DUNNVILLE—Sharing the work of the Port Colborne/Welland and District Shriners was Bob Cole, a 15-year member, and Ralph Tyler, a 32-year member. They said it takes $3 million in donations to run the Shriner supported hospitals. —Haldimand Press photos by Kerry J Newstead. 
DUNNVILLE—Worshipful Brother Dwayne Lambert holds the Master Collar, worn only by the Master Mason, the highest position in the lodge. It is similar to a mayor’s chain of office. 
DUNNVILLE—Brother Rob Chamber was the cook and server of the free sausage on a bun during the Amity #32 Lodge open house in Dunnville.
By Kerry J Newstead
DUNNVILLE—The Amity #32 Lodge of the Niagara Region Masons held their open house in Dunnville on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Visitors were welcomed by lodge members and offered a coffee and sweet treat in the common room. Members from St. John’s Lodge No. 35 of Cayuga, part of the Brant District, assisted with the event.
Upstairs, a vestibule held mementos and artifacts of local lodge history.
A display of aprons showcased the different levels of membership, while visitors could also explore the Lodge Room, where meetings are held.
Meanwhile, members of the Port Colborne/Welland and District Shriners showcased their philanthropy for children’s hospitals. All Shriners are Mason members first.
Both the Dunnville and Cayuga lodges are some of the oldest of the over 500 Masonic lodges in Ontario.
Cayuga’s began in 1845 and Dunnville’s in 1850.
The original home for the Dunnville lodge was in the Chronicle newspaper building.
Back then, the Dunnville members would travel by barge to visit Cayuga in March, with Cayuga’s members reciprocating the gesture in September each year.
A highlight in local Amity Lodge history was between 1965 and 1966, when local member James Noble Allan became the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canda.
There have been six prime ministers of Canada that were members of the Masons, along with many other notable Canadians, like NHL player Tim Horton.
For more information about the Masons or to become a member, visit ontariomasons.ca.
