Brethren:

Our annual family picnic, on June 15, was a success. Over 50 members and their families attended, although not at the same time. People came and went throughout the middle of the day. We ate hot dogs, hamburgers, Penny McGill's homemade potato salad, pork-n-beans, and barbecued chicken. I wish to thank brothers Neil McGill and Frank Gilbert and Frank's brother John - not a masonic brother - for their dedicated assistance. They tended two hot grills out in the sun during most of the picnic, while the rest of us sat in the shade, under the picnic shelter, and enjoyed their cooking. The mild weather was frequently interrupted by a gentle breeze, which actually made it pleasant. I probably provided the highlight of the picnic. I led the chorus in singing "Happy Birthday" to our most recent Past Master followed by my solo rendition of the Beatles song: "When I'm 64."

Our next social event will be "Ladies Night" on the real Columbus' Day, October 12. More news about that later.

First, several reminders:
-> THE SCOTTISH RITE SPRING REUNION - As I mentioned in the last newsletter, the next opportunity to join the Scottish Rite will be in the Fall Reunion Class to be held on two Saturdays, October 19 and 26, 1991. The deadline for petitions is just two short months away on Friday, September 13, 1991. The fee for this class is $125.00 for

age 30 and below, $175.00 for all above age 30.

-> BLUE LODGE NIGHT AT THE SCOTTISH RITE TEMPLE - For you new Master Masons who may not be knowledgeable on this event, each year the Alexandria Valley of the Scottish Rite holds a Blue Lodge Night, at which time a designated host Lodge has a member of their lodge raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason by a cast from the Scottish Rite. The degree is performed in full costume. This event will occur this year on August 24, 1991, at the Alexandria Scottish Rite Temple and will be hosted by Cassia Lodge # 142 from Woodstock, Virginia. The degree work is open to all Master Masons and will begin at 7:00 o'clock, pm. The degree is preceded by a dinner, WHICH REQUIRES A TICKET, and is hosted by the Scottish Rite at 6:00 o'clock pm. The Worshipful Master has a limited number of tickets for the dinner. I encourage you to attend the degree and if you would like to attend the dinner, see the Master for a ticket.

-> LODGE OFFICERS FOR 1992 - Brethren, I must report to you that I still have not identified a Mason to fill the position of Tiler for next year, and as you know, the Master has not been able to fill the position with a permanent Tiler this year. MY POLICY next year will be to OPEN THE DOOR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE LODGE AND ALLOW THE TILER TO TILE WITH AN OPEN DOOR, except during the period of balloting. The Tiler

received $10.00 for each meeting that he performs the Tiler duties and he does not pay annual dues. If you would like to be appointed as Tiler and become an active officer in the lodge, and even possibly move into the "line" to become the Master, please contact me at your earliest opportunity (703-931-4945). We will have an EXCITING YEAR next year with a visit from Constitutional Lodge from Beverly, England, a visit from Liberty Lodge from Beverly, Massachusetts, and a visit from Elkins Lodge from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We will also, probably, be involved in the reenactment and 200th anniversary celebration of the laying of the White House Cornerstone which occurred on October 13, 1792. Now, if you are afraid that you might be too busy as Tiler, don't worry, I will appoint an Assistant Tiler to help with the duties.

On Saturday, June 15 at 1:30 pm, I was honored to represent the Worshipful Master on the occasion of an official visit of The Haggai Lodge of Mark Master Masons from New Jersey to our lodge room. This is a very unique lodge, as it meets only on the Mark Master Mason's degree and confers only that degree as per it's charter.

There are only three Mark Lodges in the United States that can open separately from the Holy Royal Arch Chapter, and Haggai Lodge is additionally distinguished to be the only one to conduct actual ceremonial work.

Attended by many dignitaries of the Masonic order including Michael J. McLaughlin, representing the George Washington Masonic National Association, 25 candidates were made Mark Masters with over 75 members and visitors present.

After the ceremony, I was again honored by speaking on George Washington's relationship with Mark Masonry, explaining the symbols found on his apron in Philadelphia and that of the japanese lacquer box in our possession attaching him to that degree. This followed by conducting the group to the Replica Lodge Room to expound upon other historical components relating to this

treatise. The afternoon was finished by a very fine dinner served by the Tall Ceders of Lebanon in the Memorial dinning room.

+ Thursday, Jul 4 - Independence Day Parade, Fairfax City, 10:00 am; KENA Temple and KENA 500 will participate.

+ Friday, Jul 5 - Mount Vernon Royal Arch Chapter #14, stated meeting in North Lodge Room at 7:30pm. Wor. Archibald W. Lyon guest speaker.

+ Friday, Jul 12 - Scottish Rite stated meeting, Alexandria Scottish Rite Temple at 7:30pm.

+ Sunday, Jul 14 - KENA Shrine Family Picnic, KENA Temple Mosque, Fairfax, Va.

+ Friday, Jul19 - Old Dominion Commandery #11, Knights Templar meeting, North Lodge Room at 7:30pm.

+ Monday, Jul 22 - Triangle Council #3, Wash. D.C., stated meeting at 7:30 pm.

+ Tuesday, Jul 23 - York Rite District School, Arlington Masonic Temple at 7:00pm.

You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment unless you trust enough.
-- Dr. Frank Crane

When people begin to ignore human dignity, it will not be long before they begin to ignore human rights.
-- G. K. Chesterton