PDDGHP Meeting

While the crowd was a little thin tonight (weather, health and other activities probably played a part), we held our meeting at TJ Chumpp's in Miamisburg. After having some good conversation and food, we held a moment of silence for REC Harold Daniels and REC Fred Gallo who both passed away since our last meeting. We then discussed upcoming dates and some of the things for next year. Everyone then braved the cold to head back out to go home.

3rd District Planning

Tonight the district officers, DEOs, DDGHPs and MEC Shell attended a meeting in which we covered the rest of the year District planning, Grand Reception for 2019 and started discussions for Grand Chapter 2020.. Luckily we also started on a project for 2020 where we ran into an issue so we have some homework before the next meeting at the end of February. 

3rd District Chapter School

Today was our Chapter School were we covered the Most Excellent Master Degree in West Carrollton. Since it was delayed a week due to the weather last weekend, our turnout was a little less than normal as several had other Masonic conflicts. We did, however, have both District Deputies and PGHP MEC George Shell in attendance today. We went through the entire degree focusing on the fine print but also having folks do the parts as one was in the process of learning a part and this was a very good way to allow him to start off doing it right from the beginning.

Scottish Rite Worshipful Master Recognition

Tonight the Valley of Dayton recognized the Worshipful Master's of the Lodges within the general area the Valley of Dayton serves. I have tried to support this event since I was Worshipful Master way back in 1992-93. They had some really great entertainment with a local Jazz group who has performed nationally. Afterwords the Grand Master, along with most of the Grand Officers, presented the pins to the setting Worshipful Masters of the individual Lodges.

KYCH meeting

After spending several more hours working on stuff for Grand Chapter, Pam  and I went to the local KYCH meeting. We had a nice dinner and I was then surprised by receiving my 25 year. KYCH pin and certificate. As I looked around the room I figured out there were probably only 3 who had gotten their KYCH before me. If I didn’t feel old before I sure did now. I guess I should look at the bright side it will be 4 more years until I will have been a KYCH half my life...okay thinking again maybe that is even more depressing.

Grand Chapter Planning

Today I spent the better part of the daily working on planning for this next year. There are lots of moving parts that need to be addressed and today I spent lots of it deciding how to address some lingering issues for Grand Chapter and getting committee appointments lined up.

PDDGHP Fred Gallo Viewing

Tonight was the viewing for REC Fred Gallo and while I had another place planned for the evening, this was more important to go and attend. Fred was very dedicated to the Chapter and was definitely someone who was liked by everyone in our district. Unfortunately after Fred's last major fall right after being named as a District Deputy Grand High Priest, he never really fully recovered. He was, of course, also Grand Chaplain for MEC George Shell and Secretary of Twin Valley Chapter for many years until having to give it up due to his health a couple years ago.

Snowed in??

Well the past few days the weather has made it necessary for me to cancel a few activities. If it wasn't for the snow and slick streets (slipping and falling is something I now try to avoid at all costs) it was the extreme cold which unfortunately now will take my breath away very quickly. Since it appears that most of the extremes are past again hoping to get back out traveling. 

Carey Chapter #159 Inspection

Tonight I traveled up to the 7th District to see the Mark Master degree on 4 candidates. Luckily the weather was good. REC Ken Foy Grand Master 3rd Veil and our Grand Photographer Tom Ziegler were both there. (Tom sent me a couple pictures that I could use...Thanks Tom) Afterwards we had some food and fellowship before heading out for home.

Canton York Rite Bodies Stated Meetings

Tonight I attended the stated meetings for Canton Chapter, Council and Commandery. Each opened and closed separately in the Lodge room and there were around 20 present for the evening despite some very frigid temperatures and not the best of weather overall. Each held their own meetings as they should if they had met on separate nights. In addition, all were able to conduct business and finish before 9 PM. It allowed everyone time to have refreshments and fellowship prior to leaving for home.

Toledo Port Lawrence #161 Inspection

Tonight was a Chapter inspection as far north in Ohio as you can get without going into Michigan in the Mark Master Degree. MEC Keith Green was also in attendance. They did a good job with a candidate from Crystal Chapter in Bowling Green. I also stayed for a while afterwards as we had a very interesting conversation on a number of subjects. The weather turned out to good on the way up and back. I also just missed a long delay on the highway as a semi of pigs overturned about 5 minutes after I went through the I70 and I75 interchange with 2,500 piglets free to run on the highway until they caught them.

ROJ Annual Meeting

This morning was the annual meeting for our Royal Order of Jesters at which we had brunch and elected/installed new officers. Luckily, it was just up in Dayton as the roads were terrible on the way up. I had intended to go to 3 other events today but one was cancelled and I decided not to venture back out after I got home as the weather report wasn't looking any better for the rest of the day.

Oriental Chapter #128 Stated Meeting

Tonight, after a couple days of taking care of some non-masonic business, I was back on the trail to the stated meeting for Oriental Chapter in West Salem Ohio. When I got there I saw the white death (snow) but luckily just in the parking lot. They had a short meeting and we went downstairs for some fellowship. While I didn't take a picture of it tonight, they have a very nice big Moose head on one wall. Inside the lodge room I took a couple picture as the have a nice big room for a smaller town.

Hi 12 Club Meeting Dayton

Today we had a very interesting program in Dayton on  area history in regards to prohibition. Most were unaware of much of the information which was presented. The person presenting had done extensive information gathering and found many historical pictures from the era. I personally love learning about history and it also doesn’t hurt that we had a good lunch in conjunction with the meeting.

Tall Cedars

My Tall Cedars group moved to Miamisburg officially as of this evening and are going to met right before our Commandery meeting each month. We had a big turnout compared to normal and even got at least one person who indicated they were probably putting in a petition. We are hoping this move will help us to get several new members since it is at the same location and day our Commandeymeets.

Valley Commandery Stated

tonight was our Stated meeting for Valley Commandery. Since our Inspection is coming up soon, we had a rather extensive practice. It was fairly obvious that more practises are needed and were planned. The good part is that we had the majority of those who will be performing at Inspection present for the practice. The overall attendance was very good as many “extras” were also present.

York Rite Cooperation Meeting

Today many of the Masonic Leaders in Ohio got together in Delaware Ohio. Our main goal is to determine methods to cooperate and work together to improve all Masonry. As a secondary purpose we also work to find solutions to make the Masonic experience more enjoyable to all members. Today we discussed the possibly of creating a statewide calendar to help disseminate information and minimize major conflicts.

Union Chapter #15 Inspection

This afternoon was the Inspection for Union Chapter in the 14th District in Stuebenville in the Mark Master Degree. Our Grand High Priest, MEC Ross Black, was also present as were a couple of his grand officers for the year. They did a nice job on 3 candidates. I was glad it was in the afternoon so I could get up at a semi-normal timeframe and make the long drive over (the weather was great for the drive). It also allowed me to head to another activity of the way home in the evening.

A Grand High Priest's work is never done

Yusef Khan Grotto Installation

On my way home from the Chapter Inspection in Stuebenville, I decided to swing over by Tadmor Shrine Temple in Akron for the Yusef Khan Installation. They had the Highlander's group Installing them on the evening. Yusef Khan is one of the larger in membership Grotto's so there are several things which they can do that I haven't been able to experience in the smaller ones (such as I belong to). It was a very nice ceremony and well planned out. The outgoing Monarch was also able to install his son as the incoming Monarch. After the Installation the ladies had prepared some food for everyone before we headed out to go home.

Ohio Masonic Rosicrucians Annual

Tonight was the Masonic Rosicrucian's annual meeting near Delaware Ohio. In addition to a great dinner and appetizers we brought in two new members, MWB Doug Kaylor and GHP of General Grand Chapter James Hodge. There were a number of dignitaries present (since almost all members fall in that category) We also had one of the degrees portrayed. Afterwards we socialized for awhile and then I headed home.

Shrine PM Club Meeting

i don’t often get to attend the meetings for this group (of which I am a Past President) but decided to attend tonight when I got a special invite notice. We elected new officers and covered a few other items needed to taken care of doing. We actually had a few more in attendance than I thought we might since we had a Lodge Inspection in our District as well (which I was going to attend myself before I got the invite to this meeting.)

Grotto Secretary Work

Today I spent a good part of the day getting the annual dues sent out for our Grotto and getting things caught up so I can shortly do the Annual Report. I also took a little time out to take care of some paperwork and get my oil changed in my car so it is ready to hit the travel trail.

Well Back Home

After a few days with relatives here and them a few days in Tennessee with Laura and her finance, I'm back in the travel trail again. Today I went with Pam to the New Year's Day Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner at Khana Shahar Grotto in Springfield. We had a good time fellowshipping with several of their members including the Grand Commander and then returned home to watch Ohio State win at the Rose Bowl.