Another Great Evening: Five Initiated

Some of The Brethren of Gate City meet up after Tuesdays Initiation at a local restaurant.

Five Men were initiated on Tuesday, April 27, 2010. The three hour marathon was described by Joe Brooks, a Freemason for over fifty years, as the best work he's seen in Georgia. "It wasn't due to the intensity of the conferral or any sort of drama during the degree, but the emotional quality which was expressed in the work was just beautiful."

Fifty Brethren were on hand to see the degree. Beaux Pettys, Mike Bjelajac, David Johnston, Dan Genson, Joe Upshaw, Nick Hayes, Victor Marhsall and Bj Crapps performed the first section. David Dodd, David Llewellyn, David Herman, John Guest and Shane Moore conducted. The material points in the second section of the degree were unmistakably delivered by David Johnston, Beaux Pettys and Victor Marshall.

Two more candidates will be initiated at an upcoming called communication - stay tuned.

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

Gate City II Inspiring Other Lodges In The Atlanta Area:

Gate City Lodge No. 2 has received a lot of visitors in the last year and a half. Many leave with ideas that can be implemented in their respective lodges. Whether using candle light during degrees, upping the ante on pre-lodge meals, moving the fellowship to another locale after the lodge meeting is over, or bigger ventures in programming and outings, Gate City's positive influence is spreading. Share the light.

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 Raised on April 12, 2010:

Gate City Lodge No. 2 raised four men to the sublime degree on Tuesday, April 12, 2010. The Missile Defense Contractor, Falconer, Commercial Contract Salesman, and Post Doctoral Reaserchist at Georgia Tech turned in exemplorary Fellowcraft examinations in open Lodge. Their coach, Zeithlin Waters, was well pleased with their performance. The Lodge was incredibly well pleased with Zeithlin's great coaching as well.

The Degree was delivered by Beaux Pettys, David Johnston, Nick Hayes, Mike Bjelajac, Victor Marshall, Zeithlin Waters, and Bj Crapps. The second section was given by David Johnston, Jeff Hodges, Joe Brooks, Tom Lawrence, Beaux Pettys and David Llewellyn. Both sections were given in excellent fashion with all of the mystic attributes in tact.

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

Five To Be Initiated Tuesday, April 27, 2010:

Five Candidates will be Initiated on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at the South Lodge of The Atlanta Masonic Center. The Initiation will take place by candle light and in formal attire.

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

Eighty Five Attend Our Falconry Presentation:

Falconry: Ancient and Modern Usages was held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. Eighty Five total attendees were treated to a great presentation by Alan Colussy.



The night began with a rarity at GCII: fried chicken. During the meal, our guests kept inquiring as to the location of the birds, especially the children. That evening, our first guests in the Lodge Hall were Falcon / Hawk hybrids. As our attendees filed into the South Lodge of the Masonic Temple, a look of "oh" came over most of their faces as they realized that the birds were already perched and waiting for them. Worshipful Master Michael Bjelajac welcomed the gathering a turned the floor over to Alan Colussy. Alan spoke for nearly twenty five minutes on everything from the Mid East / Asian origins of the art of Falconry to it's modern usages. Realizing the wide interest in his subject and raptors, he kept a bird on one arm and the microphone in the other as he carefully visited each quadrant of the Lodge Room.
Both the birds and Alan exhibited an amazing amount of patience for all of the questions which came after his presentation - and there were many. Of course, how often does one get to see one of these birds up close. For an hour after the question and answer session concluded, Alan was in the cafeteria providing photo opportunities and answering more questions. The best part was having over twenty percent of our audience being under eight years old. While the adults wide eyed and curious, the children were amazed!

Thanks so much to Brother Alan Colussy for his time, patience and expertise.



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 To Be Raised Tomorrow Night

A class of four will be Raised tomorrow night at Gate City Lodge No. 2. Of course, the degree will be conferred by candle light and in formal attire.

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

A Salute to Jeff Hodges Year As Grand Commander: Photos By Bob Tidwell:

At eighty three years old, most men are contemplating their past. At eighty three, Jeff Hodges became Grand Commander of the Knights Templar in Georgia. The office of Grand Commander entails administration, travel and more travel. Part of the reason for such a rigid travel schedule is to oversee state wide inspections. Another reason for such extensive travel is to regulate and administer the agenda of the brotherhood.

By all accounts, Jeff brought a sense of balance, stability, and leadership to the grand Commandery. He attended the majority of all inspections to see that they went according to grand encampment rules. During his year, he was instrumental in keeping the brotherhood of the knights Templar together. In the words of several Brethren interviewed for this article, "Jeff set a top notch example of what the Templar's represent."

Not only was there an agenda to implement and oversee, there was also a rather large charitable concern to navigate. The Knights Templar Eye Foundation is a charity which pays full or partial costs for operations of those in need of restorative sight procedures. Three to four thousand people a year receive assistance from this program, from cornea transplants to removal of cataracts.

One of Jeff's favorite moments of his year was laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The ceremony was performed in the exact manner in which a President of the United States would lay the wreath.



Jeff, towards the end of his year as Grand Commander, stands at the portrait of another Gate City II Giant, Joseph C. Greenfield, just outside the York Rite Room of the AMC.




Speaking of Giants, here's a pair of giant hams performing the Gimme Degree. Created by Gary Lemmons and Jeff Hodges (left to right), the Gimme Degree was founded after they'd both received just about every other honor from the appendant Masonic bodies - all of course for a fee. The secret sign of the Gimme Degree is to extend the crossed arms forward and wiggle the fingers. Gary and Jeff have been recognizing each other in this fashion for years. Recently, in a hotel lobby during check in, they flashed the Gimme Sign at each other from across the lobby. A visiting Brother from another jurisdiction saw the sign exchange and was perplexed, "What degree is this?" He asked Gary Lemmons. "The Gimme Degree," Gary replied. Gary then said to Jeff, "This Brother has never received the Gimme Degree." Jeff looked amazed at the visiting brother who was just then reaching in to his coat pocket for his check book. They didn't have the heart to take his money.

Fuzzy Dumplin'. Jeff's chapeau case is instantly recognizable by the knitted balls that are tied to the handle. They were knitted by Lady Chumley who was by Jeff's side for his entire ride as Grand Commander. A year of such high office is taxing for anyone but doubly so for a couple in their eighties. Well done, we love you and we are proud of you both!

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

Masonic Central To Interview Members of Gate City Lodge No. 2 Tomorrow Night 9PM EST: Listen Live!

Michael Bjelajac and Beaux Pettys will be interviewed by Masonic Central at 9PM EST on April 4, 2010. The interview will be recorded live. Hear it at Gate City Interview, Masonic Blog Central.

The Interview is Entitled, "Social Capitol and the Era of Gate City Lodge," and will contain the following subject matter:
What makes a lodge successful? Is it the energy behind the lodge, the people that create it? And, does that energy come at a cost? Is there a social capitol that is bartered in an invisible exchange that at times reflects a huge value where at others it challenges its very existence.

One such lodge happens to be a nexus for this very question, and has had a year to barter and trade on its own social capitol building a reputation amongst its community and amongst its peers. And this development has not been free of cost. Gate City Lodge in Atlanta Georgia has had a dynamic year, from a public forum on Catholicism and Masonry to a feature article about them in the New York Times. All in all, Gate city is not unaccustomed to controversy or at least some growing pains since its founding in 1887.

Since then, Gate City has suffered war, fire, growth and decline, all of which are no strangers to lodges of this age, yet Gate City has re-awoken as a cosmopolitan styled lodge, progressive in its ideas (even if they do not see themselves as such) and yet still as traditional as the day they fought to become the 4th lodges in the already crowded Georgian capital.

Join us Sunday, April 4th, as Masonic Central welcomes the brothers of Gate City Lodge No.2 from the beautiful city of Atlanta, Georgia. We look forward to a healthy discussion of the lodges antebellum origins and is present day revival in a city known for its diversity of population and as one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in America. The Show will record live at 6pm PST/9pm EST at Masonic Central on Blog Talk Radio. If you have questions or comments for the brothers, you can dial in to the live show by calling 347-677-0936 during the program.

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