Regular Meeting, March 21, 2019
With many members unable to attend the Regular Meeting in March (Move-up Night), there was quite a lot of Irish stew left over after the festive board. At the invitation of the SW, we were pleased to have Linda Meyer, the Worthy Matron of Hope Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, as a guest for the meal. She was accompanied by her Son Matthew and her brother, Bro David Norrish.
When the Lodge was opened upstairs, we were joined by Bro Sandy Mackie of Mosspark Lodge No. 1329, our only visitor for the meeting. The work of the evening included balloting on the application for affiliation of Bro Peter Ruttan, who has been a frequent and welcome visitor to Bytown in recent months. The ballot being favourable, RWBro Harbert presented Bro Ruttan with the Book of Constitution and Bylaws and escorted him to the Secretary’s desk to sign the register. He was then formally welcomed to the Lodge by the WM, SW, and the enthusiastic applause of the brethren present. Bro Ruttan then assumed the chair of the SD.
As a period of Masonic education, the Treasurer read an interesting Sunday Masonic Paper No. 877, entitled “Free” in Freemasonry, which discussed several theories why Masons call themselves free.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the brethren adjourned to the hall downstairs for coffee and dessert.
Traveling Trowel
The Traveling Trowel is a trophy awarded at each official visit of the DDGM in Ottawa District 2 to the lodge with the largest visiting delegation. Bytown swept every meeting in 2018 and only gave up the trophy at our own official visit in January 2019, where, of course, we were not in the running. Four nights later, we won it again at the official visit to the Builders, and on March 6, 2019 at Defender’s, we again had the largest visiting delegation. On March 12, we sent a 10-member delegation to Cobden’s official visit. Pembroke also had 10 members, but the tie was broken in their favour because they had more MMs than we had. On March 26, we once again had a strong 10-member delegation. This time there was a tie again, with the Builders also appearing with a 10-member delegation. Sadly, we lost the tie for the second time, this time on a count of Past Masters present. But, what a record year this was! We won every possible traveling trowel, except for two, where we lost on tie breakers! WBro Jeff Hawkins said it best: “ Brethren, it has been a busy traveling year and I want you all to kick your feet up, crack a cold and give yourself a hearty pat on the back. Bask in the glow of this amazing achievement. You’ve earned it. Rest up, we are going to get back at it next fall and continue to work at this new reputation we have earned ourselves. Congratulations Brethren of Bytown Lodge!”
In Memoriam – Charles Alexander 1931-2018
We only recently discovered that one of our Life Members passed to the Grand Lodge Above last summer. His obit follows:
Alexander, Charles Maxwell, AFC, CD, BA Commercial Bank of Scotland 1949 to 1953, RAF 1953 to 1956, BA Carleton University 1977, RCAF/CF 1956 to 1976
Born May 5, 1931 in Denny, Scotland; died August 7th, 2018 in Perth, Ontario, Charles was predeceased by his father William and his mother Elizabeth Somers (Maxwell) Alexander both of Scotland and his first wife Barbara (Parliament) Alexander Schaldemose. He is survived by his second wife Frances (Arbuthnot) Alexander of Perth, Ontario and his sons Geoffrey of Delta, B.C. and David of Trenton, Ontario and his daughter Katherine of Richmond, Ontario. Charles is also survived by his grandsons, Shawn Michael, Jason Sean, Ryan Mathew and Jonathan Blair. As Charles wished there will be no visitation or memorial service. His cremated remains will be scattered off the coast of Kintyre in Argyll, Scotland. Charles started off his military career with five years service in the RAF which included national service and eventually received his training as a long range navigator in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1953. In 1956, he enrolled in the RCAF as an airborne interceptor navigator with service that included 433 Sqn in North Bay, 408 Sqn in Rockcliffe, 425 Sqn in Bagotville and 414 Sqn in Ottawa. For those wishing to honour his life with a memorial donation, a contribution to the Masonic Foundation of Ontario would be appreciated by his family. Arrangements are in the care of Blair & Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore St., West, Perth, Ontario.
