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February Events
Sunday, February 28, 2010 - Pancake Breakfast - St. John's Lutheran Church, 2216 Peach Street. 8am - 1pm, take outs available. Adults $4, children 10 and under $3.50.
March Events
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - Regular Meeting, 7:30pm at McClure Hall
Friday, March 12, 2010 - Erie Fellows - MSA/33° Luncheon, Noon at the Erie Maennerchor Club.
Friday, March 12, 2010 - Scholarship Deadline
Sunday, March 14, 2010 - Daylight Savings Time Begins - turn the clocks ahead 1 hour.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
Thursday, March 18, 2010 - DeMolay Legion Of Honor, McClure Hall.
Friday - Saturday, March 19-20, 2010 - Council of Deliberation Officers Seminar.
Saturday, March 20, 2010 - First Day of Spring
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - Officers School of Instruction, 6pm.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 - Scholarship Foundation Awards Night.
Wednesday - Thursday, June 9-10, 2010 - Council of Deliberation Annual Meeting.
Friday, June 11, 2010 - Masonic Fraternity Night at the Balpark. $12 per person gets you a reserved seat, a picnic outing (Smith's hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and unlimited soft drinks), plus a SeaWolves caps. Call either the office at 835-0432 or Michael Koncewicz at 835-7790 to reserve seats.
Sunday, August 1, 2010 - Annual Summer Picnic at Waldameer Park
Saturday, October 30, 2010 - One day class to go from Blue Lodge through the Shrine. For more information visit the Grand Lodge website or see the Pennsylvania Freemason Magazine.
New Manager in the Valley Office
Mrs. Kathleen Kuntz began as the Office MAnager for the Valley in February. Kathy holds a Master of Business Administration from Penn State and is proficient is all of the computer and filing systems necessary to maintain the required flow of communication.
Kathy is the wife of Brother Roger A. Kuntz, 32°, who is currently Captain of the Guard, Presque Isle Lodge of Perfection. Roger is also a memeber of the Zem Zem Director's Staff. He teaches Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology at Penn State Behrend. They have three children. Kathy wrote, "We have seen first hand the life-changing work of the Erie Learning Center and the unprecedented success of the Scottish Rite Scholarship Foundation. These are community treasures worthy of our continued support."
We tip our hats with thanks to Tracy Graziano who filled the role of temporary Office Manager following the death of Marilyn Ferraro. Tracy's organizational ability and computer knowledge greatly assisted us in getting back up to speed. Tracy will continue in her position as Administrative Assistant at theMasonic Learning Center for Children.
The Valley of Erie members and officers take great pleasure in naming as its class sponsor the "Frank P. Ferraro, 32°, MSA Fall Reuion Class".
Brother Ferraro has been a loyal and dedicated Scottish Rite mason for 27 years and continues in every way to promote the well being and growth of our valley. His loyalty to Scottish Rite Masonry is most notable in his perfect attendance at our monthly meetings and his participation in our reunions, not to mention all the pro-gratus labor he volunteers for at our Sottish Rite building and also the Masonic Temple. His devotion to freemasonry is second only to his loyalty to our nation's defense. Brother Frank is the holder of the "Purple HEart" awarded to him for bravery in the Vietnam War for wounds suffered in combat.
The Valley of Erie takes great honor and pleasure in naming the Fall 2009 reunion class after him.
Congratulations to the three Valley member who received the Chapel of 4 Chaplains Legion of Honor Award. Lewis L. Lamb, III, Michael Koncewicz and Frank P. Ferraro received the awardf or their unselfish service to their community, exemplifying for the highest standards of loyal citizenship.
The ceremony took place on September 20, 2009 at Faith Lutheran Church in Harborcreek, PA. This award is given in recognition of outstanding service to all people regardless of race or faith. It also symbolizes for all Americans and for all time the unity of this nation under the fatherhood of God.
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Sunday, December 7, 2008 - Family Life Annual Scottish Rite Christmas Party This year's Family Life Annual Scottish Rite Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 2:30pm. Reservations are required. Fill out the reservation form and mail it in by December 3, 2008. Volunteers are needed; please call Richard at 868-9704 (w) or 864-8527 (h). |
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Michael A. Koncewicz Received the 33° in Providence Rhode Island
Brother Michael Koncewicz, Treasurer, Valley of Erie Scottish Rite, and an active MAson was nominated to receive the 33° at the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, in Providence, RI in August 2008.
Brother Koncewicz has served the Valley of Erie Scottish Rite as Sovereign Prince and Commander-in-Chief and is presently Treasurer for the Valley. He has served many capacities in the Valley - he has been active in the reunionstaking part in several degrees, has been chairman of the Valley's golf outing for several years and is Co-Chair for the Family Life Program. Brother Koncewicz worked in the Scottish Rite Building Fundraising Committee and then the Establishment Committee for the Valley's Learning Center. He secured several grants for the LEarning Center and has served as the Learning Center's Chairman, Board of Govenors since its conception. Bro. Koncewicz was awarded the Meritorious Service Award on July 13, 2002.
Bro. Koncewicz also has been active in the York Rite Bodies. He served as Eminent Commander of Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 30 in 1994, was treasurer of the Commandery from 1995 - 2005 and has been a Trustee since 2005. He was the local chairman of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation from 1990 - 2007. He has also served as the State Chairman of the Eye Foundation in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He is a member of the Temple Royal Arch Chapter 215 and was elected Most Excellent High Priest for 2008. He is also a member of Jerusalem Council # 33 and is scheduled to become Thrice Ill. Master in 2008. Bro. Koncewicz is also a member of the York Rite College; the Allied Masonic Degrees and the Soveriegn Order of Knights Preceptor. Bro. Koncewiczis a member of St. John's Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine in which he served as Puissant Sovereign in 2006, has been Treasurer (prior to that) and is now the Recorder. HE is a member of the Chapter of St. Thomas of Acon and the Rotal Order of Scotland. He is a member of the Erepa Grotto and the Zem Zem Shrine. Bro. Koncewiczia also a memver of the Shiloh Chapter # 153 and currently serves as Associate Patron.
Prior to his retirement in 2005, Bro. Koncewicz was employed by the Commonwealth of PA. He served as the District Manager/Regional Administrator of the Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services, Department of Labor and Industry. Koncewicz's initial employment was as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor being very involved in the efforts to bring services to people with disabilities. Koncewicz was instrumental in founding the "Lift" Program to provide affordable transportation to people with disabilities. This program is used as a model through-out the country. Koncewicz was called to provide testimony before congress about the establishment of para-transit services for people with disabilities. He was also the founder of the Radio Reading Service for Blind Persons in this region operated by Vision and Bindness Resources.
Brother Koncewicz is a graduate of Gannon University, receiving his BA in Psychology. Having concentrated in mathethmatics, he taught 8th grade at St. George's Elementary School prior to his employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has taken graduate courses at the University of Virginia and Case Western Reserve University completing his Master's Degree program.
Brother Koncewicz has ben married to Belle since 1969 and they have two children - Sarah and Ben. Belle is a graduate of Mercyhurst College and worked for 35 years as a Librarian for the Erie County Library System. Their daughter, Sarah, is married to John Troshoske - they have two children, Andrew and Leah. Their son Ben (a member of the Valley) and his wife Tracy Graziano have a son, Chayce.
In his spare time, Brother Koncewicz enjoys golf, reading, helping his children and volunteering at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. Both he and his wife Belle volunter at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and the First Book Program. They are also active members of the First United Methodist Church and serve on the Mission Committee and Church Council.