First Fraternal Visit to Prince of Wales

What a great evening with the Brethren of Prince of Wales.  I was escorted into lodge under the wands, first to the Altar, then to the East, by Brothers Franco and Kaztis, accompanied by VW Brothers Graham Jameson, and Joe McGeough, presented by W Brother  Meritzzi and Brother Owens led the Brethren in Grand honours. The PDDGM from St Lawrence District, RW Brother Jack Smith came up from Spencerville to see Joe receive his regalia.
The evening was light and went very smooth and RW Brother Wright and myself presented VW Brother McGeough his regalia.  At the end of the night and after I had a few last words, the Master closed the lodge and invited VW Brother McGeough's family in, and we presented the regalia one more time.  At the Festive Board, VW Brother McGeough responded to the Toast to Grand Lodge.
Joe and I are traveling companions from the Masters group of 2012-13, the Journeymen and it was gratifying and an honour to have participated in this event.
Congratulations to our new VW Brother!

 The brethren and family of VW Bro Joe McGeough (without W Bro Ivan Harris-photographer)

RW Bro Wright, VW Bro McGeough and myself

                                             VW Bro McGeough and VW Bro Ed Denbiegh

                                                                 The McGeough Clan

                                           VW Bro McGeough and the WM-Kamil El-Dib

                                                    VW Bro McGeough and Bro Owens

                                                                  Up-coming Events
I will be attending the following events:
Oct. 1- Doric Lodge for a second degree
Oct. 6- Goodwood Lodge.
Starting October 14, I will begin my official visits with St. John's Lodge were I will be witnessing a first degree.
I hope to see you out there.

First Fraternal Visit to Russel Lodge

Monday night I had the pleasure of sitting in lodge with the Brethren of Russel Lodge in Russel Ontario.  I was brought in under the wands by W Bro Smith and Bro Goodfellow, presented by W Bro Dennis Moor and Bro Wessle led the Brethren in Grand Honours.
W Bro Gutfriend and I presented the Past Masters Jewels to the IPM, W Bro Les Luck and to the Master of the previous year W Bro Ghislain Cormier.  The education of the night was presented by W Bro Gutfriend and was entitled 'Why I am a Mason'.  This particular piece, inspired by the passing of W Bro Gutfriend's mother, was emotional, inspiring and pulled at the heart strings of all present.
At the conclusion of the evening I took to the level and spoke to the Brethren briefly about the dress of a District Deputy Grand master and in particular, the cuffs and jewel of the office.  This year I am wearing the cuffs that belonged to RW Bro Robert Rowesome the last District Deputy of the combined Ottawa District.  As we had some newly made Masons as well as a Master Mason from outside our jurisdiction, I gave a brief history of the evolution of Masonry in the Ottawa Valley.  All in all it was a great night and I thank the Brethren of Russel for their kindness and hospitality.

Upcoming Events
I will be attending the following events:
Friday Sept. 25 - Prince of Wales Lodge- invest VW Bro Joe McGeough with his regalia
Thursday Oct 1- Doric Lodge- Degree
Tuesday Oct 6 - Goodwood Lodge - Accompany the GSW on his first fraternal visit to his Mother Lodge

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

Fraternal Visit to Carleton Lodge

I had a fantastic time with the Brethren of Carp last night.  I was escorted under the wands to the Altar, then the East by Bros Prospreen and Boivin.  W Bro Ken Fields presented me and introduced VW Bro Russel Williams to the Worshipful Master and Bro Downey led the Brethren in Grand Honours.  The work of the evening was education presented by VW Bro Doug Gray and afterwards a short presentation on Blood donations by W Bro Dan Gray.  At the end of the evening I gave a brief outline for my upcoming year and a more detailed plan for upcoming visits.
                                                  

                                                        Upcoming Events
I will be attending the following events:
1- Sept 21.  Russel Lodge
2- Sept 25.  Prince of Wales
3- Oct 1.     Doric Lodge
4- Oct 6.     Goodwood Lodge

First Fraternal Visit to Acacia Lodge

This visit was, coincidentally, the same night as the Grand Lodge Appreciation Night.  This event traditionally kicks off the Masonic year in the Ottawa Districts and was well attended by both current and past Grand Lodge Officers from both districts.
Our festive board was held at 6:00 pm and consisted of a very healthy portion of roast beef, vegetables and roast potatoes with Blueberry Cobbler for dessert.   I had the pleasure of sitting beside our guest speaker RW Bro Iain Wates and finally got to know the person with whom I was so acquainted on social media.
The Deputy Grand Master and I were brought in under the wands and after assuming the gavel, RW Bro Todd passed the gavel to me in order to convey my greetings as well as those of the constituent lodges of Ottawa District 1.
I had the pleasure of sitting beside RW Bro Richard Loomes, my traveling companion from District 2.  The business of the night was light and consisted of a 25 year presentation to W Bro David Gravelle, a traveling companion from my Masters group of 2012, the Journeymen and of course the presentation of the evening by RW Bro Wates.
The topic he chose was Leadership and i thoroughly enjoyed his grass roots approach to good leadership.  He chose to speak on leadership because the Masonic governance in this jurisdiction is in large part being led by men new to their roles. The bottom line was that in order to be a good leader, one must lead by example, have the ability to inspire and not be afraid to get their hands dirty.  As a Director of Nutritional Departments in Long Term Care Facilities for 20 years, I found myself agreeing with all the RW  points.  If I can get a copy of his paper, I will add it to this entry.
At the end of the evening, the W Bro Stathem, WM of Acacia, presented RW Bro Wates with an honorarium for his presentation which, very graciously, RW Bro Wates in turn presented it to me as a donation to our District Charity; Prostate Hope.  Thank you very much RW Sir!

 Group Shot at Acacia Lodge, Grand Lodge Appreciation Night

 

Current Grand Lodge officers with W Bro Gravelle

The Deputy, W Bro Stathem and Myself

RW Bro Wates and Myself

Up-coming Events

I will be attending:

1- Carleton Lodge in Carp on Thursday, Sept 17, 2015

2- Russel Lodge in Russel Ontario on Monday Sept 21, 2015

3- Prince of Wales Lodge on September 25, 2015 where I will see one of my Traveling Companions from the Masters group of 2012, VW Bro Joe McGeough, receive his Grand Steward regalia. 

  I am looking forward to seeing everyone.

Fraternal Visit to St John's Lodge

I accompanied the Deputy on his first visit to his Mother Lodge.  The evening began at 6:00 with the festive board.
The work of the evening was to receive the Deputy and myself, a travelling delegation from Sydney Albert Luke, take a ballot and finally, conduct a second degree for Bro MacGregor.
As the evening went on, the temperature in that lodge room must have rose 15 degrees but in spite of the heat (physical as well as all the Grand Lodge Officers present), the candidate did a fantastic job.
Taking part in the ceremony was Bro MacGregor's uncle, RW Bro Ray Dobbs who gave the secrets.
I was happy to be sitting in lodge with one of my travelling companions RW Bro Joseph  Burton, DDGM of Georgian North District.
RW Bro Todd gave an emotional speech at the end of the night after which the Lodge was closed.  All in all another great night.

                                                          Upcoming Events

Next week I plan on attending Grand Lodge Appreciation at Acacia on Sept. 15 and Carlton Lodge on Sept. 17.  Hope to see you there.

Fraternal Visit to Civil Service Lodge

I attended Civil Service Lodge on Tuesday Sept. 8 to witness VW Bro George Chiaban receive his Superintendant of Works regalia.  I accompanied MW Bro Mumby and the Deputy RW Bro Paul Todd.  We were joined by several current Grand Lodge Officers as well as many Past Grand Lodge Officers.  The evening was relaxed and went smoothly.  MW Bro Mumby gave a report on Grand Lodge this year.  Lodge was called off while VW Bro Chiabans family was brought in for the presentation.  RW Bro Todd presented the regalia and gave an explanation of the office.
Bro Robbie David (VW Bro Chiaban's sponsor) said a few words which were followed by myself, the Deputy and lastly by MW Bro Mumby.  After lodge we attended the feast from the east.

I hope to see as many people as possible on Wednesday Sept. 9 as St. John's 63 welcomes one of their very own; Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro Paul E. Todd.

Fraternal Visit to St Andrews

First Fraternal Visit to my Mother Lodge, St Andrew's 560
thursday Sept 4, 2015 I visited my Mother Lodge for the first time since being elected DDGM.
I was brought in under the wands and assumed the Gavel.  After the business of the Lodge had been completed, I presented MW Bro Mumby's report on the proceedings at Grand Lodge this year which the Brethren thoroughly enjoyed.
The work of the evening was ambitious, with my visit, a ballot, an investiture, a presentation made by Bro Hopkins and followed by a first degree.  The night went very smooth and there was no summer rust on the degree team.
RW Bro John Forster extended another St Andrew's tradition by presenting me with District deputy's Cuff that belonged to RW Bro Robert Rowesome (the last DDGM of the combined Districts).  For the last 45 or so years, these cuffs are presented to each District Deputy Grand Master who is from St Andrew's Lodge.  When RW Bro Forster became DD of District 2, he received them from RW Bro Doug Franklin with the instructions that when his year was up, he was to hold onto them until another member of St Andrew's reached that high office.  Well now I will wear them with pride for the duration of my office and will safe guard them until the time comes to pass them on to the next DD from my Mother Lodge

Bro Hopkins along with W Bro Lenny Storms and myself presented St Andrew's with two books written by his Brother in Law on the life of Robbie Burns