OFFICIAL VISIT to Prince of Wales Lodge

I had a great time with the Brethren of Prince of Wales last night!  Even with the Blue Jays playing what was their last game, we had a great turnout
The evening began with an early Festive Board and was a very tasty meal of salad and cabbage rolls and the most incredibly decorated cake that you have ever seen.  Mike Pembroke, the Jr Warden really outdid himself on this one. 
The dessert was a cake decorated as a tribute to myself as well as to the Widows Sons.  As a founder of the Widows Sons in Ottawa, nothing could have made me happier.
The work of the evening was an emulation of a Masonic Service which was very well done and enjoyed by all present.  The presentation was followed by a presentation by W Bros Poulin and Merrezzi on wills and estate planning.  This was very informative and generated much discussion.
 My address tonight was on Ritual which you will find by going to the District webpage and clicking on the link to my addresses.
All in all a very good evening and I enjoyed it very much.  Thank you to the brethren of Prince of Wales for putting on such a good program.

                                        The Brethren at Prince of Wales official Visit

                                                  Current Grand Lodge Officers

                                                                The WM and Myself
                                                              My Official Visit dessert!

                                                                 Up-coming Events
Nov. 5, 2015 - Fraternal Visit to Mississippi
Nov. 11, 2015 - Perley Rideau Remembrance Day Service
Nov. 5, 2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Sydney Albert Luke Lodge
Nov 22, 2015- OFFICIAL VISIT to Mississippi Lodge

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

OFFICIAL VISIT to Carleton Lodge

What a fantastic night with the Brethren from Carp and beyond!  We had visitors from as far away as Newfoundland as well as 2 of my Traveling Companion; RW Bro Wayne Anderson, DDGM from Frontenac District and RW Bro Richard Loomes, DDGM from Ottawa District 2.
The evening began with an early Festive Board of Baked Ham, Scalloped potatoes, veggies, salad, buns and pumpkin pie and chocolate cake to die for (made by the Master's wife).  At the conclusion of the meal, W Bro Farmer presented a piece to the Brethren on the Bronze Soldier that was a part of the 'living cenotaph' an inter-active approach to remembrance.
I was escorted to the East by Bro Prosperine and Bro Boivant, presented by VW Bro Wib Paul and Bro Beck led the Brethren in Grand honours.
The Work of the evening was to have 2 brethren Prove up in the third degree, to hold a Lodge of Discussion on 'How do we make our visitors feel more welcome in our lodges, and to present a MM certificate to a worthy Brother.
The discussion was lively and many of the Brethren participated.  Interestingly enough, good ritual and engagement came up repeatedly over the course of the discussion.
Congratulations to the Worshipful Master for planning this program, his team for pulling it off and especially to W Bro Brian Adam's for his role as moderator.
As usual i had the last word and i decided to talk about what it means to call someone their 'Brother'.

                                                   Working Tools of Carleton Lodge

                                    W Bro Blake Farmer giving a talk on the Bronze Soldier

                                                        The Brethren who came out

                                                      Current Grand Lodge Officers

                The Three DD's; RW Bro Loomes, RW Bro Gillis and RW Bro Anderson

                                        RW Bro Angus Gillis and WM W Bro Peter Pregel

                                                                  Up-Coming Events

Oct. 23, 2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Prince of Wales Lodge
Nov. 5, 2015 - Fraternal Visit to Mississippi Lodge
Nov 11, 2015 - Remembrance Day Service - Perley Rideau health Care Centre
Nov. 11, 2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT - Sydney Albert Luke
Nov. 22,2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT - Mississippi Lodge

SUPER SATURDAY at Prince of Wales

What a marathon!  We initiated 5 new members into the Craft this morning at Walkley Road.  Lodge opened at 08:15 and by 13:00 we had 5 Entered apprentices!  It was a great morning and it was interesting to see how the team worked better and better with each candidate.  i was very pleased to see that the candidates thoroughly enjoyed the day and the atmosphere was jovial and relaxed.
As I had slept in and did not get there to partake in the light breakfast, the stomach growls started up around 11:30 but as I am in no danger of fading away, I hung in there and managed to get a croissant when the lodge was called off for a break at 12:30.  Congratulations to the Master and the members of Prince of Wales for taking on such a huge endeavor.  Today gave me  the inspiration I needed to write my address for the Prince of Wales Official Visit on Friday.
On a sad note, I received a call from my wife informing me that a favorite Uncle and my friend, Ron Ethier, passed away this morning.  I had to leave the proceedings when the candidates were resuming their personal comforts.  I mention this only because I must be in Pembroke on Tuesday for the service for Ron and will not be able to make the Lodge of Fidelity meeting as previously posted.

                                             The brethren who braved Super Saturday

                               The WM and the 5 newest members of Prince of wales Lodge


                                                            Up-coming events
Oct 22, 2015 -  Official Visit to Carleton Lodge- Lodge of Discussion
Oct 23, 2015 -  Official Visit to Prince of Wales Lodge - Emulation of a Memorial Service

OFFICIAL VISIT to Doric Lodge

I had an entertaining and enlightening evening with the Brethren at Doric Lodge last night.   The night began with an early festive board of pulled pork with veggies and dip.   I was brought in under the wands by Bros Merpaw and Ghias-Begloo, presented by W Bro Adam Thompson and grand honours were led by Bro Litvingenko.
The work of the evening was to hold 2 ballots; one an initiation and the other an affiliation for W Bro Chris Statham and to hold a lodge of discussion with the topic being 'Should we Solicit?'.  The ballot was successful for both men.  The lodge of discussion was opened shortly after 8:00 and went on for almost an hour.   The one thing that most of the Brethren are unclear on, is what constitutes 'improper' solicitation.  Inducements or promises of some type of compensation are blatant examples of improper solicitation but there are many that are not so obvious.  It is encouraged by the Grand Master for us to be proud of who we are and what we do and proud to be Masons.  The Custodian and the Grand Secretary agree that it's not improper to bring up masonry with an acquaintance or a colleague and expand on what it is and what it does but leave it at that for that person to think about it and come to a decision of his own free will and accord.
The topic of my paper this evening was the Mellenial Mason and how do we attract these men to our doors.
All in all, the evening was a great success.  Congratulations to the Brethren of Doric Lodge.

                                                                Doric Lodge # 58

                                                     Working Tools of Doric Lodge

                                                The brethren present at the Official Visit

                                     Current Grand Lodge Officers and Masters of the Year

                              W Bro Chris Statham, VW Bro Larry Harvey and WM Jeordie Yeo

                              The newest member of Doric, Chris Statham, the WM and myself

                                         VW Bro Joe McGeough and RW Bro Al Wright

                                      RW Bro Barry Burchill and RW Bro Gary Gossling

RW Bro Angus Gillis and WM Adam Reid

                                                                Up-coming Event
Oct 17, 2015 - Super Saturday - Prince of Wales initiation of 5 candidates 8:30-1:30
Oct  20, 2015 - Lodge of Fidelity to witness a degree
Oct 22, 2015 -  Official Visit to Carleton Lodge- Lodge of Discussion
Oct 23, 2015 -  Official Visit to Prince of Wales Lodge - Emulation of a Memorial Service

Hope to see you there

OFFICIAL VISIT to St John' s 63 Lodge

I had a great night at St John's 63 in Carleton Place at my first Official Visit last night.  The night began with a delicious buffet of lasagna and seafood pasta along with assorted salads and an assortment of decadent pies and cakes for dessert.  Lodge was opened at 7:30 and I was brought in under the wands by W Bro Birjtch and VW Brother Baker, presented by W Bro Snow and given Grand  Honours by Bro  Helmer.  The work of the evening was to ballot on W Bro Brian Adam's affiliation and to do a first degree for a Mister, and now Brother Smith.  The evening went smoothly and I presented a short paper at the end of the evening entitled 'Congratlationson being made this evening a Mason....so what is it  you have become?'

Up-coming Events
October 15, 2015 - Official Visit to Doric Lodge.  Work of the evening is a Lodge of Discussion
October 22, 2015 - Official  Visit to Carleton Lodge - Work of the evening is a Lodge of Discussion
October 23, 2015 -  Official Visit to Prince of Wales Lodge - Work of the evening is an Emulation of a Memorial Service

Hope to see you all out there.

Presentation of a 60 year pin to Bro Ewart Thornhill

What an honour I had last night, to be a part of such a momentous celebration as that of presenting a 60 year pin!  The Deputy and I, accompanied by VW Bro Russ Williams, were piped in under the wands.  The Deputy assumed the gavel, after which he passed it to me, where I thanked the Brethren on both our behalves.  The work of the evening was to initiate a candidate, Mr Kayzak into Masonry and to present a 60 year service pin to Bro Ewart Thornhill. 
A sixty year anniversary is certainly cause for celebration in any aspect of life, but especially so in Masonry.  I was proud and humbled to be asked to present this pin to Bro Thornhill.   In my final words last night I spoke to Bro Thornhill about how there were two journeys started back then in 1955; his Masonic journey in a small lodge room in  Newfoundland, and my own journey in life at the Hotel Dieu in Cornwall Ontario.
The first Degree I witnessed was very well done and was thoroughly enjoyed by the brethren.  In fact one visitor from London W Bro Christopher Mortlock, took the time in open lodge to commend the brethren of Edinburgh on the quality of their work.  He later spoke to me outside and confided that while he wanted to attend a lodge while in the city, his GPS has messed up and he got lost.  He had pretty much given up any inclination to go to lodge but for some reason, decided to try and find it one last time.   He told me that he wasn't expecting the caliber of night that awaited him and that it actually renewed his enthusiasm for the Craft.  It didn't hurt that he won the $50 gift certificate to the Swiss Chalet.
Afterwards, the festive board was a scrumptious selection of German sausages with sauerkraut, salads pickles, cheeses buns etc etc.  The dessert was a commemorative cake for Bro Thornhill. 
Again I thoroughly enjoyed myself at Edinburgh and would like to congratulate the brethren on a great night.

 The brethren  of Edinburgh Lodge, Deputy, DDGM with the newest member of Edinburgh
                       Bro Kayzan and the 60 year service pin recipient Bro Ewart Thornhill
                                                  Bro Thornhill with the Deputy and myself

                                                 Bro Thornhill and RW Paul E Todd, DGM

                          Edinburgh's newest E.A. Bro Kayzak with the Deputy, the WM, and myself

                                                      The festive board afterwards

                                                           Up Coming Events

Oct. 14, 2015 - Official Visit to St. John's Lodge in Carleton Place
Oct. 15, 2015 - Official Visit to Doric Lodge - Lodge of Discussion. Topic "Masonic Solicitation"

Oct. 22, 2015- Official Visit to Carleton Lodge in Carp. Lodge of Discussion.  Topic "How can we make our visitors more comfortable in Lodge.
Oct. 23, 2015- Official Visit to Prince of Wales Lodge. The work of the evening is an emulation of the Memorial Service

I hope to see you there

Fraternal Visit to Goodwood Lodge

We had a great time last night at Goodwood, as the lodge welcomed our Grand Senior Warden, RW Bro Bob Ledingham on his first visit to his Mother Lodge since being elected GSW.  The Deputy and I, along with RW Bro Burchill, RW Bro Forster, RW Bro Jenkins, VW Bro Williams and VW Bro Jameson were piped in by Bro Jordan McConnell and escorted to the East.  First the Deputy accepted the gavel then passed it to me where I thanked all the brethren.  The business of the evening was to welcome the GSW back into lodge and RW Bro Don Healey presented a paper on the life and times of RW Bro Ledingham.  It was interesting and impressive and I am glad I had the opportunity to learn a little more about our GSW.  Afterwards we retired to the banquet room for a homemade feast of  beans, lasagna, roast beef and for dessert, apple pie and cheese.  I have to admit people did warn me that I would be gaining 20 lbs this year and now I see why.
 Good job to the Brethren of Goodwood!

                                                            All Brethren assembled

                                                           Current Grand Lodge Officers

              GSW Bob Ledingham, WM Dave Butler, DGM Paul E Todd, DDGM Angus Gillis

                                        GSW Bro Ledingham with DGM Paul E Todd

                                             GSW Ledingham with RW Bro Don Healey

                                                                  GSW and DDGM

                                                GSW being congratulated by the WM

                                                                Up-coming Events
Oct. 7, 2015 -  Edinburgh Lodge to present a 60 year pin and witness a 1st degree
Oct. 14, 2015 - Official Visit to St. John's Lodge in Carleton Place
Oct. 15, 2015 - Official Visit to Doric Lodge - Lodge of Discussion. Topic "Masonic Solicitation"

Oct. 22, 2015- Official Visit to Carleton Lodge in Carp. Lodge of Discussion.  Topic "How can we make our visitors more comfortable in Lodge.
Oct. 23, 2015- Official Visit to Prince of Wales Lodge. The work of the evening is an emulation of the Memorial Service

 I hope to see you there