Area York Rite Planning Meeting

Tonight the 3rd & 4th Capitular Districts along with the 3rd Arch and 2nd &3rd Divisions got together to plan overall schedules for next year. Luckily we also had many of the dates for Scottish Rite in the Valley of Dayton and Valley of Cincinnati along with a few Grand Lodge dates. Surprisingly this year we had very few conflicts and most we did find were at the far ends of the area and would probably have little affect on the attendance at either event.  It seems like every year we are getting a few more sets of area Masonic dates to help in the overall coordination of dates. In planning for the whole year (from Grand York Rite week 2016-2017) it was accomplished in a little over an hour an a half. The best part was representatives from each were available on-site to help make immediate adjustments. I'm looking forward to another great year next year.

Tall Ceders Social outing

Tonight our Grand Tall Cedar, MEC George Shell, decided to change our stated meeting to a social outing with the families as Marion's Pizza. We had a good turnout with around 30 total in attendance. I think it was more than he expected as we just sat in the normally dining area instead of their separate room. It ended up being a nice social event even if we had to sit at 3 separate tables. Considering that a few months back around Christmas we were contemplating closing and usually, at most, had around 4-5 showing up at a meeting we are definitely headed in the right direction an one couple who came last night, he will be joining in October. As we left Laura played the hand of "dad since I'm leaving Wednesday and won't be back home from Knoxville for a while can we please go to Young's for Ice Cream card". So, needless to say, we had ice cream at Young's after Pizza tonight.

More news

We were a little shocked when we heard the closing on mom's house would be last night but as of today everything associated with her house should be done. That's good as it is now time to help Laura move to Knoxville to start the next chapter of her life as a Tennessee Volunteer at the University of Tennessee. Luckily, she already has a job lined up at a local gym where she can have flexible hours. She may be helping to teach gymnastics, dance and cheer. While she got the keys to her new apartment Monday, she officially moves the majority of her "stuff" there this weekend. The good part for us is that the dance studio she was working at here in Dayton would also like her to work with them on the weekends, at her convenience, to choreograph solos so she might be coming back on some weekends to work in Dayton. Pam is finally starting to recover fully from her jaw/mouth surgery but still limited on what she can eat. Guess it is getting time to start focusing on cleaning up the aftermath of Laura leaving at our house and her grandmother's house where she had been living. That's right folks the work never stops it just changes forms....

Trinity Chapter

Tonight was our final meeting until the fall. Despite just being a stated meting, we had 15 in attendance. It was a good chance for the new officers to practice their parts and to my amazement there were no rituals open. We also talked about all of the events which are going on over the summer and while we will have no stated meetings, we have around 5-6 activities planned prior to coming back in the fall. I continue to be a proud member of this Chapter as every time I think they might be taking their foot off the accelerator pedal, they push it down just a little farther.

Joint Installation

Tonight was the Joint Installation for the 3rd District Chapters. Several of the Grand Officers came to Middletown to help install the officers the various chapters in the 3rd District this evening. It started off with the Rainbow serving a dinner prepared by the Eastern Star and then moved upstairs for the installation. We also passed out awards with Trinity Chapter getting the travelling Alter cloth, EC Bob Reedy outstanding High Priest and District Workhorse Dave Trainer. The new District officers were installed with EC Richard Poore being installed as the new District President.

Long Day

Today was a long day and although it had no Masonic activities, I thought I would mention it here as it was a significant day.  It started around 4 AM with some things I needed to do for work before heading over around 7 AM for the final auction day for my mom's house contents and the house itself. While it should mean I have much more time to again start visiting more places for Masonic meetings, it was also a bittersweet feeling. While I haven't lived here for over 30 years, I did live here growing up my entire life and most of the items sold today were things from my childhood. It was also the first time in forever that I've seen rooms completely empty in the house. As we brought out the stuff to sell, there was the huge movie camera that was in what looked like an over sized suitcase which when dad got he then thought he was a movie producer and took everywhere taking movies. There was a huge rooster cutout made of wood which mom covered with various colors of seeds to fill in the areas to make it appear to be a rooster which were popular in the 60's. There were numerous coolers which we used on camping outing we made almost every weekend to local campgrounds in truck camper which dad made himself. The coolers were filled with dry ice to keep the food cooled down for the weekend. There where my sisters Barbie's which I would used my GI Joe's aircraft carrier to shoot down her Barbie dolls. I even saw the unopened full set of John Wayne movies which I gave dad just before he passed away and had not had a chance to watch. You can sell all the "things" which helped to create those memories and even the house where they happened but nothing can erase when a good memory is made.

Ormus Grotto Stated

Tonight at our stated meeting we elected and installed two new officers. For a small Grotto of around 50 total, I think this is a big deal. We also recognized Keith Newton as a Past Monarch for his service last year. I also discuss that due to work I now will not be able to make it to the Supreme Session in New Orleans in July and I was really looking forward to this trip. We also did some instructing for our newer members so they would understand a little more for the new offices they assumed. We are going to start promoting our Valley Vineyards Wine and Dinner outing in September so we might get some participation outside just our Grotto. Since they were projecting severe weather, we tried to get done as quick as possible while still addressing our items which needed to be discussed.

Skip Vanderhorst Mother-in-law Viewing

Tonight Pam and I went to the funeral home for Skip's mother-in-law who was one of Pam's late mother's best friends in high school and I think was also in her wedding. She had lived a long life and outlived all her friends. As Skip said, she was starting to have some significant issues on a more regular basis which was getting her frustrated. While it is always sad when someone passes at times you have to wonder if it actual was more of what the person passing wanted given their current condition.

Trinity Chapter Installation

Tonight Kent Crager was installed as our High Priest at Trinity Chapter. Kent has some big shoes to fill as the past two High Priests have made sure we won the traveling awards in the District. We had a great turnout with almost 20 in attendance and in addition several of the ladies were there for the installation. EC Dave Thomas was congratulated for the excellent job he did this past year as High Priest and presented with his Past High Priest apron. PDDGHP REC John Watkins served as the installing officer. I didn't think I was going to make it as I felt terrible during the afternoon but felt much better by the time for the installation.

Ohio Masonic Home Day

Today was the annual Ohio Masonic Home Day and this year the York Rite Bodies were all asked to participate in the parade. It was definitely hot and we were excited that we were able to ride instead of walking in the parade. If you haven't been to the OMH in the last year, make it a point to visit. The new layout and buildings look fantastic. The new shelter house is first class and I'm looking forward to attending meetings in this building. We had the normal food booths and kids area but this year it appeared everyone was enjoying the new atmosphere the home changes made for the activity. Overall, it appeared there were more folks attending than in the past as they had to park folks in an additional area this year. I came home today proud of the improvements made to my (our) Masonic Home in Springfield.