Marshall Chapter #47 Inspection

Tonight I travelled north to Marshall Chapter Inspection in the Royal Arch Degree in Elyria Ohio. The weather was not the best but I can't complain since I made it safely up and back. The 9th District, where this Chapter is located, is part of my region this year. I was also happy to be able to say that after visiting this Chapter I had attended an event at all the Chapters in my Region (Districts 1, 8, & 9). To me, getting to travel around the state and meeting the various members at the various locations around the state is the best part of being a Mason. REC Ross Black, Grand Royal arch Captain, was also present. I was also glad to hear the District is making arrangements for the April 5th Grand Master's Class in which the 9th Capitular District will be working with the 16trh Masonic District to perform the Peculiar Stone Skit and the Mark Master Degree. After the Inspection they had a Chili cook off where several members brought various types of Chili to sample.

Viewing for EC Pelfrey

Tonight was the viewing for another long time Masonic Brother WB EC Pelfrey who passed away last week. He was a Past 2nd Masonic District Education Officer, Past Sovereign Price Valley of Dayton, 33rd, Knight York Cross of Honor and Past Prior for Ohio Priory KYCH. There was a nice turnout of Past Potentate's who stood Honor Guard and guests as his widow is Barb Pelfrey who was Grand Worthy Matron last year. EC was glad he had the opportunity to travel with her last year. EC was also the Potentate when I joined the Shrine in 1987 and I have know him since that time. Tonight I was able to stand honor guard for him. As was Jim Elliott who I attended the viewing for last night both were super active Masons for more than 60 years.

Viewing For Jim Elliott

Tonight was the viewing for Worshipful Brother Jim Elliott of Vandalia. Jim has been active in the PM Club at the Shrine for more than 40 years. He was the President in 1973 and was the Director for many years including in 2003 when I was the President of the Club. For the Masonic Services the PM Club were dressed in their formal dress with over 30 in attendance and nearly 50 in total. Anything you asked Jim to do for the PM Club he did it including times when he was not really in good enough physical condition to accomplish the task. He was equally active in his Lodge and in 2012 the Vandalia Temple was renamed the James Elliott Center. So long to a good man.

Valley Commandery #80 Inspection

This morning after the Lodge Inspection, I headed to Miamisburg to my Commandery Inspection. While I have been assisting on the stage crew for several years, today I was pushed back into duty and helped out in the active drill ranks. Despite their being a major Commandery Inspection just down the road in Middletown with the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment present, we still had a nice turnout. It was especially nice to see Earl Gorsuch at the Inspection who is a KYCH and Charter Member of Valley Commandery (1946). At 92, he was definitely getting around very well. Everyone was pleased with the outcome of the inspection which went much better than the practices and the Commandery passed their inspection. The roads were getting a little tricky as we left as the snow was coming down at a fairly steady clip.

Solar Lodge #730 Inspection

Today was Solar Lodge #730 inspection in Dayton in the EA degree. It was obvious that they had spent some time practicing for the inspection and the lodge did a good job on the work of the morning. RWB Doug Kaylor the Junior Grand Warden was present along with several Past District Deputies and the current Grand Officers from the Second Masonic District. Bob Deam who is a Past Potentate of Antioch is now the Senior Warden for Solar lodge. This is the home lodge of EC Pelfrey who passed away yesterday and was a Past District Education Officer, 33rd and Past Prior for Ohio Priory KYCH. A short moment of silence was held for him at the beginning of the meeting.

Mansfield Council #94 Inspection

Tonight was inspection in the Royal Master degree for Robert Blankenhorn's council. While he is long since a Past Illustrious Master, he offered to help out when a person came down sick but another officer filled in the station. While the weather wasn't ideal, it wasn't that bad since I took my time both up and back to be safe. It also kept the attendance down especially those who would have been coming from locations which did get a significant snowfall amount. The meeting moved right along and after refreshments I was headed back home so I can get up early in the morning for Lodge inspection in Dayton.

Twin Valley Chapter #240 Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection for Twin Valley Chapter in my district located in Farmersville. They did a nice job in the Royal Arch degree and PGHP George Shell even performed in the degree and sat in for the Scribe who had to rush his wife into the hospital. MEC Steve Duncan was also present as were several members of my Chapter (who won the traveling award) and followed closely by Wilmington Chapter who brought two candidates for the Royal Arch Degree in addition to the one from Twin Valley Chapter. I think the weather kept many from coming this evening as the snow and slick roads did make it tricky to safely get to this slightly more remote location.

Circus Fund Raiser Meeting

Tonight was the planning meeting for the Shrine Circus in which we in the Chapter are helping with the parking as our fund raiser.We discussed the various parts of the circus and how some of the areas would be slightly different than in the past including the parking detail.Since there are several; new leads on the side of the venue (University of Dayton) and also on the Shrine side, some of the discussions went a little longer but at the end I think everyone is on the same page and knows what is happening....now I'm just hoping for good weather that weekend.

Trinity Chapter #44 Inspection

Tonight was the inspection for my Chapter in the Royal Arch degree. They had put some time into practicing and it showed as they did a nice job of the degree. The best part is we had 3 candidates who are all younger members of the Lodge. It was also good to see REC Fred Gallo out for the first time since he broke his hip. In addition, PGHPs Steve Duncan and George Shell were in attendance as were PGIM Bobby Campbell and RIC Mike Smith from Council. I was glad that three Past High Priests of the Chapter who served before I was High Priest were present so I was not first in the line for introductions. In fact one of those PHPs will be receiving his 65 year award this month in Lodge and 50 year pin in Chapter next month and he participated in the degree work.

Jeffferson Lodge #90 Inspection

Tonight I went to a Lodge inspection in my Masonic district at Middletown. They had a good crowd present with right at 100 in total and over 50 of their own members. One of the good things is that even though Jefferson Lodge is a merger of a total of 3 Lodges which met in the Temple at Middletown, the other two Lodges have been accepted in with Jefferson and their were members of the MM work from all three Lodges. They did a nice job on the evening and it was kind of neat that the Worshipful Master used his daughter's gavel from when she presided as Worthy Advisor of the Rainbow Assembly at Middletwon. I was glad to hear they were promoting Grand Master's Class in addition to the York Rite Mark Master after the Lodge degrees on April 5th.