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.