Welcome to Ottawa District 1 DDGM Blog: April 2016

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Mississippi Lodge Ladies night

I always have a great time whenever I

get together with the Brethren from Mississippi Lodge and last night was no exception. Kathy and I were joined by W Bro Kinastowski and his wife Laurel at the annual Ladies Night held at the Almonte Curling Club. The place was packed and every i=one had a great time. There were a good number of door prizes, one of which Kathy walked home with, and the fellowship was what one would expect from this familiar country lodge. The food was catered by The Leather Works and was fantastic and the entertainment was supplied by the band Low Mileage and they were very very good.
Thank you to all the Brethren of Mississippi lodge but particularly W Bro James Staniforth. Kathy and I had a fantastic time and appreciated your hospitality.

W Bro James Staniforth, his lady, Kathy and I

Guests

W Bro Kevin Ziegler and his lady Nina

Low Mileage

Kathy and I having a great time

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Joint District Ceremony of Installation Workshop

We all met at Carleton Lodge in Carp on Thursday night to take part in the Ceremony of Installation Workshop held by our District Education Chairs.
RWB Richard Loomes and I represented our respective districts along with several lodges of both districts. As always, the workshop was informative and entertaining. Congratulations to W Bros Malcolm Goodfriend and Robert....

Carleton Lodge graciously donated the use of their Lodge room for our workshop

The District Education Chairmen

Some of the interested members who attended

Friday, April 8, 2016

OFFICIAL VISIT to St Andrew's 560

What a home coming it was for me last night! The place was packed and we had guests from outside the district present to see RW Bro John Moor receive his 50 yr pin. The banquet was held at 6:00 and the lodge opened sharply at 7:30. The Grand Lodge officers and masters of the Year were piped in shortly after. I alone remained going over the extensive list of Past and Present Grand lodge officers and it seemed like only a moment had passed before I too, was piped into my Mother Lodge. Thank you to Bro Jordan McConnel from Goodwood Lodge for piping me in, to Bros Fahed Nesrallah and Dory Badr for escorting me under the wands, first to the altar and then to the east and to W Bro Chris Evans who presented me to the Lodge and finally to Bro Herman Osuna for leading the brethren in Grand Honours.
The highlight of the night was to present RW Bro John Moor with his 50 yr a Mason pin. It was emotional and afterward RWB Moor spoke to the lodge of his journey that led him here to St Andrew's.
The work of the evening was to hold a Lodge of Discussion and the topic was 'are we living up to the promises we made when wee took our Obligations'? As usual there were many different opinions and the discussion was interesting. The Brethren from Pantagenet enjoyed the evening very much and the Master of that lodge said as much at the end of the evening as well as saying he was taking back some very interesting thoughts.
My address at the end of the evening was based on Installation season and while it may be the autumn of one year, the new year for many, is right around the corner.
Lodge ended at 9:20, and after the singing of Oh Canada, pictures were taken.
Well done St Andrew's

The Brethren Assembled

Grand Lodge Officers

Masters of the Year

RWBs Angus Gillis and John Moor

Sunday, April 3, 2016

District 2 Divine Service at Trinity United church

Today Kathy and I met the DDGM of District 2 and his wife Andre and attended the Divine Service at Trinity United on Maitland Avenue.
The service was conducted by Bro Neil Lloyd and was very well done and meaningful with it's theme nicely tied into Masonry. Richard and I both gave readings from the Gospel and Rev John Moor gave the Pastoral prayer. Afterwards, everyone congregated in the hall downstairs for nourishment and fellowship. All in all it was a very good day.
Congratulations Neil.

Up-coming Events

April 7, 2016 Last OFFICIAL VISIT - St Andrew's. Festive Board at 6:00pm

Work of the Evening Lodge of Discussion

April 14, 2016 Installation Workshop - Carleton Lodge - Carp Ontario

Dogs of 2000 Charity Table Lodge

Saturday night at Westboro Temple was rocking with the sounds of Masons having fun and doing good for the local cancer clinic. 75 Masons and friends of Masons were present and together raised over $7600.00 to buy a piece of needed equipment for the local clinic. Since its inception, the Charity Table Lodge has raised over $68,000.00 and has purchased whatever was needed at the time.
The way it works is the Masters of the year 2000 approach the cancer clinic and find out what equipment they could really use and make it their mission to get that piece of equipment - no middle man, no administrative charges, nothing. Everything raised goes right to the cause. The 'Dogs' buy all the food and wine for the 'cannons', the masonic Hall Corporation donates the use of the facilities, the volunteers do all the cooking and serving and the Master of the Lodge VWB Devon Fermoyle does his best to fine the brethren and guests assembled as much as he can 25 cents at a time.
Tonight was a milestone
for the Charity Lodge as it raised an all time high. Great job to VWB Fermoyle and the Dogs of 2000!