Friday, November 30, 2012

Wooster Chapter 27 Inspection

Tonight I was back in the 10th District for Inspection at Wooster in the Royal Arch Degree. The interesting part was the High Priest is blind though you would have never known with the quality of the ritual work he performed. There were many distinguished guests including PGHPs Himmelright and Shell. Current Grand Officers in addition to myself present were Grand King Bob Thomas, Grand Chaplain Chester Burton, Grand Marshall John Donohoo, Grand Aid Robert May and REC Bob Blankenhorn was the guest Inspector for the evening. Please keep in your prayers our Grand High Priest who has been I'll this week and especially REC Ralph Curtis. He and his family definitely need our prayers. Oh and on the way home I went deer hunting again as I saw a BIG buck and small doe but luckily for me (and them) I was able to avoid going deer hunting with my car!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Zanesville Chapter 9 Inspection

Tonight Zanesville Chapter in the 14th District performed the Most Excellent Master Degree and their High Priest Aaron French did several major parts and did a great job on each part. The candidate was the same one who Monday received his PM Degree. REC Chester Burton Grand Chaplain and REC John Donohoo Grand Marshal were also present. Past Grand High Priest Alan Hart, Past Grand Illustrious Master Pat Lively and Past Grand Commander Frank Boner were also in attendance.In all the attendance for the evening was good and I think the candidate is now looking forward to the Royal Arch Degree.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Middletown Chapter 87 Inspection

Tonight was a close to home inspection as Middletown is in my home District, the 3rd. They had one candidate for the Mark Master Degree and also presented a 50 YR pin to Joe Atkinson. Past Grand High Priest and current High Priest of Friendship Chapter MEC Steve Duncan was also present and accepted the traveling award for the most Companions at the Inspection on behalf of Friendship Chapter. It is nice to once in a while return home on the same day you leave to attend an inspection.

Almost Some Fun During Deer Hunting Season

Well .... normally I wouldn't include the occasional close call when driving but tonight I thought I was in a car commercial (you might have seen it on TV with the car stopping for Santa's reindeer). As I was driving down ST RT 68 south towards home and the fog started rolling across the road. It seemed almost a little surreal. As I was looking down the road, I saw the reflectors in the center of the road up to a point and then they stopped, so I quickly slowed from the 55 MPH speed limit to around 25 MPH. Good thing I did as right there in the middle of the road in front of me were 2 very large deer. Since I had slowed down, I was able to quickly stop and wait for them to exit the roadway. Deer hunting season with a car is never fun!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

McCutcheon Chapter Inspection

What a nice evening for a drive to Upper Sandusky in the 7th Capitular District today. McCutcheon Chapter portrayed the Mark Master Degree on a candidate this evening. PGHPs Joe Worthington and Jim McDonald were also present in addition to the Grand High Priest MEC Don Owens and his Grand Aides Robert May and James Brooks. I'm especially glad to return to Upper Sandusky as it is one of the locations in Ohio which still has an active DeMolay Chapter. The Loose family left a huge mark on Ohio DeMolay with the only Past International Master Councilors, one of the few Executive Officers to served DeMolay and another Past State Master Councilor who served while I was EO and whose father was also active with DeMolay on all levels.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Warren #6 Chapter Inspection at Newark


Tonight was the Chapter Inspection for Warren Chapter #6 of the 14th District in Newark. They did  a very nice job of the Past Master Degree but more importantly was the attention in which the candidate gave to the degree. I don't think I have ever seen a candidate more intense about trying to get every little piece of the PM Degree. And when it came time for questions, he was asked some difficult ones and had all the right answers. They had representatives from all the York Right bodies with a District Deputy Grand Master, District Deputy Grand High Priest, Grand Officers from Chapter and Council along with a Past Grand Commander.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

My Travels Week of 11/26

While often my travels are dictated by my work schedule, I am going to try keep at a running two week schedule of potential Chapter related visits/events which I plan to post every Sunday or Monday. If anyone from my area is interested in traveling with me, contact me and we will see what we can do.
Week of 11/26
  • Monday 26        14th District Warren Inspection Chapter at Newark
  • Tuesday 27          7th District McCutcheon Inspection Chapter at Upper Sandusky
  • Wednesday 28    3rd District Middletown Inspection Chapter
  • Thursday 29       14th District Zanesville Inspection Chapter
  • Friday 30           10th District Wooster Onspection Chapter
  • Saturday 1            1st District Hicksville Inspection Chapter
  • Saturday 1            3rd District Xenia Inspection Chapter
Week of 12/3
  • Monday 3           10th District King Cyrus Inspection Chapter at Loudonville
  • Wednesday 5       3rd District Eaton Inspection Chapter
  • Thursday 6           3rd District Twin Valley Inspection Chapter

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Chapter Inspections Athens & Logan at Logan

Tonight, I went to a dual Inspection at Logan with Logan Chapter doing the Mark Master Degree and then Athens Chapter doing the Past Master Degree. REC Dennis Barlow was the guest Inspector for Logan Chapter since this is the 13th District Deputy REC Rodney Carr's home Chapter. The Grand Marshal of Grand Council, Matthew Schetter, did a couple of the major parts. PGHP Don Lossaso was also present.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Franklin Chapter #24 Inspection in Troy

Tonight was the Inspection for Franklin Chapter in the Most Excellent Master Degree. This is fairly significant since just a few years back the Chapter was ready to give up their Charter and was really only able to perform the Mark or Past Master for Inspection. Tonight they had a good crowd of members from Franklin #24 present and performing the work. Per the Chapter, it was a Grand Master's One Day Class which saved the Lodge and the Chapter meeting in Troy. The Grand High Priest, Don Owens and Grand Aide, James Brooks were also both present. PGHP George Shell was in attendance as well.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

My Travels Week of 11/19

While often my travels are dictated by my work schedule, I am going to try keep at a running two week schedule of potential Chapter related visits/events which I plan to post every Sunday or Monday. If anyone from my area is interested in traveling with me, contact me and we will see what we can do.

Week of 11/19
  • Monday 19        3rd District Franklin Inspection Chapter
  • Tuesday 20       13th District Athens & Logan Inspections Chapter at Logan
Week of 11/26
  • Monday 26      14th District Warren Inspection Chapter at Newark
  • Tuesday 27        7th District McCutcheon Inspection Chapter at Upper Sandusky
  • Wednesday 28  3rd District Middletown Inspection Chapter
  • Thursday 29     14th District Zanesville Inspection Chapter
  • Monday 30      10th District Wooster Inspection Chapter
  • Saturday 1          1st District Hicksville Inspection Chapter
  • Saturday 1          3rd District Xenia Inspection Chapter

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Grand Commander's Reception

Tonight was the Grand Commander's Reception in the Youngstown area. I was really interested in reading the Grand Commander's bio since I'm usually one of the younger persons present but tonight found out our Grand Commander is two years younger than I am (as also is our Grand Master). The part thought that made me feel older was when I read he was joining the Comnandery when I was Commander of Valley Commandery. They had a nice dinner and the program was very entertaining. We had several representing our Grand Chapter including line officers MEC Don Owens,  REC Robert Thomas, REC Robert Blankenhorn and myself along with several District Deputies and Past Deputies..

3rd District School of Instruction

This morning was our first school of instruction for the year. It was on the Mark Master degree and it was encouraging to see a few junior officers present though we need as many junior officers as possible to help them determine how to do the ritual correctly.There was a lot of interaction and questions during the session. Our non-ritual interpretation portion was done by the 1VP for the third district.Our School Chairman is REC Don Wilcox who continues to provide excellent direction for the school.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

My Travels Week of 11/12

While often my travels are dictated by my work schedule, I am going to try keep at a running two week schedule of potential Chapter related visits/events which I plan to post every Sunday or Monday. If anyone from my area is interested in traveling with me, contact me and we will see what we can do.


Week of 11/12
  • Monday 12   9th District Oberlin Inspection Chapter
  • Saturday 17  3rd District School of Instruction
  • Saturday 17  Grand Commander's Reception


Week of 11/19
  • Monday 19   3rd District Franklin Inspection Chapter
  • Tuesday 20  13th District Athens & Logan Inspections Chapter at Logan

Monday, November 12, 2012

Oberlin 219 Chapter Inspection

Tonight was the Inspection for Oberlin Chapter on the Mark Master degree. It was an exciting night as they had 5 candidates. In addition the Grand High Priest and his entourage were traveling with him.I also heard another Chapter in the Ninth District may have as many as 12 new candidates being brought in very soon. Things just might be looking up. I was also encouraged by the level of ritual work performed and the GHP, MEC Don Owens, must have also been impressed as he passed out three pins for ritual proficiency.

Friday, November 9, 2012

A Little Bit of a Twist

While I might not usually include here (but rather on my Shrine BLOG) information about Shrine activities where I am specifically representing the Shrine as Potentate, tonight was the Annual Inspection for Azizah 57 Daughters of the Nile from Antioch Shrine Temple. The Queen is none other than Doris Crawford, the wife of PGHP Jerry Crawford. I had to tell everyone the reason Doris has been getting such great service this year at Antioch..... I told the building manager Doris was my mother. The Supreme Queen attends all 142 Inspections throughout the US and Canada along with all 22 of the Hospitals. She has been on the road every date since June 30th and it will take approximately 9 months for her to attend all 142 DON groups along with all 22 Shrine Hospitals. And many think attending 5 Chapter Inspections in a year is allot!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Tuscarawas Chapter 38 Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection of Tuscarawas Chapter in New Philadelphia in the PM degree. This is the home Chapter of PGHP John Gartrell who presided over the degree work for the evening. Also in attendance was REC Ross Black, Grand Master 2nd Veil and DDGHP of the 14th District, Dennis Barlow. This Chapter features many very dedicated members and during the past year the had no loss in membership and even performed the degrees multiple times. For a Chapter from a smaller areas, they are very active.

Wauseon #111 Chapter Inspection

Last Night, Past Grand High Priest George Shell and myself travelled north to the town of Wauseon for their annual Chapter Inspection.Unfortunately. the High Priest had a case of walking pneumonia but the doctor allowed him to attend this evening and he also presided over the Mark Master Degree. The Grand High Priest (Don Owens), Grand Marshal (John Donohoo) and Grand Chaplain (Chester Burton) were also present. They did a good job of the degree work and three persons were honored by the Grand High Priest for their ritual work and devotion to the Chapter (Pictured below with Grand High Priest). As we left, we were delayed for about an hour as unfortunately one of the gentleman attending came a little too close to my car and hit the drivers door. Luckily, as good Masons should do, we swapped information and will let the insurance company worry about it!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Membership

Membership is probably our most important topic. One of the biggest aspects of Membership which we overlook and is really within our control is retention. Most people don't view retention as part of membership but it might be the most important part. Right now we have a good story to tell to get folks to join but what do we have to offer at the Chapter level to keep them coming back? Are stated meetings and ritual work the only events to attend? Does your Chapter hold (either jointly with other Masonic groups or individually) real social activities. I'm not talking about Installations or similar events where we invite the ladies but really don't involve them or they are still formal activities, but rather something just for fun. Also when did you last hold a fund raiser or charity event to raise money? We have to provide a reason to remain a member or our efforts to get new members will be in vain.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

My Travels Week of 11/5

While often my travels are dictated by my work schedule, I am going to try keep at a running two week schedule of potential Chapter related visits/events which I plan to post every Sunday or Monday. If anyone from my area is interested in traveling with me, contact me and we will see what we can do.

Week of 11/5
  • Wednesday 7 1st District Inspection Wauseon Chapter
  • Thursday 8 18th District Inspection Tuscarawas Chapter


Week of 11/12
  • Monday 12   9th District Oberlin Inspection Chapter
  • Saturday 17  3rd District School of Instruction
  • Saturday 17  Grand Commander's Reception

Saturday, November 3, 2012

KYCH Meeting

Today was the KYCH Meeting in Hamilton and the Grand Chapter was well represented by those Grand Officers who are KYCH's. Dennis Wilhelm was elected the new Prior to replace Lynn Chadbourne who is the outgoing Prior. Don Owens and Bob Thomas from Grand Chapter were elected Prelate and Sentinel respectively. We had 26(correction from earlier reported number) new Knights invited (including Grand Chapter Officer J. Keith Green) to become KYCH's. As I sat here today it reminded me of almost 20 years ago when I got my KYCH... man I must be old!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Mansfield 28 Chapter Inspection

Tonight I journeyed up I-71 to Mansfield and the 10th District to their Chapter Inspection. REC Bob Blankenhorn was in the cast this evening as this is his Chapter. MEC Robert Crabbs was in attendance as well along with their Regional Officer Ralph Curtiss. The Chapter portrayed the Most Excellent Master Degree for a new candidate. The new District Deputy, Lew Fleege, and new District Education Officer, Ron Horne, both performed like old pros. The High Priest was a Senior DeMolay, Dave Dauterman, who is a Past State Scribe.