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May 2002 Meeting

An excellent turnout witnessed the annual recurrence of our Installation & Investiture ceremonies, when W. Bro. Jim Dore became our Worshipful Master for the coming year.

W. Bro. Row Croskill assembled a distinguished Installing Board, mainly from the law enforcement and and legal professions, many of whom had been colleagues of the new WM for as long as 25 years.

W. Bro. Fred Lewis continued a long tradition by presenting the new WM with a hand crafted gavel. R.W. Bro. Denis Langridge earned a standing ovation for his splendid rendition of the General Charge.

It was good to see W. Bro. Fred McGee sufficiently recovered from his stroke to attend. Also in attendance was Bro. Fred Russell, all the way from Victoria BC to visit his Mother Lodge for the first time in over 50 years.

Over 17 speakers rose to congratulate the Lodge, the Installing Board and the Worshipful Master. In closing, the DDGM thanked Wingham Lodge for their support at the recent Reception for the Grand Master. He noted that Wingham Lodge was in good hands with a young corps of officers and no Past Masters in the line chairs

Wingham Lodge at North Huron Reception for Grand Master

On April 20, 2002 the Freemasons of North Huron District hosted a reception at the Belmore Community Centre in honour of our Grand Master, MW Brother Terence Shand.

Over 300 Masons, non-Masonic riends and their ladies were in attendance to greet the Grand Master and his wife Lyn and partake of a North Huron Beef Dinner. 22 of those present were members, friends and ladies of Wingham Lodge.

Many Grand Lodge Officers and Members of the Board were introduced, as were the Masters of all twelve lodges in the district. The Masters participated in several presentations, including one to the Grand Masters charity and a personalized 'Reserved' Parking Sign.

The Grand Master presented a 50-year pin to W. Bro. Ron McMichael of Forest Lodge. Also, during his speech emphasizing some of the great attributes of Freemasonry, he introduced our own W. Bro. Stewart Beattie, a 70-year Mason, wh received a standing ovation.

At the end of the evening, eeryone showed their apppreciation to RW Bro. Denis Langridge (District Chairman of Special Events) and his wife Shirley, for their hard work in organizing and arranging the event.

(L to R) W Bro. Stewart Beattie, a 70-year Mason; Bro. Jason Barlow, Wingham Lodge's newest Mason; R.W. Bro. Denis Langridge, District Special Events Chairman; M.W. Bro. Terence Shand, Grand Master; W. Bro. Gary McCormick.

At North Huron Reception for the Grand Master April 20, 2002

FEBRUARY 18, 2003 MEETING

Unfortunately, due to extremely inclement weather, the Regular Meeting on February 4th had to be cancelled.

An Emergent Meeting was held on February 18th. This meeting addressed all of the business scheduled for the Regular Meeting, including the Initiation of Mr Andrew Foy. The degree was ably conferred by the officers and members of Wingham Lodge, assisted by V.W. Bro. Cliff Coultes of Blyth Lodge.

At 6.00 p.m. prior to the Emergent Meeting, members and visitors enjoyed a Haggis Dinner preceded by a reading of three of Burn's poems. There was also a meeting of the Committee of General Purposes, before the Lodge Meetng.

A busy but enjoyable evening enjoyed by a good turnout. See photo links below.

MARCH 4, 2003 MEETING

Prior to the Lodge meeting and appropriately for Shrove Tuesday, members were treated to dinner of pancakes and sausages, expertly prepared by RW Bro Lee Grove, with the able assistance of our Junior Warden and Junior Steward.

The members then met as a Committee of General Purposes and disposed of most business items before Lodge was opened.

Lodge was opened with R W Bro Lee Grove in the East and W Bro Bruce MacDonald as IPM. The Worshipful Master arrived later to much applause, sporting a tan acquired in the Dominican Republic, which he had left in 85F temperatures only a few hours previously.

This being PM's Night, W Bro Jack Goodall assumed the gavel and assembled his team, consisting of W.Bros Bruce MacDonald IPM, Doug French SW, Row Croskill JW, Wayne Pletch IG, Iain Henderson Sec'y, Les Shaw SS, plus VW Bros Steve Trapp JD, Cliff Coultes SS and RW Bro Lee Grove SD. Also assisting were RW Bro Denis langridge and W Bro Fred McGee.

This veteran group of Masons, some of whom were last in the East almost fifty years ago, then emulated the Fellowcraft degree, with Bro Jason Barlow as the representative candidate. Their work was well received by the other members and visitors.

APRIL 1st 2003 MEETING

Our annual 'Step Up Night' and election of officers proceeded smoothly and quickly. The work of the officers in their 'temporary' stations was excellent and bodes well for the forthcoming year.

Brother Ken Lockwood was elected as Worshipful Master Elect for 2003 - 2004 which was no surprise, since he had served in the preceding offices zealously and faithfully.

W. Bro. Jack Goodall, as chairman of the committe, proposed that we amalgamate with Teeswater Lodge (see above).

Members were urged to support our inter - lodge visit to Fordwich on April 10th. The were also encouraged to attend what may lkely be the final meeting of Teeswater Lodge on April 14th, coinciding with the official visit of the DDGM.

All in all a very pleasant and productive evening

WINGHAM LODGE PARTICIPATES IN N. HURON DISTRICT BONSPIEL

Wingham lodge 'iced' two teams to support the annual N. Huron District Curling Bonspiel, held Saturday March 8th at WGCC. While they did not emerge as champions, our teams had a very enjoyable day.

The 'Full' team consisted of Ken Lockwood, Denis Langridge, Wayne Beamer and Les Shaw. There was also our 'Depleted' team of Jack Goodall, Jim Dore and Allen MacDonald - missing Jason Barlow because of a family emergency.

Off ice support was provided by - among others - Stewart Beattie, Lee Grove and Roy Bennett. Click on thumbnails below for full size images.

Our 'Depleted' team The 'Depleted'The full team on ice Lunch time and

prepares to do team of Allen Les Shaw, Ken Locwood Denis Langridge

battle on the ice. MacDonald, Jack Wayne Beamer and refuels under the

Goodall and Jim Denis Langridge watchful eyes of

Dore Stewart Beattie

Roy Bennett

TEESWATER LODGE No 276 GRC

Half a dozen Wingham Lodge members attended what will crtainly be the last official visit of the DDGM to Teeswater Lodge, on April 17th. A sad occasion at which everyone was reluctant to hear the last gavel. The final meeting was held on May 15th (See thumbnails below). We will have a summary of the history of Teeswater Lodge in our 'History' Page after June 3rd.

May 6th 2003 Meeting

This was a very busy meeting despite the fact that much of our business was conducted in the Committee of General Purposes. We had to prepare for the forthcoming amalgamation and visit by the Grand Master on June 3rd. Also, we had to make arrangements for our forthcoming Garage Sale and Craft Show as well as reschedule forthcoming Degree Work.

Our annual Installation and Investiture Ceremonies were handled extremely well by the Installing Master, W. Bro. Doug. French and his Installing Board. With but one exception (R W Bro Jeff Dickson sat in as Inner Guard for an ailing W. Bro. Fred Lewis) all members of the Board were members of Wingham Lodge.

Click on thumbnails below to see picture full size.

REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 2, 2003

Our first meeting of the new Masonoc Year is now History.

Prior to the meeting we held a meeting of the Committee of General Purposes, which enables us to cut back on the amount of business discussed in Lodge.

The meeting opened with a moment of silence in memory of W Bro Scott Reid.

We then had the privilege of welcoming our new DDGM, R W Bro Richard Holder, on his first fraternal visit since being elected to that office. Later we put him to work as he presented Bro Jason Barlow with his MM Certificate.

We have extended an invitation to Hullett Lodge to join us on October 7th, when we plan to raise Bro Andrew Foy to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.

In November, we will again receive the DDGM, this time on his Official Visit. Also, plans are afoot to invite sutable members of our community to a 'Friend to Friend' night - also in November. It is hoped that we can spark sufficient interest o obtain a few new members.

We hope to have a full lodge room for all of these activities, so plan on attending and bringing another brother.

NOVEMBER 4, 2003 MEETING

We enjoyed a busy evening, starting before Lodge with our Committee of General Purposes. There it was reported that the October Blood Donor Clinic was extremely successful. Also, we laid out our plans for the 'Friend to Friend' Night on Novemeber 26.

The Teeswater Lodge property has been sold and the net proceeds will be used to establish a local Bursary Fund, to be administered initially by VW Bro John MacDonald an his committee.

In Lodge, we received the DDGM of N Huron Districy RW Bro. Richard Holder with due ceremony on the occasion of his Official Visit. This was actually his third successive visit to Wingham Lodge since his election, so he must particularly like his reception here.

We witnessed Bro. Andrew Foy prove himself very well as a MM. Also, RW Bro. Holer assisted the Worshipful Master, W Bro. Ken Lockwood in presenting 25 year service pins to W Bro Jim Moffatt (who travelled up from London) and Bro Alva Myers, prior to his departure down South. Please see the photos below.

December 2, 2003 Meeting

Prior to our meeting, over thirty members and guests enjoyed a turkey dinner. The bird was cooked by RW Bro Lee Grove and the meal was delicious. Pictures of the event can be seen below.

At the meeting an application was received, arising from our recent 'Open House' which was deemed a success, especially as it may yet produce another cansisate and also helped overcome someof the misconceptions some people hold about Free Masonry.

The Teeswater Lodge Building having been sold, a Bursary Committee was established to administer a programme utilising the proceeds.

After the meeting, dessert was served and a happy socoal time was enjoyed by all.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, the officers and members of the lodge wish all who read this a Joyous Christmas Season and a very Happy New Year.

FEBRUARY 3, 2004 MEETING

The meeting was well attended, as many members had come out to witness or participate in the initiation of Mr. David Wall. W Bro Tom Harland, a friend and former colleague of the candidate made the long journey from Orillia to welcome him into the Craft.

Our Bursary Committee reported that two bursaries are being established for students who are relatives of past and present members of Teeswater and Wingham Lodges. They must also meet certain other criteria. The awards will come from the Teeswater Lodge Memorial Fund.

One will be given to a pupil of Hillcrest Public School and will consist of a plaque and a small cash prize. The other, available to students of either Wingham or Walkerton High Schools, will be worth $150.00. Applications should be routed through the Lodge Secretary.

Wingham Lodge will enter two teams in the forthcoming North Huron District Curling Bonspiel to be held in Palmerston on February 21st.

Members wishing tickets for the Grand Masters Banquet in Palmerston, which starts at 5.00 PM on March 20, should apply for ticketsto the Lodge Secretary before February 24th. The tickets are $30.00 each. This event is for Masons only..

IN MEMORIAM

While we are still grieving, it is with deep regret that we must report on the passing of yet another member.

Very Worshipful Brother Keith McLaughlin passed to the Grand Lodge Above on February 21, 2004 in his 86th year.

Initiated in 1958, Keith served as Worshipful Mster in 1970 and District Secretary in 1985. He was appointed as a Grand Steward in 1986.

19182004

IN MEMORIAM

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of Worshipful Brother Stewart Beattie. He was in his 96th year and had been a Freemason since 1931. Initated in Hullett Lodge, he affiliated with Wingham Lodge in 1974.

His career as an educator, latterly as Principal of Wingham PS, endeared him to evryone, children and adults alike.

Stewart remained very active, almost to the end, a shining example to all who knew him, in Lodge, in his church and in the community at large. He attended lodge and lodge functions with a regularity that far outshone many members who were much younger.

In recent years he received his 70-Year Service Pin from the late MW Bro Robert McKibbon and attended a reception for MW Bro Terry Shand, engaging both Grand Masters in lively conversation.

He will be sorely missed throughout the community and in our Masonic fraternity. We will indeed cherish his memory in our hearts.

March 2, 2004 Meeting

Our March meeting was poorly attended, despite the much improved weather. over January and February. As usual, it was preceded by a Committee of General Purposes a practice that streamlines the business portion of our meetings.

As it was 'Past Masters' Night' W. Bro. Jim Dore assumed the gavel. The DDGM and his Secretary were present in an unofficial capacity. Education was provided in the Third Degree by our own R.W. Bro. Denis Langridge, who spoke on the emblems in the Tracing Board and by W. Bro. Rick Elliott, District Chair of Masonic Education, who spoke on the passages from Ecclesiastes. Both presentations were well received.

After we reverted to the First Degree, W.Bro. Elliott then gave two short pieces an allegory on a Masonic Watch and a story of Brotherhood on the Highway, also warmly receieved.

It was reported that Wingham Lodge did better in the recent Masonic Bonspiel this year, though not well enough to win one of the top awards.

We are also doing well. increasing the number of blood donors at the local clinics for which our lodge and our volunteers received a letter of thanks.

MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE. We will be holding a Pancake and Sausage Dinner prior to our April 6 meeting. Also, there will be a Lodge Divine Service held at Wroxeter United Church on April 25 at 11.00 a.m.

Wingham Past Masters at March 2, 2004 Meeting

BACK ROW (l to r)VW Bro Gord Leggatt; W Bro Doug French; W Bro Jim Dore; RW Bro Denis Langridge; W Bro Iain Henderson; W Bro Fred Lewis.

FRONT ROW (l to r)W Bro Jack Goodall; DDGM RW Bro Rick Holder; WM W Bro Ken Lockwood; W Bro Bob Bregman; RW Bro Lee Grove; W Bro Fred McGee.

Front Row (l to r) W. Bro. Tom Chester, RW Bro. Lee Grove, Bro Sean Eaton, W, Bro. Doug French (Installing Master), W. Bro. Ken Lockwood, Bro. Allen MacDonald.

Back Row (l to r) VW Bro. Wayne Beamer, Bro. Archie MacGowan, Bro. Jason Barlow, W. Bro. Jim Dore and W. Bro Iain Henderson.

MAY 4 2004 MEETING - INSTALLATION

At the regular meeting held May 4, 2004The Worshipfull Master was installed and his officers invested, according to ancient custom. The Installing Master was RW Bro Lee Grove. Our new Worsahipful Master for 2004 - 2005 is W Bro Archie MacGowan.

A formal photo of our nre officers and one together with some members of the Installing Board, can be seen by clicking on the thumbnails below.

(front l to r) VW Bro G Leggatt; W Bro K Lockwood; W Bro A MacGowan; W Bro J Dore; VW Bro C Coultes;

(second row) Bro A Foy; W Bro J Goodall; W Bro D French; RW Bro L Grove (Installing Master); RW Bro D Langridge.

(third row) VW Bro Rev W Beamer; W Bro D McBurney; W Bro T Chester; Bro J Combe; W Bro F Lewis; RW Bro D Langridge.

(rear) Bro D Wall (hidden) and W Bro G Cowman.

(front l to r) VW Bro G Leggatt, Chaplain; W Bro K Lockwood, IPM; W Bro A MacGowan, WM; RW Bro L Grove, Treasurer; W Bro J Dore, Secretary.

(Rear) Bro A Eoy, SS; Bro D Wall, JS; VW Bro Rev W Beamer (JW); W Bro D French, SW; Bro J Barlow, JD; Bro J Combe, IG.

(Back) W Bro T Chester, d of C.