South Shore Long Beach Lodge #1126 F.&A.M

Freemasonry, The Marine Corps., and Tun Tavern Tun Tavern: Ask any Marine. Just ask. He will tell you that the Marine Corps was born in Tun Tavern on 10 N...ovember 1775. But, beyond that the Marine's recollection for detail will probably get fuzzy. So, here is the straight scoop: In the year 1685, Samuel Carpenter built a huge "brew house" in Philadelphia. He located this tavern on the waterfront at the corner of Water Street and Tun Alley. The old English word tunmeans a cask, barrel, or keg of beer. So, with his new beer tavern on Tun Alley, Carpenter elected to christen the new waterfront brewery with a logical name, Tun Tavern. Tun Tavern quickly gained a reputation for serving fine beer. Beginning 47 years later in 1732, the first meetings of the St. John's No. 1 Lodge of the Grand Lodge of the Masonic Temple were held in the tavern. An American of note, Benjamin Franklin, was its third Grand Master. Even today the Masonic Temple of Philadelphia recognizes Tun Tavern as the birthplace of Masonic teachings in America. Roughly ten years later in the early 1740s, the new proprietor expanded Tun Tavern and gave the addition a new name, "Peggy Mullan's Red Hot Beef Steak Club at Tun Tavern." The new restaurant became a smashing commercial success and was patronized by notable Americans. In 1747 the St. Andrews Society, a charitable group dedicated to assisting poor immigrants from Scotland, was founded in the tavern. Nine years later, then Col. Benjamin Franklin organized the Pennsylvania Militia. He used Tun Tavern as a gathering place to recruit a regiment of soldiers to go into battle against the Indian uprisings that were plaguing the American colonies. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the Continental Congress later met in Tun Tavern as the American colonies prepared for independence from the English Crown. On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress commissioned Samuel Nicholas to raise two Battalions of Marines. That very day, Nicholas set up shop in Tun Tavern. He appointed Robert Mullan, then the proprietor of the tavern, to the job of chief Marine Recruiter -- serving, of course, from his place of business at Tun Tavern. Prospective recruits flocked to the tavern, lured by (1) cold beer and (2) the opportunity to serve in the new Corps of Marines. So, yes, the U.S. Marine Corps was indeed born in Tun Tavern. Needless to say, both the Marine Corps and the tavern thrived during this new relationship. Tun Tavern still lives today. And, Tun Tavern beer is still readily available throughout the Philadelphia area. Further, through magazines it is advertised to Marines throughout the world. (excerpt from Warrior Culture of the U.S. Marines, copyright 2001 Marion F. Sturkey) #FreemasonrySquared

Today in Masonic History Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller is born in 1759. Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German playwright. Schiller was born on November 10th, 1759 in Marbach, Württemberg, Germany. He was the son of a military doctor and the family eventually traveled with the father when Schiller got older. At the time of Schiller's birth, his father was a soldier in the seven years war and was away when Schiller was born. The family was strongly reli...Continue reading

Happy birthday to the United States Marine Corps.

Today in Masonic History Ed Wynn was born in 1886. Ed Wynn was an American actor and comedian. Wynn was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 9th, 1886. He was born Isaiah Edwin Leopold. He attended Central High School in Philadelphia until the age of 15 when he ran away from home. He worked as a hat salesman and utility boy after running away. When he started to perform he adapted his middle name for his stage name changing "Edwin" to Ed Wynn. He did this to spare h...Continue reading

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Today in Masonic History we discuss the Cornucopia. The Cornucopia is a symbol of plenty and abundance. The Cornucopia as a symbol of abundance and of nourishment that stretches back to Classical Antiquity (a period of time in the Mediterranean that generally encompasses the Greco-Roman period). It is most commonly associated with Zeus, King of the Greek gods. When Zeus was born he was hidden away by his mother to prevent Kronos, his father, from eating him, as he did Zeus' s...iblings. Kronos in doing this was trying to prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy that one of his children would destroy him. While Zeus was in hiding from his father, he was fed and cared for by various divine attendants including Amalthea (the Nourishing Goddess) who appeared in the form of a goat. The legend states that Zeus accidentally broke off one her horns. Later he gave the horn to the world of man as it would provide whatever was desired. In other myths of the period, Heracles (the Roman equivalent of Hercules) broke off the horn of a river god, with similar results as Amalthea's horn. The Cornucopia is associated with a variety of gods and goddesses around the Mediterranean. The one Greek God that the Cornucopia is associated that is probably most fascinating to Freemasons, is it's association with Pluto, god of the underworld. This version of the God of the Underworld, formerly Hades, was taught in the Mystery Religions, sometimes called the sacred mysteries or mysteries. The Mystery Religions of the Greco-Roman world were religious schools that were only for the initiates. At least one source about the Mystery Religions states that "The main characterization of this religion is the secrecy associated with the particulars of the initiation and the ritual practice, which may not be revealed to outsiders." Pluto, probably to show the difference between him and Hades, is often depicted holding a Cornucopia in contrast to Hades who is depicted holding a drinking horn. Pluto was the giver of agriculture, mineral and spiritual wealth. In modern times the Cornucopia has been adopted the world over as a symbol of prosperity and abundance. This is especially true in North America. In Canada an annual festival called Cornucopia is held. In several Central and South American countries the Cornucopia is depicted on their coat of arms. In the United States several states have the Cornucopia on their state flags and on state seals. It is most closely tied in the United States with the Thanksgiving Holiday. For Freemasons the Cornucopia is most commonly known as the symbol for the stewards who are stationed in the Masonic South. The Masonic South is tied with nourishment of the brothers. Often one of the duties of the stewards is to help with meal preparation and other times when nourishment is provided to the members of the lodge. See more

Brethren and friends, join us in wishing our November born brethren a very happy birthday!!

2nd degree assignments January 27th, 2021 WM Michael Pedersen SW Davin Goldman JW Tom Yovino ... SD Frank Sforza JD Rob Robinson SMC Bill Fotey JMC Al Vargas SS Andre Thomas JS Juan Rodriguez Marshall Leigh Pollet Chaplain George Kivowitz Musician David MacDonald Tiler George Geller Middle chamber lecture Frank Sforza Working tools Cisco Castillo Charge Davin Goldman Q's and a's Andre Thomas and Al Vargas

Today in Masonic History William Stukeley was born in 1687. William Stukeley was a British antiquarian and researcher. Stukeley was born November 7th, 1687 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, England. He attended Corpus Cristi College in Cambridge and received his Bachelor of Medicine. He moved to London to study medicine at St. Thomas' Hospital. In 1710, Stukeley moved to Boston, Lincolnshire and started a practice. While there he became a member of the Spalding Gentleman's Society. ...Continue reading

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Today in Masonic History Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich is born in 1841. Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich was an American politician. Aldrich was born on November 6th, 1841 in Foster, Rhode Island. He attended public schools in East Killingly, Connecticut and the East Greenwich Academy, a boarding school in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.... Aldrich's first job was a clerk for the largest wholesale grocer in Rhode Island at the time. He worked his way up through the ranks in the store to become a partner. When the American Civil War began, Aldrich enlisted in the Army. He served in the 10th Rhode Island Infantry. Aldrich's unit served for three months at Fort DeRussy protecting Washington D.C. After the three month tour, Aldrich left the service and returned to Rhode Island. In 1869, Aldrich served on the Providence City Council. He served on the Council for 5 years, two of those years he was the President of the Council. He also served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1875 and 1876. He was Speaker of the House in 1876. In 1878, Aldrich won election to the United States House of Reprentatives. He served one term from 1879 to 1881. In 1881, he was elected by the Rhode Island Legislature to serve in the United States Senate. He became the longest serving Senator from Rhode Island up to that point with 30 years in the Senate. Overall he is the second longest serving Senator from Rhode Island. In the 1890's Aldrich became one of the "Big Four" Republicans in the Senate. Aldrich, along with the other three, controlled most of the major decisions in the Senate. While in the Senate Aldrich served on a variety of committees. He also opposed the United States entering the Spanish-American War. Probably the most significant item atributed to Aldrich came after the Panic of 1907. During the Panic, which lasted three weeks, the New York Stock Exchange lost 50% of it's value from the peak of the previous year. After the Panic, Aldrich led a group of experts who went to Europe to study the banking systems there. Aldrich was convinced that European nations had superior banking systems. In 1908 the Aldrich-Vreeland Act was passed which established the National Monetary Commission, which Aldrich chaired. The Aldrich-Vreeland Act and the European fact finding mission led to the establishment of the Federal Reserve in 1914, three years after Aldrich left the Senate. Aldrich passed away on April 16th, 1915. Aldrich was a member of What Cheer Lodge No. 21 in Providence. He also served as Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.