Fellowship with Calgary Brethren & Ladies, Oct 14, Friday

After the Western Canada Conference in Banff, we (DGM RWB Al & Lady Carol, SGW RWB Doug Webster & Lady Val and us) drove back to Calgary. It was a beautiful day and made for an excellent drive along the picturesque route.

We visited for a while with Bro Martin Gatan, Sis Jean and their children, Kyra and Karl Miguel at their lovely home in Kincora, NW Calgary. The Hadleys and Websters then proceeded to the airport for the flight back to Winnipeg that evening.

Here's a beautiful souvenir picture taken at the living room of Bro Martin's home.

We then proceeded to the home of Bro Alex Beltran & Sis Myra for fellowship with the Calgary Cabletow Ladies & Brethren. I invited MWB Peter Dunlop, GM of Alberta, and his Lady Carmen (it was her birthday that day).

 Here's one of many group pictures taken that evening.

The SGW of AB, RWB John Cameron (it was his birthday on October 10) and his Lady Dorothy also joined us that evening.

It was a surprise birthday party for Bro Alex (it was his birthday on October 6). Here he is cutting his cake with Sis Myra beside him.
Hmmm, why were there no candles on the cake?

 Serving the birthday cake.










Following are other pictures taken that evening.

Bro Alex with the birthday gift from the Cabletow Brethren - a new wallet.
As usual, tt was an excellent fellowship.
Thank you very much for the hospitality, Bro Alex & Sis Myra.

71st Annual Conference of Western Canada Grand Lodges, October 12 to 14, Banff, AB

From October 12, Wednesday to October 14, Friday, we attended the 71st Annual Conference of Western Canada Grand Lodges held in beautiful Banff, AB.
The DGM, RWB Al Hadely & his Lady Carol, the SGW, RWB Doug Webster & his Lady Val were on the same flight as Lady Mae and I had. We then rented a van (we and all our luggage fit!) and drove to Banff.
Along the way, we stopped for brunch at Stoney Nakoda Resort in Kananaskis. Before resuming our drive, we tried the big chairs in the lobby.

Here's a picture taken enroute to Banff on Highway 1.

In front of Banff Park Lodge, where we stayed, we encountered a friendly elk.










SGW RWB Doug Webster and I had our picture taken in front of Cascade Lodge No 5.

Here we are in the East of the beautiful Lodge Room.

Wednesday dinner at the Balkan Restaurant

With MWB Dennis Skuce, GM of Saskatchewan

The Opa dance line

Breaking a plate - Opa!

The lady who cleaned our hotel room left this beautiful towel dog.

The table of the GM's and their Ladies.
Front: Lady Carmen & MWB Peter Dunlop, Alberta; Lady Jan & MWB Bill Cave, BC & Yukon; Me & Lady Mae; Lady Vivian & MWB Dennis Skuce, Saskatchewan

The lovely Ladies, who accompanied the Brethren to the Conference, at the traditional picture taking of the Ladies

The DGM's gave their customary entertainment using the JGW's (they're the ones wearing the Dr Zeuss hats). Here MB DGM RWB Al Hadley gives them his now-famous line "Suck it up, Princess".

Our JGW, RWB Stano Spina, proudly wearing his new hat.
The Conference ended on Friday late morning. After lunch, we left Banff.
It is always great to meet with old friends and make new friends.

Official Visit to Capitol Lodge No 189, October 7, Friday

14 years and one (1) month ago, I attended my first Meeting in Capitol Lodge No 136. This Lodge became my home Lodge here in my adopted country. On October 7, Friday, I was very pleased to have my Official Visit to Capitol Lodge No 136 as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba.
The WM of the Lodge is WB Rico Villarin.
The picture on the right was taken before the Lodge Meeting.

L to R: WB John Baptista, WM of Winnipeg River Lodge No 154; WB Rico Villarin, WM of Capitol Lodge No 136; the GM; WB Melvin Arabe, WM of Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No 189

RWB Reyne Cruz joined in for this picture

 VWB Bert Manalang joined in for this picture

Two (2) Petitioners (one for Initiation and one for Affiliation) joined us for a picture









Following are pictures taken during the Refreshment Hour after the Lodge Meeting.

Drawing the winning ticket for the 50/50 Draw.
The winning ticket was the one right before my own and was bought by the Lodge WM.
It was an excellent Meeting even if I did not win the 50/50 Draw. :)
It was great to be an Official Visitor to my home Lodge. It was like coming home even though I was never away.