Christopher L. Hodapp's Blog, page 12

Grand Lodge of Cuba Votes To Expel Sitting Grand Master Mario Carreño

by Christopher Hodapp

On Sunday, the assembled brethren of the Gran Logio de Cuba de AL&AM (Grand Lodge of Cuba) voted to expel their sitting Grand Master, Mario Alberto Urquía Carreño. From the HavanaLive website translated from 14YMedio.com on March 24th:

(Havana) The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Cuba, Mario Alberto Urquía Carreño, has been expelled by the representatives of more than 300 lodges on the Island, shouting “Out with a thief, usurper, scoundrel, traitor.” The events occurred o...

F.O.B.s (Friends O' Brent) Meet Up in Central Indiana

by Christopher Hodapp

We Indiana Masons have the good fortune that author, editor, researcher, statistician, magician and Brother, Illus. S. Brent Morris, 33° , has family here in Brownsburg. That means once or twice a year, Brent and his bride Jocelyn wing their way here from their lavish manse in Maryland to visit for a few days, which lets us arrange for a lunch and to spend some time together. 
Here we are posing yesterday with our traditional mascot, just in case some so-called Masonic "expe...

Guthrie, Oklahoma Scottish Rite Spring Reunion April 5-7

by Christopher Hodapp

The Guthrie, Oklahoma Valley of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite - SJ has one of the most magnificent Masonic buildings in the U.S., and they are understandably proud of their architectural treasure. But Guthrie also is renowned for its outstanding presentations of the complete AASR Southern Jurisdiction’s Pike-derived rituals of the 4th-32nd degrees.


Their Spring 2024 Reunion will be held April 5-7th. Registration opens Friday at 7AM, and the opening ceremonies will begin ...

One Score, Five Years and a Couple of Days Ago...

by Christopher Hodapp
On Thursday night, Worshipful Brother Nathan Brindle and I were given our commemorative 25-year pins by the Master, officers and brethren of Broad Ripple Lodge 643 in Indianapolis. I guess the whole city was in on this event—just about the time we got pinned, the Civil Defense klaxon out in the lodge parking lot belted out a one-note fanfare for five solid minutes, followed by a half-hour of spectacular Stürm und Drang-like thunder and lightening. All that was missing was th...

Four Score, Five Years and a Couple of Days Ago...

by Christopher Hodapp
On Thursday night, Worshipful Brother Nathan Brindle and I were given our commemorative 25-year pins by the Master, officers and brethren of Broad Ripple Lodge 643 in Indianapolis. I guess the whole city was in on this event—just about the time we got pinned, the Civil Defense klaxon out in the lodge parking lot belted out a one-note fanfare for five solid minutes, followed by a half-hour of spectacular Stürm und Drang-like thunder and lightening. All that was missing was th...

My Deepest Apologies: Is Red or White Wine Best with a Plate of Crow?

by Christopher Hodapp

What is the proper bit of cutlery you’re supposed to use when eating crow – a fork, or a crow bar?

There are plenty of times when life would be better if we didn’t express our own badly informed opinions out loud. Well, every once in a while, I’m as guilty as the next guy of shooting off my big mouth, flapping my gums, or furiously pounding on the keys of my tripe-writer, before knowing all sides of an issue.

The difference with me is that I’m NOT the next guy — I’m a Freemas...

AASR-NMJ Releases Results of Investigations Over Former SGC David A. Glattly

by Christopher Hodapp

The Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite - Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (NMJ) has just issued a public "Statement of Facts" in the wake of their investigation and ultimate expulsion of Past Sovereign Grand Commander David Glattly last month. The statement was emailed to all members of the NMJ and has been posted on their public website HERE.
According to the statement, Glattly was expelled from membership in the AASR-NMJ for "deliberate breach of fiduciary ...

The Story of Ireland's 'Lady Freemason' Coming To Television

Elizabeth St Leger Aldworth, Ireland's Lady Freemason

by Christopher Hodapp

The famous tale of Ireland's first 'Lady Freemason,' Elizabeth St Leger Aldworth, was dramatized in print three years ago by Irish-American author Kathleen Aldworth Foster. Her novel, Doneraile Court: The Story of The Lady Freemason,  was framed as an historical romance/mystery with some Masonic intrigue thrown in. Now, an Irish production company has announced that Foster's novel will soon be made into a television series...

Intruder Fatally Shot After Breaking Into a St. Louis Masonic Hall

by Christopher Hodapp
An intruder was shot and killed in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday morning after breaking into a St. Louis-area Masonic lodge building. Police pronounced the suspect dead at the scene. The lodge's resident called police as soon as the suspect was shot, and is cooperating with investigators. As of Friday evening, the dead man, believed to be in his mid-40s, still has not been publicly identified.
According to local NBC affiliate KSDK-5, the suspect broke into the hall of  Tusc...

2024 Conference of Grand Master Masons of North America Opens in Seattle

by Christopher Hodapp
The Conference of Grand Master Masons of North America (more affectionately known as COGMMNA) officially kicks off its annual meeting in Seattle, Washington today. It's an opportunity for regular, recognized grand masters in our end of the Masonic world to meet each other and learn from each others' successes, failures, programs, catastrophes, and more.
The Conference is being held at the Seattle Westin Hotel and will continue through Wednesday.
Membership in the Conference cu...