Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 IN THIS ISSUE Feast of the Paschal Lamb Lancaster County Club Spring Dinner March 29, 2018 CIC and MWM Messages Abbott Scholarships In Memoriam March 27, 2018 Meeting Notice Ladies Auxiliary Dinner & Meeting Notice Model Railroading Club Golden Eagles Children s Dyslexia Center Annual Raffle Jesus Sight & Sound Bus Trip Schuylkill County Club Clam Bake April 11, 2018 Membership Message Chester County Club Installation of Officers & Ladies Night April 4, 2018 Good Fellowship Annual Banquet April 18, 2018 Easter Bunny March 24, 2018 Chester County Club 24 th Annual John T. Gay, Jr. Memorial Sports Banquet June 21, 2018 Ill. Lynn G. Brandt, 33 Memorial Golf Outing - May 11, 2018 Ontelaunee Club His & Hers Clam Bake & Fish Fry June 18, 2018 March 2018 THE FEAST OF THE PASCHAL LAMB A SOLEMN MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR OUR BRETHREN WHO HAVE DEPARTED THROUGH THE WEST GATE OF THE TEMPLE Presented By Francis Marion Highley Chapter Knights of Rose Croix of H-R-D-M, Gary L. Dukeman, 32, Most Wise Master Sunday, March 18, 2018 2:00 PM In the auditorium of the Scottish Rite Cathedral 430 South Seventh Avenue West Reading, PA 19611 The public is invited to participate in the service. No reservations are required No admission will be charged No offering will be collected Appropriate attire requested Page 10 100 th Anniversary Celebration Page 11 100 th Anniversary Ad Booklet Page 12 Fashions in Bloom, April 21, 2018 Refreshments served after the Memorial Service in the Zimmerman Dining Room Lancaster County Club s Ladies Night Spring Fling at Weaver s Banquet in Adamstown, PA Please Note Date Change!! Thursday March 29, 2018 6:30PM Speaker: Jill Hardy, Gold Star Mother $22.00 per person Make Reservations by March 23, 2018 Please mail checks to: J. Richard Eby 522 E. Conestoga St. New Holland, PA 17557 717-354-7783
Most Wise Master Gary L. Dukeman The Commander- in-chief Kevin S. Barnhardt, 33 The Energy of 2691! You might be wondering what the Energy of 2691 is? Is it the population of Birdsboro PA, the number of Berks County employees, the number of troops stationed in Afghanistan or the year that Marty McFly and Doc Brown go forward to in time travel or simply the number of members we have in the Valley of Reading? Many other fraternal, social and service organizations would salivate at having that number of members. But wait, 775150669 we have the potential energy of 2691, but what part of that energy are we able to realize? If we harness that energy we can achieve even bigger and better things in our Valley. If each of the 2691 members would contribute $10.00 towards the Children s Dyslexia Center, our local fundraising efforts would be achieved! If 2691 members came to a stated meeting or to the spring or fall reunion we would need to build a larger banquet hall and auditorium! If we had 10% of 2691 members volunteer to join the choir, train club, take active roles in reunions, we would need more sheet music, more room for train displays, more makeup, costumes and wigs! What good problems we would have! My satire is simply to highlight the lost value of Valley membership by NOT participating in your Valley. You earned your 32 nd degree, take advantage of the opportunity that it brings and become the man and member you took your oath and obligation to become. You won t regret the time you spend, making new friends, renewing old friendships and building on the lessons taught in the Scottish Rite. Become the Energy! Spes Mea in Deo Est Kevin Note: You will notice somewhere in my letter is a 9 digit number. If this is your membership number, call me & you will receive a $25.00 gift card. Kevin: 610-375- 9482. Time is flying by. The Fall Reunion is over, the Holiday Happenings are in the history book for 2017. By the time this notice is out, Christmas and New Year s will be a past memory and we will be starting 2018. At this time I would like to thank all those who took part in any of our fall events; your participation made it happen and they were all successful events. As Most Wise Master of Francis Marion Highly Chapter of Rose Croix, my thoughts move to planning the Feast of the Paschal Lamb. We will have started rehearsing in February and the Feast will take place Sunday afternoon, March 18 th at 2PM in the Scottish Rite Auditorium. This Feast is for the members of the Valley of Reading to honor their departed Brethren. This is a way for members of the Valley to show support for the families of our departed Brethren and also show we do care. Come out and support this worthwhile event. When the Feast is over, the officers of the Valley of Reading will have a Spring Reunion and the May Stated meeting then we will be in the history books and a new group of leaders will be taking the Valley to the next level. Fraternally, Gary There s still time to apply for the Abbott Scholarships and eligibility has been extended to include those pursuing Graduate degrees! Please see the website for application forms: https://scottishritenmj.org/abbott-scholarships Applicants should submit their application to the Valley with verification of their eligibility. Scottish Rite Office Attn: James R. Shaw, 33 P.O. Box 6013 Reading, PA 19610 Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2018 2
IN MEMORIAM The Valley of Reading remembers with respect the Following Brethren whose deaths have been reported since the last publication of the Valley Notice. Ill. John C. Evans, 33 December 19, 2017 Lodge No. 343 Joseph D. Schinkel December 10, 2017 Lodge No. 138 Richard C. Bond December 23, 2017 Lodge No. 406 Christian E. Sherman January 1, 2018 Lodge No. 406 Marvin E. Hill January 11, 2018 Lodge No. 660 Ralph W. Grim January 14, 2018 Lodge No. 406 George N. Halulakos January 20, 2018 Lodge No. 227 Henry A. Smith January 26, 2018 Lodge No. 227 Warren J. Dietrich February 3, 2018 Lodge No. 307 Richard M. Reber November 30, 2017 Lodge No. 273 Harold G. Peffley December 18, 2017 Lodge No. 227 Olin C. Katzenmoyer December 26, 2017 Lodge No. 43 Carl A. Henne January 4, 2018 Lodge No. 406 Garson W. Wunderlich, Jr. January 11, 2018 Lodge No. 254 Kenneth W. Miller January 18, 2018 Lodge No. 377 Charles H. Bergstresser January 22, 2018 Lodge No. 377 James B. Frees II February 1, 2018 Lodge No. 446 Carl L. Moll February 13, 2018 Lodge No. 377 Valley Notice is a publication of the four bodies of the Valley of Reading, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and is the official notice of meetings, events and activities of the Valley. Please provide timely submissions to the Editor: Jillian Shotzbarger, The Valley of Reading, A.A.S.R. P.O. Box 6013, West Reading, PA 19611 Phone: 610-373-0790, Fax: 610-373-0795 valley.of.reading@comcast.net T.T.G.O.T.G.A.O.T.U. To The Glory Of The Grand Architect Of The Universe A Stated Meeting of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry sitting in the Valley of Reading, Pennsylvania will be held in the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 S. Seventh Avenue, West Reading, PA, on the 12th day of the Hebrew month Nisan, 5778, corresponding to: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 7:00 o clock p.m. Business will be transacted in Reading Lodge of Perfection, 14, C. Gilbert Steffe Council, 16, Princes of Jerusalem; Francis Marion Highley Chapter, 18, Knights of the Rose Croix; and Reading Consistory, 32 Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret. A cordial and fraternal invitation is extended to all members of the Rite duly accredited. By order of: Glen A. Houck, 32 Gary L. Dukeman, 32 Thrice Potent Master Most Wise Master Kevin J. Matthews, 32 Kevin S. Barnhardt, 33 Sovereign Prince Commander-in-Chief ATTEST: James R. Shaw, 33, Secretary DINNER BEFORE THE MEETING 6:00 TO 6:45 P.M. $8.00 per person Ladies Auxiliary Join us Tuesday, March 27 th @ 6:oo for dinner $8.00 Those whose last name begins with A to J please bring a dessert Followed by Stated Meeting @ 7:00 Speaker for the Evening Becky Hughes from Berks Parks & Recreation Watch for more information coming about our Spring Bus Trip to Baltimore and Save the Date: May 19 th 3
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Reading, Pennsylvania MODEL RAILROADING CLUB ON TRACK WITH THE MODEL RAILROADING CLUB In 2002, the then fledgling Model Railroading Club was offered one of its most interesting and fulfilling opportunities. The Reading Hospital and Medical Center (now Reading Hospital Tower Health), located on 7 th Avenue just across the street from the Scottish Rite Cathedral, wanted to provide a more cheerful and child-friendly playroom in their pediatric unit to help entertain their patients and visitors. They approached the Club and extended it an invitation to install and operate a train that would run all around the pediatric playroom on a platform suspended from the ceiling. There was only one caveat; the Hospital insisted that the road name on all the locomotives and rolling stock had to be READING LINES. The hospital constructed the suspended platform and then turned it over to the Club to lay the rail and install the controls. The Club provided two GP 38 diesel locomotives, a gondola with load, a hopper with load, a flat car with automobile load, a box car and a caboose, track, transformer, sensors, timers and more. The sensors stop the train from running when the room is empty. The timers give the hospital staff control over when and how long the train runs. By providing two locomotives, the club made sure there will be continuous, uninterrupted rail service for the children to enjoy. When one locomotive needs to be taken out of service for maintenance or repair, there is a backup. Because the Club itself had little funds in its treasury at that time, the Scottish Rite Volunteer Committee (SRVC) and Reading Consistory divided the costs of the trains and accessories. Five years ago the Hospital purchased an additional locomotive. Presently, the Club continues to maintain and service the locomotives and rolling stock. The trains log over 2,000 hours running time each year! In 2014 the Club replaced all the worn out wheels and axles on the rolling stock; and In 2016 the Club replaced several pieces of rolling stock had gone missing. Today our rail line continues to deliver full load after full load of cheer and entertainment to the children in the Hospital s pediatric unit. MEETING NOTICE Stated Meetings of the MODEL RAILROADING CLUB will be held Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 1:00 PM and Tuesday, April 3, 2018, 1:00 PM ALL ABOARD, the MODEL RAILROADING CLUB invites to you to come on board and enjoy membership in our Club. Become a member of the MODEL RAILROADING CLUB and join in our fun, join in our camaraderie, and join in our service. For further information contact Bro. Bill Young, Club Secretary, at 717-445-9814 4
Greetings from the Members of the Golden Eagles Club. Yes, the Golden Eagles Club is a seniors-based group affiliated with the Valley of Reading, Scottish Rite Masons. HOWEVER, that being said, you do NOT have to be of senior status nor a Mason to join the group. The membership is OPEN to any and all, male or female, Mason or Non-Mason who would like to join our merry group. Good food catered by Dori Martin s Catering out of Fleetwood - $8.00 and plenty of food for the day, good programs and brief business meeting. Best of all is the friendship and relationships that are built by the members. Dress is casual. Meetings are the third Wednesday at 12 Noon in the Scottish Rite Cathedral banquet room. Day trips are being planned and much more. A day trip to Sight and Sound, in Lancaster, PA on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 is planned and accepting reservations. E-mail me at cnjk1992@aol.com for more info, or see enclosed flyer. Try us you will like us and bring a friend along. Please make reservations for lunch with Don or Barb Loos at 610 678-1063 at least four days prior to the meeting. Fraternally, Carey M. Kaucher, President cnjk1992@aol.com Home phone 610-670-9827 P.S. NO, we are not a seniors group (Golden) made up of retired football players affiliated with the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles!! March 21, 2018 April 18, 2018 Wear your Green for St. Patty s Day! Kilts welcomed! Program Deanna Reuben Soloist Meal Irish Beef Stew and all the fixins Program Eileen Meiser The Hat Lady Meal Shepherds Pie and all the fixins Children s Dyslexia Center Baskets of Cheer Raffle $10.00 per ticket Drawing May 19, 2018 For each bottle donation, in increments of $10, we will give you a raffle ticket in exchange. Please support this worthy cause by: Helping to sell tickets Purchasing tickets Donating bottles of cheer! Please Note: The Children s Dyslexia Center has a new website and phone number! New phone number is: 610-743-4451 Website now includes PayPal link to make donations: https://www.childrensdyslexiacenterreading.org/ 5
Membership Notes The Fall Reunion is over and we need to start talking to our Blue Lodge Brothers about joining the Scottish Rite of the Valley of Reading. We can have another large class in May if everyone goes out and asks a Brother to join us in the Valley. I hope everyone has had a chance to look at the Path Forward, Plans for Member Service & Member Growth, commissioned by the Supreme Council. A quote from the report: So how do we change? We, the Scottish Rite, must lead by example, and rally all Masons, including ourselves. Each man is to be moved to become the change we want to see, not only in the world, but also in our own Brotherhood. As the Scottish Rite, we must bring values to the fore and show men that there is still a place for all that once was good, and can be again. To be more than just men. To be Masons. Another quote from Pride and Hope The staggering fact that 57% of American men would be interested in joining Freemasonry if presented with the right Masonic messages should give each and every Brother a renewed sense of pride and hope. According to the data, we can be sure, finally, that we are not an organization out of step with society. In fact, trends point to the opportunity for a renewed interest and period of growth. Looking forward to a great Spring Reunion. Gary Dukeman Membership Chairman 6
Good Fellowship Club Annual Banquet Wednesday, April 18, 2018 Chester County Club Installation of Officers & Ladies Night Social Hour 6:00 PM Dinner 7:00 PM $25.00 per person Keystone Fire Company in Boyertown, PA Wednesday, April 4, 2018 6:00 PM Social Hour 7:00 PM Dinner At Thorndale Inn Downingtown, PA Leonard Bezar & Friends of the National Sojourners will present their Patriotic Flag Program $30.00 per person Please RSVP by Friday, March 30 th RSVP by April 11 th to Rick Storms at 484-614-0882 or stormsrw@yahoo.com or Barry Millard at 610-308-0103 The Easter Bunny is Coming! Bring the family to the Scottish Rite Cathedral on March 24, 2018. The EGG HUNT for children ages 1 to 8 will begin PROMPTLY at 10:30 AM, followed by lunch with the EASTER BUNNY. The cost is $3.00 per child and $5.00 per adult, Reservations are required. Deadline for reservations is March 10, 2018 EASTER EGG HUNT RESERVATION Member s Name: Number attending @ $3.00 each: Child s Name: Age: Child s Name: Age: Fill in, clip, and mail to: Bonnie Tennant P.O. Box 141 Atglen, PA 19310 Please include your check payable to: Scottish Rite Volunteer Committee (SRVC) 7
Proceeds benefit Children s Dyslexia Center! 24 th Annual John Gay Sports Banquet June 21, 2018 at Revere Tavern in Paradise, PA Speaker will be Vai Sikahema, Channel 10 News & Sports caster Tickets are $30.00 and can be purchased from Chester County Club members or by contacting Paul Swank at 610-384-7951 or pasnuf@aol.com Banquet book ads are available! $100/full page; $60/half page; $30/quarter page Send ads electronically to Paul or mail to 102 Hillcrest Rd Coatesville, PA 19320 Ad deadline is May 26, 2018 Eighth Annual Ill. Lynn G. Brandt, 33 Memorial Golf Outing Modified Shotgun Start at 1:00PM on Friday, May 11, 2018 Twin Ponds Golf Course 700 Gilbertsville Rd Gilbertsville, PA 19525 Phone: 610-369-1901 twinpondsgolf.com Better-Ball Scramble Format Hole Sponsors Welcomed Cost: $75/person (Complete) (Clip) (Return with check) Payable to AASR Activites & send to Richard Storms 440 Windy Hill Rd Gilbertsville, PA 19525 Enclosed is a check for golfers at $75.00 per person = Golfers Names (your name first) & Addresses (optional for future mailings) Individuals, Businesses or Corporations interested in sponsoring a hole, please contact Richard Storms at 484-614-0882 for more information 8
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Fashions In Bloom Saturday, April 21, 2018 Doors open at 11:00 AM Lunch at 12:00 Noon Scottish Rite Cathedral 430 S. 7 th Ave West Reading, PA 19611 FASHION SHOW LUNCHEON DOOR PRIZES FASHIONS BY CHRISTOPHER BANKS For Tickets Contact Carol Brandt 717-361-5379 Helen Hummel 610-678-1377 Deadline for Ticket Purchase March 27, 2018