The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is committed to maintaining the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia, its headquarters and the home of the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania. This year, with the continued help of brethren's donations, we have been able to make the following repairs.

The benches in Norman and Oriental Halls were taken out of the Temple by Summerdale Mills Fabric and Decorating Center of Philadelphia. They were stripped to the bare wood and reupholstered with wood touch up where necessary.

The carpet in Norman Hall is being replaced with matching new carpet being made by Langhorne Carpet Company of Penndel, Pa.

Capri Painting Inc. of Philadelphia was brought in to provide plaster repairs and touch up painting throughout Norman and Oriental Halls, where needed. There is a new handicap accessible chair lift being installed by Total Access Elevator & Lifts Co. of West Chester, Pa. This will enable us to provide modern wheelchair access to the Temple.

Next year, with the help of the brethren, we will continue the maintenance program by refurbishing the benches, plaster and paint in Egyptian and Ionic halls and make other capital improvements to the interior of the Masonic Temple.

We appreciate the generosity of those who donated to these renovation efforts (listed below). We are grateful for the fundraising work done by the Masonic Charities Office, as well as the late District Deputy Grand Master Tom Hopkins.

We proudly announce our fifth and newest Byers' Choice Masonic Brother, President Theodore Roosevelt. Available exclusively through the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, Bro. Roosevelt wears gold spectacles, a brown suit and fedora and holds a map of the Panama Canal, along with the famous icon of his presidency, the teddy bear! His white-collared shirt, detailed jacket, paisley neck tie and houndstooth vest, complete with button, are made of various haberdashery materials. He is wearing the removable Masonic apron of his lodge: Matinecock Lodge No. 806, Oyster Bay, N.Y.

The cost is $75 plus shipping (and sales tax in Pennsylvania). He may be ordered online from www.masonicmuseumgifts.com or by calling 800-336-7317 and ordering with credit card or check. Bro. Teddy Roosevelt joins our four other famous Masonic figures: Brothers George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Philip Sousa and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A few of each are still available for purchase. Order yours today!