Herman Lawrence AMD

Tonight was our meeting in Middletown for AMD. When they passed out the roosters I figured out I’ve been a member 3rd longest of living members. We also brought in a new member, Doug Whyte and Joe Fair gave a talk on TAPS. Afterwards we went down and had refreshments.

Memorial Day Weekend

Since Laura came home this weekend we spent most of it doing family activities but yesterday we did attend Greg and Kathy Clatterbuck's 50th anniversary party and vows renewal. While it was definitely very hot it was a nice activity. We also saw the next Star Wars picture this weekend and now have my daughter's dogs to watch for the next month as she studies for school in Sweeden. Four dogs will be challenging and Pam wont be with me much this next month because of it but hoping it is a good experience for her..  

KYCH Meeting

Tonight we met at Houston’s Restaurant neat Mason for our annual meeting. I, of course, had to have frog legs but got it with the Filet Mignon tonight. They have an outstanding salad bar with lots of chooses a normal bar doean’t Have. I especially like their tapioca pudding on the bar. REC Rick Bielicki was elected President and we voted to meet here the next couple of years so probably more frog legs in the future. This is definitely a throw back restaurant which it is a shame there aren’t more like it.

HI 12 Meeting

Today  I attended my Hi12 club stated meeting. Our speaker for the day after lunch was the investment person we have for our club from Edward Jones. He gave a nice talk and answered all question presented to him after which we all went our separate ways.

ROJ Dinner

Tonight our ROJ Court in Dayton met at Archers in Kettering and had dinner. There were around 25 of us present and after eating we told a few jokes and then were on our way. Except for one guy who will remain nameless for had to return so I could give him his debit card which he accidentally left on the table.

Grotto Secretary Work

Today I spent some time reconciling some records and getting 2nd dues notices ready to send out tomorrow. I'm gaining lots of respect for Secretaries and Treasurer's as I do both jobs and I should mention we only have a small membership.

Irish Council

This morning my Knight Masons council held a stated meeting which I attended. This is usually a hard meeting for me to make as there is usually a home town patade I'm in at the same time but not this year. I almost felt old as there was only one Past Excellent Chief present who served before me. (OK I am old!) The meeting moved along well and afterwards they practiced to be ready for our ceremonies which will be held at our annual meeting in September.

4th District GHP Reception

Tonight Willis Chapter sponsored the GHP Reception and District Awards Night. We started out with dinner music by REC Harless Maynard and his wife and a nice meal after which we headed upstairs for the awards part of the program. There were a number of awards handed out and MEC Green finished with a nice speech after which everyone headed back home.

 

3 Grotto Ceremonial

Tonight we teamed up with 3 other Grottoes for a full form ceremonial  in Springfield. It was a large class of around 10 for the 3  Grottoes. One was MWB Mike Himes who was made a member at sight in 2007 but wanted to go through the

full ceremonial which he did tonight.

Kismet and Islam Grotto

Well it is a little hard to explain but there are 3 Grottoes from Pennsylvania in the Ohio Association and today we went to 2 of them as one had a lunch meeting Kismet in Saegertown PA and the other a dinner meeting Islam in Pittsburgh. While it was around a 700 mile round trip it still saved about 600 if we had done each on separate trips. This also meant we were in the car for nearly 12 hours. I was definitely wiped out when we got back home.

Good Friend Passed Away

I had to write today about a good friend of mine who passed away yesterday, RWB Richard Poore. He was my go to guy when ever I needed to delegate something to someone a be assured it would be done. I pressed him into service at our Chapter by allowing himself a few years back to be elected High Priest after he said he would never do it. I then talked him into being District President for our Chapter District. When I was Potentate a few years back, I talked him into serving as my Chaplain. He was a great guy who I will definitely miss,

Ormus Grotto Stated Meeting

Tonight was our stated meeting and for a small Grotto we had a good turnout.  We covered everything we should have during the meeting and accepted Dave Williamson as a new (transfer) member. We also covered discussions for our ceremonial being held Friday at Springfield. Unfortunately our new members both are going to be unable to attend.

Trinity Chapter #44 Stated Meeting

Tonight our Chapter had a special visitor, the Grand High Priest Keith Green and Grand Marshall Bill Windnagle. The High Priest couldn't make it so the King filled in for the evening. Everything seemed to run fairly smooth and we were done at a reasonable hour.

Hamilton Chapter Stated Meeting

Tonight our DDGHP Rick Bielicki and myself travelled to Hamilton Chapter for their stated meeting to get some items resolved for their Inspection and also to discuss the upcoming year. They had 7 in attendance and the incoming High Priest agreed to assist the Secretary and Treasurer to get the required items resolved. They also determined a slate of officers for the upcoming year and talked about the current Secretary getting some relief after next year as he is right at 90 years old and the incoming High Priest indicated he will take the job after finishing as High Priest.

19th District GHP Reception

Today I travelled to East Liverpool Ohio to the 19th District GHP Reception with Doug Whyte from my Chapter in Miamisburg and is also a dual member at East Liverpool. The night stared out with a 70 year presentation and a nice dinner. I sat across from a Past Grand High Priest from Washington DC who now lives in Ohio and we had an interesting conversation. Our Grand High Priest MEC Keith Green helped to give out some additional awards and gave a short talk before we headed back home. I'm glad we got home around midnight since tomorrow we are headed to Laura's for Mother's Day in Knoxville, Tennessee.

14th District Meeting

I travelled to the 14th Capitular District where they held their District meeting in Cambridge. They held a very good meeting getting all the Inspection dates for next year set, presented awards and elected/installed new officers. They accomplished all of this and we were still ready to leave by 9pm.

Kam Ram Grotto Stated Meeting

I went to Mt.Vernon OES Meeting where they held the monthly Stated Meeting for Kam Ram Grotto. They had a good turnout and their deputy was also present. The weather was good so it was a nice easy drive.

Hi12 Meeting

Today was the stated luncheon for Dayton Hi12 and we had a speaker from the local Boy Scout Camp came and spoke to us about upgrades they are making in order for the camp to stay open. It sounded like some good upgrades considering the current set up was in the 1950's and doesn't work well with today's camps.

Yusef Khan Grotto Stated Meeting

I headed up to Tadmor Shrine near Akron to attend the Yusef Khan Grotto meeting. They are the largest Grotto in the state and had a good turnout of members. This was only their second meeting at the facility as they sold their old building and now rent from the Shrine. It should be a win-win for both organizations.

Adoniram Table Council

Today I attended the 1st Table Council held at Adoniram Council in conjunction with our 75th Anniversary. We had a nice lunch and I’m glad I went as this was my first time seeing the ceremony at a Council. While the turnout was a little small, I think all present enjoyed the event.

Finance Committee Meeting and Top 4 Meeting

Well I got up at around 4:30 this morning to head up to the Grand Chapter office for a meeting at 9AM. I must have timed it just right since I was about 10 minutes early. we discussed the entire financial situation and made recommendations for the investments to help maximize efficiency in their investments. We also discussed about the new aprons and jewels for the Grand officers and a long term plan for jewel maintenance and replacement. After the initial meeting, the top four meeting was held to discuss DEO and DDGHP training and working to keep some continuity from one Grand High Priest to the next Grand High Priest.

9th District GHP Reception

Tonight was the GHP reception in Wakeman Ohio and while I had a couple of things which could have made me late I was able to make it on time. While we had a meeting around Cleveland today, I started over immediately after and had some time to spare so I went to a place to enjoy the nice day and rest for a little bit. Unfortunately I fell asleep with the accessories on in the car and when I tried to start if, the battery wouldn't turn over. Luckily, I have AAA so I called them to jumpstart the car. They said it would take 2.5 hrs to get someone there so I thought I would actually end up being late but the driver came quicker and got me on my way/ When I got to Wakeman I got a friendly hello blue light special and again I thought I would be late. Luckily, he gave me a verbal warning on what the speed limit was in Wakeman so I twice was lucky and made it on time. They had a nice dinner and then some good entertainment followed by some remarks by our GHP Keith Green.

3rd District Annual Meeting

Our district held their annual meeting tonight in West Carrollton along with a dinner before the meeting. We also discussed upcoming events and improvements needed within the district. The turnout was not as good as we had hoped but most of the main persons needed were in attendance.  Our new President will be Kent Crager form Trinity Chapter. Alf Butler was thanked for the job he did this past year as the President. It was good to see MEC George Shell back out after his knee surgery.

Onsawaca Chapter Stated Meeting and 1st District Meeting

Tonight I travelled to Defiance for the stated meeting and 1st District Meeting in Defiance Ohio, The stated meeting went as most and they also discussed who was going to be officers for the upcoming year. After the meeting they held a well run District meeting and got all of the 2018-19 Inspection dates decided.

Painesville Chapter #46 Stated Meeting

Well I was surprised to see REC Ross Black along with DDGHP George Tegner tonight as I walked in the door at Painesville Chapter. in the 20th District. I had intended to attend their Inspection in January but was not allowed to travel at the time so I went tonight. They had elections on the evening and like most Chapters had troubles with officers at the top but 3 PHPs stepped up to help them fill the stations.

LaGrange Chapter #68

Today I travelled to the 5th District in Ironton and attended the meetings for Chapter, Council and Commandery. They were trying to determine who the officers will be for the next year and had 8 present which is the best they have had for attendance in a while per those present. They met around the table since none of the current presiding officers were present. The meeting was somewhat productive as they determine who the officer at the top would be but still have questions as to who will be the Secretary.