GUOOF: Looking back at 175 years of excellence, then looking forward… -by Bro. Supreme Page

I reflect on the fact that today marks our 175th anniversary of existence in this country !!!! Hmmm….. I am not even sure where to go with my thoughts on the subject matter being that we have done so much with so little light shined upon us that we have nearly secreted ourselves to death ! I am grateful for the brethren I meet as I travel this path carrying the torch of #Oddfellowship into the next 175 years.

Frustrated With Your Lodge? Start Over.

Frustration. It’s one of the key elements that can alert you to the fact that your needs aren’t being met. Have you become frustrated with your current lodge? Is the leadership not what you hoped for? Does the lodge leadership refuse to adapt to modern times, or to modernize? Is there so much infighting that […]

New Spin on an Odd Name

By forming a more diverse Lodge we are creating a real world version of the idealized 80s trope of the underdog team (often kids) who join forces and combine their unique talents to go on a great adventure and save the day. Or they overcome a great oppressor and learn more about themselves and unlock their true potential in the process. But it is always done as a team, and no one is left behind. Sounds pretty identical to what the Odd Fellows are taught in the Degrees.

Odd Fellows and Reefer Madness in 1843

Reading back issues of old Odd Fellows magazines from the early 19th century can result in a severe case of bulging eyes. Here’s an article from The Symbol and Odd Fellows Magazine, in 1843. See link below. A SUBSTITUTE FOR INTOXICATION There has been recently discovered in India, by accident in the first place we […]

An Eye For The Lack Of An Eye

You have two eyes. Would you give one of your eyes so someone in a developing nation without sight could become seeing? You have two kidneys. Would you give one up so a stranger could live a longer life? What is it that drives some of us to look beyond our own interests and the […]

Joshua Colaw’s Six Truths for Initiates.

(Adapted from the IOOF book “The Beacon Light,” by J. A. Colaw, pages 92-96) Joshua Colaw, author of The Beacon Light, identified what he believed to be six truths in the Initiatory Degree. He categorized them into two groups. A. Five preliminary truths B. One primary truth As an Odd Fellow I often feel like too […]

The Lost Symbols of Odd Fellowship

Shadowy cabals, connections to European kings and US presidents, and possibly one late 19th century rebellion in a US state, dot Odd Fellow’s history. And although we are not like Freemasonry, we are an organization that has been around since the late 1730’s, and if you spend time digging you can find a ton of mystery. […]

The Gift of Time -by Kelly Hughes

By Kelly Hughes Grand Master Washington State 2017-2018 Originally printed in the Washington Odd Fellow. As I sit here writing this letter for the newspaper, I think about the holidays. I received several wonderful gifts from family, but the most precious of all was time. Mother and I had my nephew and his wife and […]

Hoodwink How To -by Scott Robinson

Scott Robinson Lewisburg, PA Lodge No. 96 http://www.iooflewisburg.org scottr@iooflewisburg.org I have been looking for a source of hoodwinks for some time. Originals are too fragile and expensive, modern steam punks are way too expensive and need to be custom made. While I was at Harbor Freight, I bought a set of el-cheapo welding goggles…$4.99 for […]

Updates from the Carolina GUOOF “Doing the WORK”

Bro. Page NG Wayman lodge #1339 Grand United Order of Oddfellows in America and Jurisdiction of South Carolina I greet you Fellows in the bond of Friendship Love and Truth. Since last I wrote here many things like the seasons, have changed…..The majority of these changes have been for the good as South Carolina has now […]

Let’s Put Pride and “WOW” Back in Our Degree Ceremonies – by Scott Robinson

Scott Robinson Lewisburg, PA, No. 96 When I joined the Odd Fellows, I looked forward to my Initiation night! I was excited, and nervous. I looked forward to taking part in the same mysterious ceremony that my ancestors were in many years ago. I was thrilled to be a part of that tradition, mystery, and […]

Part II: Using the Emblems for Reflection and Contemplation

Part II Read Part I: Using the Emblems for Reflection and Contemplation Part I I recently decided to use the emblems of the Order in one of the ways they were intended to be used: as guides for daily life. I chose the first seven emblems, and applied one each day, starting on a Tuesday. Tuesday: […]