3rd District Chapter Get-to-gether

Tonight several of the leaders in the 3rd District got together for a Christmas dinner at Marions Piazza. Unfortunately we heard of a few health concerns and are hoping for a quick recovery. We also had a few who had degree work at their Chapter and unfortunately most were reminded this was the first year without Jerry Crawford being present.

Ormus Grotto Installation and stated meeting

Today was the monthly meeting for our Grotto and Marty Trent Grand Treasurer came down to install the officers. (our DD Tom Schliep had planned to install them but was very sick) Kent Lyon was again elected Monarch. We also signed up a new member. While our numbers are small, we are determined to improve them over the next year and are planning several activities including the ladies as was this intallation of officers.

Trinity Chapter Pre-Inspection and Stated Meeting

Tonight we had about 15 present for our pre-Inspection and stated meeting. Our DDGHP Claude Seibel was present to review the Royal Arch opening. We reviewed several things and made sure the cast was ready for Inspection at which we may have 4 candidates. We then retired to the dining room where refreshments were severed and fellowship was enjoyed.

Adoniram Council #131 Reconsecration

Today my council had a 75th year reconsecration. The grand officers all came down and did a nice job with the ceremony. Our Illustrious Master did a great job getting the word out and I would guess we had over 70 in attendance. Afterwords they had a great spread of food.

Grand Chapter Investment Committee Meeting

Today I travelled up to Barberton to meet with our investment advisor and the rest of the investment committee who could make it. The Raymond James Advisor had everything ready and we had a good discussion and it seems like we continue to make a very good return on investment. Since Grand Chapter provided the boundaries/parameters for him to stay within, we also discussed if any of them should be considered for change which at this time our parameters will not be changed.

Adoniram Chapter 73 Inspection

Tonight was the Inspection for Adoniram Chapter located in London Ohio in the sixth district. Unfortunately just as it was schedule to start the main two officers in the degree work were called back into work. Since they didn’t have an actual candidate they decided to hold the inspection of degrees next month. (The two called out to work had to go fix a water main break supplying water to the whole village. MEC Bill Berry was there and since they delayed the ritual we went to the dining room, had refreshments and fellowship and headed home.

Kam Ram Grotto Installation

Well now only Pittsburg remains to get my first roadrunner pin. I went to Mt Vernon Ohio to the Eastern Star Hone where we had dinner and then the State Officers present installed their officers. compared to last night this trip was easy. They fairly well installed the same offices but the event was well run and we were done at a reasonable hour.

Kismet Christmas Party

Tonight I went to Saegertown Pa up by Erie Pa. It was their Grottos Christmas Party and now leaves me with two more to get my first roadrunner award for visiting all Grottos in the Ohio Grotto Association (26). (There are three in Pa, 1 in Ky and 1 in WV in the Ohio Association. It was a nice party and some good fellowship. I started back at a relatively early time but the roads were terrible and I would make it home until around 3am. 

HRAKTP

Today was the yearly meeting for the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests which I belong to out of Lima. Prince of Peace Tabernacle usually meeting this second Saturday every year. The snow started shortly after I left to go to Lima and continued all the way back home but just so you were careful driving it was not too bad. This group is made up of Past Commander's and limited to 33 in each Tabernacle by invitation only and since the number of Tabernacles is minimal in each state overall membership is also very limited.

Charlemange Red Cross Constantaine

Tonight was our annual meeting and Installation in Findlay. We had a very good turnout and Past Grand Sovereign Burch Zehner installed the officers including our new Sovereign Ken Crouch. I was installed as the Senior General so hopefully in two years I'll be installed as Sovereign.

Ben Bey Grotto Installation and stated meeting

Today, I went to West Virginia at Parkersburg where Ben Bey Grotto from the Ohio Grotto Association is located. Luckily they had signs after you get off the main road to direct you to the building or I might not have found it and been lost forever. Prior to the meeting they had a great steak dinner. They had a really good turnout, over 30, and Woody Sibley Past OGA President presided over the installation of officers. They also had a new slate of officers to be installed including Secretary and Treasurer. I'm now down to 3 more visits in the Ohio Grotto Association and I'll be eligible for my first roadrunner (two more are planned for next week and one in January).

Viewing for Tom Schoff and Installation for John Bull

Today was a day of mixed emotions as we headed to Mechanicsburg this after for WB Tom Schoff's viewing. Tom and I have known each other for ever and it was his twisting of my arm which got me to run for office in the Shrine. Tom was the Potentate who came in as Antioch was in a lot of turmoil and it was through his enthusiastic personality that he made people take something negative as a challenge to improve. I will admit, this was one of the harder services for me to attend as not be deeply affected by it.

This evening was much happier as WB John Bull, who served as Potentate immediately after me was installed as Worshipful Master for the first time. His son Eric was installed as Senior Warden. He started off with a great dinner and then proceeded to the Installation of the officers.

Cambridge Chapter Inspection

Tonight was inspection for Cambridge Chapter and our Grand Illustrious Master was present as he is an officer at this Chapter. They did a very good job for one new candidate who they did courtesy work on for Zanesville Chapter. The best part is they deck out the town hall and play Christmas Songs throughout the town during December.

Hi12 Christmas Party

Today was our annual Christmas Party and installation for Hi12 in Dayton. The State Officers were present to inst the officers and we got two new members who joined the club as well. We had a very nice meal and some good fellowship before heading home. 

Grand Commander/ Eminent Prior Joint Reception

Tonight was the joint reception for the KYCH and Randy Williams as Prior along with Grand Commandery and REGC Terry Wymer held at the Mt. Vernon OES Home. They kept the night moving along and as a point of interest, both are from the same Lodge.  As the event was coming to an end I found out that Ill Brother Tom Schoff had past away after a very long battle with many different things. Tom was the one who talked me into going through the line in the Shrine, something I never had any intention on doing. He was also a long time very good friend who always made everyone feel better after they met him.

Finally back out - Greeters Christmas Party

While I'm still not 100%, I'm back out and running attending our Greeters Christmas Party this evening. We had a good turnout of our membership and a nice meal catered by a member of our temple. Unfortunately we have several older members who are in the recovery mode. While this is the first set of parties at the Shrine I think this is the only one I'll be able to make as my calendar is already full.

Still Alive

While it might seem that I've fallen off the face of the earth, I haven't. After taking a few days off for family events before Thanksgiving, I came down sick on Thanksgiving and since have been trying to shake whatever I've got. I seem to feel ok during the day and at night the coughing starts and I feel like crap and then the next day I feel better. Hopefully, I'm almost over it.

ROJ Ladies Night

For most of the year the men in this organization are given the ability to go enjoy themselves by their wives or significant others. Once a year we host a nice evening to recognize those ladies and this was the evening. We had a nice dinner and special gifts for the ladies followed by music for dancing. Despite the rain outside, all present seemed to have a good time.

Acacia Grotto Visit

Well I made the long travel to Oil City Pennsylvania to visit Acacia Grotto which is part of the Ohio Grotto Association (they are 3 in Pennsylvania and 1 in West Virginia which are part of the Ohio Association ...why because they pay their dues!) We have 25 in the Association and have a travelling award of the Roadrunner if you go to all of them. I was down to 5 left and tonight lowered that number to 4 (1 in Ohio 2 in Pennsylvania and 1 in West Virgina) and I'm trying to finish off the final 4 by 2/1/18.  We started off with a dinner at a local restaurant and then went to the temple for a meeting and initiation on one candidate.

Ormus Grotto Stated Meeting

Tonight was the Stated meeting for our Grotto and as we are trying to rebuild, I went here as the Secretary rather than Middletown's Chapter Inspection. We covered all business including discussions for next years officers. 

Seneca Chapter #42 Inspection

Tonight was the Mark Master Degree inspection for Seneca Chapter in Tiffin, Ohio. for two candidates This is also the home Chapter for REC Ken Foy. Our Grand Fraternal Correspondent Tom Ziegler was also present taking several pictures. The night moved right along which was good as I have to get up extra early tomorrow to take my car in to get some damage fixed.

Grand Chapter Future Planning

Today, I went with REC Greg Calatterbuck to secure the venue for the Statewide Grand High Priest Reception in 2019. Since our old standby hotels are long gone and the venues to hold the event are diminishing, we decided to go to a new upcoming area for the activity. It is a beautiful new hotel which appears will be able to accommodate our needs and the date was open. While we still need to sign the contract, the date is penciled in on the hotel schedule which is my main concern. Now I'm headed to Laura's in Knoxville for the weekend to take care of a couple of things down there.

Minerva Lodge Elections

Well my plans for yesterday were changed significantly as I was involved in a car accident. While no one was injured and it appears the damage is not too severe, I decided I had better stay around home when driving the car until I have them look at it and assess all damage. I also changed my plans for today and instead of going to Sandusky Chapter Inspection went to my Lodge elections. They went fairly smooth and I was excited to hear we have several candidates in process (over 5). As I have some thing to do with Laura this weekend, I won't make the Scottish Rite Reunion or any other activities this weekend.

PDDGM Meeting

Tonight I attended the 2nd District Past District Deputy Grand Master meeting. We meet with the current Deputies and Grand Lodge officers to hear about things the new Grand Master is pushing and to get an update on how the lodges are doing. We had several of the PDDGMs present and after our discussions and fellowshipping headed home.

Change of Plans

Well over the past couple of days I have been doing some follow up for the Grand Chapter 2019-20. year. This includes discussions and investigating various venues and hotels along with planning for Grand Family meetings. Today, however, I had intended to head to Bellefontaine for the KYCH meeting. I instead spent a major part of the day helping my daughter with getting new license for her car and some various other things she needed to get done. Tomorrow I’ll be busy with a special recognition for my mother who passed away last year so I can hit the trail again Monday.

Aut Mori Stated Grotto meeting

Well it was back up to Youngstown again today, this time for the Grotto. Their Supreme District Deputy was also present. They held their election and planned a couple of  events. While it would have just been nice to have stayed from Monday, I had some legal papers I needed to get done in between.

Youngstown Chapter #93 Inspection

Today I headed to Youngtown for their Chapter Inspection in the Past Master degree. They had 7 candidates and are planning to complete the work on these candidates this weekend. They had a nice degree, the inspector said it so I can repeat it. Grand Master of 1st Veil Bob Nilsen was also in attendance.

Grand Family and Grand High Priest Reception

Today was a long day. We started out for Perrysburg before 6 this morning to make it up for my first Finance Meeting. We then followed up with several other meetings on various subjects. They were informative and well run. After we finished here the 8th District held the statewide Grand High Priest Reception. While I probably would have normally stayed the night before and tonight, due to some other commitments outside Masonry we had to make the trip up and back today.

Miami Valley York Rite College

Tonight we brought in several new members for the York Rite College in Lebanon. Per the Grand Governor, we did a really nice job on the initiation. Considering you only do the part once for the officers, that makes me happy. Dave Slusher was given the Gold Award for his many years of Ritual work for the College.

Khana Shahar Stated

Tonight I headed to Springfield for the Grotto meeting as I had some Masonic business to attend to and knew the folks I needed to talk with would be present. Luckily they didn't have much business to attend and I was able to be on my way after a short business meeting.

Change in Plans

Tonight I was going to lodge as one of our members was being installed as District President. I got a call, however, and a friend and Mason needed some assistance to get somewhere as he is having troubles seeing at night so I went to get him and take him where he needed to go. I figured my Masonic obligations to help a brother in need trumped all other plans.

Officer Meeting

Tonight I attended a planning meeting for a Masonic group in which I am an officer. From what I know this is the first planning meeting for this group in some time. We covered many subjects and I think have a good direction for the future as everyone in attend was allowed to give their opinions.

Chapter ReAffirmation

Today was our Chapter Reaffirmation Sunday held in Miamisburg and we had a nice program a very good speaker and some fellowship and refreshment afterwards. Over half the Chapters were in attendance while several plan their own observance. Our District Chaplain Dennie Fitzgerld was in charge and did a nice job.

Grand Lodge

For the past couple of days I have been at Grand Lodge in Dayton. MWB Doug Kaylor went out as Grand Master and I was really glad that I was able to attend. MWB Kaylor followed my in the Scottish Rite line and was District Deputy Grand Master a short time after me as well. The DeMolay State Master Councilor did a nice speach (being a Past EO for DeMolay, I have to comment on that!)

Shelby Chapter #178 Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection for Shelby in the 10th District in the Past Master degree. This is also the home Chapter for MEC Robert Crabbs. While several had already headed down for Grand Lodge tomorrow, they still had a decent number of visitors and members and did a nice job of the degree on a candidate from Bucyrus. I also got a picture of their new DDGHP hard at work making notes during the Inspection.

Ormus Grotto Inspection

Tonight was Ormus Grotto's Supreme District Deputy Inspection. I stayed home last night to work on making sure I had everything in order for the Inspection which I could. While we had lots to review, it went well and despite some issues over the past year, we have had were able to give him the needed information.

King Cyrus #207 Reconsecration

Today the first of our two Reconsecration's was in Loudenville Ohio (Near Mansfield) which required me to leave prior to 6am to make it in time. They had several of their own members along with persons from throughout the District present. MEC Robert Blankenhorn was in attendance as well. 

Marysville #99 Reconsecration

Today the second of our two Reconsecration's was in Marysville Ohio preceded by a light meal. They had several dignitaries present and after the ceremonies there was a very interesting research paper presented on the history of the Chapter. Since this got over relatively early, I was able to get home in time to get some work done before watching the OSU massacre of Nebraska.

Yusef Khan Grotto

Today I went up around Akron to the stated Grotto meeting for Yusef Khan. They had a good number of person there including Dave Kolb their Secretary and a Grand Line officer. The funny part was I thought I was going to be early but when I got to where the GPS took me, it went crazy and ran me down the road about another 5-10 miles which when I got there it told me to take a u-turn and sent me back to the original location. Since this is the first time I have been there and it is a new location in an old strip mall, it originally didn't look like the right place so I ended up getting there just as they were opening. So much for preplanning... I did, however, determine that to get to my destination for our first recon Saturday I need to leave before 6am so it looks like Friday plans are to go to bed earlier than normal instead of heading to a meeting.

Pomeroy #80 Chapter Inspection

What a great day for a drive! The night, however, didn't start out exactly as planned for me as I found out somehow my apron case had mositure in it and I had to dry everything off (when I get home I'm laying it all out to make sure it thoroughly dries out). They had their Inspection this evening in the Mark Master degree and had 2 actual candidates for the evening. This was the first Inspection for their new District Deputy Grand High Priest REC Pat King. While most present were from this Chapter, they still had about 25 on the sidelines tonight.