Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22

October 1979

FROM THE EAST

Brethren,

When I realized it was time to write this message I could not think of a single thing of historical significance for October. It was in William Moseley Brown's unpublished history of our lodge that I found on October 24, 1783, that our lodge had its first charity case. It was the "administering of relief to a 'poor brother', the state of whose health and financial resources had made it necessary for him to part with his watch. The watch was accordingly redeemed and the lodge obligated itself to provide for his necessities until such time as he should be able to take care of himself."

This leads me to remember that October is Founder's month for our Masonic Home in Richmond and that the Grand Lodge last February approved a resolution for the improvement of the Home, building apartments for couples and changing admission requirements. Since many of the brethren have made inquiries regarding this resolution it is printed herewith, as approved by the Grand Lodge.

Be it resolved that the Grand Lodge of Virginia request the Board of Governors to:

  1. Implement a Philosophy of care which extends the availability of facilities and services to include aging Masons, their wives, and/or widows who are able to pay for such care.
  2. Plan for orderly conversion and for expansion of existing facilities and services; developing a comprehensive program for a life care facility including:
    1. Implementing or modifying the present Master Plan for orderly expansion and/or conversion of the present masonic home.
    2. Adaptation of the present buildings to the expanded concept. The first step being construction of an additional wing or wings to allow conversion of the Callahan Building to single units, to be done based on funds available; and at the discretion of the Board of Governors.
    3. Developing individual apartment units for single and double occupancy giving attention to the special needs of the elderly; with separation of the residentially and medically oriented components of care.
    4. Establishing a budget (up to four million dollars) to develop and construct the first phase of 60-70 living units. The funds to be provided by advance entrance fees and/or tax exempt bonds available for purchase by the masons of Virginia; avoiding conventional borrowing. The costs to be self liquidating by entrance fees and monthly income from the residents using the facility, with a 5 year goal for this phase of construction.
    5. That the present policy for those with financial need continue until they can be brought into the Life Care Concept. The costs to be met by income from the endowment fund, the present capitation tax for the Home and future solicitation of funds. That those with financial need continue to be given the primary consideration for admission to the Home.
    6. That a committee of not more than 5 members be appointed by the Grand Master in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Masonic Home invested with the responsibility for development and construction of the project in a timely, orderly and economical manner; as funds are available and demands dictate.
  3. That Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. (successors to Westminster Canterbury Consulting Services) be retained during the planning, construction and initial year of operation of the first phases or until such time as their services are no longer required.
  4. That additional units, if demand dictates and finances are sufficient, be constructed in accordance with the Master plan, subject to prior requirements and constraints without further approval from the Grand Lodge of Virginia; however, subject to prior approval of the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia.

It is our desire that the Brethren of our lodge will eventually contribute enough money to build one of these apartments. Wouldn't it be wonderful if every member of the craft would make a contribution to the home even if it were not more than one dollar. It would, also, be wonderful if 200 of our members would see fit to join the Grand Master's 100 Club by contributing $100.00 or more, all of which can be deducted from income taxes.

The Grand Master's 100 Club for 1979, as far as our lodge is concerned consist of only eleven Brethren. They are: HERMAN OTTO BUDDE, NEIL CLARK, CLEMENT ELLIS CONGER, ANTONIO ERNEST J. DIONNE, CHARLES LEWIS EISENMAN, LAURENCE G. FAWCETT, ROBERT CLIFTON HOWARD, WILBUR EDWIN McCULLOUGH, JULIUS HELMS PORTER, JASON WORLEY SNYDER and GENARO JOSEPH SOMA VILLA. In the event you would like to join this Club you may do so by giving your check to our Secretary, Brother Earle Griffith, or mailing it to the Masonic Home. This should be done in October, in order to make sure it is recorded in this year's accounts.

You may be pleased to know that our lodge has contributed $1,207.50 to the Construction Fund and $1,662.50 to the Endowment Fund for a total of $2,370.00 through July, 1979. Please help us double this amount for the last half of the year.

Rt. Wor. Charles E. Wallace will be with us on October 11, to tell us about future plans for the Grand Lodge and Masonry in general. On October 25, we will have Brother Thomas K. Gery, President of the Board of Governors of the Masonic Home to enlighten us on the above resolution and the state of affairs at the Home. Since these two programs will be emphasizing masonry in general and our Masonic Home in particular you are urged to be with us on these special occasions. Please, do not say I cannot get in lodge, because the Master and/or Secretary, will vouch for any member of our lodge.

Another historical event occurring this year on October 13, is our Dinner and Program for our Ladies, Friends and Brethren not only for our Lodge, but for those of WILLIAM L. ELKINS LODGE NO. 646 of Philadelphia, Pa. Brother Charles B. Sweitzer and his Committee are in charge of plans and arrangements to receive and welcome these wonderful friends and brethren from the North Country. If you would like to join us Friday night at Gadsby's Tavern for a Dutch Treat Dinner and assist us Saturday in tours and sightseeing for those who will be with us from Philadelphia, please contact Brother Charles for details and assignments.

Reservations for the Dinner on October 13 may be obtained for a donation of $6.00 per ticket, mailed to our Secretary, Brother Earle Griffith, or given to any of our Lodge Officers. Tickets also, may be obtained at our Souvenir Stand. RESERVATIONS should be made before October 10.

We hope you will be able to be with us on each of these occasions.

NOTICE

Called Meetings WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED in our Trestleboard for the remainder of 1979, but announced at a Stated Meeting and/or published in the Alexandria Gazette.

Sincerely and fraternally,
Jason W. Snyder
Worshipful Master

ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE No. 22
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Post Office Box 4330
Alexandria, Virginia 22303-0330
Memorial Phone: (703) 683-2007 - - Lodge Phone: (703) 299-6122

OCTOBER 1979 - TRESTLEBOARD

Day Time Activity
Thu 10/11/1979 7:30 pm STATED MEETING - Business - Rt. Wor. Charles E. Wallace, Deputy Grand Master, will be our Speaker
Sat 10/13/1979 6:30 pm


7:45 pm
9:00 pm		 LADIES NIGHT DINNER - See Secretary, Master,
or Officers for Tickets - Donation $6.00
Can also be purchased at the Souvenir Stand
Program in auditorium of the G.W.M.N.M.
Refreshments at the Holiday Inn off Telegraph Road
Mon 10/22/1979 7:00 pm LODGE SCHOOL
Thu 10/25/1979 7:30 pm STATED MEETING - Business - Birthdays - Founder's Day Program
Sat 11/17/1979 6:30 pm TABLE LODGE

STATED COMMUNICATIONS: Second and Fourth Thursdays
of each month except Thanksgiving, Observance of
George Washington's Birthday and December 27th

We meet at 7:30 unless otherwise stated.
GEORGE WASHINGTON MASONIC NATIONAL MEMORIAL

CANDIDATE INSTRUCTION: Every Tuesday and Wednesday,
7:00 until 9:00 pm in Alexandria-Washington Lodge Room.
THOSE DESIRING INSTRUCTIONS IN COACHING SHOULD CONTACT
THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER. THOSE WILLING TO COACH CONTACT
THE JUNIOR DEACON.

OTHER EVENTS IN THIS AREA

Day Time Activity
Thu 10/04/1979 7:30 am Cherrydale - Lodge No. 42 - Past Master's Night
Tue 10/09/1979 7:30 pm Henry Knox Field Lodge No. 349 - Scottish Rite Night
Mon 10/15/1979 7:30 pm Justice - Columbia Lodge No. 3, Washington, D.C. - Virginia Night - M.W. Matthew Lyle Lacey, Speaker
Fri 10/19/1979 1:00 pm The Royal Order of Scotland, 2800 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Tue 10/23/1979 7:30 pm Henry Knox Field Lodge No. 349 - Rt. Wor. Charles E. Wallace, Deputy Grand Master will speak
Thu 10/25/1979 7:30 pm Archer Bailey Gay Lodge No. 275 - Warden's Night
Sat 10/27/1979 6:30 pm Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120 - Ladies Night Dinner - See Officers for Tickets
Tue 10/30/1979 7:30 pm DISTRICT SCHOOL - Occoquan Lodge No. 310

VISTING LODGE

Day Time Activity
Sat 10/06/1979 7:30 pm Pythagoras Lodge No. 123, Baltimore, Md. - M.M. Degree