THE JOURNAL OF THE MASONIC SOCIETY
News of the Society
T
he Masonic Society will mark an historic occasion, auspiciously on Friday, the 13th of February, 2009. Our First Circle Gathering and Banquet will take place at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia. This will be our first face-to-face meeting among our members and friends, and it is with great pride that our fledgling Society is a part of the Allied Masonic Degrees Masonic Week. We have said from the outset that the Society was to be more than just a subscription to a magazine—that we hoped membership would help to forge friendships. This is our first step in that direction, and we hope you will be able to join us. Stay tuned for news about future gatherings around the US and Canada. Our guest speaker at the First Circle banquet will be Yasha Beresiner, a Founding Fellow of the Society. Yasha is a published Masonic author and world renowned researcher. Originally born in Istanbul, Turkey to Russian and Greek parents, Yasha was educated in Turkey, Italy, Israel and England. He holds citizenship today in both Israel and England, and is able to speak at least eight languages. Yasha has had a colorful and far-reaching life— everything from receiving a law degree and becoming an Israeli paratrooper (marrying his female sergeant, Zmira between jumps); to participating in the Student Olympics in Tokyo in 1967 (in Judo); to becoming a rare stamp, coin and currency expert; and even certified as a City of London Walks tour guide, where he can be seen leading groups through East End alleyways while dressed as Sherlock Holmes. The Banquet is open to members, guests and ladies, and the cost is $65 per person, and will begin at 6:00PM. Please Note: Dinner tickets are ONLY available from the AMD event organizers. Tickets will NOT be available at the hotel, and must be purchased by mail NO LATER than February 1st, 2009. Visit the AMD reservation website at http://www.yorkrite.org/MasonicWeek/index.html
or contact:
Paul Newhall 13611 Dairy Lou Court Oak Hill, VA 20171-3342 Telephone Number (703) 598-5077 Email: pnewhall@cox.net The banquet will be followed by a board meeting, and all members are welcome to attend. Please join us for this outstanding evening and help us make Masonic history!
FAREWELL
Charles W. Munro (1927-2008)
W
ell, this is a bitter pill. It does not seem possible to be writing this tribute to the tough as nails Texan who beat death down more times than I can count. But, my friend and brother passed away October 4th, 2008. Charles W. Munro was a PM in Canton Lodge No. 98 in Tyler, Texas; Gray’s Harbor Lodge # 52 in Hoquiam, Washington State, and many other Masonic organizations and bodies. In 2000, he was named a Fellow of the Philalethes Society and is one of the Founding Fellows of The Masonic Society. Bro. Munro was a respected Masonic researcher, historian and author. Bro. Munro was a little over 80 years old and had his share of personal high and low points. He always maintained a dry and pointed sense of humor. Get our good Brother Charles in the right mood and he would reduce me to tears of laughter. Bro. Munro retired from a career in law enforcement which spanned serving numerous position in the Houston Police Department and the United States government as a Deputy U.S. Marshall. Bro. Charles was one of the sharpest men I have ever known. His ability to quickly size up a situation or individual never ceased to amaze me. He was good at what he did. He would sometimes give me a sly, off to the side wink and half-grin then proceed to slice and dice some poor individual who all the while thought Charles was some “poor country bumpkin.” He was an ace. He was unique. He was my dear friend and I will miss him greatly. — Michael Poll A few hotel rooms were left as of this writing at a reduced group rate. Contact Hilton at 1-800-HILTONS. Identify the hotel property as the “Hilton Alexandria Mark Center” and the group name “AMD”
I
n early October, Society member Nelson King was hospitalized with acute liver failure. After over a month in the hospital, along with ongoing treatments, his condition has steadily improved. Thoughts, prayers and best wishes to Nelson and his wife Ellen. Brother King is the editor of The Philalethes magazine.
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