July 18: Speaking at Ohio Masonic Education Event This Saturday

by Christopher Hodapp

I'll be speaking this Saturday, July 18th at Ohio's 6th Masonic District's Pillars of Knowledge event. This Masonic educational gathering will be held at J.B. Covert Lodge No. 437 on the east side of Cincinnati, Ohio, between 8AM and 3PM.

Six speakers will be featured:

• Chris Hodapp (Dummy)
• Dan Hrinko (author of 'The Craft Driven Lodge')
• William Carter III (PGM and Cybersecurity Expert)
• Dirk Hughes (Director of the Michigan Masonic Museum and Library)
• Tim Redick (Associate Dean off the Royal Schofield Society)
• Michael Miller ((Master of the Ohio Lodge of Research)

Registration is $30 and lunch is included.  Visit the website HERE to register. 

(Not enough time to pre-register? Any Master Mason is welcome to attend and registrations will also be held onsite beginning at 8AM)

The lodge is located at 848 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45245. 

6/27: Speaking at Louisville's Abraham Lodge No. 8

by Christopher Hodapp

I'm honored to be speaking at the Festive Board of Kentucky's famed Abraham Lodge No. 8 this Saturday evening, June 27th at the historic Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville. I'll be wrapping up an afternoon program of several events.

2:30PM - Royal Arch Abraham Chapter 196

3:00PM - Cornerstone Ceremony (Master Masons only!)

4:00PM - Intermission

5:00PM - Lodge of Instruction

6:15 to 7:15PM - Cocktail Reception at the Brown Hotel 

7:30PM - Festive Board and Keystone Presentation 

                Christopher L. Hodapp: "How Dare We Be Masons: A New Masonic Mission"

For information, contact Secretary John P. Journey HERE. 

Speaking in Indiana and Wyoming This Week

by Christopher Hodapp

I will be speaking Wednesday night at Jubilee Lodge 746 in Whiteland, Indiana at the request of WB Michael Steele, Worshipful Master. Dinner begins at 6:00PM, prepared by the indefatigable Heather Steele, and the meeting will open at 7:00. Michael and Heather have been of immeasurable help to the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana this year and I can't thank them enough for all they've done (even if Michael DID use the silliest photo of me he could find - it was a 4th of July fireworks show and I was NOT trying to look like Rex Hutchens).

Jubilee Lodge was so named because it was the first lodge chartered in 1968, the Jubilee Year of the Grand Lodge of Indiana which was celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding in 1818. 

This weekend I'll be flying to the far-flung land of the Cowboy State to speak at the Grand Master's Spring 2026 Reunion of the Grand Lodge of Wyoming in Riverton. Grand Master Greg Shiek and his education committee have assembled a great lineup of presentations. 

The event will be Saturday, April 11th at Riverton Lodge 26. Registration opens at 7:00AM, and Grand Lodge opens at 9:00AM.

• Christopher L. Hodapp, author of Freemasons for Dummies

• "Global Influence of Masonry," Nathan Clark, SGS, Casper Lodge #15 

• "Part 1: Why the Nazis Targeted the Craft," Josh Thompson, Casper Lodge #15 

• "The Morgan Affair," John Voodward, Riverton Lodg 26 and Sheridan Lodge #8 

• "Part 2: Lessons from the Masonic Response & What is Facism?" Josh Thompson,  Casper Lodge #15 

• "The Mysterious #3 for Masons,' Clifford Spoonemore, PM, Secretary, Acacia Lodge #11, Southeast Sextant Lecturer 

• "Security in the Lodge," Juel Leuis, WM Rock Springs Lodge #12 

• "Deciphering Tubal Cain," Christopher Neubauer, WM, Casper Lodge #15, East Sextant Lecturer

In case you're interested, I don't know if tickets are still available this late. Contact the Grand Lodge of Wyoming office directly, as there is no online registration available.

Speaking at Greenville, Ohio Tomorrow Night

by Christopher Hodapp

I'll be speaking at Greenville Lodge 143 in Greenville, Ohio tomorrow night, Friday, February 27th. Dinner begins at 6PM and is $15. This close to the event, you should probably contact the lodge to be sure there's space available. Call 937-621-9320.

Greenville is about 35 miles northwest of Dayton on U.S. 36 and just east of the Indiana border. The lodge is located at 200 Memorial Drive in Greenville.

I'm looking forward to being there!

Speaking at Greenville Lodge 143 in Ohio on 2/27

by Christopher Hodapp

I'll be speaking at Greenville Lodge 143 in Greenville, Ohio on Friday, February 27th. Dinner begins at 6PM and is $15. 

Greenville is about 35 miles northwest of Dayton on U.S. 36 and just east of the Indiana border.

I'm looking forward to being there!

Speaking Tonight at Valparaiso, Indiana's Crowned Martyrs Lodge

by Christopher Hodapp

I'll be speaking tonight at Crowned Martyrs Lodge 771 in Valparaiso, Indiana on the topic of the William Morgan Affair. The disappearance of Morgan two hundred years ago next year set off the most notorious anti-Masonic period in American history. My presentation will put the Morgan affair in its wider historical context, discuss some of the after-effects it had on the fraternity, and explore the most bizarre story ever inspired by mysterious fate of Morgan himself, the 19th century science fiction 'lost world' novel, Etidorpha.

The meeting begins at 7:00PM Central Time (Valpo being close to Chicago.)

Speaking in Denver on June 16th

by Christopher Hodapp

I'll be speaking in Denver, Colorado at the Consistory of the Denver Scottish Rite Masonic Center on Monday, June 16th at 6:00PM. Really looking forward to it - the last time I was there for an event was back in 2009.

For more information and tickets, CLICK HERE.

2025 Midwest Conference on Masonic Education Wrap Up

by Christopher Hodapp

The 75th Midwest Conference on Masonic Education in Indianapolis has wound down for 2025, and I'd like to express my deepest thanks to everyone who helped make it a great success. Not only to the other presenters, but to the attendees, as well. 

Speakers at the Conference included Steve Harrison, Heather Calloway, Daniel Gardener, Adam Kendall, Brent Morris and myself.

Among the close to 100 attendees were representatives from 17 different Masonic jurisdictions.

As president of the Conference this year, James Buckhorn did an outstanding job in arranging and organizing the programs, the venue, the meals, and so much more. 

The Grand Lodge of Nebraska will be next year's host.

Those Midnight Freemason guys show up everywhere.

Before the Conference, some of the 'Indiana Friends of Brent' were able to join up with the 
venerable Dr. Morris on Thursday, along with our mascot, Billy the Wonder Goat.

2025 U.S. Masonic Cons and More

by Christopher Hodapp

Grab your Masonic Calendar as the Masonic conference season kicks into full swing. Freemasons are organizing fun and educational events all over the country. 

The Grand Lodge of New York started off the year with their Masonic Con back in mid-January, but as the weather warms up, other jurisdictions are announcing their own similar events. Please alert me if yours isn't listed below and I'll add it to this list.

Montana Masonic Con April 25-26, 2025 – Great Falls, Montana

NOTE! This event has been cancelled as of April 15th.

Esotericon 2025 in Virginia has been postponed
www.esotericon.net

Midwest Conference on Masonic Education – May 2-4, 2025 – Indianapolis

http://www.mcme1949.org/

Hudson Valley Masonic Con – June 7th, 2025 – Middletown, New York

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hudson-valley-masonicon-2025-tickets-1298075571979

Masonic Con Kansas – July 18-19th, 2025 – Kansas (FREE this year!)

www.MasonicConKansas.com

John Skene Masonic Conference – August 23rd, 2025 – Plainfield, New Jersey

https://www.facebook.com/events/1005564854738595/

Texas MasoniCon – November 14-15, 2025 – Texas
www.TexasMasoniCon.com

Camp Cornerstone – August 22-24, 2025 – Arizona
www.flagstaff7.org

Masonic Con South – October 18-19, 2025 – North Carolina

www.MasonicConSouth.com

San Antonio Esoteric Summit - June 7, 2025 – Texas
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E44ADAB2FA2FB6-51446264-lodges#/

AMD/Masonic Week 2026 - February date not yet determined – Alexandria, Virginia

https://amdusa.org/wp/masonic-week-2025/

Midwest Conference on Masonic Education in Indianapolis May 2-4, 2025

by Christopher Hodapp

Don't forget to register for the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education May 2-4, 2025 in Indianapolis. 

Here's the lineup for what is shaping up to be a truly terrific program.

This year's conference will be held at the historic Indianapolis Masonic Temple, located at 525 N. Illinois Street.

Indianapolis Masonic Temple

Be sure you visit the Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana on the 5th floor of the Masonic Temple. It will be open throughout the day on Saturday.

Don't forget that Brent Morris and I will kick off this conference on Friday night at the Rathskeller Restaurant.

While you're in town, be sure to visit our other two downtown landmark Masonic buildings: the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral, just north of the Temple at North and Meridian Streets; and the Murat Shrine Temple at 502 North New Jersey Street.

Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral

Murat Shrine

No one will be bored in this town, I promise. If this is your first time in Indianapolis, don't just chain yourself to the hotel. Downtown Indianapolis is FILLED with 300 restaurants, so you will find an embarrassment of riches when hunting somewhere to eat dinner. Better yet, this is a walking city, and loads of business areas are interconnected with covered walkways, including the Circle Center Mall (which is undergoing major transformation over the next couple of years). Take in a baseball game at Victory Field or basketball at the Fieldhouse. And there are several major and minor museums downtown, as well. The downtown club scene is pretty vibrant, too.

Check out the Downtown Indy website for ideas.

And before you leave town, mosey down to the south lawn of the Statehouse and take your picture next to the statue of George Washington in his Masonic regalia as the founding Master of Alexandria lodge in Virginia. He appropriately faces Washington Street.

I hope you have a great time in my home town! Great Masonic ideas and practices got their start in Indiana, and we have much to be proud of here.

Welcome to Indianapolis!

Wisconsin MasoniCon in Eau Claire This Saturday April 12th

by Christopher Hodapp

The MasoniCon season is heating up. Join me this Saturday, April 12th at the Wisconsin MasoniCon in Eau Claire, where I'll be speaking along with Steven Harrison of the Midnight Freemasons blog and author of Freemasons–Tales from the Craft.

The day will kick off at 10AM with a special meeting of the Silas Shepherd Lodge of Research #1843. Steven and I will speak after lunch.

This event takes place at the magnificent Eau Claire Masonic Temple located at 616 Graham Avenue, from 10AM to 6PM.

You can't beat the price - admission is free and lunch is provided. After the event, BBQ dinner from Famous Daves is a paltry $20.

For reservations and more information CLICK HERE. Technically, reservations are closed because of the lunch and dinner catering requirements, but the admission is free and organizers won't turn you away (as long as you feed yourself...)

An Idiot and a Dummy At Midwest Conference on Masonic Education in Indianapolis May 2-4

Christopher Hodapp

A couple of years ago, the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education posted a lineup of "The Three Books Every (       ) Mason Should Read," and they broke the lists down according to general subject matter – historical, ritualist, esoteric, philosophical, leadership, and so on. The very first category was for the 'Beginning Mason' and it was gratifying to see that the twin titles at the top of that list were Freemasons For Dummies and The Complete Idiot's Guide To Freemasonry.

I'm sure they listed mine first by alphabetizing authors' names.

This year's Midwest Conference on Masonic Education will be held in Indianapolis May 2nd-4th, and to kick off the event, Dr. S. Brent Morris and I will be presenting "An Idiot and Dummy Answer Anything You Want To Know About Freemasonry" on the evening of Friday, May 2nd. Our open forum lollapalooza will be held in conjunction with the Friday night dinner to be held at the famed Rathskeller German restaurant in the historic Indianapolis Athenaeum.

The conference itself will begin Saturday, May 3rd at the Indianapolis Masonic Temple, located at 525 N. Illinois Street, and the Embassy Suites at 110 West Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis will be the official conference hotel.

Other featured speakers at the Conference will include:

• Dr. Heather K. Calloway, Executive Director of University Collections at Indiana University
• Bro. Daniel Gardiner, PM of Helena Lodge No. 10 and Idaho Lodge No. 1
• Bro. Adam Kendall, Editor of Heredom / AASR Research Society; 2024–2026 President of the Philalethes Society

The Masonic Library & Museum will be open during the conference.

The price of the Conference is $125 if you reserve before May 1st (or $140 during the event). Please note that a separate $20 ticket is required to attend Friday night's dinner, but that $20 ticket cost will be applied towards the cost of whatever food and drink you may order that night. Be aware that you must attend the dinner at The Rathskeller to receive the $20 credit toward your restaurant bill. Seating is limited, and tickets are non-refundable if you fail to attend for any reason.

To purchase tickets and to reserve hotel rooms, CLICK HERE.

The 1st Masonic Con New York – 'Freemasonry in the 21st Century': January 17-18, 2025

by Christopher Hodapp

The very first Masonic Con New York is coming to the magnificent New York Masonic Hall on the weekend of January 17, 2025. Built around the theme Freemasonry in the 21st Century: Self and Society, this premiere Masonic Con will showcase experts discussing the urgency of Masonic teachings and the importance of Brotherhood in our lives and communities. If you are familiar with the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent study on the epidemic of male loneliness in American society, or with any of the various news reports on this problem, you may wish to hear from these speakers and glean ideas for preparing for Freemasonry’s future.

(Click to enlarge)

 

The weekend will begin the evening of Friday, January 17 with the legendary Mariners Lodge 67 Maritime Festive Board and Beefsteak Banquet inside the Masonic Hall's spacious Grand Lodge Room at 6 p.m. If you have yet to experience it, prepare to be amazed by the camaraderie of Masonic feasting and singing in harmony.

A Mariner's Lodge Festive Board & Beefsteak Banquet

On Saturday the 18th, the speakers program, open to the public, will begin at 9 a.m. Keynote speaker Maj. Gen. William Green, Jr., the U.S. Army’s Chief of Chaplains, will speak to America’s loneliness epidemic and man’s need for fraternal connections in life.

(Click to enlarge)

 

Additional featured Speakers:

• Dr. Heather Calloway, Executive Director of Indiana University’s Center for Fraternal Collections and Research, will discuss the cultural relevance of fraternal orders in America.
• Bro. Chuck Dunning, of Texas, the nationally renowned author and educator on the subject of meditation and mindfulness techniques, will impart ways Masons and our lodges may profit from these practices.
• Bro. Bull Garlington, of Illinois, is famous for his journalistic essays on how he overcame loneliness in adulthood by discovering Freemasonry.
• Bro. Michael LaRocco, Executive Director of our Livingston Library, will share his expertise in the craft of self-actualization.
• Bro. Jim Loporto will close the speakers program with his dramatic presentation “The Elephant in the Room.” This will be open only to regular Freemasons—and we especially encourage Apprentices, Fellows, and new Master Masons to experience it.

 

There will also be tours of Masonic Hall and the Livingston Library, Masonic vendors, and plenty of networking opportunities.

Masonic Con will close with a special cocktail reception, where attendees can mingle with the guest speakers and Grand Lodge leadership while also supporting New York’s Brotherhood Fund 1781 Society.

For more information, to purchase tickets, sign up for vendors' tables or make hotel reservations, visit https://masonicconnewyork.com/

(H/T Thanks to Grand Secretary Richard Schultz for passing this along)

 

Hoosier Brother Speaking on Rubicon Podcast Tonight

by Christopher Hodapp

A young Indiana filmmaker joined the Masons at Broad Ripple Lodge 643 in Indianapolis, where he quickly became very active and was appointed to the Senior Steward's chair. Within a year of his degrees, he also signed on with Lodge Vitruvian 767, one of just a few 'Observant-Style' or 'Best Practices' Masonic lodges in Indiana. And he became Junior Steward at Indiana's Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research U.D. where he similarly jumped in and began giving Masonic talks. 

He visits far and wide – often, too – frequently attending lodges out of state, and always in search of as much Masonic education as he can manage to scare up. His activities and enthusiasm for the fraternity haven't gone unnoticed by the Grand Lodge and its officers. Last year he received the Grand Lodge of Indiana's Rookie Award, a program designed to help Indiana Lodges recognize new Master Masons who become actively involved in their symbolic Lodge, and Freemasonry in general, during their first year in our fraternity.

No, this is not some self-serving, back-patting, fulsome autobiography chock full o' myself, even though his Masonic trajectory has been remarkably parallel to my own back in the pre-smartphone days of 1998-99. 

I'm speaking of Brother Jeremiah Beaver. And I'm proud to say he'll be presenting a program tonight on the Rubicon Masonic Society webcast, 21st Century Conversations on Freemasonry. Jeremiah's topic will be 'Notes From the Beehive: Doing the Work in an Indiana Best Practice Lodge.' 

I can't praise the Kentucky brethren at Rubicon lavishly enough for their quality programming, their increasingly famous Festive Boards, and the seriousness with which they take their Freemasonry. Rubicon hosts virtual Masonic education programs on the 4th Monday of each month, starting at 7 pm Eastern. These programs are open to Masons of all degrees, as well as non-Masons.

For the complete archived lineup of the 63 previous Rubicon programs, CLICK HERE.

To RSVP for tonight's talk by Brother Beaver, CLICK HERE.