Cabiri Shrine Picnic

Tonight was our annual Past Potentate's picnic at the Springfield Shrine Club. We had a great turnout with around 50+ husbands and wives in attendance. Mike Ivory provided a nice dinner and a short meeting followed but the main purpose was for the members, their wives and the widows to get together and in some cases renew friendship with some who we might now have seen in a while. I had planned on heading from here down to drill practice but the event lasted a little longer than expected and besides it started raining some so I headed back home afterwards. Unfortunately, tonight Pam was not able to go with me as she wasn't felling good.

Antioch Shrine Car Show

Today was the annual car show for Antioch Shrine. It was great weather and a great turnout with around 175 cars on display. In addition this year we had a new area of the car show with several vendor displays. As in the past there were door prizes and food along with music and lots of people having fun. Personally, I had to go down early as I loaned them my snow cone machine.

PDDGHP Meeting

Tonight was the bi-annual meeting of the PDDGHP association for the 3rd district. A couple of very good ideas for membership were discussed along with some suggestions to improve attendance at Inspections. We will probably work to implement these ideas. In addition, we formed a committee to make sure the district by-laws are reviewed and suggested changes are presented. The best part of the meeting is that the former and current leader of the district are able to get together and share ideas and fellowship.

Ormus Grotto

Tonight was our monthly Grotto meeting. While the turnout was light, we did cover several subjects and planned some future activities. We meet during the summer since we decided to go Dark in January and February.

Funeral and Drill Practice

Tonight was busy as it was the viewing for Mike Williamson from Beaver Valley and the Grotto in which I belong. Mike was always there to help out as needed until his health started to fail. He will be missed. After this, I went to drill practice for Valley Commandery. We have a few new faces on the team which is good since a couple of regulars probably are not going to be able to drill anymore and a couple others (including myself) need some newer and younger members to join in the more demanding roles. MEC George Shell and myself have now moved over to the Standard Guard on a more permanent basis.

Misc follow up

This week has been filled with several Masonic follow up items and during the summer is definitely the best time to get these caught up. Nothing exciting to write about they just need to get done. Yesterday we also did one thing as a family that we have been waiting over a year to get the weather and all our schedules to cooperate. For High School graduation last year I asked Laura about something fun she would like to have as a present and she mentioned going skydiving...so that's where we were yesterday. Pam and I were firmly planted on the ground as we watched her soar into the sky and then come parachuting down, She of course loved it and was ready to go again.

Valley Commandery Drill Practice

Well  tonight was supposed to be drill practice for our Commandery but I guess I missed the notice we were going to skip this week.... but then I didn't feel too bad as 2 others also showed up. Guess I can;t complain a night off is always nice.

Clyde #90 Reconsecration

Today was the reconsecration for Clyde Chapter and Pam and I decided to make a day of it. We left early in the morning so we would make it in time for the practice and ceremony which was nice thought it would have been nice to see a few more on the sidelines. After the ceremony and some fellowship and refreshments, we headed further north to the Marblehead lighthouse which was only about a half hour away. Today they were open for tours and got to climb the 77 steps to the top. We then stopped at the Cheesehaven (a must when in the area) and ate dinner at Mon Ami after which we headed back home.

Grand Family Meeting Delaware

Today was the Chapter Grand Family Meeting. At this meeting the potential new GHP in October goes over his program, introduces the new leaders and trains the DDGHPs and DEOs. It is always a very informative day and gives opportunities to get to meet the new leaders in the organization. This year it was no different and the day moved right along though as an added benefit a steak fry was available for those who wanted to stay and participate. Afterwards we headed over to the Polaris Mall to meet Laura who was driving in after working the last couple of days in Kinsman Ohio at a Cheerleading Camp. I should have known better than to meet her at the Mall as much of my money stayed behind at the Mall....just because they move out doesn't mean it gets less expensive!

Masonic Cooperation Committee & Ohio Masonic Home Picnic

Today was the Masonic Cooperation meeting held at the Ohio Masonic Home and we discussed many ideas and programs for the upcoming year. We also discussed how we could all work together to strengthen all organizations. Afterwards, we adjourned to join the residents of the home for a devotional service and picnic hosted by the Grand Council of Ohio.

Grand King's Program

This year we decided to do something different as we held the meeting in the evening at a pizza place, picked up the meal cost, invited the ladies and made it an informal setting. The turnout was definitely better and several of the ladies commented that they were glad they finally heard what was going on in the Chapter. Next year we will probably tweak it a little more and might change the month for the event but will probably again keep it informal and at a restaurant with the ladies. The program from the Grand King for the 200th anniversary "CELEBRATE" will focus on the Grand Chapter and events to mark this occasion.

Collecting For Shrine Hospitals

Today I spent a couple of hours collecting donations for the Shrine Hospitals. Each year I actually look forward to this opportunity since I know all the good the money collected can do for the hospitals as every dime goes directly to helping out the kids. The best part is the stories I hear from people donating who had someone in their lives who had been helped at a Shrine Hospitals. One of the best stories came a few years back from a lady who came by on every shift and donated. On the final shift, she said "you probably recognize me don't you". I said yes,  "I've notice you have come by and made a very nice donation every shift". She then proceeded to tell me she had 3 kids who got caught in a fire some years back and the prognosis was that they would not make it but the children's hospital they were sent to said try Shriner's Hospitals burn unit as they have a better treatment setup than they did for this type of injury. All three kids not only made it but after many surgeries are almost at the point you can't even tell they were a burn patient.