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.