From The East: January 2019

Brethren,

Greetings from the East, and I hope that you have been able to enjoy the festive season in good health with family and friends. Ionic Lodge held its annual Holiday Party on December 16. In addition to a fine dinner with all the traditional fixings, we were entertained by the beautiful singing of Deanna Singh and RW Bro. Charles’ Holiday Trivia Challenge. The evening also provided an opportunity for the Brethren to meet representatives from Cornerstone Housing for Women (CHFW) – Princeton Avenue Residence; to learn about the programs they offer, and how Ionic Lodge can help support this important local community facility. On behalf of Ionic Lodge, Bro. Chris Braeuel – Community Outreach Committee Chairman presented the CHFW with contributions of food and cash donations. This is truly Ionic Lodge practicing
Masonry in the community as it should.

At our Regular Meeting in December we welcomed Bro. Matthew Buchanan to our gentle Craft and are honoured that he has chosen Ionic Lodge in which
to begin his Masonic journey. We thank Bro. Khristo for a very thoughtful
research presentation of Masonic Education at our meeting and Bro. Sameer Sultan for his presentation at our Festive Board.

As we enter the new calendar year there is a lot of activity on the program. At our January Regular Meeting on January 09, we will be raising Bro. Mike Khristo to the 3rd degree. A number of Official Visits are scheduled for January. The Traveling Gavel will be up for grabs at the Official Visit of the DDGM to Bytown Lodge on January 17 – let’s have a good showing from Ionic to take back the Trowel.

Thank you Bro. Solomon for leading Ottawa District 2 in hosting the Blood Donor Clinic on Saturday, December 15. There was a good turnout that day but please remember that blood donations are needed all year long. To make an appointment to donate blood, contact Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-2-236-6283) or through their website at www.blood.ca and when giving blood, please indicate that your donation is with Partners for Life MASO 011438.

The Committee of General Purposes will meet on Sunday, January 06, 2019 at 7:00 pm. All Ionic Brethren are welcome. The Meeting will be followed by a Practice for our Regular Meeting on January 09, 2019. If any of the Brethren are ill or in need please notify Bro. Secretary or myself.

We look forward to seeing you in Lodge.
Randy Gaw, WM