Antioch OG Roast

Hopefully after today I'll start taking a few more pictures as I got a new camera at Christmas (which now has a memory card to save pictures).  Tonight we roasted our new Oriental Guide Ed Peters and also picked on the new Potentate Scott Lipps. We learned about several exciting new programs being planned for the year but mainly just had fun at the expense of Ed. It was good that he was a good sport about about it and his boss even got in on the fun. Afterwards we headed to Columbus for an event tomorrow for our daughter.

Reed Coomandery #6 Inspection

There was a nice attendance today at the Commandery Inspection for Reed as the Grand Commander Dennis Hughes (from our 2nd Division) was in attendance. The number of dignitaries is more than I will take the time to mention. Unfortunately as was the case at the inspection for Commandery in Dayton last week they were running seriously behind schedule. While I had planned to stay throughout the entire full form opening I has to leave a little early (since they were running so far behind) to make it over to the OG Roast being held at Antioch.

4 Chapter Inspections Cincinnati

Today at Loveland the 4th Capitular District held an all day 4 inspection day. Morrow, Wyoming, Loveland, and Blanchester all held their inspections at Loveland and by the end of the day two new Royal Arch Masons were exalted. Grand King Keith O'Dell was also present. It was nice to see REC Robert Benton in attendance and in much better health than over the pas two years. Luckily they started early as I had to head back up north to Dayton in the afternoon for a Commandery inspection.

Antioch Shrine Stated Meeting/Installation

Tonight we tried something new at Antioch Shrine and held the state meeting and installation the night prior to the OG Roast. Tonight Scott Lipps was being installed as our Potentate. Scott and I were officers in Lodge together and I was Junior Warden when he was Worshipful Master. (Guess it was appropriate I was Potentate when he was 3rd in line this time around.) It was announced tonight that for the second consecutive year we have had positive membership growth and the room was full for a stated meeting. I think we are doing something right. It also excites me that many of the ideas we spent the entire year working on during 2011 as a group to start implementation in 2012 are still being implemented.

Bellevue Chapter #113 Inspection

Tonight was the Inspection in the Most Excellent Master degree in Bellevue in the 9th District up on the lake. While we got some snow tonight, it was quite obvious they had received lats of snow over the past couple of weeks. The drive wasn't too bad just so you paid close attention and drove at responsible speeds. This was my first visit to Bellevue temple but it was easy to find. The cast did a nice job on the degree and the members of the Chapter seem to be trying to turn things around for this Chapter.

Middletown Council 136 Inspection

Considering the temperature was a heat wave of around 20+ degrees (Compared to the last couple days where everything was cancelled since it was below zero for two days) I headed out tonight for the Middletown Council Inspection in my Arch. The inspection was in the Royal Master degree and they did a nice job or it. The had many dignitaries present including the Grand illustrious Master Robert Rinehart and Deputy Grand Illustrious Master Lynn Alexander. In addition, Past Grand Master Mike Himes and Deputy Grand Commander Tom Gault were present.They had also worked to get their own members out and had a full set of walkers all from Middletown.

Union Chapter #15 Inspection

While normally I try to attend every Inspection possible in my own District and Wilmington Chapter was holding their Chapter Inspection last night, I decided to head over to Stuebenville to their Chapter Inspection since it is a very long drive to go to the 15th District and when something is happening on a Saturday instead of during the week, I need to take advantage of the situation. Their Inspection was in the Mark Master degree and since the District Deputy Grand High Priest for that District is from that Chapter he had a guest Inspector of Past District Deputy Grand High Priest Davis. Several members from Toronto Chapter came down to assist as some of the Union Chapter members in the cast unexpectedly were out of town. It is nice to see in any District but especially in the smaller ones that the Chapters are helping each other out. Past Grand Commander Arthur Michael, Jr. is also from this Chapter and was present last evening and we talked about several old timers (Guess if you know old timers ...you must be one too!).

Dayton Commandery Inspection

Today was the start of Comamndery Inspection season. There were several dignitaries present including Past Grand Commander Burch Zehner, Past Grand High Priest Steve Duncan, Past Grand Master Neil Smalley and from the Grand Commandery Eminent Grand Generalissimo Gerald Pugh (who was inspecting) Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander Tom Gault, Eminent Grand Standard Bearer Marty Trent, Eminent Grand Sword Bearer Richard Ganion, and Eminent Grand Warder John Christman to name a few. The work went well during the Order of the Temple and I would expect the same from the Full Form opening though I had to leave to get on the road as I was heading to a Chapter Inspection in Stuebenville this evening.I was also glad I went as I saw a couple of changes that have been made which I was unaware which in COmmandery happens often so attending other Inspections is a must to keep up with the changes.

Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis

Well after a day of terrible weather and cancellations all over, tonight I ventured out to Newark, Ohio. Most would say...what is this I've never heard of it so how about by its slightly easier name, the Masonic Rosicrucian Society of the United States. Still clueless, well it might be because the origination is invitational only, limited in membership and officially held its first meeting to start the Ohio branch in 2007. Tonight was their annual meeting (only meeting held each year) and we were back at where it all began in 2007 at the Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark Ohio. The meeting consists usually of a program, a degree presentation and invitation of new members. Oh and for a little more information on the group, you can check out their website at
http://www.ohiosricf.org/about.html

Ormus Grotto New Years Day Dinner

Every year Ormus Grotto in Beavercreek puts on a Pork and Sauerkraut dinner to welcome in the New Year. This year was no different as our Monarch Skip Vanderhorst was busy working in the kitchen along with several other members preparing, serving and cleaning up form the event. It is a casual event where members, their families and guests can get together to welcome in the New Year.