REPORTS ON OFFICIAL VISITS:

During the weekend of May 23rd, nine members and their Ladies from Liberty Lodge, Beverly, Massachusetts, along with their District Deputy Grand Master, made an official visit to our Lodge. We all had a GREAT time. During the Lodge meeting in the afternoon, we raised Brother C.C. Cook to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, with his obligation being taken in the Replica Lodge Room on the altar that was used in the Lodge when George Washington was Master. The degree work was followed by the members of Liberty Lodge exemplifying their ritual of the District Deputy Grand Master making his official visit to a Lodge in Massachusetts. The ritual was very impressive and quit different from the way it is done in Virginia. Following the meeting, we had a delightful evening at the West End Dinner Theater. We also enjoyed seeing the sights in the Washington area on both Saturday morning and all day Sunday. From the responses I received from our guests during their departures on Sunday and in the notes I have since received, they all enjoyed their visit very much and are looking forward to our visit with them in 1994 and their return visit to us again in 1996.

On June 4th, we made an official visit to William L. Elkins Lodge #646, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a superb meeting. Our last visit to Elkins Lodge was in June 1981, when Worshipful Brother Bob Booterbaugh took the Lodge for a visit to celebrate Elkin's Lodge 75th anniversary. We were warmly received, given all the courtesies of special visitors, witnessed an outstanding program on George Washington, and had a wonderful time. The Lodge meeting was followed by a full "Prime Rib" banquet which was truly spectacular. For those who did not go on this visit, you missed "a good one." Our thanks to Worshipful Tom Penn for a delightful evening.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES:

On Wednesday, July 8th, at 7:30pm, we will hold our second planning meeting in the Lodge room to talk about the visit of Constitutional Lodge #294 in October. There is still much to be done to get ready for this visit and WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. I encourage all members and their spouses who want to be involved with this visit or can help with any of the activities that will take place during the week of the visit, to attend this meeting. Even if you can't be involved due to other commitments, we still need your help in the way of financial donations to help offset the cost of transportation, receptions, etc. Please attend this meeting if you can.

Our first stated on the 9th is Military Night with RADM Jim Carey as guest speaker. All active and retired military are encouraged to wear their uniforms for this meeting.

Our second stated HAS BEEN MOVED FROM THE 23RD TO THE 16TH. On the 16th, we will have a joint meeting with Andrew Jackson Lodge No.120 in the North Lodge Room.

On the 20th we will visit Potomac Lodge No.5 in Washington, DC for Virginia Night and on the 23rd, we will visit Archer Bailey Gay Lodge No.275, for our first visit in a "long long" time. Please call me and let me know if you plan to make one or both of these visits as I need to give a count to the Masters on how many to expect for refreshments.

FUTURE EVENTS FOR CONSIDERATION:

On August 17th, Elmer Timberman Lodge No.54 will hold a Table Lodge for the official visit of the Grand Master. We will also make our official visit to Elmer Timberman Lodge for this event. A ticket will be required to attend, which are $10.00 per person. Due to the large attendance expected, we have been requested to limit our attendance to 15 members. If you would like to attend this meeting, please see or call me for a ticket.

On August 22nd, our Lodge will be the host Lodge for the "Blue Lodge Visit to the Scottish Rite." As the host Lodge, we will be allotted 25 tickets to attend the dinner which will be held as a part of this event. The officers of the Lodge must be included in this count of 25. If you would like to attend this event, please call me so I can include you on the list. If we have more than 25 who want to attend, all over the 25 can attend the Lodge meeting and degree work, but, not the dinner.

I have discussed plans with the officers to hold a Lodge Picnic in Richmond or possibly Williamsburg and take our members and several guests from the Masonic Home on the outing. We have tentatively planned Sunday, September 13th, as the date if this time is suitable for the members involved. I will advise you on the confirmed date as soon as possible.

On Saturday, October 10, we will celebrate Ladies Night at the West End Dinner Theater to see the show "The King and I." The tickets are $35.00 per person. I am now accepting payment for these tickets. If you will be attending our Ladies Night, please send me your request for tickets as soon as possible. Make your check payable to "Alexandria-Washington Lodge" and send it to my home address.

On Thursday, October 15, we will have a called meeting to receive our visitors from Constitution Lodge. During this meeting, we will also receive the Grand Masters of Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Following the meeting, we will have a Festive Board in the Dining Room in coordination with Andrew Jackson Lodge. This will be a very special event so plan to attend.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:

The 1992 Fall Scottish Rite Reunion Class will be conducted on two Saturdays, October 17 and 24, and will be in honor of our Past Master, Worshipful Edward John Gondella, Master in 1969. Worshipful Brother Ed was also a 33° Inspector General Honorary Scottish Rite Mason and served for many years on committees in the Grand Lodge of Virginia. The deadline for petitions for this class is Friday, September 11, 1992. We have several members who will receive their degrees in this class, but, in honor of Worshipful Brother Ed, it would be great if we had more. If you would like to join this class, I would be pleased and honored to sign your petition as Master of the Lodge. You can obtain a petition from me or the Secretary.

Several months ago, the Grand Master sent to each Mason in the Grand Lodge, a set of mailing labels and requested a reasonable donation to the Grand Lodge. There are some Masons who have not, as yet, sent their donation. The Grand Lodge WILL NOT send out a reminder letter because of the cost in doing this. If you have not made your donation, please do so at the soonest possible time and support the Grand Master in has requested. If your labels had an error in them, you can get them corrected by contacting the Secretary and providing the correct information.

If you are not receiving the Masonic Herald and would like to be added to the mailing list for this publication, call the Secretary and let him know. He will notify the Grand Secretary with the appropriate information.

Instructions for obtaining voluntary "Life Membership in Perpetuity" in the Grand Lodge of Virginia is covered in Section 5.00, Life Membership in Perpetuity Plan, of the Methodical Digest of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. To obtain life membership, you must fill out the appropriate application form which is provided by the Grand Lodge through the Lodge Secretary, pay one years dues and Grand Lodge tax in advance, which is $35.00, and pay the life membership fee of $525.00. The completed application with a check made payable to: "Grand Lodge of Virginia -LMIP," in the amount of $560.00 will be provided to the Secretary who will then forward the application and fee to the Grand Lodge of Virginia Life Membership Committee. You may address any questions about the "Life Membership in Perpetuity Plan" to me or the Secretary and we will be pleased to assist you.

I have run out of time and space, so until next month, I remain,

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Granville C. Canard, Jr.
Worshipful Master

The convenience of our Lodge room's location in the early eighteen hundreds led to frequent requests by various civic and church groups for its use on special occasions; these were granted in almost every instance. On January 11, 1838, Evangelical Lodge No.8 of Alexandria requested the use of the Lodge room as they did on a regular basis. This was also granted -- provided they make their own arrangements for heating the room. The heating system incidentally, had never proven satisfactory. Could this have been the result of a faulty thermostat, an inoperative pump or a defective electronic igniter? "Naw," none of the above. You see, the system consisted entirely of a smokey wood burning fire place. The Lodge didn't need a heating technician; this troublesome condition called for a "good old committee." The Master, accordingly, appointed his (what else) Warming Committee.

The warming committee, probably after much scholarly study of draft characteristics, usage trends and thermal requirements, submitted its recommendations. Buy a stove and burn coal.

Journeying to the East: It may be that you are really interested in masonry. Perchance you have felt that you would like to participate in the work of the Lodge and sometime rule and govern your brethren as a Master. Preferment in masonry can only be acquired through service to the craft. If you have a desire to get started in masonry with a view to receiving its honorable awards. the first thing you must do is to attend the meetings of the Lodge and cheerfully perform any service which may be assigned to you. Learn the work. help post the candidates for advancement and do what you can to advance the welfare of the Lodge. In due time you may be invited to preside in the East and confer a degree. but whatever you undertake do it to the best of your ability. It will not be long until the Lodge will recognize your worth and find a place for you in its official line. Do not try to rise in masonry by electioneering methods. Nothing will bring disaster to your ambitions as quickly as an effort to force your way to the top. There is no royal road in masonry. The honors which it awards come through unselfish devotions to the cause. It should not be forgotten that participation in the work of masonry brings self improvement. The ritual being an exact science. its memorization is a great stimulus in developing the mind and strengthening the reasoning powers. Appearance in the ritualistic work of the lodge is valuable in overcoming that diffidence which affects many men. Aside from the ambition for official preferment it is well worth your while to devote yourself to the work of masonry because of the self improvement which you will derive.

July 8, 1792 - Alexandria Lodge held a special meeting preceded bya dinner, the special meeting was in honor of Thomas Mathews the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. His topic was on the Three Hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. (July 1492) Thomas Mathews was in his second term of Grand Master, and he was well spoken of by the brothers.

A NOTE TO POTENTIAL VISITING LODGES IN DISTRICT 1-A

lexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 is currently in possession of the traveling gavel for District 1-A. If you would like to have the honor of receiving the gavel from our Lodge, I would be honored to turn it over to you on your official visit to our Lodge.

+ LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL - conducted every Sunday at 7:00pm unless otherwise noted in the Trestleboard. This school will cover work in all degrees and in catechisms. The school is for all members of the Masonic Community and ALL are invited and encouraged to attend.

+ OFFICER PLANNING MEETINGS - conducted in conjunction with the Sunday Night Ritual School.

+ MASONIC BIRTHDAYS - recognized on second stated unless otherwise noted.

+ STATED COMMUNICATIONS - second and fourth Thursday except Thanksgiving; Observance of George Washington's Birthday and Installation on Saint John Day, December 27th.

+ OTHER MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, Order of DeMolay meets the first and third Monday at 7:00pm in the North Lodge Room; Bethel No. 22, I.O.J.D. meets the first and third Wednesday at 7:00pm in the North Lodge Room.