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.

Good Morning everyone and welcome to the first day of Summer!

Now just because it’s Summer and most of our Masonic activity has gone, ‘dark’ doesn’t mean that we’re totally quiet. Far from it!

We have the Annual Convocation of the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation coming up on 9 July at the Valley Forge Casino Resort. Now, for those of you who’ve never attended the Annual Convocation before or are not a member of the Council; you are of course welcome and encouraged to attend. The 8 June deadline has past for reservations for the luncheon and banquet, if you didn’t get yours in on time, yes it is too late for that now, but it is not too late for you to attend the meeting itself on Saturday afternoon on the 9^th. The meeting begins at 1:30 PM and will last until approximately 4:30 PM. The dress code for the meeting is business suit or sport coat and tie. We sit in groups by Valley.

Now in past years the Valley of Philadelphia has had a row or maybe two rows of Brethren attending. In recent years, we’ve seen that grow to two and half to three rows of Brethren attending the Annual Convocation at Hershey (formerly) and at Seven Springs (next year by the way). It’s great to see that many Valley Brethren supporting not only our Valley, but Scottish Rite in Pennsylvania.

With this year’s Convocation being held in Valley Forge, I expect that we might have one of the largest delegations present. Personally, I would love to see us have as many attending as Allentown, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Reading some day. I think this year might our best chance yet. Will we do it? We’ll find out on the 9^th of July.

For those that did pay to attend the Banquet and Luncheon, you will want to arrive at the hotel in the morning on July 9^th. When you get there you will go to the ‘Ask Me’ table, which this year will be staffed by our very own, Ill. James C. Rae, 33° MSA and Bro. Thomas H. Wible, 32° MSA. They will have your tickets for both events. If you get to the hotel between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM, be sure to stop by the Council’s Hospitality Room. Bro. Norman R. Greene III, 32° MSA and myself are your gracious hosts during that time period and based on recent years, we could sure use the company. A lot of folks have just had breakfast at that time of the morning and they’re usually not interested in cookies, potato chips, pretzels, sodas and the like. But stop by any way, Norm and I will have some good conversation for you.

On the 30^th of July, we will again gather in the picnic grove at the Cannstatter Volkfest Verein, 9130 Academy Road in NE Philadelphia for the Valley’s Annual Family Summer Picnic. Cannstatter is located right off the Academy Road exit of I-95. Our picnic is on from 12 to 5PM and lunch and dinner are served. The cost per person of for tickets is $15 for those ages 13 and up and $10 for those 12 and under. Master Masons, WHO ARE NOT SCOTTISH RITE MASONS AND MEMBERS OF THE VALLEY OF PHILADELPHIA, are welcome to attend for free. They are welcome to bring their families along for the admission fee. Talk to the Lodge Brother and invite him to come along. We’ll have games and activities for everyone, or you can just enjoy the day anyway you’d like. Tickets must be purchased in advance! Get yours by sending in your check to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Don’t miss out on the picnic, it’s always a fun day. Our Sovereign Prince, Ill. Harry Rutter, 33° and the other Officers of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 16°, hope to see YOU and your family there!

So that’s what’s happening this Summer. Hopefully we’ll see you at both events.

Don’t forget the Double Eagle Car Show on Saturday, October 1^st at the Cannstatter. The event runs 10 AM to 2 PM. If it rains, we’ll see you on Saturday, October 8^th. If you have a custom or classic car, and you want to enter in the show, it will cost you $20, if you want to come and see the cars, the cost to get in is only $5. There will be music, food, games, and trophies for the cars.

Special thanks goes out to Bro. Timothy J. Curran Jr., 32° for putting this thing together. This is a fund raising event for YOUR Valley Brethren. Your support of it is appreciated and vital to its success. Spread the word and please plan to attend. Tim’s calling it the Double Eagle Car Show this year, I told him if we have one next year, we’ll have to change the name to the Double Eagle Classic. Imagine that on a trophy; ‘Double Eagle Classic – Best in Show.’ Cool huh? Please support our show and thanks again to Bro. Tim for his vision.

Sometime later this week, I will have a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT regarding another fund raising event for the Valley that will take place this September. I promise you, you will not want to miss it!

Our Fall Reunion will begin as part of the Grand Lodge’s One Day Masonic Journey on Saturday, 29 October at LuLu Shriners. We will present our work that day via DVD. All Master Masons are welcome to join our Valley that day for the price of our annual dues, $99. Spread the word!

The Fall Class will be named in honor of our Right Worshipful Grand Master, Ill. Raymond T. Dietz, 33°. We will invite all the one day Class members to attend a Special Communication of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection and a Special Assembly of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, on Friday, 11 November here at the Grand Lodge, when those two Bodies will present their signature Degrees. The Right Worshipful Grand Master will be here to welcome those new Brethren to our Valley and to Scottish Rite Freemasonry.

Plan now to attend our Valley’s Holiday Party on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Heritage Ballrooms, 2107 MacDade Boulevard in Holmes, PA. The cost per person is $30. The evening will include a Social Hour at 6PM with a delicious buffet dinner following at 7PM. DJ Bill Scheivert is back to rock the place again this year, so be ready to hit the dance floor after dinner! Beat the holiday rush and send your check in now. There is a flyer for the event in the May issue of The Double Eagle, or you can download one from the Valley’s website by visiting, http://www.philascottishrite.org/announcements.html

I’ve ordered our 2017 Dues Billing from the Supreme Council. Which means once they are run you will receive your bill in the mail. Please be sure to include your billing statement with your check when paying your dues. Make your dues check and any check you make out to the Valley for any purpose, payable to, ‘Scottish Rite Bodies.’ Please be patient, we are one 107 Valleys that the Supreme Council will be running billing for. I promise I won’t suspend anyone, well, at least not until this time next year and only if you’re two years behind in dues. Believe me, I don’t enjoy having to do that.

Well, it’s the first day of Summer and they’re calling for it to be in the 90’s. Stay cool, stay hydrated and check on the elderly. Ill. G. Kent Hackney, 33°, are you okay? Have a great day!

Good Morning everyone and I say 'Good Morning' in my most sincere attitude as I am about to change the subject to something that some folks find, unsettling; dues.

Yes, that time is soon to be upon us. It is my plan to order our dues run from the Supreme Council very soon. For our new members, the Valley's fiscal year runs from 8/1 to 7/31 and I usually bill you for dues in mid to late June/early July, depending on where we fall in the queue up at Supreme Council. As always, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR BILL FOR DUES PRIOR TO PAYING YOUR DUES. And if you're one of us who takes advantage of electronic banking, please make sure your 9-digit member number is on your check. This is the number on your dues card. If you're still not sure, call me. Thank You.

Now to those that have not paid their dues for 2015 & 2016: Prior to ordering our dues run I will have no choice but to suspend you from the Valley. We gave you the time required by the Supreme Council Constitution. I contacted you by letter. Our Retention Committee contacted you. Nothing more can be said. Once you are suspended, you will no longer be a Scottish Rite Mason. If you wish to come back after that, you will be required to pay two years dues.

For those that haven't paid their 2016 dues yet: Your bill will be for two years worth of dues. Which means you will be on our suspension list next year. You have time to pay your dues and avoid that situation even if you do it by installments. I would rather you send a dollar a day before suspending you. Seriously. If you're having financial difficulties but want to remain a Scottish Rite Mason, I want to help you make that happen. Please note that we can no longer remit dues. It's simply not affordable for the Valley to continue that practice. But. we can work out a payment plan that works for you (within limits). Call me at 215-563-1814 and lets discuss it.

Again, I have to order our dues run from the Supreme Council and they have 107 Valleys to run dues for. We'll be set into their queue and when our time comes they will run and mail out our dues billing. Please be patient. Also, please remember to return your bill with your check!

Now see? That wasn't so painful to discuss, was it?

Good Morning everyone!

I don't know about you, but I am sure happy to see the sunshine this morning. I read once that prolonged exposure to cold, cloudy skies and rain can lead to depression. I never took much stock in that but after last week's gray day after gray day, seeing the sunshine this morning, I have to admit, I feel a bit more optimistic. So who knows?

This coming Thursday, 12 May, is the reservation deadline for our Annual Meeting, next Friday, 20 May. Yes, it's almost here. To those of you that have made your reservations, Thank you! To those that haven't but plan to attend the meeting, lets get them in soon.

To our Spring Class mentors, have you checked with your charges yet to see if they're coming to the Annual? This is their first 'official' meeting as a 32° Mason and attendance at the Annual might foster the attitude of being an active attendee at future Valley functions. Not to mention as a new Scottish Rite Mason and Valley member, this is a great opportunity for them to observe and learn how our Valley conducts its election, installation and budget approval. Encourage active involvement. Get them started off right. Call him/them. Get them out to the Annual.

To those elected and appointed Officer Candidates, the uniform of the day for the Annual Meeting is tuxedo (short coat) or dark suit for those that do not have a tux. Guards (14°), Satraps (16°) and Acolytes (18°), will join their respective lines for the installation ceremony.

Your wife, lady or significant other will be welcomed into Gothic Hall to witness your installation, as will any friend you wish to bring along. Just remember, they'll need a dinner reservation!

I've had a number of questions regarding the tickets for this Saturday's Family Life event, '1776' at the Media Theater. We hadn't received the tickets, which is why you haven't received yours yet. Our Family Life Chairman, Ill. James Rae, 33° MSA had the tickets mailed to his home this weekend. He's dropping them off to me this morning and they will go into the mail as soon as I receive them. I've had a few requests for aisle seats. I do not have a seating chart for the theater, and as such I have no way of knowing what seats you'll receive. Thank you to all who purchased tickets for your continued support of our Family Life activities.

While I'm on the subject of family activities, don't forget our Annual Valley Family Summer Picnic in the picnic grove at Cannstatter's, 9130 Academy Road in NE Philadelphia. This year's picnic happens on Saturday, 30 July. The cost per person is $15 (ages 13 and up) and $10 (for 12 and under) . Lunch and Dinner will be served. The event runs from 12PM until 5PM and there will games and activities for all to enjoy all day. Tickets are available NOW and we have plenty. Also, your Master Mason friends (non-Scottish Rite) are welcome to come for FREE! No tickets will be available the day of the picnic. They must be purchased in advance. Get yours soon!

Our Fall 2016 Class has been named in honor of our Right Worshipful Grand Master, Ill. Raymond T. Dietz, 33°. This Class will receive their work as part of the One Day Masonic Journey at LuLu Shriners on Saturday, 29 October. We've waived our initiation fee for this Clas, which means your Candidate will be able to become a Scottish Rite Mason for the cost of our dues only, $99.

I've had a few Brethren volunteer to be a part of the team at LuLu that day. We have a full group, but no doubt our Membership Committee will be looking for mentors for this expected large Class. Stay tuned for calls for volunteers for that most important role.

We will welcome our Fall Class members here to the Temple on Friday, 11 November at which time Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection and Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, will present their signature Degrees. The Right Worshipful Grand Master will be with us that evening as well.

Spread the word. Get a Candidate.

Well, Jim just arrived with the '1776' tickets. I'd better get them in the mail.

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

The Valley's Annual Memorial Service is Today!

Good Morning! Today is the Valley's Annual Memorial Service, hosted by the Most Wise Master, Ill. John Lanckowski, 33° and the other Officers of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, 18°.

The Service will begin at 3PM at The Church of our Savior, 821 Homestead Road, Jenkintown, PA.

Our Valley Prior and Assistant Grand Prior of the Supreme Council, The Reverend and Illustrious William D. Hartman, 33° will again offer the message as we memorialize the 49 Brethren we've lost over the past year.

Every member of the Valley of Philadelphia is welcome to attend the Service and you're welcome to bring your family along as well.

Following the Service, a complimentary dinner will be served in the dining room of the Jenkintown Masonic Temple, 443 Old York Road, Jenkintown. The Temple is directly across the street from the Church.

There two lighted cross walks, one north of the church and one south on Old York Road, we ask that everyone please use these when crossing over to the Temple. We're in no hurry to begin filling the program for next year's Service.

If you did not make a reservation for the dinner, I am sorry, we cannot accommodate you today, but you're still welcome to attend the Service.

The dress code for the Brethren today is coat and tie or business suit. The Officers of Kilwinning Chapter should be in tuxedo.

Brethren Please Take Notice: 

I spoke with Amy, the Temple Caterer on Friday when she called to get our count. I gave her the number I have right now, but told her I would call her back on first thing Tuesday morning as our deadline is Monday. She told me at that time that I would have to call her Monday morning as she cannot go past Monday afternoon with the staffing service she uses to get people to serve the tables.

So, if you haven't called in to 215-563-1814, clicked 'Going' (for our Facebook group members) or sent an email reservation in to phila.aasr@juno.com yet for Friday's dinner, please do so NOW.

Unfortunately, I will have to call her in the morning with what will be our final count. As per our Commander-in-Chief's directive, if you do not have a reserved ticket we will turn you away from dinner.

The clock is ticking, get your reservation in today. Please pass the word. After I call Amy in the morning, I will accept no more reservations.

Thank you both your understanding and your cooperation.