My Year In The Grand West

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...

On this day, travelling with the GJW to Burritts Rapids, and to visit in particular the brethren of Merrickville 55, required a stopover in Kemptville on Jan 17, as we were heading the next morning to Vankleek Hill. It was a pleasure to visit Merrickville Lodge and really absorb the history that adorned the walls of their building, and to listen to the brethren talk about how they were in fact enjoying success, due to the influx of people into the growing nearby community of Kemptville - small towns but truly connected. The lodge warmly received us and in open lodge we enjoyed listening to a wonderful presentation on the valuable lessons taught on the floor. According to historian Nelson King, this is a true story of Bro Miles McGuigan, who was a member of the 81st Regiment of Loyal Lincoln Volunteers and a member of Merrickville Lodge. When he died, it was his last wish that his body be dissected, and then placed in the lodge for future work in the Third Degree. His wishes were car...