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.

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Friday!

This coming Monday is our Dinner Reservation Deadline for next Friday's visit by the Sovereign Grand Commander. If I do not have you on the list when I close the office on Monday, YOU WILL NOT BE JOINING US FOR DINNER ON FRIDAY NIGHT! No ifs, ands or buts. If you haven't called, emailed or clicked 'Going' (through our Valley Facebook group) yet and you plan to join to us, get it done TODAY!

Next Wednesday, 6 April is the final rehearsal for the 32°. Ill. Daniel Martin, 33°, Degree Master has told me that attendance at the rehearsals so far hasn't been that great. He's asking everyone to be try to be there on Wednesday. This is the Cast that will present the Degree in front of our Sovereign Grand Commander. Our best effort needs to be there! Although this is a Ceremonial Cast rehearsal, Illustrious Bro. Dan is asking that Allegory Cast members try to attend as well. Also Honor Guard members should be there too. Ill. Bud Garvey, 33°, our Valley's 'Protocol Czar' will also be there to rehearse the reception of Scottish Rite/Masonic Dignitaries.

We have a big week ahead, with the Reunion on Friday night and then the Annual Officer's Training on Saturday. The Conference will be held again this year at the Jenkintown Masonic Temple. All Elected and Appointed Officers are expected to attend. Our Commander-in-Chief has stated that Officer Line advancement will be weighed by your attendance at the Conference. He reiterated that last night at the Executive Committee meeting. The Conference begins with Breakfast served at 7:30 AM by Valley Bro. Joseph Rocchi, thanks again Joe! The Conference kicks off at 8:30 and we'll have you out of there by noon. If you plan to come and haven't registered yet, please do so by today. I have to get the materials together and I need to know how many packets to make up. Thank you.

Well, that will do it for now. Have a great R.E.D. Friday everyone and an even better week ahead!

Good Morning Everyone! I know it's the Monday after a long holiday weekend, it's raining, I get it, but hey, we've got to get on with it.

Our 32° Allegory (Knights, Tempters, etc) Cast rehearses this evening in Gothic Hall. The rehearsal begins promptly at 7PM, parking is in the Convention Center Facility, 1324 Arch Street and as always a business suit or a sport coat and tie gets you in the building.

I don't want to say the pressure is on, but this Cast, will be the Cast that confers the Degree in front of the Sovereign Grand Commander. Have a great rehearsal guys!

Exactly one week from today is our Dinner Reservation Deadline. Due to the expected crowd with the Commander's visit, our Commander-in-Chief has ordered that anyone who does not have a prior reservation will be turned away from dinner on 8 April. So, if you haven't gotten your reservation in yet, lets get that done today, If you know of any Brethren that are planning on coming down, please let them know that they must have their reservation in by Monday, 4 April. Absolutely NO tickets will be sold at the door without a prior reservation. No exceptions.

The 32° Ceremonial (Commander-in-Chief and the floor officers) Cast will rehearse this Wednesday night, 30 March at 7PM in Gothic Hall and again the same parking and dress code rules apply!

With Commander's visit we're also going to need an Honor Guard. If you're able and want to be a part of that, we'd love to have you. The dress code for Honor Guard is short coat tuxedo. If you're going to volunteer for the Honor Guard, making the rehearsal on Wednesdays, 30 March and 6 April would be helpful and a good idea. Thank you to all who volunteer for this most important duty!

If you haven't signed up yet for our Annual Officer's Conference, time is winding down. The Conference is Saturday, 9 April at the Jenkintown Masonic Temple, 443 Old York Road. The doors open at 7:30 AM, breakfast will be served and we kick off everything at 8:30 AM. This is 'Year 3' of our 3 year agenda and we've added some new content to that. We'll have you out of there and home to your family by noon. All elected Officers are expected to attend and our Commander-in-Chief has made it clear to the Members of the Officer Selection Committee that Officer Line advancement will be weighed by attendance at the Conference. All appointed Officers are expected to attend. Valley Committee members should plan to attend, and as always ANY Valley Brother that is interested in getting further involved in our Valley is welcome and encouraged to be there! Sign up today!

Tickets are still available for our next GREAT Family Life event, '1776' at the Media Theater on Saturday, 14 May at 2PM. I do not have the tickets in hand yet as the theater will not send them out while they have another show in production, but once I have them I will get them out to everyone who has ordered them so far. If you plan to go send your check into the Scottish Rite Office, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520. Make your check payable to 'Scottish Rite Bodies' and the tickets cost $15 per person. No, we do not take credit cards and no we will not reserve tickets over the phone.

We'll that'll do it for now. Have a great Monday everyone. Stay dry!

Good Morning everyone and welcome to Monday! How about those Panth, I mean, Broncos?

Last night a friend of mine posted on his wall that he knew he was getting old because his 'Super Bowl Party' consisted of three cans of beer and a pint of ice cream. I think I might feel older then, as mine consisted of two ginger ales.

This is the week before our Reunion, but things kick off this evening with the first rehearsal of our 4°. They get started at 7PM in Gothic Hall. Parking is at the Convention Center Parking Facility, 1324 Arch Street. Remember Brethren the Auto Show is in town which means parking is always limited. You might want to try and get down a bit earlier. Our validation coupons are good from 3PM until midnight. And, as always, the dress code for the Temple, is business suit or coat and tie.

Our 26° Cast rehearses this Wednesday evening and the same rules and warnings apply. We've already had two rehearsals off site for this Cast and I can tell you this, my Cast mates and I are looking forward to putting forward our very best work.

This coming Thursday is two deadlines. Our Dinner Reservation Deadline and our Candidate Deadline. As of right now we have 16 petitions in hand. Our Membership Team has two 'Scottish Rite Nights' this week, so we have a chance for at least a few more petitions. But, we sure could use your efforts with your Masonic friends to bring more Brethren to our Valley. We can do this!

This Saturday night is our Valentine's Dinner and Dance! I'll still sell you tickets if you want to go. $100 per couple gets you a delcious buffet meal, open bar and live music to enjoy. We're going to have a great night. Don't miss it!

So there you have it. It's Deadline Week and it's Monday. Lets make it a week of success. Have a great day everyone and an even better week ahead!

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!