Cliff Porter in Massachusetts 5/18

Brother Cliff Porter, author of The Secret Psychology of Freemasonry, will tackle some of Masonry's sacred cows and urban legends that have become the rallying cry of those who decree "That's not the way we've always done it," at the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts' Leadership Summit, on May 18th.

Register by sending an email to joeturner07@gmail.com

AASR Accepting Donations For Devastated Texas Town

The Waco Scotttish Rite Bodies Almoner is accepting financial donations for the community of West, TX. Please mail checks to :

WSRB Almoner

P.O. Box 32508

Waco, Texas 76703

Hat Tip to Br. Bill Hosler

Sean Astin To Star In ‘The Freemason'

A new film about a Freemason is about to begin filming in Utah, according to The Salt Lake Tribune:

A former Hobbit is coming to Utah next week to solve a murder.Actor Sean Astin — best known probably for portraying the loyal Samwise Gamgee in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy — will be filming a murder mystery, "The Freemason," starting Monday in the Salt Lake City area.Astin plays Leon Weed, a detective investigating a ritualistic killing of an elder Mason, according to a press release from the film’s producers.The movie’s executive producer, Joseph James, is a Master Mason, and aims to quench the public’s appetite for the secret society’s mysteries. James calls "The Freemason" "the first film of its kind to highlight actual initiation practices."Sohrab Mirmontazeri, an Iranian-born filmmaker, will direct the film. He previously made a thriller, "Blue Door," in Utah.It’s the second time Astin has filmed a movie in Utah. He previously appeared in Ryan Little’s well-made 2009 rugby drama "Forever Strong."

Arson Suspected in New Zealand Lodge Fire

The Masonic lodge in Te Awamutu, New Zealand was destroyed by a suspected arson fire this morning.

From the New Zealand Herald:

A fire that destroyed a building in Te Awamutu early this morning is believed to have been deliberately lit. 

A hall at the Masonic Lodge was destroyed by fire at 2.15am. 

"The building was well-involved in fire when we first arrived," Fire Service shift manager Jaron Phillips said. 

"Firefighters searched the building [but] it was totally smoke-logged. The building next door was smoke-logged as well. 

"We have two fire investigators ... at the scene now. They'll be investigating the cause [and] it's being treated as suspicious." 

Firefighters managed to save a larger neighbouring building by dampening down hot spots on its roof. 

Mr Phillips said there was no early indication of what started the blaze.

Bethlehem Masonic Temple Employee Steals $225,000

A former employee of the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Masonic Temple has been charged with stealing $225,000 from the lodge's catering facility.

From today's Morning Call:

A former employee at the Bethlehem Masonic Lodge facing charges of stealing more than $225,000 from the organization has admitted to the thefts and plans restitution, his attorney said at a hearing Wednesday.

John D. Lindemuth, 48, faces the charges in Northampton County Court after giving up his right to a preliminary hearing before District Judge Nancy Matos Gonzalez. His attorney, Norman E. Blatt Jr., said Lindemuth has "candidly" admitted to the thefts and is working on a plea bargain with prosecutors that will include restitution.

After the hearing, Lindemuth declined to comment. He remains free on $150,000 unsecured bail on charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

Authorities say Lindemuth, of the 1400 block of Holland Avenue in Bethlehem, had confessed a total of three times to taking money from the lodge. In the most recent thefts, police said the total amount taken was more than $225,000.

According to court records:Lindemuth began working at the lodge in 2008 and a year later, took over as supervisor for the banquet facility.

Court records say he took petty cash in 2009, but returned it before anyone noticed.The following year, Lindemuth also started skimming money and Masonic officials discovered it during an audit. The lodge determined $55,000 was missing and Lindemuth admitted taking the money. He was permitted to stay as long as he paid back the funds. 

But, authorities say in 2010, Lindemuth started playing the lottery and again began skimming money. Police said he booked banquets in 2011 and 2012, but did not schedule the events and kept the money. 

In 2011, Lindemuth again admitted the thefts, but was allowed to stay on and repay the funds. 

This past August, lodge officials suspended Lindemuth when he was confronted with a third set of thefts.

Santa Anna's Masonic Membership Confirmed

From today's Sacramento Bee:

The Texas Scottish Rite of Freemasonry has confirmed that Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Commander at the battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, was a Scottish Rite Mason in Mexico. His original Scottish Rite membership certificate is located in the Livingston Masonic Library of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New York.

According to M. Douglas Adkins, the top Scottish Rite official in Texas and a member of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in the Southern Jurisdiction, a person must be a Master Mason to be eligible for Scottish Rite membership in Mexico, as in the United States. Today's announcement resolves arguments by Texas historians who have contended there has been no proof of General Santa Anna's membership.

The significance of this announcement in terms of Texas history stems from numerous reports that General Santa Anna saved himself from execution after being captured at the battle of San Jacinto in 1836 by giving secret Masonic signs to Texas soldiers and later to General Sam Houston, a well-known Mason. The Texas critics of these reports have said that General Santa Anna would not have known of such secret signs unless he actually was a Mason, for which no proof had previously been provided.

Mr. Adkins explained that this confirmation of Masonic membership does not provide proof of the story that Masonic membership saved General Santa Anna's life, but rather only refutes the arguments that General Santa Anna was not a Mason. Some Masons have said that General Houston and many other Masons at San Jacinto would have known that General Santa Anna had disowned Masonry and that his offenses in Mexico, the Alamo and Goliad would have forfeited any rights for protection he may have had as a Mason. Sources in Mexico have confirmed that he was kicked out of Masonry.

Mr. Adkins emphasized that the Texas Scottish Rite is taking no position in this historical controversy, and is only confirming General Santa Anna's Masonic membership.

Mr. Adkins said Masonry always has celebrated its history and the lives of many of its members, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, William B. Travis, James Bowie and Davy Crockett. The Texas Scottish Rite is pleased to provide this information for the use of present and future Texas historians.An enlarged and enhanced graphic image of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's Scottish Rite Masonic Membership certificate, as well as his Masonic Apron, his spurs, items from his tent at San Jacinto, Davy Crockett's pistol from the Alamo, and other Texas history artifacts will be on display before and after the presentation of the new play, "Leaving San Jacinto," on April 23, 2013, in Dallas.

For more information, please visit http://www.leavingsanjacinto.com or call 214-748-9196.For further information, please contact M. Douglas Adkins at (214) 999-4444 ordadkins@gardere.com.

Harrison, Porter and Hammer Speak in New Jersey 5/16

On Thursday, May 16th at Peninsula Masonic Temple in Bayonne, NJ, Sons of Liberty No.301 is proud to present three world renowned speakers on Masonic enlightenment and education. Dr. David Harrison, WB Cliff Porter and WB Andrew hammer will speak at the lodge beginning at 7:00PM, followed by a Festive Board dinner. Cost of the evening will be $20 per person, and is open to Master Masons only.

Peninsula Lodge is located at 888 Ave C Bayonne, NJ 07002.

Click to enlarge flyer.

Santa Fe, NM Scottish Rite Center To Be Sold

The distinctive pink Scottish Rite Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico will go on the block this summer, according to  The Santa Fe, New Mexican today:

Another Santa Fe landmark could be on the real estate market this summer. Officials with the Scottish Rite Masonic Center will soon formally inform members about their “serious consideration” of putting the century-old building north of downtown up for sale.
“It is a wonderful old building, but we simply can’t afford to keep it up with our declining membership,” said Tom Payne, Scottish Rite head for the Orient of New Mexico. “It is like every other fraternal organization, with the dip claiming membership and the rising costs, we simply cannot make a cash flow. So we need to go to a more efficient building that costs a lot less to maintain.”
The “pink cathedral” at the corner of Paseo de Peralta and Washington Avenue is a hulking edifice with a footprint of nearly 45,000 square feet. A standout amid Territorial and Pueblo-style buildings still standing downtown, it was erected in 1912 in the Moorish architectural style, with some features patterned from the Alhambra castle in Granada, Spain.
Masonic organizations like Scottish Rite peaked in popularity here after World War II, when more than 4,000 men were members. Today, that number is in the range of 1,400 to 1,800, Payne said.
Building owners with the local Valley of Santa Fe chapter aren’t sure how much they might ask for the property, he said, but plan to make a decision about its fate before June 1.

Boston.com is reporting that the Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction is selling its headquarters compound to the city of Lexington, Massachusetts for approximately $11 million. The Rite will move into space at the adjacent National Heritage Museum (which is NOT being sold).

Lexington officials announced last week that the town is purchasing the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry organization’s headquarters, after the fraternal group accepted its offer of almost $11 million. 

The Marrett Road property will be used for a community center. The agreement on the sale price was announced Tuesday night after months of negotiations, and after Town Meeting voted Monday night to appropriate the money. 

Selectman Peter Kelley said in an announcement on the purchase that it is a historic moment for Lexington, as the town’s 300th anniversary approaches at the end of this month. 

In a roll call vote of 173 to 2, with 6 abstentions, Town Meeting approved appropriating about $11 million and authorized the Board of Selectmen to purchase the property.Selectwoman Deb Mauger told Town Meeting that the Scottish Rite’s governing body would decide the next day whether to accept the town’s offer of $10,950,000 . 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our future,” Mauger said. 

The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite plans to move into space at its National Heritage Museum, which is next to the 33 Marrett Road headquarters property and is not being sold. The Supreme Council governs the Scottish Rite’s Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, which covers 15 states from New England to Wisconsin and Delaware. 

Representatives from the Scottish Rite could not be reached for comment. 

The 10-acre property the town is buying includes the headquarters building, a mansion built in 1905, and a carriage house. Lexington is considering using the property as a community center that would offer services for the town’s senior citizens and its youth. 

Mauger told Town Meeting members Monday that the town first offered $8 million for the property, but increased the amount twice because of competition from other bidders.

Grand Master of UGLE Suffers Stroke

The Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, the Duke of Kent, has suffered a mild stroke after being struck by an illness. The 77-year-old royal was taken to an undisclosed hospital in London on Monday. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said, "He's still being assessed and it's not thought to be serious. My understanding is he's feeling well and looking forward to resuming official engagements as soon as possible."

Prince Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick was born in 1935, and educated at Eton and Le Rosey, Switzerland. He is a cousin both of the Queen and of the Duke of Edinburgh. His father, who was Grand Master from 1939 until 1942, was the fourth son of King George V, and his mother, Princess Marina, was the daughter of Prince Nicholas of Greece. He has been the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England since he was first elected in 1967.

German Masonic Home of Tappan, New York

The ScoutingNY.com website tours the abandoned German Masonic Home of Tappan, New York. Built between 1906 and 1909, and abandoned since the 1990s, it was once a beautiful place. Be sure to check out the stained glass in the lodge room.
H/T Bill Hosler

Anti-Masonic Sentiment in Middle East

The Middle East continues to be rife with anti-Masonic sentiment. King Abdullah of Jordan was interviewed this week in The Atlantic and referred to the Muslim Brotherhood as a "Masonic cult".

And just ahead of President Obama's visit to Israel and Jordan, the official Palestinian Authority daily printed a pro-Hitler article that had the following quote:

"Our history is replete with lies [incliuding] the lie about Al-Qaeda and the September 11 events, which asserted that Muslim terrorists committed it, and that it was not an internal American action by the Freemasons."

And so it goes.

H/T to Eoghan Ballard

Queen's Nurse

When Queen Elizabeth II left the hospital this week, she was escorted by a helpful nurse who had an interesting belt buckle on. Is she a female Mason?

UPDATE: According to a post this morning by Arturo DeHoyos in the Oklahoma Scottish Rite group, that buckle is presented to nurses as they graduate from nurses' training at the Royal Masonic Hospital in London.  Thanks to Bill Hosler.

Australian Lodge Vandalized Repeatedly

Mooroopna Lodge in Shepparton, Victoria, Australia has been vandalized for the fourth time since September, and this time the miscreants tried to set fire to the place.

From todays Shepparton News:

Callous vandals struck Shepparton’s Masonic Centre on Wednesday night for the fourth time since September, causing extensive internal damage before allegedly setting fire to the building.
The attack occurred between 5pm and 7pm, which Masonic Lodge Mooroopna master Alan McCormick has described as ‘‘violent anger, like a frenzy’’.
The representative said the words ‘‘f*** you’’ were scrawled on the internal walls of the building.
Mr McCormick said most of the items destroyed held historical value that could not be replaced.
‘‘It’s absolutely shocking, it breaks your heart to see it,’’ he said.
‘‘We arrived at 10 past seven and well you should have seen it. You could smell smoke, it must have been smoldering for a while, they’ve used some sort of accelerant.
‘‘Everything that was there that could be damaged was; old photographs of former members pulled down and smashed and you could see they had trodden on them.’’
Shepparton police Detective Senior Constable Tom Young said this was the fourth incident since September last year.
During the most recent incident a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the front door.
Det Sen Const Young said at this stage police believed the four attacks were linked.
‘‘Unknown offenders have forced their way into the Masonic hall and committed a large amount of vandalism inside the premises, including writing f*** you on the inside of the building,’’ Det Sen Const Young said.
‘‘They’ve also smashed a number of crockery sets and plates and caused a fair bit of damage, smashing lights and other things of sentimental value to the Masonic hall, before setting the place on fire in the main temple itself, which measures about 50cm by 50cm.’’
Det Sen Const Young said police were investigating the incident and a forensic team was on site.
‘‘Inquiries are continuing, it is being managed and we’re doing what we can to try to work out who is responsible for this,’’ he said.
No-one was injured in the blaze.
Mr McKenzie believed this could be a misguided racially-motivated attack.
‘‘We really are a charitable organisation, why are they targeting us?’’ he said.
‘‘It’s the same with any Christian religion, we use the Bible.’’
Masonic Centres house Freemasonary, a fraternal organisation.
Locally, the organisation has provided scholarships to school youths, raised thousands of dollars for bushfire and flood-relief funds and donated almost $200000 to the Goulburn Valley Health oncology unit in Shepparton.
Members of the Shepparton Masonic Centre — more than 100 people from four different groups — will have to relocate to Numurkah Masonic Centre in the interim.
Anyone with information about the fire or who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area is urged to phone Detective Senior Constable Tom Young on 58205777 or Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au

H/T Mark Shemwell

Speaking in NY and NJ Next Week

New York and New Jersey brethren, I'll be in your neck of the woods all next week. On March 11, 2013 I'll be speaking at Suffolk Lodge No. 60 in Port Jefferson, NY. On Wednesday I'll be in Bayonne, NJ at Sons of Liberty Lodge No. 301. On Thursday, March 14, 2013 I'll be speaking at Ocean Lodge No. 89 in Spring Heights, NJ. And Saturday, March 16, 2013, I'll be speaking at Central New Jersey Council of Deliberation in Bordentown, NJ.

Looking forward to a great week of meeting brothers!

Woman Embezzles From OES Chapter

A southwest Indiana woman has pleaded guilty to embezzling $290,000 from her Order of the Eastern Star chapter.

From the WLFI Channel 8 website today:

The Evansville Courier & Press reports 37-year-old Susan Hilgeman pleaded guilty Monday to felony charges of forgery and conspiracy to commit theft. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 24, when she could receive up to 11 years in prison for the combined charges.

Hilgeman's mother, 80-year-old Marilee Garrison, is also charged with conspiracy to commit theft in the case and faces a July trial. Both Susan and her mother were officers in Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic women's organization.

Indiana State Police arrested the women last April after a yearlong investigation prompted by other officers in the chapter who contacted police.

4th International Conference on the History of Freemasonry

The preliminary schedule for the 4th International Conference on the History of Freemasonry is available from the Grand Lodge of Scotland website. Click here.

The Conference will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland May 24-26, 2013.

Journal of the Masonic Society #18

Issue 18 of the Journal of the Masonic Society is off to the printer's.
This issue includes:

• THE ROLE OF THE WILLING SUSPENSION OF BELIEF IN MASONIC RITUAL by WILLIAM S. BURKLE

• THE CRAFTSMAN’S ALLEGORY by DAN ELLNOR

• THE STAINED GLASS OF NEW YORK'S TOMPKINS MEMORIAL CHAPEL by CHRISTOPHER L. HODAPP 

• THE HANDSHAKE by JOI GRIEG 

• KNIGHTS OF THE SQUARE AND COMPASSES by JASON L. MAIR 

This issue’s cover features Lorado Taft’s “Eternal Solitude” in Washington, D.C.’s Graceland Cemetery. Photograph by Christopher L. Hodapp.

If you aren't a member of the Masonic Society, it's easy to join online and costs a paltry $39 a year. In return, you get a pin, membership card, the coolest membership patent anywhere (sealed with a real wax seal), and four issues of the best Masonic magazine in the business. Visit the Masonic Society website at www.themasonicsociety.com

PA's Academy of Masonic Knowledge March 16th

The 2013 Spring session of the Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge will be held on Saturday, March 16th, 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 program for the day includes:

• * Brother Alexandre Cleven, Most Worshipful Past Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of Belgium, speaking on Freemasonry in Belgium
  
  
• A Survey of Topics for the New Mason
  

* Theodore W. Schick, Jr.: Philosophical Roots of Freemasonry 

* Larry A. Derr, DDGM: The Mentoring Program / Aspects of Social Media 

* Paul D. Fisher: Historic Grand Lodge Leaders 

* Charles S. Canning: Pennsylvania’s Unique Ritual / Worthwhile Books  

* Thomas W. Jackson, RWPGS: Freemasonry and Religion  

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, please send your name, address, Lodge number, and telephone

by e-mail (preferred) to: AMKSecretary@pagrandlodge.org

or by phone: (215) 988-1901
or by mail to : 
Academy of Masonic Knowledge
Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 

Please recognize that a cost is incurred to the program for your registration. If you pre-register and subsequently determine that you will be unable to attend, please have the Masonic courtesy to cancel your reservation by the same method and providing the same information. 

Hardcore Pawn

I was the resident Freemasonry "guy" on a recent episode of Hardcore Pawn: Chicago ("Paranormal Pawn"). Pretty silly but a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon in Chicago. I missed the show during Masonic Week because the hotel's cable lineup didn't include TruTV, but here it is online.

That may be the only time I've ever heard of Carl Claudy's books being possessed.

Former GL of Ohio Site For Sale

The Grand Lodge of Ohio moved it's location from its longtime home in Worthington, Ohio to Springfield onto the campus of the Ohio Masonic Retirement Community in December. This triggered a clause in a 1955 agreement and the ownership reverted to New England Lodge chartered in 1803. That leaves the seven Masonic bodies that meet in it's old buildings in a quandary.

From the Worthington News on February 13th:

The historic building that houses the New England Lodge in downtown Worthington is for sale.
The old lodge building at 634 High St. was built by Worthington founder James Kilbourne in 1820. Kilbourne and many of the community's founders were Masons and needed a meeting place.

In 1955, the Grand Lodge of Ohio built an addition to the building. The two are attached by a breezeway.

The statewide organization moved its offices from Worthington to Springfield in December 2012. According to a 1954 agreement, the deed was transferred to the New England Lodge, which is the local Masonic organization.

The New England Lodge cannot afford to maintain the building, said lodge member and longtime Worthington resident Michael Clevenger.

"We would entertain any and all proposals," he said. "We hope someone would maintain it in such a manner that we could continue to meet there."

Asking price for the building is $1.5 million. A half-acre grassy area north and east of the building is priced at $229,000.

The organization also would consider a long-term lease agreement. The new building has a kitchen and dining area and could be used as a restaurant. A catering company has approached the lodge and is considering the site for an event venue.

"I would like to see something to drive visitors to downtown Worthington," said Clevenger, who sits on the board of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Worthington.

Offices, restaurants or a mix of uses are how Worthington Economic Development Manager Jeff Harris sees the lodge redeveloping. One possibility would be a law firm."We would like to see something that adds vibrancy to downtown, but we would also like to see something that brings workers to the city," he said.

The 1820 building has 1,500 square feet on each of its two floors. The ground floor once housed the state Masonic museum. Display cases and historic items have been removed.Upstairs is a meeting room. The entire building is furnished as a lodge would have been in the 1820s. It is on the U.S. Register of Historic Places.

The 1955 building has 5,000 square feet on each of three floors. On the lower levels are small offices, with an auditorium-style meeting room on the upper level.

The building is zoned C-3, for offices and institution, but both Clevenger and Harris said C-5 would be appropriate. C-5 is the downtown zoning category that allows for offices, restaurants and commercial uses.

"It is a great building, but it needs updating," Clevenger said. "It has a pleasant look from the outside."

Seven Masonic-related organizations meet in the building.The New England Lodge has 750 members.Like the membership of many churches and service organizations, Masons are aging and dying, with overall numbers dwindling. But the New England Lodge has gone the other way. Many of its officers are in their 30s, Clevenger said.The New England Lodge is the longest continually operating lodge west of the Allegheny Mountains, and Clevenger does not see it disbanding any time soon. If it must move, it will, but even that would not be easy, he said."For us to go out of business would be a big step," he said.

H/T Mike Clevenger

Masonic Cornerstone Denied by Ga. County Commissioners

The Franklin County Commissioners in Lavonia, Georgia have denied a request by area Freemasons to dedicate their new fire station with a Masonic cornerstone.

From the Independent Mail in Anderson, SC, "Request for Masonic cornerstone at Lavonia EMS station denied" by M. J. Kneiser:

LAVONIA, Ga. -- The steel is up on the new Lavonia EMS station, but thing one that won’t be part of the new building is a Masonic cornerstone. The Franklin County chapter of the Masons had requested they be allowed to donate the cornerstone which would feature the Masonic symbol and the names of county and municipal leaders. The new station is on Gerrard Road. But the Franklin County commissioners were split in their support of the cornerstone request. The motion to approve the cornerstone was defeated in a 3-to-2 vote. Commissioners Tom Bridges and David Strickland voted in favor of it and Clint Harper, Bob Franklin and Jeff Jacques voting against the request.
Strickland made the motion that would allow the Masonic cornerstone to be installed at the station.
“I make a motion that we allow the Masons to put the cornerstone on the new EMS building in Lavonia due to the fact that it goes to show that we support the efforts of the Shriners,” Strickland said.
Strickland’s motion was seconded by Bridges, the commission’s chairman. But Harper opposed the idea. Harper said he was concerned that a Masonic cornerstone would be seen as political advertising.
“A lot of it is political,” Harper said. “This (EMS building) belongs to the citizens of Franklin County. They paid for it. As commissioners, we did not have a lot to do with it either way. I am against doing this.”
Harper said if Strickland’s motion did pass, he did not want his name on the cornerstone.
Franklin said he was worried if the county allowed the Masons to donate the cornerstone with their symbol on it, other groups would want the same thing on other county buildings.
“Lord only knows how many more,” Franklin said. “Are we going to sit up here and say it’s OK and then the next group comes along and we say, ‘We don’t want their group.’ So, I’m against it.”
Jacques recalled a similar situation in the county last year that raised ethical and conflict of interest issues.
“While it is very positive, seemingly, we had a very similar issue that arose last year where a business or group that wanted to provide a similar service to the county and we said ‘no,’” Jacques said. “I believe you’re setting yourself up on a slippery slope.”
Bridges said he had no problem with a Masonic cornerstone and pointed to other surrounding public buildings.
“I did a good bit of research and discovered quite a number of courthouses around the state have these on them, primarily because the Masons are the backbone of America,” Bridges said. “The closest one is the courthouse in Habersham County.”

Shawn Eyer Newest Blue Friar

Still getting caught up from Masonic Week...

On Friday, February 8th, the Society of Blue Friars' Grand Abbot S. Brent Morris named Shawn Eyer as its newest Friar, number 102. Shawn is the editor of The Philalethes magazine.

The Society of Blue Friars was established in 1932 specifically to recognize Masonic authors. There are currently 24 living members.

Congratulations, Brother Shawn on this great honor!

Short Talk Bulletin Bound Volumes Coming Soon

The Masonic Service Association of North America is embarking on a monumental publishing effort. The MSA has published a Short Talk Bulletin virtually every month since 1923. Now, they are assembling these gems of Masonic education into bound volumes, freshly edited and typeset. It will soon be possible to own complete bound sets on subjects that range from Masonic history, symbolism, philosophy and biographies.

Volume 1 (1923-1937) of five projected volumes will be printed in Fall 2013 for delivery before Christmas, featuring an index and more than 750 pages. Subsequent volumes will be published every 9-12 months. All profits will be used to support MSA activities. The books are edited by Brother S. Brent Morris, editor of the Scottish Rite Journal.

Three options are planned.

The Master Mason Edition will be bound in linen fabric with sewn signatures. Price: $90 + $7 shipping (Pre-publication price: $55 + $7 shipping if ordered before September 1st, 2013).

The Lodge Edition is identical to the Master Mason edition, but lodges may order 1 copy per lodge for $45 + $7 shipping, only if paid for with a Lodge check. Must be ordered before September 1st, 2013.

The Grand Master Edition is bonded leather binding, with gilt edges, and satin book marks, and autographed. Price is $150 + $15 shipping. Pre-publication price is $110 + $15 shipping if ordered before September 1st, 2013.

Shipping costs are for U.S. orders only. Please contact the MSANA for non-U.S. orders.

Publication of this volume is dependent upon sufficient pre-publication sales prior to September 1st, 2013. All pre-publication payments will be reimbursed if there are an insufficient number of orders.

Order online here.

Laudable Pursuit

It appears that the Knights of the North website has finally disappeared. I suspect Jeff Naylor simply decided he didn't want to pay for the domain anymore. For those interested in downloading a copy of Laudable Pursuit, click here: http://www.hodapps.com/LaudablePursuitFinal.pdf

If you are interested in a hard copy, a paperback edition is available from Lulu.com here for $7.98.

Laudable Pursuit is an examination of the state of Freemasonry in the United States, and a plan of action for rejuvenating lodges in the 21st century. Based on topics raised in the 1960's by renowned Masonic author, Indiana Past Grand Master Dwight L. Smith - and then promptly ignored by the fraternity – this work is intended as a starting point for the future direction of Freemasonry. Laudaable Pursuit is presented as a combination of both progressive and traditional action for those interested in Freemasonry to its once noble stature in U.S. society, as well as equipping the fraternity for the new century.

The Knights were created as an online Masonic think tank, and the paper was presented in 2005 before Lodge Vitruvian No. 767 in Indianapolis.

Many of the Knights themselves banded together five years ago and formed The Masonic Society.

UPDATE: The site is back up again at http://www.knightsofthenorth.com

Michigan Masonic Museum & Library Director

The Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation is seeking a full time Director responsible for oversight and operations of our Masonic Museum and Library located in Grand Rapids. The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree, experience in a museum and/or library, and an in-depth knowledge of Masons and Masonic history. The Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation is an EEO employer.

Please submit resumes to:
Masonic Pathways
Human Resources Department
1200 Wright Avenue
Alma, MI 48801

Brent Morris to Speak at Dwight L. Smith Meeting, 3/16

Indiana's Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research will be host to S. Brent Morris, PM at its March 16th meeting. Also speaking will be John Bridegroom, PM and JW of Dwight L. Smith Lodge.

Morris will be speaking on “The Higher Degrees”. It is a look at the timeline of the high degrees of Masonry. He will be available to discuss his presentation and we will have many of his books on hand.

Dwight L. Smith Lodge will open on March 16th at 1:00pm in the dining room at Freemason’s Hall in Indianapolis. All Master Masons are invited to attend. Light snacks will be available following the meeting.

WBro. Morris' appearance is made possible, in part, by assistance from The Masonic Society (themasonicsociety.com).

Biography of Brent Morris

S. Brent Morris, 33°, Grand Cross, is Managing Editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, the largest circulation Masonic magazine in the world. He retired after 25 years as a mathematician with the federal government and has taught at Duke, Johns Hopkins, and George Washington Universities. He is a Past Master of Patmos Lodge No. 70, Ellicott City, Maryland, and Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London, a life member and Mackey Scholar of the Scottish Rite Research Society, a Fellow of the Philalethes Society, recipient of the Philalethes Society Certificate of Literature, an honorary Fellow of the Phylaxis Society, founding Editor of Heredom, the transactions of the Scottish Rite Research Society, and Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars. He is author of many articles on Freemasonry and the books, •Complete Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry, •Masonic Philanthropies: A Tradition of Caring, •Cornerstones of Freedom: A Masonic Tradition, •The Folger Manuscript: The Cryptanalysis and Interpretation of an American Masonic Manuscript, •A Radical in the East. He and Arturo de Hoyos co-authored •Committed to the Flames: The History and Rituals of a Secret Masonic Rite, •Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? and co-edited •Freemasonry in Context: History, Ritual, and Controversy. He is co-editor of •Freemasonry on Both Sides of the Atlantic. He is also a member of the Shrine, York Rite, the Red Cross of Constantine, the Royal Order of Scotland, and the Allied Masonic Degrees.

Virginia Beach Lodge Hitting The Road

A lodge in Virginia Beach may soon be hitting the road for a new location. Literally.

From an article by Margaret Matray in the 2/11/2013 Virginian-Pilot:

A building more than 120 years old could be hitting the road soon, headed for a new plot of land about three miles away.  

 The City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a conditional use permit that would allow Princess Anne Masonic Lodge No. 25 to be moved from 2849 Princess Anne Road southeast to 3067 West Neck Road. In January, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the permit in a 9-1 vote. 

 The two-story, 2,120-square-foot lodge was built in the late 1800s on land leased from the Princess Anne County Courthouse. It was moved in 1936 to the western end of the courthouse property and moved a second time in 1968 to its current spot on Princess Anne Road, according to a proposal submitted to the planning commission.  

 In decades since, road projects have encroached on the lodge site, according to the proposal, and a more rural location is needed. The lodge would be moved to land owned by Emma Smithson Fountain, whose father was a member. In 2011, a conservation easement was placed on the property on West Neck Road to preserve two areas: the historic Thomas Woodhouse House and 3.75 acres designated for a Masonic lodge. Fountain donated that portion of the site to the lodge, according to the proposal.  

 If the council approves the move, a landscape buffer would be built to separate the site from single-family homes nearby. The lodge could add a 6,500-square-foot expansion, according to the proposal.

Mercedes, Satan and Masons

I am still getting caught up after being on the road to Masonic Week for 10 days. While I was gone, Mark Koltko-Rivera in New York broke the story that MercedesUSA was airing a Super Bowl commercial entitled "Soul" that featured Willem Dafoe as Satan, and two shots that clearly showed the Horned One sporting a Masonic ring on his pointed fingernailed hand.

Thanks to the complaints of many Freemasons, Mercedes altered the edit of the commercial for the Super Bowl airing removing the closeup of the ring, and issued an official apology on their Facebook page:

We apologize to anyone offended by the use of the ring worn in our commercial, 'Soul,' that ran during the Super Bowl. 

It was not our intention to make any association with the Freemasons or any organization. In fact, neither we nor our advertising agency were aware that the ring could be associated with the Freemasons. To avoid any confusion going forward, we will modify the commercial prior to any future television airings.

While I wish the apology had been in a more widely seen venue, it appears that enough voices can make a difference. It remains more than slightly risible for them to claim that there was no intention to associate the Freemasons with Old Scratch, because they clearly did.

Mercedes still has the extended 1:50 version on YouTube, with the ring featured in two shots. See it here.

Morristown, NJ Lodge Escapes Arson Attempt

Cincinnati Lodge No. 3 in Morristown, New Jersey narrowly escaped being burned to the ground last week, thanks to the bravery of RW Brother Drew Jardine. From last Sunday's Daily Record:

Drew Jardine planned to snow-blow around the Morristown Masonic Center Friday night but said he wound up wrestling with a man who burst into the center carrying jugs of gasoline and hollering that he would burn the place down.

Morristown Police Capt. Steve Sarinelli identified the suspect as John Mowbray, 50, of Morris Township.

“It’s unclear what his motive was,’’ Sarinelli said.

There was vandalism to the Masonic Center a few days before Friday’s incident and police are exploring a possible connection between Mowbray’s alleged break-in and the earlier criminal mischief, Sarinelli said.

In an interview Saturday morning in the sitting room of the circa-1930, Colonial center on Maple Avenue, Jardine said he was waiting for the snow to wane so he could clear the sidewalks when he heard the front door being forced open around 10:20 p.m.

"It's a stroke of luck I was here. The building could have been burned down," said Jardine, 57, a member of the center's building committee.

Jardine said he confronted the intruder, a stranger in his fifties, who was carrying four quarts of gasoline in milk containers. Jardine said he exchanged blows with the man, who was trying to get up stairs to the center's second floor, and he was able to wrestle him to the floor.

The jugs fell during the scuffle and one broke open so that the center's sitting room and foyer still reeked of gasoline Saturday morning.

Jardine said he managed to hold the man on the ground while he called police on his cell phone. Police confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody, charged with attempted arson and burglary, and lodged in the Morris County jail on $100,000 bail.