Commercial and Norwood Ladies' Night

Commercial and Norwood Lodges are holding a joint ladies night Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Freemasons' Hall, downtown Edmonton.

Just a reminder from our Jr Warden Frank Johnson that tickets are on sale for $40 each, and this year's soiree is sure to be a memorable affair. Please join us as we honour our wives and ladies in fine fare.

Master's Message - January

Brethren,

Although the work was colourful at times, I think we had a pretty good event filled meeting.

This month we invested W.Bro. Jack Warwick-Foster as our IPM. Thank you to him for a good year in the Chair and for some very interesting discussions, visits and demonstrations throughout his year.

A thank you goes out to our Telephone Committee lead by Bro. Skov-Rochette. They helped make our Roll-Call successful.

This year, R.W.Bro David Roth is our Mason-of-the-Year. Thank you Brother Roth for all of your extensive and valuable work in the Craft. For those that do not know, R.W.Bro. Roth is running for the Grand Lodge position of Junior Grand Warden this year. If you visit Lodges, feel free to let those Brethren know about this. I will be talking more in the future on how we can further help to support him on his Masonic Quest.

Our Masonic Education presentation this month was ""Architecture, Metaphysics & Masonry" given by, none other than, Brother Roth. Although it only touched the very surface of the topic, it was enlightening and informative. If you have further interest in this area, R.W.Bro.Roth would be more than willing to point you in the right direction.

In your notice this month, you will note an updated Calendar for 2009. It is more extensive than last month’s version. Interesting enough, it would seem that many of the Ladies of Commercial Brethren are extremely happy to have access to this, so do not forget to share it with them.

Next month, Bro. Sandstra & Bro. MacEachern will be proving up in the 3rd Degree. R.W.Bro Campbell will also be filling the Chair for me, as when Lodge is opening, my plane will be landing in Cuba. Keeping with that theme, Bro.McIntosh will be presenting his movie about his trip to Cuba during our Festive Board. This will be open to male non-Masons, so please invite some friends.

All the best Brethren!

W.Bro. Jason Said

September's Message

Congratulations to Brother Ayton MacEachern for being passed to the Second Degree. At our regular meeting in September, Brother McEachern's excellent proof of proficiency not only did himself and his Lodge proud, but also reflected on the efficiency and dedication of his mentors.

The Lodge received and welcomed our DDGM, RW Brother Allen Kegler and his entourage on the occasion of the DDGM's official visit to Commercial Lodge. The encouraging words and information given at his visit will be summarized in September's Minutes.

Brethren, note that we will have our Step-up of Officers in October at the regular Lodge Meeting, October 18, 2008. I have already spoken to or left messages to this effect with those directly involved. In my absence (I will be taking holiday in Europe till October 14, 2008) should there be any queries or cable-tow restrictions,
please contact Brother Jason Said or W.B. Ron Trant.

With sadness, we paid our respects to Bros. Siegfried Klotsche, and Stanley Hazlett, who both passed recently to the Grand Lodge Above. R.W. Bro. David Roth described the wonderful characted of Bro. Siegfried Klotsche, and renewed some happy memories of our old Tyler.

We look forward to our Step-up in October and November's Third Degree and trust for a good turnout.

Fraternally,

Jack Warwick-Foster, W.M.

June's Message

At our June regular meeting Ayton MacEachern showed he was a fit and proper person to be made a Mason. Our congratulations to Ayton, our newest Brother, on his first step in Freemasonry. We look forward to Ayton's next step in his Masonic journey, with the aid of his mentors. My thanks to the Officers who participated and to the Brethren who attended Ayton's initiation. Particular thanks to the Brethren who took positions at short notice. Again I ask Brethren who have taken on their respective Chair commitments to inform me at the earliest if they are unable to keep their commitment.

As mentioned at our meeting, three Brethren from Commercial Lodge attended the 103rd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alberta, AF and AM, held this year in Lethbridge. The District Reports are in my possession and are available for any Brethren who would like to read the highlights. For those Brethren who may not be aware, MW Brother Robert Juthner after 12 years as Editor of the Alberta Freemason, (and, please note, 54 years as a Freemason!) has announced his relinquishing of his editorial responsibilities. Our thanks go to our Brother for his success over the years in editing and providing a wide range of topics:historical, educational, sometimes debatable, but always of great and absorbing interest.

It was with deep-felt sorrow that we learned of the passing to the Lodge Above of our long-term Tyler, friend, intarsia artist, humorist and ever-smiling and present Brother, Siegfried Klotsche. We will remember and pay homage to our departed Brother at our next meeting in September.

Having closed our last meeting until the fall, let me wish you all, my Brethren, a safe and happy summer, experiencing and practicing the tenets and teachings of Freemasonry.

Fraternally,

Jack Warwick-Foster, WM

May's Message

At our May regular meeting we were privileged to hear a paper, "The Golden Rule", given by VW Dan Van Alstine, WM of Empire Lodge, no. 63. The "Rule" - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - as our speaker indicated, is universal in all the major religions. As was mentioned, if only the "Rule" could be put into genuine, sincere practise throughout the world....

The adoption of the motion to financially assist woman foil fencing champion, Jujie Luan, Canada's Olympic competitor, at this summer's Olympic Games, was voted
down.

Our thanks and appreciation to our JW, Brother David Lardner, for organizing the well-attended Ladies Night and Mixed Table Lodge (and for making a small profit).

Following a favourable ballot on Mr. Ayton MacEachern, we look forward to initiating this candidate at the June meeting. I have informed Brethren participating in this initiation, and I will shortly be giving out information to those taking part regarding practices.

Sunday, June 29, 2008, sees the Annual Picnic at Rundle Park, beginning at 12:00 p.m. This will be a potluck event. Bring your family and friends for a great afternoon.

After our Lodge meeting on June 21, 2008, we look forward to an interesting talk from one of our Brethren at the Festive Board.


Fraternally,

Jack Warwick-Foster, WM.

V.W. Bro. Joe Zenik

Brethren,

Most of you will have heard the sad news of our Brother VW Bro. Joe Zenik, who passed to the Lodge Above late on Sunday, May 4, 2008. Before going the the funeral on Thursday, May 8, 2008, we shall be opening the Lodge about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2008. We shall be going from Labour and then to the funeral, which will be at Foster & McGarvey, 100 Avenue and 114 Street at 7 p.m.

Following the funeral service, we shall be returning to Freemasons' Hall to close the Lodge.

Fraternally,

Jack Warwick-Foster, WM.

April's Message

First, my thanks to W.Brother, Ron Trant, who sat in for me while I was away. My thanks also to the Brethren who entered into the breach to replace those who were unable to attend their offices at the March regular meeting (March 15, 2008).

Congratulations to R.W.Brother Campbell and his team of Brothers Gago and Rosel, who won this year's Master's Millennium Cup Debate. I am informed that this debate resulted in the usual excellent discussions and arguments from both the Senior and Junior Wardens' teams. Thus continues this annual Lodge highlight of stimulating, spirited and sometimes humourous, but always intense discussions. Our acknowledgments and thanks to R.W.Brother Caldwell for having initiated and adjudicating these Cup debates.

It was good to hear that Brother George Douchet attended the March meeting (after 35 years of absence!), and was very warmly welcomed. During an interesting chat with Brother Douchet earlier this year, I suggested he shared his intriguing stories with us - my thanks to you, Brother Douchet, on your return to Commercial Lodge and for adding to the Festive Board events.

A further acknowledgment and appreciation is also due to R.W.Caldwell for the "Whisky Bacchanale" during Festive Board. For those who can remember, R.W.Caldwell, not only gave an absorbing history of whisky and its production, but also led a scientific practical investigation of sampling this historical product.

Our Junior Warden reminds us that Ladies' Night is on May 10, 2008, - please invite your family and friends to join in this annual festivity. Tickets are available at the cost of $40 each from our Junior Warden, David Lardner.

Brethren, please consider inviting "Good Men Who May Be Made Better" to our Festive Boards. Guests who share our activities and events may well be encouraged to contemplate joining the Craft.

I look forward to being back among you, Brothers, at our next regular meeting in April.

Fraternally,

Jack Warwick-Foster, WM.