Christopher L. Hodapp's Blog, page 42
July 24, 2020
Saipan Masons Donate Tower Clock to Catholic Cathedral
by Christopher Hodapp
Freemasons help their communities all over the world, and in countless ways. In the village of Chalan Kanoa on the Pacific island of Saipan, local Masons have just completed the installation of a new tower clock at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral. The cathedral is the mother church and seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa.
According to the Marianas Variety newspaper website today, the Brethren from Emon Lodge No. 179 donated the clock and their labor to insta...
July 17, 2020
Nebraska's Prince Hall Grand Lodge Building Vandalized
by Christopher Hodapp
The Omaha headquarters of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Nebraska was vandalized and robbed last Monday night. According to a report on KETV-7, a brick was thrown through the glass front door of the 100-year old Masonic hall, and thieves then entered the building.
In addition to the shattered door, MW Grand Master Freddie L. Clopton, Jr. reports that swords and robes were stolen from the lodge room, which usually points to bored teenagers in these cases. (The ...
July 11, 2020
Local Preservation Org Helps Restore North Carolina's First Prince Hall Masonic Hall
by Christopher Hodapp
The historic home of North Carolina's first African-American Masonic lodge, King Solomon Lodge No. 1 (PHA) in New Bern, is being restored to its Civil War-era appearance, thanks to local community leaders, donations and grants.
The lodge's 1870 Masonic hall, originally known as Drayton Hall, has been in distressed condition for several years. A fire in 2005 caused major damage to the structure, and since then the elements have not been kind to it. Now the New Bern Preservatio...
July 10, 2020
The Celestial Lodge: Alaska PGM John 'Bo' Cline Passes
by Christopher Hodapp
My longtime friend and Masonic Brother John 'Bo' Cline, passed away from acute leukemia on Wednesday. My deepest condolences to his dear wife Beth, to Josh, Megan, and all of their family.
It has been my privilege to know both Bo and Beth since I was invited to speak at Alaska's annual communication on Kodiak Island back in 2009, when he was elected as Grand Master. Bo's honors and accomplishments are far too numerous to recount here. In addition to serving as Alaska's Grand ...
July 9, 2020
A Prince Hall Brother Responds
by Christopher Hodapp
My post on July 4th, Why Freemasonry Still Matters , generated an unprecedented amount of discussion, pro and con, in numerous Facebook groups and elsewhere over the last several days. (If you didn't see it, go read it before you continue below.) I also received an astonishing number of private messages about it. But one response especially stood out.
Brother James R. Morgan III is a Prince Hall Mason in Washington, D.C. and a volunteer coordinator at that city's African-Ameri...
July 7, 2020
Your Goat Gag of the Month
Photo: Flint C. Hollarsby Christopher Hodapp
The Masonic Temple in Healdsburg, California is home to Sotoyome-Curtis Lodge 123. Their ground-floor tenant has apparently been listening at the door of the lodge for inspiration.
Apologies in advance to all goat gag-hating Masons out there.
Since I brought up murals in the last post, the Healdsburg Temple has one that's not necessarily Masonic in nature, but portrays some of the town's history. At least the horn section has a Mason.
July 6, 2020
Northern California Artists Paint Masonic Mural
Photo: (George Johnston — Daily News)by Christopher Hodapp
A volunteer group of graphic artists has pooled their talents to cover the exterior walls of their northern California town with public art, and the local Masonic lodge is the newest beneficiary.
The group calling itself Tehama Creatives has just completed a Masonic mural on the wall of Red Bluff's Vesper Lodge 34. It's one of several that almost completely line an alley in Red Bluff's downtown area. Tehama Creatives consult with the build...
Mother and Son Lost At Sea Last December Were 'Cleansing' Her of Freemasonry
by Christopher Hodapp
Sometimes a story comes along that is so completely odd that I just sit and stare at the screen and wonder how to even begin to describe it.
An elderly dementia sufferer from Australia named Felicity Loveday (84) and her son , Adrian Meneveau (56), were lost at sea last December during a three-day boat trip. Adrian had been caring for his mother for seven years before they disappeared after December 13th. A photograph of the two of them preparing to leave a wharf in Frankston...
July 4, 2020
Why Freemasonry Still Matters
by Christopher Hodapp
The United States has been rocked over the past month with images and stories relating to massive protests, rioting and statue-removing furor set off by the death of George Floyd while being arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As the weeks passed, the toxic confluence of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, anger, widespread unemployment, summer heat, pent up frustration, a breathless media, and the echo chamber of the Internet have all worked their worst influences to bring out...
June 29, 2020
Masonic Lite Podcast Interview
by Christopher Hodapp
I had the pleasure of appearing on Episode 99 of the Masonic Lite podcast, which we recorded last week. It's being released today, for those so inclined. Many thanks to hosts Pete Ruggieri, Larry Merris, Jack Harley, Tim Dedman and producer Josh Lyter for their kind invitation.
Episode #99 is supposed to be posted sometime today. CLICK HERE for the list of the latest Masonic Lite episodes.
