My Year In The Grand West

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 this first Friday night of December, together with RWBro Mark Kapitan, and joined in the East by RWBro Leyland Muss, Member of the Board, and RWBro Gil Carreiro, DDGM, we visited Wexford Lodge who were honouring two of their brethren: VWBro Royce Baker and WBro Ibrahim Washington - the latter received the lodge's Mason of the Year award, while the former was provided his regalia as Grand Steward. After the presentations were made, the lodge was duly closed by the WM, RWBro Gerry Newell, and all brethren then assembled in the banquet room, along with family members and friends, for a libation and their annual festive Christmas dinner, which included a visit from Santa, who helped to distribute the many presents to each member and sell raffle tickets for a pair of Albert Mackey's (quite old but exquisite, and expensive) encyclopaedias ,

On the 1st, I attended the annual Installation and Investiture of the Officers for Canada Lodge, which currently meets in Whitby, and watched as WBro Craig Woods was installed in the Chair of King Solomon. My friend RWBro Dean Bergerson was the Installing Master, and IPM WBro Bill McKeown proudly invested his son Simon as the Inner Guard. It was also a special night for WBro Ed Russell, as he was invested and Senior Warden - and I had some fun with him at the end of the night in the West. As well, it was nice to see Bro Doug Lauder visiting - he was initiated into Freemasonry as a member of The Beaches Lodge (and he still is a member) but he moved eastbound to Courtice and, due to a fortuitous meeting of Heritage Lodge in Orono a few months ago, he has now affiliated with Orono Lodge, now in line to become JW, and was travelling to Whitby on this evening with WBro Steve Spence who was on the Installing Board. A wonderful night spent with old friends.

Last night, I was in Whitby (my old hometown) to attend the Installation of the WM and the investiture of the Officers of Coronati Lodge No 520 for the ensuing Masonic Year. A twist. Prior to admitting visitors, I together with RWBro Maher Eid and RWBro Robert Kliaman - both Past Grand Senior Wardens - were quickly admitted into lodge without ceremony, each adorned with the apron of a FC, in order to act as Scrutineers and properly oversee the election of WBro James Ignacio for the position of Secretary of the lodge, which he won. I loved the spontaneity. After declaring the results, we then retired downstairs for a few minutes of conversation prior to the pre-lodge banquet, where I had an opportunity to chat leisurely with Past Grand Secretary and Past Grand Master, MWBro Terry Shand, who was there to participate in the Installing Board - at the invitation of Installing Master, VWBro Gary Rhodes. WBro Lochinvar Cachuela was successfully installed as WM of Coronati Lodge, along wi...