Illus. Bros. Morris & DeHoyos Speaking In DC

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

Los Angeles Scottish Rite Cathedral

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

Have a look here.

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

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

NASCAR Model Benefits Shriners Hospitals

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

GL of Indiana Trip To Washington DC

For my Indiana brethren:

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

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

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

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

Fraternally,

George A. Ingles, Jr.
Grand Master

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

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

GLNF Elects New GM; UGLE Yanks Recognition

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

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

Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge 10/27

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

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

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

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

Grand Lodge of Sweden

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

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

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

Adam Kendall in Burbank

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

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

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

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

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

Vitruvius and the Master Mason’s Secret

From the Maine Masonic College Facebook page:

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

Michael Poll Still in the Dark

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

Next Saturday in Raleigh, NC

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

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

Where: 1520 Caswell Street Raleigh NC 27605

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

Seating is limited so tickets must be reserved in advance.

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

Looking forward to being there!

August Poll Results: Appendant Bodies

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

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

Poll closed. Thanks for voting.

St Bernard de Clairvaux AMD Council Tonight

I'll be speaking tonight at the quarterly meeting of St. Bernard de Clairvaux Allied Masonic Degrees Council in Indianapolis. Dinner begins at 5:30PM at Dawson's On Main at 1464 Main Street in Speedway.

Looking forward to being there.

Lodge Vitruvian Hosts Author Michael Halleran

Lodge Vitruvian No. 767 welcomes author Michael Halleran on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012. Stated Meeting will be held at the temple of Broad Ripple Lodge, 1716 Broad Ripple Avenue in Indianapolis at 7PM.

Festive Board to follow the meeting at the nearby Capri Restaurant, 2602 Ruth Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana, (off Keystone Avenue between 71st and 75th Streets)

The Festive Board will feature our guest speaker Bro. Michael Halleran. Bro. Halleran is a practicing attorney who has written and lectured on Freemasonry in both the United States and Great Britain. An active Freemason, he is Past Master of several lodges, mostly recently Justice Lodge No. 457; he is also an elected officer in the Grand Lodge of Kansas.

Michael is the author of The Better Angels of Our Nature; Freemasonry in the American Civil War (2010), published by the University of Alabama Press, and more recently, of Bro. Brother's Journal, available from Macoy Publishing.

Dinner will be $30.

For more information see the lodge website at www.vitruvian.org.

My Friend and Brother Nathan Brindle

Congratulations to my friend and true brother Nathan Brindle on being nominated to receive the 33° from the Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in Washington, D.C. next year.

Nathan is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Masonic Society. He is a Past Master and Past Secretary of Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643, Past Master of the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research, the current Secretary of Lodge Vitruvian No. 767, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Indianapolis Masonic Temple Association, and he served last year as Thrice Potent Master (the greatest title in all of Freemasonry) of the Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis. He has been my friend since high school, and I couldn't be prouder than right now. His honor is well earned, and I intend to be in DC next August to see it conferred.

Huzzahs and congratulations to Nathan, and to all of my Indiana brethren who were nominated for the 33rd degree in Cleveland yesterday!

And congratulations as well to the 174 Illustrious Brothers of the Class of 2012, who were coronetted Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, 33rd Degree, honorary members of this Supreme Council in Cleveland this week.

Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research This Saturday 9/1

Dwight L. Smith was the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Indiana F.& A.M. in 1945, and served as Grand Secretary from 1947 until 1979, He was well-known for his longtime position as editor of the Indiana Freemason Magazine, and his history of Indiana Freemasonry, Goodly Heritage.

The Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research is a special purpose Lodge under Dispensation, created by the Grand Lodge of Indiana, F. & A. M., for the purpose of furthering research and interest in the history, customs, and societal impact of the Masonic Fraternity. Our mandate is to study these areas from a worldwide perspective, but with a particular emphasis on how they have impacted the lives of Masons, their families, and the general public in the State of Indiana.

The Lodge meets three to four times each year, at its home in Indianapolis at Indiana Freemasons' Hall.

The Lodge is also responsible for oversight of the Grand Lodge Speakers' Bureau and its Orator's Pin program. From time to time, the Lodge publishes Perlustration, a compendium of its proceedings.

We welcome all Indiana Freemasons with an interest in research to join the Lodge and to submit papers for its consideration.

The Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research will hold its next meeting this Saturday, September 1st at Indiana Freemasons' Hall, 525 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. We will open at 1PM, with refreshments to follow.

Interested in joining? Membership is $15 per year. Download the application here.

For more information, see the lodge website at www.indianalodgeofresearch.com , and be sure to sign up for the lodge Facebook page here.

Grand Lodge of Montana

Most Worshipful Grand Master Thomas Chisholm, the newly installed Grand Master of Montana, has publicly posted an explanation of the recent events leading to the removal of PGM Thomas Duffy. Grand Secretary Reid Gardiner has been reinstated as GS.

The official documents can be read here. They include a synopsis of the events and the portions of Montana's code that apply to this case.

2013 MRF Symposium

It has just been announced that the 4th Masonic Restoration Foundation Symposium will be at Manchester, New Hampshire Aug 16-18, 2013, organized by Phoenix Lodge.

Ernest Borgnine Memorial Service

"Please be aware that there will be a Masonic Memorial Service for our Brother Ernest Borgnine at the Long Beach Scottish Rite (in their Ernest Borgnine Theatre named in his honor recently), on Saturday, September 1st, starting at 11:00 A.M. He belonged to Hollywood Lodge No. 355 and was a 63 year Mason, having been raised in Virginia back in 1949.

"Illus. Borgnine belonged to both the Los Angeles Scottish Rite and the Long Beach Scottish Rite Bodies. He received “33° Inspector General Honorary” and “Grand Cross” recognitions in the Scottish Rite organization."

Sherm Ostrom
Executive Secretary
Los Angeles Masonic Service Bureau

H/T David Williams

Ft. Clinch, Florida Outdoor Degree

Every October, the members of Amelia Lodge No. 47 perform a Master Mason Outdoor degree at Fort Clinch State Park, in honor of George W. Call, first Worshipful Master of Amelia Lodge No. 47, F&AM 1859-1862. The degree is performed at Ft Clinch , Fernandina Beach, Florida with a 'Civil War' atmosphere. All Master Masons are welcome to attend this degree this year on October 20, 2012. There will be a dinner prior to the degree at Amelia Lodge, 1101 South 14th Street, Fernandina Beach. The dinner will start at 3 pm, for a donation of $10.00. For details please e-mail jhwiggeruscgret@bellsouth.net by the 15th of October with a head count of Brothers attending for meal planning and preparations.

H/T Mike O'Kelley

3rd Annual Tri-Jurisdictional Outdoor Lodge in Saskatchewan

The 3rd Annual Tri-Jurisdictional Outdoor Lodge rotated between Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana, will be held on Sept 28-29, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Registration Forms need to be received by the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan by September 15th.

Friday, September 28 - Check in at the Moose Jaw Masonic Temple for registration, cocktails, and conversation at 5:30 with dinner following.

Saturday, September 29 - The program will feature the Entered Apprentice degree using Canadian Rite with the Grand Master in King Solomon’s Chair. Lunch will be provided by Mizpah OES and will feature soup, sandwiches, and desserts. Saturday evening’s banquet will feature roast beef with all the trimmings with entertainment to follow.

Detroit Masonic Temple In Trouble Again

The Detroit Masonic Temple is up against the wall again, financially. According to an article in the Detroit Free Press, the world's largest Masonic temple is in danger of having its electricity turned off this weekend.

A shutoff notice is taped to the front door of the historic building for failure to pay its bills. The DTE Energy posting says electric and natural-gas service will be disconnected on or after Sunday unless the account is made current.

“We’re not not paying bills. It’s trying to be timely with the bills,” said Jimmy Romeo, the Masonic’s director of events. “The bill will be paid in the allotted time.”

He said that the private event, which is next on the Masonic calendar, will go on as scheduled tonight.

It takes $3,000 a day to run the Masonic, he added.

According to Romeo, the Detroit Masonic Theater Company who runs the entertainment venue for the Masons inherited the outstanding bills when it took over management of the landmark.

Olympia Entertainment oversaw the Masonic until 2010.

A representative for the Ilitch-owned firm would not comment but said the company would release a statement today.

DTE Energy said in a written statement that the Masonic Temple has “accrued a substantial unpaid balance and attempts to reach a workable payment arrangement with the facility’s management have been unsuccessful … Facility management has not complied with a recent agreement for partial payment that would prevent shutoff. We continue to talk with the management team.”

The utility also acknowledged the important role the theater plays in Detroit and the surrounding region.

“We recognize the iconic status that the Masonic Temple holds in the community and we regret that a shutoff may be necessary, but in fairness to all of our customers we cannot continue to provide utility services without payment.”

Standing near the nearly-vacant entrance to the theater, Romeo listed some of the famous acts who’ve performed at the masonic over the years, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who and the Rolling Stones.

The Masonic Temple has two major theaters seating 4,300 and 1,500 respectively and ballrooms for up to 1,000 people.

New Past Master's Jewel

My friend John Bridegroom is a true artist who does magnificent work. His latest creation is a Past Master's jewel that is unlike any you've seen. Called the Wilmshurst, it is available on Ebay from the Master's Craft for a paltry $40, and has two bars for engraving.

Help Needed From Toronto

A Brother is in need of some help from a Mason living in the Toronto area. He needs a product purchased locally and shipped to him in the US - the company refuses to do mail order. If you can assist, please contact me at hodapp@aol.com. Many thanks.

New Malta Jewels for Raper Commandery No. 1

New Malta jewels from Toye, Kenning and Spencer for Indianapolis' Raper Commandery No. 1 arrived with a largish UPS thud on my doorstep last week. We haven't had these available for several decades and members have resorted to cadging them off of Ebay. We're fully stocked now, and the workmanship is outstanding.

Masonic Calendar Website

 An updated calendar of Masonic Conferences, Speeches, Symposia & Gatherings is now a new part of the Masonic Society web page. main website. Click here for the direct link.

If you have an event that would be of interest to a regional, national or international audience, help us keep the listings up to date by sending dates, locations and details of your Masonic gatherings, speeches, education programs, etc. to articles@themasonicsociety.com

Many thanks to our intrepid Secretary/Treasurer WBro. Nathan Brindle for doggedly tinkering with Joomlah to make this work.

Tri-State Masonic Degree Celebration in Oklahoma 10/19-21

Many Brethren do not realize that there are differences in the Masonic Ritual from state to state. It’s always interesting to see how a degree is done in another jurisdiction. Oklahoma Masons are going to have that chance. On October 19, 20, and 21, teams from New Mexico and South Carolina will travel to the Guthrie, OK Scottish Rite Temple along with brethren from those states. They will perform the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft Degrees, each according to their own ritual. Then the Oklahoma Masonic Indian Degree Team will perform the Master Mason Degree.

Keep checking at http://www.gloklahoma.com/GrandLodge/GMmessage.html for more details.

H/T to Bill Hosler

Yabba Dabba Doo

A classic PSA from the 1980s featuring Fred Flintstone speaking for Shriner's Hospitals.

H/T to John McAloon

Bumper Sticker

This bumper sticker is available by mailing a check and your mailing address to CP Communications 6440 Pitchfork Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80922. Shipping is free the stickers are $5 a piece.

H/T Cliff Porter