Chapter Planning Day

Well tonight we tried to get things ready for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater the 3rd District is doing in November. Unfortunately, we found out there were some missing parts we need to get another game to see if it all there. Well at least we are making progress.

Herman Lawrence AMD

Tonight was our AMD meeting and since I knew I would not be able to leave early enough to make the viewing for Julia Himmelright this evening , I went to the AMD meeting. We unfortunately had to announce the death of two of our members since our last meeting Robert Maynes and Paxton Mendelsohn. We also had a couple of papers presented this evening which was a nice change of pace. We also did some side discussions on Chapter activities and planning meetings.

Catch-up Night

Tonight I was headed to Springfield for a couple of meetings but needed to change my plans when I figured out something which I need for next week had a corrupted file and I needed to start over on the process. In total it took me about seven hours to get it fixed correctly. I'm really looking forward to getting the next Inspection schedules and getting back on the road traveling as soon as possible. Over the past couple of years between work and a few deaths in the family my ability to travel has been significantly impacted though I've still been able to make my goal of at least one activity in each District every year and multiple visits to the Districts which I am assigned. I'm hoping at the end of this next year to have been at each chapter at least once since getting in Grand Chapter line.

Greeters Meeting

Tonight was the monthly Greeters meeting at the Shrine. As always we had a good turnout and a couple of the Divan members were also present. In addition, we had a special guest in Paul Weglage who presented a 60 year award to Jack Dayton on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. With the passing of Keith Yetter and John Cole taking over as Director and our Treasurer Jack Karns announcing he will not be standing for re-election, we have several changes taking place in the Greeters.

Cabiri Meeting

Tonight was the meeting of our Past Potentates at Antioch Shrine and we talked about several things which we as a group can do to help the Shrine. We also discussed the One Day Class next year and upcoming fund raisers. After eating a meal and hearing from the Divan we closed our meeting and headed home.

Viewing For Paxton Mendolsohn

Today was the viewing for Paxton Mendolsohn who was to be my counterpart in the Grand Commandery if which each continued to get elected. Unfortunately it was not meant to be as Paxton passed away this week. He had been taking the lead to get things set up for Grand Sessions 2020. We were both members of several groups together and especially in the Shrine when he was on the Foundation. He was very generous to the Masonic organizations with his money and time and will be missed by all.

Miami Valley York Rite College Meeting

Tonight was our York Rite College meeting to vote on candidates and prepare for our degree work next month. We had a good turnout including all the officers. We voted on and approved 10 new candidates for next month. We also voted to standardize on meeting nights in the by-laws. For it not being a regular stated meeting but rather a special to vote on candidates and the by-laws there were several more than normal present. Our degree director John Donohoo did a good job after the meeting during our ritual practice getting us ready for next month's degree work.

Ormus Grotto Meeting

Tonight was our monthly stated meeting and since we had a very small crowd we took care of one piece of business and then practiced on the ritual for one of our newer members who has agreed to step into a bigger role for next year. We also tentatively decided on our installation date and when we will officially do the ceremonial (if we have no candidates to perform it on). Tonight I thought was a good use on a low crowd as it gave us the opportunity to get some future areas which need to be addressed covered.

Trinity Chapter Stated Meeting

Tonight was our second stated meeting for September and I was excited as we had 20 in attendance and two of the people who normally attend were out of town. Unfortunately, the only candidate we had for the outdoor degree scheduled for Saturday in Middletown was from Miamisburg. Since the funeral for Paxton Mendelssohn is slated for the exact same time and many plan to be at the viewing, we decided to cancel the activity. We did, however, reschedule the candidates Mark Master degree. We discussed plans for Grand Chapter and the upcoming Grand Sessions for the other Masonic bodies. After completing the business of the evening headed downstairs for ice cream and cinnamon cake before heading home.

Valley Commandery Covered Dish

Tonight was the stated meeting and covered dish meeting for Valley Commandery. It was also supposed to be drill practice for Grand Commandery. Unfortunately one of the new team members was moved onto second shift, one was injured and will be unable to compete, and two others found out they can't go this year. In addition, since we haven't had a chance to get the whole team together it has made it very difficult for some new key people to learn their parts in the drill.We did however already start talking about what we can do to make sure we are ready for next year.

Scottish Rite Young's Outing

Today the Scottish Rite held a social activity which around 60 attended but it was something in which all ages could attend and enjoy. I sat and talked with Stu Stull and his wife (MSA and used to be in charge of stage crew) who is definitely no spring chicken and there were also several little kids there, all who enjoyed themselves. They had good food (and ice cream) along with a ton of activities for all ages. Shortly after lunch was over the wind really kicked up and it started to rain and since I was parked in the field I decided it was time to head on down the road.

Grotto Outing

Tonight our Grotto went to the Valley Vineyards as a group for dinner. While the total number was not great (mainly due to several not being able to attend at the last moment), the fellowship was fantastic and exceeded any expectations I might have had. This experience starts out with you cooking your own steak, shrimp or salmon and then getting the rest of you sides (as much as you want) and each couple getting a bottle of wine. While the area we ate in was quite loud everyone was about to fellowship in a much more interment setting. our District Deputy Tom Schleip was also able to join us. The best part was a major storm passed over shortly after we got there but I think other than a little rain the worst passed just a few miles north of where we were in Morrow.

DeMolay Advisor Training Webinar

Well DeMolay has now gone completely to entering and processing their advisor information online. The process looks very straightforward and in the long run should streamline the overall process.  It should make a very labor intensive process for the EO into something which can be done much easier and give the EO the ability quickly check on anything which he needs to know. I'm also glad that it is supposed to give an individual the possibly of updating their personal information correctly.

Both Ends of the Spectrum

Today I met with REC Greg Clatterbuck to give him some paperwork to officially mark the merger of Rabboni Chapter into Xenia Chapter. While you always hate to see a Chapter close, this is one time where it might turn out for the better. Xenia has all the York Rite bodies with Fairborn only having Chapter. While I think Rabboni originally came out of Xenia Chapter for several years they kind of seemed to each be doing their own thing and working together was not one of those things. Over the past few years that situation has changed and both are working together to do all degree work and hold stated meetings. Rabboni has also had many of their long time supporters pass on over the passed few years and it has become more and more difficult for them with several High Priests having to serve multiple times. With the two Chapters being just a few miles apart, the timing being right and both voting in the affirmative to make it happen, it is now done.

On the flip side Unity Chapter held their first official daytime meeting (instead of closing they decided to try something different) and while they were lucky to have 6 present at their night meetings, today we had 15-16 in attendance with a lunch being held right before where 2-3 more were able to attend. I'm excited for what the future may hold for this Chapter. We did think of a few issues with going to 4 daytime meetings a year today but we are working through the issues to make this a success. We also took a picture to mark this historic event.

Quarterly KYCH Meeting

Today was the quarterly meeting for KYCH in Lima Ohio. Past Grand High Priest Don Owens is the presiding officer this year and the meeting was very streamlined and actually finished a few minutes early. Grand High Priest Robert Blankenhorn and Grand Master 2nd Veil Ron Hart Sr. were also present along with several Past Grand High Priests. I left very soon after it was over as a very heavy rainstorm was about to hit and did almost as soon as I got on the road.