by Ainslie Heilich Several months ago I was commissioned by Louie Blake Saile Sarmiento to create an image depicting a specific list of famous American Odd Fellows of the mid-1800s for his upcoming book on the Odd Fellows. This was no simple task and was definitely a labor of love. Thankfully, with the use […]

I.O.O.F. Certificates: A Lost Art by Scott Robinson

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is steeped in traditions and a rich history. Being one of the oldest surviving Fraternal Orders in the United States, it is a fascinating study of “lost arts.” What do I mean by “lost arts”? One only has to examine our own fine documents to see skills and pride that our modern society has all but forgotten about.

The Friendship That Built A Forest

Thanks To Our Readers!

Thanks to our readers! As of 5/18/2017 Heart in Hand, The Modern Odd Fellows Guide has gotten 3,450 views since it began in March. This number is no small accomplishment given the numbers of Odd Fellows that are online and who enjoy reading and interacting with a blog about and for modern Odd Fellowship. We’ve […]

You can run on for a long time.

Cash is from my state: Arkansas. In fact my dad was born in the same community in the 1940’s, although the families did not know one another. And Arkansas, we have a particular reverence for the darkness and irony sometimes found in his music. (Lyrics found below video) MASHUP POETRY: Red letter Odd Fellow and […]

A Lifeboat Challenge

Odd Fellowship has four commandments: Bury the dead, relieve the distressed, educate the orphan, visit the sick. The concept is to do good works in our communities. But is it that simple? Let’s look at an ethical situation. Pretend for a moment your lodge was on a ship that sank to the bottom of the […]

The Making

Taken from The Patriotic Odd Fellows, 1790’s, initiation: My son, the days of man are of short duration, and it is our duty with the help of God, to endeavor, even when the afflictions that attend advanced age press on us, to do our best for mankind although no longer able to bear the burden […]

The Black Keys – In Time

Lyrics are below. Philosophy of Odd Fellowship can be noticed in many places. “In Time” Where do we go? And all the people, they sure don’t want you to know They don’t want you to know, oh Livin’ in chains, the heart’s rearranged You gotta lure it back, all of the time Now tell me […]

New Music: Odd Fellows Hymn

I wrote/recorded/made the video all in one day just to force myself to complete something in a small window. I had written the words a few months ago. I wanted to capture the disorientation and mystery that someone goes through during initiation. All sound effects are authentic and come from my Lodge. Even the creaky 17th step!

The Common Good: Mad Max and Little Lord Fauntleroy

The Common Good. “It is possible that people should combine for the common good; hence we have societies…united by a compact, which protects their members.” There are several things in the above quote that an Odd Fellow can observe. However, I’ll focus specifically upon the idea, put forth in the quote, of a social contract. […]

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The 5 Odd Fellows!

Fraternal Art Symposium

Famous American Odd Fellows of the Mid-1800s Digital Painting