EBee March 2017 Edition

Electronic Bulletin

Volume 2, Edition 2

To subscribe to the eBee, mailto: [email protected]

Contents

Masonic Business........................................................................................................................................ 3
Most Worshipful Brother Edward Butler Hearn...................................................................................... 3
We’re All in This Together....................................................................................................................... 5

Protocol and Etiquette................................................................................................................................ 7
POLICIES INDEX: ...................................................................................................................................... 7
How do I properly deliver the toast to the President of the United States? ........................................... 9

Masonic Education and Leadership .......................................................................................................... 11
Local Alternatives For Masonic Education Events ................................................................................. 11
Impacts of Masonic Education and Leadership on Member Retention ................................................ 12
Grand Lodge Education and Leadership: Needs Assessment and Grand Lodge Support ...................... 16

Masonic Tidbits......................................................................................................................................... 17
Millennial Masonic Notes and Queries No. 1 ........................................................................................ 17
Motivations – Thought From Our Masonic Actors ............................................................................... 18

Masonic Health ......................................................................................................................................... 19
Open Heart Surgery and Valve Replacement........................................................................................ 19

Masonic Lodges ........................................................................................................................................ 22
Mount St. Paul Lodge No. 109 – Robbie Burns Night............................................................................ 22
District No. 10 in the South Okanagan – family day get together ......................................................... 23
Victoria Columbia Lodge No. 1.............................................................................................................. 24
Freemasonry in Australia ...................................................................................................................... 25

Masonic Business
Most Worshipful Brother Edward Butler Hearn

1922-2017

Most Worshipful Brother Edward Hearn passed to the Grand Lodge above very peacefully on the
evening of Saturday January 28, 2017 after a very brief stay in the hospital in Trail.
Most Worshipful Brother Edward Butler Hearn was born May 10, 1922 in Salmo BC. He was Initiated
(along with two of his brothers) into Ymir Lodge #31 on July 4, 1958, Passed on September 5, 1958 and
Raised on October 17, 1958.
He was Worshipful Master of Ymir Lodge #31 in 1966, 1974, 1987, 1997, District Deputy Grand Master
of Boundary District #7 in 1976 and Grand Master of British Columbia and Yukon in 1991.
He leaves behind his wife of 58 years Dorothy, and four children - Christine, Ron, David, Lorna.

These are two pictures of dad and his 3 brothers, one from the mid 1960's and the other in the 1990's.
The oldest brother joined Ymir Lodge first, then dad and the other 2 brothers (along with a long-time

family friend) all went through the degrees together. At one point they ruled Ymir Lodge, with the
brothers holding the chairs of the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden and Treasurer.

We’re All in This Together

By RWBro Barry Burch
Do you have a successful program, event, communication approach, strategy or activity that is
adding value to your Lodge or District? We’d like to hear about it.

One of the ongoing challenges for Freemasons everywhere is to provide a high quality Masonic
experience in their Lodge and District. There are many components to a successful Lodge or
District. Building on other’s success is an effective way to save time and energy.
In my travels over the past three years throughout our jurisdiction I have noted the good work
undertaken by many brothers and many Lodges focused on improving the quality of what they
offer to their brethren. Many of these efforts from caring and committed Freemasons have
made a positive difference in the quality of the Masonic experience. These ideas have already
been put into practice with great success but in many cases, with the exception of the brethren
that are directly benefiting; these programs are a well-kept secret. In some cases some of the
same ideas are also being worked on by other brothers in other parts of our jurisdiction. In a
volunteer organization where there is an opportunity cost for every brother’s hard work it
would be better to have these good ideas become better known to our brethren so that
duplicating efforts could be reduced.
What is a Successful or Best Practice?
A method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to those achieved with
other means, and that is used as a benchmark. Such successes do not happen by accident - we
want you to share how your success was accomplished.
Certainly some of our well-known programs like the Six Steps to Initiation - A Guide to
Candidate Selection Process and the Lodge Excellence and Award Program (LEAP) have proven

to have added considerable value to Freemasonry in BC and Yukon as well as in other
jurisdictions that have adapted these programs. These best practices were developed and
promoted to our brethren and the program details are now found on our Grand Lodge website.

Successful and Best Practices Site

To build on that and to capitalize on the other good ideas working well in our jurisdiction, your
Grand Lodge has just established a Successful and Best Practices section on our Grand Lodge
web site. The purpose of this site is to collect and document successful lodge practices, events,
processes and other activities as examples for other brethren to follow. It is hoped that a wide
variety of entries to this site will be made available.

We’re looking for ideas your Lodge or District has done that was very successful.

Why reinvent an already successful program - let’s work more closely together to achieve our
common objective of improving the Masonic experience for all brothers in BC and Yukon

Please provide a description of the action that you would like to have included as a Successful
or Best Practice. Consider a step-by-step procedure to enable others to make best use of you
idea. Ideally a contact person that can aid with any advice and answer questions would be very
beneficial.

By submitting your successful practice the result of your efforts will be included in an online
archive for future reference. Such successful practices can contribute to improving the Masonic
experience for our brethren. This is how we can support each other in moving Freemasonry
forward in BC and Yukon

Please check out the Successful and Best Practices link on our website at:

http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/best_practices/index.html

Send your successful and best practice to: RW Bro Barry Burch at
[email protected]

Protocol and Etiquette

Submitted by MWB Bill Cave, Chairman of the Protocol Sub-Committee

When considering sources of information regarding topics related to Masonic protocol,
etiquette, policies procedures and appropriate practices in specific circumstances we may refer
to our ritual, the Book of Ceremonies and/or the Lodge Officers’ Guide for guidance. Another
valuable source of information is the “Reference Guide to frequently asked questions”
available to all Brethren through the Members area of the Grand Lodge website.

A quick look at the table of contents for this document shows an extensive source of
information regarding many topics of interest:

POLICIES INDEX: 2010-27 Questions for potential candidates Created:
2008/03/17
2010-01 Amending lodge bylaws Revised: 2010/10/25 2010-28 Regalia and jewels worn Revised: 2012/04/26
2010-02 Balloting defined Revised: 2010/09/03
2010-03 MCCF (Cancer Car Program) assessment 2010-29 Ritual Revised: 2012/04/26
guidelines Revised: 2011/10/21
2010-04 Candidate solicitation Revised: 2010/09/03 2010-30 Square and compasses emblem Created:
2010-05 Celebrating a lodge anniversary Revised: 2010/03/30
2010/09/03
2010-06 Charity and the lodge Updated: 2012/07/05 2010-31 Vendors, certificates and other sales Revoked
2010-07 Masonic Community Charities Fund (MCCF) 2014/12/17
Revised: 2011/10/21
2010-08 Demit and Reinstatement of Entered Apprentices 2010-32 Wearing the apron Created: 2010/12/10
or Fellow Crafts Revised: 2010/12/10
2010-09 Draping the lodge Revised: 2012/02/26 2011-01 Websites Created: 2011/02/07
2010-10 Electronic communication Revised 2011/06/21
2010-11 Freemasonry and advertising revenue Revised: 2011-02 What is Freemasonry? Created: 2010/03/03
2014/03/20
2010-12 Freemasonry is not a charity Revised: 2010/10/01 2011-03 Questions and answers Created: 2011/02/17
2010-13 Grand Honours Revised 2011/07/27
2010-14 Inviting Grand Lodge officers Created: 2010/12/10 2011-04 Preparing the candidate Created: 2010/12/10
2010-15 Fees and Purchases Revised: 2013/10/31
2010-16 Junior Grand Warden qualifications Created: 2011-05 Vendors’ booths at Annual Communication
2010/12/10 Created 2011/03/21
2010-17 Lapel pins and emblems Revised: 2011/01/05
2010-18 Lewis jewel Revised: 2011/01/11 2011-06 Installation of Lodge Officers Revised 2011/11/01
2010-19 Lodge dues bylaw wording Revised: 2011/10/21 2011-07 Freemasonry and the Media Created 2011/12/16
2010-20 Lodge meeting procedures Revised: 2010/09/03
2010-21 Lodge records and members’ privacy Revised 2011-08 Masonic Processions vs. Civic Parades Revised
2011/02/26 2013/04/18
2010-22 Master Mason certificate presentation Revised:
2011/01/26 2012-01 Electronic devices in a tyled lodge room Created
2010-23 Newsletters Revised 2011/06/21 2012/02/15
2010-24 Nomenclature of creating a new lodge Created:
2010/03/30 2012-02 Volume of the Sacred Law Created: 2012/03/04
2010-25 Photography and the lodge Revised: 2010/09/03
2010-26 Potential candidates Revised: 2011/02/15 2014-01 Lodge notices Created 2014/11/20

2015-01 Open air degrees and off-site tyled meetings
Revised 2015/06/19

Brethren should make themselves aware of the contents of this document and recognize it as
potentially valuable resource when determining how to proceed correctly in various
circumstances which may arise in our Lodges.

How do I properly deliver the toast to the President of the United States?

This question has been raised a number of times over the years. The proper protocol for this
toast will be readdressed in this article to provide clarity as to the correct way it is to be given
and why.

This question was posed to those knowledgeable in proper protocol related to international
affairs. The following response was received (portions of the text have been paraphrased for
brevity):

In the past when Prime Ministers were entertained by the President at the White House, the
toast was made to “Her Majesty, the Queen.” One may also say “Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II” or simply, “To the Queen.”

… [in the opposite circumstance] …the official giving the toast will typically ask “Will you
stand and join me in a toast to “the President of the United States of America.”

Penny J. Wieser
Protocol Office
U.S. Embassy, Ottawa

To this should be added reference to a couple of principles regarding Freemasonry in general
and good Masonic conduct specifically which should help when considering if what is defined as
the correct protocol must be followed:

 We know that discussions regarding religion and politics are not permitted in a Masonic
Lodge.

 A Mason’s conduct is always expected to be exemplary.

- The corollary observation which would follow the preceding principle is that a good
Mason will always choose “the moral high ground” in any circumstance in which
they are involved.

Some Brethren, when giving this toast, have been incorrectly inclined to give the toast, “To the
Office of the President of the United States.” This is inappropriate for several reasons. First,
given that we are not to bring politics into Freemasonry, a Brother’s personal political opinions
and beliefs must not enter into determining the nature of the toast he gives. This would be no
more appropriate than a Brother in the United States similarly choosing to offer a toast “To
Buckingham Palace” because he doesn’t like monarchies in general or has a personal dislike of
our particular monarch (past, present or future).

Further, imagine the potential offense caused to an American Brother (in the past, present or
future whether he be a Democrat or a Republican) by such a toast where a Canadian Brother
has chosen to denigrate the United States of America and/or its President on the basis of his
own personal beliefs. In Freemasonry this is most inappropriate.

What does a Brother do then if asked to give this toast but finds himself unable to give it
properly? It is not suggested that he is not entitled to his own personal beliefs and principles
but, having established that it would not be proper Masonic conduct to give any toast other
than the correct and proper one, the Brother would be advised to simply decline (without
commentary) to give the toast and politely ask Brother Toastmaster to request another Brother
deliver this toast. If no Brother will agree to give the correct toast, then it may have to be given
by the Toastmaster himself. Ultimately it would be better not to give the toast at all if it cannot
be done properly.

p.s. Given the foregoing, some Brethren participating in the toast may simply choose to silently
raise their glass in response to the toast but not drink. At least this measure is not overtly
offensive. However, it is most inappropriate for any of the Brethren hearing the toast to make
unsuitable comments, noises or otherwise disrespectful gestures indicating a contrary opinion.
If unable to join appropriately in the toast the Brother/Brethren might better choose not to be
present.

In summary, the correct toast is, “To the President of the United States of America.”

Respectfully submitted,
MW Bro. Bill Cave
Chairman of the Grand Lodge ad hoc Committee on Protocol

Masonic Education and Leadership

Local Alternatives For Masonic Education Events

By VWBro Daniel Zrymiak

This is a summary of some alternative ideas that lodges, districts, and regions have done and
can plan in support of offering Masonic Education within the convenience and proximity of
brethren. While the landmark events like Grand Masonic Day should continue in their
respective locations, and major initiatives like Ashlar College are essential, there are also
smaller scale events that can be done at the most local and intimate levels.

Earlier today, as part of my service for a professional organization, I delivered an online
presentation through an application called GoToMeeting. From the comfort of my home, my
internet-connected laptop permitted me to broadcast a presentation to subscribers based in
Virginia and North Carolina. The combination of audio, chat, and PowerPoint permitted an
interactive audio and visual experience. This event was timed early on a Saturday, which did
not interfere with work or scheduled family activities.

Masonic Education can be offered in a similar manner by lodges to brethren who have internet
access and devices that can receive audio messages and video images, either as a laptop, an
iPad, or a Smartphone. The timing can be as short or as long as needed, and discussions can be
arranged to the convenience of the presenter and the participants.

Online exchanges which are facilitated and managed can be very enlightening and insightful. As
the membership of certain social media groups is already restricted, this could provide the
potential for posing thought-provoking questions. Emotions and confrontations would have to
be considered and moderated to ensure respectful and constructive dialogue. It is also
important to remember that the written word travels internationally, so brotherly love, relief,
and truth must prevail.

There are also a variety of face-to-face events. However in order to maximize the effectiveness
of such gatherings, and stimulate the potential for future mentorship or peer group learning,
the lecture material should be complemented with an icebreaker or form of social interaction
and accompanied by and appropriate refreshment or libation.

Weeknight events can either be conducted in lodge or as part of the Festive Board. Starting off
with an icebreaker not only permits attendees to become familiar, but also stimulates
participation in discussions and questions. I have observed successful education sessions which
used advance planning and interaction to prepare attendees to express themselves more
comfortably than if they were put on the defensive and forced to come up with immediate
responses.

Weekend events offer more flexibility for time, but the other commitments of brethren must
be respected. The organizers and facilities must also be opened, so if 90 minutes is provided at
the start, a Saturday event that begins before 9AM would require the facility people to unlock
the doors quite early. Costs can be minimized with a modest self-serve breakfast, as often
brethren take it upon themselves to bring their own preferred coffee concoctions rather than
enjoy the vats conjured up by the organizers.

If lunches are served, the time can be split between a presentation and social interactions. A
hosted lunch that is organized will keep brethren within proximity of the facility, so that they
don’t lose time searching for a diner or grocery store. If lunch is not an option, then targeting
the lunch break at 11:30 will permit brethren to beat the rush and return earlier for afternoon
proceedings. To keep brethren engaged until the end, keep the keynote for the last speaker,
and have them lead the draw prizes.

Masonic education is not necessarily restricted to Freemasons, and if families can be invited
and involved, then this is a positive element as well. Fun activities like a scavenger hunt can
engage children of all ages to investigate different parts of a Masonic lodge and learn its
history. The Animal Kingdom theme park at Disney World in Florida uses a sticker book very
effectively to ensure that you visit every station in the park and learn its lessons. A similar
device or concept could be used very creatively.

A final suggestion is to apply our transportation time creatively. This is most effective when
multiple brethren are travelling together for 30 minutes or more. Instead of just listening to
music, news, or talk radio, a Masonic podcast could be played and commented. Organized
discussions can be contemplated, particularly in a confined space. There would have to be
social conventions to ensure that no participants are excluded, and all viewpoints are
respected.

I call upon lodge and district education officers (including myself) to brainstorm and come up
with creative approaches to expand Masonic Education and how it is provided and delivered to
brethren.

Impacts of Masonic Education and Leadership on Member Retention

By VWBro Daniel Zrymiak

As your Grand Lodge Education and Leadership Committee Chair, I would first like to express
my sincere appreciation to my predecessor, RWB Aidan Gordon and his committee members
over the last few years. I had the privilege and pleasure to serve with Brother Aidan, along with
the other current committee members including our Senior Grand Warden, RWB Barry Burch,
RWB Russ Morrison, RWB Peter Boddy, VWB Wes Regan, VWB Chris Phillipson, VWB Steve
Andsten, and VWB Bong Bunagan.

We are also working in collaboration with some exceptional mentors and advisors including
VWB Norm McEvoy, RWB Doug Franklin, and MWB Stephen Godfrey. I hope that through our
combined efforts, working in concert with your DDGM and District Education Officers, we can
help raise the awareness and importance of Masonic Education in our Craft.

By your membership in Freemasonry, you have already embraced the advantages of “Masonic
Education”. Your participation in our rituals, ceremonies, business meetings, educational
program (both live and virtual), and Masonic publications has already revealed your inspiration
and enlightenment.

As your Committee Chair for Masonic Education and Leadership, it is my pleasure to serve as
your mentor and guide in Freemasonry to help you achieve and attain your optimal Masonic
member experience.

As a Grand Lodge Committee Chair with 20 years in Freemasonry, it would be my pleasure and
honor to help you where I can individually or alternatively refer you to the appropriate Grand
Lodge resource or department, starting with the Grand Secretary’s Office at Grand Lodge at +1-
604-736-8941; [email protected]; or online at
http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/grandlodge.html

Affiliation with a Masonic Lodge or Concordant Body is a choice, and on behalf of the leadership
team, I want to thank you for selecting to join and remain within Freemasonry. To help
enhance and entrench your connection to your Masonic membership, I have identified the
following criteria, based on my own experience and observations, where Masonic Education
can enrich your experience in Freemasonry.

Proximity: The ability of brethren to attend and participate in functions relative to the
location, schedule, cost, and duration of programs or events
Masonic
Education & Freemasonry combines virtual online events with centrally located programs
Leadership and Masonic programs and member events (i.e. extension of Grand Masonic
Impact: Day events to other districts or geographies within British Columbia and
Yukon).

Cohesion: The sense of welcoming, belonging, and affiliation with the group, ranging
from an outsider on the periphery to an accepted core brother.

Masonic Freemasonry welcomes any and all members across all ages (over 21), levels,
Education & nationalities, and backgrounds. Masonic Education is a shared resource that
Leadership enables brethren to grow together as a cohort or peer group, and enhances
Impact: not only the Craft itself, but society as a whole. The modes of recognition
permit instant affiliation and acceptance across geographic locations,
strengthening cohesion and opportunities for greater learning and fraternal
advancement.

Consumption: The use and enjoyment of products and services of the organization including
purchases, subscriptions, memberships, and conferences. Also a measure of
member-value is the ratio of Consumption: Spend (i.e. getting $500 of e-
handbooks for $50 through member gift bundles, member discounts, and
promo codes).

Masonic Freemasonry has an array of cost-effective programs, social events, and
Education & training activities, and Masons will be informed of additional ways to enjoy the
Leadership Craft in a manner compatible with their budget and lifestyle
Impact: choices. Increased adoption of diverse locations or virtual online events will
reduce costs of logistics, travel, and accommodations, enabling even greater
consumption of Masonic benefits.

Contribution: The involvement of the individual within the organization as volunteers, lodge
Masonic officers, mentors, committee members, instructors, presenters, authors, and
patrons.

Freemasonry has one of the most compelling volunteer engagement programs

Education & of any fraternal organization, and welcomes new participants at all levels for a
Leadership variety of initiatives, roles, and endeavors. Masonic Education and Leadership
Impact: not only prepares new participants for their contribution, but serves as an
ongoing reference and knowledge base of best practices to support and
sustain our Craft.

Penetration: . The breadth of the involvement across different parts of the organization at
multiple levels

Masonic Freemasonry offers its members the opportunity to learn, serve, and advance
Education & within the Craft, gaining new knowledge and perspectives from each
Leadership affiliation, degree, or role performed.
Impact:

Imagine a simple scoring method applied to these attributes relative to your current Masonic
fraternal experience. (0 – None; 1 – Low; 2 – Satisfactory; 3 – High)

Having high levels or “scores” of proximity, cohesion, consumption, contribution, and
penetration within Freemasonry correlate with the fact that among Masons, learned brethren
and long-term members have over 95% retention, while other tiers of brethren have lower
percentages. The story behind such percentages is not in the member category itself, but
rather within the levels of involvement and benefits enjoyed by brethren of those particular
peer groups. Fixing traits proactively will fix the retention numbers. Consequently, part of my
role is to help more members achieve and advance in Freemasonry through exposure to
Masonic Education and Leadership programs.

As your Committee Chair, my commitment is to work with brethren like you across our Masonic
jurisdiction to help raise the perceptions of your sense of involvement and benefits within the
Craft. Whatever your aspirations may be, I am confident that you can find a workable approach
within Freemasonry toward the fulfillment of your individual and fraternal goals. The
membership advantages are best realized from active involvement, personal connections, and
frequent participation in Masonic Education and Leadership programs and events.

Grand Lodge Education and Leadership: Needs Assessment and Grand Lodge
Support

By VWBro Daniel Zrymiak

Following a series of very productive and enlightening sessions with Ashlar College and our
Grand Lodge Finance Committee, I am pleased to report that the Grand Lodge of BC and Yukon
has allocated additional money toward the promotion and support of Masonic Education and
Leadership within our jurisdiction.

With respect to Ashlar College, there is a desire to understand the preferences and priorities of
our brethren with respect to Masonic Education and Leadership training. A suggestion was
made to conduct a 2017 Needs Assessment among interested brethren to ascertain what types
of courses would be sought, the ideal presentation or format (i.e. lecture, role playing, virtual),
and the potential demand for such courses to enable scheduling. To capture this Needs
Assessment, a simple questionnaire could be distributed and circulated, and outcomes could be
reported to the brethren through multiple channels including E-Bee.

For other financial opportunities, our Grand Line leadership has expressed a desire to increase
the visibility of Masonic Education and Leadership events in diverse locations across British
Columbia and Yukon. To enable this, the Finance Committee has allocated funds to support
proposals or partnerships for this purpose. My invitation to brethren, particularly in areas
outside of the densely populated Lower Mainland or southern Vancouver Island, is to propose
an event and submit the plan to the Grand Lodge Education and Leadership Committee for
partial sponsorship. These costs could offset expenses sufficiently to permit brethren to attend
a full day or evening event for a small fee ($10-20) while recovering costs for the temple society
or facility used.

To summarize, from the Needs Assessment, the preferences and priorities of brethren will be
captured and applied to future courses and programs offered by Grand Lodge and Ashlar
College. From the financial support, programs can be proposed and promoted as early as April
or May 2017 to provide entertaining and relevant Masonic Education and Leadership programs
within a reasonable proximity of our brethren.

I welcome your feedback and invite your inquiries and contributions to the Grand Lodge
Education and Leadership Committee by email at [email protected].

Masonic Tidbits
Millennial Masonic Notes and Queries No. 1

By RWBro Trevor W. McKeown,
Grand Historian
Q. What is the shortest time it can take to become a Grand Master?

A. Roughly two and a half years. Allowing two weeks between degrees, immediate election as a
warden, installation as a Warden two weeks later, then serving a year as Worshipful Master:

Petition - 20 February
Ballot - 6 March
Initiation - 20 March
Passing - 3 April
Raising - 17 April
Examination - 1 May
Election as a Warden - 15 May
Installation - 5 June
Election as Master - 14 May
Installation - 4 June
Nomination as Grand Master - 1 January
Election and installation - 17 June

The shortest in this jurisdiction was eight years from initiation to installation as Grand Master.
Dr. Richard Eden Walker (1864-1923), who practiced medicine in New Westminster and served
as the area's Member of Parliament, joined Union Lodge No. 9 on 17 September 1890 and was
installed as Grand Master on June 1899.

http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/grand_masters/walker_r/walker_r.html

Motivations – Thought From Our Masonic Actors

Monday: We never see ourselves as others see us. – Bro. Oliver Hardy
Tuesday: I’m just a lucky slob from Ohio who happened to be in the right place at the right time.
– Bro. Clark Gable
Wednesday: If they try to rush me, I always say that I’ve only got one other speed and it’s slower
than this one. – Bro. Glenn Ford
Thursday: Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water!
– Bro. W.C. Fields
Friday: Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway. – Bro. John Wayne

Editor’s Note- Our thanks for this information supplied by our Grand Secretary, RWB George Moore

Masonic Health

HEARTBEAT

Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in Canada – with one in three
Canadian deaths due each year to these devastating diseases.

Chris E. Batty

My heart story is in four parts:

1. Cholesterol and Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA’s)
2. Pacemaker and Cardiac Tamponade
3. Batteries, Generator Replacement, and Infection
4. Open Heart Surgery and Valve Replacement

Open Heart Surgery and Valve Replacement

After the infected pace maker had been removed and the tricuspid valve damaged, on
November 3rd 2015, I was scheduled for transthoracic echocardiogram and a coronary
angiogram, from which it was determined that the tricuspid valve would need to be replaced as
it was “severely” leaking. A “severely” (scale: severely, moderately, mildly, and traceable)
leaking tricuspid valve results in blood being pushed back into the atrium when the right
ventricle contracts. This results in a steadily enlargement of the atrium and blood backing up
into the liver that tends to enlarge the liver, and result in some pain (about 1 or 2) above the
stomach and below the chest.

While I understood what was involved in the replacement of a heart valve and open heart
surgery, I really did not fully appreciate the amount of recovery time associated with the
operation. Open heart surgery requires the sternum, the flat chest bone, to be sawn in two and
pulled apart to gain access to the heart. Then the blood flow from the heart is removed and
sent to a heart – lung machine to re-oxygenate the blood and pump it around the body, cutting
open the heart, removing the natural tricuspid valve, sewing in a pig’s tricuspid valve; stitching
everything back together, and then getting the heart to pump again.

Initially, the valve replacement was scheduled for April 21st but due to an emergency it was
rescheduled to April 27th. On April 27th I was placed on the operating table, monitoring stickies’
were being stuck to my body, when I was informed that there was an emergency in the
hospital, a 30 year old man, who needed the operating theater. Consequently, my operation
was postponed again to May 3rd exactly six months after the pace maker removal operation.
During this period I was without a pace maker and my tricuspid valve had a serious leak.
Physically, I was fine if I did virtually nothing!

Valve replacement open heart surgery, I found, takes a lot to recover from. Getting in and out
of bed was a major task, requiring that you follow a set procedure. In addition, overcoming the
anesthesia and having the blood sent through a heart –lung machine took some time. Vivid
strange dreams at night, needing a morning and afternoon naps, feeling very fragile and
vulnerable, not being able to drive for eight weeks, having to sit in the back seat where there
are no airbags, changing vision, were to be dealt with. Further as the heart, literally, is only
stitched together there is a need to keep the heart rate and blood pressure down, therefore
this requires no excitement, no significant exercise, going up and down stairs one step at a
time, etc. for the first eight weeks after coming home.

The operation was three and one half hours long and successful. I spent 24 hours in the
intensive care unit and then discharged to the cardiac recovery ward for five days and then
allowed to go home on Sunday May 8th 2016.

On June 30th 2016 I started Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. This Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
required attendance at an Introduction Class, a review by the Pacemaker Clinic and an
adjustment to my pacemaker, to set the resting heart rate to 60 beats per minute, bpm, and an
Initial Stress Test. This was followed by eight Group Education Classes and eight Group Exercise
Classes. The Group Education Classes were:

Stress Busters Eat your Allowance
Fit for Life Plan Shop Cook
Energy Conservation Heart Basics
Medication Matters Heart Mind & Emotion

I personally found that the Medication Matters was the most educational and informative,
followed by Eat your Allowance, Plan Shop Cook, and Heart Basics. In Medication Matters we
learned that Bata Blockers, such as: Metoprolol, Bisoprolol, Carredilol, which are used to slow
the heart and reduce blood pressure, can result in tiredness, cold hands and feet, dizziness, and
vivid dreams. Also that Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, such as: Ramipril,
Perindopril, Enalapril, which are used to relax and widen blood vessels and help to improve the
flow of blood to the heart muscle, can cause a persistent dry irritating cough and dizziness.

Dizziness when standing up after sitting for a while is something that one has to be cognizant of
all the time.

The Group Exercise Classes were good. However, I have always had trouble taking my pulse.
While I thought that having a Fitbit would help, it seems that having Atrial Fibrillation the Fitbit
picks up the extra heart beats. My stress test indicated that I should exercise with a maximum
heart rate of 132 bpm. Every day I walked about three miles and my Fitbit would indicate that
my maximum heart rate was about 162 bpm. This would distress the physiotherapists.

On the 22nd September 2016 I had my final appointment with the heart surgeon which included
a preliminary visit by a medical student; everyone needs to be exposed to various conditions
during their training. The interview revealed that my atrium had become “moderately” (scale:
severely, moderately, mildly) enlarged and would probably remain enlarged; that a small
chamber on the left side of my heart, that could generate blood clots was blocked off; that in
twelve years if the valve needs replacing and if I was fit the surgery would be re-done; and that
I could work towards the level of fitness I had prior to the pace maker removal and be involved
in high cardiac low impact sports activities. Finally that the surgeon said that he would not be
retiring for some 19 years, good to know.

In reviewing all the heat and heart related operations at the hospitals and medical clinics I can
truly say that while I have had some bad luck – heart penetration, meningitis infection, implant
infection – I have had excellent treatment by most (say 99.4%) of all the medical staff I came
into contact with. Typically they, the Alberta medical professional, are very knowledgeable,
experienced, skillful, attentive, compassionate, and dedicated.

I am now well on the road to recovery and hope to put my new heart valve to good use. 

Chris E. Batty
2016 09 28

Masonic Lodges
Mount St. Paul Lodge No. 109 – Robbie Burns Night

The annual celebratory tribute to the life, works and spirit of the great
Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Celebrated on, or about, the Bard's

birthday, January 25th, Burns Suppers range from stentoriously formal
gatherings of esthetes and scholars to uproariously informal rave-ups of
drunkards and louts. Most Burns Suppers fall in the middle of this range, and
adhere, more or less, to some sort of time honoured form which includes the
eating of a traditional Scottish meal, the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the

recitation of works by, about, and in the spirit of the Bard.

District No. 10 in the South Okanagan – family day get together

On Family Day District 10 held a social get together.
On the second Monday each February, British Columbians celebrate Family Day, taking extra time to

enjoy activities with their friends and family.
left to right- RWB Barry Robinson, DDGM, District 10, RWB Len Wyllie, and WB Rod Henderson.

Victoria Columbia Lodge No. 1

Installation January 7, 2017 – Social Activities

Freemasonry in Australia

This photograph was posted by MWB Alan Cross on his recent trip to the South Seas.
It is taken in front of what looks like a Masonic Hall in Hobart, Tasmania.
MWB Cross says it's hard to say if it's still used as a Lodge, but the
square and compasses are visible above the door, and it's an interesting
picture of the Craft in other areas.