Rumor has it that "you can get anything you want" in the parking lot of the Omar Shrine Temple on Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.A pair of undercover cops scored two jars of "apple pie" on March 15 after receiving a tip there were illegal alcohol sales going on at an outdoor party at the Temple, the Charleston Post and Courier reported on March 26.
Apple Pie is the name 73-year old Bro. C.A. Gatlin, a longtime Shriner serving as master of ceremonies for the annual St. Patrick's Day Hillbilly Clan No. 82 celebration, calls his concoction of grain alcohol boiled with apple cider, apple juice, brown sugar and cinnamon sticks, police said.
Bro. Gatlin and his 55-year old girlfriend were arrested and have been charged with illegal sales of a legal liquor. Three more jars of the brown liquid were seized by police from a cooler at the party, and 58 more jars were found in the couple's home.
Bro. Verle Bohrn, Recorder for the Omar Temple, said Bro. Gatlin had been a Shriner for at least 30 years. He said the Apple Pie sales likely won't affect Bro. Gatlin's status, though "he might get a slap on the wrist a little bit, but that's about it."
Police also arrested five people in the parking lot for marijuana possession after seeing them smoking the illicit weed. One of the arrestees was also in possession of illegal mushrooms.
Bro. Bohrn was quick to point out that the potheads weren't members of the Shrine, saying — of course — that the Omar Shrine Temple doesn't condone that type of behavior.
Masons | Omar Shrine Temple | Small Town Freemasonry | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of South Carolina | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com
It's made from apples. Well, mainly apples..."
ReplyDelete-- Nanny Ogg
I fail to see any problem or issue here. Moonshining is an honorable tradition particularly in parts of the south.
ReplyDeleteAs far as violating your Masonic oath goes everyone reading this does that in some way (many of them illegal) everyday.
The truth is, there should be booze at most Masonic functions most importantly Blue Lodge because otherwise most modern men view the institution as one of a bunch of ninny old ladies.
I want to be at Lodge the night they pass out the 'shrooms!
ReplyDeleteTalk about "enlightenment"!
ReplyDeleteMake some tea out of the shrooms, brownies with the weed and some good old american apple pie!
cehawkes1 wrote:
ReplyDeleteThe truth is, there should be booze at most Masonic functions most importantly Blue Lodge because otherwise most modern men view the institution as one of a bunch of ninny old ladies.
This seems to be something particular to some American jurisdictions. None of my Lodges are dry and there's never been a problem having a beer after the meeting. It's never abused.
Some members don't indulge because they're diabetics or simply don't like alcohol. They're never ostracised.
http://justamason.blogspot.com
oh, alot of illogical stuff goes on only in american masonry?!
ReplyDeleteI would have tried the defense that it was just hot apple cider with a kick!
ReplyDeleteBut don't light a match around the stuff!!!
I just want to know if the "apple pie" was sold in MASON jars.
ReplyDelete-- Diogenes
Sounds like he had a pretty good business venture with that recipe. Maybe he can still get a license and make it legally next time. I would not mind trying his apple pie; it sounds good.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the story is not that what he was doing was illegal per se. The story is that he was not paying taxes on the sale of the liquor. The government does not like it when you do not give them their protection [cough]... I mean tax money.
George Washington was the largest whiskey producer in North America at one point..
ReplyDeleteYeah, Big George produced whiskey ad he wasn't paying taxes on it either but he got to be President.
ReplyDeleteBoy Howdy, how times have changed!
I don't know what this stuff is but it isn't moonshine. Based on the color it might be some kind of apple brandy (around 60-80 proof).
ReplyDeleteMoonshine is clear and made from corn and runs about 100-110 proof (sometimes higher).
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ReplyDeleteI'm with Howard - this ain't moonshine--it's a punch. As the article says, "it was store-bought booze mixed with other ingredients at home." You need a still to make moonshine, like these fun loving folks.
ReplyDeleteAt least Bro:. George Washington was making the real stuff.
I would have to believe that the police have so many other issues to deal with than the sale of moonshine.
ReplyDeleteI'm not defending the actions here but my god there is murder, theft hardcore violence, etc.. going on and this is what is making news.
I think gas being at $3.50/gallon is more criminal than this!
Cory
I'm with Cory. Gas at $3.50 per gallon is a real crime!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAsk George Washington about the Whiskey Rebellion.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Washington also grew the wacky tobaccky those "non-Shriners" were enjoying in front of the Temple.
ReplyDeleteI'm proud to be a toker in such an estimable Masonic lineage!