b'I.O.O.F.Friendship LoveTruth RebekahsThe 200th Anniversary of the Oddfellows to celebrate locally on Saturday April 4ThreemilestonesaregoingtoEventoday,Oddfellowsdontrelatives have been Oddfellows too.beacknowledgedbyourtwolocallook for praise. The Lodges continueRonhasbeenanOddfellowfor Oddfellows Lodges on Saturday Aprilwiththeircharitablegoodwork,60years,andin1996-97heserved 4. A celebratory banquet will be heldwhich of course is welcomed in to- as Grand Master for the Province of in honour of the 200th anniversary ofdays society. Ontario.Iwantedtogetinvolved Oddfellowship in North America, theWeliketohelppeopleanddowith something, and I enjoy provid-148th anniversary of Warriner Lodgewhat we can, Ken continued. Someingservicetothecommunity,he #175 in Port Perry, and the 72nd an- peoplearejusttryingtosurvive.commented.niversary of the Rebekah Lodge #348There are many elderly people whoBlackstockresident,Kenjoined in Port Perry. dont have any family to help them. the Warriner Lodge at the age of 19 The banquet kicks off with cock- Oneimportantfunctionoftheand later he became a member of the tails at 5 p.m. followed by dinner andOddfellowsistolendoutmedi- Rebekah Lodge, along with his wife entertainment at the Royal CanadiancalequipmentsuchaswalkersorMaureen. Legion Branch 419, 484 Bay St., Portwheelchairs.Interestingly, the Maybelle Rebekah Perry.DignitariesincludingMayorNobleGrandBrotherDannyLodgewasoriginallywomenonly Bobbie Drew have been invited andReesorpointedoutthatdonationsbut now there are a few male mem-the public can obtain tickets for $25 byof these assistive devices are alwaysbers. The Warriner Lodge is all men.contactingBrotherRonWanamakerappreciated. Past Grand Sister Maureen said, I at ron.l.wanamaker@gmail.com.Localcharitiesthatbenefitfromwould recommend the Lodge instead AttendeescanalsolookforwardtheOddfellowsassistanceinclude;ofsittingathome.Itsgoodtodo toapresentationonthehistoryofthefoodbank,BigBrothers/Bigsomething for the community.Oddfellowship,whichistheoldestSisters, the Arthritis Society, ScugogShereallylooksforwardtothe fraternalorganizationintheworld.Boy Scouts and Community Care.annualconventioninStratfordin Its roots date back to the IndustrialOurbiggestOddfellowprojectMay. During her seven years at the RevolutioninEngland.ViceGrandis Camp Trillium, for children withLodge,shehas,enjoyedgetting BrotherKenDowsonrevealedthatcancer, he said. The Oddfellows aretogether with a great bunch of ladies. the Oddfellows was formed to helpvery proud to offer this opportuni- We like to do catering to fundraise so thepoorandunfortunatewidowsty for youth, and local children havewe can donate to various organiza-and orphans.benefitted. tions. We send flowers and visit if a The original Oddfellows in BritainAresidentofGreenbank,Dannymember is sick.would have got arrested if they werehas been a member of the WarrinerTheirgoodworkisallinkeep-caught helping people, he said. SoLodgeforfouryears.HereallyingwiththeOddfellowsMotto: the lodge had to have closed meet- enjoysthefellowshipandfraternalFriendship, Love and Truth.ings. It was a secret society. activities. Many of Danny and KensBy Lynn Campbell, Focus on ScugogQUALITY PARTS~FAIR PRICING~QUALITY SERVICEMAKE SURE YOURVEHICLE IS PREPARED Trophies, Awards,Corporate Promotions FOR THE COLD . . . Since 1996EmbroideryGraphic Design BOOK YOURT NOW! snowmobile Engraving Screen Printing APPOINTMENPineridge Impress lettering905-985-2839135 North Port Road, SIGNWORKScanada.comPort Perry Reach & Northport Rd., www.pineridgeimpress.ca CALL:905-985-9292 Port PerryYour Name is Our Business 1511 Reach St., Unit 2, Port Perry Monday - Friday905-985-08028 am to 5 pm14 FOCUS - MARCH 2020'