Press Release
Fort Frances Mason Alan Tibbetts was installed March 20 as Master of the Internet Lodge No. 9659 in Manchester, England.
Tibbetts, the long-time secretary of Granite Lodge No. 446 in Fort Frances, has been involved with the Internet Lodge since before its establishment, and was one of 52 founder members when it was chartered in 1998.
The lodge, which meets three times per year in England, also has a strong presence online.
Members are in touch on a daily basis, using the Internet to socialize and plan projects.
The installation ceremony, which was witnessed by about 100 Masons, including the Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire, was performed by several Past Masters of the lodge.
A formal banquet followed the installation, where toasts were offered and speeches given by the Grand Master and the new Master of the Lodge.
Internet Lodge No. 9659 was the first of its kind in the world, and draws its 300 members from more than 30 countries around the world.
One of the special projects these Masons currently are engaged in is an international development scheme where lodge members collect donated equipment and furniture, which they then refurbish and transport to new lodges being established in those countries formerly behind the Iron Curtain, where Freemasonry once again is flourishing but who have limited resources.
Lodge members from England and the U.S. also will be coming to Canada for a fraternal visit in May.
Tibbetts is the first Canadian-based member to become Master of Internet Lodge.
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world.
