At our first stated communication last month, we recognized Brother Robert J. Loe for 60 years of Masonic service, Brother Frederic Ackerson, who passed 50 years last year, and Brother Cecil N. Draper, who reaches the 50 year mark this month. Congratulations are due these brothers for spreading Masonic light for a lifetime. Also that night, the Lodge approved the resolutions, published in the October bulletin, increasing our fees for the degrees and offering an incentive for newly raised brothers to become Life Members in Perpetuity. At the second stated last month, eight Past Masters of our Lodge were present for Past Masters' Night; take note of their photograph in this Bulletin. Worshipful John M. Nicholson, Jr. presided from the East, and Worshipful Michael P. Bible presented a slide program documenting the 200th anniversary re-enactment of George Washington's funeral during his term in 1999. October 19th saw close to 100 brothers, their ladies, and widows of brothers called to the Celestial Lodge gather for our annual Ladies' Night. Worshipful Bekir Karabucek led a delegation from William Elkins Lodge of Philadelphia, in a continuance of friendship and brotherly love between our Lodges. Dr. Gordon Turk played great classics from memory on the organ in the Auditorium for over an hour, a treat that none present will forget.

Last month I credited Worshipful Claude Harris with research that listed all of the Past Masters of our Lodge, but knowledgeable brethren have noted that his efforts were preceded by those of an earlier generation, whose original research was built upon by Worshipful Harris. MW Donald M. Robey, PGM, as Junior Warden, assisted by RW William A. Brown, PDDGM, and RW Charles A. Cornell, PDDGM and Secretary, examined original minute books to develop the Past Masters' list. MW Robey published the data as history pages in his trestle boards, and gave RW Brown the title "Lodge Historian" during his term in 1975. RW Brown became Grand Historian in 1987 when MW Robey was Grand Master.

Although we have but one stated communication in November because of Thanksgiving, we will be active, indeed! Note the various events, a few of which I highlight here, and participate with your brothers as your cable tow permits.

On Saturday, November 2nd, we will hold a joint communication with Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 to commemorate the anniversary of George Washington's initiation into Masonry. This annual celebration is made particularly special as it is the 250th anniversary of this event, at which we will present the Grand Master with his portrait in Washington's chair.

Grand Annual Communication begins on Wednesday the 6th and continues through Saturday the 9th. Having recently returned from the Scottish Rite Museum of Our National Heritage in Massachusetts, Washington's original trowel will be used in the new Grand Master's installation on Saturday. If you are not already planning to stay for one or more nights, contact me by Sunday the 3rd to see whether rooms are still available.

Later in the month we will visit two New Jersey Lodges - Alpha Lodge (rescheduled from last month), and Enterprise Lodge, where I was raised in 1980. Those wishing to accompany me should express their intent so we may arrange transportation and lodging.

I close with a request by Worshipful Matthew Szramoski, Chairman of the Advisory Council for Alexandria-Washington DeMolay Chapter, who needs your help with the annual Christmas tree sale. Setup begins on Saturday, November 30th, and sales continue in 4 hour shifts, seven days a week, through December 23rd. Contact him at 703-339-8308 or at "mszramoski(at)nrahq.org" if you can dedicate some time to our youth.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Worshipful Master

STATED COMMUNICATIONS - The stated communications of this Lodge shall be held at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (GWMNM), Alexandria, Virginia on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, except on the fourth Thursday of November and December, on December 27th (the anniversary of Saint John the Evangelist) for installation of officers, at 7:30 pm, and at 4:00 pm on the day observed by governmental regulations or the GWMNM in celebration of George Washington's birthday. When such dates fall on a Sunday, the stated communication shall be held on the Saturday before or the Monday following.

CALLED COMMUNICATIONS - Usually on Mondays as announced herein.

YOUTH MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, International Order of DeMolay, meets the first and third Sundays at 2 pm in the North Lodge Room. Bethel No. 22, International Order Jobs Daughters, meets the first and third Sundays at 6 pm in the North Lodge Room.

Past Masters' Night
October 24th, 2002

Pictured from left to right (year served as Worshipful Master)
Back Row
Philip J. Hays (1998), Mark W. Underwood (1996), Terry L. Gigure (2000)
Middle Row
Granville C. Canard, Jr. PDDGM (1992), Michael P. Bible (1999)
Front Row
Frank R. Dunaway, Jr. (1994), Jason W. Snyder (1979), John M. Nicholson, Jr. (1985)

Worshipful John Monroe Nicholson, Jr.

Worshipful Master: 1985
Treasurer: 1986 - 2002

Biography of Worshipful John Monroe Nicholson, Jr.

After 25 years of service to Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, Worshipful John Monroe Nicholson, Jr., plans to retire at the end of the year and return to his native West Virginia. John was raised in Alexandria-Washington Lodge in March, 1977. He served as Tiler in 1978, then started in the line and advanced to Worshipful Master in 1985. John became Treasurer in 1986 and continued in this position to the present time.

John's other Masonic affiliations include the A. Douglas Smith Lodge of Research, Mount Vernon Chapter No. 14, Royal Arch, Alexandria Scottish Rite, Kena Shrine, and Alexandria Court No. 7, Order of the Amaranth, where he served as Royal Patron and currently as Trustee. John has been very active with our Masonic youth groups. He served as an Alexandria-Washington Chapter DeMolay advisor from 1983 to 2000. As a DeMolay advisor, John was instrumental in the establishment of the Christmas tree sales project in 1983, continuing to chair that fundraiser until 2000. For his service to DeMolay, John received the Cross of Honor in 1988 and the prestigious Legion of Honor in 1994. He was the Associate Bethel Guardian of Bethel No. 22, International Order of Job's Daughters (IOJD), for two separate 2-year terms and was made an honorary Jobie in 1998.

After graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a BS in business and accounting in 1967, John moved to northern Virginia and took an analyst position with the General Accounting Office (GAO). John presently serves as senior analyst at the GAO, responsible for audits of the government's food safety and security programs. The GAO recognizes employees annually who have made important contributions to servicing the needs of GAO customers by demonstrating unusual commitment, expertise, innovation, and positive attitude and effort that ensures the fulfillment of customer needs. This year, the GAO recognized John Nicholson as such for providing high-quality technical assistance on food safety issues to GAO staff and congressional clients. After 35 years of service, John will retire at the end of this year.

While in college, John married Joyce Ann George in 1964, and has three children - Kevin, Mary, and Kammi. John currently has 5 grandchildren - Teresa, Patrick, Brandon, Kyle, and Jenna. After Joyce Ann passed, John met Pamela Ann Freeman at their 35th high school reunion and they were married in February, 2000! This added a stepson, Robert Freeman, to his family. John and Pam will reside in West Virginia and plan to travel as much as possible. John plans to stay active in the Amaranth because of its support of diabetics research.