The Modern Odd Fellow's Guide
On this episode: Brother Ainslie Heilich shows off his unusual living arrangement of sharing living quarters with an active Lodge. Take a tour of the apartment and Tuscola Lodge #316. Lots of antiques and oddities to see.
Read More The Ante Room: Ep 4, Tour of Tuscola Odd Fellows Lodge #316 with Ainslie HeilichOn this episode: Brother Darin Lahners gave our Lodge a educational segment during “The Good of the Order” to show how easily it can be incorporated into the meetings to make them a little more interesting and give the members the much needed education we need. No unwritten work is discussed in this video.
Read More The Ante Room: Ep 2. Lodge Education with Darin LahnersOn this episode: Ainslie Heilich interviews Lucas Hess, who is in the process of joining the Odd Fellows. He discusses his first impressions of the Odd Fellows, his reasons for wanting to join, and what he hopes to get out of the experience as a member of the LGBT community.
Read More The Ante Room: Ep. 1 Odd Fellow Interview with Lucas HessHeart in Hand: The Modern Odd Fellow’s Guide is proud to announce “The Ante Room”. A video series where we discuss all things “Odd” and interview members from all over the globe. If you have a topic idea you would like to see covered or want to be featured on the show, just send an […]
Read More COMING SOON: “The Ante Room” Video Series“We found all this great, old regalia that was hidden up in the crawlspace … Almost like National Treasure, it’s like you start down a path of little bread crumbs and it just kinda ropes you in further and further … and here we are,” says Heilich.
Read More Ainslie Heilich talks ODD on Local NewsI would like to think that part of my personal growth through that transition could be attributed to the philosophical lessons our Order teaches and how they can be used as a member of the LGBT+ community. At the end of this piece you will find my interpretation of the Degrees through the lens of the LGBT+ experience.
Read More Reflections on Being an LGBT+ Odd Fellow.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.
Read More New Spin on an Odd NameIn England, the London Underground has a famous phrase, “MIND THE GAP”, that is played over the PA system and is emblazoned on the edge of the station platforms. This now iconic warning is to remind passengers stepping on or off of the trains to look down and make sure they aren’t stepping out into thin air, as many of the station platforms are curved and therefore create a large divide to step over. As Odd Fellows, we have our own gap to mind. The generational one.
Read More Mind the (Generational) GapWe need members that have certain strengths that may get overlooked when simply trying to “fill the chairs”. We don’t all want to work at the Grand Lodge level and attend formal events or even hold leadership positions in the lodge that require a member to do a lot of speaking in front of groups. While it is nice to have a lot of people show up for the business meetings, I have learned from many of my Lodge family that they feel uncomfortable reading the roles out loud and it gives them a lot of anxiety, even though they know no one would judge them for messing up. Instead of twisting the arms of members like these to only participate in the traditional method of belonging to a Lodge, there are alternative ways that they can be active members and contribute to the Order in effective and valuable ways.
Read More There is More than One Way to Be an Odd FellowIf you think this post is about you, then it probably is.
Do you truly carry the lessons of Odd Fellowship in your heart and through your actions? Or are you an Odd Fellow only during Lodge and once you get in your car and return to your regular life you forget about it all until the next meeting?
There are many ways we can discuss incorporating the teachings of the Degrees into our daily lives, but I want to focus one one area today. Social Media.
Read More Are You Part of the Problem?By Ainslie Heilich, PG Tuscola #316 ArtofVintageKarma.com Why am I an Odd Fellow? This is a question that people either ask me that we as members should look deep inside and ask ourselves from time to time so that we can honestly answer why we are so invested in fighting for our beloved Order. I […]
Read More Why am I an Odd Fellow? Part 1Don’t be like Sister Brown or Sister Grey! As appeared in the October, 1913 issue of “Odd Fellows Talisman”. The words are still true today. In FL&T Ainslie Heilich Tuscola 316
Read More Is This Your Lodge? A Poem
Heart in Hand 