East Liverpool #100 Chapter Inspection

Well since driving almost 20 hours back from Dallas yesterday wasn't enough driving, today I headed up to East Liverpool for their Chapter Inspection and tonight I'm headed to the 16th Capitular Ball around Cleveland. (I'm definitely glad Pam decided to travel with me both times for while I'm used to travelling to Inspections alone, driving for as much as I have over the past couple of days gets boring by yourself.) They have a very nice well kept facility at East Liverpool and it was one of the first times I've seen a full line of District Officers at an Inspection this year.They had two candidates for the Mark Master Degree.

16th Capitular Ball

Tonight was the 16th Capitular Ball and Grand High Priest Reception in Independence near Cleveland. The event is always a formal affair and this year the entire elected progressing line of officers were in attendance. It was a nice event including a dinner and some quick introductions and speeches. They also had a great Hospitality Room with the first time I have ever seen Sushi in a Masonic Hospitality room and it went fast.

No Entries For About a Week

Work has beckoned and I'm headed south to Texas for a week but I'll be back in time to head up to East Liverpool for their Inspection and the 16th District Royal Arch Ball. Today I had to get my drive and the daughters dug out from the snow so they were done before I left.... wish it was going to be warmer in Dallas but heard it will be around 50....guess that is better than here!

Minerva Lodge #98 Inspection

Tonight was my Lodge's Inspection in Miamisburg and I would agree with the DDGM that they did a good job this evening. We had a person give the EA charge for the first time this evening and it was hard to tell he had never done it before. We also had around 16 PM's and 32 members in attendance. My only complaint is that I am way too close to the front of the Living PM line. 

Urbana Council #59 Inspection

Tonight was the council inspection in the Select Master degree for Urbana Council. It was an easy drive here as it was on my way home from work in Columbus. (Getting to work today, however, was a 3+ hour experience but that is another story) Since the Arch Inspector is from this Council the Arch Adjutant Don Mumford was the inspecting officer. Steve Adams also came over to do King Solomon as their King Solomon broke his leg skiing (but he was still there helping just mainly in the same place for most of the evening). It was a good meeting and as is always nice with council, it was over early. As aside note on my way over I thought I saw my life flashing before my eyes when a pickup with a plow on it came speeding down the 2 lane road at a high rate of speed and lost control of it right in front of me coming the other way. Luckily somehow he got it under control and safely passed me.

Heights Chapter #205 MEM Degree

Tonight I did something different, I traveled with the 11th Capitular District on an outing they were having to Heights Chapter #206 in the Cleveland area. It was a fun evening as they had a total of 5 visiting candidates for the Most Excellent Master Degree. I traveled with two candidates, the 11th District DEO and DDGHP along with the WM of Goodale Lodge.  For once I didn't have to drive! They did a very nice job and both of the 16th DDGHPs were present along with the DDGHP for the 20th District who also brought a candidate. The other two candidates were from Chapters in the 16th District. An interesting part was I knew the one candidates, two candidates went with us and the other two I had been at their Past Master Degree for their Chapters Inspection. This is the home Chapter of REC Jeff Addis Grand Scribe. They also had Grand Officers from Council and Commandery present. While we got back late and then I got back even later due to a drive for myself from Columbus to Dayton, it was a very fun evening

Crystal Chapter # 157 Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection Crystal Chapter in Bowling Green in the 8th Capitular District. They were Inspected in the Past Master degree and was the first for their new DDGHP Doug Towslee. We had three grand officers present REC Keith Green Grand Captain of the Host, REC Ron Hart Grand Master 1st Veil and myself. REC Hart is the Regional Officer for for this District. Luckily for me snow difficulties on the road were only for around 20 miles of the trip. I was, however, glad it was in the PM degree tonight and the Inspection was short so I could get back home at a decent time.

Grand Family Meeting

Today was the Grand Family meeting where we getting together and discuss the various parts of Grand Chapter business and make recommendations to improve it. Despite the ever deteriorating weather conditions we continued until around 230 when everyone decided it was time to head home. We discussed several topics and shared dates for upcoming events. The drive home from Hillsboro proved to be an adventure but we made it home safely by early evening.

Adoniram Council Stated Meeting

Tonight was the stated meeting for my council and I decided to attend since I have to get up early in the morning for Grand Family. We had a really good turnout despite it just being a stated meeting. Since we got done early I hung around for a while as several went downstairs and talked on various topics. A nice easy evening close to home... Now that is a change.

Time Off???

Well I took a couple days break to assist another group and attend a couple of family events. I decided 50 only comes around once so I took off to attend my sister's 50th Birthday party and then tonight to attend a game where Laura is cheering. So I don't get out of the loop...tomorrow I plan to be back on the Masonic trail.

Bellaire Chapter #107 Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection for Bellaire in the 14th District in the Past Master Degree. This is part of my region this year and for a smaller Chapter with a very nice interior for their facilities they definitely have a very low dues structure. This the first time I have been to this Chapter which leaves me with five more until I have been at least once to every one in the state. They did all the parts with members of their own Chapter despite a lower total turnout this evening. It was also interesting to find out that two of their active members have the last name of Shaw. It was a nice, easy drive over from Dublin especially since I could go across SR 161 to Newark and then down to I-70 and miss all the traffic. We got over very early as the meeting moved right along. They unfortunately didn't have a first time candidate but do have some in the works it just so happened none were ready for this degree tonight.

Two More Circus Parking Times

 Twice more today we worked on the collection of parking fees and in general it turned out to be another fairly nice day. In between the shows, I headed up to the Ohio Masonic Home in case we were able to present the 65 year pin to MEC Charles Karth. It was confirmed when I got there that he was indeed in the hospital and potentially in the Intensive Care area so MEC Steve Duncan and I decided that it would be better for our Grand King and Grand High Priest to present the pin with a smaller group. Especially since most likely all would not be permitted in at once anyway so I returned back to the parking for show two. We had plenty of help today as a few extras showed up who we were not sure if they would be able to work. Everything went smooth and at the end of the day decided I had better take the wife out for dinner as she too has helped out every time we have done the parking. Glad it is done for another year! 

Ohio Grotto Association

In between shows today, I attended the Ohio Grotto Association Meeting which we were hosting and brought greetings to all on behalf of Ormus Grotto. Their was  quorum present so the meeting was official and the officers unable to make the prior meeting were installed at this meeting. Several topics were discussed and Ormus thanked for hosting the meeting in Dayton at the Ramada Inn on Wagner Ford Road. Later after the second show of collecting parking funds I did return to help with the Hospitality room and then helped clean up for the evening. All in all ...the making of a long day.

Two Shows Parking at the Circus Today

Well today we had two shows to collect parking at and the evening show was definitely packed. The entire main portion of the lot was full. Hopefully, this will translate into a nice profit weekend for the GHP Fund. And unlike other days we have worked in the past, today the weather was very nice and was a nice break from the bitterly cold temperature most of us are used to working in years past.

Opening Night of the Circus

Tonight was the opening of the Circus and marked the beginning of a long weekend for the 3rd District collecting parking at the Shrine Circus. This is the single fund raiser we do for the Grand High Priest Fund and work all weekend on the activity. Each shift needs around 12-14 to cover and we have 5 shifts over the weekend. This year I was blessed with REC Greg Clatterbuck leading the efforts and as it turned out helping even more than he was aware. It seems after we were done collecting I took a bad fall and my knee swelled up twice the size it is supposed to be, me hand did as well and I could hardly move it and my upper right side took a very hard impact and was really sore. That being said I'm glad I wasn't hurt worse but I would have to call on Greg the rest of the weekend to pick up and deliver the money each show as walking steps was just too painful. I have planned to head over to help out with the Grotto Hospitality room tonight but had to go home to get ice packs to help reduce the swelling.

Sparrow Lodge #400 Inspection

Tonight was the Lodge Inspection for Sparrow Lodge in the 14th District in Sunbury Ohio right above Columbus. They had a very nice attendance with the MWB Steve Cokonougher present along with many Past District Deputies and Grand Officers for their Entered Apprentice Degree. In addition, I saw PGHP Chester Hammond and Grand Master of the 3rd Veil Dan Smith in attendance with 111 other Masons. This marked a milestone for me as this was the 200th different Lodge which I had attended (I've been to many more lodge buildings this is just Blue Lodges).I'm also looking forward to being able to get home tonight at a decent hour (before midnight) as I need to get ready for this weekend which will be really busy with my Chapter fund raiser of parking cars at the Shrine Circus along with helping at the Ohio Grotto meeting which we are hosting.

Lakewood Council #125 Inspection

Well tonight was my first trip north from my new work location and it should have been about 2 hours and 20 minutes but the weather turned bad around Mansfield and it turned out to be more like a 3 hour and 30 minute trip and I just made it in time for the Inspection to start. Despite the weather keeping several away and the Illustrious Master being under medication for a serious fall he took last week, they were able to pull off a good Royal Master Degree. Since they asked me to prompt for the evening as I entered the door, I didn't get a chance to take any pictures. (And once I was done I wanted to get on the road ASAP.) It was obvious when I left that the roads/highways were no better so I decided to fill up with gas and try to make it to the Mansfield which I did where I am staying the night. I am definitely glad I was working from Columbus since today it cut 2 hours off the drive up and probably was the difference between attending the Inspection and driving almost all the way up and turning around. Tomorrow will be nice as well since Mansfield is slightly closer to Dublin than my house so the ride to work in the morning will actually be a little closer. (I'm also very glad I keep my car stocked at all times in case I have to make an emergency overnight stay.)

Lodge Funeral and Grotto Planning

Tonight started off with a funeral for Doug Casteel who was a Past Master of my Lodge. As with the service we did Saturday, I once again did the Scottish Rite Ring Service. Doug was the Worshipful Master the year right before I joined the Lodge. He was a well known Lawyer in town and often helped out our Lodge when we had any legal issues or questions. After the service I headed up to the Grotto where we discussed and did the final plans for the Ohio Grotto Association meeting being held this weekend which our Grotto is hosting. Everything was discussed and finalized so we will hopefully have a nice session this weekend.

First Day at New Workplace

The first day in Dublin Ohio turned out to be long but really I think most days it will be a fairly easy (but longer) drive to work. Even with the weather, I made the trip in about an hour and forty minutes which is not bad for an 85 mile trip each way. It took a little bit to get aware of the new surrounding and set up the technical connections, etc. but once it was I was able to work the same as at home. The unfortunate part was I got caught up in a project change needed for tomorrow and didn't get to leave until late. Luckily, even then, the traffic was only a little heavy and only for a very short part of the drive.