YOUR COMMENTS

In response to Ryan - I'm a member of two lodges. Membership includes doctors, Wal-Mart night stock clerks, lawyers, insurance salesmen, building contractors, and farmers. Few are rich. Regardless of occupation, all give of their time and money to charitable causes. If you're a good man, contact your local lodge and find out more. You'll be pleasantly surprised. It is character, not wealth, that determines eligibility for membership.
- Mike Young, Plano, TX

Clearly Ryan and others are clueless about Masonry. It is ignorant attacks like these which injure the Order. Masons and Masonic lodges exist for the betterment of their members, the community, and world around us. Millions of dollars are given with no strings attached to numerous masonic charities. By giving most all of this money from various fundraising activities by definition Masonry is not rich except for the good that is done by their giving. Because of the "Ancient and Symbolic" nature of Freemasonry many are ignorant of the width and breadth of how Freemasonry improves the world around us. To learn more about Free Masonry go to this link and search by town, lodge number, or name and make contact in your local area. You will not regret your actions and it just may change your life. Sincerely, Kevin S. a proud Freemason
- Kevin S., Andover, NH

The Masonic Home is a private institution. They are the last of the homes ,which included the Gale Home and The Womans Aid Home, that required you to bequeath your entire estate to them to take care of you the rest of your life. You cannot own anything after acceptance there. Not too many people are prepared to do that in these times. This is the guests 'home', it is not a nursing home per se.
- Cathleen, Goffstown

Maybe they should have spoken earlier and made themselves known. I can bet that the younger generation of this city is not aware they could join.
- Janet, Manchester

Ryan....are you kidding me??? First they do alot for the community that goes un-noticed, donating food and money to all the local efforts. The masons ever ask you for money? Most of the money is raised within each lodge by members from members. They are not like the catholic money, just because they are an old fraturnity doesn't they have money........ You need to get you facts straight before you speek........
- Pete, Rochester

The Masons do alot with very little, the local Lodges donate to all the local shelters and food pantries. The Shriners Hospital, Masonic Homes. Have you ever seen the asking for funds??? You all can do a lot to just donate or join you local lodge. Call John at the Grand Lodge and he will turn you in the right direction. It is for the good of the community.
- Pete, Rochester

Ryan,
The Freemasons are just like any other non-profit right now, they are all struggling. Plus, the membership is dwindling down because people are not joining. My father is a member, and his lodge is getting smaller and smaller. Plus, they don’t have much money as people suspect. I wish they were as wealthy as the Catholic Church, they could bale us out! It will be sad to see the home shut down and to see the fraternity loose another cause.
- Megan, Manchester

I completely respect the people who are involved with the Masons. My only problem is that I see this just like the Catholic Church. These are some of the richest institutions people! It’s a well known fact that the Masons are very well off financially. But we are not allowed to ask them how much they have because it’s against the law. Hmmm. Interesting. If they don’t want to take care of there own then they are just as bad as the Vatican!
- Ryan, Manchester

I have lived in this city all my life. Both of my grandfathers, my father, and everyone of my uncles were Masons. I was always under the assumption that only Mason's and their family's could go there. If they were to make it known that anyone can go to the Masonic Home I bet it would fill up quickly.
- Russ, Manchester

Actually, John A. if Nate is a Mason, you can ask him!
- Kevin B, Nashua, NH

Nate - I don't personally know any masons so I can't become a member. At least that's what I have read.
- John A., Manchester, NH

Well at least FreddieD hit the nail on the head!
- EDC, Wilton

There is something you can do....Join Freemasonry...We fund the home and the Shriners hospitals out of pocket...Join us or one of our concordant orders and help do something good for the community...Contact your local lodge for information please...
- Nate, Windham, NH

Look out neighbors the city may descend on this property with stimulus money and you may not like the reason why.

Greg Barrett
Kas-Bar Realty
- Greg Barrett, Manchester

It was an incredible undertaking for the Masons to operate such great resource for the prople of New Hampshire. I'm sure closing the facility was a very difficult decision for the Grand Lodge to make.
- rmp2008, Litchfield

I'm sorry to here this. The home has helped a great meany people over the years. Can the People of N.H. help in any way?
- Barbara R, Alton, N.H.

Come on! It’s been struggling for years and now it’s time to close? Why didn’t they do anything years ago? Stop blaming the economy for poor management and lack of vision.
- FreddyD, Goffstown

That's sad to hear. The masons do a lot of good things. Is there anything people can do to help?
- John A., Manchester, NH