District/Grand Session Planning

Tonight the District Officers and Deputies got together to Discuss the upcoming meeting this Friday and the current state of Grand Chapter Year 2019-20 Planning. We did come up with a couple items which we need to do some additional planning to get resolved. In addition, we started putting together sets of my pins which the Grand Aides will be selling next year for $10 a set with all proceeds going to the Royal Arch Foundation. These sets will include the pins I had created for each of the years while I was traveling through line along with the pin for 2019-20.

Several 6th District Events

Today in Marysville were several events for the District which were held. The first event was the King's Program where I presented my program for next year. Next they held a District Meeting and we finished the day with the Grand High Priest Reception. Today a couple of my officers for next year, Dennie Fitzgerald and Rick Bielicki. traveled with myself and Pam to these events. MEC Garis Pugh and Grand Recorder for Grand Commandery Al Johnson were also in attendance. We had a good turnout for each of the events and all present seemed to participate during the activities. They also passed out awards for the District. And I also got a "Captain Morgan" moment from our Grand High Priest before he took a pie in the face for the Royal Arch Foundation. 

Valley of Dayton Reunion

Today was the Spring reunion where several new candidates joined the Scottish Rite in the Martin Trent Class, named after current Grand Commander and Past Sovereign Prince. I could only stay for the morning degrees so I could get to Hillsboro in time to perform my first Grand King's program.

Grand King's Program 5th District

Today was my first Grand King's program in the 5th District MEC Keith O'Dell and REC Ryan Adams were both in attendance. REC Dan Smith was also attending and he presented an Education program after I finished and we heard a few words from REC Zel Bush who is recommended person from Grand Chapter to join the Grand Line next year. One of my Grand Aides for next year, if elected, Dennie Fitzgerald also attended with me today.

Miami Valley York Rite College

Tonight was our annual meeting and we had elections and Installation of new officers. I was honored to be installed as Governor or presiding officer this evening. Grand Principal Sojourner, Ron Hart Sr., was also installed as an officer. Grand Governor, Dennis Wilhelmina served as the installing officer.

Khana Shahar Grotto Stated

Tonight I started out at a non-Masonic meeting and then attended the Grotto located there to cover a couple items with Marty Trent for installation tomorrow at our York Rite College when I go in as the Governor for them. They were having their Spring Inspection tonight after a dinner prior to the meeting.

Van Wert York Rite Stated meetings

Tonight Van Wert held their stated Chapter, Council and Commandery meetings. Each meeting was held separately. I  attended all three which were all ran very efficiently. They covered just the necessary business due to a small number of members present which allowed me to get home at a reasonable hour.

Back Home

After taking a few days off for Easter and going to Knoxville to be with our daughter and her finance, we are back home. We had a nice time and it was nice to get be able to get away from everything for a few days. We also spent the day Saturday in n Gatlinburg with them and then in the evening went out for everyone’s birthday which were all in March.

Ormus Grotto Inspection

Tonight was our Inspection for our Grotto and we passed. As Secretary, most was on me and since the Monarch was on vacation, I had to do the opening/closing for him. We are a small but mighty group and were able to cover all the parts for both the opening and closing. 

Another Planning Meeting

Today Pam and I had an administrative planning meeting with Greg and Kathy Clatterbuck to discuss specific dates for activities for next year and to get the information on the reception in October finalized so it can be sent out around May 1st. We also discussed how logistically we would do passing out various items such as pins and other materials for next year so we can let the folks doing it know at our district planning meeting in a couple weeks.

2020 planning day

Today was a planning day for some outings for 2020 which I’m planning for Grand Chapter. One will work great for a Grand Officers meeting at Buckeye Lake while the other will make a great social outing for the Columbus area. The Buckeye Lake location is right on the lake where we could sit outside overlook the lake while discussing some long term Grand Chapter business. The social location is in Grove City and the owner is a Mason.  More information will be out at Grand Chapter.

 

5th District GHP Reception

Today at Circleville they held a reception for the Grand High Priest. After a good meal we retired to the lodge room where they presented award and the Grand High Priest gave a few words.They also inducted Joe Shilling DDGHP as the Captain of the Gravy Boat, You'll have to ask him...I'm sure he'll be happy to explain. REC Ryan Adams was also present along with PGHP Don Losasso and Jean Justice. Since the reception was held a couple hours earlier than it often is, we were able to get home at an early hour.

Adoniram Council SEM Inspection

Tonight my Council held their Inspection in the SEM Degree. I played Nebuchadnezzar for the Degree. Prior to the meeting we held our annual fish fry. There were over 75 in attendance including the ladies. I thought it was a good evening for the several candidates we had for the Degree.

Wilmington Chapter #63 Inspection

Tonight was the final Inspection for our District in the Royal Arch Degree. This was originally planned for January but the weather caused it to be delayed. The turnout wasn’t great but they did a good job with the ritual work. It was also obvious that thought the Chapter has been having some difficulty they have been opening as required.

ROJ luncheon

Today I meet with several folks in a group I belong to at the Shrine. We had a decent turnout and good food. We told some jokes and stories and then headed home. I planned to come back this evening for the Antioch Stated Meeting but unfortunately started not feeling so well when I was getting ready to leave and instead went in and rested for a couple hours. I think it may have been something I ate reacting with my stomach as I later seemed to feel much better. Hopefully, I will feel better tomorrow.

Circus Parking Final Day 4

After 3 more shows today and around 500 total hours of work we are done parking cars for another year. Hopefully with the number of cars we parked over the 8 shows we will do fairly well on the pay for doing the parking. I'm fairly tired and I sure Pam, Greg Clatterbuck and Dennie Fitzgerald are as well we all worked every show. We also had many who worked multiple shows. In all, we had lots to step up and help out and I am most thankful for all the support. Personally, I think 4 days of working to raise the money for the year is well worth it. 

Circus Parking Day 3

Today we had 3 shows to park cars and it started at 8AM in Xenia and we got home around 9 PM. 3 more shows tomorrow to finish it out for another year. The flow of cars seemed fairly steady and at least the last two shows had lots of car to park with the first show being several hundred from the schools. Luckily the rain held off today though not sure it will be the case for tomorrow.

Circus Parking day 2

Well the second day is done and many more cars tonight than last night. I do think, however, we stayed ahead of the game and got everyone parked successfully. The next two days, however, will be 3 shows each day so it will be a long next two days.

Shrine Circus

Tonight was our first night of fund raising at the Circus for our Chapter District at a new venue. Everything went fairly smooth though we did have to make some last minute adjustments. We had a great turnout of workers and have all shifts fairly well filled. Hopefully the next three days will also go well.

Lots of Items Getting Done

Today, I was able to get almost all of the rest of the notes sent that I need to prepare for next year out. My banner came in the mail and my main items for the reception are now in production. The rest of all my pins for next year have also now arrived. This will allow work to begin for another project for next year and dates for investigating and holding some special events next year are almost finalized.

Marion Chapter/Council Stated Meetings

Tonight I went to Marion Ohio and attended the stated meeting for Chapter and Council. They opened both individually as they should and held two full meetings. They have some cool looking candles which are electric but function as if they are real candles. (The picture does not do it justice.) On the back wall (as one picture shows) they have two Past Grand Illustrious Masters apron/jewel and one Past Grand High Priest. I couldn't tell who they belonged to as the light was reflecting of each brass name plate.

Hi-12 Meeting

For lunch today, I went to the Hi-12 meeting in Dayton where we had 2 speakers, one before lunch and one after lunch. Before lunch, we had a speaker of the Dayton School systems and youth at risk. After lunch, our speaker was the new Montgomery County Sheriff who discussed the challenges at the Montgomery County jail and how they are dealing with those challenges. Both were interesting discussions with new details of each most of us where not aware.

TCL Miamisburg

Tonight I went to the Tall Cedars of Lebanon meeting in Miamisburg before heading to Dayton. We had a relatively good turnout of members as we have started meeting in Miamisburg before the Commandery meeting. We also had a visitor of our District Deputy at the meeting. 

3rd District DeMolay 100th Anniversary

Tonight the 3rd DeMolay District performed the DeMolay degree in honor of the first initiation for DeMolay 100 years ago. They had 7 candidates and many adults to witness this historic event.
It was also nice to see some new DeMolay Advisors for the Dayton DeMolay Chapter in attendance.