My Year In The Grand West

A trip up the Niagara Escarpment with RWBro Mark Kapitan, GJW, on this Thursday, March 12, to visit Copestone Lodge 373 in Fonthill turned out to be our last - sadly - before all Masonic meetings were cancelled the next day due to the Corona Virus (COVID19) which has effectively shut down most of the world's public activities. On this evening, in fact the OV of RWBro John Newton, DDGM Niagara 'B', I was able to present the short article written by RWBro Wallace McLeod, when he chaired the Education Committee, titled The Banner of Grand Lodge. Joining us, much to my surprise, in lodge was one of my early mentors and inspirations, RWBro Alan Donovan. As an EA about 15 years ago, while he was DDGM, I had the pleasure of golfing one fine day with him - without knowing what titles really were - and he explained so many things of relevance over those 18 holes, and I went on to meet with him again and produce a promotional and informative video for the York Rite called Fervancy...

The Barton Lodge No 6 is celebrating a unique Masonic milestone this year, as they turn 225 years old, and if it were not for the COVID19 outbreak a few days after this meeting would have enjoyed a wonderful banquet, but on this evening the GJW and I were joined in lodge by the Grand Master, MWBro David Cameron, who had lived across the road from the candidate and watched him grow up, and who now watched him at his Initiation, proudly becoming a Mason. Congratulating the members this evening on joining "The 225 Club" were two members of The Ancient St John's Lodge No 3 who had both travelled from Kingston to enjoy the degree and education that was also provided. As written in an article entitled " Early History of Freemasonry in Upper Canada " by MWBro Freed, PGM, Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, who says: "The Barton Lodge, No.6 on the register of the Grand Lodge of Canada, was the ninth of those warranted by William Jarvis. Its cha...

This was indeed an entertaining visit to Beach Lodge 639 - the home lodge of our GJW, RWBro Mark Kapitan - on the occasion of the Official Visit of RWBro Scott Laing, DDGM of Hamilton 'A'.  Following an excellent banquet, featuring roast beef, and an array of toasts, including a rousing and very traditional JW Toast given by our GJW, we were then ceremoniously ushered into the lodge room and witnessed a 2nd degree conferred most efficiently by the upstanding brethren, on behalf of Tuscon Lodge, who provided the candidate for the evening. There is a wonderfully written article to be found online with respect to the history of Beach Lodge, and here are a few quotes that are relevant to maintaining tradition, in terms of how we do it: 1) Growing up "down there" couldn't help but make you independent. We did it our way. As a community we no doubt raised the hackles of the powers that be in some quarters. So be it. The Beach, long ignored, now became a sought afte...

The evening in Schomberg started with a quick visit to a local pub, due to our early arrival, where the GJW and I enoyed wings and fries at The Scruffy Duck, before heading over to visit Union Lodge 118 on the occasion of the Official Visit of RWBro Alan Dresser, DDGM York District, and ended with an excellent banquet down below. The brethren conducted a 2nd degree and we proudly welcomed the newest FC of True Blue Lodge. Also present in lodge were two esteemed Masons, one a William Mercer Wilson medal recipient and a William James Dunlop Award winner. The latter is rare, and more information on the past award winners can be found on the Heritage Lodge website  as well as information on WJ Dunlop himself. In brief, "Dr. Dunlop was appointed Minister of Education on October 2,1951, and retired from that office on December 16,1959, but continued to serve in the Cabinet of Ontario as a Minister without Portfolio until his retirement from that position in November 1960. At that t...

Located in the local Plympton-Wyoming Fairgounds, just a few miles from Sarnia, on this Saturday night my wife and I drove a few hours to experience the annual Pie Olympics - an event held annually for the past 23 years - during the Ladies Night of the district. The event also raised money for the local hospice, which is the District Charity and has been for the past 8 years. The evening was also attended by many Grand Lodge officers, including the Grand Master, as well as quite a few past GMs, such as MWBro Atkinson, MWBro Todd, MWBro Green and MWBro Dowling, and likely among the crowd several men aspiring to be GM one day.

Back to my Mother Lodge on this first Thursday in March for our annual OV, and tonight we welcomed RWBro Gil Carreiro, DDGM Toronto East, for his annual inspection. We first enjoyed a wonderful meal at the banquet hall in the York Temple and then, upon opening, passed to the Second Degree Bro George Kierstead, while also enjoying a piece of Masonic Education presented by WBro Derek McNulty on the intriguing subject of Acacia. Next month, the brethren will cast their votes for the new officer line-up and at our OV, the SW was Bro Eric Boyce, who delivered the FC lecture, and on this night WBro Steve Spence announced he would be letting his name stand for the office of GSW in July.  The Sprig of Acacia, as found on the website Sacred Texts, and related to Freemasonry: Intimately connected with the legend of the third degree is the mythical history of the Sprig of Acacia, which we are now to consider. There is no symbol more interesting to the masonic student than the Sprig o...

On this first Wednesday in March, I ventured up the road to the East Toronto Masonic Hall on Chisholm Avenue, behind the KFC, to visit the brethren of West Hill Lodge 670 on the occasion of the OV of RWBro Gil Carreiro, DDGM Toronto East, and while there watched the members and officers pass (again) to the FC degree one of The Beaches Lodge members in an emulation. Fun Fact: WBro Horst Benoit, sitting once more in the East, was in my Wardens group, approximately a decade ago, when our lodges used to meet at the Scarborough Temple just prior to its sale. Not that anyone's counting the years since that building was sold.

Up we drove, the GJW and I, to Meaford - on the shores of Georgian Bay - to visit the brethren of Pythagoras Lodge 137 and their visitors on the occasion of the OV of DDGM RWBro John Bell. We went up to the Tird Degree, and while there I provided Masonic Education on the Grand Banner of Grand Lodge. VWBro Tom Wilcox also received his 50 Year Pin. Yet another lodge steeped in history, as evidenced by its walls, including a very old dirk and a unique gavel used by the WM - a ram's head, carved by a local artisan, known for her totem poles. Fun fact: the lodge turned 100 the year I was born! From their website : Pythagoras Lodge No. 137, Meaford, received dispensation to form a lodge on January 13, 1860. It was a member of the old Toronto District and in1866 and was transferred to Georgian District in 1879 and became a member of Grey District in 1951. In 1858 the amicable agreement to amalgamate the Ancient Grand Lodge of Canada and the Grand Lodge of Canada A.F. & A.M. too...

Sandwiched in between a Scottish Rite meeting on Thursday evening, and a Heritage Lodge meeting on Saturday morning, was a visit to Georgina Lodge on the occasion of the Official Visit of the DDGM, RWBro Brainerd Blyden-Taylor. This was the week when RWBro Harold Clarke had finished the encasement of MWBro C. Edwin Drew's regalia and it had been mounted on the wall, above the organ in the temple. a fitting tribute to a wonderful man and inspirational leader. In addition to the many WMs from Toronto Humber Valley, joining me in the East was RWBro Mark Kapitan and RWBro Terry VanHorne. At the outset of the meeting, after the lodge had been duly opened and the brethren were called from labour to refreshment, I provided some Masonic Education - a piece on the use of threes in Freemasonry, and in life, or triads (versus dyads), the groupings of three and the concept of three. I believe it was well received, and generated further discussion. As a young Mason, I was signing the registe...

On Tuesday, February 25, the GJW and I travelled to Vienna, Ontario, in Wilson District to accompany the Grand Master, MWBro David Cameron, at Oriental Lodge 181 and witness the formal extinguishing of the lights in a solemn ceremony and the surrender of their warrant. The members had proudly served the community and rather than amalgamate decided to "go dark" and also in the process donated the monies remaining in their bank account to a variety of local worthy causes. The ceremony was held in the Vienna Temple, also home of Vienna Lodge, where most of the members of Oriental will affiliate. The temple walls are filled with history, including a very unique and interesting piece of Masonic art - numerous pieces depicting parts of our Masonic ceremonies and rituals, each hand-carved and painted - contained in a wall-mounted case. There is also a very heavy hammer found in the anteroom used by a Mason - or the company he owned, identified by the S&C - in a day long ago t...

This would be the first of our two fraternal visits this week to Toronto Humber Valley District, corresponding with two Official Visits of the DDGM, RWBro Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, and on this Monday night, February 24, the GJW and I dropped in on the brethren of Trillium Lodge 575 and had the pleasure of watching an excellent Fellowcraft degree. Quite impressively, the candidate was required to fly in from LA, where he is studying to receive his Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medince, to one day become a Chiropractor, and where he was being mentored electronically by the SW (seen in photo) in order to be properly prepared. After lodge we were feted downstairs to a wonderful dinner that included an array of Filipino food, as well as roast beef, and traditional toasts. 

Kilwinning Lodge 565 has a fine tradition of wearing their kilts on the occasion of the Official Visit, and this night, Thursday February 21, was the Official Visit of RWBro John McLoughlin, DDGM Toronto West, born in Glasgow, so I and several others in attendance, including the GJW and RWBro Charlie Woods, were in the minority wearing our pants. The lodge was formed in 1920 and will be celebrating their centenary in the fall. WBro Jamie Low, as WM, decided to provide an exemplification of the FC degree before we went downstairs for a great beef dinner and libations, as well as well-rounded conversations. It was relayed afterward that their JW had quickly departed for a career elsewhere, which precipitated a shuffling in the officer lineup, and required the import of WBro Stefano Amelio into the SW chair on this evening - though the lecture and charge to the FC were delivered by RWBro Andrew McClelland, who grew up across the road from Burns Cottage in Scotland. The lodge is proud o...

On this fine night, February 20, it was time to visit Whitby again and on the occasion of the Official Visit of the DDGM of Ontario District, RWBro Grant Parnell, to David T. Campbell Lodge, who were initiating a new brother into the Craft. And these lads were well practised; and we were treated to some Masonic Education as well. After a banquet (catered by the brethren of Composite Lodge) that featured the biggest ham steak I've ever eaten, WBro. Yuri Dimagiba led the brethren through a perfect degree that certainly put a smile on the face of the candidate for the evening, and practically left him speechless at the conclusion. WBro John Dean and I had a great conversation after lodge concerning the history of Whitby in general and the history of the lodge specifically. The original lodge room for Masons in Whitby was located at the "four corners" downtown and was later sold to a bank, which then enabled the purchase of land on Cocchrane Street, ust north of Dundas (...

On the occasion of the Official Visit of RWBro Carmine Infante, the GJW, RWBro Mark Kapitan joined me at Harcourt Lodge 581 as the officers and members initiated their newest Mason at this Wednesday meeting (February 19) at York Temple. During a break, the DDGM took the time to introduce quite a few of his District Chairmen, who dutifully explained the various programs that were launched and are being implemented for the benefit of all members. There were also quite a few WMs from the district attending and everyone enjoyed themselves. According to their wesite, Harcourt Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 581, G.R.C. was conceived by the late Rt. Wor. Bro. James Haywood and the late Rt. W. Bro. George H. Smith with the help of several others, including the late W. Bro. John M. Millar, who was our first Master. Our name "Harcourt" was derived from the name of the ruling Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario at the time of our institution, M. Wor. Bro. ...

After Valentine's Day, on Saturday, February 15, the GJW and I drove from Parry Sound, where we had stayed after visiting the brethren of Bethel Lodge the night before, and drove to Peterbough for the OV of RWBro Tom Mortlock at Corinthian Lodge 101 and then enjoyed the passing of a well-prepared candidate (after a hearty meal and toasts downstairs), who was guided by the SD, Bro Danny McLaughlin. The degree was expertly led by the WM, and each part perfetly executed by the young officer team in the chairs, ably assisted by their PMs. Also attending were five WMs from local lodges in Peterborough District, as well as RWBro Tom Haight and VWBro Walter Howell, Grand Standard Bearer.

On Valentine's Day, the GJW and I traveled up to, first, Parry Sound, in order to check-in to our hotel, where we then changed and hit the road to continue our drive up to Sudury where we stopped at the Big Nickel (for a quick selfie) and then drove around the corner to meet the WM of Bethel Lodge 699, WBro Robert Tailleur, at Sizzle Mongolian Grill and then to the temple for their regular meeting. We were enthusiastically welcomed by the brethren, including the DDGM, RWBro Robert Lipic, and before going up to the 3rd, where I provided some Masonic Education by reading the article written by RWBro Wallace McLeod entitled The Banner of Grand Lodge, three officers were duly invested with their collars and a ballot was taken for a new applicant.  After lodge was closed, we enjoyed pie and ice cream downstairs, toasts and the wonderful traditional passing of the gavel so that each member in the room could be given the opportunity to speak and offer an enoyable, memorable or inspriat...

In August, at the reception held in Kingston for Ancient St John's Lodge, I was approached by WBro Ian Troyer, the President of the Masonic Association of Frontenac District, to participate in their annual Degree Team - and I agreed to do so - and attended Albion Lodge 109 on February 13 to sit in the West and assist the team to pass Bro Alex Rice, who was a very well prepared candidate, as was the whole team, featuring members from across the district. Albion's own SW, Bro Scott Forbes, sat as SD and did a perfect job guiding the Bro Rice - in the presence of his father, Bro Robert Rice. It was a great meeting on several levels, as I was the guest of honour and was certainly treated as such, at the pre-meeting banquet and after the ceremony, when I was handed a package of local items, which I greatly appreciated. I was also able to present Grand Lodge pins to Bro Rice and Bro Son Rice, while telling the brethren present about my own father and my own son, not to mention my ...

On Wednesday Feb 12, the GJW, RWBro Mark Kapitan and I met at the Aldershot Go Station and traveled together down the road to Ancaster, to visit the brethren of Meridian Lodge 687 on the occasion of the Official Visit of RWBro Jason McCulloch, DDGM Hamilton District "C". Upon opening in the 2nd, the lodge passed an excellent candidate and, prior to closing, also presented a 50 Year a Past Master pin to RWBro Roger Parliament, who on this evening also sat as IPM. Their lodge building used to be barracks back in the day and its walls - upstairs and downstairs - are filled with history. According to their website: "In 1950, West Hamilton and the suburbs of Ancaster experienced rapid growth. As a result, it was determined that the creation of a new Lodge was required to meet Masonic enrollment requests. In October 1956, a group of senior masons began a series of meetings which led to the first meeting of Meridian Lodge # 687, under dispensation, on February 13, 1957. Me...

On this Monday night, RWBro Mark Kapitan and I visited York Lodge 156 in Toronto Don Valley District on the occasion of the Official Visit of DDGM RWBro Carmine Infante. The lodge proficiently went up to the third where we were treated to an excellent piece of Masonic Education (on the tracing board) provided by RWBro Robert Kliaman written originally by MWBro John Ross Robertson, and in the second I read an article written for the Masonic Service Association in 1930 entitled "Corn, Wine and Oil" - which was appropriate with respect to the recent (and rare) Dedication in Stoney Creek and the upcoming 2nd Degree in Harrowsmith where I'll be sitting in the West; and, when back in the first, RW Kliaman was again granted freedom of the lodge and read an article written by RWBro Wallace McLeod, our former Grand Historian, on the Grand Lodge Banner. Prior to closing the WM added his knowledge on the subject of the olive - as it was used in the presentation related to Oil - a...

On Friday, Feb 7, the GJW, RWBro Mark Kapitan, and I visited King Hiram 566 at the Annette Street Temple in Toronto West District on the occasion of the Official Visit of RWBro John McLaughlin, DDGM, and to witness an Initiation on this evening, led by WBro John Lebedev, who was ably assisted by a wonderfully skilled line of officers, who were joined in the South by WBro Jamie Low, as King Hiram's JW had to attend family matters. Sidebar. John North Willys was a Freemason - in addition to Bros Ford, Chrysler and Olds - and it was his company that eventually created the Jeep... "Traced back to the purchase of the Overland Automotive Division of the Standard Wheel Company in 1908 by John North Willys, this young and initially struggling company was renamed the Willys-Overland Motor Company in 1912," as taken from this site . And the connection as taken from King Hiram's own Lodge History to the Canadian side of his company is found on their website: "In the ye...