Friday, August 05, 2022
Minnesota's Mankato Lodge 12 Complete's Major Remodeling
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Michael Poll To Speak To Louisiana's New Goose & Gridiron Lodge 1717 Festive Board Saturday 7/30/22
Master Masons are invited to come learn more about Louisiana's peculiar Masonic history and the Scottish Rite Ritual and Degrees unique to our state, most specifically the New Orleans area.
Visiting Master Masons will be presented with education regarding the Scottish Rite esoteric work in lodge, with an open presentation to follow at the Festive Board.
At 7:30PM, W∴B∴ Michael Poll, P∴M∴, Masonic Historian and Publisher, will present "The Other Scottish Rite Degrees: A little of what we know and don't know about the Louisiana Scottish Rite Craft Lodges" to those assembled as well as online viewers via Zoom at this link bit.ly/GG1717_SRTALK
NOTE: This will be a public talk and nothing will be discussed that is the reserved for a properly tilled lodge.
There will be a catered meal for $15 a plate for those who would like to eat during the Festive Board. If you plan to attend in person please RSVP at this link: bit.ly/GG1717_RSVP1
Goose & Gridiron No. 1717 is the only lodge in Louisiana outside of the 16th Masonic District working in this ritual, and the only Traditional Observance lodge in the US designated as a "Scottish Rite Craft Lodge."
Visiting Brethren, please note: G&G No. 1717 has a dress code of a dark colored suit for business meeting attendees. Non-Master Masons may attend the festive board presentation.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Indiana Historical Society's 'History Happy Hour': Freemasons In Indiana Today
Join Michael Brumback and Chris Hodapp of the Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana for a discussion on the history of Indiana's Freemasons and see highlights from the Museum’s collection.
"From our founding fathers to several Presidents, the legacy of the Masons has profoundly impacted the United States; but what do we know about them? Join Michael Brumback, President of the Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana, for a discussion on the history of the Indiana Masons and see highlights from the museum’s collection."This is a free program. 'History Happy Hour' takes place virtually over Zoom. You can either join through an internet-connected device or calling-in via phone.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Indiana Historical Society collects and preserves Indiana’s unique stories; brings Hoosiers together in remembering and sharing the past; and inspires a future grounded in our state’s uniting values and principles. IHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.
IHS is headquartered in the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center in Indianapolis.
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
BBQ For The Brain in Nashville August 12-14: Randall Carlson and "The Ancient Art Of Design"
"In [a recent post] you mentioned how some lodges are focused on community involvement and fundraising, and others are focusing on education and the esoteric. This is our attempt to blend the two. We hope this is a new model that still provides events for the public and charitable fundraising while focusing on Masonic philosophy, education, and bringing light to the world. Consider this a "BBQ for the brain" :)
We are hosting a workshop with Brother Randall Carlson titled:
There will be a Masons Only Friday night dinner and presentation titled Freemasonry and Sacred Geometry, and a workshop on Saturday and Sunday that is open to the public. Sunday will conclude with a tour of Nashville's Parthenon, the only full scale replica of the Parthenon in the world.
The schedule is as follows:
Friday August 12, 2022
- 6 - 7:30pm Freemasons Only Presentation
- 7:30pm Freemasons Only Dinner
- 7:30 Registration Begins
- 8 - 9am Breakfast On-Site
- 9 - 11:30am Workshop
- 11:30 - 1pm Lunch Break
- 1 - 6pm Workshop
- 6 - 7:30pm Dinner On-Site
- 8 - 9am Breakfast
- 9 - 11am Workshop
- 11 - 12pm Lunch
- 12:00 - 2pm Tour of the Nashville Parthenon
There is a livestream option for the workshop for those who can't join us in person.
The promo video, tickets and all information can be found at: https://www.westnashvillephoenix.org/geometry
The direct link to the video is https://youtu.be/EmB_-MATt60
Saturday, July 16, 2022
South Pasadena Masonic Lodge's Masonic Con 2022: "Masonry in the New Millennium" July 22-24
In addition to myself, speakers include:
- Jaime Paul Lamb - "The Archetypal Temple"
- Robert G. Davis - "It is Time to Cross the Rubicon and Battle Our 20th Century Ruffians"
- Chuck Dunning - "Nurturing the Renaissance of Masonry in the 21st Century"
- Brad Drew - "The Masonic Legacy Society"
- Chris Murphy - “Upon the Tablets of his Heart”: Creating Harmony through Masonic Myth-making"
- Kirk White - "Nones in the Temple"
- Akram Elias - "The Masonic Legacy Society"
- Michael Jarzabek - "The Masonic Legacy Society"
- Angel Millar - "Manhood and Freemasonry"
- Rod Duncan - "Innovations In Masonry"
- Cesar Rubio - ""Innovations In Masonry"
Three Masonic films will be screened during this weekend, followed by an audience Q&A featuring at least one of the filmmakers.
- Brian T. Evans - "The Masonic Table: The Art of Dining in Freemasonry"
- Mitch Horowitz - "The Kybalion: Hermeticism(s) and Modern Spirituality"
Moderators for the weekend include:
- Erik Strom
- Robert Johnson
- Ian E. Laurelin
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Journal of the Masonic Society: The Future of Freemasonry and What We Have to Offer
Editor Michael Poll has once again assembled a fine lineup of articles this issue:
• The Lively Career of Brother William Robinson: a.k.a. Chung Ling Soo by Triston Wilkinson• A Qabalistic Interpretation of Freemasonry by Rodney McGillvary• A Treasure Hunt in the Archives of Lodge 43 by Nathaniel Gilchrist• One and Twenty by M.C. Lee• On the Esoteric Masonic Nature of Psalm 127


North American Masons have been splitting between the actively social lodges that concentrate on family activities, community outreach and service, breakfasts, fund raising and other similar pursuits, versus a growing number of more philosophical, esoteric-minded, contemplative lodges (that can go by several labels, including traditional observance, observant style, epicurean, European concept, or 'best practices' lodges).
Central to Regan’s piece are the writings of the late Tom Jackson, Past Grand Secretary of Pennsylvania, who spent the overwhelming majority of his long Masonic career urging the fraternity to actively seek out better leaders, embrace Masonic scholarship (while rejecting sensationalistic fairy tales and conspiracies), and most important, return to our longstanding demands for better standards of conduct, work and achievement that used to demonstrate that the Masons really were worthy of being known as the movers and shakers in their communities.
Ultimately, the conclusion WB Regan comes to is that to thrive in 21st century society, it’s long past time we stop pretending that Freemasonry is monolithic worldwide (or nationwide, or even statewide), and to embrace the wide variety of lodges and their individual cultures and interests that have been developing. Just as it did in the late 1700s in England, we have room for both the knife & fork (or ‘leg o’ mutton’) lodges that love the pancake breakfasts, the chili and bean suppers, family nights, golf tournaments, Hawaiian shirt nights, etc, as well as the ‘blue stocking’ (tuxedo) lodges that explore the esoteric side of Masonic philosophy, concentrate on Masonic and philosophical scholarship, or who delight in the old fashioned customs of the formal festive boards.
I obviously can’t do justice to his piece here, and for the time being, it’s only available to members of the Masonic Society in its Journal. If you aren’t a member or subscriber, visit masonicsociety.com .
- US Membership is US$45.00/yr
- Canadian Membership (Canadian mailing addresses): US$49.00/yr
- Overseas Membership (non-US/Canada): US$67.00/yr.
- Lodges, libraries and institutions, as well as Masons unrecognized by COGMMNA lodges may subscribe to the magazine alone for the same price.
Monday, July 11, 2022
Tennessee Masonic Lodge Destroyed: Local Firefighter Charged With Six Arson Fires
A Tennessee volunteer firefighter allegedly set a series of suspicious fires that burned a church, Masonic Lodge and other buildings in a small community over the past month.
Leslie Roy Winchester, 19, was arrested in connection to multiple fires that were set in the community of Waverly beginning in June, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said.
The first fire linked to Winchester happened last month in the 5500 block of Bakerville Road in Waverly, the TBI said. Four other suspicious fires occurred between July 1 and July 8 at various locations in the community.
Buildings damaged or destroyed in the fires included a church, Masonic Lodge, a former fire hall and a vacant house, according to authorities.
The town of Waverly is located about 65 miles west of Nashville, with a population of about 4,000. All of the fires occurred in remote, rural locations, which made pumping water to douse the flames almost impossible. One firefighter was transported to the hospital after suffering an arm and knee injury while fighting the flames at the Cotton Valley Lodge. The Glenwood Church of Christ on Pumpkin Creek Road was also destroyed.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officers identified Leslie Winchester as the suspect in the case, and he was booked into the Humphreys County Jail on a $1,746,000 bond. Winchester is a volunteer firefighter, but no motive has been suggested by authorities. He was arrested and charged with three counts of arson, three counts of aggravated arson, six counts of criminal trespassing, and six counts of vandalism in excess of $10,000.Sunday, July 10, 2022
Affinity Lodges: UGLE Charters Science Fiction & Fantasy Lodge 10016
"If you can get enough Master Masons who like to dress up like train engineers and who want to start Lionel Lodge No. 769, or whatever the number is now, let the cheer go up and celebrate the chartering of a new lodge. These guys have something in common, they want to pull together and appeal to a particular group of men whose interests are not antithetical to the fraternity and who might just bring quality men into Freemasonry. Don't fight it, embrace it, promote it."
"There are many special interests lodges in the UK, an F1 Lodge, a rugby lodge, etc. For the members it is a way to marry two of their greatest passions which can only serve to strengthen the Lodge and the fraternity in general. We had over 130 in attendance at our consecration, with a growing list of joining members as well as eager visitors. With the exception of a few specific implements in the Lodge, as seen in the photos, the ritual and the Lodges meeting will be conducted the same as any other. Where we hope to truly set ourselves apart will be at the festive boards as well as our social events."
- Bartimaeus Lodge U.D. ("under dispensation") was organized in the 1960s specifically to help lodges in the state to confer the degrees of Masonry on handicapped and disabled candidates.
- Transylvania Lodge U.D. was formed to meet once a year (on or around Halloween) in order to operate a blood drive. Its Master, Bob Hilgediek, was an extraordinarily tall man with a gaunt face and was affectionately as 'Drac' – he presided over their annual meetings dressed in an appropriate long black cloak. A blood donation truck was parked in the lot outside and remained open throughout the day. Sadly, the lodge died when Bob passed away in 2001.
- Schofield Lodge 1818 U.D. was created specifically to support the ongoing restoration and operation of the historic Schofield House in Madison, Indiana – the site of the first official meeting of the Grand Lodge of Indiana.
- St. Luke Lodge 761 in Franklin, Indiana (location of our Masonic retirement home, known today as Compass Park) originally started as an occupational affinity lodge for doctors and others in the medical professions.
Monday, June 27, 2022
Breaking: Hostage Situation at Houston Scottish Rite
Sunday, June 12, 2022
Calling all Masonic Artists: Pennsylvania's Grand Exhibition Art Competition
Calling all Masonic artists! The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania is sponsoring the Grand Exhibition Art Competition: Embodying Masonic Values.
This competition is open to any artist over 18 years of age, and membership in the Masonic fraternity is not required. Deadline for submissions is August 11, 2022.
Criteria
All artwork entries must display a visual interpretation of some aspect of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, whether it be philosophical, historical, scientific, social, fraternal, charitable, architectural, etc. Selected artwork will be exhibited in the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia.
Eligibility
Any amateur or professional artist or college art student may enter, but all will be judged as equals for competition purposes. Artists must be at least 18 years of age. All submissions must be original; they may have been created within the past two years and may have been previously exhibited. No work previously produced on a commission will be accepted. All submissions must be available for purchase.
Categories
Oil, Three-dimensional, Drawing and Print-making, Water-Based Medium, Digital Imagery
Awards
- $200 Prize per winner, per category
- $500 Grand Master’s Prize
- $1,000 Best in Show Prize
First entry: $25
Second and Third Entry: $10
(Limit of 3 entries per artist)
Auction
If the artists in the Grand Exhibition choose to participate, their entered works may be auctioned off at the Exhibition Gala, with 80% of the auction value going to them and 20% to The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania. The artist may set a reserve price, as well as a direct purchase price for the original work to be revealed AFTER the auction.
Brother Travis Simpkins, Artist
John McDaniel, Artist
Elaine Erne, Artist/Teacher
Entry Deadline
Opening Reception
Public Exhibition
Sunday, June 05, 2022
Congress on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History Opens Friday in Paris
This year's theme is "Are the Ancient Landmarks Ancient?."
Convened by the journal, Ritual, Secrecy, and Civil Society, in cooperation with the French national library, the Bibliothèque Nationale, and the Musée de la Franc-Maçonnerie (Museum of French Freemasonry), this event explores how associations and volunteerism have shaped democracy, politics, and history. The conference alternates each year between Paris and Washington, D.C.
Presenters this year include: Paul Rich, Pierrre Mollier, Arturo De Hoyos, Joseph Wages, Andrew Prescott, Susan Mitchell, John Belton, Arved Hübler, Eric Saunier, Russ Charvonia, Stéphane Brunel, and many more. (See the complete program HERE.) Because presentations may be made in English or French, simultaneous translations from French-English, English-French are offered for most sessions.
These ongoing international conferences have been spearheaded and supported by Brother Paul Rich for over a decade now, and he has been a champion of promoting and pursuing Masonic scholarship on a worldwide basis. A shocking number of U.S. Masons are unaware of his role in this pursuit, as well as his own scholarship, and that is a downright shame. On top of his many accomplishments and honors in the academic world, he is the publisher of numerous books about Freemasonry (among others) through Westphalia Press. These conferences are organized, in part through his organization, the Policy Studies Organization.
In conjunction with Paul, Brother Pierre Mollier in France is one of the top Masonic historians in the world. Among his many accomplishments, he is the director of the Grand Orient de France's incredible Museum of Freemasonry in Paris (Musée dé Franc-Maçonnerie). If you don't know his name or reputation, you need to.
The World Conference on Fraternalism, Social Capital, and Civil Society explores how associations and volunteerism have shaped democracy, politics, and history. The conferences are held alternatively in Paris (2022, 2024) and in Washington (2023, 2025). The Washington conferences are held at the historic Quaker Meeting House.
Registration for this weekend's evet has been officially closed, as they have reached full capacity. However, videos from the conference will be made available online soon.
To see videos of previous Conferences and presentations, CLICK HERE.
Friday, June 03, 2022
Monumental Sphinxes at Scottish Rite's House of the Temple in D.C. Damaged By Vandals
Two years ago today (June 3, 2020) I reported that vandals spray-painted ”BLM” and “FTP” on the House of the Temple.
Today, however, I have sadder news to report. Vandals severly damaged the two symbolic sphinxes which grace the sides of our front outer steps. They not only broke pieces from their faces, but smeared them with filth.
The sphinxes were carved, on site, by master sculptor Adolph Weinman, who was also a US coin designer and engraver. He’s best remembered for creating the Mercury Dime and Walking Liberty Half Dollar.Art is correct – the sphinxes were doused with paint during escalating demonstrations and rioting across the U.S. two years ago this very day. That same week, several Masonic buildings throughout the U.S. and Canada had been hit with paint, suffered broken glass doors and windows, and several arson attempts.
Friday, May 27, 2022
Calling All Masonic Gamers: 'On The Square'
Two talented brethren in England have come up with a new board game pitched specifically to Freemasons, called On The Square. This game originally got developed from a Kickstarter campaign, and it's now available for purchase.
On the Square is 2-6 player (Augmented) set-collection game based on establishing an English Freemasons meeting.
The aim of the game is to collect ceremonial items from around the board, whilst greeting the other officers in-order along the way, before returning to your seat to begin the proceedings. The first player to do so wins the game.
Using player boards to keep track of their items, players make their way around a game board laid out to accurately represent an English lodge with iconography taken directly from the Metropolitan grand lodge in central London. However, movement around this board is deceptively strategic.
The current price is UK £41.00, which translates to US $51.87.
During the month of May, the makers of On The Square have a special offer for customers:
For all orders placed between May 5th and June 2nd 2022:
The Masonic-themed playing cards added as a bonus item are fascinating all by themselves. The decks replace the traditional four suits with Masonic orders:1 copy of the game for 2-6 players. Includes FREE shipping.+ FREE 1st & 2nd edition Mysteries & Secretes Masonic Themed Playing cards+ FREE Blank greeting Cards (Featuring original Mysteries & Secrets Aces Playing Cards)