Congratulations to W. Bro. Warner for organizing the District Lodge of Instruction.  The parking lot was overflowing and the Lodge Room was full with many senior officers from Toronto West District attending.  The host lodge supported the event with coffee and snacks. 

The education team did a fantastic job passing along an enormous amount of information in such a brief period of time.  I was especially impressed with the wealth of knowledge from R.W. Bro. Crutcher, Chairman of Grand Lodge's Protocol and Etiquette Committee.

 It was time well spent and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

On October 24th West Gate honored members that have achieved a significant milestone in Freemasonry – 25 Years a Mason.

W. Bro. Phoenix,  January 8, 1969           W. Bro. Franklin,  January 16, 1976        W. Bro. Warner,  October 7, 1976

Bro. Kochhar,  May 12, 1977                     Bro. Jack,  November 9, 1978                  Bro. Sammy,  October 2, 1982

W. Bro. Joseph,  February 23, 1983        Bro. Furlong,  October 11, 1983              W. Bro. Chadwick,  April 14, 1983

R. W. Bro. Hartzema,  April 24, 1984       Bro. Watsham,  February 26, 1986        Bro. Waldron,  April 23, 1986

V. W. Bro. Bryant,  May 28, 1986              W. Bro. Simon,  August 11, 1986             W. Bro. Lee,  November 27, 1987

Congratulations on your anniversaries and commitment to the craft.  Each member makes a unique impression upon the lodge and becomes a part of the rich history that is West Gate.

In March 1961 W. Bro. Caminer was initiated into Masonry. 

What else happened in 1961? 

• The Beatles' made their first appearance. 
• John F. Kennedy was sworn in as President of the United States.
• The first man was launched into space
• Average Income $5,315.00 per year
• A gallon of Gas cost 27 cents

In his life time he has witnessed many wonderful things but more importantly he has been a part of our lives and fraternity.

Heinz was the fourth Worshipful Master of West Gate Lodge.   During his term he conducted a meeting in February during which a degree was conferred with all the brethren present wearing winter coats because the furnace had failed.  Such is his dedication to the Craft.

He ran the 734 Club for many years ensuring hospitality was provided to both members and visitors.  Through the 734 Club Heinz raised funds to support many of the social events West Gate has become so well known for.

Heinz also wrote a monthly newsletter and was affectionately known as the “West Gate Scribe”.  In this format he was able communicate those less formal thoughts that could not be contained within the Lodge Summons.   An example of this candid style of writing can be found in the September 1993 issue…. “Your worshipful master has once again twisted this scribes arms and has inflicted my ramblings and grumblings on you for another year.  Please blame him not me.”

He was one of the members who at the inception of West Gate Lodge set the standard to which we subscribe to today.  W. Bro. Caminer…. we all thank you.

The Veteran Jubilee Medal is presented in recognition of long service to an Ontario Mason who has completed fifty years of continuous membership, is in good standing and who is a member of a Lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction or affiliated from a lodge recognized by this Grand Jurisdiction. The medal is gold-plated, with the Square and Compasses within a circle with GRAND LODGE OF A.F. & A.M. OF CANADA IN ONTARIO in raised letters. 50 YEARS A MASON is in raised letters on the obverse, and the name of the recipient and the date of presentation are engraved. The medal is suspended by a sky-blue ribbon from a bar with the shield bearing the arms of the Province of Ontario surmounted on a Maple Leaf. The word Veteran is used in the broad sense: a person of age and experience. A Jubilee is the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of an important event. Presented as a reward for a half-century of faithful service to the Craft, it is properly called a Medal and is not, strictly speaking, a Masonic Jewel.

On Tuesday, October 16 members of West Gate travelled to beautiful Peel Lodge for their Official Visit of DDGM R.W. Bro. William B. Bath.

The evening had a "Fall Harvest" theme with a extensive buffet banquet filled with seasonal dishes.  As well there was a variety of home made pies that made the evening paticularly memorable.

A Third Degree as conferred on Bro. Richards who was and excellent candidate.  On hand was Bro. Richards father to witness the evening. 

Congratulations to the WM and members of Peel Lodge for their hospitality and I look forward to returning soon.

Yesterday we had our first Saturday morning Emergent Meeting of the year.  The Third Degree was conferred on Bro. Maylor and Bro. Epkenhaus. Also Bro. Macedo and Sutcliffe Proved themselves as MMs.

Toasts were done in the Lodge Room.  The brethren then retired to the Yorshire Arms where we enjoyed food and drink.

Thanks to everyone who attended and assisted in particular V. W. Bro. Moss from River Park Lodge who took part in the ceremony.

Congratulations to the member's of West Gate who are bringing home the Travelling Gavel for the first time.  24 member's successfully completed the quest that was inspired by Bro. Sammy who was duly recognized for his efforts.  My thanks to everyone who assisted.  

I wonder who is going to challenge us next?

I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

We are truly blessed and a have a great deal to be thankful for. We are thankful for the success of West Gate and our lodges throughout the world. We are thankful for the friendship and brotherly love that exists between us all and for the freedoms we enjoy so that we can meet freely as Freemasons when and where we want. We are thankful for our great organization.

May the Great Architect of the Universe keep you safe during this holiday.

On Thursday, October 4 thirteen member's of West Gate made the annual trek to visit our brothers at Adanac Lodge 614 of Niagara A District.  We also met up with our own Past Master, W. Bro. John Lee, who now serves as the Secretary of Adanac.

This evening was the Official Visit of the DDGM of Niagara A District, R.W. Bro. Don J. Seyffert. Adanac also celebrated their 90th Anniversary.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Veteran's Jubilee Medal to V. W. Bro. Donald Grimshaw.  He has been a Mason for 63 years and was Initiated in 1969.  He most recently just completed a two year term as Worshipful Master of Mercer Wilson Lodge No. 678 in Wilson North District.  Congratulations V. W. Bro. Donald Grimshaw on a magnificent speech about how Masonry has played an important  role throughout your life.

Adanac did not disappoint with hospitality.  The lodge closed shortly after 9 PM and we were treated to home cooked meal of meat pies, mashed potatoes, salad and numerous other treats.  I was on the road by 11 PM and arrived shortly after midnight.

Thanks to all the member's who attended.  Adanac is not really that far away being about an hour which is the time of a GTA commute to work.