Mark Lodge Inspection

Tonight in the 5th District at Jeffersonville was the Mark Lodge Inspection. They had two candidates, one of which was from Lancaster so he could go next Friday to Athens and be their Inspection candidate for the Past Master degree. As normal in the 5th, MEC Keith O'Dell was there and did a part for them for the Inspection. I then started back and on the way home just prior to passing Xenia on St Rt 35 a deer darted out at the car in front of me a glanced off the front of his car and kept right on going (the deer). Luckily I was paying close attention (actually watching for deer) as this is an area known for deer running across the highway and missed hitting it. I'm hoping he was okay (though his car was not) as I had to keep going as there were several more cars quickly coming up on me so I had to move along to keep from the other cars hitting me.

ROJ Outing

Today I went to a dinner with around 20 people to the new Racino in Dayton. The food was good and the service wasn't too bad either. Since I'm not much into gambling, once we were done with dinner and some fellowship time, I headed home. 

3rd Distriict Reaffirmation Day and Installation

Today was our annual Reaffirmation Sunday in Farmersville. We had a nice turnout and afterward we installed the new DEO and DDGHP. EC Skip Vamderhorst and REC Mac Polston were both installed. This is the first time we have tried doing this together and it worked well since the event was being held in Farmersvillle which was the same Chapter the new DDGHP was from.

Wauseon Reconsecration

Today the Grand Chapter officers did a Reconsecration for 150 years at Wauseon Ohio near Toledo. They had a good number of their own officers present and for our first one of the year, I thought it went very well. It was the start of a fairly long day as this evening we have the Grand Illustrious Master Reception.

Grand Illustrious Masters Reception

Tonight was the Reception for Right Illustious Brother Stave Hill from the Toledo area as Grand Illustrious Master.  It was held at the Perrysburg Holiday Inn and they had a good turrnout on a rainy evening. It would have been nice if the weather was a little nicer as it made the drive home seem very long.

2nd Masonic District Installation

A busy evening tonight in Dayton as the District tried something new and at their District meeting installed the District Officers, DEOs and DDGMs. It seemed to work well and the had some refreshments afterward. It was good that they decided to move it to a larger venue as they definitely needed the room. I was also happy to say the outgoing District President,- Ken Ballinger incoming Second Vice President-Brian Hyer and one incoming DDGM-Kent Crager (who is also our 3rd District Chapter President) was from my Lodge.

Miami Valley York Rite College

Tonight we held our annual meeting of bringing in new members with around 10 candidates in Lebanon.  It was a distinguished class including a sitting DDGHP. It also makes it a little more real now since in April I will probably become the Governor or presiding officer.

Star Chapter #126 Stated

Tonight I attended the stated meeting for Star Chapter in Mechanicsburg. While they only had enough for an extraordinary meeting, they did hold one and completed the necessary business. Afterwards everyone sat around and talked and had refreshments which I think is very productive.

Trinity Chapter #44 Inspection

Tonight was my chapter's inspection in Miamisburg in the Royal Arch degree. It was early this year since the person who does one of the main parts is going to Florida for a few months. MEC Steve Duncan was in attendance. They did a good job on the work and it was the first Inspection for our new DEO. 

Cabiri Meeting

Tonight I went to the Past Potentates meeting for Antioch Shrine. Since I've joined the local community Charitable Foundation Board, I'm been able to make the meetings as they met on the same night. This month the meeting was delayed a week and thus no conflict. We had a small crowd and basically discussed several current issues and what we might do to help solve the issues. We also discussed the Circus for next year as we have some big changes in store.

Grand Commandery

Today I went to Columbus for the Grand Commandery session. I only could stay for part of it as I have another commitment later today. They had several out of state visitors and a good representation from the Grand Encampment. They tried out some new things with introductions, some worked and some not so well.

Grand Chapter Planning

Pam and I had another meeting with my General Chairman for 2020 and his wife. We spent most of the time discussing Grand Chapter, while it is fresh in everyones mind, and what changes we might like to see altered and what we want to keep the same. It seems like we are making progress but keep finding new tiny thing we need to address.

Grotto Meeting

Tonight was my Grotto meeting but after a short amount of business we moved into a conference call on membership. They discussed an event being held across the country next March in which they will focus on bringing new members into thee organization. The Supreme Council is supporting this task and talked about the details of the event.

Trinity Chapter Stated Meeting

I went to the stated meeting tonight for my home Chapter which was practicing for their Inspection on the 23rd of this month. They still need a little work on the opening but I think the degree work will be fine. Most all of the degree work parts are being done by folks who have done them before, some just need to "brush up" a little on the parts. They were also trying to make sure they knew the "fin print" items as well and also practiced the introductions.

Officially Closing the Door on 2017-18

Travel totals for 2017-2018 were around 35,000 miles and 260 masonic related activities. This year I was kept a little closer to home for an extended period on time and actually out of commission with the heart attack at the beginning of the year. And since Grand Chapter is over as promised each year I am allowed to progress in the Grand Chapter line I plan to have a pin designed to provide to the travelers in my district and those traveling within the region I am assigned. I'm looking forward to hitting the road again as soon as possible.  As I mentioned each year the pin will alternate between a piece of architecture and a mode of transportation through time. This next year will be the Washington Monument and the final pin in the Journey Through Time series.

Grand Lodge

We finished up the week at the Kalahari with Grand Lodge and Jess Raines getting installed as Grand Master. With all the excitement this week, tomorrow I'm headed to the Ohio State football game (first time at the Ohio State Stadium for a game). Sunday, we have a family outing to a dinner theater in our area. I'll be glad for Monday to have a one day rest before heading back out on the travelling trail.

Grand Chapter

Still at the Kalahari but now at Grand Chapter were I was honored to be elected and installed as Grand King while Ross Black was installed as Grand High Priest.

Grand Council

The past couple of days I have been at the Kalahari Resort near Sandusky for the Grand Council session. Our new Grand Illustrious Master is Steve Hill who is from the Toledo area. Originally Steve and I were going to be serving togther next year but due to his moving up in line due to a vacancy, he is serving this year.

Statewide RCC Day

Today at the Ohio Masonic Home we held the statewide gathering of members of the Red Cross of Constantine. Our group did the final degree for the day but to start the day off I received a degree which is necessary for me to be installed as Viceroy which is the second officer from the top. I took a picture of my new jewel for the station.

Valley Vineyards Outing

Tonight our Grotto had an outing to the Valley Vineyards near Morrow for a social outing. Our DD Tom Schliep attended with us. All who attended had a good time as our ladies also joined us for the evening. 

Shrine PM Club Meeting

While I usually am not able to make these meetings, what I originally was planning to do I decided against so I decided to go to the meeting. I was surprised (as I think they were as well) that the attendance was fairly good since I heard they were down to only a hand full attending. The  meeting stayed on track and we got allot accomplished.

Shrine Circus Kickoff Meeting

Tonight at Antioch we heard the detail for the circus and the 3rd District will continue or work doing the parking assignment. This is our major fund raiser for our District to continue doing the work we currently are doing and for the year which we should have a Grand High Priest. 

Trinity Chapter Stated Meeting

Tonight I went to my home Chapter and in addition to their stated meeting they were practicing for their Inspection on the 23rd of this month. Our Inspection will be early this year since it is in the Royal Arch Degree and our Jeshua for the ritual part of the degree heads to Florida for the winter around November. Unfortunately it started to rain fairly hard as I got to the temple and in my rush to get in the building I fell and skinned up my knee and took some of the skin off my hand and I got spooked head to toe. The rain actually helped lessen the injury but I’m sure I will feel it tomorrow..

Hi 12 Club Meeting

After taking the weekend off to spend it camping, I started the week off at Hi 12 in Dayton. After having lunch We had a speaker on helping underprivileged children prepare and go to college. We had a smaller gathering today but were joined by tow visitors from Sidney. In addition, we got an update from the state meeting held this past weekend.

Valley Commandery Special

Tonight my Commandery had a special meeting since normally we would be at the Grand body meetings and our state was moved in October to the 2nd Monday. They were practicing for the Order of the Temple which they will be holding at the end on October. It is a good thing they have another momth to get ready as they were still a little rough on the work  tonight.