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

Official Visit to Sidney Albert Luke

The night started off with a very tasty meal of Tossed Salad, Broccoli Chicken with rice and a wonderfully sinful cake for dessert.  I had to be very strict with my diet or I would have asked for seconds or possibly even thirds.  The Lodge began at 7:30, the current Grand Lodge Officers were admitted shortly after that and finally i was brought in under the wands about 7:45.  Thank you to W Bro John Ruffo and Bro Godwyn Tchegnon for escorting me to the Altar and then to the East.  Thanks also go to VW Bro Ron Kellison for presenting me to the Master and through him to the Lodge and finally to W Bro Jeff Christie for leading the Brethren in Grand honours.  The work of the evening was to pass Brother Alexander Mang to the second degree.  His work was letter perfect and he delivered it without a hitch.  The night was relaxed and the Brethren at ease.  I gave an address focusing on Remembrance Day and Masonry's responsibility to the mankind to strive for world peace.

                                                 The Brethren who attended last night

                                  Grand Lodge officers with the newest Fellow Craft Bro Mang
                                                WM W Bro Burt Panke and Bro Alexander Mang





                                                                Up-Coming Events
November 15, 2015- District divine Service - Trinity Presbyterian 1817 Richardson Side Road.  Please check the district Website for directions to the service.  Go to 'Events', Divine Service' and click on 'map'
November 17, 2015 - First Fraternal Visit to Lodge of Fidelity
November 19, 2015- Official Visit to Mississippi Lodge

The Builders No. 177 150 year Rededication

Congratulations to W Bro Leonard Davis, Worshipful Master and to the members of of The Builders 177 on their 150th year celebration.  The day began with the re dedication ceremony held Saturday December 7, 2015 at Walkley Road.
In attendance was our Grand master MW Bro John C Green, PGM, MW Bro Don Mumby, the DGM RW Bro Paul Todd, the DDGM of Ottawa 2, RW Bro Richard Loomes and his traveling companions
DDGM of Fronenac District RW Bro Wayne Anderson, DDGM of Eastern District, RW Bro Daniel Wert and myself.  The GSW, Bob Ledingham was present as were members of the Board; RW Bro Barry Burchill, RW Bro John Forster, RW Bro Iain Wates, and RW Bro Jamie Ireland.  While the men were in lodge, the ladies went on a Chocolate Tour through the Byward Market.
Later that evening we met at the Centurian Banquet Hall for a fabulous supper and evening of fraternity and family.  The program was well organized and kept on track through the efforts of RW Bro John Saunders.
 I was fortunate enough to be sitting at a table that allowed for me  to meet a new face, The Builders Chaplain, W Bro Roger Pepper and his wife.  W Bro Pepper continues a long line of past Masters of The Builders starting with his Grandfather, William Hooper, who sat in the east in the year 1900, his father, Alfred Pepper in 1940, his uncle, Lorne hooper in 1965 and finally Roger in 2011.
The food was very good, the service exceptional and efficient.  The speeches were entertaining and at times very funny.  All in all it was a great day and Kathy and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 

                   The Three Musketeers; RW Bros Angus Gillis, Dan Wert and Wayne Anderson

                                                                  Pre-dinner chat

                                                                               Our table

                                              The Grand master giving the Piper's Toast

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

I hope to see you all soon.

Empty Chair Ceremony

What a nice night to be back at my Mother Lodge.  At the request of RW Bro John Moor, I adjusted my itinerary and took a part in the Ceremony of the Empty Chair, that has become synonymous with St Andrew`s and the good Rev Moor.
Lodge opened at 7:30 and among the visitors was a healthy group of Doric members paying a fraternal visit.   The business of the evening was short and sweet as we had a number of our Widows, wives, family and friends upstairs waiting to be allowed in. Including my wife Kathy, my son James and his girlfriend Laura.
The business included a combined ballot for two candidates; 1 for initiation and the other for affiliation (incidentally I sponsored both candidates).  Congratulations to W Bro Bob Conrad on becoming the newest member of St Andrew`s and congratulations to Mr David Riendeau on his up-coming initiation.
The Empty Chair Ceremony began shortly before 8:30 and proved to be a moving, emotional program and was thoroughly enjoyed by the 50 plus attendees.  RW Bro John Forster out did himself with his rendition of `All the Familiar Places`
A big thank you to our piper for the evening,  Bro Jordon McConnell.
Once the program had come to an end everyone went upstairs to a festive board of sandwich, pickle and roasted pepper trays and homemade pumpkin pie.
Once I got home I realized that we never took any pictures.
Nice job again john!

                                                          Up-Coming Events
Nov.   7, 2015 - The Builders 150 year re-dedication.
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