10th Capitular District Grand High Priest Reception

Tonight my Grand Marshal Greg Clatterbuck and our wives traveled to Mansfield where they held their GHP at a new venue.  Social distancing was easy as the room probably held 300. We started off with a very good meal and dessert. It was a very nice location and may end up as their new site to hold this event in the future. They presented us with a couple of nice gifts, one being the Copper Kettle which has been given to the sitting Grand High Priest for around 25 years.

Herman Lawrence #82 AMD Meeting

Tonight I zoomed in to my AMD meeting and we had 10 present at the meeting.we covered all the necessary business and had a moment of silent for our one death. We had a few discussions on various subjects and closed at a decent hour. 

Earl Gorsuch Funeral

Today was the Masonic funeral for Earl Gorsuch. They had a very nice service for him and considering the current health situation, a very good turnout. Since Earl was active with multiple Lodges, there were 3 different Lodges participating in the service. PGHPs George Shell and Steve Duncan were present as was a Grand Lodge officer. This year Grand Marshal for Grand Chapter, Greg Clatterbuck, did the lead part in the service today with it being his first time doing the part and he did a very nice job on it.

Millenium AMD #382 Stated Meeting

I was happy to return to this Council which I helped institute 20 years ago. I installed the new Sovereign Master (delayed due to the COVID-19 Situation), listened to a nice education program and saw a new member brought in to membership. They called on me for a few comments and will all departed for home at a reasonable hour.

Valley Commandery Zoom Meeting

Tonight we held a special meeting to allow Claude Siebel to join us. He has had lots of health challenges over the past couple of years and has gone on dialysis 3 days a week and unable to leave the facility he is in (except for treatments for most of that timeframe. He is a PDDGHP of the 3rd District and it was good to hear from him as he still isn’t allowed visitors.

Grand Officer Meeting

Tonight we had an online Grand Officer Meeting and discussed a few immediate issues including our Grand Session. I thought it was a productive meeting and we got input from several different Grand Officers.  I’m glad to get feedback from the Grand Officers especially when difficult situations need addressed so I have multiple viewpoints to help make a decision. 

Charlemagne Red Cross Constantine

Today we held our annual picnic and brought in two new members. First, however we had an excellent meal at the Findlay Masonic Temple. Our Intendant General Steve Duncan was there and gave us some information on upcoming events. We elected our new officers for next year which means I’ll be going out at Sovereign... yeh!

Earl Gorsuch

At the Grand reception this past October we handed out a 75 year award along with Grand Council to Earl Gorsuch. Unfortunately, today I learned he has passed away at 99. Earl was a Charter member of  my Commandery and had moved away from Miamisburg shortly afterwards to the Hillsboro area where he went through the Masonic bodies and became a KYCH. When he moved back to the area in the late 80’s, he expressed a desire to go through Commandery in Miamisburg which I was able to appoint him to line where he later became Commander of our Commande

Khana Shahar Stated

Tonight I went to the stated meeting of Khana Shahar after I took care of some other required business in Springfield. They had a great turnout with around 16 present including several brought in just about a week ago. Everyone was seated around the room to allow for social distancing with all in masks except those who had medical reasons for not wearing one. 

Grand Officer Meeting

Tonight on ZOOM we held a meeting to discuss Grand Chapter and how to allow Chapters to involve those who have petitioned, voted on and approved but has not yet received degrees. (Right now no Chapter degrees are allowed to be portrayed). We settled on a change which I will be issuing a new Edict to allow Chapters to get those noted above active while they are waiting on degree work. 

REC Jeff Humble

I received notice today that REC Jeff Humble had passed away. He is a past Grand Chaplain Grand Chapter Ohio and past Grand Necrologist as well. As a PDDGHP of the 5th District and active member of a couple Chapters continued to work to help out the5th District. He will be missed. 

7th District Hog Roast/GHP Reception

Today we were in Findlay for the annual GHP Reception. They had a great meal along with a speaker on Adopt America. they also held their annual silent auction. I won the high bid on the two items wrapped in GHP paper. I didn’t mind driving up and back with some rain along the way. I’m especially glad we got some of the rain back home.
  
 

Logan Kings Program/wine Outing

Today was the Grand Kong’s Program in Logan Ohio and afterwards the first wine outing at the Hocking Hills Winery. We had several at both events practicing the state requirements at both events. This was held for the 13/14th Capitular District and Southeastern Ohio.  Grand Officers REC Ryan Adams, REC Rid Carr and REC Dan Smith were all in attendance along with Grand Marshall REC Greg Clatterbuck. As a reminder stay safe and enjoy life.

Grand Kings Program

 Tonight the 3rd district held their Grand Kong’s program with REC Dan Smith. REC Joe Shilling was also with him. from our District MEC Duncan and Shell were both present. We had pizza and drinks (following all state requirements) and then REC Dan Smith presented his program and answers . questions. Everyone was able to leave before 9 to head home.

Grandma Memorial Service

Today I did the memorial service for my grandmother on what would have been her 99th birthday. Several family members were in attendance along with a couple from the church. Grandma lives a long life and around February of this year stopped responding at all. Right before she passed she was in pain and still was able to communicate. While you hate to lose a loved one sometimes you know it is a better situation for them when they pass.

Grand Session Meeting

Today we attended a ZOOM conference with The Grand Council Recorder and the Great Wolf facility. We got a few outstanding questions answered and soon should get the final meal prices. Unfortunately at this time the seating arrangements for banquet dictated by the state has not changed. They are however hoping for a change prior to October. 

Ormus and Khana Shahar Grotto Ceremonial

Tonight we held what I believe was a historical event. Our two Grotto brought in 17 new members between our Grottos (with one coming also from Achbar). 11 (plus one brought in on dual membership for a total of 12 ) were from Ormus. This represents a 40 percent increase in our membership. The class was also named for the Grand Master and Grand High Priest (me) who are both members and Past Monarchs of Ormus Grotto. We had 41 present including our Grand Monarch and State OGA President. While we had to slightly alter some of the short form ceremonial to conform with social distancing, we stayed safe by requiring masks while inside as

well. 

  

5th District Kong’s Program & GHP Reception

Today we headed to Chillicothe for a couple of events in the 5 th District. After listening to REC Dan Smith’s program we had a nice dinner. We then passed out awards for the District and I said a few words. They also presented us with some gifts nnd made a donation to the Royal Arch Foundation. It was a nice event but I wish back home we could have gotten some of the rain we drove through on the way to and from Chillicothe.

Imperial Shrine Session

Today I am attending the Virtual Session of the Imperial Shrine as a member of the Colorado Corporation (or the Hospital Portion of the Shriners).  This is definitely unique and a first in the history of the Shrine. It seems to be working well. This is supposed to be my final session as a Colorado Corporation member. It appears they thought this out well to be able to handle a much reduced (only absolutely necessary business of elections and installations).

Ohio DeMolay Scholarship Foundation

Today I went to the board meeting where we were able to recommend several young men for the Ohio DeMolay Scholarship. It is often almost unbelievable the accomplishments (academic, athletics and volunteer service) these young men have achieved. It makes one see just how positive an influence the Order of DeMolay can be on a young man. It always make me proud when I hear these accomplishments and happy to have been associated with this great organization for nearly 45 years.

Warren Chapter/Bigelow Council Stated

Tonight my Grand Aide, Dennie Fitzgerald and I traveled to Newark Ohio where they held their elections and installation for each group. I installed the Chapter Officers and Randy Williams installed the Council officers. This is the home Chapter of REC Mark Bruns, Grand Master Second Veil. It was a great day for a drive and felt good to be out traveling farther than just in my area.

Sad Day

Today my passed away. She was 98 and would have made in to 99 in a couple of weeks .She was almost a 75 year member of Eastern Star. For the past three years she hasn’t really been able to communicate with anyone coherently and rarely opened her eyes but at least until February if this year would do something to recognize she knew you were there (usually squeezing your hand or  saying something incoherent). I think for her personally, her own passing was a blessing.

Happy July 4th

Well we had planned to be headed to my daughters in Knoxville today but that has been delayed as she thought it was best to wait since she was just returning from Florida. I had looked forward to the trip but she might be right on waiting a couple of weeks before visiting her. We are staying home and getting some items done which were needed and we had been putting off doing.

3rd District Officers Meeting

Tonight we held a meeting of the District Leadership team. We covered three major topics: our up coming Grand Kings School, District Picnic and Grand Chapter. Luckily everyone was quickly onboard for each discussion so the meeting didn’t last forever. I think we got everyone’s questions answered at this point but the ever change current situation means probably something we decided will have to be redone.