Christopher L. Hodapp's Blog, page 28

Flash! GL of Louisiana Votes in Favor of Prince Hall Recognition... Sort Of

by Christopher Hodapp
NOTE: This story will be updated as more details are received.


This afternoon at its 211th Annual Communication in Lake Charles, the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana F&AM successfully voted in favor of joint recognition with a Prince Hall (PHA) grand lodge, which reduces the number of states without reciprocity of recognition down to just four now.

Sort of.

It seems that the mainstream Grand Lodge of Louisiana (established in 1812) has passed joint recognition of the Most...

News of The Masonic Society; TMS Journal Issue 56 On Its Way

by Christopher Hodapp

Issue 56 of the Journal of The Masonic Society is about to start hitting subscriber mailboxes. Our Editor Michael Poll, Art Director John Bridegroom, and the whole team continue to do amazing work highlighting Masonic education and research.
The cover features a stunning view of the ceiling in the main lodge room of the United Grand Lodge of England on Great Queen Street, London. 
Here is the line-up of the papers in this issue:

• Gratitude in Masonic Life by C.R. Dunning, Jr.•...

Suspect In Shrine Vandalism Case Now Tied to More Attacks on Illinois Masonic Halls

Posted by Christopher Hodapp
From the Decatur, Illinois Herald & Review website on March 20th by Tony Reid:

The Decatur man accused of taking a baseball bat to the windows of the Decatur Masonic Temple (photo above) and inflicting massive damage is now linked to similar attacks at Masonic lodges and facilities scattered across Central Illinois.

Howard D. Lovelady Jr Howard D. Lovelady Jr. (photo) is so far pleading not guilty to seven counts of criminal damage, and those only relate to attacks on th...

Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon Installing Cutting Edge Historical Markers

by Christopher Hodapp
In the 1960s and 70s, our Grand Lodge in Indiana installed about thirty aluminum historical markers at various important Masonic sites around the state. Almost sixty years later, they're all still in place, and nearly all of them are in remarkably good condition with no maintenance. They have quite literally withstood the test of time. It's tough to find any product with that kind of track record, and seen in that light, they are a remarkably inexpensive way to promote inter...

Robot Maker Shows Off Mechanical Goat

by Christopher Hodapp

Here's your first goat story of 2022.
Ah, the myth of the Masonic lodge goat continues to be told and retold. Despite 200 years of accusations from non-Masons that we ride goats as part of our initiation, it's never been true. It's a superstition that non-Masons repeat, and even some juvenile-minded Masons will use to frighten new initiates. Masons don't haze candidates, and if your lodge does, you should be ashamed of yourself.
But those Odd Fellows guys, on the other hand......

Fire Tears Through San Bernardino Scottish Rite Center

by Christopher Hodapp

On Sunday, the Scottish Rite building in San Bernardino, California caught fire for the second time in just over a year. After a rooftop fire in February last year, the building has mostly been vacant. No injuries have been reported.

The fire was spotted by passing motorists on nearby I-215 and reported just after 5:00 PM. Fire Department investigators have not determined the cause of the fire as of this time.
The building was originally dedicated in 1972 and also served as th...

And you thought all we do in Indiana is sacrifice burnt offerings to the Corn God

by Christopher Hodapp

Nothing momentous with this post. Just memorializing a lunchtime gathering last week of a Dummy, a visiting Idiot, and our Hoosier pals. 
I'm 63 years old. I have to post these things in lieu of having an actual memory.
Left to right: Nathan Brindle, Past Master of Lodge Vitruvian 767, PM of the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research, and the Secretary of the Masonic Society; S. Brent Morris, celebrated brainbox, recently retired editor of Heredom and the Scottish Rite Journal, res...

As the Sword Turns: Called Conclave Removes Templar Grand Master Michael B. Johnson

by Christopher Hodapp

“You stubborn and hardheaded people!  You are always fighting against the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors did”  (Acts 7:51; CEV)
An historic gathering took place today, and I don't mean in a happy, smiley-face historic way. Michael B. Johnson, Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States, has been removed from office at a Called Special Conclave held in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 
Johnson has been replaced as Grand Master by David Kussma...

Masons Everywhere Want to Help Ukrainian Brethren

by Christopher Hodapp

Ukrainians woke up last week and found themselves suddenly in the middle of a full-scale invasion against one of the largest military forces in the world. People are fleeing their homes, taking up arms against the invaders, and placing their lives on the line to protect their sovereignty, their homes, and their freedom. Consequently, Masons from around the world have wished to offer their sympathy, prayers and more tangible support like money, medicine and food, especially t...

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Co-Sponsoring Revolutionary War Lecture Series

by Christopher Hodapp

As the U.S. inches its way to the 250th anniversary of America’s declaration of independence in 2026, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has announced its participation in a series of lectures and presentations on the pre-revolutionary war years. Entitled Boston’s Revolutionary Martyrs, the speaker series is a joint effort between the Framingham History Center, Revolution 250, the Dr. Joseph Warren Foundation, the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the Revolution, and the M...