Last night West Gate hosted South Gate and River Park Lodges at the February Regular Meeting.  Strong attendance makes for a vibrant lodge room that inspires and motivates.

During the evening our newest member, Bro. Murray was initiated into the craft as the main event.  We hope to see lots of you in the future along with your sponsor W. Bro Andrews.

Other items included education questions and answers and W. Bro. Weyland also described start in masonry along with the meaning it has brought to his life.

(Forbes.com)

You’ve probably had a pretty busy morning so far. Maybe you've answered some emails, written your to-do list, and prepared for the day ahead.  

But I have a question for you (and please don’t take this the wrong way). Have you actually done anything?  Rather, have you done anything that’s produced results?

Read more here....

On Saturday, February 8, West Gate's members, spouses, family and friends gathered on a clear winter day at Woodbine Racetrack for an evening of food and fun.

This year's venue changed back to the Post Parade Dining Room which offered spectacular views from every table. The buffet was particularly excellent this year with a large selection. 

Congratulations to Bro. Sammy for making all the arrangements for the evening.

Pete Seeger, the singer and songwriter who charged the way for the revival of American folk music, died on Monday at the age of 94. Known for creating hits like "We Shall Overcome" and The Byrd's chart-topping "Turn! Turn! Turn!," Seeger often spoke out on the belief that powerful music could change the world.

But his soulful nature and passion for life wasn't just prevalent in his melodies. Seeger's words, whether it was through his speech or his lyrics, can teach us a lot about spreading kindness and making a difference in the world.

Read more here....

On Thursday, Jan. 16, a number of the Directors of the Masonic Foundation of Ontario were privileged to participate in a tour of the London Regional Cancer Program’s Prostate Cancer facilities at the London Health Sciences Centre.

The following members of the Masonic Foundation were in attendance: President A. Douglas Nichols, Dr. David Cameron, Mr. Garry Dowling, Mr. Patrick McGrenere, Mr. Ed Standish, Dr. Charles Woods and our Deputy Grand Master, Mr. John Green.  We were accompanied on the tour by two private donors, Mrs. Sheila Reynolds and Mr. John Reynolds.

The tour was organized and directed by two members of the London Health Sciences Foundation, Jackie Ellefsen and Pam Taylor.

The tour was organized so that members of the Foundation could see first hand the benefits of the Foundation’s contributions to Prostate Cancer research. This year, your Masonic Foundation was pleased to be able to provide the following grants:

$25,000 to Dr. Joseph Chin of Western University to enable a Masters student to look at modulators of prostate cancer cell invasion, which will have an impact on preventing metastasis.

$25,000 to Dr. Bobby Shayegan of McMaster University to study a novel prostatectomy technique which promises to greatly lessen complications.

$25,000 to Dr. Robert Siemens of Queen’s University for work with a survivorship group which includes cognitive psychologists who are attempting to understand the needs and gaps for men and their spouses in terms of their care after treatment. This includes a better understanding of quality of life issues.

We were privileged to be able to meet with Dr. Glenn Bauman, Chair/Chief of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Joseph Chin, Chief, Surgical Oncology, Dr. Aaron Ward, PhD, and Dr. Leonard Luyt, PhD.

Dr. Bauman guided the tour of the treatment and Radiation Therapy areas, explaining not only the equipment, but the processes used in treatment and the structure and organization of the various units and teams that come together to provide the best possible end result for the patient.

Dr. Chin provided insight into the workings of the clinical side of the Baines Centre for Transitional Cancer Research and also an update on the work of the Masters student, Sean Leith, who received the grant from our Masonic Foundation for his research into a short hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) molecule library made by 3D culturing.

Dr. Aaron Ward provided a very educational presentation on the collaboration between the technology side of treatment and the interaction that their teams have with the clinicians. His presentation focused on how advances in imaging technology are constantly being used to strive for solutions to support questions and ideas that are raised by the clinicians in their use of the technology. He also outlined the process in transitioning a ‘question’ or an ‘idea’ from inception to a final product and he emphasised the importance of initial funding (donations) and ‘seed’ money in this process.

Dr. Leonard Luyt gave us a presentation on how the ‘chemistry’ teams collaborate with the technology (imaging) and clinical teams to provide patient care solutions. He stressed the importance of the on-site lab work in developing new labelling agents for imaging (much like the development process of a drug) that ultimately reaches the stage of clinical trials. He then conducted a very educational tour of the research lab.

This tour certainly allowed the participants from your Masonic Foundation to see first hand the work being done in the field of Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research. It was indeed an eye opener and a great opportunity to visualize the potential impact of our Foundation dollars at work. The entire Cancer Program team stressed the importance of funding, especially as relates to ‘seed’ money, in the ongoing search for better treatment and ultimate cure for Prostate Cancer.

We are indebted to the entire team but especially Jackie and Pam for making the tour possible.

Submitted by: Garry Dowling / David Cameron

The Ontario Mason Magazine Team and the Communications Committee are extremely pleased to announce the re-introduction of the Ontario Mason Magazine (OMM), in its new on-line format.

Ontario Mason Magazine - 2013 Fall

We hope that you enjoy the team’s first effort; it has been a huge undertaking and it certainly has been a learning process for us all. As we move forward with the creation of the Winter Issue, we pledge to you that the team will seek improvement every issue. 

 This new on-line version of the OMM is very much a magazine of and for every mason in Ontario. Its primary purpose is to inform the Brethren, while at the same time creating a greater sense of a Fraternal Community across the breadth of this great Province.

The long-term success of the re-introduction of the Ontario Mason Magazine can only be achieved through the forging of communication partnerships between the Lodges, the Districts and the Senior Leadership of the Craft.

The members of the OMM Team have a simple philosophy; If the information and news that you have as a Lodge or a District, is important to you – it is important to us.

We encourage you to share stories, special celebrations, events, articles and photographs with the team. This magazine is here, for you to use, as a means of showcasing your special part of our Jurisdiction and we encourage to do so regularly.

Should you, your Lodge or your District have submissions to the magazine, they can be forwarded via this specifically created e-mail address for the Ontario Mason Magazine -      OMM@grandlodge.on.ca .

Should you have any questions or wish to make any comments about the magazine, you can do so through this same OMM e-mail address.

Communications is a Partnership and with your assistance we can cooperatively make this magazine a publication to be proud of.

Fraternally,

W. Bro. Dan Dignard                                   R.W. Bro. Iain D. Wate
Team Leader                                                Chairman
Ontario Mason Magazine                           Communnications Committee
GL Communications Pillar                         Grand Lodge Communications Pillar


Please Note: Throughout the magazine you find that “hyperlinks” have been used extensively. These links are there for your information and reading pleasure, so we encourage you to explore what they have to offer.