Thursday, May 25, 2006

Ars Masonica Store Is Open

I have opened a Cafepress shop that has a few items available with the Ars Masonica Logo. I would ask that you do not print, paint, stamp, stain, hew, cut, carve, mark or engrave my design upon anything as it is personally my property. If you like it, please feel free to purchase something from the shop. Thank you.

Monday, May 22, 2006

DaVinci Mania

Well, DaVinci Mania has begun! There has been a flurry of History & Discovery Channel programs, Church seminars and a rash of books both pro & con. A lot of folks are cashing in on the popularity of Dan Brown's bestseller. I enjoyed the book - not great literature, but a great story with lots of elements that Freemasons of an esoteric nature are familiar with. I haven't seen the movie yet but the critics seem to hate it. That usually means that it will be great fun.

On May 17th, I was asked to appear on a local program called Bridge Street to discuss the "DaVinci Code" phenomenom. A click on Bridge Street will take you to the video clip as long as it is available. While I was on the show in my capacity as a Librarian, I did manage to mention my Masonic membership and the fact that I thought that members of the Craft were many of the first people to "get into" the book. Hopefully, I can get invited back when the book's sequel comes out.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Grand Lodge of New York 2006-2008

At 3:00 AM, on Tuesday morning, May 2nd, I left Syracuse to attend the last day of the 2006 Grand Lodge Convocation in NYC, and in particular, the elections. Our new Grand Master is the M.'.W.'. Neal I. Bidnick; Deputy Grand Master, R.'.W.'. Edward G. Gilbert; Senior Grand Warden, R.'.W.'. Dennis A. Breheny and Junior Grand Warden, R.'.W.'. Stephen S. King. As usual the elections proved to confusing, frustrating and exciting all at once. I think that is is past time to restructure the method of voting. Maybe it is time to go electronic?

The next two years should be very interesting as M.'.W.'. Bidnick has some very good ideas. My interpretation is that he hopes to bring the Craft back to many of its basics while ushering it into the 21st Century.

As the newly appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Onondaga District, I hope to echo the Grand Master’s philosophy of getting back to the basics of Masonry while utilizing modern technology to get our message out. I urge all the Onondaga District Lodges to take more time in selecting your candidates and getting them through the Degrees. This is not a race. Masonry is supposed to “take good men & make them better” and that takes time.

And the time is now...