The evening also saw the Waterloo-Wellington Inter-District Traveling Gavel leave Baden. It’s new temporary home is Waterloo 539. Brother Harry Bishop looks like he wants to use it as the Senior Warden gavel at the next meeting! Come out to the next Waterloo 539 meeting on May 2nd to see if your lodge can take this back with you.

UPDATE 2/May/2012: The “hammer” has been acquired by W.Bro Lordy Numekevor, and is on it’s way to Concord 722!

The start of warm weather saw Brother Stewart Fraser join New Dominion 205 as the newest member of the lodge, and VW Brother Robert Johnston as the lodge’s newest affiliate. Brother Fraser also joined the lodge tradition of meeting at EJ’s Restaurant before lodge for supper, and afterwards for social time! The lodge also passed the inter-district traveling gavel to visitors from Wilmot Lodge. 2 brethren were noted awaiting FC, and 1 awaiting ballot.

Several pieces of Masonic Education was the focus on the evening, at the occasion of the Official Visit of RW Bro Brian Lowery, DDGM, at Waterloo 539. The lodge also welcomed Brother Jason McKellar to the craft at an emergent meeting later during the month. Keeping the month going, the lodge also participated in the district Principal Offices night at Twin City 509, where Bro Regg Tracey of Waterloo 539 was one of two candidates passed to the 2nd degree. The trestleboard noted 3 awaiting EA, 4 awaiting FC, 5 awaiting MM, as well as applications awaiting investigation.

Brother Carlos Herrera-Morales joined Concord 722 in March. The trestleboard reports 3 awaiting FC, 1 awaiting EA, 2 awaiting ballot, and the summons warned of 7 new applications (5 for initiation, 2 for affiliation), to be read out at next month’s meeting – things are definitely getting busy at Concord!

Continuing the thread of initiations, Preston 297 welcomed Brother Stephen Nelson to the lodge. The trestle board notes 1 awaiting EA, 4 awaiting FC, 1 awaiting MM, and 2 applications.

Alma 72 enjoyed a Masonic eduction talk, as well as planning discussions, in March. 1 awaiting EA and 5 awaiting FC were noted.

Brother Todd Bast was welcomed into Grand River 151, in a Past Masters Degree Team initiation, joined by his uncles RW Bro Wib Fries and VW Bro Gary Fries from Waterloo 539. The lodge continues to be busy with degrees and ballots.

The second Official Visit of the month was enjoyed by Twin City 509. It was a very interesting and well attended evening, with instead of a degree, presentations by members from the various York Rite bodies, as well as the Scottish Rite. Twin City also hosted the annual Principal Officers night, where a degree team of offices from lodges of the district passed two brethren to the second degree – Bro Tom Nielsen of Twin City 509, and Bro Regg Tracey of Waterloo 539. 1 awaiting EA, 5 awaiting MM, 2 awaiting ballot, were noted.

Ayr 172 welcomed a new affiliation, and are expecting a FC degree as well as another application.

Another initiation! Brother Alan Shuh is the newest member of Mystic Tie 279, with many visitors and friends from inside and from outside the district in attendance.

The third Official Visit of March was held at Glenrose 628, at which meeting Brother Richard Neufeld was passed to the second degree.

Brother Glen Sommerville was initiated into Temple 690 at RW Bro Brian Lowery’s 4th Official Visit of the month. 1 awaiting EA and 1 awaiting FC were noted, with additional applications in process.

And continuing yet further the month’s focus on initiating new members, New Light 744 welcome Brother Geoffrey Cochrane to Masonry. Both applications and upcoming degrees were noted in the summons.

Brother Enko Karisik was welcomed into Brotherhood 723, with several brethren from Temple Lodge in attendance that evening. The trestleboard lists 2 awaiting FC.

Wilmot 318 rounds out the list of initiations during March, welcoming Bro Steven Bovingdon to the lodge. The lodge also acquired the inter-district traveling gavel from visiting New Dominion Lodge. 3 awaiting FC and 1 awaiting ballot were noted.

Member of Glenrose Lodge No. 628

Passed to the Grand Lodge Above
February 17, 2012

We Cherish His Memory in our Hearts

Following a brief illness, Alfred Lockard Chivers passed away peacefully in his 91st year. A life-time resident of Kitchener and Waterloo, ON, he was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Isabelle (Hachborn); parents William and Mary (Moogk); brothers Jack and Bill; and sisters Jean Hooper and Isabelle Holmes. Alf is survived by his loving family, son Ted (Laurel) in Unionville, ON and daughter Mary (Patrick Harkins) in Guelph, ON. He will be sadly missed by his 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Alf served with the Canadian Army during the Second World War and was a lifelong Red Cross volunteer donor. Alf loved to travel with Isabelle and take photographs of cathedrals and pubs, two of his passions.

Retired from Revenue Canada Customs and Excise, he was a proud Charter member and past President of Cameron Heights Kiwanis Club in Kitchener and a loyal, “32nd Degree” member of Glenrose Masonic Lodge No.628, in Elmira, ON.

Monday March 12th 2012, “Mister Gavel” was passed from the master of New Dominion Lodge No 205, to the secretary and visitors from Wilmot Lodge No 318.

“Mister Gavel” has not left Baden! The Officers and members of Wilmot Lodge look forward to which lodge will attempt to capture this icon of the traveller at their regular meeting Thursday April 12th, the work of the evening is a double 2nd degree.

Brethren and ladies and widows of New Dominion 205 enjoyed the lodge’s annual Ladies Night, held at Miltons Restaurant in Kitchener. A highlight of the evening was the visit of Mrs. Dorothy Wilker (widow of W.Bro. Gord Wilker, a Past Master of New Dominion
Lodge) who recently celebrated her 100th birthday! As well, Brother Steve Benarus will remember for some time this month’s regular meeting, when he was raised to the 3rd degree. The trestleboard numbered 3.

As we mention both of our Baden-based lodges above, it would be remiss not to note the presence of the Waterloo-Wellington Traveling Gavel, which has been traded back and forth between these two lodges this past month. Time for another visiting lodge to claim it!

Speaking of 3rd degrees, February was a month W.Brother Kamran Farooq, W.Master of Temple 690, will not forget, as he raised his son Isfandyar (Fandy) Kamran to the 3rd degree. This has been a real father & son journey, with W.Bro Farooq acting as JW at his son’s initiation, SW at his son’s passing, and now as master at his raising. A wonderful evening! 2 were noted in the trestleboard, plus a further 2 coming soon.

At Waterloo 539 Brother Sean Logsden was advanced to the 2nd degree. The summons noted 12 on the trestleboard.

Preston 297 brethren as well as visitors from the district joined R.W. Bother Ron Small in a celebration of the life of his wife Barbara. Bro. Rod Bowles was passed to the 2nd degree this month. The trestleboard lists 6.

Grand River 151 enjoyed the Official Visit of our DDGM, as well as the initiation of Bro. Stuart Du Kamp. 2 applications and 1 ballot were noted on the summons.

Concord 722 held their official visit, welcoming our DDGM to their regular meeting.

Bro. Tom Nielsen was initiated into Masonry at Twin City 509. 7 were noted on the trestleboard.

Continuing the thread of initiations during February, Alma 72 welcomed Bro. Charles Lavern Asmusson to the craft, with V. Worshipful Bro. Blueman assuming the gavel for the ceremony. 6 were noted on the trestleboard.

Ayr 172 enjoyed several visitors to their degree work on the month, including Brother Brian McIlravey being raised to the 3rd degree at an emergent meeting. The lodge noted that W. Bro.. Lloyd Kinnaird had achieved the “60 years a Mason” milestone, and reported 1 application.

Mystic Tie 279 congratulated Bro. John Carroll on being passed to the 2nd degree. The summons mentions 2 on the trestleboard.

Brotherhood 723 adjusted to the candidate for the evening being taken ill, and enjoyed some excellent Masonic education in place of the planned degree. As well, the lodge enjoyed a Lodge of Discussion during the month. The summons noted 3 on the trestleboard.

New Light 744 notes 2 on the trestleboard. February was the occasion of performing a 3rd Degree for Bro. Steve Dreyer from Wilmot Lodge, the “belly button brother” of JD Bro. Rob. Dreyer.

Glenrose 628 enjoyed participating in the annual “4 District, 4 Lodge” visitation, this year held at Conestogo Lodge No. 295 in Drayton.

Many masons of the districts, as well as their families and friends, also enjoyed the 2nd annual Waterloo Oriental Shrine Band’s pancake diner, held at the Waterloo Masonic Center. The district Curling Bonspiel was also well attended.

Brethren from Waterloo District were among the many in attendance in London earlier this month, at an extremely well-enjoyed fraternal visit of our Grand Lodge and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge with each other, at our Grand Master’s mother lodge Kilwinning No. 64.

I’ve been to some emergent lodge meetings where there were less total brethren in the room, than we had Most Worshipfuls in this meeting! Between current and past Grand Masters of both groups, we had 12 in attendance – no that is not a typo, twelve Most Worshipfuls in the same room at one time!

The above picture is of past Grand Masters and CURRENT Grand Lodge offices in attendance at this meeting. Our DDGM RW Bro Brian Lowery can be seen in the front row, towards the right of this picture.

From our own Grand Lodge, there was our current Grand Master MW Bro D Garry Dowling, 3 past Grand Masters, 10 current DDGMs, approximately 25 current Grand Lodge officers, and about 50 visiting masters and brethren (lots of gold braid in that group too). From Prince Hall, there was their current Grand Master MW Bro Randolph Kelman, 7 past Grand Masters, approximately 20 current Grand Lodge officers, and approximately 10 masters and brethren. The host lodge had 33 members present including a brand new MM, a brand new FC, and a brand new EA.

The very enjoyable lodge meeting ended with a “circle of friendship” with the two Grand Masters greeting all of the brethren individually, while a moving piece of work was recited by W.Bro Alex Poole of Kitchener, currently W Master of Mount Olive Lodge #1, Hamilton, MWPHGL of Ontario and Jurisdiction.

Following is a short description of the evening by MW Grand Master:

Thanks to all those who were able to attend the fraternal visit between our Grand Lodge and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Ontario (and Jurisdiction) on Friday March 16, 2012, hosted by Kilwinning Lodge No. 64 in London. We had a fantastic visit with just under 200 Brethren assembled in the Lodge room.

M.W. Bro. Randolph Kelman led a delegation of Past Grand Masters, District Deputies, Officers and Brethren that numbered just under 40.

Our own Grand Lodge Officers numbered close to the same and were led by three of our Past Grand Masters, M.W. Bros. Atkinson, Petrisor and Daniels.

It was a momentous occasion for both Grand Lodges as it was the first formal fraternal visit both ruling Grand Masters were privileged to attend since full recognition was granted in 2008.

The evening was celebrated with wonderful friendship and camaraderie. The two Grand Masters closed the evening in the Lodge room with the Prince Hall Circle of Friendship and then all the Brethren proceeded downstairs for the social hour. A late evening, but one to be remembered and we trust a forerunner to more in the future.

Thanks again to those Officers and Members of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario who took the time to be with us that evening. Your support was much appreciated.

Fraternally, Garry
D. Garry Dowling
Grand Master,
Grand Lodge of Canada
In the Province of Ontario

It is defined as; that strength or firmness of mind which enables a person to encounter
danger with coolness and courage, or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring,
depression, or despondency; passive courage; resolute endurance; firmness in confronting
or bearing up against danger or enduring trouble.

An old man in Tokyo Japan was on a bus when a drunk climbed on board. The drunk was
obnoque sious and spoiling for a fight. He was disturbing the other passengers and the old man started to talk to him. The drunk lashed out at the old man but the old man just blocked the blows and dodge them never getting hit. He eventually got the drunk seated and the drunk started to cry. It turned out the reason for his anger was that his wife had just died of cancer and he was just upset at losing her so young. The drunk should not have done what he did but that is not what we have to look at here. We are looking at the fortitude and courage of the old man who refused to attack when he knew he could control the situation by peaceful means.

We all have this virtue if we so desire to embrace it.To have fortitude means you are willing to continue in the face of adversity and accomplish what you set out to do. To stand up and be counted. As masons we are expected to be able to do this without fear of ridicule or contradiction. Sometimes it also means to have the courage to step back and say get on with it. We have to know our own limitations and have the fortitude to be open and honest about those limitations.

“Want of money and the distress of a thief can never be alleged as the cause of his thieving, for many honest people endure greater hardships with fortitude. We must therefore seek the cause elsewhere than in want of money, for that is the miser’s passion, not the thiefs.” – William Blake

Any number of people have to face life with a great deal of fortitude. The single mother trying to bring up her children with honesty and integrity. The person born into a ghetto. Which brings to mind another true story of someone doing research work about people from the ghetto. There were two brothers one was a successful lawyer the other had been in and out of prison. The writer asked the lawyer “ why did you become a lawyer” the reply was “look at the environment I was born into. I had to do something to get out of it” The writer went to a prison and said to the other brother why did you take up a life of crime? The reply “look at the environment I was born into what did you expect me to do”. The lawyer had the fortitude to get himself out of his predicament and make a life for himself.

I have seen fortitude in brethren of this district. They came along and saw there Lodge in
difficulty stood up and said what can we do to turn things around….. and they turned things around in their own lodge. To miss quote John F Kennedy We all have this ability and should have the fortitude to say what can I do for my lodge not what is my lodge doing for me.