AMD Meeting

Tonight our AMD met with the ladies at the Middletown Olive Garden restaurant for dinner. We had a good turnout and it was a nice evening of fellowship. They made a couple of announcements and declared all other business suspended to the next meeting so we were able to get home at a reasonable time.

York Rite local cooperation meeting

Tonight the Chapter, Council and Commandery leaders got together and discussed the schedules for the upcoming year. As much as possible we tried to avoid major conflicts and minimize minor conflicts. Luckily the schedules we had coming into the meeting actually had very little conflict and we were able to finish within an hour.

3rd District Officers Meeting

Tonight we started our new monthly meetings within our District to talk about District activities and upcoming Grand activities which the District will be heavily involved with helping out.  It progressed well and we covered a lot of ground on laying out who was doing what and backups for each. As I am trying to keep the meetings short each month, we discussed District activities for the first hour by individual positions and then discussed where we stood on the statewide reception for next year for the next half hour. 

Ohio Grotto Association Meeting

Well it may sound a little strange but I was in Pittsburgh the past couple days at our Ohio State Convention. We elected new officers and the Grand Monarch was also in attendance, We had a breakout meeting which was informal and everyone was free to ask any question or give any suggestions. It seemed to work very well and several questions were answered and new ideas explored.

Crand Chapter Planning

Today my general Chairman REC Greg Clatterbuck, his wife Kathy and myself were formulating more details for the Grand Reception next year and determining who was going to be doing which tasks. I think we have a fairly detailed outline for the activities of the day and how we expect them to progress.

Out of Town for a Few Days

I will be out of town for a few days to attend the Little League World Series. This is something I've always wanted to do but never had made it. As my wife said when my daughters finance' ask if I'd like to go with him, "you'd better go while you can" so I guess I'm headed to Williamsburg PA.

Aaron Crawford Funeral

This afternoon I attended the viewing for REC Aaron Crawford. He was DDGHP a few years ago and currently was the Secretary for Friendship Chapter. He recently had a liver transplant but unfortunately he had complications with the surgery and was not able to fully recover. 

Grand Chapter DEO/DDGHP School

This morning I attended the DEP/DDGHP school of instruction in Delaware Ohio. Most all who were to be there were able to make it and the morning session was a joint training while the afternoon was to be specialized training. I had to leave a little to head back for a funeral.

ROJ Picnic

Today was our annual  ROJ Picnic at the palatial estate of Brad Middlestead). Those were his words not mine). We had several games going on during the day and ended it up with a nice pulled pork dinner. Clean up was quick as we had several helping to clean up. Over, I think all in attendance had a nice time. And we didn't run out of shrimp.

Ormus Grotto

Today was our stated Grotto meeting. I went a little early and with the help of the guy I took to the meeting, we were able to get a good start on cleaning out our cabinet in the temple. The meeting moved along fairly quickly as the business for the evening was minimal. We did however stay for a while after the meeting and discuss how we could increase membership. 

Sad day for the 3rd District

This morning we lost one of our PDDGHPs. REC Aaron Crawford passed away after a serious surgery and complications from the surgery. He was also Secretary for Friendship Chapter.  Please help us to pray for the family in this time of grieving.

Updating Chapter Bylaws

Today MEC George Shell and I got together to update the bylaws for our PDDGhP s organization and updating our DDGHP job descriptions. This is something we started a while back but now is ready for adoption by the PDDGHP organization. I’m glad it is finally done..

Well Not as I Planned

My plan was to get up early this morning and head north to the Memorial for Merlyn Meredith. Unfortunately When I got up this morning my side felt like someone was sticking a knife in it. I’m not really sure what the problem was but I was definitely in no shape to drive ... especially not 4 1/2 hours. Luckily the pain has finally gone away but not until after drinking lots of fluids. So I guess my final thank you to Dad Meredith is this thanks for your guidance and assistance to me as a DeMolay, as EO, as a Mason and as a friend. You motivated many young men to exceed what they thought they could achieve and was always there for them when they needed it.

Grand Chapter Grand Family Meeting

Today in Delaware Ohio the Grand Officers, Past Grand High Priests and District Deputy Grand High Priests met to discuss plans for the next year. I was really exited that instead of just talk it was a communication of things that are being done. Almost every area is working on ideas which are being implemented. I'm really looking forward to see the progress as we are now implementing those ideas we had talked about over the past couple of years.

Minerva Lodge Parking

Today as a fund raiser for our temple, I helped parking cars a local music festival. It was fairly easy and I even was able to set down for the majority of time. While it was hot they kept us well hydrated which helped alot.

Grand Chapter Michigan

Yesterday, I headed up for the Grand Chapter of Michigan this morning along with our Grand High Priest Keith Green and our Grand King Ross Black.The had most of the Chapters present and the person I sat next to had as far to go as I did to get there and he was from Michigan. I got out of that state up north as soon as the meeting recessed for lunch before they found out I had dogs named Scarlett and Gray.

Valley Commandery Drill Practice

Tonight our Commandery had drill practice and I was there to try to decide if I'll be able to drill this year. After the first practice. I'm still not sure but I was able to do it this evening which was hot and muggy. Since I'm doing the Standard Guard this year it makes it a little easier but the standing part is what concerns me more than the marching.

York Rite Cooperation Meeting

Today the officers of the York Rite along with a few other invited guests were present at the Ohio Masonic Home for a church service and lunch with the residence followed by a discussion with the leaders of the various Grand Masonic Bodies. We discussed several topics and broke out with the folks who will most likely be serving together to discuss schedules and ideas.

Grand King's Program

Tonight was REC Ross Black's Grand King's program held at Marions Pizza with the family. We had 13 of 16 Chapters in attendance, MEC Duncan and MEC Shell were also present along with PIGM Bobbie Campbell. Even the kid's present seemed to enjoy the program along with the presentation of District awards and installation of District officers.

Continued Work on Grand Chapter

This week I continued to spend a lot of time on future Grand Chapter activities and programs. I had also planned to attend a possible reformation meeting for Dayton DeMolay tonight but had a couple of items which needed to be completed tonight which didn't allow me to attend.