Bulletin

Opening Comments: 

Lodges have for the most part in the Province of Ontario, and the rest of Canada have returned to regular meetings once again. While we are still under various pandemic protocols, we must all continue to act and meet in an environment that is safe for all brethren. Some Lodges, however, have not returned due to the pandemic, and that is fine as they have weighed the need over the want and found that the want outweighs the need. We will together get through this, or live with it, either way it may be a while yet before we are able to return to normal—whatever normal is. 

As Bytown returns to regular meetings and gatherings our members begin to slowly return as well. We are pleased and happy with this and look forward to seeing familiar faces that have been either absent or virtual.

Lodge News
On April 7th an Emergent Meeting was held to pass Brother Colin Bosche to the Second Degree.

The evening began with a social from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. with a Festive Board beginning at 6:30 p.m.  The Festive Board was prepared by Bro. Peter Ruttan and consisted of toasted chicken salad and Swiss cheese sandwiches along with a hearty, homemade beef and barley soup.  A new tradition will be introduced to our festive Boards when a candidate is the guest this evening was New York Cheesecake topped with glazed strawberries.

April 21 was our Lodge Step-up night and Elections of Officers for the upcoming Masonic year. The evening began with a social from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. with a Festive Board beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The Festive Board was prepared by Bro. Peter Ruttan and consisted of Chili and Hot Dogs which was in tribute to the late W. Bro. Cal Bellamy, as this month would normally have been our annual chili cook-off contest for charity. This was Bro. Ruttan’s first time ever making chili and it was quite good.  Lodge was tyled at 7:30 pm with everyone in their “possible” new positions within Lodge. 

Installation Night – May 19 
The evening began with a social from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. with the Festive Board beginning at 6:00 p.m.  The Festive Board was prepared by Junior Warden Elect Bro. Peter Ruttan and consisted of a smoked and roasted top sirloin roast, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, California vegetables, and gravy.  Dessert was a cake designed by Mrs. Olive Nelson and decorated by Miss Natalie Nelson, the wife and daughter (respectfully) of W.Bro Ernest Nelson.  Assisting the JW with serving the meal was Tamara MacDonald (Scott), Julie Hawkins (John), Elise Farrell (Robert) and Rose Osborne (Don).

Lodge was tyled at 7:30 and under the direction of the Installing Master, W. Bro. Brodie Fraser the Lodge was raised to the 3rd degree and Worshipful Master Jean-Francois Legault was installed as the 51^st Master of Bytown Lodge #721.

Bytown Lodge Officers, 2022-2023 

• Worshipful Master W. Bro. Jean-François Legault
• Immediate Past Master V.W. Bro. George Ingraham
• Senior Warden V.W. Bro. Jeff Hawkins 
• Junior Warden Bro. Peter Ruttan 
• Chaplain V.W. Bro. Don Osborne 
• Treasurer V.W. Bro. Scott Macdonald
• Secretary W. Bro. Brodie Fraser 
• Director of Ceremonies W. Bro. Ernest Nelson 
• Senior Deacon Bro Jon Orazietti 
• Junior Deacon
• Tyler Bro. Sandy Mackey

A Special Thank You to Those That Assisted in the Ceremony:

Installation Team
Installing Master W. Bro. Brodie Fraser, Bytown Lodge 
Director of Ceremonies V.W. Bro. Wayne Keech, The Builder’s Lodge 
Immediate Past Master W. Bro. Ernest Nelson, Bytown Lodge 
Senior Warden W. Bro. Mikey Reiach, Ionic Lodge c
Junior Warden W. Bro. Brian Pepper, Bytown Lodge 
Senior Deacon R.W. Bro. Mike Negrodski, Madawaska Lodge 
Junior Deacon W. Bro. Jason Solomon, Ionic Lodge 
Inner Guard R.W. Bro. Charles Singh, Ionic Lodge 
Senior Steward R.W. Bro. Ken Brinston, The Builders Lodge 
Junior Steward W. Bro. Scott Ritchie, Prince of Wales Lodge 
Secretary R.W. Bro. Richard Loomes, The Builders Lodge 
Chaplain V.W. Bro. Don Osborne, Bytown Lodge 

Assisting 
Bro. Jon Orazietti, Bytown Lodge 
Bro. Colin Bosche, Bytown Lodge 
Bro. Peter Ruttan, Bytown Lodge 
W. Bro. Jean Lteif, The Builders Lodge 
V.W. Bro. George Ingraham, Bytown Lodge 
R.W. Bro. Sam Kalinowsky, Defenders Lodge

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Bytown Summer BBQ
On Sunday, June 12th at the home of W. Bro. Secretary Brodie Fraser’s mother Jan, Bytown held its annual summer BBQ.

The afternoon was spent for the most part inside as the weather did not want to corporate for most of the day.  In fact, severe thunderstorm warnings were in place where we had gathered.

W. Bro. Fraser did the BBQing of hamburgers and hot dogs, while inside the members of Bytown brought to the table various salads, wings, meat and cheese platters, snacks and many great desserts.  Hot and cold beverages of many types were also graciously available.

While the company inside was enjoyable some brave souls ventured down the river’s edge (Ottawa River) and enjoyed the sandy beach and the extremely cold water.  It must have been their attitude of “a little rain isn’t going to stop us” that allowed the clouds to part enough that the rain stopped and more of the gathering made their way outside.

A great afternoon was had and eventually it was time to depart.  Good-byes exchanged with promises and hopes to be able to see each other again throughout the summer.

Thank you very much to the hospitality of Mrs. Jan Fraser.

Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again.