Denbrook DeMolay Installation

Tonight I headed to Berea with Greg Fyffe (State Senior Deacon) and Eric Lovingshimer (State Marshall)from Ralph H. McMillan Chapter for the Denbrook DeMolay Installation. This was the Installation for the son of our Executive Officer Martin Woodworth. Due to lots of advanced planning and communications, they had around 150 in attendance. The International Master Councilor, Robert Laing did the installation and they had numerous distinguished guests present including several Past State Master Councilors, most of the Governors, almost all State Officers, DeMolay International members and Masonic dignitaries including our Grand High Priest. Afterwards they had a great feast for all in attendance. Overall it was one set of proud parents and a new Master Councilor in Brady Woodworth ready for a very successful term.

Minerva Lodge

Tonight I attended my stated Lodge meeting and while the meeting was fairly straightforward we did discuss our food drive, latest Christmas Party and a couple of other community related projects we are working on. It makes me proud that my Lodge is trying to improve our building and also making a difference in the community.

Merry Christmas

Taking a few days off and wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS

3rd District Chapter School

This morning was the final 3rd District Chapter School for the year in West Carrollton and despite the closeness to Christmas, we had a decent attendance. REC Greg Clatterbuck was our presenter and gave a very interesting talk with new information outside what can be found in the Chapter Management manual. PGHPs Steve Duncan and Jerry Crawford were both in attendance. We also had a nice discussion on how we can recognize/communicate better with our widows. MEC Steve Duncan brought up some of the challenges we have working around the Governmental privacy laws.

Ormus/Khana Shahar Grotto Installation

This evening was the installation for the Grotto and it was held as a joint installation in Springfield. Our new Monarch at Ormus is Skip Vanderhorst and our new first time officer is RWB Keith Newton, Grand Senior Deacon. While thee Grotto is smaller in numbers it definitely doesn't lake when it comes to having fun as they held several fun events after the installation. We learned Keith and his wife are not bad golfers. We learned Bill Parmer is not always full of hot air. And most of all we learned that it is sometimes better to take than to receive. I will explain no more but rather leave it to your imagination for the games which were played.

Rabboni Chapter 232 Inspection

This past evening was the inspection for Rabboni Chapter in Fairborn. They were being inspected in the Mark Master degree and we had a good crowd of just at 50 present. PGHP George Shell was in attendance along with several PDDGHPs. It was really good to see Rabboni Chapter have a nice inspection as they have struggled a little over the past few years as many of their long time members/cast members have passed away. This is the last Chapter Inspection that I'm aware of in the state for 2013 so the next one is a couple of weeks away.

Past Master's Convocation

Tonight was the postponed session of the Past Master's Convocation for the 2nd Masonic District. Since it was done all in one evening instead of a while day, it had to be slightly condensed. I sat through the instructional session of the meeting and heard much about the programs and expectations for the year. We then proceeded into the actual Past Master section of the meeting. Very shortly after starting I got a text from my wife indicating we had an emergency and I needed to call her immediately. I was able to leave the meeting and found out they had sent my daughter to the emergency room with a potential concussion. (She had been feeling bad the past couple of days after a fall on the ice so we had taken her into a clinic where they instructed us to take her directly to the emergency room.) Needless to say, I immediately left and met them at the emergency room where after some checking they determined they felt she did not have a concussion but rather a virus of some type which was causing balance and sleep problems. Hopefully, they have a correct diagnosis and she will be better soon.

Grand Master's One Day Class

Today Chester Burton and myself met to finalize some of the decisions about how the Chapter portion will be held so information can be distributed out to the DDGHPs shortly after the beginning of the year. We also discussed which districts are already well on their way to being prepared for the event vs those who still need a little assistance. We also discussed how we can get the other committee members more involved and further communications with all involved in the activity. Overall, it proved to be a productive meeting. Now off the the Past Master's convocation this evening in Middletown.

Valley Commandery Christmas Observance

Tonight was our annual Christmas Observance and toast from each of the various masonic bodies. It is an event which I try to attend if at all possible. It is a little more laid back evening where we reflect some on the past year, look forward to the next year and remember those who we lost in the past year. Other than Inspection, it is often one of the better attended events at the Commandery. 

Cabiri Christmas Party

With the weather changing the originally plan dates along with other conflicts, this year I've unfortunately been able to attend only this Shrine Christmas party. (In talking with the Potentate, it has been tough on even the Divan to make many as the weather has postponed many to the point where they are having to hold 5-6 on a single evening ... and not at the same locations). I'm hoping this is not an indication of what the winter is going to have in store this year but I won't bet on it. I heard that the meeting Saturday in Delaware for the training session went well but that we may have some follow up to make sure all are using the same version of the peculiar stone skit. Well I guess if everything were going smooth I would have to wonder what I was missing!