‘Central Virginia Masonic Con’

    

I guess September isn’t that far away anymore. Near the end of that month, a Masonic Con is planned for Virginia. From the publicity:

Central Virginia Masonic Con

Saturday, September 27

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Historic Masons’ Hall

1807 East Franklin Street, Richmond

Click here

Join us for an event open to both Masons and those curious about Freemasonry. This will be a day full of Masonic education on history, our civic connections, and esoteric aspects.

$40 (plus PayPal fee) per person.

Event Speakers

Peyton Anderson: Husband. Father. Outdoorsman. Blacksmith. Freemason. Practicing Stoic. District Education Officer, Masonic District 27.

Shaun Bradshaw: Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of North Carolina, 33°, KYGCH, OPC. A “proud Masonic esotericist” because he believes in the transformational power of the Craft’s rituals. He understands the value of Freemasonry as both a fraternity and a Western Mystery Tradition. A passionate promoter of Masonic education in the areas of lodge leadership, administration, and Masonic philosophy.

Akram R. Elias: Past (2008) Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. He has 35 years of professional experience in the fields of Public Diplomacy and Cultural Intelligence. MW Elias is a global speaker on the subject of America: The Great Experiment.

Matt Parker: Founder of the North Carolina Masonic Research Society; Chair of the Grand Lodge Committee on Public Relations; member of the Grand Lodge Library Committee; and 32° Scottish Right Mason, SJ, and member of the York Rite as well as other invitational bodies and esoteric orders.

Jon T. Ruark: Past Master of The Patriot Lodge 1957 in Fairfax. His love of technology and gadgets led him to start The Masonic Roundtable as an online dialogue platform. He is an engineer for the federal government by trade, with Masonic interests leaning toward the esoteric and philosophical aspects of the fraternity.

Your ticket price includes breakfast and lunch, which will be provided. After purchasing a ticket through PayPal, you will be added to the list of ticketed attendees.

All proceeds go to Richmond Randolph Lodge 19 and are intended to cover costs. In the event excess money is collected, it will be donated to Masons’ Hall Historic Preservation efforts.

     

‘Masonic Con returns to Ezekiel Bates Lodge’

    

Believe me, you’ll hear about Masonic Con New York, next January, when the time comes, but this edition of The Magpie Mason concerns the originators of Masonic Con announcing their next event for the first weekend of October at Ezekiel Bates Lodge in Attleboro, Massachusetts. From the publicity:

The original Masonic Con returns with an exciting lineup! Join us for a weekend filled with forty unique vendors, six engaging speakers, and an unforgettable festive board.

The event kicks off Friday night with Ezekiel Bates Lodge’s 154th installation of officers, setting the stage for a remarkable experience. Saturday: an entire day of amazing guest speakers and masonic venders from across the country! On Sunday, immerse yourself in a historical tour of Providence, exploring Masonic landmarks, Revolutionary history, and the world of H.P. Lovecraft.

Don’t miss this extraordinary gathering that blends tradition, history, and camaraderie. Be part of a legacy at Masonic Con, where the past and present converge in celebration of Freemasonry.

Sponsors: Ezekiel Bates Lodge AF&AM, Grand Council Royal & Select Master Masons of Massachusetts, and Massachusetts Chapter of Research.

Click here for tickets.

This is on my calendar and, pending the announcement of speakers, I plan to be there.

     

‘Masonic Con Manchester (Part I)’

    

Absolutely perfect weather greeted us at Masonic Con 2022 in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Masonic Con 2022 New Hampshire is in the books. An amazing conference uniting Freemasons from many states and other countries that all of us will remember for many years.

There will not be full Magpie coverage of this one because I deliberately didn’t bring a notebook because I simply wanted to live it and enjoy it all because today is the twenty-fifth anniversary of my initiation into the Order. I wanted only to be a spectator and a fan. I couldn’t think of a more pleasurable and profitable way to celebrate this anniversary if I tried. (And there ain’t gonna be a fiftieth.)

Actually I do have to write up something about today because I’m slated to present a recap of the event at New Jersey’s research lodge next Saturday, so I guess I will post something here in a couple of days. No action photos, though, because I didn’t shoot any.

I suppose twenty-five years ago this minute I was receiving the EA Lecture. Tempus Fugit.

     

‘2022 Masonic Con plans’

  

Masonic Con 2022 in New Hampshire is coming together.

The roster of speakers is final. Tickets are on sale now. (Hotel accommodations will be sorted out next week.) Vendors still have time to arrange for tables.

I’m goin’. You should too.

The dozen speakers lined up include some of the most dynamic and thought provoking voices on the Masonic scene in the United States today. I won’t gush, but if you are familiar with these brethren and their books, educational projects, and lectures, then you recognize a palmary achievement awaits us next June.

And I cannot resist pointing out how three of the twelve speakers are New Yorkers, Active Members of The ALR, &c., &c.

Twenty-five bucks to attend the symposium part of the weekend, and another $65 for the festive board. (I mean, come on, you’ll pay more than that on a cigar night, and not even get a Havana out of the deal!)

See you there.

     

‘Masonic Con 2022’

     

What has twelve speakers but can’t hunt moose?

Masonic Con 2022!

That’ll be the first weekend in June in New Hampshire’s Manchester Masonic Temple—and, like I told you a million times, you can’t hunt moose up there until October.

Website is here, but not much info yet. Just save the date.

     

‘Masonic Con 2021’

     

UPDATE—MARCH 2021: It’s been announced the event will be a hybrid. Those who currently hold the full package tickets may attend in person. Otherwise attendance will be online. There will be no vendors. If I understand correctly. Go to here.

UPDATE: Forget all about the information below. Forget New Hampshire completely. “Masonic Con 2020-ish” will take place at Ezekiel Bates Lodge in Massachusetts April 30 to May 2, 2021. Tickets available here.

Next May—that’ll be 2021 for those who have lost track of time due to being in lockdown—Ancient York Lodge 89 will host Masonic Con!

This is the Masonic Con of Ezekiel Bates Lodge fame; the two will co-host, but it will take place at Ancient York in New Hampshire on May 1. This time I’m going! (I always say that before remembering my aversion to leaving the house, but I’m really going this time.)

No news yet on speakers, programs, vendors, etc. I’ll report it all on The Magpie Mason when the announcements are made, but I don’t expect any of that before 2021.
     

‘Masonic Con at Cooperstown’

     

There’s another Masonic Con coming. This one will take place next year at Cooperstown, New York.

Not much information available yet, but mark your calendar for October 9 through 11, 2020. Events will be held at the local Masonic lodge and a few doors down at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

     

‘Don’t miss Masonic Con in Massachusetts’

     
There are so many great things happening in Massachusetts Freemasonry that I hate myself for never getting up there. I’ll probably miss this too, but there’s no reason why you should. Lots of names here familiar to Magpie regular readers.