Grand Chapter Planning

Tonight we had a meeting to make sure the District Officers, DDGHPs and DEOs were all on the same page for the events for the next couple of months. We also finalized the process of getting the items to be handed out at Grand Chapter finalized and ready for distribution. I thought it was a very productive meeting and all should now be on the same page for a smooth transition.

Local York Rite Planning

Over the past week, I've been very busy with finalizing many of the plans for Grand Chapter 2019-20. Tonight all the local York Rite bodies met to discuss the schedules for each next year to help avoid as many conflicts as possible. In general, this year the conflicts had been resolved prior to this meeting as we had been sharing information over the past couple months. 

Chapter Planning Meeting

It seems like for every hour a meeting/event is supposed to be it requires 10 hours of planning. Today we spent over 3 hours confirming plans we have already made on three actives.  We were able to accomplish a lot.

Dayton Area York Rite Picnic

This afternoon the local York Rite groups met for a Picnic in West Carrollton at a Park. This has been an annual event for years (at this same park for probably 20 years) and despite the very hot weather we had a decent crowd. The 3rd District supplied the meat and drinks while the 3rd Arch brought buns, table service and corn on the cob. There was lots of socializing until the sky started to cloud up up followed by thunder and lightning. Most got to their cars before it started to pour. 

DDGHP/DEO School

In Delaware, Ohio, this morning I attended the training session for our next years leaders. REC Dan Smith and his team are training the DEOs and REC Ron Hart and team are training the DDGHPs. I'm glad we are doing this early so both the DDGHPs amd DEOs will be ready to make a smooth transition into the next year come October.

Ohio DeMolay Conclave

Today was a major day for Ohio DeMolay in Columbus. We held the Legion of Honor Ceremony and the Masonic Recognition but also significant as Dad Martin Woodworth passed the baton to Dad Jeff Rannebarger as the new Executive officer for Ohio DeMolay. It was 10 years ago that I chose Dad Woodworth to be my successor as Executive Officer. I was nice that he was able to service with his sons as State Master Councilor and State Scribe during his final year.

 

Day Off

I took today off as Pam had her first eye surgery to correct a cataract and glaucoma.   While I took care of several emails and phone calls for Masonic purposes, she is fairly limited on what she can do the next couple of weeks so I either need to be her or have a person helping her. So far though things are going well for her.

Ormus Grotto

Yesterday, I worked on the minutes and the Treasurers information for our Grotto meeting this evening. For our small Grotto, we had a great attendance tonight with 8 in attendance. We discussed all the necessary business and potentially planned an outing at Valley Vineyards on October 4th. We also discussed when we thought our fall Ceremonial might be held.

Maggie Valley Get Together

Well after starting the day very earl I go to where the first event was supposed to be with 8 other people but apparently they had the location incorrect and one of the guys buddy did a Facebook check-in so we figured out where it really was located. We all got there as it was getting ready to start. After some very good motivational speakers, we broke for lunch. Since the next thing was at the Masonic Maggie Valley Memorial Marker I decided to head up to it and take some pictures before everyone got there which I did. I also decided the humidity and bugs were too bad to stay too long. I did have some excitement as a bear ran out in front of my car but I didn’t hit it and it got back into the woods before I could get a picture. There were people from 19 states and about 160 total in attendance. Tonight we have dinner and entertainment. 

Maggie Valley North Carolina

Every year the York Rite in North Carolina holds a special activity eat a Masonic Memorial which is actually their biggest event of the year. I decided to attend the festivities this year for one day (tomorrow). I headed down to Tennessee to stay the night at my daughters since it is about 2 hours from the activity. I’ll then spend the night at her house again tomorrow and then leave to come back home on Tuesday. Maybe next year I’ll be able to attend the entire multi-day event.

Grand King's Program

Well today was my final Grand King's Program in Logan, Ohio for the 13th and 14th Districts. While the crowd might now have been huge, they  had a number of good questions and seemed very engaged in the whole discussion. We started a little late as someone (not to mention names Rod Carr) was a few minutes late getting to the Lodge but we were still able to finish up in plenty of time. 

Dayton Temple Directory

Today I met with Randy Clark and Bob Davis to discuss the possibility of creating a Dayton Temple Directory for all those who belong to Lodge, Chapter, Council or Commandery in the Dayton Temple. We would also include if the belong to the Valley of Dayton. We are looking at a fairly aggressive timeline to try to get the project completed. We worked out many of the details and now it is up to me to make it happen.

DeMolay Scholarship Meeting

Today I headed to Cincinnati to attend our annual Scholarship board meeting. This is where we meet and discuss all in Ohio DeMolay who have applied for a Scholarship through the DeMolay Scholarship Foundation. There were several very qualified applicants this year. Those receiving it will get a nice sum to help with College tuition.

Special York Rite Meeting

My day started this morning headed to the Shrine for a Greeters Meeting which I found out when I got there was cancelled. I then went to work at the USO volunteering when I figured out I left my badge and ID to get on the base in my car in Knoxville. (Luckily the Center lead was able to help me with this issue) I was then going to do a volunteer Hospice Visit and figured out that ID was also in my car. The only good news for a major part of the day was they determined the main problem for my car and sent it out to be fixed. Unfortunately, they indicated there may also be a second issue which they won’t know for sure about until they fix the first issue. I then headed down to Wilmington where they discussed the fate of their York Rite. The main core of leaders and ritualistically showed up but unfortunately that was all that showed up. They ended up split on the merge or try some different ideas but did agree they need to be ready to make a recommendation come September. They have seven super dedicated guys for all the York Rite and about 3 others who would be there as well but are working an insane number of hours right now. I could feel their love for all the York Rite but also their desperation on being “burned out” as almost all have served each body multiple times as the presiding officer.

Interesting Week

Well as I indicated we had to had the car worked on between DeMolay International in KC and Nashville but still were able to make it in time for the Imperial Session in Nashville. Next we headed to my daughters in Knoxville where I ran into a different problem and had to have the brakes on one wheel replaced. I thought I was done but ran into another issue and have to leave it in Knoxville to get fixed again. While most of this has been some “normal maintenance” items, not sure about the last issue. Luckily my son-in-law is heading north and Brought us back to Dayton though a 4-5 hr drive turned into a 9 hr drive with the traffic issues we encountered. And my daughter is coming back this coming Friday and can bring the car back after it is fixed and then we will all head back to Knoxville next Sunday as I’m going to Maggie Valley York Rite event about two hours from her house on the 15th. Hopefully this week they will get the issues fixed but I’ll have to drive our second car this week.

Shrine Imperial

Well we’re  getting old fast. Just a few years ago here in Nashville we went to every establishment on Broadway. Tonight we made it one, had drinks and an appetizer and left to  pick up dinner to eat at where we were staying and then went to bed. During the session there were some interesting votes. GM Jess Raines was also there.