Orange Lodge in Orillia

Today,  interest in the Lodge, by young men in their late twenties and mid thirties is on the increase, as rediscovery of the Orders principles and values are on the rise.  In this area, there has been resurgence of patriotic males who are stirred by love of their country, their heritage, a desire for fraternal interaction, are wanting to get involved in the community and contribute in charitable ventures.  Our Calendar year can become quite busy. Since 2006, the Lodge here has intensified it's involvement within the community, as well as ventured into broadening it's social activities, going from a once fairly secluded Lodge, into becoming one of the "Flag Ship" Lodges among the various Orange Lodges of Simcoe County.

We try to offer a balance between Lodge ritual and protocol, and the lighter side and benefits of the Association. Some of our events include parades and not only do some of our members participate in various Orange Parades held in July, the biggest of which is the July 12th Parade and Celebrations, but also in the Local "Dominion Day" (often now called Canada Day) Parade on July 1st, the "Armistice Day" parade and the Santa Claus Parade in November. We celebrate different events throughout the year, including "Empire Day" (often now called Victoria Day), which we celebrate on the proper date of May 24th. For years the Lodges in Simcoe County have hired a bus and have assembled with other Brethren for the Parade in Toronto which is the oldest continuously run annual parade in North America.


Decoration Day

As well, we take part in "Decoration Day" which is held in Orillia in late June. This past Decoration Day was our most ambitious undertaking in well over thirty years. With the help and dedication of two of our members, and the help of the staff at St. Andrew's - St. James' Cemetery, the Lodge was able to mark almost 150 known Orangemen's graves, which due to the long lapse in the time that it may have been done before, was an enormous job. Well in excess of one hundred hours was spent, pouring through paperwork and walking and re-walking miles, while looking through the cemetery for Orangemen. Our list is now closer to 500 and it is hoped that we can locate and decorate another fifty Orangemen's graves for Decoration Day in 2010.


Social Aspects

We also held a dance this Autumn, which is believed to be one of the first that the Lodge has held in countless years. Plans are in the works to hold another one in the spring of 2010 to celebrate Empire Day. We have also started up Pub Nights, which will be held typically on the first Saturday of each month, starting as of March 5th, 2010. These nights are open to anyone wishing to come out to get together to play darts, or cards, or one can just socialize over a few pints while watching the game on the big screen.


Charity Programmes

In the months leading up to Christmas, Lodge members are asked to donate non-perishable food items, or purchase gift certificates to grocery stores in the area, to stock our pantry. All this is done for our Family Christmas programme, in which a local needy family is selected. The Lodge purchases toys for the Children from Santa, and one for each of the parents as well. All the items, including any toys, clothes, Christmas dinner and the pantry are packed up and delivered to the family shortly before Christmas, accompanied by gift certificates for local grocery and department stores. In recent years we have also been volunteering to man a Salvation Army Christmas kettle, and are scheduled to do so again this year. Our members have commented on several occasions on how generous the people of Orillia are during this time as a lot of well needed money is raised. During this time our members enjoy talking with the people of Orillia, answering their questions (if we can) and wishing them, and their families a very Merry Christmas. Starting in 2006 as well, a Master's Charity was started. One charity or organization is then chosen and for the following year, all money raised through bake sales, yard sales, fundraisers, and donations are then given to the recipient of that year.

Altogether in 2009 the members of Harmony Loyal Orange Lodge 296 have contributed just shy of 950 service hours on behalf of Orangeism for different projects, events, programmes and charities. This figure however is modest, considering that it does not take into account any of the time, resources or money that the Orangemen from Orillia have contributed towards their churches, other organizations, charities or social clubs in the city, outside of what they contribute for the Lodge.


Our Meetings

Unlike some other Orange Lodges, Harmony Loyal Orange Lodge is one of the few Lodges who have a regular Lodge meeting all twelve months of the year. Other Lodges "shut down" for a couple of months during the year, and others use their regular meeting nights as social nights, holding a very short meeting (if any), and then having their social activities. As mentioned before we feel that a balance of protocol and social activates is important, hence the reason why we do not hold social nights on our meeting nights, and why we hold regular meetings year round (with the exception of cancellation due to snow storms or extreme weather conditions during the winter months). It is during our Regular Lodge meetings where day to day management of the Lodge takes place. At times, charitable activities are at the forefront, or sometimes it's building maintenance. Sometimes it may be protocol, or getting involved community activities. At times there could be discussions about helping out other Lodges in the area, whether they be Orange, or other Fraternal Lodges, and then sometimes it could be about one of our own who is sick or has fallen on rough times. The monthly meeting, and occasionally at other times, is the time to get involved in the discussions and business of the Lodge to see how good your speaking skills are, and maybe improve them, and to interact with other members of the Lodge. Taking part in Lodge activities is a large part of being a member but is not mandatory as we realize that there are people who for some reason or another cannot take part fully in our business and activities and may miss a few meetings.


Celebrations

Each year, the Lodge tries to have a yearly Anniversary BBQ / Dinner, which is open to all Lodge members, the Ladies Lodge (L.O.B.A.), their families and their friends. In the past there has been a Lodge Christmas dinner, held in December, for the members of Loyal Orange Lodge № 296 to get together enjoy a good meal and celebrate the Christmas season together.