Edwin Demars will officially resign his post on March 10, 2009 opting for a stint in the U.S. Army. The span of time between our February 24th meeting and Demar's resignation on March 10th will be unique to Gate City II. For those two weeks, every officer in line, from the Tyler to the Worshipful Master will have received their Catechism and officer's training from Worshipful Brother Beaux Pettys. Beaux Kneauxs.
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Friday, February 27, 2009
You're In The Army Now!!!!!!!!!
Edwin Demars has enlisted in the United States Army. He has passed his physical and is prepared to depart for basic training in Texas. The Tyler and Stewards will not advance. Worshipful Master, Michael Bjelajac, has offered the position and the offer has been accepted. Information will be forthcoming.
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Remembering "The Judge" Charlie Wofford
Charlie makes a Brother duck...with a duck. Charlie had a somewhat exaggerated sense of humor. He was unafraid to startle those in his general vicinity with bizarre antics. I doubt the duck made it past dinner (but died laughing nonetheless). This priceless photo (probably circa 1959) was saved from the garbage can by a Gate City II brother.
Charles Augustus Wofford, in addition to being in the Guinness Book of World Records for Lodge attendance, was the first-line signature on hundreds of petitions. He died in May, 2004, only hours after missing his first meeting of Gate City since having been initiated in 1947. He was one of the true giants of Gate City Lodge and of Georgia Freemasonry. He was Potentate of the Yaarab Shrine in 1969, was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Superior Court Judge of Fulton County.
Charles Augustus Wofford, in addition to being in the Guinness Book of World Records for Lodge attendance, was the first-line signature on hundreds of petitions. He died in May, 2004, only hours after missing his first meeting of Gate City since having been initiated in 1947. He was one of the true giants of Gate City Lodge and of Georgia Freemasonry. He was Potentate of the Yaarab Shrine in 1969, was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Superior Court Judge of Fulton County.
Charles Augustus Wofford was attentive, compassionate and caring. Charlie worked behind the scenes and was never so much concerned with thanks and accolades. He made things happen for people without ever having to tell them so or ever making them feel as if they owed him a favor. He gave to others because he enjoyed seeing their progress in life. Their success was his success.
I remember one of his last meetings. For whatever reason, he felt compelled to address the Lodge. I do not recall his exact words. He told us how much Freemasonry meant to him. He spoke of the journey, fellowship and his personal enrichment. Charlie told us to stick with the Craft.
One of his statements left an indelible impression - this I do remember clearly. He sat back in his Treasurer's chair and told us, "I love Freemasonry. I love being in Lodge. If I were to sit back in this chair and die right now, that would be fine with me." One month later he was gone.
All Hail The Judge.
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Report on Religion & Culture Series, 2 of 8
J.D. Jordan, Classic Islamic Poetry: Faith, Love, Wine & Women?
On Tuesday, February 25th, 2009, J.D. Jordan presented the second installment of Gate City II's Religion and Culture Series with Classic Islamic Poetry. JD recently completed a graduate degree in US - Middle Eastern history. His program looked at the Classical Period of Islamic Poetry from Mohammad to the Mongols, 7th - 13th centuries. The purpose of his presentation was to demystify an often adversarial culture through verse. In honor of the occasion, the brethren of Gate City II grilled Shish Kabob to serve to our guests. New brothers, Zeithlin Waters and Victor Marshall as well as new affiliate brother Minh Vin, grilled the meat and vegetables and prepared the food aided by Scott Handler, not yet a Freemason. In preparation for the event, the brethren of GCII, hung posters, sent out evites, called friends and posted the presentation on a number of blogs.
J.D. started his presentation by giving us a background of the differences in the Persian and Arabic cultures. He also explained that Arab culture held poets in the highest esteem. Many of the other forms of art, such as music, were held with much less regard. Moreover, musicians were mostly slaves whose task was to set the written word to music. Poetry was so highly prized that cults formed around many poets and became a popular past time among the ruling class (including Sultans and Caliphs).
Poetry was spread by the poet or the employment of a rawis - professional performers. As in the west, the poet depended on patronage and was often times obligated to sing the praises of his tribe, ruler, or religion. They were the first propagandists and advertisers. J.D. read a poem written by an eleventh century vendor with an over stock of black veils. The vendor fashioned a poem extolling the virtues of wearing a black veil. The poem was repeated enough times in the market place. The vendor sold his surplus.
He introduced us to Sufi Poetry and the poet Rumi. A Sufi is one who does not separate himself from others by opinion or dogma; and who realizes the heart as the Shrine of God. Sufism is a mystical form of Islam much like kabalists are to a mystical form of Judaism. Rumi is known to have said, "I go into the Muslim Mosque and the Jewish Synagogue and the Christian church and I see one altar." He proceeded to enlighten us with a host of poems unexpectedly arising from what many had heretofore considered a fairly rigid culture without much room for error or disobedience.
Notable quote, Al-Mutanabbi: "A mindless idiot needs polite learning as a headless donkey needs halter."
Kamaluddin Isma'il Isfahani, 12th century Persian Social Commentary:
"Though my master speaks ill of me
I shall not mar my face with pain.
I shall speak nothing but good of him
so that we may both be seen as liars."
Ubayid -I Zakani, Religious Criticism, 14th century Persian / Arab:
Lord, of your grace all that I hope is this-
keep the realm of my pleasure prosperous
avert me from the calamity of chastity
and keep me from the doom of repentance
Rudagi, the first great classical poet of Iran, 10th century:
I do not dye my hair black
so as to be young again and sin again
but because people dye their clothes black in mourning
so, I have died my hair black, mourning my old age
Abu Nuwas, on Love:
I asked her for a kiss and obtained it
after refusal, and much effort.
By God, I said, my tormentress, be generous,
give me another and content me,
She smiled and cited a proverb,
known to the Persians, and true:
Never give anything to a child
who petulantly asks for another
Al - Walid II (8th century Caliph):
She rose to met me with a kiss and embraced me
her limbs full, her mouth fragrant like musk.
"Come in, no one will know,
I am your ransom against suffering."
And so we lay that night, sleepless on our beds,
in the heat of passion she clasped me and I clasped her,
until the two threads apeared and I said to her,
"It is time to part," and grief almost overcame her.
Then I left her and no one knew of us.
May God reward her for her good deed.
J.D. also spoke of the relevance of Christ in Islam. Jesus is regarded as immaculately conceived of God and Mary. He is the second or third highest regarded entity to Muslims (depending on sect). All religions, sects and fraternities have their fair share of hypocrites and critics, Islam is no exception...
Omar Khayyam, a 12th century Persian, wrote the following:
And that inverted bowl we call the sky,
Whereunder crawling coop't we live and die,
Lift not thy hands to it for help - for it
rolls impotently on as Thou or I.
Allah, perchance, the secret word might spell;
If Allah be, He keeps His secrets well;
What He hath hidden, who shall hope to find?
Shall God His secrets to a Maggot tell?
The Koran! well, come put me to the test -
Lovely old book in hideous error drest-
Believe me, I can quote the Koran too,
The unbeliever knows his Koran best.
And do you think that unto such as you,
A maggot - minded starved fanatic crew,
God saved the secret, and denied it to me?-
Well, well, what matters it! believe that too.
With each seperate piece, J.D. weaved in and out of the history surrounding the poem, the circumstances of the poet, and the social / religious relevance of his writing. Bringing an 800 - 1300 year old poem to life is not an easy task, but that's exactly what J.D. Jordan delivered to the brethren of Gate City II, their friends and families and everyone else that attended.
So...turn off the television. Quit reading this blog. Pick up an intriguing book of, dare I say it, Classic Islamic Poetry? You will be delighted!
Thank you J.D.!
J.D. started his presentation by giving us a background of the differences in the Persian and Arabic cultures. He also explained that Arab culture held poets in the highest esteem. Many of the other forms of art, such as music, were held with much less regard. Moreover, musicians were mostly slaves whose task was to set the written word to music. Poetry was so highly prized that cults formed around many poets and became a popular past time among the ruling class (including Sultans and Caliphs).
Poetry was spread by the poet or the employment of a rawis - professional performers. As in the west, the poet depended on patronage and was often times obligated to sing the praises of his tribe, ruler, or religion. They were the first propagandists and advertisers. J.D. read a poem written by an eleventh century vendor with an over stock of black veils. The vendor fashioned a poem extolling the virtues of wearing a black veil. The poem was repeated enough times in the market place. The vendor sold his surplus.
He introduced us to Sufi Poetry and the poet Rumi. A Sufi is one who does not separate himself from others by opinion or dogma; and who realizes the heart as the Shrine of God. Sufism is a mystical form of Islam much like kabalists are to a mystical form of Judaism. Rumi is known to have said, "I go into the Muslim Mosque and the Jewish Synagogue and the Christian church and I see one altar." He proceeded to enlighten us with a host of poems unexpectedly arising from what many had heretofore considered a fairly rigid culture without much room for error or disobedience.
Notable quote, Al-Mutanabbi: "A mindless idiot needs polite learning as a headless donkey needs halter."
Kamaluddin Isma'il Isfahani, 12th century Persian Social Commentary:
"Though my master speaks ill of me
I shall not mar my face with pain.
I shall speak nothing but good of him
so that we may both be seen as liars."
Ubayid -I Zakani, Religious Criticism, 14th century Persian / Arab:
Lord, of your grace all that I hope is this-
keep the realm of my pleasure prosperous
avert me from the calamity of chastity
and keep me from the doom of repentance
Rudagi, the first great classical poet of Iran, 10th century:
I do not dye my hair black
so as to be young again and sin again
but because people dye their clothes black in mourning
so, I have died my hair black, mourning my old age
Abu Nuwas, on Love:
I asked her for a kiss and obtained it
after refusal, and much effort.
By God, I said, my tormentress, be generous,
give me another and content me,
She smiled and cited a proverb,
known to the Persians, and true:
Never give anything to a child
who petulantly asks for another
Al - Walid II (8th century Caliph):
She rose to met me with a kiss and embraced me
her limbs full, her mouth fragrant like musk.
"Come in, no one will know,
I am your ransom against suffering."
And so we lay that night, sleepless on our beds,
in the heat of passion she clasped me and I clasped her,
until the two threads apeared and I said to her,
"It is time to part," and grief almost overcame her.
Then I left her and no one knew of us.
May God reward her for her good deed.
J.D. also spoke of the relevance of Christ in Islam. Jesus is regarded as immaculately conceived of God and Mary. He is the second or third highest regarded entity to Muslims (depending on sect). All religions, sects and fraternities have their fair share of hypocrites and critics, Islam is no exception...
Omar Khayyam, a 12th century Persian, wrote the following:
And that inverted bowl we call the sky,
Whereunder crawling coop't we live and die,
Lift not thy hands to it for help - for it
rolls impotently on as Thou or I.
Allah, perchance, the secret word might spell;
If Allah be, He keeps His secrets well;
What He hath hidden, who shall hope to find?
Shall God His secrets to a Maggot tell?
The Koran! well, come put me to the test -
Lovely old book in hideous error drest-
Believe me, I can quote the Koran too,
The unbeliever knows his Koran best.
And do you think that unto such as you,
A maggot - minded starved fanatic crew,
God saved the secret, and denied it to me?-
Well, well, what matters it! believe that too.
With each seperate piece, J.D. weaved in and out of the history surrounding the poem, the circumstances of the poet, and the social / religious relevance of his writing. Bringing an 800 - 1300 year old poem to life is not an easy task, but that's exactly what J.D. Jordan delivered to the brethren of Gate City II, their friends and families and everyone else that attended.
So...turn off the television. Quit reading this blog. Pick up an intriguing book of, dare I say it, Classic Islamic Poetry? You will be delighted!
Thank you J.D.!
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Solomon's Lodge Number One Celebrates 275 Years
Gate City and friends from Chamblee Sardis 444, Fulton 216, and Royal Lodge of Faith & Friendship, were among the two hundred plus Freemasons in attendance at the celebration of the 275th year anniversary of Solomon's Lodge. It being the 275th anniversary of Solomon's Lodge, would necessitate the same being the case for Freemasonry in Georgia. Most Worshipful Grandmaster Jennings and several of the Grand Line were in attendance as well as many Masonic dignitaries from across the state and beyond. Solomon's One of Charleston, SC, just two years younger than her sister Lodge of Savannah, was also on hand to celebrate the occasion.
The days festivities included a Cornerstone Laying, Luncheon, Lectures and the exemplification of the Hiramic Legend. Because of the large turn out, Solomon's Lodge used the banquet hall at the Hyatt. Each door was sealed with tape and was stationed with two Tylers.
The Brethren of Bay Street offered a lesson in Freemasonry to anyone who was their to watch. I had the pleasure of witnessing a raising at Solomon's four years ago and the honor of assisting as a Craftsman. This time I was content to watch and enjoy and it was all the more impressive.
Junior Deacon Porter, PM, is a Masonic Scholar and ritualist supreme. During his lecture, he named some of the great brethren of Georgia Freemasons including the line, "the brethren of Gate City II will certainly swell with pride at the mention of Henry Grady, owner and editor of The Atlanta Constitution." We were moved.
One day, perhaps on the 375th anniversary of Freemason's in Georgia, someone will mention Brother Porter's name and the brethren of Solomon's Lodge will in turn swell with pride and maybe they will recognize the relief given in a kind word - a hundred years prior.
Huzza!
Gate City II and friends pose for a photo. Brethren in ascending order: Zeitlin Waters, JSGCII; Chris Malpus, Royal Lodge of Faith and Friendship, Internet Lodge 9659, United Grand Lodge of England; Morris Notrica, Fulton 216; Jeff Notrica, Fulton 216; Ryan Weaver, (his PA lodge); Edwin Demars, JDGCII; David Herman, Internet Lodge 9659, Chamblee Sardis 444; GCII, Mike Bjelajac, WMGCII; Beaux Pettys, DOWGCII; and Victor Marshall, SSGCII. Photo taken by Kirk Hegwood, JW Chamblee-Sardis 444. 
We are fortunate to have a friend that lives across the street from Solomon's. Instant hospitality suite.Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Sunday, February 15, 2009
PM Doug Hrabe brings Gate City II a GA CHIP Event at Fernbank Science Center
On Saturday, March 14, 2009, Gate City will hold a Georgia CHIP event for The Fernbank Science Center which is part of the DeKalb County School System. Past Master Doug Hrabe, who is President of The Fernbank Science Center, is coordinating with Associate State CHIP's Director and Master of the Fifth Masonic District, Frank Vexler, PM Fulton 216, to get permission slips to all of the parents. The opportunity for this event came upon us suddenly but the importance of conducting such an event, especially with a school system, was too important to pass up. WB Vexler is making a huge effort to assist Gate City in making this event a success. One of our newest Gate City II members, Minh Van, will be heading up this event committee with Doug Hrabe.
Excellent work Brother's Vexler, Hrabe & Van!
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Excellent work Brother's Vexler, Hrabe & Van!
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Gate City II Welcomes Minh Van, Dual Member
Minh Duc Van was among our three afilliation memberships from Tuesday night. Minh is the Vice Pesident of the Asian American Society in Atlanta. He is a business minded insurance consultant with amazing people skills. Raised in Chamblee Lodge two years ago, Minh is a very active Freemason. If anyone can resurrect Masonic Business Networking in Atlanta, MInh can!
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Friday, February 13, 2009
Joe Upshaw Joins GCII
An entrepreneur, a noted ritualist, and Past Master of Palestine 486, Joe Upshaw joins Gate City II as a dual member. As the founder and principal of Jodeco Consulting, which he started in 1996, Joe keeps an intense business schedule but still finds time for Masonic endeavors and golf. Joe double majored in Philosophy and Religion. He mastered in Artificial Intelligence, also at UGA, and was a member of the first class ever to do so. Joe will be instrumental in adding further punctuation to our ritual Work. Some will remember that Joe was instrumental in bringing the Indian Degree team to the Atlanta Masonic Center in 2006 which was a celebration of Palestine's centennial year. If you are a Scottish Rite Mason, you may well recognize him as he is the Master in the Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal.
A Big Welcome To Joe Upshaw!
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
A Big Welcome To Joe Upshaw!
Gate City II is a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. Our regular meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays January – May, September – November, the 2nd Tuesday in June, August and December and the 4th Tuesday in July. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
DDGM David Herman Joins Gate City II
District Deputy To The Grandmaster David Herman Joins Gate City II as a plural member. In his official announcement at the DCMA on February 12, 2009, David referred to GCII as his "fantasy lodge". He told the gathering of eighty six people that Gate City was what he thought a Lodge should be. David also expressed his satisfaction and happiness with his mother lodge, but, he was not looking for complacency, he wanted to be challenged. "Gate City," he remarked, "challenges him to be a better Mason."
Raised in Chamblee Lodge No. 444 in November of 1993 and installed as Junior Steward at the next meeting, David Herman has been a very active Freemason ever since. He has served as Worshipful Master, Secretary and Director of Work for Lodge 444; he leads services for the DeKalb Masonic Memorial Club; he has held various positions at district and state levels; and he is presently a DDGM, assigned to eight lodges in Rockdale and southeastern DeKalb counties, and President of the DeKalb County Masonic Association. Karen, his wife of 15 years, tries to keep him from overloading his wagon, which is why he is not at appendant body meetings as frequently as he would like to be.
David has been in Atlanta since his tour as a US Army Paratrooper and Intel Analyst ended in 1990, and has had a range of careers, including Horse Groom, Cab Driver, Typesetter, HAZMAT Instructor, Website Designer, Oracle Database Administrator and Storage Area Network Administrator. He is currently responsible for “letting the smoke out” of Industrial Automation Control Systems at Hegwood Electric in Doraville.
Welcome David!!!
David's Address To The DCMA:
"A few weeks ago, when Beaux asked me to give a testimonial tonight, explaining why I have joined Gate City as a plural member, I started thinking about it. There was no question in my mind that I wanted to participate in Freemasonry with these men, but that was sort of abstract, so I kept trying to put it into words, with real examples."
"Imagine, knowing what you know now, that you could create a fantasy lodge – one where everything was how you really thought it should be – perhaps not easy; perhaps not convenient; but somehow just as it should be – challenging, - something that prompted you to work at self improvement. What would that lodge be like?"
"For me, the details of external trappings are not as important as the effects they have on the members. Please do not infer by it that I am in any way unsatisfied with my Mother Lodge, for I am completely satisfied with it. The problem is that I don't want to be satisfied. I want to be challenged."
"I would create a lodge where, when looking at the calendar for the week, members would smile and say "oh, nice – lodge this week already!"
"I would create a lodge where the members knew what was expected of them in no uncertain terms – in ritual proficiency, in dress code, in contributions of time and labor – in every single way. And I would create a lodge where the members strove to exceed those expectations."
"I would create a lodge which didn't exist behind closed doors, but was public in the neighborhood, seen doing good works of community service and charity – a lodge that was part of its community, filled with men who, by their examples, inspired other men to seek membership."
"I would create a lodge where the members grew to become close friends, and regularly socialized together outside of the lodge."
"What I have described would be a wonderful lodge to belong to, don't you think? It reminds me of what some of the older brethren here tonight have told me about "how it used to be."
"What I have described is what I have found in Gate City Lodge No. 2."
-David Herman, Address to DeKalb County Masonic Association, February 12, 2009
Raised in Chamblee Lodge No. 444 in November of 1993 and installed as Junior Steward at the next meeting, David Herman has been a very active Freemason ever since. He has served as Worshipful Master, Secretary and Director of Work for Lodge 444; he leads services for the DeKalb Masonic Memorial Club; he has held various positions at district and state levels; and he is presently a DDGM, assigned to eight lodges in Rockdale and southeastern DeKalb counties, and President of the DeKalb County Masonic Association. Karen, his wife of 15 years, tries to keep him from overloading his wagon, which is why he is not at appendant body meetings as frequently as he would like to be.
David has been in Atlanta since his tour as a US Army Paratrooper and Intel Analyst ended in 1990, and has had a range of careers, including Horse Groom, Cab Driver, Typesetter, HAZMAT Instructor, Website Designer, Oracle Database Administrator and Storage Area Network Administrator. He is currently responsible for “letting the smoke out” of Industrial Automation Control Systems at Hegwood Electric in Doraville.
Welcome David!!!
David's Address To The DCMA:
"A few weeks ago, when Beaux asked me to give a testimonial tonight, explaining why I have joined Gate City as a plural member, I started thinking about it. There was no question in my mind that I wanted to participate in Freemasonry with these men, but that was sort of abstract, so I kept trying to put it into words, with real examples."
"Imagine, knowing what you know now, that you could create a fantasy lodge – one where everything was how you really thought it should be – perhaps not easy; perhaps not convenient; but somehow just as it should be – challenging, - something that prompted you to work at self improvement. What would that lodge be like?"
"For me, the details of external trappings are not as important as the effects they have on the members. Please do not infer by it that I am in any way unsatisfied with my Mother Lodge, for I am completely satisfied with it. The problem is that I don't want to be satisfied. I want to be challenged."
"I would create a lodge where, when looking at the calendar for the week, members would smile and say "oh, nice – lodge this week already!"
"I would create a lodge where the members knew what was expected of them in no uncertain terms – in ritual proficiency, in dress code, in contributions of time and labor – in every single way. And I would create a lodge where the members strove to exceed those expectations."
"I would create a lodge which didn't exist behind closed doors, but was public in the neighborhood, seen doing good works of community service and charity – a lodge that was part of its community, filled with men who, by their examples, inspired other men to seek membership."
"I would create a lodge where the members grew to become close friends, and regularly socialized together outside of the lodge."
"What I have described would be a wonderful lodge to belong to, don't you think? It reminds me of what some of the older brethren here tonight have told me about "how it used to be."
"What I have described is what I have found in Gate City Lodge No. 2."
-David Herman, Address to DeKalb County Masonic Association, February 12, 2009
Gate City Raises 2, Approves 3 Dual Memberships, Nets 5
Not bad for a night of work...Gate City II nets five new members: two by raising, three by affiliation. Our third meeting of the year featured a beautiful raising conferred by Beaux Pettys as WM, Mike Bjelajac as SD, Bill Wallace, SW, Dan Genson as JW, Edwin Demars JD, Nick Hayes as SS, Doug Hrabe as JS, with John Guest and David Johnston conducting. The second section was ably performed by David Johnston as WM, Beaux Pettys as SW. David Lllewellyn, Dan Genson and Tom Lawrence were the roughest three ruffians that ever ruffled a feather. Joe Brooks and Jeff Hodges were moving as Hiram king of Tyre and Solomon King of Israel. Victor Marshall was raised by David Llewellyn. Zeithlin Waters was raised by Dan Genson.
Joe Brooks, fifty year mason, noted that he had never seen a better raising. As is the norm at Gate City, the degree was conferred by brethren in tuxedos, illumined by the light of the burning taper, and upon the level of brotherly love. We are truly fortunate.
There was no place I would have rather been.
Joe Brooks, fifty year mason, noted that he had never seen a better raising. As is the norm at Gate City, the degree was conferred by brethren in tuxedos, illumined by the light of the burning taper, and upon the level of brotherly love. We are truly fortunate.
There was no place I would have rather been.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS CHARITY EVENT APRIL 25, 2009
thebonaventurequartet
On April 25, 2009, The Bonaventure Quartet will be the headline act for the Doctor Without Borders charity fundraiser. The event will be held at The Alcove Contemporary Arts Gallery, 2852 East College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030.
As some of you may recall, our Senior Warden, Bill Wallace, will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in July to raise awareness for Doctors Without Borders. Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, rises 4,600 m (15,100 ft) from its base (and approximately 5,100 m (16,700 ft) from the plains near Moshi), and is additionally the highest peak in Africa at 5,891.8 meters (19,330 ft). Bill is paying for the entire trip out of pocket. See more about Doctors Without Borders in the previous post.
The event will begin at 7PM with the Bonaventure Quartet playing three 45 minute sets of French Cabaret / Django Reinhardt inspired jazz. Many of you whince at the thought of jazz, but you'd have to be out of your tastless mind to not like this ensemble. Click this link to hear some of the best live music in Atlanta: The Bonaventure Quartet: Blue Rendevouz . They were named Creative Loafing's 2008 Best Jazz Band. Tickets are $15.00 and will be available shortly.
Alcove Contemporary Arts Gallery
What Is Doctors Without Borders?
As the subject of an upcoming charity event, the major points of this worldwide effort should be noted. The following are excerpts from the Doctors Without Borders website.
"Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971."
"Today, MSF provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need. MSF reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, to challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols."
"In 1999, MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize."
"MSF's work is based on the humanitarian principles of medical ethics and impartiality. The organization is committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation."
"MSF medical teams often witness violence, atrocities, and neglect in the course of their work, largely in regions that receive scant international attention. At times, MSF may speak out publicly in an effort to bring a forgotten crisis to public attention, to alert the public to abuses occurring beyond the headlines, to criticize the inadequacies of the aid system, or to challenge the diversion of humanitarian aid for political interests."
More at:
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
"Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971."
"Today, MSF provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need. MSF reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, to challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols."
"In 1999, MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize."
"MSF's work is based on the humanitarian principles of medical ethics and impartiality. The organization is committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation."
"MSF medical teams often witness violence, atrocities, and neglect in the course of their work, largely in regions that receive scant international attention. At times, MSF may speak out publicly in an effort to bring a forgotten crisis to public attention, to alert the public to abuses occurring beyond the headlines, to criticize the inadequacies of the aid system, or to challenge the diversion of humanitarian aid for political interests."
More at:
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
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