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.
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!)
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.
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. 
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.
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. 
As many know, I volunteer at the USO at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Today I had the experience to get to meet a survivor from the Pearl Harbor invasion which began our involvement in WWII. At 94, he is still in good health and has a very good memory. I was able to sit and have a personal conversation with him for about 1/2 an hour. While we talked some about that day, he really wanted to talk military in general which we did and while I never actually served in the military, he also enjoyed some of the stories I've heard throughout the years about others who also were in WWII as well as some of his own stories. I could have spent hours it was so interesting listening to his stories but decided I should give some others a chance as well. Anyone who thinks older folks are boring hasn't taken the opportunity to talk with them.
Tonight was the stated meeting for Al Sirat Grotto in the Cleveland Masonic Temple. Since the temple has been sold, they are looking at a potential new facility. They meeting was very well run and afterwards we had refreshmnets before starting the journey back home. Seven more Grotto's to go for my first Roadrunner Award in this organization.
Travel totals for 2016-2017 were around 30,000 miles and 280 masonic related activities. And since Grand Chapter is over as promised each year I am allowed to progress in the Grand Chapter line I plan to have a pin designed to provide to the travellers in my district and those traveling within the region I am assigned. My region for this next year will be District 14 & 19. I'm looking forward to hitting the road again as soon as possible. As I mentioned each year the pin will alternate between a piece of architecture and a mode of transportation through time. This next year will be the Space Shuttle.
For the past 3 days in Independence Ohio near Cleveland, I have been attending the Grand Chapter session where MEC Jeff Addis went out as Grand High Priest and MEC Keith Green was installed. I was honored by being elected Grand Scribe and installed today. I got several pictures which I will let tell the story....
Most of the Grand Chapter Officer travelled to the Kalahari for the Grand Council session today, The pre-session activities started yesterday and will end tomorrow, I had some other things to attend to to get ready for Grand Chapter so I only could attend this one day. I took a picture here of Bobbie George from Hamilton receiving his 50 year Grand Council Award.
