BURNS' SUPPER - EDINBURGH LODGE

Kathy and I had a fantastic evening with the Brethren and guests of Edinburgh Lodge.  The evening began with a social at 6:00 followed by the head table being piped in at 7:00 pm. Special thanks go to our Brother Piper,  RWB Colin Abbot .   Bro Brian Hay served as Master of Ceremonies and kept the program running smoothly. 
VWB Glen Simpson was very good when he gave the Address to the Haggis as was Bro Robbie Robertson with his renditions of several of  Burns' poems. RWB Jim Cale gave the toast to the Lasses in the form of a rather tame Burns' poem which was returned by a humorous retort by Kathy Gillis.  VWB Jim Kieth gave In Loving Memory and after a few words from myself, we formed the traditional circle and sang Auld Lang Syne.  The night ended shortly after 9:30 and we left, full from a wonderful supper and happy from the fraternity we shared.
Thank you to the WM and his Lodge for the invitation.

                                                       Robbie Robertson and Jim Kieth

 

Piping in the Haggis

                                                              Address to the Haggis

                                                              Angus and Kathy Gillis

                                                                    Up-Coming Events
 January 26, 2016 - Acaicia Lodge - Third Degree
January 30, 2016 - DDGM meeting in Pickering Ontario
February 2, 2016 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Temple Lodge
February 4, 2016 - St Andrew's Lodge Burns' Night
February 9, 2016 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Civil Service Loge
February 10, 2016 - First Fraternal Visit to Sydney Albert Luke

OFFICIAL VISIT TO ACACIA LODGE 561

Tuesday January 19, 2016 I visited Acacia Lodge 561 for my Official Visit.  The night began with an early festive board of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, potatoes and vegetable.  I have been requesting early festive boards where possible and the lodges for the most part have been very cvompliant. The requisite toasts were given and the meal was very good.
Lodge opened at 7:00 pm and a delegation of 15 or so Masons from Civil Service Lodge were admitted with the Traveling Gavel.  Next  the current Grand lodge Officers were admitted and finally I was escorted into lodge at approximately 7:20 pm.  The deacons, Bros Learning and Seguin escorted me first to the altar where W Bro Rob Urich presented me to the WM and to the Lodge and Bro David Kydd led the Brethren in Grand honours and then to the East where i assumed the gavel.
The work of the evening was a Lodge of Discussion on Charity and while i didn't know how it would go, the brethren expressed their feelings on the subject and it was an emotional experience.  Much of our charitable work in done in anonymity with no expectation of reward or remuneration and it is ver heartening to hear what we as masons do every day to help those around us.
My address at the end of the evening was entitled The Gifts of Masonry and the Lodge was closed at 9:00 pm.  It was a fantastic night and congratulations to the Worshipful Master and his Lodge for putting on such a wonderful program.

All Brethren Assembled

 

 Current and Past Grand Lodge Officers

Masters of the year

 William Mercer Wilson Recipients Bro Wayne Levere and Robbie David

                                          Our District Photographer  WBro  Ron Taylor

                                                             Up Coming Events
January 22, 2016 - Edinburgh's Burns' Night
January 30, 2016 - DDGM mid term meeting in Pickering Ontario
February 2, 2016 - Temple lodge Official Visit.  Lodge of Discussion on Masonry and social media 
February 13, 2016 - Valentines Charity Ball

OFFICIAL VIST Richard Loomes to THE BUILDERS 177

Monday Jan 18, 2016 I accompanied RWB Richard Loomes to his Official Visit to his Mother Lodge.  The evening began with an early Festive Board of chicken breast and light salads.  The food was very good and the fraternity excellent.  There were a good number of brethren present as early festive boards are the custom in District 2.
The work of the evening was to initiate a young candidate and former DeMolay.  His father had been initiated 1 month before into The Builders Lodge and it was he who explained the Lesser Lights during the ceremony.
All in all it was a nice night and congratulations to the WM and his degree team.

                                                               All Brethren assembled

                                                                         Head Table

                                                               It was a full banquet hall

CIVIL SERVICE LODGE LADIES NIGHT

Thank you to the WM Mitri Hanna and the Brethren of Civil Service lodge for the hospitality shown to my wife Kathy and i last night at the Ferme Rouge in Aylmer Quebec.  The room was packed with at least 100 guests and a good time was had by all.  The food was great, the fraternity was excellent and the show was incredible.  The night followed all the requisite banquet protocol and the Junior Warden George Chaiban did an excellent job as MC.  It was nice seeing so many out for this event as we seldom see Ladies Nights much any more.  Congratulations to the team who put this together.

                                                                   Up Coming Events

January 18, 2016 - The Builders Lodge-Official Visit of RWB Richard Loomes -early festive board
January 19, 2016 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Acacia.  Early Festive Board
January 22, 2016 - Edinburgh Burns' Supper
January 30, 2016 - DDGM mid term meeting

EDDY LODGE -AYLMER QUEBEC

Eddy Lodge and my Mother Lodge St Andrews have long enjoyed a close relationship that has gone on for years.  Last night i was invited to attend RWB Roger Webe's final official Visit of his 2 year tenure as DDGM of the Ottawa District GRQ.  RWB Richard loomes was in attendance and this marked the first time that the three District Deputy Grand Masters of Ottawa have gotten together for an official night.  The work of the evening was a 2nd degree and while the ritual is a bit different from that of Ontario it was very interesting and well done.  This evenings work was the second of three meetings that confer the degree.
RWB Webe's Official Address was 'What is Masonry' and it was enlightening and thought provoking.
The Meeting ended at 9:30 and pictures were taken while the Brethren set up the fabulous festive board downstairs.  RWB Webe will try to join us again on monday Jan 19th at RWB Loomes official Visit to his Mother lodge The Builders.

                                                       
                                                    Up Coming Events
January 16, 2016   Ladies night Civil Service Lodge
January 18, 2016 - The Builders Lodge-Official Visit of RWB Richard Loomes -early festive board
January 19, 2016 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Acacia.  Early Festive Board

DISTRICT MEETING

The District meeting was held on Tuesday January 12, 2016 at Westboro Temple and opened sharply at 7:30 pm.  There was a good turn out despite the nasty Ottawa winter weather.  After RWB John Moor gave the invocation the minutes of August's meeting were read by W Bro Wlad Kinistowski.  This year we decided to include a mid term financial update as well as appoint W Bro herb St ill as financial analyst.  The Committee Chairmen present gave their reports and I followed up with a summary of my year thus far.  There was no revisit of Old Business and no new business.  Thje meeting was closed at approximately 9:00 pm

                                                       
                                                                      Up Coming Events

January 14, 2016 - Eddy Lodge Official Visit of DDGM RWB Roger Webe
January 16, 2016   Ladies night Civil Service Lodge
January 18, 2016 - The Builders Lodge-Official Visit of RWB Richard Loomes -early festive board
January 19, 2016 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Acacia.  Early Festive Board

Entered Apprentice Tutorial-Goodwood lodge

Tonight I enjoyed a detailed instruction on the mechanics of the first degree given to the Brethren by RWB Bob Tate at Goodwood Lodge in Richmond.  There was a very good turnout with Masons ranging from Grand Lodge Officers to Entered Apprentices.
RWB Tate is best known for his lodges of Instruction on the Second Degree however he out did himself tonight.  I was talking to one of the Brethren who is a 27 year Mason who told me that he learned something new tonight.
Everyone had a good time the the attendees all participated.  Kudos to the members who 'volunteered' to help.

                                                               Up-Coming Events                                                        
January 12, 2016 - Mid Term District Meeting - Westboro Temple at 7:30 pm
January 16, 2016   Ladies night Civil Service Lodge
January 19, 2016 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Acacia.  Early Festive Board