Grotto Ceremonial

Tonight we brought in 5 new members for 3 different Grotto's at the Springfield Masonic Temple.  Despite having several last minute cancellations, many due to the recent tornadoes, I thought things worked out great. One of the five I signed up who had family who belonged in years past. We also had a few State and Supreme officers present.

2nd District PDDGHP meeting

Well I was happy when I finally made my way through the maze of Dayton traffic and whatever was going on in Troy to make it to St Mary’s nearly an hour and half later than expected. Luckily I had planned be there over an hour early so I was only a few minutes late.we talked through the method which will be used along with the reasoning I used. I then asked all questions and concerns they had at this time. Getting home was much easier and quicker than the ride up.

Haly Stated Meeting and 1st District Meeting

I headed north to Napoleon this evening for a stated meeting and District meeting afterwards. The stated meeting was short but the visitors present allowed them to have a "legal" meeting this evening. It was also good to hear this small Chapter of 23 members may have 2 or 3 candidates in the pipeline. After their meeting the District met. They discussed the District business and I discussed the 1st/8th District merger and answered their questions. Before leaving, we had something to eat.

Bellaire #107 150 year celebration

Today the Grand Officers traveled to Bellaire (5 minutes from West Virginia) to reconsencrate their Chapter. There were several of their members present and some assisted with the ceremony. Afterwords, we had some good food they prepared for us. I can also verify (can several others who attended today) the police were out in force on the highways but luckily none of us personally met any of them. 

Grand Chapter Planning

Today we headed to Northwest Ohio to determine if a winery in that area would meet the demands for one of our fun wine outings for next year. We visited Sycamore Lake in Columbus Grove and it checked off all the boxes; size, selection, atmosphere and ease to find. Pam and I had a nice time with the Clatterbuck’s as we now have 3 of the five locations chosen: Northwest, Columbus and Southeastern.

KYCH Meeting

Tonight at Houston’s restaurant near Mason we held our May KYCH Meeting. I like eating here as it is one of the only places I know that serves frogs legs. They also have an outstanding salad bar. We had an interesting talk on Prince Hall Masonry. After a few questions, we ended with prayer and headed home. (I had to mention the prayer since I’m the Chaplain)

Khana Shahar Grotto Meeting

Tonight I was at the Stated Grotto meeting in Springfield. Since I had another non Masonic meeting there tonight I decided to attend their meeting. We also discussed a Ceremonial we are having with them and Oola Khan from Cincinnati on the 31st. We discussed who was doing what parts and tried to make sure all parts were covered. 

Scioto Chapter #119 Stated meeting

Tonight  I headed to Kenton to attend the Stated Chapter Meeting. Unfortunately no one else decided to attend and I was here by myself. Not the first time this has occurred in Kenton. Oh well guess I’ll be home early.

1st District PDDGHP Meeting

Tonight I met in Defiance with the PDDGHPs to discuss their upcoming merger with the 8th District. We covered several concerns they had  with the merger along with discussing how they will proceed with the merger process. It was good to hear their issues prior to the District meeting we have with the entire District next week. I am confident they will make every effort to make this merger a success and ensure they don’t lose their identity.

Batavia Chapter #112 Reconsecration

I headed back to the Cincinnati area today for the 150th reconsecration of Batavia Chapter. They provided us with a nice lunch and we found out they actually might be much older as they originally were chartered in 1821 but had to give up their charter for a few years. The 150 years is the anniversary of getting their charter back and have met ever since then.

 

Grand Kings Program -Cleveland

Last night, I headed up to Cleveland so I would be ready for the 16,17&20 District Grand Kings Presentation this morning. They had a nice attendance for this early morning  event. Our Grand High Priest and GM2V were also in attendance. As soon as I finished I got on the road to head to Cincinnati for their program this afternoon.

Cincinnati Grand Kings Program

In Cincinnati they held their Grand Kings Program and Grand High Priest Reception. They had a good turnout for a well planned but full afternoon and evening. When I arrived they were finishing up a school of instruction. We then moved into the Grand Kings Program. After that the had dinner followed by the presentation of awards and a talk by the Grand High Priest. The evening finished with a jazz trio for entertainment. MWB Norm Mick and MWB Mike Himes along with MEC Kermit Zimmerman were among several distinguished guests.

 

Ormus Grotto Stated

Tonight was our monthly stated Grotto Meeting. We discussed the recent OGA Meeting and what came out of it. We also prepared for our full form ceremonial on the 31st with Springfield.  We also discussed the Supreme meeting in June and the excessive amount of legislation being proposed some of which would basically put most Grottos out of business if passed.

Bryan Chapter/Council/Commandery Stated Meetings

Tonight I went to Bryan where they held their stated meetings for Chapter, Council and Commandery. The turnout was not great but they did have the Presiding officers of each present and where able to complete a slate of officers for the next year. They also covered the necessary topics in each and we had some very enjoyable discussions.

ROJ Dinner

Tonight a group of members from Antioch Shrine ROJ got together for dinner and fellowship at the Dayton Hollywood Casino. The food was really good and it was nice to be able to just sit around and fellowship. There were about 20 present.

Grand Kings Program

Yesterday, I headed up to the Warren Ohio area to stay as I had the Grand Kings Program to do early this morning. Since the Grotto Association was meeting close by, I stayed in their Host Hotel and spent the evening in the Hospitality room. I then early this morning, headed to the Warren Temple and presented the program. They also went over their Inspection schedule for the upcoming year. I then headed out for the next activity today.

Ohio Grotto Association Meeting

This afternoon in Youngstown was the Ohio Grotto Zine Conference Meeting. We had a decent attendance of both Grottos and members. Past Grand Monarch Bernie Mitchell was able to make it who hasn’t been doing well and is almost 91 along with 3 other Past Grand Monarchs.  2 received their roadrunner awards for attending all Grottos within the association. We covered several topics including the Supreme Session to be held this summer before I head to Athens.

 

13th District Grand High Priest Reception

Tonight was the reception for our Grand High Priest in Athens. We had the Grand Captain of the Host, Grand Scribe and Grand King also in attendance. They also gave every lady a rose in honor of Mother’s Day this weekend. Our Grand High Priest, Ross Black gave a few words after dinner and we all headed home.

 

Georgia Grand Chapter -Day 2

Today was the second day for Grand Chapter and they went through the business and elected new Grand Officers and Installed them. Some points of note... only Grand officers wear aprons and member don’t need too wear one during session, they proclaimed a member as an honorary Past Grand High Priest who presided while the GHP did his address, they have around 3,200 members but if they continue on current rate of loss they would be out of business in 7 years. Now I head back to my daughters tonight and then back home tomorrow.

Grand Chapter Georgia

I spent most of my day yesterday on my way to Macon Georgia for the Grand Chapter session. Today was the joint York Rite session where they received guests and presented awards. The rest of today is dedicated to Grand Council and Grand Commandery with the Grand Chapter session in the morning. The turnout wasn’t too bad with lots of dignitaries to introduce. Today I took pictures of the facilities and tomorrow I’ll take pictures of the people.

2/3 District GM Class

Today was our GM Class in Dayton with around 200 new members being raised today. I spoke on behalf of the York Rite to the class and introduced them to each body, their degrees and charities. It was nice that we were included in this effort and hopefully we will get some new York Rite members as well. My Lodge had 10 join and I heard at least 6 have expressed interest in becoming a York Rite Mason. Scottish Rite And Shrine also spoke with all three of us reminding them they will never be more of a Mason than after the 3rd Degree, the other groups just afford them the opportunity to learn more about Masonry.

Antioch Potentates Ball

Tonight was the Potentates Ball for Antioch and we attended the Las Vegas themed event and to celebrate May the fourth be with you party. We also got a to meet and get a signed photo from the girl who was the Silent Messenger girl from the 1960’s who is in the famous Shriners Silent Messenger picture.

  

3rd District Activities

Tonight in Miamisburg we had three activities for the District. First we started out with feeding everyone present. Next, the DDGHPs and DEOs went through their programs to let the Chapters know what will be expected from them at Inspection. We the held our District Meeting and gave out awards along with electing and installing new officers. We finished the evening with the Grand Kings Program. Due to a dedicated effort to keep things moving we finished before 9pm. Pictures to follow.