I Didn't Forget You.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

An alert reader has mentioned that the Web Edition has been quiet of late. He's right it has been a bit quiet here, it's not that I've forgotten about you, dear Web Edition reader, it's just with the Holiday Season and the conclusion of the Fall Reunion there hasn't been much to report on. That being said, I do try to include a daily post onto the Valley's Facebook group, "Valley of Philadelphia, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite-Members Only!" Our group has 227 Valley Members and their Ladies in it and, yes, being the slave to technology that I am, I have to admit, I do enjoy the 'one click ability' I have there for communicating with our Membership.

But, I have you as an audience as well and you are just as entitled to have information in a similar format, so, lets get you caught up:

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2014 in the Valley of Philadelphia! 2013 was a pretty good year for our Valley.  We celebrated Supreme Council's Bicentennial with 2 very nice size Classes. We had three of our Brethren coroneted as part of the Bicentennial Class, and I dare say we were the TOPS of all Valleys in the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation in new members! And, one of our own, Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33, is now the Right Worshipful Grand Master!

I'd say we had a pretty great year. What do you think?

Our Spring Reunion is just around the corner. We're hoping to have a large Class. Our Class Honoree is our very own Illustrious Valley Brother and Right Worshipful Grand Master of Pennsylvania, Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33. 

During a recent visit to the Scottish Rite Office, our Grand Master shared with me how excited he is about our upcoming Class. He is so happy that his Valley, the Valley of Philadelphia will be the first in the State to have a Class in his honor.

While he was here he took two petitions for his two sons who are not yet Valley members! If our Right Worshipful Grand Master has time to get a Candidate or two, so do you!

Our Spring Reunion begins on Friday, March 21, 2014 and will conclude on Friday, April 11, 2014. Please be sure to put those dates on your calendar NOW!

I thought it was time to 'change the oil' over at www.philascottishrite.org. I'm pretty happy with the new product. Give it a look-see if you get a minute. Thanks!

MEMBERSHIP, IN THE VALLEY OF PHILADELPHIA HAS ITS PRIVILEGES: Our Valley Treasurer, Ill. Spencer Butterwick, 33 and myself recently opened the Valley's new Almoner Fund at the Police and Fire Federal Credit Union, and as such, YOU, yes, YOU, Mr. Valley Member can become a member of the Credit Union!

They will ask you to show your Valley dues card to identify yourself as a member of the Valley of Philadelphia to open an account. Be sure to have your card with you, should you choose to take advantage of this EXCLUSIVE Valley of Philadelphia member benefit!

SPECIAL NOTE TO OUR MEMBERSHIP TEAM: Be sure to mention this exciting news when discussing our Valley with a potential candidate.

The Credit Union has several branches in the local region and they're opening one soon in South Jersey. Visit them on the web at www.pffcu.org for more information on locations, hours or whatever.

DON'T FORGET: It's that time of year again. What time of year you ask? Well, it's Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship time.

Now, yes, now is the time to apply for the Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship. This general scholarship is available to Scottish Rite Masons in Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, their children, their grandchildren (if the grandfather can claim the grandchild as a sole dependent), and the young men and women of our Masonic Youth Groups (DeMolay, Job's Daughters and Rainbow).

Individual Scholarships are limited to funds available from donations made through the Annual Blue Envelope Appeal.

NOW FOR THE LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Applications must be obtained by writing (emails count too) to the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520 and returned on or before the MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014 deadline in order to be eligible for submission.

AND DON'T FORGET: The Ill. John K. Young, 33 Fund! What's that you ask?

Well, it is an educational grant named for the late Right Worshipful Past Grand Master, Active Emeritus Member of the Supreme Council, and member of the Valley of Philadelphia.

This grant is available to the financially deserving children and grandchildren of the members of the Valley of Philadelphia, who are currently enrolled into an acceptable law school of a college or university in the United States. Students may apply for the grant each year and, applications for this grant may be obtained by writing or by email to the Scottish Rite Office. There is no deadline to apply for the grant.

Congratulations and Thank You goes out to Valley Brother, Tim Curran, 32, who has agreed to join our ROTC/JROTC Representatives Committee! Bro. Tim will join as our Committee's second Marine to accompany our First Lt. Commander, Ill. Clay Melson, 33, MSA.

This Committee performs a vital role of representing the Scottish Rite by presenting the Supreme Council's Scottish Rite ROTC/JROTC Award at local high school and college ROTC/JROTC awards ceremonies.

The Committee is made up of Valley Brethren who are also Armed Forces Veterans. We have a number of Navy members, including your humble narrator, a few Army and Air Force members and one lone Coast Guardsman, Ill. Len Bezar, 33. Any Veteran Valley member is welcome to volunteer to join our Committee.

It is always exciting news when a new member steps up to get involved. Which brings to mind the really exciting news coming forth this Spring!

We will return to the live conferral of the 4th Degree, "Master Traveler," during the Spring Reunion. Our Cast is going to be made mostly of new Valley members, many of whom were members of our 2013 Fall Class!

The Degree Master for this Degree is Bro. Brian Skoff, 32. This will be his first time in that role.

To prepare these new members for this first time responsibility we are having a 4th Degree Prep Meeting this Wednesday night, January 22, 2014 in Gothic Hall at the Masonic Temple. 

The meeting begins at 7PM  and parking will be provided by the Convention Center Parking Facility, 1324 Arch Street, Philadelphia.

We will hand out scripts and assign parts for the Degree. Our Stage Director, Ill. William Brown, 33 MSA, our Make up Director, Bro. Norman Greene, 32 and our Wardrobe Director, Bro. Russell Combs, 32 will offer short presentations on their areas of responsibility as they relate to the members of the Cast. It is our plan to make this Cast the best prepared Casts we've ever had.

We had hoped to fill this Cast completely with new members but there are some openings still available. If you're able to come out Wednesday night as a standby for a fill-in role, please do. We need you!

As this is a new Masonic year, we want to offer our sincere congratulations to any of our Valley Brethren that are now serving in Masonic office. Have a great year! If you're a Worshipful Master of a Lodge in our local area or you're a Senior Warden, who will be taking the East for a "Senior Warden's Night," Bro. Dan Scheetz, 32, Associate Membership Coordinator wants to talk to you! He has a program idea for you that is so great, you'll be the envy of the District and you'll even astonish that grumpy Past Master faction. I know how they can be, I am one. Call the Scottish Rite Office at 215-563-1814 and I'll get you and Bro. Dan in touch.

Well, there you have it. A bit of New Year noise. Don't forget dear reader to get a Candidate or two for the Class. We have a title to defend. 

May the Grand Architect continue to watch over you and yours.

Sincere fraternal regards, 

Calling All Scottish Rite Talent!

BRETHREN TAKE NOTICE:

Supreme Council has been in the processing of video producing the Degrees of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite to assist the Valleys in presenting these Degrees. We've used the 4th Degree video for the past few years.

They are now looking to produce a copy of the 26th Degree "Friend and Brother Eternal." I received the following from Dave Griffith, Casting Director for the 26th Degree Film and have been asked to pass it on to you:...

AUDITION NOTICE 26TH DEGREE FILM: FRIEND AND BROTHER ETERNAL

Auditions will be held on Sunday, January 26th from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Canton Masonic Temple, located at 836 Market Avenue No. Canton, OH AND on Saturday, February 1st from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Tadmor Shrine located at 3000 Krebs Drive, Akron, OH.

The story of the 26th Degree is set during the Civil War with the majority of the action taking place during the Battle of Gettysburg. Having appropriate facial hair (Beard, Mutton Chops, Mustache, etc) is a plus, but not required. Filming will be scheduled for the late Spring and early Summer of 2014.

Civil War re-enactors are encouraged and welcome!

All parts are up for casting. There are 20 speaking roles and many nonspeaking roles that range through all ages.
If you have a teenage son or grandson who would like to audition please feel free to bring him, if under the age of 18, he must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will be required to sign for him.

There are parts for teenage males who play the guitar, mandolin, violin, viola, or other such instrument. Please bring your instrument and be prepared to play the first two stanzas of the Civil War era song "Lorena." We are also looking for a singer.

If you have any question, please feel free to contact Dave Griffith through the Facebook page "Cast & Crew, Friends & Brothers (26th Degree Film), or email at dgriff@sssnet.com or at 330-464-3300. Thank You.

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Received an email this morning from "The Valley of Philadelphia's Best Friend," Illustrious Russell W. Baker, that I have to share with you.

Unless the Valley of Harrisburg receives 30 more petitions, WE, YOU, ME, US, OUR, Valley of Philadelphia is NUMBER ONE in new members for the Fall 2013 Reunion Season!

Congrats to everyone, our Membership Team, Recommenders, and Candidates (Yes, we couldn't have done it without you) on a great Fall Class!

Now, lets turn our attention toward the Spring. We've got a title to defend. . .

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Monday everyone!

Yes, it is the Monday after the conclusion of our Fall Reunion. The Holiday Season approacheth (Sorry, woke up in a Shakespearean type of mood this morning) and my post-Reunion work has just begun.

But, you know what? Your post Reunion work has just begun as well. What's that? What do I mean by your work? Oh come on now! You didn't really believe that all Scottish Rite was is going to Reunions, watching Degrees, eating delicious meals, enjoying fellowship and seeing my smiling face at the top of steps, did you? Well, I have to agree those are all good things but, NO, that isn't all there is! Far from it.

As we are now, post-Reunion you have a few chores to do as well. First: Candidates. Get one or two or three or how ever many you are able, for the Spring Class. Speaking of which, it will be named in honor of our Illustrious Valley Brother, Past Most Wise Master of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, current Orator of Benjamin Franklin Consistory and NEXT Right Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania, Robert J. Bateman, 33! Lets honor Bob with a large Class. To our new members, you were part of a very large Class, if each one of you got one or two Candidates, imagine how large the next Class will be?

Second: If you are not currently involved in our Valley this Spring could be your 'springboard' (Sorry. I had too. It works!) to getting active. We had a number of new Brethren take parts in our Fall Reunion Degree conferrals and we hope and expect that will happen again this coming Spring. So, it's up to you. You have time to mull it over but, seriously, give it some thought. A large or small or even a non-speaking part, once you get started, it can be the beginning of a great new happening in your life. Ask any of our active members how much fun and fulfilling it is to be a part of the 'team.'

Third: I'm leaving this one up to you. What will be your selected chore for your Scottish Rite experience? Only you know. But it might just be an idea that's worth giving a look at! Ask Bro. (Soon to be Illustrious) Dan Scheetz. He took a membership program idea and built our Spring 2013 Class into an amazing success. Just don't let him talk you into seeing that his seat is fluffed.

To all our newbies: You have nice new name badge and a shiny new jewel. You are the last to receive that jewel too. Sorry but you cannot wear either of those items at your Blue Lodge. Nope. You can't. The ONLY place you can wear them is at a Valley Reunion or if you visit another Valley. So, you know what your next chore can be; getting our Spring dates on your 2014 Calendar NOW. They can be found by visiting http://www.philascottishrite.org/calendar_of_events.htm

Now I know the next question from our new guys is; "When will I get my dues card?" Our dues cards are run by our governing Body, the Supreme Council, at the headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts. I will order them this week. In the meantime should you wish to visit another Valley and garner some stamps in the old, well, new, passport, give me a call and I will give the Valley you plan to visit a heads up and you will be welcomed in the most fraternal of manners.

Okay, I believe I've said enough. I have a very busy week ahead. Oh, before I check out, we still have 5 tickets remaining for our "Christmas in Hershey" Family Life event. Want them? Bring or send me a check made payable to "Scottish Rite Bodies" and they're yours. How much? $7.50 per person!

Have a great Monday and even better week ahead!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Day Before!

Yes, tomorrow evening is the final installment of our 2013 Fall Reunion and we will greet our new Brethren as Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, 32nd Degree. I know I don't have to tell any of you what a momentous occasion this is in a Brother's Masonic career. Being a Scottish Rite Mason is something to be proud of. Scottish Rite is Freemasonry's most popular brand! There are more Scottish Rite Masons in the whole spectrum of Freemasonry than any other. This includes the York Rite, Shrine, Tall Cedars, Grotto, you name it.

I'm asking everyone to be sure to take the time to greet and congratulate as many of our new Brothers as you can. Nothing can take the place of a warm Brotherly greeting in the moment of celebration, and that is exactly what tomorrow evening will be, a celebration of and for our new Brothers and our Valley.

To our new Brothers that are a part of this group (that would be the Facebook group, for our Web Edition audience), after tomorrow you will be 'entitled to all the rights and privileges' of a Scottish Rite Mason and Valley of Philadelphia member. One of those 'rights' is your opportunity to become involved in our Valley and to contribute to its ongoing success. You have a unique opportunity to become a part of new and exciting adventure for our Valley coming this Spring as we bring back the live Cast of the 4th Degree, Master Traveler. This Cast will be made up entirely of members of the "Supreme Council N.M.J. 200th Anniversary Class." You will set the example for all our Classes going forward as well as record in our Valley history as being the first! Step up. Volunteer. Be a part of the team! Scottish Rite, much like anything else in life rewards you for what you bring to it.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

Dear Brethren and Friends:

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday everyone. This is your friendly Valley Secretary bringing you joyous fraternal greetings and reminding you that I always have your best interests in mind.

So now you're thinking, "Okay Steve, what's up?" and I don't blame you, but, I just wanted to remind you that we are Brethren and we are, I hope, friends, before the following announcement causes you to have (undeserved) angst in my general direction.

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE: The Grand Banquet Room is CLOSED on Friday night, to anyone and everyone who does not have a dinner reservation or a pre-paid ticket.

Now what does that mean? The Temple's new caterer is very strict in her accounting of meals needed. She requires our reservation deadline to be at least 10 days prior to our meeting. She gives me a few days 'wiggle room,' to add for possible late editions. But, as of yesterday she called for the FINAL number. Which I gave her.

Therefore, be advised, and please everyone spread the word, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DINNER RESERVATION YOU WILL NOT BE SERVED ON FRIDAY NIGHT, NOR WILL YOU BE ADMITTED INTO THE GRAND BANQUET HALL. Just showing up with the attitude of "everything will be alright," WON'T WORK! Our Stewards will not sell you a ticket as there is no meal or seat available for you. You will not be served without a ticket. No ifs, no buts. You had time to make your reservation. You were notified at the last dinner of this coming change and it has been publicized here, on my blog, and in The Double Eagle. No excuses.

I would like to thank everyone in advance for your expected cooperation and understanding.

Have a great day everyone!

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.