Brethren, it has been a long difficult year, especially for our Lodge, but we were able to hold our Installation Meeting last evening, Dec. 11, with limited attendance.  W. Bro. Kevin Garner was installed in the Chair of King Solomon, our W. Master for the coming year.  Bro. Gordon Whitton was Installed in the South as J.W.  Congratulations to both.  I know they will do an excellent job.  

A vote of thanks needs to go to those Brethren who attended last evenings meeting, as Installing Officers.  Their support during this difficult time is very much appreciated. I know we are all looking forward to a time in the, hopefully, near future when we can all meet, safely on the Level again.

Bernie

W. Bro. Kevin Garner

W.M

Bro. Gordon Whitton

Jr. Warden

 Brethren, Ionic Lodge held our first Meeting since Covid – 19 shut us down several months ago.  Face Masks were required along with maintaining the safe distancing and hand sanitizing.  17 Members were in attendance. Business was conducted in the 1st. Deg. and the meeting was short. 1 hour.  

W. Bro. Mark Barclay was in the Masters Chair for the evening and was presented with his Past Masters Certificate by M.W. Bro. Don Finan.

It was good to have V.W. Bro. Fred Walker in attendance.  He was presented with his 60 Year Certificate and Pin, by R.W. Bro. Bill Swiderski, DDGM for District 7.  W. Bro. Barclay acknowledged V.W. Bro. Walker as follows:

“Born in North Battleford October 1936, Fred grew up on the family farm about six miles north on Highway #4. He joined Masonry in 1958 and was Raised on November 14, 1958 in the I.O.O.F. Hall where Cherry Insurance is now located on 100^th Street. V. W. Bro. Fred Walker served as Master of Ionic Lodge in 1991. He was Exalted in Royal Arch on November 19, 1959 in Battleford, SK. Fred has been active within his mother lodge, and has served many York Rite concordant bodies- such as Preceptory- as a staunch member, by sitting in the East and as Secretary and Registrar. He has also been active as District #7 Secretary for many years. Above all, it must be said that Fred’s interest is in history: Masonic, local, and above all, railroading, to name a few! Congratulations, Fred, on receiving your much deserved 60-Year certificate and pin from the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan!”

Congratulations Fred, well deserved.

Bernie

Brethren, we should all be very proud of W. Bro. Al White who was recently named North Battlelfords 2020 Citizen of the year. He is a retired RCMP S/Sgt.,  who served overseas as a Peace Keeper,

Real Estate Agent & a Past President of the Sask. Real Estate Association, a Member of the Battleford’s Union Hospital Foundation.  He has been very active in various other Community activities.  As well, as you can see above, he is also a Certifies, Professional Lobster Cooker.  Congratulations Bro. Al.

Officers present at Installation from left to right: W. Bro. Gordon Yarde, Bro. Gordon Whitton, W. Bro. Mark Barclay, M. W. Bro. Don Finan, Bro. Kevin Garner, Bro. Alvin Laudinez, W. Bro. Arturo Gal-man Master of the Lodge, Bro. Marlon Francisco, W. Bro. Rod Munn, W. Bro. Peter Hogger, Rt. W. Bro. Kevin Monsebroten, Bro. Trevor Horton, Bro. Mariano Ong.

Brethren, we held our reg. meeting on Friday, Nov. 8.  The main     order of business was the Election of 2020 Officers:

W.M. – Bro Art Galman
S.W. –  Bro. Kevin Garner
J.W. –  W Bro. Rod Munn
IPM – W. Bro. Mark Barclay
S.D. – Bro. Gordon Whitton
J.D.  – Bro. Mariano Ong
I.G. –  Bro. Marion Francisco
CHAPLAIN – Bro. Trevor Horton
S.S. – Bro Rob Florence
J.S. –  Bro. Alvin Laudinez
Asst. Stewards – Bro’s Daniel Sager and Mark Miller
ORGANIST – V.W. Bro. Peter Hogger and W. Bro. Darrel Yates
PIPER – V.W. Bro Jim Ramsay
SEC. – M.W. Bro. Don Finan
TREASURER – R.W. Bro. Kevin Monsebroten
D of C – W. Bro. Al White
TYLER – R.W. Bro. Kevin Monsebroten

A short Remembrance Service was held in honor of those who who served their Country.

W. Bro. Al White made a cheque presentation, in the amount of over $400.00 to Ionic Lodge and received by W.M. W. Bro. Mark Barclay.  The funds were as a result of volunteer Traffic Control duties performed by Bro. White at “Ag In Motion”, this past Summer.  Thank you Bro. Al.

Ag in Motion is the largest agricultural trade show in Western Canada that provides an outdoor venue for progressive farmers that want to see and feel the latest agricultural innovations all in one place. Ag in Motion brings innovation to the field through interactive exhibits and live field and crop plot demonstrations.

Brethren, here are some photos taken at the District Meeting at Britannia # 23, on October 26, 2019.

M. W. Bro. Don Ford presenting a Past Master certificate to W. Bro. Ryan Janki from Britannia Lodge #23.

 M.W. Bro. Ford presenting MM certificate to Bro. Peter Tyrell from Britannia lodge.

  W. Bro. Mark Barclay receives a Secretary/ Treasurer pin from the DDGM.

M.W. Bro. Ford and R. W. Bro. Bill Swiderski upon the presentation of R.W. Bro. Robert St. Germain’s Past DDGM apron, and  V.W. Bro David Campbell’s Past Grand Steward certificate.

M.W. Bro. Ford and R. W. Bro. Bill Bryce present the ‘Bill Bryce District #7 Speak Off Trophy to Bro. Harvey Johnson from Unity-Kilwinning #73. Also participating was V.W. Bro. David Campbell from Britannia Lodge #23 and Bro. Sean Peterson from Ionic #31.

Brethren, here are some photos taken during our October 1W.M1 Lodge Meeting.

 W.M. W.Bro. Mark Barclay; Bro. Kirk Gessner; Bro. Andrew Sneddon, just initiated, and District 7 DDGM, R.W. Bro. Bill Swiderski.

V.W. Bro. Richard Gibbons receiving, IONIC Lodge Mason of the Year Award.

DDGM presented Ionic with a serving tray handcrafted by the Swiderski family (built by his son with artwork by his daughter).

Group photos of those in the East (Unity Kilwinning and Lloydminster were well represented!) Photographer for the evening, Bro. Alvin Laudinez.  

Bro. Peterson who Proved up in the 1st Deg., M.W. Bro. Don Finan along with Bro. Gifford who Proved up in the 2nd Deg.
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In early September, W. Bro. Mark Barclay had an opportunity to enjoy a fraternal visit to Malta Lodge #131 in Grand Forks, ND. On that evening, Malta officers conducted a Rusty Nail degree, which is an opportunity for Brethren to ‘brush up’ on ritual- such as passwords, grips, and opening and closing in each degree. What a perfect opportunity to learn! Much was familiar, but certainly subtle differences were apparent; as WM, for example, I do not wear a top hat! A light dinner was served prior to the meeting, and I was very fortunate that W. Bro. Greg Bryson not only picked me up and drove me back to the hotel, but gave me a tour of their lodge as well. As you can see, I exchanged pins and hats with the 3 Principal officers. An excellent evening overall! Pictured in the group Photo from left to right are: Frank Whitmer JW, W. Bro. Mark Barclay, Geoff Benson WM Malta Lodge #131, Randy Shear SW, W. Bro. Greg Bryson, Chad Kainz DDGM District #4 ND. 

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