St ThoMASONtario. **** For Masons in the St Thomas Ontario District **** Volume XV-3 May 2009

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1 St ThoMASONtario **** For Masons in the St Thomas Ontario District **** Volume XV-3 May 2009 Editor s notes: Warmer weather has finally come to the 49 th Parallel! This has been one of the longest winters in a long time. Well it started in November!!! It s still snowing to the east and west of us, so lets be thankful for where we are on the planet. Get out and clean up the yard, plant the garden, ride your bikes and motor cycles, all the things for warm weather, but let s not forget our Lodge needs us to, regenerate your Masonic duties. See below for some great places to visit in May and June. Enjoy the World, it s the only one we have. Remember winter is almost over, we can see the deer wandering around. Quote for the Month: I've learned... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. Official Visits: The Official Visits of our DDGM have now been completed, very successfully. We now look forward to seeing R.W.Bro. John Johnston at the Installations and Investitures of the lodges listed below. Try and get out to as many as possible to welcome the new Masters and their officers. Grand Lodge: This year s Communication is on Wednesday July 15 th 2009, in Toronto. A bus will leave the Elgin Mall in St. Thomas at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $35.00 per person. Book early as seats that are left are being offered to London East and London West brethren.

2 St ThoMASONtario Newsletter Page 2 Landmark s in Masonry: W.Bro. Kenneth Grantham receives his 50 year service pin and diploma at the April 2009 meeting of Talbot Lodge No. 546, Upcoming Events: Following is a list of the Installations and Investitures in our District: St. Thomas No. 44, Thursday 7 th May 2009, St. Thomas, 7:30 p.m. Warren Lodge No 120, Tuesday 2 nd June, 2009, Fingal, 7:30p.m. Cameron Lodge No. 232, Wednesday 3 rd June, 2009, Dutton, 7:30 p.m. West Elgin Lodge No. 386, Wednesday 10 th June, 2009, Rodney, 7:30 p.m. Dufferin Lodge No. 364, Tuesday 16 th June, 2009, Melbourne, 7:30 p.m. Malahide Lodge No. 140, Wednesday 17 th June, 2009, Aylmer, 8:00 p.m. St. David s Lodge No 302, Thursday, 18 th June, 2009, St. Thomas, 7:30 p.m. Talbot Lodge No. 546, Thursday 25 th June, 2009, St. Thomas, 7:30 p.m. Prince of Wales Lodge No. 171, Saturday, 23 June, 2009, Iona Station, 2:00 p.m. Masonic Education: The Old Masters Message

3 St ThoMASONtario Newsletter Page 3 I met a Dear Old Man today who wore a Masonic Pin It was old and faded like the man, its edges were worn and thin. I approached the park bench where he sat to give the old Brother his due I said, "I see you've traveled east? He said, I have, have you? I said, I have and in my day before the all seeing sun I played in the rubble with Jubala, Jubilo and Jubalum. He shouted, Don't laugh at the work my son it's good and sweet and true And if you've traveled as you said you should give these things a Due. The Work, the Sign, the Token, the sweet Masonic Prayer. The Vow that you have taken you have climbed the inner stair. The wages of a Mason are never paid in gold But the gain comes from contentment when you're weak and growing old. You see I've carried my Obligations for almost 50 Years It has helped me through the hardships and the failures full of tears. Now I'm losing my mind and body - death is near but I don't despair I've lived my life upon the Level and I'm dying on the Square. Sometimes the greatest lessons are those that are learned anew And the old man in the park today has changed my point of view To all my Masonic Brothers the only secret is to care May you live upon the Level and part upon the Square. Submitted by: R.W.Bro. Bill Douglas, Cameron Lodge No. 232 Laugh for the month: My Forgetter Be Forgotten My forgetter's getting better, but my rememberer is broke To you that may seem funny, but, to me, that is no joke For when I'm 'here' I'm wondering if I really should be 'there' And, when I try to think it through, I haven't got a prayer! Oft times I walk into a room, say 'what am I here for?' I wrack my brain, but all in vain! A zero is my score. At times I put something away where it is safe, but, gee! The person it is safest from is, generally, me! When shopping I may see someone, say 'Hi' and have a chat, Then, when the person walks away I ask myself, 'who the hell was that?' Yes, my forgetter's getting better while my rememberer is broke, And it's driving me plumb crazy and that just ain't no joke. CAN YOU RELATE??? Blood Donor Clinic: The St. Thomas District Masonic Blood donor Clinic is now held at the Timken Centre, the new Arena on Wellington Street, in St. Thomas. Date and times are the same: Every third Wednesday of each month from 1-30p.m. 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. There is always a need for blood, and if you can give the gift of life, please attend this clinic, or any that is held in your area. Remember to sign the new sheets supplied by the District Blood Donor Chairman. Once signed and returned to the Canadian Blood Services, your donation of blood will be registered with your Lodge, no matter where donated in Canada. The Grand Lodge Blood Donor Committee keeps an account.

4 St ThoMASONtario Newsletter Page 4 Special Thanks: Murder Mystery- Hawaiian Luau Well another District Ladies Night is now behind us. It would have been better if it had been supported better, but all in all I would have to say it was successful. For those that were not aware, we just held a Murder Mystery- Hawaiian Luau in the CASO Railway Station on Talbot St. St. Thomas. The meal was catered by Bob Howes, Wayne Dunn and many helpers. Thank you for all the hard work and effort that went into preparing the meal. At this time I must apologize to Bob for a glitch in the program, which led to you not being able to serve the food when it was ready. This apology must also be sent out to everyone that was in attendance for the meal, as it was in the hands of the committee which created a delay for the arrival of food at the tables. The woman who did the balloon palm trees and other balloon items gave the District a real deal on the price of her products. I mentioned to her that I would try and advertise for her company in our newsletter. I was asked by several people about the decoration, and it was only then that I wished I had gone to see her about getting some business cards. Anyway, here is the info: The Balloon Experience Claire Champ Currie Rd., Dutton balloon-experience.com balloon.exp@sympatico.ca Anniversary Thanks Birthday Shower Get Well New Baby The Locke Insurance Company underwrote the PAL insurance, free of Charge.

5 St ThoMASONtario Newsletter Page 5 On behalf of V. W. Bro. Grant Hughson, I would like to thank all those that supported, assisted and donated something for the silent auction. Without your support this would not have been as successful. R.W.Bro. Robert Keith (Chairman) Website address: Webmaster: W. Bro. Peter Matthews, Talbot Lodge No.546. Keep checking out our Website. There is a Photo album. There are approximately 60 photos in the album for you to peruse and enjoy. They have been taken in the last 12 months at meetings in the District. More will be added as they are taken. Peter will add individual photos that you may have. Send them to him at the above . In conclusion: Anything you want to include? To keep the Newsletter interesting and informative I need information. Masters, Secretaries, anyone, please forward any snippets of information you have. Any moans, groans or kudos? Contact the editor at: Mailing Address: Box 231, Melbourne, ON. N0L 1T0 Phone: colpatw@xplornet.com Colin Webster Editor Always arrive alive