FInal Day of 2019

Well over the past few days we went to our daughters in Tennessee and unfortunately I wasn't feeling the best but was well enough to attend a District Christmas get some of the leaders of our Chapter District had last evening. The schedule starts ramping up again quickly starting tomorrow so back to having some move fun travelling the state.

Minerva Lodge #98 Stated

Tonight was our stated meeting and planned birthday party for one of our older members. Unfortunately, he took I’ll and was not able to attend. We discussed our inspection this year along with practices for it. We also read 3 petitions. One was the great grandson of a 70 year member who was present. We also had present several newer members who are in the process of joining. I’m glad to see my home Lodge is still making strides to keep vibrant and progressive.

Surprised this weekend

Well our daughter, Laura, surprised us this weekend by coming home for the weekend. What a nice surprise. She was even able to help us out with a Children’s Christmas Party we have hosted for the past 25 years. She was able to go to her favorite places around here to eat and shop at a couple places they don’t have around Knoxville. 

Oak Harbor #162 Chapter Inspection

Tonight I went to Oak Harbor for their Royal Arch inspection. The started out with dinner and went right into the inspection. This is also the home Chapter of PGHP Keith Green, PGM Charlie Murphy and Grand Marshal Grand Council Rodney Fowler who all participated in the degree. In fact 100% of the parts were done exceptionally well by Oak Harbor Chapter. The High Priest also did the Principal Sojourner.

Khana Shahar\Ormus Grotto Installations

In Springfield tonight we held a joint Installation for two Grotto’s, both of which have a new first time Monarch. They also both have a very aggressive plan for the year to increase membership and social activities.  I also think both will be working closely together this year. 

Unity Chapter Stated Meeting

After changing my plans last night due to the treat of some significant ice on the road, I was glad to be get back on the road. This afternoon was the stated meeting for Unity Chapter with a luncheon prior to the start of the meeting. They had two petitions for dual membership and a couple visitors from Mt. Moriah who are deciding what changes they might make to help their Chapter. 

70 year Award

We travelled out to a nursing home in Urbana to pass out a 70 year plaque for Chapter along with a 70 year for Council and Lodge to William Dern. He was a veterinarian in the Urbana area until he was 90 years old.

Urbana Chapter\Council Stated Meeting

Tonight REC Rick Bielecki and I travelled to Urbana to their stated Chapter\Council Meetings. We both were able to help them out in opening the Chapter. They also had one individual present to receive a 25 year award for Chapter and one to revive a Council service award. They also mentioned they had a community fund raiser for a local high school student in need due to some severe health challenges and raised over $3,700.

Grand Chapter Administration

This week I have several administrative items I need to work into my schedule and I started working on them today. I have several follow up calls and emails to send along with a few planning letters to write. .... still having a great time!

Marysville/Layfette Chapter Inspections

The day started out early in Bellefontaine where they held held two Chapter Inspections. We started out with the Mark Master Degree followed by the Past Master degree. We had 3 candidates for both degrees. MEC Garis Pugh was present along with REC Dan Smith, Grand King and REC Ken Foy, Grand Royal Arch Captain. We also had to deviate a little today as one candidate had some physical challenges which required his father (who was also one of the candidates) to help him negotiate around as needed.

HRAKTP Meeting

This group is made up a very select number of Past Commanders and across the state is around 100 total. We only have one meeting a year in Lima for this group and had room for 5 new members to be brought in today. We also held our elections/installation where I was again installed (4 years down and  6 to go)

Singara Grotto Monarchs Ball

I went to Sandusky Grotto for their Monarchs Ball. (The Monarch is the Grottos presiding officer) they had a James Bond theme with a casino type game area (with no money just chips). They had a great turnout and served a seven course dinner ... all for the low price of $12.50 per person. Oh and did I mention lots of toasts! It was definitely a fun time.

Crystal Chapter #157 Inspection

I went to Bowling Green this evening for their Inspection in the Most Excellent Master for one candidate. MEC Keith Green was also present and helped out with the ritual work. They also had a couple of last minute positions that they needed some last minute substitutes due to cancellations from those originally slated to do the work. Despite this the candidate got a good degree. George Moore came up from Celina outside the district to help them out.

St. Mary’s #51 Chapter Inspection

Tonight Joe Fair and I travelled to St Mary’s to witness the Royal Arch Degree on 6 candidates for their Inspection. REC Dan Smith, Grand King and REC Zel Bush, Grand Master of the 1st Veil were also present. This Chapter was one of the first I attended way back in the 1980’s outside of my District. They have several PDDGHPs who are members here.

60 day mark

The second 30 days I've had about 33 more Masonic events to attend and a little over 5.000 more miles this month. I attended the Grand Chapter of Virginia (at Williamsburg) and Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania and delivered three more 70 year service plaques.  I also been able to attend events for 21 chapters and 17 Inspections so far and still having a great time.

Mt. Moriah Chapter Stated Meeting

Tonight at the stated meeting they discussed how their Chapter was going in the future. After lots of discussion, they finally set on a direction to be voted on at the next stated meeting. The hope is that they will be able to elect a slate of officers and get new members to help them get back on track.

ROJ

Tonight was the Jesters Christmas Party at Antioch Shrine. We told some jokes, had a great dinner and good fellowship. It was nice to see several friend I haven’t seen in a while. But today wasn’t all fun and games as I had lots of other Masonic administration to also take care of.

2nd Division Commandery Christmas Party

Tonight at the Ohio Masonic Home in the shelter was the Division Christmas Observance. We had a nice dinner and after had some singing and toasts followed by fellowship. We finished up early so everyone could head home early. 

Hicksville Chapter #188 Inspection

I started out the day today by attending the Past Master Inspection in Hicksville. For those who are not aware of where Hicksville is located, it is about 40 miles north of Van Wert. They moved right along with the Inspection as they all were then heading to the Past Master's Convocation. It was also good that it got done a little quicker so I could then travel to Xenia for their Chapter Inspection.

Xenia Chapter #36 Inspection

For my second activity of the day I headed to Xenia in my District for their Inspection in the Royal Arch degree. Their candidate was the Grand Chaplain for the Grand Lodge of Ohio. I had to exit early here as I then headed back to Findlay for the Red Cross of Constantine Christmas Party and Installation of officers.

Charlamange Red Cross Constantine

My last event for the day was in Findlay where we had our Christmas dinner and I was installed as the Sovereign. MEC Steve Duncan installed myself and the rest of the officers. Pam was able to attend this time with me. Overall, today was a 3rd time in the past four days where I travelled over 500 miles during the day.

Wooster Chapter #27 Inspection

Well I left from around Philadelphia this morning and headed straight over to Wooster (almost 500 miles) for their Inspection. EC Harry McClarran is again the High Priest and sent me a special invite so I wanted to make it if at all possible. (Afterwards tonight I’m going to stay at Upper Sandusky to shorten my trip to Hicksville in the morning for their Inspection... it’s about way between here and Hicksville) They did a nice job on the Royal Arch degree work and we had refreshments after.

  

Grand Chapter Pennsylvania

Lots of changes this for Pennsylvania. First they now have 2 year terms, second they now meet in a hotel instead of downtown at the Temple in Philadelphia, third they change their bylaws to improve flexibility of dates for Grand Chapter. The savings moving to a hotel are about $155 per person attending per day. They also had an interesting special guest: Dr. Audrey E. Evans who helped start the Ronald McDonald Houses across the country in 1970. This is the charity for the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania. Now off the lunch and Banquet this evening. 

Grand Chapter Pennsylvania

On the road heading to Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania and the van overheated. I’m sitting along the turnpike about 230 miles away waiting on a tow truck to arrive. Luckily I had the phone number for Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania. Hopefully, I can get this fixed without too much cost. Now at the shop and it appears at least the water pump has gone out so I called Pam and her back went out and she can’t move right now. Luckily they were able to fix the issue fairly quickly and for a reasonable amount and Pam has a friend coming over to help her so back on my way to Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania.

Viewing for REC Bill Jones

I was originally heading to Trowel Inspection in Jackson Ohio this evening but cancelled to attend the viewing for REC Bill Jones. Bill was a Past District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 6th District. He also is a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 8th Masonic District and was an officer in our York Rite College. He also was a great help to the Grand Council. He will be missed by all.

Hi 12 Christmas Party

Today at noon we held our annual Hi-12 Christmas Party and Installation. We had a great turnout with over 40 in attendance. The State Officers were in attendance along with several visitors from Hamilton.

Clyde Chapter #90 Inspection

Tonight I travelled north up by Sandusky to Clyde Ohio for the Mark Master Degree located in the 9th District. They did a very nice job on the work and also held a veterans observance program which was very enjoyable. REC Hardwick filled in for the DDGHP and REC John Hooper filled in for the DEO.

On The Road

Well Thanksgiving Day through today we spent in Knoxville with my daughter and her husband. We also picked up our dogs who were vacationing in Knoxville while we went to Williamsburg last week. We watched lots of football and had a nice Thanksgiving dinner. But while it was a nice rest, tomorrow we have several non Masonic activities to do and back on the Masonic visits trail on Monday.

Busy Day

While I might not have made any Masonic Meetings today, it was a very busy day. It was a “catch up day”. I had administrative work for about seven different Masonic groups to get done. In addition, I also had errands to run all over the area and probably put a couple hundred miles on the car doing them. Once all this was done we packed the car to head to my daughters in Knoxville. Surprisingly the traffic on the way done was not as heavy as normal. I guess the high winds either had some traveling earlier or waiting until tomorrow.

New Carlisle Chapter #57 Inspection

Tonight was a Royal Arch degree in the 6th District. This is MEC Bill Berry’s home Chapter and he was there doing a part. REC Joe Fair, Grand Guard, also attended. Unfortunately, REC Seymour, their Secretary and DDGHP for the 6th District was in the hospital with chest pains.The candidate got a good degree and we got done at a reasonable time as they were well prepared to keep the work moving along.

  

Change of plans for today

We made it home from the Grand Commander’s Reception yesterday and I had planned to go to the 4th District Meeting tonight but Pam’s car had an issue on her way home from work and I had to go with her this evening to get it fixed. I guess the good part is that we were going to take her car to Virginia but decided on the van instead.

Grand Commander’s Reception

After leaving Maryland this morning we arrived in Beachwood near Cleveland for the Grand Commanders Reception. Grand officers REC Smith, Hart and Nilsen were also in attendance along with PGHPs Addis, Thomas and Losasso. We had a nice dinner and a few speeches before heading up to the hospitality room. We are also staying the night since Pam and I figured with all the driving over the past few days and many more over the next couple of weeks, I probably shouldn’t push it and rest a little.

  

Day 2 Grand Chapter Virginia

Well the morning was an open session with guests and ladies where they did all the introductions. In the afternoon was the tiled Grand Chapter session where they discussed all their business.  Their opening is quite different and since it was only approved for the Grand Council to be considered a separate organization instead of a part of Grand Chapter a few years ago, they still open in a joint session to conduct business. Unfortunately, I had to leave after this session so I can be back in Cleveland tomorrow for the Grand Commander's Reception.

Day 1 Grand Chapter Virginia

Today was a slow day and almost everything starts tomorrow so we decided to head to Old Colonial . Williamsburg. We had lunch at an old colonial style place which was very good. We also saw the old Masonic Temple where I got a picture of me seated out front. After lots of walking (and lots of breaks while doing it) we headed back to the hotel to rest. However, late tonight we had excitement as the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building.

 

Heading to Grand Chapter Virginia

Well drove most of the day (about 600 miles) to end up in Williamsburg Virginia to attend the Virginia Grand Chapter. I’ve met their current Grand High Priest at several states over the past year. The only bad part is I have to leave Friday before the Grand Banquet so I can get back for the Grand Commander of Ohio Reception Saturday. Now time to get some rest so I can get up to attend activities starting tomorrow.

Wapakoneta Chapter #183 Inspection

Tonight my Grand Aide Joe Fair and I went to the Most Excellent Master Inspection in Wapakoneta. They had 6 candidates (one of the pictures I've added) with 3 being Active Military personnel. They did a nice job on the degree work and kept things moving so we could get home at a reasonable hour.

Dayton Hi 12 Club Meeting

We had our bi-monthly meeting today and visitor with us who is a Past International President of Hi-12. His wife was our speaker, talking about guardianship. It was a very important and interesting subject. We also finalized plans for the Christmas party in December.

Northwest #45 Chapter Inspection

This morning I headed up to the most northwestern part of the state of Ohio to Bryan Ohio for a Chapter Inspection. My Grand Aide, Joe Fair travelled with me and Past Grand High Priest Keith Green was also present. It was a shame the candidate couldn't be there this morning for the Inspection as he would have been impressed with the work put on this morning in the Mark Master Degree.