Upper Ottawa Valley Gala

Kathy and I joined the District secretary Wlad Kinastowski, his wife Laurel, RWB Richard Loomes and his wife Andree to the Upper Ottawa Valley Gala hosted by Renfrew Lodge 122.  The evening started with asocial before supper and we were treated to a tasty roast beef dinner before the Orchestra began its concert.  This orchestra is one of the very few full bands to continue to play these venues and they were extremely talented.  The night was full of classic big band tunes, wartime compilations, a Canadian compilation and out of this world vocals.
What a great night, thank you Renfrew Lodge.

Up-Coming Events

May 3 - Temple installation.  Early Banquet - 6:00 with Lodge at 7:30

May 4 -  Edinburgh Installation

May 5 -  St Andrew's Elections

May 7 -  Gore Bay Lodge, Manitoulin Island - 3rd degree for Bro Dave Riendeau

May 10- Civil Service Installation

May 11- Sydney Albert Luke Installation

May 12- District Meeting, Walkley Road 7:30 in the Scottish Rite Suites

 I hope to see many of you in my immediate travels

DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS Fraternal Visit to Carleton lodge

It was my pleasure to accompany the DGM on his First Fraternal Visit to Carleton Lodge.  Happily, this coincided the Initiation of Andre Paquette.  RWB Richard Loomes, DDGM of Ottawa district 2 was in attendance as was the Senior Warden RWB Bob Ledingham, VWB Russ Williams and VWB Graham Jameson.
The evening started with the Deputy and I being escorted to the Altar and then to the East by Bros. Prosperine and Boivant.  W Bro Ken Fields presented us to the Master and his Lodge and W Bro Brian Adams led the Brethren in Grand honours.
The Work of the evening was to initiate Mr Andre Paquette into Masonry and the degree went very well and Mr Paquette became Brother Paquette.
After the degree, the Lodge retired to the Banquet Room for an end to a very enjoyable evening
Well done Worshipful master and your team.

RWB Richard Loomes, RWB Angus Gillis, WM Peter Pregel and the Deputy, RWB Paul Todd

 The Brethren Assembled

Current Grand Lodge officers with Bro Andre Paquette and the Worshipful Master

 Banquet Hour

Banquet Hour

Up-Coming Events

May 3 - Temple installation.  Early Banquet - 6:00 with Lodge at 7:30

May 4 -  Edinburgh Installation

May 5 -  St Andrew's Elections

May 7 -  Gore Bay Lodge, Manitoulin Island - 3rd degree for Bro Dave Riendeau

May 10- Civil Service Installation

May 11- Sydney Albert Luke Installation

May 12- District Meeting, Walkley Road 7:30 in the Scottish Rite Suites

 I hope to see many of you in my immediate travels

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

 Guests

 W Bro Kevin Ziegler and his lady Nina

 Low Mileage

Kathy and I having a great time

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

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

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