Merry Christmas

I want to wish all a Merry Christmas. While this might be the last post I make before the end of the year, I'm hoping the next year will bring lots of excitement and joy to all.

Chapter District Christmas Party

Every year the current and past leaders of our Chapter District get together informally to celebrate the year around Christmas. Tonight was that night and despite a few extra conflicts this year, several were still able to attend. MEC George Shell and Doris Crawford (the late MEC Jerry Crawford;s widow) were both able to join us.  We had pizza and fellowship before everyone heading off for the hectic Christmas events.

Trinity Chapter #44 Stated Meeting

Tonight I went to the stated meeting for my Chapter in Miamisburg. Happy to report it was just a regular business meeting and afterwards we all went downstairs and fellowshipped for a while before leaving. I often think this is actually the most important time of a meeting. Oh ... and we did have a good attendance as all stations were filled and we even had a couple on the sidelines despite several regulars being out of town.

Proud Day

While I might have liked to attend the 200th anniversary for Lebanon Chapter today, I was instead attending an event at Ohio’s university today, I wouldn’t have missed for the world. You see today my nephew graduated from college but you need to know the rest of the story as Paul Harvey would have said. He was supposed to graduate this past May but unfortunately one year ago we weren’t sure if he would live as he suffered a seizure and they found brain tumors which had to be removed. So he had brain surgery and then found out it was cancerous. So he had brain surgery and underwent cancer treatments and had to relearn to do everything. This semester he finished his final class and today marked his graduation.

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AMD Meeting

Tonight was our annual meeting and installation of new officers for Herman Lawrence AMD in Middletown. I got a couple of photos of our outgoing and incoming Sovereign Master.  We also received back a couple of invites we had afforded to potential new members at out last meeting. Most likely we will bring them in at the next meeting in January.

Another Day on Grand Chapter

Today I spent another day working on items for Grand Chapter. There is definitely lots of "behind the scenes" work to be done and some days you just need to focus on getting some of that done. Hopefully some of the things I was working on yesterday will allow us to better handle bringing new members into the organization. After a long day working on these items, I had a Community Fund Raising Board Christmas Party to attend.

Viewing for Kent Lyon

Today was the viewing for Kent Lyon. He was a very active Mason and did work in most Masonic bodies and was the current Monarch of Ormus Grotto. Kent was also Prelate in the Commandery and and officer in Chapter and Council along with a Veteran member from the Bobbies in the Shrine. He had a huge turnout which I would attribute to his willingness to work in so many Masonic bodies and always tried to do his best. Well done good and faithful servant.

Cabiri Christmas Party

Today was the Christmas Party for the Past Potentates at Antioch Shrine. We had a nice social time with appetizers and then a good dinner along with allot of fellowship and the election of new officers, I was glad I had already done my time in the barrel and didn't have to go through the line again. 

Four Chapter Inspections

After staying Friday night in Elyria Ohio, I headed to four chapter inspections being held in each of the degrees in the temple  for Huron, Wakeman, Marshall and Oberlin. It was well planned out and there was minimal downtime. They had five candidates for the day. I stayed as long as I could to attend as much as possible and then had to get on the road to Lima for the next activity of the day. 

HRAKTP

Today next I went to Lima for the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests meeting. This is an invitational group of which I had a part in the degree to bring in some new members. You must be  a Past Commnder of your Commandery and we are limited to 33 members. I also started into the line in the organization as an officer. Since we only meet one day a year, it only adds a like to more work to my plate.  After this finished off I headed to my final event of the day in Springfield.

Grotto Installation

I finished up today at the Grotto Installation for my Grotto, Ormus, and Khana Shahar. It was kind of a mixed emotions at the event as our Monarch for 2018 Kent Lyon just passed away this week. Kent was a member of both Grotto's and had served Ormus in 2017 and 2018. I was once again installed as the Secretary/Treasurer.

Pennsylvania Grand Chapter

Wednesday I was on the road most of the day, after staying overnight in Cambridge, for the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania being held in Philadelphia. The hotel was right next to the temple so it made going to the meetings very convenient. If you get a chance to go to Philadelphia go to the Masonic Temple to tour it, you won;t be sorry. The Grand Chapter room was super nice and they are very different than the manner of how we do things with much more pomp and circumstance which leads to the grandeur of the room. They were super friendly and the meals were all very good. After a long day of activities on Thursday, I got ready to head back on Friday to Ohio.

Cambridge #53 Chapter Inspection

This week is going to be a whirlwind of activities starting with tonight's Inspection. I was in Cambridge Ohio for the chapter inspection in the Past Master degree. They had a good crowd and the Inspection went well. I sat this evening with REC Mark Bruns who is the new Grand Master of the 1st Veil.

Hi 12 Christmas Party and Installation

Today at Dayton was our Christmas party and Installation of officers. We had a great meal and had a total of 36 in attendance. Most of the state officers along with members from several other clubs were present. I came home then tonight to get myself ready to go to Cambridge Inspection tomorrow and then off to Philadelphia to represent our Grand Chapter at their Grand session.

Grand River #104 Redication

Today I met REC Dan Smith and we headed up together to Rock Creek, Ohio by Astabula. They had a nice turnout of their own members and refreshments for us when we finished. The ride up and back gave Dan and myself time to talk about our plans for the next couple of years. We solved most of the world's problems and then found some new ones to be resolved later.

 

Herman Lawrence AMD

Tonight was our AMD meeting in Middletown and we actually had someone giving a paper again. For a long time, we hardly hard any papers but lately we have had them. I'm glad to see us getting back to the purpose of the organization. We also took care of getting several persons who are no longer able to attend moved to the appropriate class of membership so they are not subject to being removed and making room for some possible new members.

McArthur Chapter #102 Inspection

Tonight was Inspection in the Royal Arch Degree for McArthur Chapter and they had 7 candidates who were exalted this evening (they were supposed to have 9 but 2 had to work at the last minute). Despite the larger class size, they moved right along and we were done fairly early. Also REC Dan Smith, Grand Scribe, and REC Rod Carr, Grand Captain of the Host, were also both in attendance. They had a nice attendance for a smaller Chapter on the far west side of the District.

Warren Chapter #6 Inspection

Tonight was the Inspection in the Royal Arch Degree for the Chapter in Newark Ohio. They did a good job it was just a shame that at the last minute their candidate was called into work, Nut never fear they had a professional candidate last night (I call him a professional candidate since when he came in it seemed as if he was the candidate at every Inspection in their District. Despite the poor weather conditions I didn't gave much trouble until I got almost back to Springfield and a wind gust hit the windshield wiper and pulled the blade off the driver's side. Luckily, I wasn't to far from an exit where I was able to replace it.

After A Few Days Off

I took a few days off to visit the daughter in Knoxville for Thanksgiving but plan to be back at it tomorrow.

Hi 12 Club Meeting

Today we had a smaller than normal size group but after eating lunch we had a nice program on the leaders in Dayton over centuries who were buried at Woodland Cemetery. This is a well known cemetery where the Wright Brothers among many prominent area folks are buried. We also discussed our upcoming Christmas Party and the next couple of meetings.

Grand Commander's Reception

Despite feeling a little less than 100% for the past couple of days, this evening I made it out for the Grand Commander's Reception in Fairborn at the Holiday Inn. The meal was very good and the entire event was well planned. The Right Eminent Grand Commander and his wife Bonita have long been good friends as we are in many organizations together. They had a nice turnout and if you look close you will see our own MEC Ross Black coming through the lines in one of these pictures.

Weather Related Casualty

Since I got your attention, no person was hurt in the family but the ice last nice broke off several major limbs and crushed the greenhouse we put up last year. While I was supposed to go to Shelby Chapter Inspection, I looked at the weather report and it appears they are calling for ice around that area (as well as not the best weather in between) until around 7PM . I decided I better not take any chances (after pushing my luck last night) and will go to one of their stated meetings (probably around April when the weather should be better).

Chagrin Falls #152 Inspection

Well tonight I went to Inspection near Cleveland in the Past Master Degree. They had 5 candidates from their Chapter and did a great job on the ritual work (the DDGHP also said so it must be true). REC Bob Nilsen, GM2V, was also in attendance. It was good that the meeting moved right along so I could get back on the highway towards home. I got all the way to I675 and then it was a slow go from there with ice everywhere and several major accidents. Luckily, I made it home safely.

Shrine Greeters Meeting

I went to the Shrine Greeters meeting today as they were not sure if they would have enough to meet so I decided I had better attend. We ended up with a very good attendance and talked about some plans to keep the attendance up. It was also nice to get an update since I haven't been able to make many meetings lately and not sure how much I will be able to attend int he near future.

Berea Chapter Awards and Stated Meeting

Tonight I went to the stated meeting and awards night for Berea Chapter. The Secretary was receiving his 50 year pin. Both DDGHPa were present for the District along with REC Robert Nilsen GM1V and their own member MWB Tom Galyen.  Unfortunately, the new 50 year member's wife took ill and she was not able to be present.  They had some light refreshments and we were able to fellowship for a little but I was able to get back on the road fairly early.

Grand Family Meeting & Grand High Priest Reception

Today was a busy day in the Akron area at the Tadmor Shrine as we held the Grand Family Meeting and the Grand High Priest/ Eminent Prior Reception. At the Grand Family Meeting we go over the various committee reports and hear from the various DDGHPs about how their District is doing. Then there was a joint Reception for MEC Ross Black and MEC Robert Thomas (Eminent Prior KYCH). Even though it was a long day, it was very well run and we were able to get back on the road for home at a reasonable hour. And luckily we only had a small amount of snow on this very cold day.

  

Palmyra Chapter 75 year pin

Today we presented, with the help of the Grand High Priest, a 75 year pin to the first High Priest for Palmyra Chapter #235. There was a good turnout from the Chapter also in attendance. We had a nice talk with him and at 97 years old, he seems like he might be around for an 80 year pin when he is eligible.

DeMolay Chevalier Observance

Tonight was the Chevalier Observance in the 3rd DeMolay District. Our guest speaker for the evening was Robert Lainge, Past International Master Councilor, from Ohio. He gave a nice talk on "what can we do to help DeMolay" after a nice meal in Dayton at the Amber Rose restaurant.We then spent some time socializing before heading home.

Grand Chapter Work

Tonight was one of those nights you stay home to get caught up on Chapter paperwork. The closer you get to the top the more paperwork it seems like you get to fill out and documents to create. Not complaining just stating the facts. I thought it was going to be an early night but as you can tell by the time of this note.... not so much.

Friendship Chapter #245 Inspection

Tonight was a close Inspection in my District in West Carrollton in the Mark Master Degree, The candidate for the evening was the Financial Officer at the Ohio Masonic Home Steve Petitjean. This is the home Chapter of MEC Steve Duncan and MEC Don Lossaso and MEC Kernit Zimmerman were also present for the evening. MIC Bobbie Campbell and RIC Mike Smith were also in attendance as this is their home Chapter as well. It was also the first Inspection for our new DDGHP Mac Polston. They did a nice job on the work and had some really good refreshments afterwards.

Shrine Imperial Program

Today was our program at the Shrine to discuss the Imperial session next year in Nashvillle Tennessee. I think it is going to be a fun location for the Imperial ad is the first time at this location. It will, however, not be a cheap location to attend as the nightly room rate is significantly higher than normal. I think we are going to only go for a couple days instead of the normal amount of time due to this fact.

Jesters Ladies Night Program

Well last night I ended up getting home very late and Pam put here foot down and said that I needed to sleep in today. I think she was right since I didn't get to sleep until around 4 am. Tonight however was our annual Ladies Appreciation Night for the Royal Order of Jesters. It was a really night evening with great appetizers then a meal and a special dessert followed by a very good band.