My Brethren:

The end of summer brings a slowing of activity in the Lodge as many of our members enjoy their vacations, and preparing for the increased activity, that September will bring.

This month, we will be attending the Reid James Simmons Academy of Masonic Leadership at Fork Union Military Academy from August 5 through August 8. As Most Worshipful James Dean Cole has advised, it is not necessary to attend every day of the Academy. Rather, if you can attend for only a few hours one day, please do so. The Academy is open to all Masons, regardless of office or length of membership. Please contact me directly if you plan to attend and I will pass the details on to you.

At our first Stated Communication this month, Right Worshipful Jack Canard will present a report on Alexandria-Washington's trip last month to visit our brethren at Constitutional Lodge in Beverley, England. We look forward to hearing Right Worshipful Canard's recounting the experience of the trip, and to beginning the planning for Constitutional Lodge's visit with us.

Our second Stated Communication will bring Worshipful Mike Bible's talk on the History of Alexandria-Washington Lodge and Andrew Jackson Lodge. It is always enjoyable to learn more about the relationship of the two lodges, and the brethren always appreciate Worshipful Bible's research and work. We look forward to hearing him on August 23.

The telephone tree we have been using for the past several months is delivering mixed results. While many brethren on the first two of the five layers of the tree are being contacted, those brethren on the last three layers-most of those on the tree-are not receiving calls on a steady basis. Accordingly, many brethren have suggested we also employ the use of an additional calling system that will notify every member of the Lodge within a two hundred mile radius of upcoming meetings and events. We will test this system over the next few months and let you know the results. As we begin to employ it, please feel free to contact me and let me know what you think of this method of contacting the brethren of the Lodge. Our goal is to make sure that all members are being apprised of their Lodge's activities so that they may more readily participate and enjoy the fraternal relationship that Alexandria-Washington Lodge brings.

Finally, brethren, we are changing the Degree and Ritual Practice from Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m. to Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. Practice nights will fall on Mondays during which we do not have planned degree work. The officers of the Lodge have worked extremely hard to polish the ritual, and we are shifting our practices to work steadily on Mondays for the near future.

Sincerely and fraternally,
Brent Nial Campbell
Worshipful Master

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sept 15 - John Blair Lodge's Picnic for District 1A
• Sept 27 - Wardens' Night
• Oct 11 - Table Lodge at Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22
• Oct 6 - One-day Degree Conferral, Richmond, VA
• Oct 13 - Ladies Night
• Nov 9-10 - Grand Annual Communication Richmond VA

TRANSPORTATION: Contact Wor. Terry Gigure at (703) 360-6177 or (703) 607-4893, whenever you need a ride to Lodge events. We will try to assist you in your transportation needs.

BLOOD: Contact our Chairman, Brother Keith Throckmorton (703) 670-3147 whenever you or someone you encourage gives blood or platelets. What better charity than to give the gift that can save lives.

SICK: Contact our Chairman, Wor. Bro. Frank R. Dunaway (703) 548-0318 regarding any sick and distressed brethren.

STATED COMMUNICATIONS - held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month except: Thanksgiving; the observance of George Washington's Birthday; and the fourth, Thursday of December, which will be held on Saint John's Day, December 27 for the Installation of Officers.

CALLED COMMUNICATIONS - each Monday of each month unless otherwise noted in the trestleboard.

CATECHISM INSTRUCTION - Conducted each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Lodge Room when confirmed by the Catechism Coaches. Contact the Junior Deacon for details.

LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL - Conducted each Monday evening at 7:00 pm except Mondays during which Called Communications take place unless otherwise noted in the Trestleboard.

YOUTH MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, Order of DeMolay meets the first and third Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the North Lodge Room; Bethel No. 22. I.O.J.D. meets the first and third Sundays at 6:00 p.m in the North Lodge Room.

The solution of this question seems to have taxed the ingenuity of the members in the early history of the Lodge; and from the interest, which seemed to attach to the subject, it is apparent that our "ancient brethren" regarded it as of considerable importance. In addition to the refreshments furnished to the Lodge on "St. John's Day," a collation was generally served at stated meetings, under the direction of the Deacons; but there seems to have been no settled plan for providing refreshments, until the 26th of December, 1789, when the following action was taken:

"The members of Lodge No. 22, taking into consideration the importance of economy in all societies of men, and regretting the irregularities and expense which have hitherto attended the meetings of this Lodge, have determined upon, and adopted, the following resolutions:

"1st. That an additional fund be established for the sole purpose of procuring such articles as may be requisite for the refreshment of the members at all stated meetings, and that it be distinguished from the other by the name of the 'Private Fund of Lodge No. 22.'

"2nd. That for the creation of this fund, every member belonging to the Lodge shall pay to the Treasurer, at the beginning of every half year, exclusive of the established dues, the sum of three shillings, which may, at any time, be increased or diminished, as exigencies or surplusage may hereafter make advisable.

"3rd. That the Master, for the time being, shall, once in every year, and at the time of appointing the Deacons, nominate two persons as 'Caterers', who, with the consent of the members present at the nomination, shall act in that capacity for one year; and any refusing to act, under his appointment, without giving satisfactory reasons, shall forfeit and pay to the Treasurer, for the benefit of the 'Private Fund', twenty shillings.

"4th. That the 'Caterers,' for the time being, shall be restricted to the following articles, viz.: Good spirits, loaf sugar, best cheese, superfine crackers, or bread, and dried venison, mutton, or bacon-hams; and that the said 'Caterers' shall forfeit and pay the sum of three shillings for every neglect of duty, which said sum shall be paid into the 'Private Fund.' That 'Caterers,' for the time being, shall, from time to time, call on the Treasurer for such sums as shall be necessary for the purpose, which he shall pay out for the 'Private Fund,' and shall, half yearly, render an account of the expenditure."

This plan seems to have been in operation until the 25th of February, 1792, when an order was made requiring refreshments to be furnished by members.

Compiled from The Lodge of Washington by F. L. Brockett, Past Master Lodge No. 22, 1876, pp. 41-42.pp. 41-42.