Standing Events

 

Blood Donor Clinics

Held every first Monday and Wednesday of the month. 12-noon to 8PM at the Canadian Blood Services building at 840 Commissioners Rd.

 

Study Group

In late 2010, several Ashlar brethren began an informal Masonic Study Group for the London West District. All Masons are welcome to attend. Events are posted on our trestleboard.

 

Garage Sale

Held each year in April at St. Anne's church in Byron. A great way to welcome spring - clear out all the 'old stuff' that's been gathering dust in the garage and basement. Enjoy the BBQ while you're there.

 

Golf Tournament

The Ken Turner Memorial Golf Tourney is held each year in June. Strictly a social event, this day is enjoyed by everyone who attends - even non-golfers.

 

Memorial Service (In Lodge)

An in-Lodge service is held yearly to honour all Brothers who have forever laid down their tools and departed for the Grand Lodge Above. Usually held in the spring or late winter regular meeting.

 

Mardi Gras

Annual night out for members, our friends and families. Live Dixieland music, great foot and a friendly atmosphere. Usually held in Feb. See the Lodge Secretary for tickets - they go fast every year!

 

Step-Up-Night

Our October meeting is when our members indicate their interest in a role as Officers of the Lodge. During this interesting evening, each cadidate for office will take on the responsibilites of that chair. In recent years we have developed a pattern of performing a degree to show their readiness to hold that office.

 

Memorial Day Parade

Members Ashlar Lodge No.610 parade with others of the Byron community in this yearly memorial of our service men and women.

 

Installation Night

Our yearly changing of the Lodge Officers takes place in December. This night sees the Lodge rejuvinated as a new Worshipful Master and his Officers are installed and appointed.

 

Events and Informal Highlights

This area contains information about specific events outside of the regular Lodge business.

 

2011

Under the guidance of W.Bro.A.O'Donnell, this year saw a continuation of the standards set in the previous years. With a thankfully lighter year in terms of new applicants, Ashlar still performed emergent degrees almost every month for the purposes of Masonic advancement.

Several meetings of note this year included a visit to the Mt. Moriah Lodge building in Fanshawe Pioneer Village. This meeting took place in the historic building as the last event before the summer break. A third degree was proven in fine form by Bro.J.Gortzak to cap off this meeting.

Another event of note was our inclusion in the Doors Open London event for 2011. Thanks to the management by Bros. Cousins (JW) and Vardon, as well as the support of the W.M., this event was a huge success and attracted several hundred visitors to our building. During their visits they viewed photos, regalia samples and the Temple proper where many questions were answered. Ashlar members involved reported a sense of accomplishment in helping to dispel many myths about the fraternity held by some of the visitors who made the effort to learn about us.

During the Grand Lodge Convocation in Toronto, we were gratified to learn that our own W.Bro.D.Sanderson was elevated to the Grand Lodge position of Grand Sword Bearer. V.W.Bro. Sanderson's tireless efforts on behalf of Ashlar and the district have been justly rewarded.

The year closed with the passing of a major rewriting of the Lodge By-laws. Most of the changes were made for the purposes of clarity and consistency, while others were made to reflect the reality of the common practices. We thank Bro.B.Arnold, W.Bro.R.Hill, W.Bro.J.Workman, Bro.C.Henderson and others who contributed many hours to this overhaul.

In the course of this year we were saddened to see the passing for V.W.Bro. Phil Brown, Rt.W.Bro. Robert F. McLeod and Bro.B. Williams to the Grand Lodge Above.

Although not a year without blemishes and sadness, we closed the year in peace and harmony with the Installation of Bro.B. Arnold to the chair of King Solomon. The current Grand Master, the M.W.Bro. D.Gary Dowling and past Grand Master, M.W.Bro. Allan J. Petrisor were in attendance for this installation.

 

2010

After the excitement of the 2009 renovations, 2010 continued the recent high volume of degree work at Ashlar. Only one regular meeting was held this year without some form of Degree work being performed, and all the emergent meetings were held for that reason alone.

This year saw a bit of a shake up in the Officer's progression as several Brothers stood aside for personal and employment related reasons. Fortunately, the spaces were filled admirably by the members keen to begin their progression.

We started this year with the dedication of our new Heavens (Bros. Pacheko, Barr & Cousins) and closed the year with the start of a new mural being designed for the entrance hallway at the foot of the stairs (Bro.Ludgate).

We also welcomed sevearl more experienced craftsmen to Ashlar by affiliation this year.These members bring decades of experience and vision to Ashlar and were very warmly welcomed.

As is ever the case, this past year we lost several notable Brothers to the Grand Lodge Above. Of particular note were the loss of W.Bro. T.Rozak (Sr.) and R.W.Bro.L.Carter. Their energy and contribution to the everyday life of the Lodge will be sorely missed.

 

2009 Renovations Complete

 

This year, W.Bro. J.Robert Sanderson sat in the east and oversaw a great number of degrees and changes about the Lodge building with humour and excitement.

The renovations begun in the summer of 2008 were completed just in time for Lodge life to resume in September. However, the last few items were completed in February 2009 with new chairs installed and all the artwork hung properly (and level).

Feb 2009 Lodge Room Panorama

View the other renovation photos.

2008 Grand Master's Visit

In April of 2008, Most Worshipful Allan J. Petrisor, Grand Master of Canada in the Province of Ontario visited Ashlar Lodge No.610. A banquet was held followed by a Lodge meeting where the Grand Master presided over several long-service awards and Lewis Jewel presentations. Below is a panormamic photo taken just following the meeting.

Post Meeting Panorama

View the other photos.

Committe of General Purposes

• On the 3rd Monday of each operating month, members of Ashlar gather to discuss business and plan for the future. All Brothers of this Lodge are invited to attend.

Emergent Meetings

• Ashlar is a busy Lodge! We generally hold at least one emergent meeting each operating month. This is done in order to support the number of applicants to the Craft.

Garage Sale

• An annual garage sale is held at St. Anne's Church in Byron in the spring of every year. Check our Trestleboard for details which are posted early each year.

Inter-Lodge Visitations

• With the start of active Lodge season we'll be resuming our normal schedule of visitations in the fall.

At other Lodges

• Breakfast at Moffat #399 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month.

Socials

• An informal, unofficial breakfast is sometimes held on Wednesday mornings at the Mocha Shrine.