Fraternal Visit to St Andrew's

December 3rd I had the opportunity to sit in Lodge with an old friend from Vancouver island; RW Bro Doug Franklin.  RW Bro Franklin was the last District deputy Grand master from St Andrew's 13 years ago and it was somehow fitting sitting the current DDGM from St Andrew's and the immediate PDDGM from St Andrew's together for one night of lodge.
Together we witnessed the 2nd degree for Bro Eric Oulet and the night went well for both the candidate and the participants.
Afterward we retired to the upstairs lounge for som fraternity.  all in all it was a very successful evening.

                                                               Up-Coming events

Wed December   16, 2015    Hazeldean (first fraternal visit)
Thurs December   17, 2015   Doric (1st degree)**with the Deputy Grand Master**

Joint District Workshop

Last night we held a joint District workshop on Long Range Planning and the 5 Steps to Application.  While we did not get the numbers we had anticipated, the group that did come out were engaging and participated in many aspects of both presentations.  RWB Charles Singh started the evening off with Long Range Planning and for the next 1-1/2 hours the conversation was constructive and energetic.  Malcolm's presentation dovetailed nicely with the Long Range planning accentuating the absolute need for totally vetting the applicant ensuring he is joining/interested for the right reasons and will be a good fit for your lodge.  There is nothing saying that you cannot direct the aspiring candidate to another lodge that may suit his needs better.   Many lodges are already using elements of the 5 points to varying degrees and we realize that is must be adjusted to the situation and the familiarity we have with the aspiring applicant.
All in all it was a nice night and I think that all left with a satisfied feeling of getting value from the evening.
Thank you to RWB John Forster, RWB Charles Singh and WB Malcolm Goodfriend for all their work in making this happen and thank you to my counter part RWB Richard Loomes, DDGM of Ottawa District 2.

RWB Charles Singh, WB Malcolm Goodfriend, DDGM Richard Loomes and DDGM Angus Gillis

                                                                 Introductory remarks

                                                      Introduction to Long Range Planning

                                                                      Up-Coming Events

Thurs December   3, 2015    St Andrew's (2nd degree)
Thurs December 10, 2015    Carlton Lodge
Wed December   16, 2015    Hazeldean (first fraternal visit)
Thurs December   17, 2015   Doric (1st degree)**with the Deputy Grand Master**

Edinburgh Ladies Night

Kathy and I enjoyed a fabulous night with the Brethren of Ottawa District 1 and their ladies at Edinburgh's Annual Ladies night..  There must have been  60 guests in attendance with representation from Mississippi Lodge, Carlton, Acacia, St Andrews and of course, Edinburgh.
The night was elegant, jovial and very relaxed.  We were piped in and seated at the head table with all the pomp and ceremony that Edinburgh is famous for and all dining room etiquette was followed with the proper toasts and responses.
The meal of salad, prime rib & yorkshire pudding was very good and, for dessert,  the tiramisu with coffee cream was delicious.
Kathy and I met some of the ladies for the first time and all in all it was an incredible night.  Thank you to the Worshipful Master and the Brethren of Edinburgh Lodge for your hospitality and your kindness.

 

  VWB Glen Simpson and his beautiful Lady

                                                                       Kathy and I

                                             Approaching the head table for the Piper's Toast

 

                                                               Bringing in the Haggis!

                                                            The Address to the haggis

                                                                Up-Coming Events
                                                            Monday Nov 30-        District Workshop at Walkley Road 7:00 pm start

Thursday Dec 7          St Andrews regular meeting
Thursday Dec 10-      Christmas meeting at Carlton Lodge

Wednesday Dec 16    First Fraternal visit to Hazeldean Lodge

Thursday Dec 17       Doric Lodge for the initiation of RW Brother Rick Cadotte's brother

I hope to see you at some or all of these nights

Official Visit to Mississippi Lodge

What a night in Almonte!  The Lodge opened early at 7:00 and I was brought in under the wands about 15 minutes later by W Bro Lyle Cavanaugh and Bro Berkley St Dennis.  RW Bro Tony St Dennis presented me to the Master and his lodge.  Bro Don Sadler led the Brethren in Grand Honours.  It was like going home for me.  I received my second degree at Mississippi so many years ago and I am always welcomed there whenever I go.

The work of the evening was to hold a Lodge of Discussion.  The topic was changed at the last minute from Masons Community Involvement to Business vs Ritual and it turned out to be an informative session.  The paper that I had written touched on 98% of the comments during the Lodge of Discussion, funny how that happened.

We closed the lodge and met at the Presbyterian Church for the festive board.  The food was very good but the fraternity was excellent. We feasted on a selection of pulled pork, turkey, baked beans, scalloped potatoes and salad.  Congratulations go to the ladies who prepared this feast.

 I am already looking forward to the next visit to Mississippi when VW Bro Graham Hudson will be getting his 50 year pin in the spring.

                                                    The Brethren at the Official Visit assembled 

 

The 357s and myself

                                                    The current Grand lodge Officers
RW Bro Barry Burchill, VW Bro Russ Williams, RW Bro Angus Gillis, WM James Staniforth, RW Bro John Forster and RW Bro Bob Ledingham,

                                                                                                                                            Up-Coming Events

I will be at:

Thursday Nov 26        Road Kill Dinner at Carlton Lodge

Saturday Nov 28        Edinburgh's Ladies Night

Monday Nov 30          District Workshop Walkley Road

Thursday Dec 7          St Andrews regular meeting

Wednesday Dec 16    First Fraternal visit to Hazeldean Lodge

Thursday Dec 17        Doric Lodge for the initiation of RW Brother Rick Cadotte's brother

I hope to see  you out at some/all these events.

First Fraternal Visit to the Lodge of Fidelity

The District Secretary and I visited the Lodge of Fidelity last night.  For those of you who are not aware, last night was to be my Official Visit, however, due to uncontrollable circumstances, we rescheduled the official visit to March 15.  I was brought in under the wands at 7:45 by Bros Steven Clarke and Thurston Falkner followed by current Grand Lodge officers VW Bro Larry Harvey and VW Bro Joe McGeough.  W Bro Jim Kent presented me and introduced the Grand Lodge officers and we received Grand honours 7 times led by Bro Jim Cardy.

     The business of the evening was to hold a lodge of discussion, in light of the recent terror in Paris, on Masonry's role in bringing peace to the world.  This discussion was very lively in places and was very informative.

     The Worshipful Master announced that the Emergent meeting of the Lodge of Fidelity on Feb.2, 2016 will be held at the Perley and Rideau Veterans Centre and will tyle at 7:00 pm.  This is being made possible through the initiative and hard work of W Bro Jeordie Yeo.  He recognized a void in the lives of many of the Masons shut inat the Veterans Centre due to their infirmities and has managed to get permission to hold Lodge on their site in order for these men to once again sit in lodge with their brothers.  Having worked in Long Term Care for 20 years I encouraged this event and applaud his efforts.  I am sure more information will be sent to the Lodge Secretaries as it becomes available.

     All in all a very in\enjoyable night.


I will be at Mississippi Lodge tomorrow night, Thursday November 19, 2015.

District Divine Service

We held the service at Trinity Presbyterian church on Richardson Side Road in Kanata this afternoon and approximately 90 Masons ans guests showed up.  The facility was incredible with an expansive  sanctuary, a huge kitchen and a large meeting area for the Masons and their regalia.  Rev RW Bro Moor once again out did himself and the service was meaningful and kept on time.  Thank you to RW Bro Andrew Graham for his beautiful accompaniment on the piano and to RW Bro John Forster for his vocals.
After the service there were refreshments offered courtesy of the Masters of District 1 with what was left going to the mission.
Thank you to all who came out to show their support for our worship and for our District charities.

                                         Wm of St Andrew's Lenny Storms, W Bro Richard Reeves and I

                            RW Bro Graham getting a feel for the Baby Grand before the service

                                              RW Bro John Moor introducing Bro Wayne Levere

                                           Bro Wayne Levere giving the introduction to Trinity

                                            Angus Gillis, DDGM District 1 giving a Gospel reading

                            RW Bro Richard Loomes, DDGM District 2 giving a Gospel reading

                                               RW Bro John Forster giving 0ne of two solos

                                              W Bro Neil Lloyd, District Chaplain of District 2

                                                   The two DDGM's cutting the cake

Perley and Rideau Veterans Centre Remembrance Day Service

A goodly number of Masons met this morning at The Perley and Rideau Veterans Centre to pay our respects to those who have paid the ultimate price.  As usual, the place was bulging at the seams and it was standing room only.  The program is always so well done and this year was no exception. The first two Masons I met as I walked in were MW Bro Don Mumby and RW Bro Sam Kalinowski.  As the DDGM of Ottawa District 1 this year, I was privileged to lay a wreath on behalf of the Mason as well as present a donation to the Perley and Rideau Veterans Foundation.
As I sat waiting for the ceremony, I sat beside a gentleman in his nineties who was just coming up on his first year at the Perley.  He was a paratrooper and brought out his service card and showed me the different battle theaters he fought in; WW2, Korea, Viet Nam and numerous peace keeping missions.  He couldn't help but sob as he told me about how he and his comrades 'adopted' an orphan boy from a decimated Viet Nam village.  Together, those soldiers put this boy through school including university.  This boy, now a man, still makes regular trips to Canada to visit with his many benefactors.
All in all it was a nice day and I walked away just a little richer than I was when I went in..

                                        MW Bro Don Mumby and RW Bro Sam Kalinowski

                                               RW Bro Les Richardson and RW Bro Wright
                                              Receiving the wreath from my little 'Wreath Bearer'

                                          One of the Veteran Residents receiving their wreath to lay

         Bill Cooper, President of the Veterans Resident Council and I at the cheque presentation

                                             RW Bro Richard Loomes DDGM of  Ottawa District 2