The Act organizing Porter County was passed by the Indiana Legislature in january 1836. The Governor, Lieut. Governor and Speaker of the House signing the bill were all Masons. The Commission appointed by the Governor to locate the county seat chose the geographical center of the county and the town was platted "Portersville"...

So, my Interview on the Old-Fashioned Masonic Podcast dropped on Sunday. It was fun going back and listening to that one, as it was recorded in March. The Brothers at OFMP are seriously backlogged with episodes and Masonic News to release. I really think they do an excellent job with what they do.

On the Podcasts YouTube Channel, they had a few comments about the show and what people thought. There was one question posted that I wanted to bring over to my blog and answer here, as well as a brief response there.

Right Worshipful John A. Bridegroom was born on July 21, 1974, and raised in South Haven, Indiana. He graduated from Portage High School in 1992, where he met his high school sweetheart, Tammy. The two have been happily married for nearly 30 years and are the proud parents of two daughters, Diva and Phoenix.
Following high school, John attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, earning an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Illustration. He has since built a successful career in graphic design, owning and operating VM Graphics, as well as The Master’s Craft, a company specializing in Masonic regalia.
John began his Masonic journey in Porter Lodge No. 137 in 2004. Within a year, he expanded his involvement by joining the Scottish Rite, Valley of South Bend, and Orak Shrine in Michigan City. The following year he joined the E.H. Gary York Rite. He served as Worshipful Master of Porter Lodge in 2008 and as Secretary in 2013.

In recent months, there has been much hate and rage in the social media webs. I confess, I have been fed up with all of this nonsense for a while now, and have posted to some forums with words that don't make it past the Square and Compasses. What got me back on the path?
I haven't been able to go to lodge lately, and have been looking online for podcasts and videos made by brothers from all jurisdictions. The common message of late is this: would what you are about to post answer the three questions before speaking positively? Would you say it to this person's face if you were in front of them?
So, here is a Masonic lesson we could all take a moment to read.

I have been a freemason for 5 years now. Looking back over this journey on these years only taught me that this fraternity centers not on power, politics, or mystery—it is about people. Throughout my journey of these 5 years, I have been a part of a fraternity that, at its heart values, is about brotherhood, charity, integrity, and constant effort to become a better man through personal growth. The principles of Freemasonry are not just abstract concepts or ideas, but they are living values that guide and shape our actions and decisions. Inside the lodge, titles and social status are irrelevant and do not matter. A doctor, teacher, businessman, or laborer all meet on the same level, shoulder to shoulder, united by the shared commitment to becoming better men and united by that faith and purpose. Our aim is not to rule but to build that strong character, compassion, and understanding, both within ourselves and our communities.

Yesterday, while grabbing my electric board and surfing Facebook. I saw a post on a pretty popular page (No, I will not say which one) that set me back and frankly irked me more than a little bit. But, thinking about it a minute, maybe the post served its intended purpose. Because here I am talking about it.
The image was (AI-created) of a young man laughing, in a suit and tie, with the appearance of having been diagnosed with Down syndrome. I know this, as one of the hashtags was in fact Down syndrome. The question was “Will He Be Accepted?”

The Lodge is always buzzing with activity, and just like any cherished home, it constantly requires care, upkeep, and improvements.

Brethren, tonight I wish to speak with you about something simple yet profound: prayer. In Masonry we are builders, not merely of physical structures, but of inner temples composed of character, virtue, and service. Just as every operative builder requires plans and scaffolding, the speculative Mason needs guidance and support for his moral and spiritual construction. Prayer, in this sense, is the quiet architect of the soul. It frames our thoughts, humbles our hearts, and reminds us of the Great Architect of the Universe, under whose canopy we labor.