They are a secret society, they hold strange rites, they are secretive and do weird things. Most of them are well to do and use their positions to get on in the world. They are Freemasons!!!!!

These are some of the things that I have heard about the masons.

Being married to one for many years, all this stuff seems laughable, especially being well to do. If Dave has any money, he is keeping it to himself. Aahh, you say, yes they keep secrets.

I have been around Freemasons for many years and have found they are just regular guys, no worse and no better than anyone else. Sure they have secret words, secret handshakes and their own ritual, which is conducted at every meeting, but doesn’t every kind of fraternal lodge have a ritual?

The secret words and handshakes are to make themselves known to other masons and to keep strangers from attending meetings. However, new members are warmly welcomed and much needed. Everything that is said and done in their meetings and Initiations is publicly available in any library or on the internet.

I belong to the Order of the Eastern Star, which is an organization for both men and women but, for women to become a member, she must be related to a mason. This seems rather sexist and old fashioned, but those are the rules. We also have secret words and a member’s handshake, which most of us forget to use. We are just a bunch of people who enjoy one another’s company, while raising money for Cancer and for things needed in the community.

In both Masonic and Eastern Star meetings, there is an altar . No it is not for sacrificing virgins, or any strange rites. Upon the altar lies an open bible, as being a Christian or a faithful believer in one’s own God, is a requirement of the order. In fact, the motto for the Masons is “we take a good man and make him better”. The Masonic apron is worn as a symbol of the stonemasons who built King Solomon’s Temple.

The Masonic family consists of several different organizations, the most widely known are the Shriners, in their silly red fezes. Everyone thinks of the Shriners as the fun group, which they are. However, you need to be a mason before you can be a shriner. They act as clowns, ride round on motor bikes and attend many parades. The guys on motor bikes have to buy their own machine. Most of the guys do not have money to spend on fancy bikes so they go for a cheaper way of entertaining the public.

My husband and most of the local Shriners dress as arabs, they call themselves the Arabian Band. Band is a rather loose term for what they are. They ride on a float, banging on drums, gongs, triangles and anything else that requires no talent as, most of them, have no talent for music. However, they enjoy one another’s company and they raise lots of money for charity.

What is the point of these organizations? Well the Freemasons donate money to buy and maintain “Cancer Cars”. These are ten passenger vans that transport patients to and from the Cancer Lodge, for daily treatments. No charge for this service. There are three of these vans in the Okanagan region and they are driven five days a week, by masons who volunteer their time to drive the patients. You do not have to be a mason to be a driver, but most of them are. On the coast there are dozens of vehicles used daily, to transport the many patients.

The Shriners work to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars each year which is used to operate hospitals for burned children or for those kids who need orthopaedic work done, to help them walk. All the services offered are free to any child needing assistance. Rides to and from hospitals are arranged, at no charge, for kids and parents and some of these kids need to use the hospitals for many years as they are in much need of the specialized care they receive.

So, next time you see the Shriner in his silly hat or meet a local guy wearing a tuxedo, they are probably off to a lodge meeting and doing their part to help the community.

If you want to help us raise funds, while enjoying a good time, come to the Eastern Star Strawberry Tea, this Saturday, at the Elks Hall, in Oliver. Our men will serve you in their tuxedos and later on serenade you as the Soggy Bottom Boys. We will also be holding a bbq, outside Buy Low on July 1st, 10.00 – 1.00pm to raise money for SOSS student bursar