Trinity Chapter 50 Year Pin Presentation

Tonight we presented Past High Priest Bill Bowman his 50 year pin. Despite the terrible weather conditions we did a very quick opening (as tonight was our stated meeting), dispensed with all unnecessary business and then did the presentation. Afterwards we quickly closed and went downstairs for some refreshments. We dud our best to get everyone back on the road as quick as possible so they could safely head back to their homes. While we were in the temple less than around an hour, we got around 1/2 inch of sleet/ice and a couple inches of snow....

Busy Night ..... 3 events

Well after trying to spend most of the day yesterday in cold recovery mode, tonight I ventured out for three events. The first was unfortunately the sad event for the evening as I went to the viewing for Brian Arnold's wife. She was 43 and had been battling cancer for a while and they just thought she was starting to get better, it was not meant to be. Brian is Past Master and Past Monarch at Beavercreek and has not been in the best of health over the past couple of years himself. Next I travelled down to the Past District Deputy Grand Masters Meeting. We had 16 in attendance including one of the current Deputies and Junior Grand Warden Doug Kaylor. We discussed several topics including the Grand Masters One Day Class including the Mark Master Degree. While the meeting lasted a little longer than normal, we covered many valuable pieces of information. Next I headed down to the Miamisburg Temple where Valley Commandery (mine) was meeting. Since I got there so late they were basically done but it did allow me to confirm with several of the workers at the Shrine Circus this weekend about shifts and assignments.

Muskingham Lodge #368 Inspection

I decided that I would make one last stop for the day on my way home from Mansfield and stop at the Lodge Inspection of Musingham Lodge #368 in the 18th Masonic District in Fultonham Ohio just below Zanesville. This is an extremely small town with a 2010 census report population of 176. The lodge itself, however, has 110 members. They had a large contingency of PDDGM's present and several visitors from outside their district as they are located right next to the district line. In total they had around 70 present for the Entered Apprentice Degree. This is my first visit into the 18th District but I was treated as if I was from the District and I had the opportunity to meet one PDDGM who served in 1969 and was 88 years old who seemed more like he was in his 60's. The biggest issue was trying to find a place to park sine they still had lots of snow around and given the size of the town had very limited parking. Luckily the one guy parking in front of the temple left just enough room for one more car. It was a little interesting to leave after the Inspection since people had to park 2 and 3 deep at the curb and even into the street to accommodate all the cars.

Ohio Grotto Association Meeting

I next took the trip north to Mansfield and Baku Grotto who hosted the state meeting of the Ohio Grotto Association. They had almost 60 in attendance and the majority of the Grotto's in the Association were represented. To accommodate the changes in society and reduce commitment requirements, they presented a motion to reduce the time in the State Line for an officer from 6 years to 4 years. The Grotto is a fun bunch of Masons and you often get the opportunity to meet and talk with Masons who you might otherwise not have an opportunity. One of my favorite things about the Grotto is they are definitely the least "political" of all the Masonic groups in which I belong so you can really feel comfortable just being yourself.



Springfield #48 and Shawnee #237 Chapter Inspections

After taking a couple days off to hopefully start feeling a little better, I went to Springfield in the Sixth Captitular District for a couple Inspections. They held their Inspections back to back in the Past Master and Most Excellent Master degrees. MEC Bill Berry was present along with Grand Master of the 2nd Veil Dan Smith and Grand King Keith O'Dell. REC Al Johnson Grand Recorder of Grand Commandery was also present. They did a nice job on the work of the morning and with a temporary thaw out the weather seemed to cooperate. While I unfortunately had to leave before they were finished as the work ran a little long, the drive to the next location was nice as the weather still seemed to cooperate.

Third District Past District Deputy Grand High Priest Association

Tonight our PDDGHP association got together in Brookville at K's restaurant to meet as a group and discuss ideas to help out the 3rd district and make it better. The President REC Jim Stephens lead the meet and REC Harless Maynard took the minutes. All three of the PGHPs from our District MEC's Crawford, Duncan and Shell were present. We discussed items of concern and exchanged ideas on how to address various situations. Our Current DDGHP's Clatterbuck and Fair gave an update of the Statewide April 5th Grand Lodge/ Grand Chapter event our District is assisting with in the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th Masonic Districts.

Solomon #79 Council Inspection

Tonight was the Council Inspection for Solomon Council located in Portsmouth in the 6th Arch. They also briefly opened and closed the Chapter and Commandery as it is their stated meeting night as well. On the evening they had 6 new candidates who received the Select Master degree. In addition to the Arch Inspector and Arch Adjutant, the Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, Richard Amlung was present as was the District Deputy Grand High Priest for the 5th District Lloyd Eichenlaub and Grand King Keith O'Dell who as you can tell from the pictures helped them out with the work on the evening.

Scottish Rite Worshipful Master Recognition

Today ended up with the Worhsipful Master Recognition by the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Dayton. The entire Grand Lodge Line was present along with numerous distinguished guests. While the weather did probably slow some down from attending, several of the Worshipful Masters still made it out to receive their pins from the Grand Master Norm Mick. The weather caused the entertainment to cancel out but it was probably a good thing that we were able to finish early and hopefully allow everyone to travel safely back to their homes.

Portage Chapter #202 Inspection

Luckily I planned to stay overnight in Kent after the Council Inspection last evening as they had at least 6 inches of snow and even the 15 mile drive to get to Barberton Chapter in the 17th District via the highway was slow. This is the home chapter for MEC Dale Ray, who was present as was PGC David Snyder and Past Prior Bill Straton. The DDGHP Rick Memmer has told me the night before that no matter what they would have the Inspection in the morning in the Royal Arch degree and they did with almsot 30 in attendance. They had several new persons in the degree cast for the morning which is an encouraging sign. Ths inspection moved right along which I was happy as my next event for the day was to be in Columbus at Mt. Vernon #1 Commandery Inspection. Unfortuantely, the bad weather slowed my travel but a stopped highway traffic for over an hour due to several semis being involved in an accident caused me to change my plans but I was able to make a stop by the hospital in Columbus to see my friend Tom Schoff.

Tuscarawas Council #109 Inspection

Tonight I attended the Council Inspection for Tuscarawas Council in New Philadelphia in the 8th Arch. They did a nice job on the Select Master degree and despite the bitterly cold temperatures and snow had a nice crowd. As this is the home Council for MEC John Gartrell several Grand Chapter Officers and Past Grand Officers were present. REC DDGHP if the 14th District and REC Rick Memmer DDGHP of the 17th District were both present as was PGHP Alan Hart and Past Prior Bill Straton who did the Inspection. Grand Council had several Grand Officers present including Grand Illustrious Master Richard Rinerhart, Deputy Grand Master Lynn Alexander, and Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Richard Amlung.