September 2, 2010

IMTA seeks Building Superintendent

The Indianapolis Masonic Temple Association is seeking a Building Superintendent due to the recent retirement of WBro. Steve Estle.

More information can be found here.

Please note that absolutely no phone calls regarding this position will be accepted. No exceptions. Thank you for your consideration.

August 12, 2010

Steve Estle very ill

W. Bro. Steve Estle, building superintendent of Indiana Freemasons' Hall for the past twenty-five years, is very seriously ill and is hospitalized in Methodist Hospital. Steve is battling a number of health problems and the doctors are still trying to determine how they will address them. Steve has spent the last several weeks in the hospital or rehabilitation facility and still faces several more weeks of hospitalization. Steve would very much enjoy receiving cards and letters from his brethren. Steve is a Past Master of Capital City Lodge and a member of Centre Lodge #23 in Indianapolis. You may address correspondence to his home and his family will forward them to him.

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Prestonian Lecturer John Wade in Indianapolis 9/11/2010

A world-class evening of Masonic education in Indianapolis!

Brother John Wade, the Prestonian Lecturer for 2009 from England, will present his lecture, "‘Go and do thou likewise': English Masonic Processions from the 18th to the 20th Centuries"
on September 11, 2010 at the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral.

To register for dinner and the lecture, see the Grand Lodge website at:
http://indianafreemasons.com/news-a-events/prestonian-lecture.html

$60 Lecture & Dinner, $25 Lecture Only or $35 Dinner Only


Dinner

Cost Options: $60 Lecture & Dinner, $25 Lecture Only or $35 Dinner Only (electronic option includes $3 processing fee)

Dinner Menu: Hors D’Oeuvre - Imported Cheese wedges with Grapes and Strawberries garnished with Dried Fruits, Marcona Almonds and Imported Crackers

Salad - Caesar Salad with fresh grated Parmesan Cheese

Entree - Boneless Breast of Chicken with Corn and Basil Relish, Herbed Mashed Potatoes,
Fresh Green Beans Amandine with Basil, Thomas’ Homemade Rolls with Butter

Dessert - Assortment of Seasonal Cheesecakes

Continue reading "Prestonian Lecturer John Wade in Indianapolis 9/11/2010" »

August 11, 2010

New Restaurant and Tavern Opens at Michigan and Capital

There is a new post-meeting venue available now within walking distance of Freemasons' Hall. Sahm's Tavern and Cafe has opened today on the ground floor of the renovated former auto showroom at 433 N. Capitol Avenue in the Gibson Building. One block west and one block south of us.

Continue reading "New Restaurant and Tavern Opens at Michigan and Capital" »

July 7, 2010

Tai Chi Class to Be Offered at Freemasons' Hall

Exciting Opportunity For All Indiana Freemasons

Exercise your mind and body with Tai Chi

Indiana Freemasons’ Hall, in cooperation with the Level 10 Martial Arts College of Indianapolis, is pleased to offer a series of classes in the ancient martial art of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a low impact martial art that can be performed by anyone of any age. No previous martial arts experience is necessary. No uniform or special equipment is required. You only need to wear loose-fitting clothes. No belts are awarded and there are no contests. The only competition is with yourself. Tai Chi can easily be practiced in your home and doesn’t require an expensive or time-consuming membership in a gym. Practicing for as little as fifteen minutes per day will improve both your physical condition and your spiritual well-being.

Tai Chi consists of a series of twenty-four choreographed movements performed very slowly. It employs breathing techniques, balance, and fluidity of movement. Tai Chi has its roots in ancient China where it was practiced by Shaolin Monks as a part of what is now commonly known as Kung Fu. Although there are many elements of self-defense employed in the martial art of Tai Chi and it is the precursor to Tai Chi Chuan, a self-defense martial art, people throughout the world regularly practice Tai Chi for its health benefits without advancing into the self-defense aspects of the art. Tai Chi does build a strong foundation for those who would like to take it to the next level.

As with most topics, there is a tremendous amount of information available on the internet, some of it good, some not so good. Here is a site that appears to provide good information:

http://www.tai-chi.com/

The practice of Tai Chi will help you build strength and improve your flexibility without putting undue stress on your joints and muscles. Sometimes nicknamed “Meditation in Motion”, Tai Chi can also be an effective stress reliever. Research indicates that there may be many additional health benefits. Read what the Mayo Clinic has to say about Tai Chi:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tai-chi/SA00087

We are pleased and quite honored to announce that the classes will be taught by Master James Theros, owner of Level 10 Martial Arts College located at 3137 E. Thompson Rd., Indianapolis, the number one martial arts school in Indiana and among the best in the nation. When perusing the website take particular notice of the pages titled “Principles and Philosophy” and “Our School” and see how the practice of martial arts intertwines with the principles and philosophy of Freemasonry.

http://www.level10martialarts.com/

Master Theros has a national reputation and is the author of two books and numerous articles on the martial arts. He has traveled all over the world, including China and Korea, and diligently studied not only the practice, but also the history of martial arts. He has trained under numerous Grand Masters in various martial arts. Read Master Theros’s biography here:

http://www.level10martialarts.com/level10/master_james_theros.asp

Watch Master Theros spar with Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, one of the first superstars of the martial arts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljmsQYjp3vI

Watch Master Theros break five boards with a flying kick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17HB36IyR-A


Class Synopsis

There are several styles of Tai Chi practiced around the world. These classes will teach the Yang Style, the most widely of practiced of the five different Tai Chi styles. Prior to the study of the Tai Chi movements, students spend the first six to eight weeks being instructed in the 21 Chi Chung (sometimes spelled Qigong) movements. These are movements which assist in getting the body in shape and provide the foundation for learning the actual Tai Chi movements. Here is an example of the Chi Kung movements:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJeyZ43i-xY

After the 21 Chi Chung movements have been taught, instruction on the Tai Chi movements will commence. He is an example of all twenty-four Tai Chi movements:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAe95N3T8q8

The classes will be held in the Reception Hall on the second floor of Indiana Freemasons’ Hall on Saturdays at 8:00 A.M. and will last one hour. Classes will not be held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving or on Christmas and New Years’ Day. The class will not be held on Founder’s Day. The classes are open to any Freemason (including EA’s and FC’s) and the charge will be $10 per class. We anticipate that classes will begin on October 2nd. Master Theros is a highly sought-after instructor with an extremely busy schedule. He earns a fee commensurate with his vast knowledge and experience. We will therefore need a minimum of sixty people and can accommodate up to eighty. The classes are also open to DeMolay members, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow members, Eastern Star members, wives of Freemasons, and Freemasons’ children over the age of 15. Should we fail to sign up the necessary number of members, the classes will not be held.

It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program. Anyone who experiences joint or back pain, osteoporosis, or suffers from any kind of disease should definitely see their physician before enrolling in the classes.

This is a great opportunity for anyone who has been eating a little too well at lodge functions, has been leading a sedentary lifestyle, wants to introduce themselves to the martial arts without signing up for expensive lessons, or is looking for an alternative method of exercise to improve your physical condition and reduce the stress in your life. We have one of the finest instructors in the country and the cost of the classes is very modest.

At this stage we are attempting to find out if there is enough interested people to hold the class. If you have interest in enrolling in the classes or need further information, please e-mail info@indytemple.org or call Jim Dillman at 317-828-7611.

WBro. Nathan Brindle Appointed WM of Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research

As of July 7, 2010, Worshipful Brother Nathan C. Brindle of Indianapolis, been appointed as the Worshipful Master of the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research, U.D. by the Grand Master of Masons in Indiana, Kenneth E. Willis, Jr.

Bro. Colin Peterson has been appointed Senior Warden and WBro. Christopher Kimmel has been appointed Junior Warden.

Congratulations to Nathan and his officers!

Nathan has set up a new Facebook page here for updates about upcoming activities.

Dwight L. Smith was a Past Grand Master and Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, well-known for his longtime position as editor of the Indiana Freemason magazine, and his history of Indiana Freemasonry, Goodly Heritage.

The occasional publication of papers called Perlustrations occurs when enough papers are submitted to warrant printing. The first edition was published in 2002.

Nathan is a Past Master (2002) of Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643 in Indianapolis. He is the Secretary of Lodge Vitruvian No. 767; Secretary of the Indianapolis Masonic Temple Association, Inc.; Secretary/Treasurer of the Masonic Society; and the Deputy Master of the Adoniram Lodge of Perfection, Indianapolis Valley A&ASR.

June 17, 2010

Imhotep Council No. 434 Allied Masonic Degree Day, Saturday, November 6th, 2010

Imhotep Council No. 434 AMD in Indianapolis, invites the members of Indiana and surrounding area Councils to a special Allied Masonic Degree Day on Saturday, November 6th, 2010, at Indiana Freemasons' Hall in Indianapolis. Here is an opportunity for your Council to participate by both experiencing and conferring AMD degrees.

In addition to the AMD degrees, the members of Lodge Vitruvian No. 767 in Indianapolis have expressed interest in demonstrating a Masonic degree using Emulation ritual, as well. This ritual is rarely seen outside of English lodges. And this will be an added occasion to visit and tour Indiana Freemasons' Hall, the headquarters of the fraternity in our state.

It is our desire to seek participation among AMD Councils across Indiana, as well as from nearby states. We are in the planning stages of this event at this time, and this message is to discover interest in participating. We are aware that many Councils may gather infrequently and that this message may be coming to you between meetings. However, we would like to have some idea of participation by July 20th, so that we can plan accordingly.

We would like to know if your Council has an interest in attending, if you wish to present one of the degrees, and if so, which one. In the case of duplicate requests, degree choices will be assigned in the order they are received. Lunch will be provided, and we anticipate a cost of no more than $10.

Volunteers Received To Date:

Knight of Constantinople
Imhotep Council No. 434 AMD

Royal Ark Mariner
St. Bartholomew Council No. 295 AMD

Superintendent
Edward C. Etchison Council No. 326 AMD

Emulation Ritual
Vitruvian Lodge No. 767 F&AM

Please respond as soon as possible to our Secretary, Carson Smith at carson.c.smith@comcast.net and let us know if you can attend this event. We look forward to your answer and your participation in making this an outstanding day!

Fraternally,
Christopher Hodapp
Sovereign Master
Imhotep Council No. 434, Allied Masonic Degrees
Indianapolis, Indiana

May 26, 2010

Thanks to Centre Lodge: Grand lodge Breakfasts 2010

Many thanks from the Temple Board to Centre Lodge and all of the brethren who made the Grand Lodge breakfasts a success. Brethren went away full and happy, thanks to your labors. It's long, hot work at an ungodly hour on two weekdays, and we appreciate all that the whole crew does!

March 25, 2010

Indiana Freemasons' Hall Informational Meeting 3/29/2010

Members of the Indianapolis Masonic Temple Association Board of Directors will hold an informational session with the principal officers of all of the organizations that meet in Indiana Freemasons' Hall on Monday, March 29 at 6:30 P.M. Board President Jim Dillman will provide an update on current and future projects in Indiana Freemasons' Hall. This meeting is open to everyone, but we are specifically requesting that the Masters, Wardens, and principal officers of the organizations in the building be in attendance.

The IMTA will provide pizza and soft drinks. Please RSVP via e-mail to James Dillman jrdill1955@yahoo.com.

WM's, please notify your wardens and anyone else who might wish to attend about this meeting at your earliest convenience.

We should note that at the time we scheduled the meeting that we failed to realize that Monday is Passover. We extend our sincere apologies to our Jewish brethren who will be home celebrating the holiday with family and friends. This is embarrassing and was completely unintentional. We will make certain that we don't make a similar mistake in the future. Those of you who would normally have attended may feel free to contact IMTA President Jim Dillman personally at James Dillman jrdill1955@yahoo.com for a recap of the meeting.

February 4, 2010

Grand Lodge of Indiana F&AM Haiti Relief

The Grand Lodge of Indiana F&AM encourages Indiana Masons to support our brothers and their families in need of relief. The Grand Orient D'Haiti has 51 lodges and our support is critical to the relief of our Brothers, their families and the communities they serve.

The Masonic Service Association of North America has been in contact with The Grand Orient D'Haiti and they are coordinating the distribution of all donations.

Indiana brethren may send your donations made out to "MSA Disaster Relief Fund" to:

Indiana Freemasons' Hall
Attn: MSA Haiti Relief
P.O. Box 44210
525 N. Illinois St.
Indianapolis, IN 46244-0210

Or, the Grand Lodge of Indiana has also set up a Paypal page that will forward donations to the MSA: click here.