Composite Dayton Chapter Inspection

We have 3 Chapter's which meet at the Dayton Temple and each helps out the other with degree work. Tonight the 3 got together to perform the work in the Most Excellent Master degree. Since I am the Grand Scribe and we have that position do one of the inspections this week, this was mine to Inspect. They did a good gob working together to get the job accomplished. The High Priest for the evening, Dan Frye, had been very sick but was able to do his part and even sing some of the appropriate parts tonight.

Unity Chapter #16 Inspection

Tonight was Unity Chapter's Inspection in the Past Master degree. I am a dual member of this chapter as we have tried many different unique things to keep this Chapter going. Tonight I'm happy to say with a little help we passed or inspection. Our HP is in his 80's and many years back was High Priest of another Chapter in Dayton but became a dual member since he has difficulty of driving at night. Since we meet during the day, it allowed him to once again come to Chapter. I just hope if I make it to 80 that I'm able to do a ritual part as well as he did this evening.

Mt. Moriah #230 Inspection

This is York Rite Week in Dayton and tonight was the Mark Master Degree. We had 6 candidates and a good turnout of visitors. This is Past Grand Commander Burch Zehner's home Chapter. We also had PGHP George Shell and Steve Duncan in attendance. There were 3 Chapters with 5 or more present and Victory won the travelling award with 11 present followed by Trinity with 9.

19th District All Degree Day

Today in Warren Ohio I started out the day at the Mark Master Degree performed by Mahoning Chapter and was followed up with Ashlar Chapter portraying the Past Master degree on 7 candidates. Both Degrees were done very nicely and I then had to get on the road to head to Lyndhurst Ohio for a reconsecration ceremony.

Heights Chapter #206 Reconsecration Ceremony

We went to Lyndhurst Ohio today to reconsecrate the Chapter on their anniversary celebration. EC Abraham Kay was their High Priest and  the Grand Officers performed the ceremony. We had to keep to moving along so we could head over to the Grand Ball for the 16th District immediately afterwards.

16th District Grand High Priest Reception

Tonight was the 16th District Ball where they recognized the Grand High Priest. It was located in Independence Ohio near Cleveland. Most all of the Grand officers were present along with the Grand Master, Grand Illustrious Master and Grand Generalissimo. It was a nice evening with around 100 total in attendance.

Islam Grotto Fish Fry

Tonight I attended the Grotto in Pittsburgh PA as I finished up my first round of 26 Grotto's in the Ohio Association. It might seem strange but we have 3 Grotto's in Pennsylvania and 1 in West Virginia which are part of the Ohio Association. This is also the home Grotto of one of the Grand Line officers of the Grotto. I was able to get my first roadrunner award and will now start working on my second one.

Palmyra Inspection

Tonight was Palmyra's inspection in the Most Excellent Mast degree in Brookville. While this is within my District it is also the home Chapter of our DDGHP Claude Siebel and the late MEC Jerry Crawford. Doris Crawford was in attendance and presented them with Jerry's Jewel and Apron which they plan to display next to a picture of MEC Crawford. The inspection was good with some help from folks around the District. In addition MEC Shell and MEC Duncan were also in attendance.

Cunningham Chapter Inspection

Tonight was Inspection in the Most Excellent Master Degree for Cunningham Chapter in Lakewood near Cleveland in the 16th District. They had 6 candidates who received the degree. EC Robert Hager, Grand Generalisimo Grand Commandery, was also present along with Robert Neilson GM1V. Luckily the weather (temperature stayed at 33 or above on the ride hone to minimize ice on the highways but several times I had to slow down on the way home as the roads were definitely slick.

3rd District Planning

Tonight the District Officers, DEOs and DDGHPs got together to make sure the plans are in order for the activities in the District for the rest of the year. Luckily everyone had their reports ready and the meeting progressed quickly so we were able to get done in just about an hour. It is great working with folks who take getting their assigned tasks done seriously.

Scottish Rite Mid-Winter

Today the Scottish Rite Valleys of Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati went together to put on a program at Dayton. Each did a different Scottish Rite Degree. In addition, the DeMolay did the 7 Preceptor parts. It was a nice, well organized, event which moved right along. The DeMolay also held  their State Ritual Competition in the Lodge portion of the building.

Planning for Grand Chapter 2019-20

Today my wife and I along with the General Chairman for my year REC Greg Clatterbuck and his wife met with the Marriott in Dayton to discuss the possibility of having a Grand Family meeting and Grand High Priest Reception at the facility. We had looked at another place in the past which was very nice but since it is in a more populated business area had a little higher prices. I am hoping to get some feedback from them by next week and may be able to get the location locked down very soon.

Past Potentate (Cabiri) Fish Fry

Tonight Pam and I went down to support the Past Potentates of Antioch as they held a Fish Fry. Almost all the profits from the event will in some measure come back to support the building Antioch meets within. They already had a good crowd when we had to leave so that I could get to the Council Inspection on time tonight.

Adoniram Council # 131 Inspection

Tonight was the Inspection for my Council in Miamisburg. We had several dignitaries in attendance including PGM MIke Himes, PGC Richard Holcombe, GPCW Graver Manning and MIGM Dave Mourer. In addition from our Council we had Grand Council officers Bobbie Campbell and Mike Smith. I was proud of the work they did this evening in the Select Master Degree.

Twin Valley Chapter #240 Inspection

Tonight was inspection at Farmersville in my district. We had MEC George Shell and MEC Steve Duncan in attendance. (This is MEC Shell's home Chapter). I was also proud of my Chapter Trinity #44 as we had 16 present (including 4 of the 5 candidates) which was more total companions than the  Chapter being inspected. They did a very nice job in the Royal Arch Degree and I would have expected no less as they are one of the strongest Chapters in the District.

Bellaire Chapter #107 Inspection

Tonight was the Inspection for Bellaire Chapter in the Royal Arch degree and I thought they had a great guest inspector...me! Unfortunately their DDGHP Mark Bruns was not able to attend so I inspected the Chapter for him. They did a very nice job and the Secretary had everything ready for me.

More Circus Parking

Well on day 3 of our fund raiser it started out rainy and looked like it was going to be a miserable day. It did however clear up and the first show of the day parking end up with the rain stopping. For the second show later in the day we didn't have rain but it started to get much colder. But over all not much to complain about as in three days of work we are now done fund raising for the year.

Grand Family Meeting and Oak Harbor Inspection

Today we had our Grand Family Meeting at Oak Harbor where we discuss progress being made and future goals/plans for the Grand Chapter. In addition after the meeting the Inspection for Oak Harbor was held and all the Grand Officers  were almost there for both events. Afterwords we had dinner and started back home so we could park cars at the Circus tomorrow.

Circus parking

Today we did the parking for the Antioch Shrine Circus with members of the 3rd Capitular District. This is our major fund raiser for the Grand High Priest year and the District operating expenses. I was a fairly nice night for the middle of winter and we finished up in time for us to get ready to head to Fremont our as tomorrow is the Grand Family Meeting and Oak Harbor Inspection.

MInerva Lodge 98 Stated

After a couple nights of cancelled Chapter Inspection due to weather, tonight I headed down to Lodge. First though I headed down to a Circus meeting we were supposed to have but was told is was cancelled/postponed. We had a  very good attendance with 43 present. I also heard between transfers into the Lodge and new petitions and working candidates, we probably have a dozen in the works right now. with the good crowd and many newer members, the LEO were over some of the workings of the Lodge as a reminder for the old guys and additional light for the newer members.

Hi 12 Meeting

Today was the bi-weekly meeting of Dayton Hi 12 and since I am a member I'm going to try to attend a little more regularly. After lunch we had a very good speaker who gave us a presentation which was shared at the Conference of Grand Masters on the differences on handling Millennials. They have a completely different method of communicating and handling responsibility.

PDDGM Meeting

Tonight was the Second Masonic District gathering of PDDGM's at the Dayton temple. We meet for dinner and then proceeded into our meeting. The current DDGM's gave a summary of how the lodges were doing and we discussed some upcoming activities. In addition, we discussed the GM's programs and the current progress on each one. Afterwords we fellowshipped for a while and then headed home. 

Ohio Grotto Association Meeting

Went to Cincinnati today for the Grotto Zone conference meeting. Clarke Wylie and myself represented Ormus Grotto. The meeting covered several topics and was ran in an efficient manner. After all the topics were covered we headed back home to Dayton.

Jester Orientation

Tonight we new member orientation which explained to the new members about the organization and what it means to be a member.We started off with a great dinner and then after the orientation got to meet the new members. It was a nice evening for all involved.