Illus. Bros. Morris & DeHoyos Speaking In DC

The Lodge of Perfection of the Washington DC Scottish Rite invites all Scottish Rite Masons to attend the October 2nd meeting of Mithras Lodge of Perfection. The "Special Guest Speakers" for the evening will be the Managing Editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33° GC, and the Grand Archivist and Grand Historian, Ill. Arturo de Hoyos, 33° GC. These distinguished Masonic Scholars will be discussing their newly released book, "The Most Secret Mysteries of the High Degrees of Masonry Unveiled". Copies of this new book will be available after the meeting. Dinner will be served starting at 6:15 pm, and the program will open at 7:30 pm. This program is only open for Scottish Rite Brethren 14° and higher.

Los Angeles Scottish Rite Cathedral

The Curbed website in Los Angeles presents a unique article about the abandoned Los Angeles Scottish Rite Cathedral on Wilshire Blvd., written by the architect Millard Sheets.

Have a look here.

The Scottish Rite Masonic Temple on Wilshire is probably the most mysterious Millard Sheets building (and one of the more mysterious in LA). It's been on and off the market for years (currently seems to be off), and seems pretty hard to get inside--when we called to ask about a tour, we were told that we'd need a city permit to visit. According to a 1994 LA Times article, the building "housed National Guard troops during the 1992 riots and has been used for funerals of police officers." Who knows what secrets this place holds? Masons, obviously, are known for being pretty secretive. Either way, the building is super cool; we'll let Sheets tell you the story of what it is and how it got there...

Be sure to look through the photos. It's a magnificent building, with a very uncertain future. It has long been the subject of a battle with the neighborhood over parking, which limits its future use to a potential buyer. It's prime real estate, which probably means a wrecking ball is its fate.

NASCAR Model Benefits Shriners Hospitals

Shriners Hospitals are selling a limited edition model NASCAR as a fund raiser, featuring driver David Ragan's car. The 1/24th scale model is based on his #34 Ford Fusion from the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Sylvania 300 race in New Hampshire. All die-cast cars will be autographed by driver David Ragan. The price is $29.95. See the website for details.

GL of Indiana Trip To Washington DC

For my Indiana brethren:

Four (4) days left to make reservations for the Grand Lodge Bus Trip to the Washington DC area. Depart Thursday Oct 25, 2012 at 8 AM from the Marriott at 21st and Shadeland. We will arrive in Alexandria, VA for dinner near the Court Yard by Marriott across the street from The George Washington Memorial where your room will look out at the GW for your stay Thursday evening Friday, Saturday departing Sunday morning.

Friday we will visit and lay a wreath at George Washington's tomb, tour the Grist Mill and Distillery at Mt. Vernon. That evening is dinner in the George Washington Memorial after which a personal tour and visit the top where we will view the lights of Alexandria and Washington DC.

Saturday we will visit and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and visit the National Cathedral before lunch. We will then visit the Mall where we will visit FDR's Memorial, the Vietnam, WWII, and Korean War Memorials. Return to the hotel where we will eat at a restaurant near the hotel.

The cost is $1,000.00 per couple or $750.00 for singles. Included in the price are the following: the bus, snacks, hotel, breakfast each day at the hotel, Friday, Mt. Vernon tours and lunch, George Washington Memorial tours and dinner in the GW. Saturday all tours are included, lunch at the Mall and dinner are at your expense. Questions or reservations: Please contact Irv Bitting by Sunday evening September 23 at 219-789-5231.

Fraternally,

George A. Ingles, Jr.
Grand Master

Veritas Chapter No. 103 R.A.M. Chapter Penny

Veritas Chapter No. 103, the first "Traditional Observance" Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the state of Oklahoma has minted 100 Chapter pennies. This original run will be the only ones with this specific design (each run shall have a slightly modified design). This was a custom design created by their Chapter -- you won't see these anywhere else. Each one is 4.3 ounces and 2.5" x 2.5" at the widest and tallest points. The Chapter is making these available to the public. Each coin is $20 including shipping & handling (for US addresses only). You may order one (or more) by sending $20 via PayPal to darkdan@aol.com along with your mailing address.

GLNF Elects New GM; UGLE Yanks Recognition

Jean-Pierre Servel was elected on September 10th as the new Grand Master of the Grande Loge Nationale Frainçaise, replacing the embattled François Stifani, but that has not prevented the United Grand Lodge of England two days later from de-recognizing them. Serval is seen by many French Masons as a continuation of the Stifani officer's line.

The GLNF has lost nearly a third of its membership over the Stifani flap, and the majority of the world's grand lodges have yanked recognition of the grand lodge, leaving France without a regular, recognized branch of Masonry for the majority of brethren.

Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge 10/27

The 2012 Fall session of the Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge will be held on Saturday, October 27th, in the Deike Auditorium of the Masonic Cultural Center on the campus of Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Registration will open at 8:30 AM with the program beginning at 9:30 AM. A lunch (voluntary contribution) will be served at noon and the program will be completed by 3:00 PM. All Masons are welcome to attend. Dress is coat and tie.

The Speakers for the day are:
 • Brother Alton G. Roundtree, Past Master of Redemption Lodge No. 24 PHA (District of Columbia) and coauthor of Out of the Shadows: The Emergence of Prince Hall Freemasonry in America.

 • Brother Andrew Hammer, Past Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 (Virginia) and author of Observing the Craft: The Pursuit of Excellence in Masonic Labour and Observance.

 The great objective in Freemasonry is to gain useful knowledge, and the Academy provides a great opportunity for the Brethren to learn and to understand more about the significance of the Craft. Plan to attend and bring a Brother or two along with you. Pre-registration is required. To pre-register, e-mail Brother Shawn D'Ignazio at dignazio@yahoo.com with your name, address, Lodge number, and telephone.

Grand Lodge of Sweden

The Grand Lodge of Sweden has a new website, with much information in English. Have a look here and read about this very unique Christian-based style of Freemasonry.

In 1756, Carl Fredrik Eckleff together with six Brethren formed the Scottish Lodge L’Innocente in Stockholm, working in so called Scottish St Andrew´s degrees. The next step in the development of Swedish Freemasonry was taken by Eckleff in 1759, when he established a Grand Chapter in Stockholm. Eckleff who was an employee of the Swedish Foreign Office, held a foreign patent authorizing him to form Lodges. It has not been possible to ascertain the date and place of origin of the patent and of the rituals. The Grand Lodge of Sweden was established in 1760.

Eckleff moulded a Freemasonry system on a Christian basis. The moral philosophy of the Swedish Rite was further developed by Duke Carl, later King Carl XIII, who succeeded to Eckleff as the Swedish Masonic leader. By two major ritual revisions in 1780 and 1800 he created a logical Masonic system with ten degrees. The Rite is truly progressive and continuous. Each degree leads to the next and each sums up the contents of the preceding degrees.

Adam Kendall in Burbank

On September 4 at 8:30pm Adam Kendall will be speaking at the Burbank Shrine Club meeting at Mo's Restaurant 4301 West Riverside Drive Burbank, CA 91505

The topic will be, "Building Temples or Hovels? The Importance of Preserving Masonic Material Culture"

NOTE: Shiners are welcome to attend the business meeting from 7.30-8.15pm ALL are welcome for dinner, drinks and lecture starting at 8.30pm. The lecture is FREE and is open to all, and will be Adam's only scheduled SoCAL date for the remainder of 2012.

Adam Kendall is the Curator of Collections for the Henry Wilson Coil Library & Museum of Freemasonry for the Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of California.

Please contact Simon McIlroy simon.mcilroy@gmail.com or David Williams hotdjdave@yahoo.com for reservations.

Vitruvius and the Master Mason’s Secret

From the Maine Masonic College Facebook page:

On Saturday, September 15th, the Maine Masonic College will offer a class entitled, “Vitruvius and the Master Mason’s Secret.” Who or what, you may ask, is Vitruvius? Vitruvius was an architect—indeed, you may say the architect at the time of Julius Caesar. The class is to be held at HARWOOD Lodge in Machias. It will begin at 10:00 a.m. on September 15th and will end at 2:00 p.m. A light lunch will be served at a cost of $5.00. Please drop a line to gleighton44@gmail.com to insure proper arrangements can be made for lunch. If you have not attended one of the Maine Masonic College’s classes, you will probably find this to be an excellent introduction to the work of the College.

Michael Poll Still in the Dark

Cornerstone Book Publishing's editor and author Michael Poll who lives just outside of New Orleans reports that he is in Day 6 of having no electricity in the wake of Hurricane Issac, and the best estimate is that there will be no power until next Thursday. Keep Michael and all brethren in the Gulf area in your thoughts and prayers while they struggle through the hurricane's aftermath.

Next Saturday in Raleigh, NC

I will be speaking in Raleigh, North Carolina next Saturday, September 8th, 2012 at 7:00 PM at Hiram Lodge No. 40.

Freemasons and non-Freemasons alike are invited to attend this event - this is open to the public. Doors open at 7:00 PM for Refreshments, and talk begins at 7:30 PM in the Auditorium.

Where: 1520 Caswell Street Raleigh NC 27605

Cost: $15 (tickets can be purchased securely online at http://www.hiram40.org/an-evening-with-christopher-hodapp or from Hiram No. 40 members)

Seating is limited so tickets must be reserved in advance.

For more information or to reserve tickets, please contact Josh Lippy by email at info@Hiram40.org or call 919-656-5807

Looking forward to being there!

August Poll Results: Appendant Bodies

August poll results: If you could join only one appendant body besides your Blue Lodge, what would it be?

Royal Arch	230 (15%)
Cryptic Council	33 (2%)
Knights Templar	317 (20%)
Scottish Rite	525 (34%)
Allied Masonic Degrees	49 (3%)
Shriners	177 (11%)
Grotto	31 (2%)
Order of the Eastern Star	40 (2%)
Tall Cedars	10 (0%)
Widows Sons	56 (3%)
Other	63 (4%)

Poll closed. Thanks for voting.