Fayette MKM Lodge Inspection

Tonight was the Mark Lodge Inspection for Chapter in Jeffersonville in the 5th District. MEC Keith O'Dell helped them out with the work of the evening. The presiding officer is also the High Priest of Xenia Chapter #36. Their candidate for the evening was a pro-tem who is also the High Priest of Manchester Chapter. I also included a picture of the checkerboard floor which really was nice in the Lodge room.

Friendship #245 Inspection

Tonight was the Inspection of MEC Steve Duncan's Chapter in the Most Excellent Master Degree. We had a good turnout despite poor weather conditions with 3 Chapters having official visits of 5 or more members with the winning Chapter having 10 in attendance. MIC Bobbie Campbell did the main ritual part for the evening. MEC George Shell was also present. The evening moved along without delay and per the DDGHP they did a good job.

Plans Changed

Today I had planned to go to an Inspection at Galion Ohio for Chapter but for most of the day and up until I needed to leave I really was not feeling too well. Shortly after I needed to leave, I got feeling somewhat better and decided to go to a meeting closer to home but again right prior to leaving I got feeling worse again and decided I had better just take the day off which I did. Up until next Monday, I probably won't be going to any Masonic events as Laura and her boyfriend will be in town and we have several family events planned. I hope you are able to spend some time with your family over the next few days as well and of course ... have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Warren Chapter # 6 Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection in Newark in the Past Master Degree. Tonight they had a guest inspector as their DDGHP Mark Bruns is from this chapter and doing work this evening. The High Priest was serving for the first time but I knew when I went into the room he really looked familiar. As we talked I realized that in my first year as a Grand Officer he was the Inspection candidate for 3 straight inspections I was at that year. At the end of the Inspection we also presented two 50 year pins and one went to Terry Wymer's dad (who is Deputy Grand Commander) as he presented him his pin. Past Grand Commander Frank Boner is the Secretary for this Chapter.

KYCH Open House Reception

Today Pam and I headed up to Sidney for an open house reception for Dennis Hughes as the Prior for Ohio Priory. They had a very nice set up and several persons were there while we attended. Since it was informal it gave plenty of time to meet and greet. Afterwards, we headed back to Dayton where we finished up this years Thanksgiving give away project (we have been doing for the past 25 years) where we make food baskets to provide for needy families in the Dayton area.

4 Chapter Inspections in Loveland

Today, Cincinnati #2, Loveland #221, Morrow #143 and Blanchester #153 held an all degree Inspection Day in Loveland with 8 candidates for the 4th Capitular District. REC Ron Hart GM3V was also present in addition to their DDGHPs and DEO. PGHP MEC Kermit Zimmerman was helping out by doing several parts and being his normal shining self despite feeling poorly today.

3rd District Murder Mystery Dinner

Last year the 3rd District began having a spring and a fall fun social activity with the ladies. So far we have had 2 murder mysteries and a Halloween party. Tonight was our second Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. We had around 60 in attendance and all the characters were members of our District and their wives or girlfriends. MEC George Shell and Sharon were present in the audience tonight along with Right Illustrious Brother Mike Smith and Mary Beth our Arch Inspector. Our District Membership Chairman Jim Potts headed up the event tonight which was a French inspired murder mystery. We introduced the characters (of which our own MEC Steve Duncan and wife Toni were members of the cast) and then started into some of the clues and questions. After round one we had the main course (lasagna and spaghetti with salad) and then more clues and questions. After round two of the questions we then had dessert (peach or blackberry cobbler with ice cream) and then finished up round 3 by guessing who was the murderer. The murderer was played by our District Chaplain (of course none of us knew until the final point who actually was the murderer) so I'm not sure what that says about the guy we have praying for us! Everyone was rewarded for their good sportsmanship upon leaving by getting a Payday candy bar. Our next event is slated for the spring when we hope to have a Hawaiian Luau.

Funeral John Harville

Today our Lodge had a funeral service for a member of ours who was living at the Ohio Masonic Home. The service was held in the new shelter house and it was a great place to hold the event. Since the building was climate controlled it didn't matter that the wind was blowing and yet a little warm outside. In addition, it offered plenty of room as we were joined by Morning Star #795 which meets at the Ohio Masonic Home and together we had around 25 in attendance.

Hillsboro Council #16 Inspection

Tonight I was able to attend a council Inspection in my Arch. While we have done a decent job with the Chapter, Council, and Commandery working together to keep inspections in our local area so they don't conflict, when you add in all the areas of the state conflicts are bound to occur. Hillsboro while in our Council Arch is not in our Chapter District or Commandery Division though I plan to attend their Chapter Inspection next month. MEC Keith O'Dell is a dual member here and helped out with the work for the evening. MIC Lynn Alexander was also present. The best part about Council Inspections is they are normally a little quicker to get done so no matter where you go for one, by 9-9:30 you are ready to head back home.

Ormus Grotto Annual Meeting

Tonight was my final meeting of the year as Monarch (for the second time) and our DD Tom Schliep was also present to complete his reports for the year. To say I'm looking forward to Installation on December 2nd would be an understatement. This year I've had so many unexpected things interfere with my original plans it is almost unbelievable and while they all didn't even involve me they were almost all out of anyone's control. We did, however, have a nice outing with the ladies and potential new members back in September.

Wooster Chapter #27 Inspection

Tonight was the inspection in the Royal Arch degree for Wooster Chapter in the 10th District. PGHPs from that district MEC Robert Blankenhorn Jr. and MEC Robert Crabbs were both present. EC Harry McClarren, who sent me a special invite, and is blind did a very good job (according to the DDGHP ... I would not comment on ritual work ... though I think the DDGHP got it right :) with on of the major parts for the evening. When we finished up they had refreshments for us before I started the 3 hour drive back home.

Mt. Vernon Chapter #23 Inspection

Tonight, I went to Mt. Vernon Chapter Inspection in Portsmouth. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out they had 10 candidates for the Past Master Degree and 2 others in the class that already have received the Past Master Degree. The candidates all received the lessons of the degree and each had their chance to sit in the Oriental Chair. This is REC Ryan Adams district and he was there along with several other dignitaries from the 5th District.

Cincinnati Chapter #2 Reconsecration

Today was the reconsecration for the 200th year of Cincinnati Chapter #2. MWB Norm Mick and MWB Mike Himes were both present as were all but a couple of the Grand Chapter Officers. Overall they had a nice turnout and good refreshments to celebrate the occasion in addition to a mug which they gave to everyone to commemorate the occasion. It was nice that this one was relatively close (around an hour away).

Minerva Lodge Election

Tonight was my Lodge's annual meeting and elections. We have continued to work to move our Lodge forward over this past year and that hard work has paid off and been recognized as we now have the county rep from our Lodge for the District Association along with the 2nd VP and a DEO all from our Lodge. In addition, we have been working on goals to get new members (I think we might have had enough to have no losses for the year) and increase meeting attendance (tonight we probably had around 40 total in attendance). I'm proud and excited to be a member of Minerva and see nothing but good things in store for the Lodge in the future. And as a final comment I must applaud the outgoing Worshipful Master who started out the year with detailed written plans, communicated them to everyone and followed up on them. He definitely was inspirational to all the officers to encourage everyone to work towards a common goal of improving the Lodge.  

Greenville Chapter #77 Inspection

Tonight was the first Inspection for the year for the 3rd Capitular District and we had a good turnout for Greenville which is the northwestern most corner of the District. For most it is well over an hour to get to Greenville. We had 2 official visits tonight (5+ visiting) and one had 10 members. In addition, this Chapter has had some issues over the years and even tried to turn in their Charter but tonight they not only did a good job on the Past Master degree, they also had a new person doing a major part for the first time this evening. It was also the first Inspection for EC Dave Trainer new DEO and REC Richard Bielicki new DDGHP who both did a nice job. Afterwards we had the traditional pulled pork snack before heading back home.

Frank S. Land Day

Well, unfortunately, today I was not able to attend a Chevalier ceremony but was able to fulfill my obligation by meeting with a young man. It is not always as easy to meet on a specific date as one might think and actually I kind of like when groups do meet on a convenient date very close but not exactly on the date. In Cincinnati, they meet for the LOH date on the Sunday evening nearest to March 18th. Whatever may be the case, I'm always glad to have had the opportunity to belong to DeMolay and receive the great leadership training which the organization teaches.   

PDDGM Meeting

Tonight was our first PDDGM meeting after having MWB Kaylor installed as GM from our District and we had a huge turnout with 19 PDDGM's present. We also had some very good discussions about the various activities being held throughout the year and what could we do to help support him. While normally we are out early tonight we had some great discussions and finished up much later than normal but it was a very good meeting,

2 Recons Near Youngstown

Today we had 2 Reconsecrations in the 19th District: Salem #94 and New Lisbon #92. Both were for 150 years and were done back-to-back today at their respective temples. Almost all the Grand Officers were able to attend and although it was a 4+ hour trip for me, it was mostly highway driving and it was a nice day for a drive. Most of those in attendance were the same at both but after the one in New Lisbon we had some refreshments before heading out. Since we had one last weekend (and again next weekend), we are starting to get proficient in the ceremony. 

Jim Williamson Retirement Party

Tonight was a very nice event held for MWB Jim Williamson to celebrate his retirement as the Executive Secretary for the Valley of Dayton. (MWB Williamson and I received our 33rds together) While there were some touching moments in the discussion of memories over the past 10 years, there were also some very funny moments and as far as I am concerned I think that is more important. We often see retirement as a sad time as you will miss the person but hopefully it is actually an exciting time for them and the next person to assume the station. After all, the person leaving the position has added his own touch to the position and almost always the organization is left a little better off. The amount of "projects" the Valley of Dayton has been able to do over the past 10 years is amazing and while other major Masonic temples in Ohio have had to be sold or are up for sale, our building is in the best shape it has been ... probably since it was built in 1928. Congrats Jim.

Trinity Chapter Stated

Tonight my Chapter put on the Mark Master Degree for one candidate and despite several not able to make it they had plenty to put on the degree and even some for the sidelines. I had shown up just in case they were short on help to get the degree done but thankfully they were not. We also presented to the High Priest from last year two certificates from Grand Chapter in regards to membership. I even got home in time to see the last part of the World Series game 6 with the Cubs winning and now ready for game 7 tomorrow.