Wooster Chapter #27 Inspection

Tonight was the inspection in the Royal Arch degree for Wooster Chapter in the 10th District. PGHPs from that district MEC Robert Blankenhorn Jr. and MEC Robert Crabbs were both present. EC Harry McClarren, who sent me a special invite, and is blind did a very good job (according to the DDGHP ... I would not comment on ritual work ... though I think the DDGHP got it right :) with on of the major parts for the evening. When we finished up they had refreshments for us before I started the 3 hour drive back home.

Mt. Vernon Chapter #23 Inspection

Tonight, I went to Mt. Vernon Chapter Inspection in Portsmouth. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out they had 10 candidates for the Past Master Degree and 2 others in the class that already have received the Past Master Degree. The candidates all received the lessons of the degree and each had their chance to sit in the Oriental Chair. This is REC Ryan Adams district and he was there along with several other dignitaries from the 5th District.

Cincinnati Chapter #2 Reconsecration

Today was the reconsecration for the 200th year of Cincinnati Chapter #2. MWB Norm Mick and MWB Mike Himes were both present as were all but a couple of the Grand Chapter Officers. Overall they had a nice turnout and good refreshments to celebrate the occasion in addition to a mug which they gave to everyone to commemorate the occasion. It was nice that this one was relatively close (around an hour away).

Minerva Lodge Election

Tonight was my Lodge's annual meeting and elections. We have continued to work to move our Lodge forward over this past year and that hard work has paid off and been recognized as we now have the county rep from our Lodge for the District Association along with the 2nd VP and a DEO all from our Lodge. In addition, we have been working on goals to get new members (I think we might have had enough to have no losses for the year) and increase meeting attendance (tonight we probably had around 40 total in attendance). I'm proud and excited to be a member of Minerva and see nothing but good things in store for the Lodge in the future. And as a final comment I must applaud the outgoing Worshipful Master who started out the year with detailed written plans, communicated them to everyone and followed up on them. He definitely was inspirational to all the officers to encourage everyone to work towards a common goal of improving the Lodge.  

Greenville Chapter #77 Inspection

Tonight was the first Inspection for the year for the 3rd Capitular District and we had a good turnout for Greenville which is the northwestern most corner of the District. For most it is well over an hour to get to Greenville. We had 2 official visits tonight (5+ visiting) and one had 10 members. In addition, this Chapter has had some issues over the years and even tried to turn in their Charter but tonight they not only did a good job on the Past Master degree, they also had a new person doing a major part for the first time this evening. It was also the first Inspection for EC Dave Trainer new DEO and REC Richard Bielicki new DDGHP who both did a nice job. Afterwards we had the traditional pulled pork snack before heading back home.

Frank S. Land Day

Well, unfortunately, today I was not able to attend a Chevalier ceremony but was able to fulfill my obligation by meeting with a young man. It is not always as easy to meet on a specific date as one might think and actually I kind of like when groups do meet on a convenient date very close but not exactly on the date. In Cincinnati, they meet for the LOH date on the Sunday evening nearest to March 18th. Whatever may be the case, I'm always glad to have had the opportunity to belong to DeMolay and receive the great leadership training which the organization teaches.   

PDDGM Meeting

Tonight was our first PDDGM meeting after having MWB Kaylor installed as GM from our District and we had a huge turnout with 19 PDDGM's present. We also had some very good discussions about the various activities being held throughout the year and what could we do to help support him. While normally we are out early tonight we had some great discussions and finished up much later than normal but it was a very good meeting,

2 Recons Near Youngstown

Today we had 2 Reconsecrations in the 19th District: Salem #94 and New Lisbon #92. Both were for 150 years and were done back-to-back today at their respective temples. Almost all the Grand Officers were able to attend and although it was a 4+ hour trip for me, it was mostly highway driving and it was a nice day for a drive. Most of those in attendance were the same at both but after the one in New Lisbon we had some refreshments before heading out. Since we had one last weekend (and again next weekend), we are starting to get proficient in the ceremony. 

Jim Williamson Retirement Party

Tonight was a very nice event held for MWB Jim Williamson to celebrate his retirement as the Executive Secretary for the Valley of Dayton. (MWB Williamson and I received our 33rds together) While there were some touching moments in the discussion of memories over the past 10 years, there were also some very funny moments and as far as I am concerned I think that is more important. We often see retirement as a sad time as you will miss the person but hopefully it is actually an exciting time for them and the next person to assume the station. After all, the person leaving the position has added his own touch to the position and almost always the organization is left a little better off. The amount of "projects" the Valley of Dayton has been able to do over the past 10 years is amazing and while other major Masonic temples in Ohio have had to be sold or are up for sale, our building is in the best shape it has been ... probably since it was built in 1928. Congrats Jim.

Trinity Chapter Stated

Tonight my Chapter put on the Mark Master Degree for one candidate and despite several not able to make it they had plenty to put on the degree and even some for the sidelines. I had shown up just in case they were short on help to get the degree done but thankfully they were not. We also presented to the High Priest from last year two certificates from Grand Chapter in regards to membership. I even got home in time to see the last part of the World Series game 6 with the Cubs winning and now ready for game 7 tomorrow.