The Tao of Masonry

How about something Masonic that’s not about ritual, rules, regulations, Konspiracy theorists, or a complaint about the Shriners?

The Masonic Scavenger Hunt in Connecticut!

When I was a young’un, we would have neighborhood scavenger hunts on those warm summer nights when school was out. We would form into teams, and somebody – it always seemed to be one of the bossy older girls on the block – would hand out lists of the various items that we would have to scrounge up. Dog bones, bottle caps, soap cakes, safety pins, balloons, and other odd items figured heavily on those lists, and we would all scatter in different directions to search in open garages, knock on doors, and generally annoy the neighbors without children in our search for these useless treasures.

But even though the first day of summer is upon us, this is not a post for waxing nostalgic about those bygone days; we’ve got our own Scavenger Hunt right here in Connecticut. VW Charles Tirrell – my District Grand Lecturer counterpart in the 4th District – is behind the idea for a scavenger hunt with a Masonic theme. No scrounging in your neighbor’s garage for an old bottle opener; you’ll be traveling with a digital camera and your GPS in order to spot Square & Compasses on buildings and old gravestones, paintings and statues of Masonic presidents, and various items with Masonic symbolism.

What: A photo scavenger hunt, where teams of 3-5 Freemasons will take photos around Connecticut of a Masonic nature. The brothers will then recongregate and compare their photos in a fun and brotherly manner.

When: June 30th, 2007

Where: 30 Church St., North Haven, CT

Who: Freemasons (EAs, FCs or MMs)

Cost: $30 per team (includes pizza and beverage costs for after the hunt), $6 per person if you’re just attending the judging

Contact: For more information or to sign up a team or individual members (We will assign individual members to teams that are not full, so that everyone can play), email Charles Tirrell at chtirrell@yahoo.com

More details are available at their website:

http://masonicscavengerhuntinct.pbwiki.com/

This all-day event will end with pizza and fellowship; and unlike back in the old days, your parents won’t be calling for you to come home by dark.

Tao of Masonry | Freemasonry | Masonry

The Friendship Lodge “Year of Giving” program is still going well, and for the third major collection of items for the troops overseas, the several local civic groups have organized a benefit concert.

Internationally acclaimed performer and songwriter Elisa Korenne will be headlining the concert on Friday evening, June 8th 2007 that will take place at the American Legion Hall on Main Street, right next door to Friendship Lodge.

Ms. Korenne, as seen from the reviews on her website, provides “edgy and elegant” acoustic and rock music, and has been compared to Tori Amos and Sheryl Crowe (presumably according to her musical style and not to Ms. Crowe’s misunderstood attempt at environmental humor).

The concert will also feature Connecticut rock’n'roll band Second Chance, who will play favorites from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Adding to the fun will be the musical talents of another local band featuring a Past Master of Friendship Lodge.

Tickets are available for a $15 donation to the Year of Giving Benefit. Dancing will be encouraged, and the American Legion hosts a cash bar.

For more information, please see the details on the benefit concert website.

Tao of Masonry | Freemasonry | Masonry

This calendar lists my Masonic schedule, and some of the events in and around District 5. I would like to list degree ceremonies and degree rehearsals. Lodges from this district are encouraged to contact me with dates, times, and other details.