My Year In The Grand West

Last night, my mother lodge, The Beaches Lodge No 473 held a wonderful reception for me at York Temple, and also invested VWBro Robert Jewell (who was at my initiation in 2005) with his regalia as Assistant Grand Organist. The lodge was opened at 7pm, and visitors were admitted shortly thereafter, and after being afforded Grand Honours, lodge was closed in order to bring in the guests of the evening, which included my wife, Arlene, and our sons William and Richard. My eldest son Eric was already in lodge as SW, and he welcomed Michaela to also sit in the North with their two children Olivia and Ayven.  Several of my brethren in lodge were asked to provide a synopsis of their relationship with me and share a few of their experiences along the way. WBro Christian Giles spoke about our first day in lodge, and some of our subsequent ventures around the world, and the impact of Freemasonry we have enjoyed together, WBro Russ Richardson regaled us with stories from our days in the mus...

For about fifteen years, members from various districts descend on Elmvale (halfway between Barrie and Wasaga Beach) to visit Coronation Lodge No 466 and enjoy a degree team that comprises past and current Grand Lodge officers. Last night I was sitting in the West and helped to raise a young Fellowcraft, Bro Andrew Robert, who was well-prepared and will enjoy his Masonic career after such a stellar lift-off, that was also witnessed by the Grand Master, MW Bro David J. Cameron, and Past Grand Master, Ronald Groshaw, as well as Georgian North's DDGM, and a fine array of men who volunteered their time to provide a great piece of ritual from start to finish. In the category of Loudest Knocks of the Masonic year 2019-2020, the award would certainly be earned thus far by the tandem of VW Bro Bill Edmonds (IG) and RW Bro Clark Winters (OG). There was a beef BBQ - with proceeds going toward the District Charity - made complete with a plentiful side offering of beans, held before lod...

Every once in a while you find out about a special evening, and this past Friday night on August 16 WBro Steve Spence drove to my place, then together we drove up to meet RWBro Mark Kapitan in King City to then as a trio drive onward to Bracebridge. We arrived after a few hours of engaging conversation while on the road in plenty of time to enjoy a pre-lodge meal before being properly lined up prior to entering, properly presented and offered our respective chairs, which were politely declined. The Grand Junior Warden and I sat in the East. On this special evening indeed, while attending Muskoka Lodge No. 360 on the occasion of their 49th Annual Visitors Night (which began when vacationing members who were in the Muskokas enjoyed a meeting before departing for their homes after a relaxing summer at the cottage) a candidate, Mr McIntyre, was then initiated by his Father, who had assumed the gavel, with his Grandfather sitting as IPM. The DDGM, RWBro R Meadows, also attended, as did ...