Pomeroy Inspection

Tonight was Pomeroy's Chapter Inspection in the Royal Arch Degree. Middleport (where they meet) is in the 13th Capitular District and right on the border of West Virginia. This was the first opportunity I have had to visit this Chapter though I have planned a visit here for several years. Past Grand Illustrious Master Roger Gaul along with Dan Arnold current Prior of the KYCH and David Fox Past Prior were all present last night and area members of this Chapter. In addition, REC Rodney Carr Grand Master of the 1st Veil was present and REC Randy Williams District Deputy Prior of KYCH was present and did a very nice journey presentation for them in the degree. It was also nice to hear that the majority of officers were NOT Past High Priests. In all, the drive was nice both there and back though the 30 cent jump in gas prices from yesterday was not so nice.

PDDGM Meeting

Tonight was our quarterly meeting for the PDDGM's and we discussed several items including Grand Lodge, DeMolay, Grand Master;s Class 2014, and several other Lodge related items. We have started something similar in Chapter to help keep the PDDGHP's informed of what is happening. I'm not sure why in most of our organizations it seems as though almost all mail and information about the organizations ceases the day you go out of office. We really need to come up with a better was of using that knowledge of our past officers rather than just discarding it.

Scottish Rite Reunion

Yesterday we finished up the Scottish Rite Reunion where they brought in around 50 candidates. It was a busy day as they started the 14th degree around 8AM and didn't finish until late in the day. They also caught up on several outstanding membership award presentations. In all it was a good day for Dayton Scottish Rite. After lunch I had to prepare to head to Columbus for a non Masonic event; the football playoff game for Miamisburg for only the second time in the history of the school. As my daughter, Laura, is one of the head cheerleaders, she was very excited like the rest of the team. While the excitement only lasted into about half of the 1st quarter and the final score of 48-7 may not have been that great, it still ended up as one of the best years in the school's history for football.

Scottish Rite and Adoniram Council

Tonight was the Valley of Dayton Scottish Rite Reunion and am the Director for the 5th Degree so I was very happy when the degree was over and I think the cast did a nice job on the presentation. Afterwards, our Illustrious Master of council asked if I could come by to help them open as he figured several would be at Scottish Rite and they might not have enough to open. So after I dinner I went down to help them open but was pleasantly surprise when around 15 showed up for the meeting.

Continuing Service Award

Some nights you just have to forget any plans you might have for something which comes up unexpectedly. Tonight was one of those nights. While I had made arrangements some time ago to take half a day vacation at work and go to a Chapter inspection just a couple miles from PA and almost to the tip of Ohio, I cancelled them to attend the continuing service award presentation for Clarke Wylie this evening from the White Shrine of Jerusalem. Clarke is a KYCH and a supporter of ALL masonic organizations (along with many non-masonic as well). Clarke also will do anything he can to support you as the presiding officer and has presided himself over numerous groups. I'm proud to think Clarke sees me as a good friend because he definitely is a good friend to anyone who will let him be their friend.

Wauseon Chapter #111 Inspection

Tonight was Wauseon Chapter's Inspection in the Past Master Degree. The chapter did a nice job on the Inspection and I was actually able to get back on the road headed home early. It was also nice to see both DDGM's from the 5th Masonic District present for the Inspection. I was also glad this year no mishaps in the parking lot like last year when someone accidentally hit my car. Before I left town tonight I decided to fill up as gas was $2.89 per gallon!

Piqua Chapter

Last night DDGHP Joe Fair and myself headed up to Piqua to discuss their future. Since they were not represented at Grand Chapter we guessed they were also not holding meeting which was true (and has been for some time). Apparently the Lodge is going to contact another local temple to see about renting space and if that comes about they would sell the current building and the Chapter (and Council) would probably merge in with an existing one. While it might not be the plan I want to hear, sometimes you have to face the facts and do what is best for the Chapter.

Exciting Day For DeMolay in Eaton Ohio

Today I trained 6 DeMolay Advisors for a Chapter we are trying to start in Eaton Ohio which Bolivar Lodge agreed to sponsor. One of the Advisors trained was Mark Howard who is a Past State Master Councilor and has helped start other Chapters and has 3 boys to transfer to this Chapter. In addition, Troy Davis who is a District education Officer for the 2nd Masonic District will be the Chairman of the Advisory Council. Ray Jones also agreed to come back as an Advisor and was on the Council when the Chapter in Eaton closed 30 years ago. Hopefully this is the start for big things to happen with a new DeMolay Chapter in Eaton Ohio.

KYCH and Grotto Special Ceremonial

Today was a long day which started early with a drive to Van Wert for the KYCH Meeting and induction of new members to the KYCH. Dan Arnold is the new Prior for Ohio Priory #18 KYCH. One of the candidates for the day was REC Jeff Addis who is also serving in the Grand Chapter line along with two Grand Council officers who were also candidates. Our immediate PGHP MEC Don Owens and current GHP MEC Robert Thomas are officers for the KYCH and both advanced in the line. Since I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to attend I had not made lunch reservations and ate across the street at Balyeat's which I have wanted to eat at for years but never had an opportunity. The food was all homemade (I had beef and noodles and pie) and judging by the taste they use real ingredients including lard in the pie crusts which were fantastic. After the induction of new members into the KCYH, I headed over to Toledo for something a little different. Tonight the Grotto in Toledo got special permission to portray the ceremonial degree work as it would have been done around 100 years ago. It was quite different than the work being done today in the current ritual. Being that it was unique, members from all over the state and even some from out of the state came in for the unique presentation. They had five candidates and over 50 members in attendance. it goes to show that a little thinking outside the box, planning and communications can greatly increase membership and interest.

DDGHP & DEO Installation 3rd Capitular District

Friday evening in Farmersville was the Installation for REC Fred Gallo and EC Mac Polston as District Deputy Grand High Priest and District Education Officer respectively. Since both were from Twin Valley Chapter it was a little bit of a unique Installation. Unfortunately, Fred had fallen a week earlier and was hurt fairly bad and was confined to a wheelchair for the Installation. MEC George Shell (also from Twin Valley Chapter) did the Installation for both on the evening. MEC Jerry Crawford and MEC Steve Duncan along with the sitting DDGHP's, DEO's and myself also participated in the ceremony. Afterwards everyone went downstairs to enjoy refreshments.