THETRESTLE-BOARD  A Publication of Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643, F & AM  Jerry T. Cowley, PM - Worshipful Master  March/April 2003

Federal Courthouse Rededication

On March 25th, 1903, hundreds of citizens gathered at a construction site in downtown Indianapolis to witness the laying of the cornerstone of the new United States Court House and Post Office. Cornerstone ceremonies were gala affairs in those days, and the construction of a $2 million building (more than $40 million today!) was very big news indeed.

A procession formed at the Indiana statehouse, and marched down Market Street, around Monument Circle, then headed up Meridian Street to the site at the corner of Meridian and Ohio Streets. In that parade were countless veteran's groups, military personnel, workmen from the project, federal and state employees, civic organizations. And, of course, Freemasons.

A full century later, almost to the exact hour, a procession of more than 200 Freemasons again assembled, braving the pouring rain, this time at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, and marched down Meridian Street to participate in the ceremonial rededication of the Court House cornerstone. It was common at the time of its original construction for Freemasons to be invited to dedicate the cornerstones of major buildings, trying the stone with the plumb, square and level, and consecrating it with corn, wine and oil, according to our solemn rituals. Such ceremonies are today quite rare. So it was an honor and privilege for our Craft to be invited to participate in this historic occasion.

Chief Judge Larry McKinney was most appreciative of our presence and participation in what would have otherwise been a small ceremony. He gave a brief history of the original 1903 event, pointing out that, in stark contrast, the weather that day had cooperated. Interestingly, the original stonemasons hired to construct the magnificent beaux-arts structure were German immigrants who spoke no English. The state was scoured for a bilingual supervisor, and one was at last found - doing time in the penitentiary at Michigan City. He was released by the state to the federal government for the duration of the job, then returned to finish out his sentence.

The cornerstone ceremony was performed by our Grand Master Roger S. VanGorden, Lodge Vitruvian's Master Jeffrey P. Naylor, Grand Lecturer, and the officers of both the Grand Lodge of Indiana and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Indiana. Representatives of every Masonic organization in the state of Indiana was in attendance, and Broad Ripple Lodge was well represented this day. In addition to our own Past Master, MWGM VanGorden, joining in the procession was Worshipful Master Jerry T. Cowley, Secretary Nathan C. Brindle, PM, Junior Steward Darren Klem, Chris Hodapp, PM, and our honorary member Wbro. Wilson Lorick, Past Master of Fidelity #55 PHA.

After the ceremony, attendees were invited to tour the restored portions of the building, including the magnificent marble rotundas with their intricate mosaic ceilings, and the William E. Steckler Ceremonial Courtroom, a masterpiece of marble, with mosaics, beautiful painted friezes and massive stained glass windows, and named in memory of our eminent brother from Centre #23. Illustrious Brother Steckler served as Chief Judge U. S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, between 1954 and 1982. As a Mason, he was was active with DeMolay and served as Executive Officer of Indiana. He received the Caleb B. Smith Medal from the Grand Lodge of Indiana in 1994 and was a Past State Master Councilor of DeMolay.

This was truly a wonderful day for Masons in Indiana, and the first public Masonic procession held in literally decades. With continued leadership, vision, and fortitude in the future, it shall not be the last!

Albert Pike

A Hundred Years Ago
In 1903 the Master of Broad Ripple Lodge was named Wbro. Benjamin F. Osborn. Our Masonic Fraternity in Indiana was only fifty-two years old then and our twentieth century was just beginning. Our group was old by world standards. We were a force within the community. The one hundred year old Indianapolis Federal Building, recently rededicated, was still in the planning stages and here too Masons had involvement in the ceremony.

Broad Ripple was yet a rural community with issues regarding a canal for transportation of people & goods as well as some roads. It did have it's own Masonic lodge named appropriately for the community.

Suddenly it's April '03…..

Already we have had three stated meetings, a number of degrees, practices, meals, an interesting event vaguely referred to as a "roast" and finally a cleanup projects unfold with more to follow.

As I sat in the East in the most recent stated meeting, looking out at our Officers & Brethren present, I couldn't help feeling proud of each of them and the progress made over the recent years. This meeting was one of the events Broad Ripple has become a leader within the fraternity by championing, namely … the Table Lodge. It was the result of an idea from a P.M. of Ripple. In it's original form, it was a simpler event, referred to as "a Meet 'n Eat". Thanks, Roger, for the idea.

Schofield House May 17th
On the 17th of May (a Saturday) your officers & many members & their ladies are scheduled to travel to Madison, Indiana. Their destination is the Schofield House where Masonry first entered Indiana a hundred and fifty-two ago.

At 1:00PM that afternoon a ceremony is planned for Broad Ripple Lodge to present a "Broad Ripple Lodge's Traveling Gavel" to the Schofield House. This event will commemorate the completion of Broad Ripple's own Roger S. VanGorden's year as the 152nd Grand Master of F.& A.M. This will start said Gavel on its journey through Masondom. Future Masonic Lodges will contact the secretaries of Broad Ripple Lodge & inform our future members as to it's travels and times yet to come. An Entered Apprentice Degree is planned for the highlight of the visit.

Be a part of this historical event. Call, e-mail, write us of your intention to attend.

We are told that Batesville lodge is scheduling a fantastic country breakfast that day and welcomes us on our journey. They will be serving from 8:00AM until 11:00AM. Several of their members will accompany us to Madison, so take the northern route, stop in at Batesville and enjoy their hospitality.Our ladies are welcome, as there is much to see and do in Madison while we are conducting our ceremonies. It is a beautiful town and this will be a great day.

We Open Grand Lodge May 20th
On the 20th of May '03, as our 100th anniversary comes to an end, we will have the honor and privilege of opening Grand Lodge in Indiana as the Grand Master's own Lodge. We will enter the very (very) large room within the Scottish Rite, crowded with Masters, Wardens, Secretaries, dignitaries and visitors totaling many hundreds of Masons from many States, Jurisdictions and Countries. After opening, we relinquish our chairs to our Grand Lodge Officers led by our own Most Worshipful Grand Master, Roger S. VanGorden, (P.M.). Please be on hand to lend your support.

More than twenty brothers and ladies joined us for our Valentine's Dinner on February 13th. A blazingly brief Stated Meeting was held, then we headed north to the always excellent Hollyhock Hill for a wonderful repast. Post-dinner festivities moved to the delightfully retro Velvet Lounge for brandy and cigars, where fezzes were the only thing missing from the swank and pseudo-Morroccan decor. If you missed this one, make plans to join us next year!

Please join us at Broad Ripple Lodge on Saturday, June 14th at 6:00PM for our Widow's and Past Master's Dinner. This will be a terrific evening to meet old friends and make some new ones. All Masons, Widows, Past Masters, their families and friends are welcome! We will have a wonderful dinner for a paltry $5 per person (our Lodge widows will be our guests, and children will also eat for free). Look for the invitation in the mail next month, and be sure to RSVP. We must require reservations in advance to get an accurate count for our caterers.

Only the popcorn was missing….

Thursday the 20th of March members and families of Broad Ripple Lodge watched a DVD movie in the dining room, a Masonic flavored movie, "Murder by Decree." The plot revolved about Jack the Ripper pursued by a hero of mine, Sherlock Holmes and his ever present friend and companion, Dr. John Watson (both created by a Brother Mason in the original book form).

Wbro Chris Hodapp and HIS ever present friend, companion and wife Alice emerged from a telephone booth as "Pasquali" the Super (Italian) Master Chef and Mama Pasquali, his ever present caped companion. Together they created a culinary masterpiece involving pasta and Mariana sauce in a great steaming bucket and the traditional salad, followed by your choice of desert (in three flavors). Members, wives, families, guests were present to experience a great evening of Broad Ripple Masonry.

The evening was preceded by a quickie field day for the lodge building. In a few minutes, the building was swept, swabbed, scrubbed & polished by all present.

Next time, Brother Hodapp vowed, there will be popcorn.

Winslow Lodge #260 was completely destroyed by fire on March 24th. The blaze started in a restaurant located on the ground floor of their building, and quickly spread to two other buildings on the town square, including the Town Hall. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Firefighters called it the worst fire in the history of the small town near Evansville. The brothers of Winslow will be meeting at Pike Lodge #121 nearby, while they decide what to do. No furniture or records from the Lodge survived. Broad Ripple Lodge has donated our old set of officer's aprons to these worthy brothers.

On March 14th tragedy struck Octagon Lodge #511's Past Master Wilbur Smith's family. Fire claimed the lives of his daughter-in law, Tammy, two of his grandchildren, Jeremiah, age 9 and Zachary, age 6. A third grandchild, Andrew, was injured, but survived. The family does not have adequate insurance to cover the losses and our Brother and his wife Rose are completely inconsolable in this tragedy. Anyone who desires to assist may send a check made out to Octagon Lodge #511 and mail it to their Secretary, at:

Michael Montgomery, 90 N Sharon Chapel Rd., West Lafayette IN 47906-4500

Anyone who knows the current address for Brother William F. Waymire Jr. is asked to contact the Lodge Secretary. Brother Bill's mail stopped forwarding to him shortly after his mother Esther's death last July, and we would like to find him again.

Congratulations to Barbara Lanouette, who has been elected to serve as Worthy Matron of our Eastern Star Chapter. This year's officers include Bob Strader, Worthy Patron, Jocelyn Strader, Associate matron, and Lawrence Brewer, Associate Patron.

"I would like to take the time to say thanks to you and the Lodge for renting a tux for me so that I could take part in the piano recital hosted by the national Federation of Music Clubs. The recital was successful and I had a great time. Thank you very much for giving us the money... so that I   could participate in something that is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Sincerely, Joshua, Indiana School for the Blind.

I realize Freemasonry is not political in nature, but it is definitely patriotic. With the developments in the Middle East, I am often asked by Masons, "How can I help our troops stationed in Iraq?" I checked into it with the Department of Defense (www.defenselink.mil) who offered the following advice:

• Donate a calling card to help keep service members in touch with their families at Operation Uplink at http://www.operationuplink.org/

• Send a greeting via e-mail through Operation Dear Abby at http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/ or www.OperationDearAbby.net

• Sign a virtual thank you card at the Defend America Web site at http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

• Make a donation to one of the military relief societies:

Army Emergency Relief at http://www.aerhq.org/

Navy/Marine Relief Society at http://www.nmcrs.org/

Air Force Aid Society at http://www.afas.org/

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance at http://www.cgmahq.org/

• Donate to"Operation USO Care Package" at http://www.usometrodc.org/care.html

• Support the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services at http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/

• Volunteer at a VA Hospital to honor veterans who bore the lamp of freedom in past conflicts.

• Reach out to military families in your community, especially those with a loved one overseas. Please do not flood the military mail system with letters, cards, and gifts. Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the Department cannot accept items to be mailed to "Any Servicemember." Some people have tried to avoid this prohibition by sending large numbers of packages to an individual servicemember's address, which however well intended, clogs the mail and causes unnecessary delays. The support and generosity of the American people has touched the lives of many service members, over 300,000 of whom are deployed overseas.

• Another web site I found of interest can be found at the DefendAmerica News petition:

http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html This site allows you to simply sign a petition in support of our troops.

Keep the faith! W:.Tim Bryce timb001@attglobal.net

Editor, THE FLORIDA MASON http://www.phmainstreet.com/flmason/

You can now help our Lodge every time you go to the grocery! Marsh Supermarkets makes it easy. All you need is a Marsh Fresh Idea™ Card. Go to your local Marsh store and fill out a Community Shopper Form. On the form, specify Broad Ripple Masonic Lodge using the following code number:

Or, log on now to http://www.marsh.net Then, when you buy Marsh-brand products and check out with your Fresh Idea™ Card, Marsh will donate 1% of the purchase price to the Lodge!

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The Trestle-Board is published by Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643, F&AM

Christopher Hodapp, PM - Editor
Irv Sacks, PM - Photo Editor

All copy must be submitted no later than the 15th of the month prior to publication.
Photos and illustrations must include copyright clearance when applicable.

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