ma AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION O F THE GRAND LODGE, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, O F THE D I S T R I f l O F COLUMBIA
FaU, 1989
Volume VI
Number 3
From the Grand Master
Robert k Statler Grand Master - 1989
It's hard to believe that my year as your Grand Master is coming to a close. It has been a wonderful year for me and started offwith a bang--or rather a banquet. The day following my installation LaFayette Lodge No. 19, my Mother Lodge, had a 125th birthday celebration at Bolling AFB Officers Club. It was a delightful evening, one which set the pace for many other wonderful events throughout the year. As I scan through my calendar for 1989, I find nearly every space occupied with a meeting or event, each a memorable occasion with you my brethren, and interspersed with our beautiful ladies in the Order of the Eastern Star, the Order of Amaranth, the Daughters of the Nile, and the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America. Between all of these functions, I found time, somehow, to meet, woo and wed the 1988 Grand Matron ofthe Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star of the District of Columbia--now Lila Lee Statler. Since our wedding on August 24th, attended by more than 250 of you fine brethren and sisters, Lila and I have participated in many of your activities and we thank you so much for your invitations. I would be remiss if I did not publicly thank the Editor of The Voice, Theodore Rothman, and his hard working and efficient Editorial Board,whosenames you will see elsewhere in this issue, for all of their fine work this year. I could go on and on, but I can hear the Editor saying, "Give me a break--I need the space." So again - thanks to you all - this has been a good year.
isaster Relief
dge Banquet
Richard E. Fletcher, Executive Secretary, announces that the Masonic Service Association has been formally requested by the Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico to appeal to the Grand Lodges of the United States for help in their recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Hugo. Brother Fletcher informs us that the worst devastation occurredon the island of St. Croix, wherePuertoRico has a chartered Lodge. Damage was so severe that members of this Lodge had to sleep in the Lodge building because they had lost their homes and personal belongings during the storm. All funds sent to M.S.A. will be turned over to the Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico. Should you care to make a contribution to this cause, you may mail your gift directly to M.S.A., 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785. Checks should be made payable to M.S.A. Disaster Relief Fund.
The Annual Grand Lodge Banquet is scheduled for Tuesday evening, December 19,1989, at the Capital Hilton Hotel, 16th and K Streets, N.W. Festivities of the evening will begin with a social hour, starting at 6:30 P.M., followed by dinner in the Presidential Ballroom at 7:30 P.M. A truly outstanding after dinner show entitled "America Swings," presented by David Wright and his group, will bring the evening to a close. Reservations, at $30 per person, may be made through your Lodge or, directly, with the Office of the Grand Secretary, 600 F Street,N.W., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20004. Checks should be made payable to the "Grand Lodge Special Activities Account". Tableswill beassigned o n a first-come,first-served basis.
Thank You rian Schwartz Few ofour readers, other than the Voice staff, realize that we have made a major change in our publication process. For many years our copy was set by the printer. This necessitated sending the copy, corrected copy and final paste-up to the printer several times which ate up significant lead time. Inaddition, the processwas costly. As ofour prior issue, the copywas set in houseby Brother Brian Schwartz of the Grand Lodge Staff. In addition to substantially cutting down the lead time, we realize substantial savings. Several Brethren in the printing field have indicated that our current type setting is excellent. Thank you again, Brian.