January 4, 2008

Stamford has the honor of being home to one of the oldest Masonic Lodges in the country, established in 1763 as Union Lodge No. 5 A.F. & A.M. As the organization gears up for its historic 250th anniversary, its members have unanimously elected Mr. Domenic Corbo, a well-known and respected Stamford resident, as their leader for 2008.

Mr. Corbo formerly owned and operated Smoking Sounds, a popular music and cigar store on High Ridge Road in Stamford . In 1992, he helped the Norwalk-based comic book and graphic novel publisher Dream Factory go public, the result being the company reached market goals in 22 locations nationally.

Mr. Corbo is married and resides with his wife Zoë, two year old daughter and 12 year old step-son in Stamford . He remains active within the Italian community, working as a Stamford Youth Basketball League coach, and serving separate terms as President and Secretary of the Stamford Bocce League.

At the close of 2007, Mr. Corbo was elected to a leadership position known as Worshipful Master, a role and title that harkens back to the ancient origins of the Freemasons as stone workers. The language and symbols of the trade of stone masonry are still used in Lodges around the world. Members refer to each other as Brothers, and are initiated as Entered Apprentices, then later raised to position of a Master mason. "Worshipful" is a 16th century title of respect that remains in used with regard to Judges.

"The office of Worshipful Master is critical to maintain the dignity and high moral standards to which Masons subscribe," says Mr. Corbo. "I pray for the wisdom and strength to best serve my Brothers who entrusted me with this honorable title and its responsibilities."

Assisting Mr. Corbo as Master for 2008 are Mr. Ken Robertson as Senior Warden and Mr.Stephen Petri as Junior Warden.

Freemasons have long been popularized in movies and books as a secret society.

"In reality, Masons are regular men of good character, focused on brotherhood and community service," says Mr. Corbo.

"We do work in the local community and around the world. For example, Union Lodge No. 5 runs a free child identification program to help parents and police trace and identify missing children. Likewise, Masons reach people globally through their work. We’re all very proud of the positive differences we make in the lives of others."

"I feel privileged to be a Mason and meet others who prize fellowship and mutual support," he adds. "We work first to make ourselves into better men, within the context of each individual’s personal faith, to best serve our families and the community as a whole."

Freemasons come from all walks of life, from Presidents like George Washington (and 13 other presidents) to musicians like Louis Armstrong. Other notable Freemasons include Benjamin Franklin; Lewis & Clarke; 35 Supreme Court Justices; Mozart; the Marquis de Lafayette; Charles Lindbergh; Buffalo Bill; John Wayne; Neal Armstrong, Harry Houdini; General Douglas MacArthur; the Ringling Brothers, Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Ford, and Winston Churchill.

In its early years, the Lodge was one of several in Stamford . It originally received its Charter from the Grand Lodge of New York in 1763, many years prior to both the American Revolution and the founding of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. It has survived world wars, the Great Depression, and the gradual closure or consolidation of many other Lodges. Today, approaching its 250th anniversary in 2013, Union Lodge No. 5 is seeing a resurgence of local interest in Freemasonry.

Today, Masons are thriving in nearly every free nation of the world. The Brothers of Union Lodge No. 5 are well aware of their place in Masonic history and the upcoming 250th anniversary of their beloved Lodge. They are delighted that their new leader has set as his goal to "ready the Lodge" for 2013. Mr. Corbo has pledged to work tirelessly to position the Lodge to endure for at least another 250 years so all current and future members may benefit themselves through brotherhood and serve the community of Stamford .

An installation ceremony to honor Mr. Corbo and his line of officers will be held at 8:00 PM on January 11, 2008 at The Italian Center of Stamford . This is one of the only Masonic rituals that is open to the media and the public.