Hillsboro Chapter #40 Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection of the Grand High Priest in Hillsboro in the 5th District in the Past Master Degree. Grand Master Steve Cokenhougher, Grand Illustrious Master Lynn Alexander, Grand Commander Tom Gault, and Prior Robert McNutt were all present in addition to several Grand Officers. Despite all the dignitaries in attendance they did a good job on the degree. The weather, however, was terrible as Past Grand High Priest Most Excellent Companion George Shell and I were on the way home and we saw at least 3 cars which had ran off the road and flipped.

Greenville Chapter #77 Inspection

Tonight was Inspection in Greenville which is in my District (though it is at the outer limits of our District). They have had a few members step forward over the past few years to help keep the Chapter alive and last night for the first time in a while did the Most Excellent Master Degree for Inspection using mainly members of their own Chapter. From a Chapter that a little more than a year ago wanted to turn in their Charter to putting on the degree with little assistance is in my mind a great achievement. Our Grand High Priest Keith O'Dell and Grand Aides George Bauer and Richard Smith were in attendance this evening. The temperature outside was below zero but as normal with Grenville, after they had the Inspection they had pulled pork to warm you up before leaving. Once again tonight Trinity Chapter was out in force with 8 present.

Trinity Chapter Stated Meeting

Tonight I attended the stated meeting for my Chapter in which they were preparing for Inspection next week. We had a good attendance and it appeared everyone was focused on the Inspection and moving the Chapter forward. Since they have won the traveling award at every Inspection and had the most at the other points activities for the traveling award, part of the discussion last night was about to ensure we stay in first place.They also discussed working the circus this next month. I couldn't be happier with the efforts my Chapter is putting in to continue to improve.

Valley Commandery Full Form Inspection

Tonight was the Full Form Inspection for my Commandery and I'm glad I was able to attend since I filled in as part of the army to help them out. We are one of the few Commanderies in Ohio with an actual Captain General who is progressing in the line and not a Past Commander. The Deputy Division Comander William Dixon was inspecting us and PGC Burch Zehner and Grand Senior Warden Marty Trent were also present. We passed so that was the main goal....despite my filling in!

York Rite Cooperation Meeting

Today the Grand Officers for the York Rite Bodies met in Delaware Ohio to discuss communications among groups and how the various groups can work closer together. It also serves a a way for the Grand Officers who will potentially be serving together in any given year to start to get to know each other and work together on future plans. It has especially been nice at the past few meetings that the Grand Master has been able to attend which has lead to even more productive meetings than in the past. It also gives the Grand Chapter Officers an opportunity, either before or afterwards, to meet a little more informally and get to know each other better. As we are often all going our own ways to help support Ohio across the state, the opportunities to get together are not as plentiful as some might think.

Wilmington Chapter #63 Inspection

Tonight it was a Chapter Inspection in my District in the Royal Arch Degree and the Grand High priest Keith O'Dell was in attendance. Also present with him were two of his Aides Richard Smith and George Bauer. I was really glad to be at the Inspection since the new props they added were exceptional and really made this one of the best Royal Arch Degrees I have ever seen. My own Chapter, Trintiy Chapter, again won the traveling award with 8 in attendance despite us threatening to leave 2 trouble makers behind. Ok so they were just having a good time....

Dayton Commandery #68 Inspection

Today was the first Commandery Inspection of the year in our Division in Dayton under the new format. The Grand Commander Tom Gault was present in addition to PGC Richard Holcombe and Inspecting Officer PGC Dave Snyder. There were several other Dignitaries present including progressing Grand Comamndery Officers Marty Trent and Paxton Mendelssohn. Overall they had a good turnout and did some good work to start out the Commandery Inspection season. And while I was right yesterday...I didn't get home and get to sleep until after 4 AM today, I didn't make Lebanon's Lodge Inspection as when the alarm went off at 7:30 AM I was still very tired and not feeling so great so I decided to sleep some more and start out at the Commandery Inspection today.

 

Mt. Olive Chapter #189 Inspection

Tonight was the inspection for Mt. Olive Chapter in the 16th District in Euclid near Cleveland. They were inspected in the Mark Master degree and had a decent turnout present with several dignitaries in attendance. MEC PGHP Robert Thomas along with Grand Scribe Jeff Addis, Grand Parliamentarian Abraham Kay and Eminent Grand Standard Bearer Robert C. Hager were all present just to name a few. The only unfortunate part was it lasted quite late and then on the way home I had to stop to take a couple rest breaks so attending a Lodge Inspection in my District in the morning was out since I'm guessing I won't get to sleep until around 4 AM.

Weekly Travels for January

While often my travels are dictated by my work schedule, I am going to try keep at a running monthly schedule of potential Chapter related visits/events outside our area (with an occasional Lodge, Council or Commandery Inspection as well). If anyone from my area is interested in traveling with me, contact me and we will see what we can do.

• Friday 2 16th District Mt. Olive Chapter #189 Inspection (Euclid near Cleveland)

Week of 1/5
• Monday 5 Ohio COUNCIL #92 Inspection (Ironton)
• Tuesday 6 University LODGE #631 Inspection (Columbus)
• Thursday 8 5th District Hillsboro Chapter #40 Inspection
• Saturday 10 1st Wauseon Chapter #111 Inspection then Findlay COMMANDERY #49 Inspection

Week of 1/12
• Wednesday 14 14th District Nugen Chapter #124 Inspection Newcomberstown
• Thursday 15 Zanesville COUNCIL #12 Inspection
• Friday 16 6th District Amelia LODGE #590 Inspection

Week of 1/19
• Monday 19 Fremont COUNCIL #64 Inspection
• Wednesday 21 6th District Urbana Chapter #34 Inspection
• Friday 23 13th District McArthur Chapter #102 Inspection
• Saturday 24 7th District Scioto Chapter #119 Inspection at Kenton AM

Week of 1/26
• Monday 26 10th District Bucyrus Chapter #160 Inspection
• Tuesday 27 Coshocton COUNCIL #110 Inspection
• Friday 30 7th District Western Sun LODGE #91 Inspection
• Saturday 31 Logan COMMANDERY #78 Inspection

Grotto New Year's Day Dinner

Today was the annual Pork and Sauerkraut dinner for Ormus Grotto which Pam and I attended. I drove the new car we picked up yesterday and will be replacing my blue car which is around 250K miles and getting close to its' last run. This is our first new car in some time but I'm going to break it in right driving it to Mt. Olive Chapter Inspection in Euclid tomorrow up by Cleveland.