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We kids never knew what he was talking about and didn't ask. For it was obvious the subject matter was top secret, so much so, I doubt even my mother was aware. She went about her reg- ular household chores unmindful of dad’s men- tal immersion in hush- hush stuff. s a teenager, I recall my father pacing back and forth across the farm kitchen floor, hold- ing tightly in both hands a little black book and talking quietly to himself. My father was a Freeâ€" mason, a fraternal inter- est that, for him, bor- dered on obsession. His membership, associated with Markham Union Lodge, saw him graduate through the chairs to the position of senior war- den. But he never went further. thinking perhaps more of his time should be spent at home. While I don’t recall dad suggesting I should fol- low his footsteps, there's no doubt he wished for that. However, it wasn’t to be. But I never lost inter- est in the alliance, a form of brotherhood that had a way of welding men together into the single cohesive company it still is today. However, things change. The mystery that once proliferated this fraternity has receded, replaced by openness and sincerity. This was apparent when Richard- son Masonic Lodge of Stoufl’ville celebrated its 150th anniversary June 19. A banquet, to mark the occasion, was held in The Great Hall of Christ Church Anglican with a cross-section of the com- munity attending. Richardson Lodge, named after the late Francis Richardson, had its humble beginnings June 15, 1860, in the upper room of a stable at Cashel, at what is now 18th Avenue and Kenne- dy Road in Markham. a -AAA In the spring of 1866. the lodge moved to Knill’s Hall in Stouffville. The present structure, at the comer of Ninth Line and Second Street. was erect- ed in 1955. All this and more was included in an historical moments’ brochure and video provided by Bill Sanders, Peter Burkhold- Vlasonic secret’s out â€"- for good er, Sandy Sandiland, Jim Johnston, Kelly Holden, Steve Fronske and Ben Wallis. The anniversary’s co- chairs were Ken Prentice and Kelly Holden. A cheque, valued at $1,000, was presented to an autism services pro- viderinAurora. The current worship- ful master is Bill Bower of Cannington. Roaming Around Guest speaker Ray- mond SJ. Daniels of Kitchener, Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Canada, praised the Richardson image as seen through the attendance of so many public people. “You.” he said, “are in the business of planting trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." Some visitors came from a distance includ- ing sisters Betty Miller of Ottawa and Mary Davis of Toronto, daughters of K. Ross ‘Shine’ Davis, lodge master 1923-24. Mr. Davis was described as “a man whose traits placed him at the pin- nacle of what it means to be a true Mason”. Tribute was also paid to Edward (Ted) Barry who. on Jan. 12, 2000, was pre- sented the Wm. Mercer Wilson Medal, most pres- tigious of recognitions a Master Mason can receive. Of interest also is the fact no less than seven Wagg family members have served the position of worshipful master: Dean Wagg, (1950); Nor- man Wagg, (1951); Ken- neth N. Wagg, (1954); Herb Wagg, (1959); Ken Wagg, (1968); Murray Wagg, (1970) and Gordon Wagg, (1972). Hopefully, the Rich- ardson motto "happy to meet. sorry to part, happy to meet again” will be repeated 50 years hence. Iim Thomas is a Smufl'ilille resident who has wfltvenjbrama newspapers [br more than 50 years with Jim Thomas Markham area, Det.-Const. Will- mets said. Police arrived at an undisclosed home in Whitchurch-Stouffville Tuesday at about 10 am. and arrested two men who lived there without incident, he said. Nicholas Latour, 22, of Whitchurch-Stouffville is charged with six counts of sexual assault The men are believed to be long-time friends, he said. Men arrested at Stouffville home and three counts of sexual interâ€" ference. Peter Hale, 49, also of Whitchurch-Stoufiville is charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interfer- ence. Both men appeared at the Newmarket courthouse Wednes- day, Det.-Const. W111mets said. If you have any infometion. call police at 18668765423, ext 7071, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-11PS, leave a tip at 1800222tipscom or text TIPmRK and your message to CRIMES (274637) The York Regional Police recruiting unit invites anyone who is interested in a career in policing to an information session. The service is “actively recruiting candidates of the highest calibre who represent all our diverse communities across York Region". You must: 0 be a Canadian‘citizen or permanent resident of Canada and at least 18 years of age; 0 be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position, having regard to his or her own safety and the safety of members of the public; 0 be of good moral character and habits; and 0 have successfully completed at least four years of secondary school education or its equivalent. Interestea applicants are asked t6 RSVP, with their full name, phone number, city and email adduessto An information meeting will take place July 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Newmarket Theatre, 505 Pickering Cres., Newmarket. For more information, call 1-866-876-5423 ext 6722 or go to www.yrp.ca.