Indiana Masonic Home Festival 9/9

The 65th annual Indiana Masonic Home Festival will be on September 9th, 2012.

Since 1947, the Indiana Masonic Home has held an annual Festival inviting and encouraging members of the Masonic and Eastern Star Family and their families to visit the Indiana Masonic Home Campus and the residents. The event is held in the late summer currently in September.

Early on, the Indiana Masonic Home Festival was known as the Indiana Masonic Home Pilgrimage. It was a ‘Homecoming’ of sorts. In recent years, the name was changed to the Indiana Masonic Home Festival. The event, in additional to wonderful festival activities, food, games, and parades, serves as an ‘open house’ to see the campus and tour the IMH buildings, cottages, duplexes and apartments. There are Craft Booths, Fraternal displays, a Food Court and Musical Entertainment. The day caps-off with the annual parade around the circle. Local units and many Shrine Units are in the parade.

During the Festival Weekend, on Saturday, the Indiana Masonic Home Open Golf Outing is held at a local golf course. This event is a fundraiser for the Masonic Home to benefit the Transportation Department and other programs for our Residents. Both events are open to the public and the community.

AASR-NMJ: "Caring For Each Other"

"Caring For Each Other," a film from the Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction about its Almoner's Fund.

Mullen Pass, Montana Meeting Saturday 8/18

This Saturday, August 18th is the annual Mullan Pass Histotic Lodge Meeting. The Meeting will start at 10 am, and a lunch is planned. Mullan Pass Historic Lodge No. 1862, near the Continental Divide, was the location of the first meeting of Freemasons in Montana. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first Mullan Pass meeting.

In case of bad weather or fires, the Helena Masonic Center has been reserved as an alternate meeting location. If you need more information, or can assist with the meeting, please contact: John Thompson at jt.mansion@gmail.com or Gary Ellestad at garystringpkrmrbanjo777s@msn.com

Portland Lodge Defaced By Graffiti

KPTV - FOX 12
An irregular lodge in Portland, Oregon was vandalized by graffiti on August 9th. The Sons of Haiti Grand Lodge building was painted with swastikas and racist messages. From KPTV in Portland.

The Sons of Haiti Grand Lodge has lodges in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Washington. It was founded in 1962. It is listed on the Phylaxis Society list of bogus grand lodges and is not descended from Prince Hall Freemasonry.

Regardless of jurisdiction and affiliation, this is a disgusting act of vandalism. My own lodge has been defaced with graffiti over the years, resulting in us installing surveillance cameras, along with our alarm system. At the very least, every lodge needs to have an alarm on its doors and windows.

The age in which we live. *sigh*

New Haven, CT Cigar and Scotch Night

The Scottish Rite Valley of New Haven, CT will hold a cigar and scotch night on Friday, September 7th at the Owl Shop, 268 College Street. Click photo to enlarge for more details.

Chamber of Reflection Coin

A few of the Brethren at Washington #46 in Portland, Oregon have invested in a batch of custom made Chamber of Reflection coins. They are 2 inches across and weigh about 40 grams. They are asking $20 each with the money going toward installing a mosaic pavement in the Lodge floor. These coins are not being sold by Washington Lodge #46, but by members of the lodge.


Coin orders are being taken by Brother Craig Brown, a recently made Master Mason at Washington #46. Requests can be made at craigbrowntattoo@gmail.com. Payments can be made to the same address via PayPal.

Widow's Son Cigar

The brethren of Esoteric-Sherwood Lodge in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts have collaborated with a local cigar shop to create a new Masonic cigar. Armistead: The Widow's Son cigar will be available through its own website and at Connecticut Valley Tobacconist. The official launch will be in October.


It is part of a Civil War themed line of custom made cigars. The filler is Dominican and the wrapper will be Connecticut broadleaf.

No details yet on pricing and availability. The lodge has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheWidowsSonCigar and there is an official website for mail order sales at http://www.thewidowssoncigar.com.

Montana Grand Master Removed

In Montana today, at a Tribunal in Billings, four Past Grand Masters removed the sitting Grand Master, Tom Duffy. I have no other information than this at this point. Can anyone provide more details? No gossip, just the facts please.

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UPDATE

The following came from a trial observer in Montana:

"Our code provides that a Grand Master must be tried for abuse of power, or unmasonic conduct if at least 5 sitting Worshipful Masters file charges with the Junior Past Grand Master. A week after our Grand Lodge Elections and Installation Grand Master Duffy appeared at the Grand Lodge Office and informed the Grand Secretary that he was removing him from office immediately. There was an announcement sent out (on orders from the Grand Master.) and after reviewing the code, and within a week of the event, 9 Sitting Worshipful Masters filed five charges of Abuse of power and unmasonic conduct with the Junior Past Grand Master. As required by code the JPGM assembled a Tribunal of himself and 4 other Past Grand Masters, served notice to the Grand Master and set the date for the trial. The trial was held on August 10th, and each side was allowed unlimited time to present their arguments. The arguments and closings actually took just over 2 hours. The Tribunal deliberated for about a half an hour and returned a verdict of guilty on all five charges. The code is specific. If found guilty of any of the charges, the only penalty is removal from office. The Grand Master was removed from office immediately. The entire trial was recorded by a certified court recorder, and transcripts will be released at some point."

I have received messages from brethren on both sides of this event, but this seems to be the most dispassionate description of events.

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UPDATE: 

A document was forwarded to me concerning this action that is posted officially on the Grand Lodge of Montana website, with the statement of the MW Grand Master Thom Chisholm, dated August 25, 2012.

It can be seen at http://www.grandlodgemontana.org/forms/Grand%20Masters%20Message.pdf

New Shriner Watch from Barclay, Based on Dudley

Here is the newest limited edition wristwatch from Barclay Watch Co., which will benefit the Syria Shriners & their good deeds in Pittsburgh, PA. Based upon a Shriner movement design that Dudley Watch Co. patented in the 1920's, but never produced, now created in a limited edition of only 1,000 timepieces. Pre-orders are now being accepted at www.barclaywatch.com. The price is $340, and they will ship in October.

I'm very happy with my Barclay Masonic Dudley watch. It is beautifully made and is a true conversation starter.

12 Year Old Convicted in Masonic Fire

Crescent City Lodge before the tragic fire.

From KEIM-TV in California:

A 12-year-old has been convicted for the fire that burned the Masonic Temple in Crescent City (California) to the ground. Because it’s a juvenile the person responsible’s name cannot be released. The 12-year-old’s conviction is for felony arson, a charge that District Attorney Jon Alexander says carries a 2, 4, or 6-year sentence. Alexander also added that the Masonic Center was an integral part of the Crescent City community, and that the juvenile needs to be punished appropriately. Sentencing is August 27th.

The latest addition to the van, from www.BestLicensePlateFrames.com.

Daniel Tompkins Grave Rededication October 13

The New York Council of Deliberation of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite will rededicate the gravesite of Ill. Daniel D. Tompkins, the first Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, on Saturday, October 13th, 2012 at 11:00AM at the St. Marks Church on the Bowery, located at 131 East 10th Street, New York, NY.

This will kick off the bicentennial anniversary of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Donations to help sponsor this event are welcome.

For more information contact the chairman of the event, Moises Gomez at gomez1rego@aol.com

Thank You

Thanks to my friend and brother Jim Dillman for the very kind article about my induction into the Society of Blue Friars back in February on page 20 of the Summer 2012 issue of the Indiana Freemason Magazine. And deepest thanks to my Indiana brethren who have passed along their congratulations. I do appreciate it.

Author Andrew Hammer in Denver 9/22

The Grand Lodge of Colorado in association with East Denver Lodge No. 160 welcomes WBro. Andrew Hammer, author of "Observing The Craft," on September 22nd. Tyled lodge opens at 6:30PM, dinner to follow. EAs welcome. Suggested donation: $10. Send reservations to rsvp@eastdenver160.com

East Denver Lodge No. 160 is a Traditional Observance Lodge.

Author Michael Halleran in Colorado 9/5

The Southern Colorado Consistory is pleased to announce that renowned author and historian Michael Halleran who is well known for his humorous glimpse of Masonic life in the Brother Brother stories in the Scottish Rite Journal will be speaking on September 5th, and will also have books available. The event is FREE and EAs are welcome. Dinner has a nominal charge of $13. Please RSVP for dinner 719-471-7966.
The Consistory is located at 1150 Panorama Drive, Colorado Springs, CO.
Brother Halloran is also the author of The Better Angels of Our Nature , which tells the story of Freemasonry during the Civil War.

He will also be speaking on October 23rd in Indianapolis at Lodge Vitruvian No. 767's festive board.

Can You Identify This?

A brother sent me this photo. Can anyone identify it, the country and obedience? Click it to enlarge.
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UPDATE
The mystery has been solved. Read the comments. Many thanks to everyone for their help.

H/T to Sean Caster on Facebook.

Unrecognized Grand Master Killed in Detroit

The Grand Master of the irregular Universal Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons was shot and killed Saturday outside of the McKibbon Masonic Lodge in northwest Detroit. According to Fox News, Grand Master Jerry Sears, 56, was gunned down on the sidewalk of the lodge as preparations were underway for their national grand lodge meeting. Police are searching for the gunman.

According to the Phylaxis Society, they are also known as Mt. Olive Grand Lodge Ancient York Masons.

Regardless of affiliation, it is a terrible tragedy. RIP.

Robert Cooper in Florida Sept. 8th

Boynton Lodge Esoteric Research Group and Boynton Lodge No. 236, Boynton Beach, Florida present Worshipful Robert L.D. Cooper Curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland Museum and Library

Saturday, September 8, 2012,

Seminar Schedule
9:30 AM – 3:00 PM 9:30 AM : Check-In
10:00 AM-10:50 AM : What is Freemasonry?
 11:00 AM-11:50 AM : Count Cagliostro – The Ultimate Condemnation (Death) of a Freemason by the Church
 11:50 AM—1:00 PM : Lunch
 1:00 PM—1:50 PM : The Oldest Masonic Ritual in the World
 2:00 PM—3:00 PM : Rosslyn Chapel and the Knights Templar – True or False? / Modern Anti-Masonry 

 $30 Pre-Sale $40 at the Door
Boynton Lodge No. 236, F. &A.M. 2701 Quantum Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426
Master Mason-only event
Dues Card and ID required for entry
 To pay by credit card online, please visit http://blerg4.eventbrite.com If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Brian Work at: brian_work@yahoo.com or 561-305-7459

'Devil Worshipping Freemasons' Targeted by 71 Year Old Nun

A Catholic nun has been accused of sending threatening letters containing a white powder to several notable people in the UK, accusing them of being devil worshipping Freemasons, including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

From the Daily Mail, "Catholic nun, 71, 'sent envelopes containing white powder' to parliamentary figures including Nick Clegg accusing them of being 'evil devil worshipping freemasons'" by Anna Edwards:

A Catholic nun is alleged to have sent six envelopes containing white powder to parliamentary figures including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, a court heard today. The defendant, who is known as Sister Ruth Augustus, is accused of scrawling 'devil worshipping' on envelopes filled with white powder that she posted to Nick Clegg and Baroness Scotland, Harrow Crown Court was told.

The letters were intercepted, three at a time on two separate occasions, at a mail screening centre and the powder was found to be non hazardous, the court heard.

The defendant, 71, of Leyton, east London, denies six counts of hoaxes involving noxious substances or things.

Mark Kimsey, prosecuting, said Augustus accepts that she sent envelopes with letters in them but says police put the white powder in them.

Mr Kimsey said three envelopes were intercepted at a mail screening centre in east London on June 17, 2011.

A worker was checking mail at 5.30am when three envelopes raised concerns. One was addressed to Mr Clegg and on the envelope was written 'devil worshipping', 'freemason', 'sex with thirty plus women' and 'your poor Catholic wife and children'. The second was to Baroness Scotland, and had a swastika on it, and two crosses, and 'stop this evil devil worshipping'.

The third was to Baroness Kennedy, and was endorsed with a swastika, and 'stop these evil devil worshipping freemasons'.
Sister Ruth Augustus is accused of sending envelopes to Baroness Kennedy and Edward Leigh MP.

The envelopes contained a gritty substance, but it was found they had already tested negative for anthrax, and specialist police who were called in found them to be non hazardous.

In a later article Sister Augustus was quoted:

The jury heard that she told interviewing officer Detective Constable Anne Adams: 'The police are run by freemasons. All the top women are in it.'

I love that she's throwing a peace sign in her photo. Thanks, sister.

International Conference on the History of Freemasonry 2013

The International Conference on the History of Freemasonry (ICHF) will return to its Scottish origins May 24–26, 2013, at the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The sessions will be held at the historic Freemasons’ Hall, 96 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland. This biennial gathering brings together the world’s leading scholars on Freemasonry, attracting academic and Masonic researchers. Some of the finest, original research on Freemasonry will be presented at this three-day meeting. It is well worth saving your pennies and attending.

The deadline for submitting proposals for papers is July 31, 2012. Full details can be found at the conference web site, www.ichfonline.org.

The Quarry Project

The Masonic Society and the Masonic Library and Museum Association have joined forces to establish The Quarry Project. Phase one of this endeavor will be the Conference on Masonic Research and Preservation to be held in the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA on September 26-29, 2013. The conference is open to anyone interested in Masonic research and preservation, but will be specifically targeted toward two groups: (i) members of Masonic lodges of research as well as authors, writers, and researchers, both published and aspiring, and (ii) Masonic librarians and museum curators.

The conference will draw from both the Masonic and academic communities to provide detailed instruction on Masonic research and the editing of the results. In addition, the recommendations of a committee created to establish a set of voluntary standards for future Masonic research, writing, and editing will be introduced. Professional librarians, museum curators, and experts on display and preservation will provide practical instruction and advice on maintaining and improving Masonic historical repositories. Multiple concurrent presentations will be offered on all three days. A few success stories that will enthuse and inspire you will be mixed in along the way.

July Poll Results: Masonic Education

July's poll is now closed. Thanks to the 385 respondents.

Poll question:  Does your lodge have a regular program of speakers or education?

Yes	193 (50%)
No	192 (49%)

Total votes:: 385
Poll closed 

Speaking in Raleigh, NC Sept 8th

I will be speaking in Raleigh, North Carolina on 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 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!

Museum of the American Revolution In The Works

From The Daily Mail, "Washington's tent among stunning artifacts in first ever museum dedicated to American Revolution" By JAMES NYE:

A priceless collection of American Revolutionary war treasures has been waiting patiently for more than a century for a permanent place to call home. 

Currently held in a secret, nondescript building in the suburbs of Philadelphia, the carefully kept collection will take up residence when the Museum of the American Revolution opens in the City of Brotherly Love's historic district. 

Like an American version of the U.K's Royal Crown Jewels, the collection contains Founding Father George Washington's original tent, which has been compared to an outdoor Oval Office. 

Carefully stacked on shelves, hanging on walls and spread out on tables in a large climate-controlled room are thousands of artifacts from the Revolutionary War. 

They will remain under wraps in their anonymous location until late 2015, when The Museum of the American Revolution opens in Philadelphia's historic district. 'We're still finding things,' curator R. Scott Stephenson said during a recent behind-the-scenes tour of the Colonial-era cache. 

He recently discovered, as one example, five law books among the hundreds of storage boxes inscribed with the owner's name: Patrick Henry. More digging unearthed estate and auction records verifying the books belonged to the Founding Father known for his 'give me liberty or give me death' speech, and not someone with the same name. 

The collection was started by the Rev. W. Herbert Burk, an Episcopal minister and George Washington enthusiast who founded the Valley Forge Historical Society in the early 1900s. 

That group is the predecessor of the American Revolution Center, a nonprofit and non-partisan group working to raise $150 million to build the 110,000-square-foot museum. 

Earlier this month the Oneida Indian Nation announced a $10 million gift to the museum in honor of Oneidas who fought alongside the Continental Army against British forces.
The donation comes in response to a challenge from Philadelphia media magnate and American Revolution Center chairman H.F. 'Gerry' Lenfest, who last month said if the museum can raise $40 million he will match it. 

Among the roughly 3,000 artifacts waiting in the wings include all manner of muskets and rifles, textiles, cups and canteens, art, books, periodicals and manuscripts. The item that started the whole collection will be a highlight of the museum: General. George Washington's sleeping and office tent. 

The 20-foot-long canvas marquee – a little like an outdoor Oval Office – was purchased in 1909 from Mary Custis Lee, Martha Washington's great-great-granddaughter.

New Exhibit at AASR's National Heritage Museum

From the Metro West Daily News yesterday:

What can we learn about Freemasonry from quilts, needlework and rugs made by women with relatives in the secretive order?
Aimee Newall, curator of collections at the National Heritage Museum, will discuss the new exhibit she organized, "Threads of Brotherhood: Masonic Quilts and Textiles,'' Saturday, July 28 at, at the Lexington museum.
Starting at 2 p.m., this free talk will explore how women demonstrated their familiarity with Masonic values through their needles while leaving behind striking examples of their work.
Organized by Newall, the new show features 25 quilts, coverlets, needlework pictures and hooked rugs from the museum's collection which is likely the largest of its kind in the country.
She said the exhibit will appeal to non-Masons and Masons because "it tells a compelling story of connected lives and shared values."
Known also as the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library, it is located at 33 Marrett Road, Lexington. For information call 781-861-6559 or visit www.nationalheritagemuseum.org.

Fraternal Ties

When I was in Toronto last week, Brother John Paul Gomez made me a gift of one of his beautiful ties from FraternalTies.com (his Canadian Freemason design). These ties are superbly designed and well-crafted, and all of them are unique. I strongly recommend Brother Gomez' work. You can't go wrong making yourself a gift of one, or directing your spouse to his website for that special "What do I buy for a Mason?" event.

Pennsylvania MM Degree in Indiana in September

On September 15, 2012, Mt. Moriah Lodge #77 will host a very special day. The Grand Masters Lodge in Pennsylvania, Butler Lodge #272 will travel to Mt. Moriah Lodge in Anderson, Indiana to exemplify, or, if their candidate can make it, actually confer the Master Mason Degree on a candidate from PA. The last time a Lodge from Pennsylvania came to Indiana to exemplify their work was during PGM Denny Herrells’ year, 2005-2006 at Howard Lodge #90.
Reservations for dinner and attendance are a must and can be made by contacting Mt Moriah’s Worshipful Master, Brother John Mathews at mailman7@comcast.net or by calling (765)642-8951 and leaving a full message. Your Ladies are invited to dinner should they wish to attend and just mention that in your RSVP for the event.
Lodge will open at 2:30pm with dinner at approximately 5:30pm if your Lady should attend. The Brethren from PA typically wear formal tails! Let us show our appreciation by wearing coats and ties for this event.

XII World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges in India

The XII World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges will be held November 22nd-25th, 2012 in at the Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay, Mamallapuram, Chennai, India. The theme of the conference will be "the role of Freemasonry in universal peacekeeping."

It will be held in conjunction with the 51st Grand Festival of the Grand Lodge of India.

See the website here for more information and registration.

Edict Against Shriners in Michigan To Be Lifted

Mike Spensley, Potentate of Moslem Shrine in Michigan, reports that Dean Barr, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the State of Michigan and Alan Madsen Imperial Potentate of Shriners International have met today. The Grand Master has agreed to lift the edict over Michigan Shriners immediately.

Click here for background on this story.