Our New Tyler: David Herman

In my experience, the typical Tyler is an older Brother - most often grandfatherly in demeanor and transparent in motive. Usually opinionated yet well meaning, the stereotypical Tyler is a favorite in the Lodge. The "Old Tyler" articles seem to resonate our affinity for the office and whimsically profiles the gentleman which usually fills that station.

Our new Tyler, David Herman, fulfills all of the above listed precepts save one - he's in his forties. With less than a year in Gate City and sixteen in Freemasonry, David has held many stations: DDGM, Meld Committee, District Line, Director of Work and the East.

We are honored to have such a well seasoned, yet younger, man of the Craft as our Tyler. It doesn't get any better than that.

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Prosperous New Year!

May The Lord bless you and keep you.

Gate City Lodge No. 2

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Next Meeting: January 12, 2010

GCII has turned the lights out on 2009. Per our by laws, there is no second communication in December. Our next Regular Communication will be January 12, 2009.

I love this Owl. There must be some way to incorporate him into regular meetings. Thoughts?

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

John Holt Receives Knight's Templar Cross of Honor and Other Awards:

As most of us know, it has been a year of ups and downs for Worshipful Brother John Holt. While he's endured a two month rehabilitation after a massive blood clot was found in his left hip, he was also given the Knight's Templar Cross of Honor. He has recently been appointed the State Chairman for the Knight's Templar Eye Foundation. Palestine Lodge No. 486 honored John last week with a dinner in his honor and and award for Mason of the Year in their Lodge.

John will be getting rides to Lodge for the next few months until his leg is rehabilitated. He can move around, only to an extent, and has to use a walker to do so. But as all of us know, even though he can barely walk, he stands tall on principles.

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

December 8, 2009: Annual Communication

The Annual Communication of Gate City Lodge No. 2 was held on December 8, 2009. Fresh off of our Annual Retreat, The Officer's line executed a near perfect Opening and Closing with all of the precision that we have come to expect.

2009 was an exemplary year for Gate City II: Four hundred attended the six Religion and Culture installments, two Chips events, a huge lodge retreat, great fellowship, nine new Brethren since February. While all of GCII were pleased with the results of 2009...We are looking forward.

Forward began at the Annual Communication.

Our Senior Warden, William Wallace, was unable to move to the East. Wallace has been on five continents this year and expects to be traveling more in 2010. William Wallace removed himself from consideration in July of 2009 with the understanding and well wishes of his Brethren.

Mike Bjelajac was unanimously re elected to the East. As previously stated, with the exodus from consideration of William Wallace, the best thing which all could figure was to let the Officer's Line move up as normal and keep Worshipful Master Bjelajac (Pictured Left at the Altar) in the East for another year so as to let the Line mature. We were all very happy that he chose to lead Gate City II for another term.

Worshipful Master: Michael Bjelajac
Treasurer: David Johnston
Secretary: Tom Lawrence
Assistant Secretary: Doug Hrabe
Chaplain: Dan Genson
Senior Warden: Donald Hall
Junior Warden: Nicholas Hayes
Senior Deacon: Minh Van
Junior Deacon: Victor Marshall
Senior Steward: Zeithlin Waters
Junior Steward: B.J. Crapps
Tyler: David Herman
Ambassador To The Children's Home: Mike Wallace
Temple Board Representative: John Guest
Director Of Work: Beaux Pettys

The Officers were installed by Fifty Year Freemason and Past Master of Gate City II, Joe Brooks (Pictured on Right) and Sixty Year Freemason and Past Master of Gate City II, Jeff Hodges (Pictured Below). With 110 years combined of Masonic experience, the pair of Texans (as they so like to point out)gave us all a lesson in their dignified approach and proficiency of the work. We are continually made proud by Brothers Jeff Hodges and Joe Brooks.




















Senior Warden, Donald Hall, forefront, is already planning for next year. Brother Hall's responsibilities are greatly increased this year by office, choice and directive of the Worshipful Master. Donald will be the XO in every sense.


Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

2009 Retreat A BIG Success!!!

The Fifth Annual Gate City Lodge No. 2 Retreat was a wild success. Twenty Seven Brethren attended the two day event which featured a great combination of work and fellowship. GCII welcomed several guests from Lodges as far away as Peru and New York to brethren around Atlanta including Chamblee, Sandy Springs and Palestine.

The six thousand square foot house was just big enough to accommodate every thing that was going on - and there was a lot! Our Entered Apprentice Brethren worked well into their Catechisms. Doug Hrabe and Tom Lawrence were busy with Lodge administration. The officers drilled repeatedly on the opening and closing ritual. David Llewellyn cooked for what seemed to be the entire time. Officers from Chamblee Lodge were busy planning out their upcoming year.

The evenings were devoted to fellowship and unstructured time. Whether enjoying the heated pool, hot tub, pool table or watching football, everyone was relaxing and enjoying himself in the company of his Brethren.

One of the attendees, a brother, raised six years ago, who has just affiliated with GCII in the last six months, commented, "This is one of the things that I thought Freemasonry was supposed to be doing when I joined the craft." So did we - so we did.

Llewellyn's Pumpkin pancakes - Saturday's breakfast.








Our retreat house featured four large fireplaces.











Never one to leave his Raptors home, EA Alan Colussy brought his five Falcons along.



Alan stopped by the Airport on his way to the retreat to pick up his latest bird - an owl. Nothing stops twenty Brethren from talking quicker than the introduction of a live owl into the room. Everyone was amazed to see the raptor up close. Alan gave pointers as well as talked about Falconry, which also happens to be his occupation.


Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Four Initiated on Tuesday, December 1, 2009:

Atlanta Masonic Center, York Rite Room: With David Herman sitting in the East for the first section of the Entered Apprentice Degree, the Brethren of Gate City II delivered an impressive Initiation for four candidates. Rick King, Shane Moore, Alan Colussy, and Giorgio Calanni were the recipients of the excellent conferral which was given at a called communication on Tuesday, December 1, 2009. The two David's were stellar. David Herman conferred the degree with excellent precision. David Johnston masterfully delivered the Charity and Apron lectures as well as the fabled second section. Beaux Pettys turned in the Northeast Corner Lecture with what some felt was his best yet. Mike Bjelajac, Zeithlin Waters, David Llewellyn, Victor Marshall, Minh Van were all great in their roles - our candidates received a proper initiation.

This was the third degree given in as many weeks. The Brethren of GCII have really been working. The Fellowcraft and Master's degrees are expected in January and February respectively.

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Director of Work Role to Become a Committee Role:

GCII will have three Directors of Work next year. With a class of four starting on Tuesday and another class of the same size starting shortly thereafter, Beaux Pettys has recommended an expansion of the Director of Work role to a committee.

The Committee will feature David Herman, Zeithlin Waters & Beaux Pettys. The Committee will split the duties of the traditional role and offer greater individual time to officers, Brethren and candidates in ritual, catechism work and lectures.