Focus - September 2008
New Book -- The Gaudi Key
This is not a book review but, rather, information to make you aware of a new book, The Gaudi Key which mentions Freemasonry many times. There is no apparent attempt to make Freemasonry part of the plot. Rather the references to Masonry, while mostly positive, are oblique and neutral. However, because the Freemasons are mentioned several times there might be questions or references to the book by someone you know.
Basically the plot is simply “good vs evil.” Another “quest for the Holy Grail”. The “good guys” are the current members of The Seven Knights of Moriah who existed long before the Templars as written in a summary on the books jacket.
The Gaudi Key is intended to be a “thriller” and is patterned after The DaVinci Code.
The Twain Award
We welcome the 88 lodges representing 31 Grand Jurisdictions who have entered the Twain Award Competition for 2008. The enthusiasm expressed by those lodges bodes extremely well for our fraternity. Lodges are re-energizing internally and re-connecting with their communities externally. Masonic Public Awareness is truly happening!
While the date for entering the 2008 Twain Award Program has passed, if your lodge was considering entering and just did not get around to it, please e-mail the Masonic Information Center at msana@ix.netcom.com and we will certainly consider your entry.
REMINDER!
The second International Conference on the History of Freemasonry will be held in Freemason’s Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland from May 29-31, 2009. For more information please send inquiries to:
Conference Organiser
Northern Networking Events
1 Tennant Ave., College Milton South
East Kilbride, Glasgow G74 5NA, Scotland, UK
T:+44 (0)1355 244966 F: +44(0)1355 249959
E: ichf@glasconf.demon.co.uk
Freemasonry in the News
Freemasonry has attracted some significant media attention recently. A few examples, with excerpts from those stories, are quoted to show what is being said. The first story – from the Los Angeles Times – was about younger men joining the fraternity and their reasons why. One of the new members was Johnny Royal and he is quoted in part.
Freemasonry in midst of popularity, membership boom
Los Angeles Times - May 18, 2008
When he read (on the web) about the Masonic ideals – wisdom, strength, beauty and the pursuit of knowledge – made him decide to pursue membership. “My generation wants to be part of something beyond itself,” Royal said. “I want to learn; I want to participate.”
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The Freemasons of Idaho were approached by the Idaho State Historical Society and the Idaho State Historical Museum with the idea of featuring an exhibit tracing the role the Masonic Fraternity had played in Idaho’s communities “since gold rush days.” The exhibit was on display from May 24 through Sept. 18, 2008. The Boise Weekly ran a very detailed and all-inclusive story about Freemasonry and one comment – in particular – caught our attention.
On the level
Boise Weekly - May 21, 2008
To say that Masons are responsible for everything that happened in Idaho’s early history would be a stretch. But a journey through the resumes of the first 30 or so of the state’s grand masters – not even counting the countless brothers who were never picked for that distinguished office - turns up an astonishing level of accomplishment and involvement. With so many postmasters, attorneys general, territorial legislators, judges, mayors, business entrepreneurs, county commissioners, sheriffs and governors among their ranks, one has to wonder how Idaho would have fared with no Masonic presence whatsoever.
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One of the Twain Award winning lodges for 2007 was Thomas M. Holt #492, Graham, NC. The local newspaper – The Times News – ran a feature story highlighting this accomplishment. A part of what was said follows:
Graham Masons make their “mark”
The Times News - June 17, 2008
Among his many witticisms, author Mark Twain once observed: “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
As a wordsmith, Twain ranks among the all-time greats.
When it comes to getting the good word out about Freemasonry, so does a Graham Masonic Lodge.
Thanks to an honor bearing Twain’s name, the Thomas M. Holt Lodge #492 has a compliment to savor and inspire for generations to come.
