http://www.indytemple.org/news/ News and Events en Copyright 2010 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:17:51 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 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.]]> http://www.indytemple.org/news/2010/02/grand_lodge_of_indiana_fam_hai.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2010/02/grand_lodge_of_indiana_fam_hai.shtml Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:17:51 -0500 Phase II of the relocation of the Grand Lodge of Indiana Library & Museum from Franklin to Indianapolis is underway this week. Last summer, a portion of the museum artifacts were moved from the Indiana Masonic Home to the 5th floor of Indiana Freemasons' Hall in Indianapolis, and temporarily set up to give brethren some idea of the collection's scope. This week, a moving crew is bringing the shelving, books and archives to their new home. While it will take time, patience and effort to reorganize the collection, the important news is that the library will soon be accessible. The Library/Museum board will be scheduling regular work days each month. But the biggest benefit is that the collection will now be in a safe, secure location that will receive regular attention, and back home again in the headquarters of Indiana Freemasonry. Indiana Freemasons' Hall is not an Indianapolis institution, it belongs to every Freemason in the state of Indiana. Improvements are being made to the building, and the Temple Board is dedicated to making it a place we are all proud of, as well as a destination for Indiana Masons to visit, tour, perform degree work, and make use of its facilities. In other areas: • Centre Lodge has made great strides with the redecoration of their 3rd floor social room. • Hundreds of old steel lockers have been removed from the Raper Commandery No. 1 Armory on the 7th floor to create a massive new space that is being adapted for offices, storage, and a social area for the Indianapolis DeMolay Chapter. • New offices are being built for the Masonic relief Board and the Indiana Masonic Scholarship Board. • Generous contributions by the Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite have purchased an electronic event kiosk for the lobby, and soon, new chairs and round tables for the 2nd floor Reception Hall. • We have entered into an agreement with the Scottish Rite Cathedral that will allow their event planner to book weddings, reunions, meetings, etc. in our building, giving us a growing presence in the community, as well as an increasing stream of revenue. • And we have undertaken an extensive engineering study to determine the most feasible way to air condition the building, which will stabilize the interior plaster and furnishings, along with the most important benefit, making the building habitable year-round for the first time since it was built a century ago. If you are an Indiana Mason and didn't have the chance to visit the building during Founder's Day, don't be a stranger. Take the opportunity to visit YOUR Indiana Freemasons' Hall this year! http://www.indytemple.org/news/2010/01/new_projects_in_freemasons_hal.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2010/01/new_projects_in_freemasons_hal.shtml Temple Board Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:00:24 -0500 STAGE VERSION OF CHARLES DICKENS' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" PRESENTED BY THE STAGE ACTORS' WORKSHOP The Stage Actors' Workshop will present a dramatic one-act stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The script, adapted for the stage by Bob Rini, is produced by the Stage Actors' Workshop and will be performed in the Indiana Freemasons' Hall Auditorium, 525 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. The play will be followed by a Holiday Variety Show performed by the cast and including opportunities for audience participation. Performances are December 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, January 2, & 3. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinees begin at 2 pm. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $6 for seniors, students, and veterans, and $4 for children 12 years-old and younger. The show will be directed by Bob Rini. Reservations are not required. Call the Workshop at 201-3436 for information, and directions. Or e-mail at saw_theater@yahoo.com In the cast are Skye Tutino, Tasha Zaroui, Shrympe Strong, Mary Hunt, James Flack, Anne Greene, Brittany Strong, Mary Jerome, Cassy Jerome, Jake Greene, Tiara Strong, Makalie Hasley, and Kevin Greene as the Narrator. The Workshop's stage adaptation of the Charles Dickens holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol", was inspired from the original novel. The well-known scenes portraying all the characters are included to tell the story of the miserly employer who comes to understand the spirit of Christmas with the help of some spiritual intervention. The show is followed by a Holiday Variety Show. Cast members sing, tell holiday stories, reminisce about personal holiday experiences, and along the way invite audience participation. The Stage Actors' Workshop considers their Holiday Show to be the highlight of their performance season. The Stage Actors' Workshop is a not-for-profit community theater acting company registered in the State of Indiana and comprised of talented people who do theater for the love of it. Their mission is to bring to the public live stage shows that are entertaining and educational at a cost that will not break the family budget. Children 12 years-old and younger are always admitted for only $4 with a paying adult. Bob Rini has served as the company's artistic director since its inception in 1998. They offer affordable acting classes for adults and children. More information may be obtained by e-mailing them at saw_theater@yahoo.com http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/12/a_christmas_carol_presented_be.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/12/a_christmas_carol_presented_be.shtml Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:25:56 -0500 Please join us for the annual Founder’s Day Breakfast at Indiana Freemasons’ Hall Second Floor Reception Hall Saturday, January 16, 7:00 A.M. until 9:00 A.M. Sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, coffee, orange juice Donation $6.00 Right across the street from the Scottish Rite Cathedral]]> http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/11/founders_day_breakfast.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/11/founders_day_breakfast.shtml Announcements Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:33:44 -0500 Filmmakers for the Discovery Channel program "Hunting The Lost Symbol" came to Indianapolis in September to shoot interviews of Indianapolis authors Christopher Hodapp ("Freemasons For Dummies", "Solomon's Builders") and Alice Von Kannon ("The Templar Code For Dummies", "Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies For Dummies"). Freemasons' Hall's 7th floor was the backdrop for both interviews: Alice was shot in the Raper Commandery Asylum, and Chris was in the Egyptian-themed Red Cross Room (which is also appropriately home to Imhotep Council No. 434, Allied Masonic Degrees). The program airs Sunday October 25th at 8PM and 11PM, and again on November 1st at 4PM.]]> http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/10/indiana_freemasons_hall_on_dis.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/10/indiana_freemasons_hall_on_dis.shtml Announcements Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:13:59 -0500 http://www.themasonicsociety.com See you in Indianapolis! Program: 9:00 AM Call to Order ..... Colin Peterson, Co-Chairman, Indiana Second Circle Committee Invocation Welcome and Introductions .......................Roger S. VanGorden, President of The Masonic Society Keynote Address .................. Charles F. Marlowe, Grand Master of Masons in Indiana The Gentleman Mason...................... Jeffrey D. Naylor Notes on Teaching the Craft: The Millennials’ View of American Freemasonry ..... José Díaz Reviving a Failing Lodge ................................ Chris Hodapp 12:00 Noon Luncheon in the 2nd Floor dining room, Indiana Freemasons’ Hall 1:00 PM Tours of Indiana Freemasons’ Hall and the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral 2:00 PM Reconvene The George Washington Masonic Memorial and Electronic Records for Researchers............. Mark Tabbert All Masonry is Local ................................Roger VanGorden Working the Plan: Lodge Models and Model Lodges ........ George Haynes The “Dan Brown Effect” .................................... Chris Hodapp Closing Remarks ...................................Roger S. VanGorden 6:30 PM Banquet in the 2nd Floor dining room, Indiana Freemasons’ Hall Benediction]]> http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/10/masonic_society_semiannual_mee.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/10/masonic_society_semiannual_mee.shtml Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:21:01 -0500 Stage Actors' Workshop will hold auditions for "A Christmas Carol", the traditional Charles Dickens' story on Sunday, October 18, at 3 pm, and Monday, October 19, at 7 pm, and Wednesday October 21, at 7 pm. Auditions for and performances of the one-act family-friendly stage adaptation will be held at The Freemason Hall Theater, 525 N. Illinois St. in Indianapolis. The show requires four men and four women of any age, and an eight to twelve year-old male or female to play Tiny Tim/Tina. The play will be directed by Bob Rini. Adapted for the stage by Bob Rini, the play features all the familiar characters from the Dickens' classic including: Scrooge, Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and of course the spirits. Singers and other performing artists are invited to audition for the second-act variety show. Performances will be December 11,12,13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, and January 2, & 3. Actors will read from the script. Some staff positions are available. Call the director for information or directions at 317-201-3436. The Stage Actors Workshop is a not-for-profit community theater acting company comprised of talented people who do theater for the love of it Their mission is to bring to the public shows that are entertaining and educational at a cost that will not break the family budget. Children 12 years-old and younger are always admitted for only $4 with a paying adult to any Stage Actors' Workshop production. Contact: saw_theater@yahoo.com http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/10/audition_notice_for_a_christma.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/10/audition_notice_for_a_christma.shtml Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:41:22 -0500 The Social Order of the Beauceant is collecting canned food for Gleaner's Food Band and Hats, Gloves and Scarves for Wheeler Mission thru November 17th. Would you let all of the groups who you regularly email and who meet in Freemason's Hall that we would appreciate any items they would like to donate and we will get them delivered. Just leave them on the table by the coke machine on the 7th floor or down by the security guard with a note attached that it is for the SOOB and we will take care of it. Thanks in advance for all donations! Best Regards, Patty Smith Oracle, Social Order of the Beauceant Assembly #90 http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/09/beauceant_sponsors_food_drive.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/09/beauceant_sponsors_food_drive.shtml Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:27:40 -0500 Chris Hodapp]]> http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/06/100th_anniversary_of_indiana_f.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/06/100th_anniversary_of_indiana_f.shtml History Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:49:40 -0500 here. ]]> http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/06/the_100th_anniversary_program.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/06/the_100th_anniversary_program.shtml History Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:12:46 -0500 PGM Roger Van Gorden, Grand Master Jeffrey P. Zaring and Indianapolis Masonic Temple Board President James Dillman cut the ribbon to the new Indiana Masonic Library and Museum. After more than a decade, the Indiana Grand Lodge Library and Museum is at last returning to Indiana Freemasons' Hall in Indianapolis. The majority of Indiana's Grand Lodge officers, along with family and friends, were on hand today as Grand Master of Indiana Jeffrey P. Zaring, Past Grand Master and Masonic Society president Roger S. Van Gorden, and Indianapolis Masonic Temple Association president James Dillman cut the ceremonial ribbon to the new Grand Lodge Library and Museum room. When the Indianapolis Masonic Temple opened in 1909, it featured a large ground-floor social room and library, along with a coat-check area. By the 1920s, so many men arrived at the Temple with coats and hats that a new check area was literally dug out into a new basement area under the entry hall. This allowed the library to expand into the old coat room. When Dwight L. Smith became Grand Secretary, he expanded the Library. The Grand Lodge also accumulated much memorabilia over the years, and a small museum area was set aside for displays. When Smith passed away, his family donated his personal library collection, which was of considerable size, to the Grand Lodge of Indiana. By the mid-1980s, the space was clearly outgrown, so it was packed up and moved to Franklin, on the campus of the Indiana Masonic Home, and housed in the former DeMolay dormitory. While the location at the Home was large, it was also hard to visit and access. A steam pipe leak resulted in much damage to the museum artifacts, and while the library was catalogued, the museum suffered from neglect and lack of regular supervision. Thanks to the continued financial support by Indiana's grand masters over the years, the Library and Museum's budget was added to, with the plan of moving it to a new, safer, permanent site. That opportunity came this year with the renewed commitment of the Indianapolis Masonic Temple Board to preserving and improving Indiana Freemasons' Hall. With the 100th anniversary of the building's construction coming this June 13th, along with festivities connected to that event, 2009 seemed to be the perfect year for the move to take place. Grand Master Jeff Zaring charged the Library and Museum board with getting the job underway before the rededication. The north social room located on the 5th floor seemed like the perfect location, since the south social room had undergone a beautiful transformation by Ancient Landmarks Lodge four years ago. Nearly $30,000 has been spent to refurbish the plaster, repaint and install modern wiring to accommodate the Library and Museum's needs. The move will be done in stages, beginning with artifacts and display cases. The Library will be installed later in the year, once the Museum's pieces are unpacked and in their new locations. Security and climate control are top priorities to protect the collection, and a separate area is being set aside for the most valuable and fragile items. In the long term, plans are being considered to photograph or scan the Museum's collection to a digital archive that will be accessible over the Internet. Likewise, Masonic books that are rarely seen outside of Indiana will be digitized so researchers from around the world may access them. And its catalog will also be Internet friendly, so researchers can know what is available in the Library. But what is most important is that this tremendous resource will again be available to the Freemasons of Indiana, back again in the home of its Grand Lodge. The Board of the Library and Museum, the Temple Board, and the Grand Lodge of Indiana are all pulling together to make this dream a reality. (BTW, a very big thanks to Lisa and all the Van Gorden girls for their help with the food and reception!)]]> http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/05/grand_lodge_library_museum_ret.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/05/grand_lodge_library_museum_ret.shtml Announcements Sat, 16 May 2009 19:17:43 -0500 Race for the Cure, this Saturday, April 18. Here is a bad hand-held picture. We'll try again tonight with a tripod :) ]]> http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/04/indiana_freemasons_hall_honors.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/04/indiana_freemasons_hall_honors.shtml Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:48:14 -0500 The Temple's Egyptian-themed Red Cross Room on the 7th floor was mentioned in a recent article in the January/February 2009 Indiana Preservationist, the official magazine of the Indiana Historic Landmarks Foundation. The article, "Architecture Reflects fever for All Things Egyptian" by Paige E. Wassel, discusses the influence of Egyptian motifs on American architecture dating back to Napoleon's military campaign in Egypt in 1798-99, and some of the more notable examples in Indiana. Indianapolis architects Rubush and Hunter designed at least three buildings with Egyptian details that survive in the city: The Madame Walker Theater, the magnificent art deco Circle Tower, and of course our own Freemasons' Hall. While our building doesn't have overt Egyptian details on its exterior, the Red Cross Room is certainly loaded with them. Also receiving mention is the beautiful Egyptian Room at the Murat Shrine. (Unfortunately, no photos were included of our Masonic buildings in the piece.)]]> http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/01/red_cross_room_in_indiana_pres.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/01/red_cross_room_in_indiana_pres.shtml History Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:58:55 -0500 The following brethren will serve as officers for the Indianapolis Masonic Temple Association in 2009: James R. Dillman, President Dennis D. Sheets, Vice President Christopher L. Hodapp, Treasurer Nathan C. Brindle, Secretary Gary M. Selig, Member-at-large Representing the Grand Lodge of Indiana through May of 2009: PGM James M. Barkdull, Grand Lodge Trustee PGM Duane L. Vaught, Grand Lodge Trustee PGM Richard W. Wierzba, Grand Lodge Trustee PGM Michael D. Brumback, Grand Lodge Representative-at-large PGM John E. Grein, Grand Lodge Representative-at-large http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/01/imta_sets_board_for_2009.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/01/imta_sets_board_for_2009.shtml Temple Board Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:57:11 -0500 The Indianapolis Masonic Temple Association is pleased to announce that we have again been selected as a grant recipient by The Scottish Rite of Indianapolis Foundation. Each year the Foundation awards thousands of dollars in grants to selected non-profit groups in the Indianapolis community as well as to various Masonic groups. The grants were presented at a January 22 luncheon held in the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Ballroom. Grants were awarded to the following community organizations: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Indiana, Flanner House of Indianapolis, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Hemophilia of Indiana, Indiana University School of Medicine, Kids' Voice of Indiana, Meals on Wheels, Police Athletic League of Indianapolis, Ronald McDonald House of Indiana, United Christmas Service, United Way of Indiana. In addition to the IMTA, grants were awarded to the following Masonic organizations: Leon M. Abbott Scholarship Fund, Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, Indianapolis 32nd Degree Masonic Learning Center for Children, Masonic Relief Board of Indiana, Masonic Youth Groups, Murat Shrine Transportation Fund. The IMTA was awarded $12,000. Together with matching funds from the Grand Lodge of Indiana, this will facilitate the completion of the exterior lighting project on Indiana Freemasons' Hall and also the purchase of a computer kiosk for the building's first floor lobby. The IMTA wishes to express its appreciation to the Scottish Rite of Indianapolis Foundation for the generous grant. We also congratulate the Foundation for their commitment to the Indianapolis Community and our fellow Masonic organizations. http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/01/imta_receives_grant_for_improv.shtml http://www.indytemple.org/news/2009/01/imta_receives_grant_for_improv.shtml Announcements Temple Board Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:57:37 -0500