Updated 22 March 2005, with thanks to W.
Bro. Larry R. Pasch, PM, Abbotsford #70, GL of BC&Y
FAR NORTH LODGE #199
In Inuvik, NWT, in 1995, two masons would get together on
an irregular basis for lunch, etc. When checking the community they found 3 or 4
other Masons in their midst but incompatible schedules precluded regular
get-togethers.
In 1999, A
NUMBER OF MASONS got
together for an evening Barbeque on the shared deck of Terry Rafferty, Wally
Wolfe and Robin McConville who lived beside each other. Present were: Chris
Garven, Terry Rafferty, Eli Bryant, Boyd Vivian, Stanley Grimes Sr., Wally Wolfe
and Robin McConville. Brothers Bryant and Vivian are both active members of
Lodge Heart's Content #1275, Scottish Constitution, District Grand Lodge of
Newfoundland and Labrador. The steaks were supplied by Robin McConville and
cooked by Mark Bleakney (who was to become the first candidate initiated in Far
North Lodge, Inuvik). During the course of the evening The Inuvik Masonic Club
was born.
The arrival of
RWB Howard Townsend in 2000 brought all the brethren together on a more regular
basis. Meeting whenever and wherever they could, this stalwart band of brothers
ploughed through The Work, with little furnishings, furniture or regalia.
Talk about a Rusty Nail night The Inuvik Masonic Club had at least 6
months of rusty nails as brethren from New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta, BC,
Yukon Territory and of course the NWT all tried to remember
ritual from the Ancient York, BC and Canadian Rites.
One memorable practice was held in Brother
Townsends house, where Tabasco bottles were used as columns, and an
overturned cardboard box served as the altar. Meetings and practices were held
in houses, warehouses, restaurants and lounges. Sometimes the brethren had to
shout to be heard over the heating fans. On at least one occasion, a front-end
loader was moved out of the way to make room for the milk crates that served as
altar, pedestals and desk for the secretary.
A kind donation of furnishings and furniture from
Hope and Chilliwack Lodges in BC gave the club a shot in the arm, as did a
similar donation arranged through the Grand Lodge of Alberta. Those donations
included the Volume of the Sacred Law that is currently used in the Lodge, which
orighinally was used by Rising Sun Lodge and Polaris Lodge in Fort Smith, NWT,
and includes the names of many renowned Northerners, Bro. Wop May amongst
them.
Far North Lodge would not exist without the efforts
of many Brethren, but among the foremost of these has been VWB Ken Bibby of
Yellowknife Lodge #162. His untiring efforts, support and guidance through the
years have proven invaluable, and he has the distinction of being a Past Master
of the Lodge without having sat in the East of that Lodge.
The ceremony of institution of FAR NORTH LODGE, U.D.
was performed on January 8, 2003 by RWB Rod Ponech, Senior Grand Warden,
assisted by the Brethren present.
First Officers of Far North Lodge U.D.
Worshipful Master
.
.Howard
R. Townsend
Immediate Past Master
....
.Ken
Bibby
Senior Warden
.
..Robin
McConville
Junior Warden
....
.Wally
Wolfe
Senior
Deacon
.
.Mark
B. Garven
Junior Deacon
.
...
..Terry
Rafferty
Senior Steward
.
....Al
Allison
Junior Steward
..
..Mario
Lemieux
Inner Guard
..
..
..Michel
Bourassa
Tyler
..
...
Colum
McCready
Chaplain
..
...
.Thomas
Mickey
Secretary/Treasurer
..
...Chris
M. Garven
Director of Ceremonies
.
.
.Jay
Wolfe
Registrar
.
.
..Allen
Smith
Piper
..
..
.Don
Finnamore
Left to Right: R.W.Bro. Don Frizell,
V.W.Bro. Ken Bibby, Bro. Colum McCready, M.W.Bro. Tom Mickey, Bro. Robin
McConville, R.W.Bro. Howard Townsend, R.W.Bro. Rod Ponnech, Bro. Wally
Wolfe, Bro. Al Alison, Bro. Mario Lemieux, Bro. Chris Garven.
The first order of business of the Lodge was to send
greetings and vows of due obedience to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second.
Second order of business ballot on Mr.
Mark Bleakney and Mr. Derek Lindsay who were initiated the following day
January 9, 2003. The pyjamas and regalia for the degree almost went to
Tuktoyaktuk when they were picked up at the airport by mistake by a Tuktoyaktuk
bound passenger. Upon learning whose suitcase V.W.Bro. Bibby had, a quick
exchange was made before any problems arose. One can only imagine what the
community would have thought of Freemasonry if the suitcase has been opened
.
Petitions were received from Mr. David Patrick and Mr.
Truman Kingsler. A donation of books was received from Norfolk Lodge #10 G.R.C.
to start a Masonic Library. All in all a very excellent beginning for the Lodge.
March 13, 2003
Initiations were held for Bros David Patrick and Truman Kingsler
Left
to Right: Bro. Derek Lindsay, R.W.Bro. Rod Ponech (Deputy Grand
Master), Bro. Mark Bleakney
April 10, 2003
A shipment of regalia was received from Grand Lodge of Alberta.
June 6, 2003
Initiation of Bro. Lyle Neis
June 7, 2003
Passing to the Fellowcraft degree of Bros. Bleakney, McCready, Patrick and
Kinglser.
June 10, 2003
Provided a whole pig barbeque for R.C.M.P.
June 21, 2003
Provided a whole pig barbeque for the Ladies Auxiliary.
July 1, 2003
Lodge manned a float in the Canada Day Parade and barbequed a whole pig.
August 7, 2003
Bro. Wolfe was appointed to investigate the possibility of acquiring a building
to be used as our Lodge Hall.
The future Masonic Hall, Inuvik, NT Future Home of
Far North Lodge #199
September 11, 2003
Ceremony of Passing to the Fellowcraft Degree Bro. David Patrick
September 20, 2003
Initiation of Bro. Christopher Always
November 29, 2003
Raising of Bro. Patrick to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason
December 11, 2003
The first draft of our by-laws was distributed to the brethren
January 15, 2004
Raising of Bro. McCready to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason
February 12, 2004
The By-Laws of Far North Lodge were approved by the Lodge.
February 14, 2004
Provided a whole pig barbeque for the Lions Club. Becoming well known for this
sort of thing, perhaps its time to vary the menu.
March 27, 2004
Raising of Bros. Lindsay and Kinglser to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason.
April 8, 2004
Initiation of Bro. Levente (Levy) Kiss
April 16, 2004
Raising of Bro. Mark Bleakney to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason.
May 13, 2004
First meeting held in the 512 at Jimmy Adams Peace Park.
June 5, 2004
Initiation of Bro. John Bulmer (First candidate initiated in new Lodge building)
July 3, 2004
Consecration of Far North Lodge at the Midnight Sun Recreation Centre, Inuvik
July 3, 2004
First Officers of Far North Lodge No. 199, A.F.&A.M. installed by MW Bro.
Rod Ponech, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alberta
Officers for
2004 / 2005
Worshipful
Master
.Wally Wolfe
Immediate Past Master
.Howard
R. Townsend
Senior Warden
..
..Robin
McConville
Junior Warden
...
.Chris
M. Garven
Secretary.................
....Ken
Bibby
Treasurer
.............Derek
Lindsay
Senior Deacon
.
...Terry
Rafferty
Junior Deacon
.....Al
Allison
Senior Steward
....David
Patrick
Junior Steward
....
Truman Kinglser
Inner
Guard
.Mario
Lemieux
Tyler
.
...Mark
Bleakney
Chaplain
......Colum McCready
Director of
Ceremonies
.
.Thomas Mickey
Historian
..
.
..Allen
Smith
Organist
.
Jay Wolfe
Piper
..
..
.Don
Finnamore
Almoner
..
..
....Michel
Bourassa