400th anniversary of the founding of the Virginia Colony. The Historic Alexandria Resources Commission was chartered to preserve the twelve historic properties that the city owns and to promote awareness Alexandria's historical sites. On September 13, the lodge will honor the Commission and its Chairperson, Mrs. Ellen Stanton, with our Community Builder Award.

Literary Event and Book Unveiling: As part of our Stated Communication on 13 September the lodge will co-host the world unveiling of: The Strange Case of Jonathan Swift and the Real Long John Silver by Robert T. Prather. The book presents details of the events, activities, and legends surrounding the life of Brother Jonathan Swift who was a member of our lodge, a contemporary of George Washington, and a prominent member of Alexandria society. Brother Prather, a distinguished Mason from Kentucky, provides details on legend and facts of Bro. Swift's eventful life which discuss historic personalities and events that transpired during the period 1760 - 1828. The book provides an interesting and unusual perspective on personalities and historic developments in Alexandria Lodge #22, the City of Alexandria, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Revolutionary War, and the young American Republic over that period. Brother Prather also provides evidence suggesting that Robert Louis Stevenson (also a Mason) used the life of Jonathan Swift as the basis for the character Long John Silver in Treasure Island.

Grand Lodge Session 7-11 November. It is time again to plan and schedule attendance at the Grand Lodge Session on 7-11 November, 2007. In past years the lodge has traditionally paid hotel lodging for Past Masters and Officers. That will be the policy for 2007 as well. I request that each PM or current officer planning to attend to make his own individual reservations directly with the hotel. Please let the Secretary and/or me know that you will attend. The final date for making reservations is: Monday, October 8, 2007. Contact information for the hotel is as follows: Sheraton Richmond West Hotel, 6624 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230. Tel: (804) 285-2000.

The Quill Pen and Inkblot Literary Workshop. The meeting , open to all Alexandria-Washington #22 brethren, will be held on Saturday 22 September at 6:30 PM. The members of the Society will assemble for the meeting on the Lodge Office Balcony. Because the Worshipful Master will be in Russia on this date, the meeting for this quarter will be chaired by Brother John Paul Olson, Chief Artisan. Research topic for this quarter is: A Model of/Modeling Freemasonry of the Future.

Warden's Night. This is traditionally one of the most important Stated Communications of the year. It is the occasion where the apparent incoming Worshipful Master has an opportunity to present his ideas and proposals for lodge programs. I know that every brother will want to be present to learn what is planned for 2008 and beyond.

Past Masters Night. Past Masters Night will be held on October. Worshipful Tom MacMahan will occupy the Oriental Chair. He has assembled a stellar group of Past Masters to occupy the officer's chairs. The ceremonies will include a program wherein the Past Masters will recount (briefly) the high points (or conversely) the low points of their Masonic year. The emphasis will be on good humor and entertaining anecdotes. No brother should miss this program.

Lodge Picnic: Will be held on Sunday, 30 September from 12-4 PM at Collingwood. We will be joined by Andrew Jackson 120 and Henry Knox Field #347. The lodges will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, salads and drinks. We request that all attendees bring their favorite dessert. This is a reprise of 2005's picnic which was a great success, particularly the dessert portion of the event. Children are welcome and we plan special recreation opportunities for them.

Ladies Night Halloween Dance and Costume Party: Will be held at 6:00 PM in the East Dining Room of the GWMNM on Saturday 27 October. As a long standing tradition, the lodge holds a joint ladies night function with William L. Elkins Lodge from Philadelphia. This has normally been a formal affair held at a restaurant, etc. The Ladies Night function this year will be a Halloween Costume Party and Dance. It will be a family affair with entertainment, music, pumpkin decorating contest, and prizes for best costumes, etc. The lodge will furnish the main course and drinks. Each family is requested to bring a dessert or salad/casserole. This will be similar to the St. Patricks Day party held earlier this year and we hope that it will be an even greater success.

Sincerely and fraternally,
Robert G. Watkins, Jr.
Worshipful Master

Greetings from the Secretary's desk,

Trestleboard by Electronic Means:

Our Trestleboard mailing list now stands at 410 copies which is down from the count of 428 copies reported in the May-June Trestleboard as being mailed at that time. We still have a large number of Lodge members who receive Email but have not contacted me about switching to the Electronic copy of the Trestleboard. If you are receiving this Trestleboard by USPS mail and have the capability to receive it via the Internet, please consider making the change.

Sincerely and fraternally,
RW Granville C. Canard, Jr., PDDGM
Secretary

If you would like to receive your copy of the bi-monthly Lodge Trestleboard by electronic means, and help save the lodge cost on printing and mailing the paper copy, please send an Email message to the Secretary or the Worshipful Master informing him of the same. jcanard@cox.net

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 Thursdays of each month except the fourth Thursdays of November and December; and for the additional Stated Communications for the observance of George Washington's birthday, June 24th for Saint John the Baptist Day, and December 27th for the Installation of Officers. Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees will be conferred at the first Stated Communication when candidates are ready.

CALLED COMMUNICATIONS - Will be scheduled as required for Master Mason Degrees. All degree conferrals will be conducted as prescribed in Grand Master's Executive Order No. 2.

DISTRICT 1A and LODGE RITUAL SCHOOL - District 1A School will be held on the last Monday of the Month unless otherwise announced. AW#22 will use this as an opportunity to prepare for upcoming degrees. AW#22 Lodge Ritual Will generally occur the Sunday before the first Stated Communication Degree at 7:00 PM, unless otherwise stated. This schedule will provide two rehearsal sessions prior to conducting degree work at the first Stated Communication. Changes will be announced herein as necessary or communicated by e-mail.

YOUTH MEETINGS AT GWMNM - Alexandria-Washington Chapter, International Order of DeMolay, meets the first and third Sunday at 2:00 pm in North Lodge Room. Bethel No. 22, International Order of Jobs Daughters, meets the first and third Sunday at 6:00 pm in the North Lodge Room.