Christopher L. Hodapp's Blog, page 47
April 11, 2020
'Journal of the Masonic Society' Back Issues Now Online
by Christopher Hodapp
Great news for Freemasons in search of a new, untapped resource for quality, thoughtful and informative Masonic reading and research material. The Masonic Society has just made the first fifteen issues of the Journal of the Masonic Society available online at no cost via the Issu website.* I understand more issues are coming as soon as their indefatigable Secretary and webmeister can organize and upload the pdfs of even more.
I'm especially proud of these particular...
Great news for Freemasons in search of a new, untapped resource for quality, thoughtful and informative Masonic reading and research material. The Masonic Society has just made the first fifteen issues of the Journal of the Masonic Society available online at no cost via the Issu website.* I understand more issues are coming as soon as their indefatigable Secretary and webmeister can organize and upload the pdfs of even more.
I'm especially proud of these particular...
April 10, 2020
GL of Ohio Officially Authorizes Virtual Stated Meetings
by Christopher Hodapp
As the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown enters its second month in many states, grand lodges everywhere are scrambling to find ways to permit basic lodge business to go on without holding in-person group meetings. Some are permitting executive meetings of lodge officers by phone or teleconference in order to authorize bill payments and other basic housekeeping business. But others have the sticky problem that their state constitutions have few or no options to skip or postpone...
As the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown enters its second month in many states, grand lodges everywhere are scrambling to find ways to permit basic lodge business to go on without holding in-person group meetings. Some are permitting executive meetings of lodge officers by phone or teleconference in order to authorize bill payments and other basic housekeeping business. But others have the sticky problem that their state constitutions have few or no options to skip or postpone...
April 9, 2020
'Your Son Is My Brother': the Masonic Service Centers of World War II
by Christopher Hodapp
Over the weekend I posted a link to a YouTube video of then-senator and Freemason Harry Truman addressing the nation in 1942 during World War II about the Masonic Service Association and what eventually turned into 90 Army-Navy Masonic Service Centers across the U.S. After I called attention to that clip, I received a sizable raft of feedback from all over the country asking about that program of the MSA and Truman's involvement.
It seems that Masons today are...
April 7, 2020
Indiana's Masonic Museum Artifact Highlighted
by Christopher Hodapp
Ah, timing is everything. On my local front, we were gearing up for summer visitors at the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana . New banners, new promotions, new graphics, maybe some public programs now all on hold indefinitely until the COVID-19 pandemic nationwide shutdown finally comes to an end.
So naturally, the April 2020 issue of Indianapolis Monthly magazine just arrived arrived today, especially highlighting all of our capitol citys great...
Ah, timing is everything. On my local front, we were gearing up for summer visitors at the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana . New banners, new promotions, new graphics, maybe some public programs now all on hold indefinitely until the COVID-19 pandemic nationwide shutdown finally comes to an end.
So naturally, the April 2020 issue of Indianapolis Monthly magazine just arrived arrived today, especially highlighting all of our capitol citys great...
April 4, 2020
Truman: "None will look askance and say, 'Where was Freemasonry in this hour of need?'"
by Christopher Hodapp
Last year I was researching information about Masonic communities activities during World War II and the creation of a national network of U.S.O.-like service clubs by grand lodges and the Masonic Service Association. By the war's end there were 90 Army-Navy Masonic Service Centers located in major Masonic halls all across the country that provided meals, recreation, transportation, letter-writing material and services, and free long-distance phone calls to military...
Last year I was researching information about Masonic communities activities during World War II and the creation of a national network of U.S.O.-like service clubs by grand lodges and the Masonic Service Association. By the war's end there were 90 Army-Navy Masonic Service Centers located in major Masonic halls all across the country that provided meals, recreation, transportation, letter-writing material and services, and free long-distance phone calls to military...
April 3, 2020
SRRS Posts 'Future of Freemasonry' Issue of Plumbline Online - Read It Now
by Christopher Hodapp
About a month ago I called attention to the Winter issue of the Scottish Rite Research Society publication, The Plumbline and the feature article by Angel Millar, The Future of Freemasonry and What We Have To Offer . At the time, I said it was important enough that every Masonic leader today needs to get hold of a copy and read it - Worshipful Masters, Wardens, and absolutely every grand lodge officer of any jurisdiction.
It really is that important.
The...
About a month ago I called attention to the Winter issue of the Scottish Rite Research Society publication, The Plumbline and the feature article by Angel Millar, The Future of Freemasonry and What We Have To Offer . At the time, I said it was important enough that every Masonic leader today needs to get hold of a copy and read it - Worshipful Masters, Wardens, and absolutely every grand lodge officer of any jurisdiction.
It really is that important.
The...
April 2, 2020
"Freemasonry, notwithstanding, has still survived. "
by Christopher Hodapp
RW Michael Halleran, Past Grand Master of Kansas and former editor of the Journal of the Masonic Society , just passed along this artwork for a Masonic/COVID graphic.
"Wanted to do something to help," Mike wrote. "Enclosed is a 6x9 jpg poster I did up today that any lodge or grand lodge can freely use...if it helps, please post it. The poster is suitable for social media posting as is, and can be printed (if that is still a thing) at a 1:1 ratio at 6 inches by 9...
RW Michael Halleran, Past Grand Master of Kansas and former editor of the Journal of the Masonic Society , just passed along this artwork for a Masonic/COVID graphic.
"Wanted to do something to help," Mike wrote. "Enclosed is a 6x9 jpg poster I did up today that any lodge or grand lodge can freely use...if it helps, please post it. The poster is suitable for social media posting as is, and can be printed (if that is still a thing) at a 1:1 ratio at 6 inches by 9...
Jacksonville, Illinois Masonic Temple Hits the Market
by Christopher Hodapp
The truly unique art-deco Masonic hall of Harmony Lodge No. 3 in Jacksonville, Illinois has just hit the market. Their temple board voted last week to offer the Depression era for sale via an online auction.
The hall is also home to Zingabad Grotto. Both groups will continue to reside there until the building is sold. And some members have expressed a desire to continue to rent their lodge room space from new owners, if possible.
I came across the early story of...
The truly unique art-deco Masonic hall of Harmony Lodge No. 3 in Jacksonville, Illinois has just hit the market. Their temple board voted last week to offer the Depression era for sale via an online auction.
The hall is also home to Zingabad Grotto. Both groups will continue to reside there until the building is sold. And some members have expressed a desire to continue to rent their lodge room space from new owners, if possible.
I came across the early story of...
March 29, 2020
Isolation Is A(nother) Good Reason For New Books
by Christopher Hodapp
A major bargain on expensive Masonic books doesn't happen very often, but this is a real opportunity for lodges, libraries and individual Masons seeking a massive educational resource.
As reported here several months ago, the Masonic Service Association is moving its headquarters from Maryland to Iowa. The complete six-volume set of hardbound editions of the Short Talk Bulletins starting in the 1920s is now on sale at what is almost a giveaway price. The full set of...
A major bargain on expensive Masonic books doesn't happen very often, but this is a real opportunity for lodges, libraries and individual Masons seeking a massive educational resource.
As reported here several months ago, the Masonic Service Association is moving its headquarters from Maryland to Iowa. The complete six-volume set of hardbound editions of the Short Talk Bulletins starting in the 1920s is now on sale at what is almost a giveaway price. The full set of...
March 27, 2020
Mississippi Lodge Partners With Local Developer To Save Historic Hall
A month can't go by without a story appearing about the loss of another significant Masonic hall or temple. But every once in a while, I get positive messages like this one. WB Matthew Farmer, Worshipful Master of Abert Lodge 89 in Starkville, Mississippi writes, "To all those whose historic Lodges are being sold or mismanaged, the potential is there, expand your minds and look at all opportunities..."
Our lodge has partnered with a local historic developer to completely renovate our lodge to...
