Grand High Priest Reception 16th District

Yesterday morning I started out the day by heading to West Milton for the viewing of Bill Broomhall's wife who passed away this week. Bill has been very dedicated to the Grotto but even more so to his wife who unfortunately for about the past 20 years has been confined to a wheelchair. Over the past few years he made sure she had the needed care at the doctors multiple times every week. They truly had a great life together. Next I headed north to Cleveland for the GHP Reception/Ball. Almost every grand officer was present with the exception of one with a Masonic conflict and one who thought he would rather be in the 83 degree Arizona weather. Okay REC Jeff Addis you've been singled out and caught. He used a lame excuse like he was working announcing the Cleveland Indian's spring training baseball. I ask... Does Cleveland even have a professional sports team? And yes the Red's did move to the same stadium for their spring training ... Again so they could have at least one Major league team playing in it. And as any real Royal Arch Mason would say GO Red's after all don't we even wear red coats......

Sad Post MEC Art Ross

Past Grand High Priest MEC Art Ross who was Grand High Priest in 1995-96 has passed away. His services will be in Georgia where he what been living. I remember MEC Ross well as he was the Grand High Priest while I was 1st vice President of our Capitular District. He was from the northern par of the state.... If I remember correctly I believe from Sandusky.

Minerva Lodge #98 Inspection

Tonight was my Lodge's Inspection in the Master Mason Degree. The Master this year was my inspection candidate when I was Worshipful Master 20+ years ago and it was also in the Master Mason Degree. We also made Right Worshipful Brother Doug Kaylor and honorary member of Minerva Lodge tonight. The members and officers performing the work made me proud that I am a member of Minerva Lodge (The picture didn't turn out great as we have poor lighting in the Lodge and some of the setting on my camera had changed with an update I had to do this afternoon). We had several dignitaries present but it was also nice that we had over 80 in attendance and the majority present were from Minerva Lodge including 17 Past Masters. The best part was the bad weather including high winds and Tornado Warnings held off until the Inspection was over and everyone should have been back home.

Mahoning Chapter #10 Inspection

Tonight was a great drive up and back to Warren Ohio for Mahoning Chapter Inspection in the 19th District in the Past Master Degree. (I just should have trusted my instincts instead of the GPS as I knew better than how it sent me to get to the temple.) The Grand High Priest MEC Robert Thomas was present in addition to two of his Grand Aides and Grand Marshal Tom Johnson. It was a great Inspection though I'm not sure about Hiram King of Tyre portrayed by our GHP (...just kidding of course). The woodworking in this building is worth the trip to see it. Afterwards we had some nice refreshments. Compared to most recent drives, it was nice to not have to worry about the weather.

A Break From The Normal Reports

Well, today my report is slightly different as I'm going to brag a little on my daughter Laura. Tonight was the final boys home Basketball Game before the playoffs which they made for the first time in almost 20 years. She is the Captain of the Cheer Squad and she not only Cheers Basketball and Football but is on the competition squad which beat the team which came in second at Nationals multiple times at local meets (though they weren't allowed to go to Nationals as the School board wouldn't allow them...but that is another story). It was a great game and one of their players shattered the backboard (you can see it in the background of the one picture)though they won fairly handily. Laura was also named Athlete of the Month and it was also Senior Night where she was recognized at the game.

Painesville Council #104 Inspection

The night started out as a nice leisurely trip to Painesville, however, I had a short call for work. Since I use the hands free and headset, I thought no problem. Well almost 2 hours later and a couple of message I needed to send for work, I was almost to Mansfield. So much for the leisurely drive. The rest of the drive up went without incident or weather. I got to the Inspection and the Grand Illustrious Master Robert Rinehart was in attendance along with the DDC from the 7th District who I met Saturday as he was inspecting Hamilton Commandery. The inspection went well and the work was very good. 7 Arch's down and two to go. However, the drive home was a little less than desirable. It had started to snow and snow and (you get the picture). The normal 4 hour drive took over 5 hours and I had to stop once to get gas and a drink and rest my nerves for a couple of minutes before going back to the drive. For the first 3 hours we never went over 45 MPH on the highway and most of the time was spent under 40 MPH. But I made it home safely and actually other than a rouge semi which almost took myself and another semi out as he crossed 3 lanes, my biggest problem was on my street which was a sheet of ice.

Chapter School, Scottish Rite and Hamilton Commandery

After going out last night to attend a funeral service for a good friend in another organization and getting stuck in the snow and having to be pushed out 3 times, today was another busy day. I started out the morning in West Carrolton at our Chapter School. The weather and the Scottish Rite Mid-Winter program kept the attendance down but for the few in attendance we had a nice program. Afterwards I headed to Dayton for the Scottish Rite mid-winter. Unfortunately my travels from WC to Dayton were not without incident as the windshield wipers had to be fixed and my daughter forgot to tell me the car was out of windshield wiper fluid (and gas)but luckily I noticed and took care of the items before being stranded. Several valleys were participating in the work in Dayton today and I saw some folks who I haven't seen for a while. Later I took off for Hamilton to attend their Commandery Inspection as I had not been to Hamilton Commandery in the past. While this is not my Commandery Division, I have visited several Commanderies in this Division as it is right next to our Division and we have Chapters at several of the locations including Hamilton which are in our Capitular District. PGC Richard Holcombe was present and helped out with the Inspection as was REC Keith O'Dell Grand King, Division Commander Tim Ralston and Tom Gault Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander.

Ritual Practice

While tonight was Palmyra's Chapter Inspection and my lodge's pre-inspection, I had to be at ritual practice at the Shrine for a part I need to do next month since I will miss the next rehearsal and need to leave early on the Star to make a Chapter Inspection at the Dayton Temple. I guess until they perfect cloning you can't be everywhere!

West Gate Chapter #216 Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection in the Past Master degree for West Gate Chapter located in the 11th district in Columbus. Present for the evening were REC Keith O'Dell Grand King and RIC Grover Manning Grand Sentinel Grand Council. Our Grand High Priest Robert Thomas was also present along with MEC Jean Justice and MEC Don Losasso. MEC Losasso also helped out with the degree work for the evening which was done in a fine manner on 2 candidates.

Minerva Chapter #123 Inspection

Yes tonight I travelled 4 hours to Minerva Chapter in Carrolton Ohio in the 18th District. Since I belong to Minerva Lodge, in Miamisburg this was a little different going across the state to a Chapter of the same name (which also is not located in Minerva Ohio). They were inspected in the Most Excellent Master degree and MEC John Gartrell was present and PGIM Fred Boggs is a member here and helped out with the degree work. Interestingly, the candidate was from Union Chapter in the 15th District which I attended back in January when he received his Mark Master Degree and he was the candidate again tonight.