Tonight I headed up to Upper Sandusky and attended the inspection in the Mark Master degree. This is the home chapter of MEC Jim McDonald and he was present in addition to REC Ken Foy. Their Secretary is MIC Ron Pool who helps to keep everything running smoothly. They did a good job with a little help from a couple Chapters. It was nice to be able to start back early as I was able to make it home by midnight.
Tonight I learned something, whether you have gone to a place many times or not the GPS doesn't always help. I have been to the Canton temple probably 40 times and tonight the GPS failed me so I had to rely on myself to find the temple. I then had trouble trying to find out how to get into the building ... so much for trying to be early. They were being inspected in the Most Excellent Master degree and the DDGHP reported that they did a fine good on the ritual work (which I thought was appropriate as well). MEC John Gartrell and REC Ross Black were also in attendance along with RIC Wesley Webber Grand Council Sentinel. The degree really moved along well and was finished at a good time which allowed me to go downstairs for some fellowship before hitting the road.
Tonight was my Lodge's Inspection in the Master Mason Degree. We were privileged to have the Grand Master, MWB Doug Kaylor in attendance. Also joining him was the Junior Grand Deacon RWB Paul Weglage and Grand Tyler RWB Walt Barner. It was obvious that they had practiced for the Inspection and overall per the DDGM did a good job on the work. Unfortunately with it being a stated meeting night it ran a little bit late. We had close to 50 of our members including 14 of our Past Masters in attendance and around 30 visitors.
Last night, I had planned to head up by Youngstown for Ashlar's Inspection but some last minute Masonic work kept me busy at home until after the time I needed to leave to make it to the Inspection. Tonight, I headed over by Cambridge to Pleasant City for the Mark Master Lodge Annual Chapter Inspection. RIC Dave Mourer was present and we now have a special method for him to introduce me when he is doing the introductions in the 14th Capitular District. I won't elaborate here but let's just say it involves Grand Council... They did a nice job on an actual first time candidate. They also kept things moving and I was able to leave to get back home early enough to make it all the way back home by midnight.
Tonight I headed up north to Bowling Green Ohio to attend the Royal Arch Inspection. Our Grand King, Keith Green, was also in attendance and I learned will be presiding at the Inspection at Oak Harbor Thursday as their High Priest Larry Ellison passed away unexpectedly. One of their members is RIC Steve Hill who is in the Grand Council line.They had three candidates for the degree tonight and the Crystal Chapter High Priest had put together an all-star cast to ensure the candidates received the best degree possible. The evening moved along quite well and I was able to be headed home around 10 PM.
Tonight was the Chapter Inspection in Garrettsville in the Mark Master Degree in the 17th district. MEC John Gartrell was the visiting Inspector for the evening and REC Ross Black was also present. For anyone who hasn't been here, it is a must to go to this Chapter as the business under them (in the next building over) is a saloon with a jukebox. Tonight as the candidate knelt at the alter and was then conducted around the room they played two back to back 80’s Rock hits “Another one bites the Dust” and “Highway to ...” oh well you know the rest. Ok no correlation....
Tonight I went to the Inspection in Bucyrus (yes I know it is Valentines Day but Pam was working so I got a free pass) in the Past Master Degree. This is in the 10th District which is part of my region. Due to several conflicts, the turnout was small and I got the opportunity to be the candidate for the evening. I was sweating all evening the question they would give to me but luckily they must have had pity on me as they gave me an easy question. It was also nice that I got to spend some time with the Companions after the Inspection and was still able to be on the road by 9:30.
Today, we had two Chapter events at the Lyndhurst Temple near Cleveland. First we had the Grand Family meeting where we discussed several Grand Chapter items among the DDGHP's Grand Officers and PGHPs. We also worked between the DDGHPs and the Regional officers to help see if we could resolve some problems. After the meeting our GHP MEC Jeff Addis' Chapter held their inspection in the Past Master Degree. There were a number of distinguished guests in attendance and the DeMolay posted colors. Since Pam and I had to leave before 6AM and didn't return home until around 11 PM, it made for a very long day.
Today was a busy day after heading to Knoxville Saturday after the OGA meeting to see and help out our daughter and just returning back to Dayton late last night. Today Unity Chapter called a special meeting to vote on several petitions. Some were for Dual membership and some for Reinstatement along with a new petition but all noted meeting during the day was their reason for becoming a member of Unity Chapter. After our meeting today, I headed north to Wakeman Ohio which is up by Lake Erie. We had snow, which at times seemed like a blizzard it was blowing so hard, but I safely made it for their Royal Arch Degree on 3 candidates. REC Ross Black was the guest Inspector and a couple other appointed Grand Officers were also in attendance and traveling with our Grand High Priest MEC Jeff Addis. MIC Bill Laughlin was present as well. They did a nice job on the work and as always had some good refreshments afterwards. I tried to get started back as soon as possible as the snow was still blowing hard and the roads were icing over so I wanted to make it to the highway and home safely (which I did).
Tonight was the final leg of the 3 day tour over by Mayfield Heights in Cleveland. During the day, I went over and MEC Robert Thomas gave me the $5 tour of the Grand Chapter office (don't worry I didn't take any souvenirs) after which we had lunch. Mt. Olive's Inspection included a visit from the Grand High Priest, MEC Jeff Addis, and few other Grand Officers and Past Grand Officers. This is the home Chapter for MIC John Hall, MEC Charles McCarty and REC Don Van Horn who were all in attendance. They did a really nice job on the Past Master degree (per the DDGHP ... I'm not there to Inspect rather just enjoy the fellowship and ritual work). After the Inspection, I started the 3+ hour journey back home. 
Tonight I headed up to the 20th District at Rock Creek which is almost to the lake and the Ohio Pennsylvania border. Since I stayed overnight, I had plenty of time during the day to do some exploring in the area and got some shots of the lake. (It was quite windy and the water was coming fairly heavily over the breakwater.) REC Jim Streeky come up tonight with some members of the 19th District and Jim helped them out with the Captain of the Host in the opening. MEC Robert Thomas was also present. The High Priest for the evening was the actual Chapter Scribe as the High Priest was out of town for work. For his first time sitting in the position, he did a very good job. This is the home Chapter for REC Doug Doolan. After finishing up here tonight, I headed west about an hour for the next overnight stay.
Tonight was the start of something a little different. I decided to do a 3 day overnight trip up north in Ohio to attend three Inspections in 2 different districts but which were somewhat close. The first stop was to Toronto Ohio in the 14th District which you can't get to from most places in Ohio. It is only a few miles from both Pittsburg, PA and West Virginia. It took over 4 hours for me to get there but took the DDGHP almost 2+ hours as well. They did the Mark Master degree and passed out two 50 year pins. After the meeting,they had their famous hot sausages which I had again and then started the trip up the road around an hour before stopping for the night.