Odd Fellows Hall, Digital Painting, Young Poets

In the video below we learn that our buildings continue to help communities express themselves, even though the lodge membership is long gone. The 99Angles Project is a multimedia artistic proposal that links digital writings to intervention’s methods in the public space. These 3 buildings, selected together with local artists, represent the past and […]

On the Edge of Revival

My theory is that the Gen X and Millennial generations are looking for something outside of formal religion that is fun, mysterious, and meaningful to help make sense of the chaotic world we live in today. People like me got intrigued by the history and the mystery of all of the symbols and rituals and it drew me to the order. I needed to feel like I was a part of something larger than myself. Something that was serious but didn’t take itself too seriously. Something that helps the community. Something that gives me a purpose and reminds me to do the right thing. Odd Fellows is all of those things and more.

Odd Fellows by Tomahawk

Lyrics: Pit Vipers Golden Dawn Old straw nerves Burning Strong They call us oddfellows We’re dancing on the gallows Who will judge you tomorrow? From the hills, Here they come Cold magic Please behold We only know the odd way

The Culture of the Lodge: Advice on Growing a Strong Lodge

Two years ago when my Lodge was working toward being reinstituted, I was given some of the best advice by Eric Smith PGM while he was serving his term as Grand Master of Illinois. He told me that we had to choose the “Culture of the Lodge”. What does that mean? Shouldn’t joining in arms under the umbrella of Odd Fellowship be enough? If that were so, then fans of sports wouldn’t have a favorite team to rally behind or lovers of the arts have a preferred style. It would be like going to the awkward family reunion where you don’t have anything else in common with your kin than a name or blood and everyone just makes polite small talk.

Artwork: Reworking Old Images. Vol I.

Several years ago, I acquired this cast iron trivet/plaque. Despite the damage to the dove and the rough appearance I had fallen in love with this depiction of the heart in hand. It gave the appearance that the hand was giving the heart over, while still protecting it in its gentle embrace, like cradling a small bird. It is a simple yet powerful image. The bearer is both thoughtful and generous, careful yet ready to aid others. As Odd Fellows, we cannot just help anyone who comes to altar of aid.

Odd Fellowship in Popular Culture

In a way, Heart in Hand is a reflection of popular culture. Maybe it’s obvious. It should be. While making us more aware of our past it must even more importantly make us aware of our “now,” and our future. As your Conductor began working through material for this blog, he became interested in how […]

Just Tryna Join

Relieve the Damaged, Bury the Zombies, Visit the Illin’, Learn the Orphan. The fraternity of Odd Fellows dates from the 1730’s in England and over the years has spread worldwide. And perhaps now it’s needed just as much as ever, but maybe for different reasons. Odd Fellows are directed to “Relieve the Distressed, Bury the […]

One of the Things We’re Up To

One of the things we’re up to: Your Conductor has spent a lot of time perusing back issues of 19th century Odd Fellows publications. “The Ark,” and “The Odd Fellows Casket,” are two fine examples of 19th century Odd Fellows publications. However, reading them can be quite cumbersome for the modern reader. What your Conductor […]