FWIW, my late father was a Mason. It was the thing to do in the late 1940s and 50s. Interestingly, he told my brothers not to enter DeMolay or bother joining the Masons. He also wouldn't allow me and my sister to join Rainbow girls. My older brother believes our dad was just a pancake turner at fund-raisers, never got to a high degree, but maybe knew some darker stuff, hence his not getting his children involved.
No hints until much later when my siblings and I discussed it after his death when we were going through his things. I do know from my Mom that Dad didn't care for some of the higher-up Masonic members - one of whom my sister suspected molested his daughter's friend who she knew from high school! Dad was with the organization for about 20 years, basically turning pancakes at fund raisers, but stopped being active well before he passed.
Rainbow was for the girls. I think it had another name - something with a star in it. I remember a neighbor lady whose Mason husband knew my dad coming to our home trying to convince me to join Rainbow Girls. She emphasized that it would make me a lady...and they had dance balls and other social opportunities with the DeMolay boys! I thought it sounded lame. Totally uncool. My parents found out about her visit and said no to my joining. Not that I was interested. :-)
That's it - Eastern Star! It was the masonic women's auxiliary. Rainbow was for younger, unmarried girls.
My parents were pretty firm in us not joining. My dad originally joined the Masons because some big shots flattered him with an offer of membership. It's was obvious he regretted joining and was not very enthusiastic after a time.
Masons indeed!
FWIW, my late father was a Mason. It was the thing to do in the late 1940s and 50s. Interestingly, he told my brothers not to enter DeMolay or bother joining the Masons. He also wouldn't allow me and my sister to join Rainbow girls. My older brother believes our dad was just a pancake turner at fund-raisers, never got to a high degree, but maybe knew some darker stuff, hence his not getting his children involved.
How comes you weren't allowed to join Rainbows out of interest? Or did you get no hint at all as to why you shouldn't?
No hints until much later when my siblings and I discussed it after his death when we were going through his things. I do know from my Mom that Dad didn't care for some of the higher-up Masonic members - one of whom my sister suspected molested his daughter's friend who she knew from high school! Dad was with the organization for about 20 years, basically turning pancakes at fund raisers, but stopped being active well before he passed.
Yup. That's what it is.
Rainbow was for the girls. I think it had another name - something with a star in it. I remember a neighbor lady whose Mason husband knew my dad coming to our home trying to convince me to join Rainbow Girls. She emphasized that it would make me a lady...and they had dance balls and other social opportunities with the DeMolay boys! I thought it sounded lame. Totally uncool. My parents found out about her visit and said no to my joining. Not that I was interested. :-)
That's it - Eastern Star! It was the masonic women's auxiliary. Rainbow was for younger, unmarried girls.
My parents were pretty firm in us not joining. My dad originally joined the Masons because some big shots flattered him with an offer of membership. It's was obvious he regretted joining and was not very enthusiastic after a time.
Eastern Star.
Yup. Thanks!
Thatbis strange because the masons have a saying, if you wanna be one ask one.
They don't profess tondonoutreaxh unless someone wants to ask them about it.