Brother Ruthman In Terre Haute Tribune Star

Vitruvian member Brother Alex Ruthman appeared in a recent article about the Terre Haute Masonic Temple.

Take a look at: http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_190233125.html

"vitruvian" Sock Puppet Warning

I was recently contacted by a couple of brethren who expressed some alarm over the internet postings of someone who claimed to be a member of Lodge Vitruvian. Apparently, he was argumentative, abusive and not exactly the sort of Mason we hope to cultivate here.

I was tipped off again this past week that he was attempting to sign up for a forum using his masquerade, so I passed along a note to him to cease claiming membership. Don't know whose sock puppet he is, but he was writing under the name of "Kevin Landers" and provided a non-existent phone number.

His email is branch_adepts@hotmail.com and the header for his email gives the humble name, "Modern Messiah."

Indeed.

Here is his erudite missive:

A Mystic Future. A Future of Prophecy. A Chosen Brotherhood.

And exactly what do you think it is, you mean to me? Are you not he who instructs dummies? You can do your watered down work where you are my brother.

Ignorant brother fibbers of the craft, can gather around spewing sympathy for the tales spoken out of the mouths of our 33rd's.

What are they going to do when their light goes down?, when the river is over run as high as a wave when their lives are on the ground, other then tremble, None of them can even hold a Candle up to you Bro. Chris, digest that thought, hypocrits won't see us, they never have but soon they will, it's time, our time now.

We don't wan't you or them and we don't need you or them, dim little lights, forgive me brother for saying so.

We are the chosen ones, the ones who will deliver the message, A message of hope for those who chose to hear it and a warning for those who do not.

So all of you who come in our name, should know, it won't take many numbers to expose you.

Impliment your little lodge Bro. Chris and know that what you think is a start is still part of the end and it will end to, good luck with Indianapolis, we'll be there soon also.

Whew. I'm nervous.
And armed.
So's the Missus.
And she rarely misses.

Vitruvian Named Philalethes 1st VP

At the annual Philalethes Society Feast and Forum in Washington DC last week, it was announced that our MWBro. Roger S. VanGorden, Past Grand Master of Indiana, was elected 1st Vice President of the Society. Roger has been writing the back page "Through Masonic Windows" column of the magazine since last summer. Congratulations, Roger!

In case you missed it, the paper "Laudable Pursuit" that was presented two years ago at Vitruvian's quarterly festive board and written in part by Wbros. Brindle, Hodapp, Naylor and Schmitz (among others, known collectively as the Knights of the North) appeared in the October and December 2006 issues of the Philalethes Magazine.

Robert Burns Night

A hearty thanks to all who joined us for Vitruvian's second Robert Burns Night at the Snooty Fox in Nora. A fine dinner of beef and tatties was served (again we spinelessly forwent the haggis), followed by the traditional readings of the Bard's poems and songs, and the occasional bawdy Scottish tale - all delivered in the finest Hoosier-tinged Scots' brogue.

Our Newest Member

Welcome to our newest brother, Alex Ruthman! Brother Ruthman was voted on at Vitruvian's January meeting, after visiting us on a regular basis throughout last year. Alex earned his Ph.D. in Music Education last May from Oakland University in Michigan and is a member of the faculty of Indiana State University in Terre Haute. He has taught courses in music education, music technology, creativity-based music theory, and performing arts experiences for elementary educators. An active researcher and writer, Alex specializes in secondary general music methods, , arts integration, and music education technology.

I Give Ye Worshipful Brother Garver

It is my happy duty to report to the lodge that Worshipful Brother Phillip A. Garver was successfully inducted to the Oriental Chair at today's convocation of Past Masters. Many thanks to the Past Masters who came out this morning and assisted with this degree.

My thanks also go to the Past Masters of Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643 who allowed us to share the day with their Worshipful Master-elect Mark A. Haworth. It has been my distinct privilege to have known both of these men since their initiation in their respective lodges, and today was made that much more special for that reason. I am proud and honored to call both of these men my friends, my brothers, and my Masters.

As per our custom, the officers of Lodge Vitruvian will be installed at the beginning of our Stated Meeting on January 23rd.

Traditional & European Style Lodges

Curious what other Traditional Observance/European Concept lodges are up to?
Check out these links:

Academia Lodge No. 847 (San Francisco, California)
Lux Lodge No. 846 (San Diego, CA)
Esoterika lodge No. 316 (Seattle, WA)
St. Alban's Lodge No. 1455 (College Station, TX)
Templum Sion Lodge, U.D. (Manitoba)

Laudable Pursuit in Philalethes Magazine

My October edition of the Philalethes Magazine arrived last week (okay, so it was buried in my stack of bills from the last month), and I was pleasantly surprised to discover Part One of a two part reprint of "Laudable Pursuit." As the editor and one of the original Knights of the North who helped pen this paper, I was flattered and even a little astonished when both Nelson King of the Philalethes Society, as well as S. Brent Morris of the Scottish Rite Research Society BOTH wanted to print this paper. (Had to give it to Nelson - he asked first.)

The paper was first presented a year ago at Lodge Vitruvian. Several of the authors are Vitruvians, including Wbros. Nathan Brindle, Jeff Naylor, Eric Schmitz and myself. Since then, there has been an incredible response to this paper all across the country, as a point of discussion for lodges and Masonic education groups. It is gratifying to know that ideas that were tried and incubated in our lodge have caught on elsewhere.

For those who have asked, the Knights of the North website is being redesigned, and we are pursuing other projects as well. In the meantime, you will find many of the Knights writing for Wbro. Stephen Dafoe's outstanding Masonic Magazine.

Speaking of the Philalethes, bravo to MWbro. Roger S. VanGorden, Vitruvian member and Past Grand Master of Indiana, as both the second vice-president of the Society, as well as the new author of the "Through Masonic Windows" back page column of the Philalethes magazine. We Indiana Masons seem to be everywhere these days...

Lodge Of Instruction Thursday, Nov. 16th

A reminder to all of Vitruvian's members that our Lodge of Instruction will be next Thursday, November 16th. Broad Ripple Lodge will be the host. Dinner will be at 6:00PM, and lodge will open at 7:00PM. All officers are required to be in attendance, but I would like all of our members to be there that evening.

We will be responsible for the 2nd section of the Entered Apprentice degree, so we need our members in all chairs for the closing. In addition, all of our members who are capable of performing the lectures of the EA degree should let me know. I do not believe that the Grand Lecturer will require us to do them in their entirety, but one never knows.

This is considered a called meeting, so please notify the Secretary if you are unable to attend. Otherwise, we'll be counting on your presence.