 20, 2015. During the Reunion, we will present the 4th, 7th, 18th, 22nd and 32nd Degrees.

You can download a petition by visiting, http://www.philascottishrite.org/Petition.htm. 

For more information, please call 215-563-1814.

We're ready to answer your questions about the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and to assist you in your search for further light in Freemasonry!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Tonight is the night for the 4th Degree Kick-off meeting. Yes, the weather folks are talking about a possible snowfall, of up to a coating to an inch during the time we're meeting, but we're still on!

The President is speaking in Old City this evening. I-95 NB from the airport will be shut down around 6PM, so if you're coming from South Philly or the Delco area, find an alternative route. Reports are that he will be leaving the region around 9PM so I-95 SB will be shut down at that time, hopefully we will have you out of here before that.

We will gather in the ILL. CARL D. HOMAN, 33, complex on the 4th floor of the Temple at 7PM at which time Bro. Brian Skoff, Degree Master, will hand out rituals, assign parts and go over rehearsal dates and procedures.

We know that a few of you that have volunteered will not be able to make it this evening, You're on the list to still be involved.

For those that will attend, travel safely and we'll have you out of there after a short meeting. But, all your questions will be answered first!

Again, Thank You to everyone who stepped up. And to those still thinking about it, come on out! There is a spot for you too,

See you tonight!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Facebook just alerted me to a new feature called "Call to Action," which I have taken advantage of for our Valley 'fan' page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Valley-of-Philadelphia-Ancient-Accepted-Scottish-Rite/454696140552

This new feature has allowed me the ability to add a "Sign up Now" button to our fan page, that will take interested Master Masons directly to the downloadable petition page on our Valley web site! http://www.philascottishrite.org/Petition.htm

Social media has been an invaluable tool for us for a number of years. It has had its naysayers too, but features like this continue to prove that this medium, if used correctly and to its full potential, can create opportunity for both consumer and vendor. Or in our case, interested Master Masons and the Valley of Philadelphia!