Shrine Oriental Guide Roast

After a day and a half of ice on the roads around us, it finally started to get warmed and we headed off to the Shrine and the Oriental Guide Roast. They started off with a social hour and then moved into a very nice dinner. Afterwards they introduced all the officers including the new Potentate Wes Ramsey. Next the Oriental Guide Todd Rider was Roasted by the prior Oriental Guide and afterwards everyone enjoyed a party/dance. Overall it was a nice and relaxing evening. 

Nugen Chapter #124 Inspection

Tonight was the Inspection for MEC Alan Hart's Chapter in the Mark Master Degree. He was present along with MEC John Gartrell. This Chapter is located in Newcomberstown just above Cambridge in the 14th Capitular District. RIC Dave Mourer, Deputy Grand Master Grand Council of Ohio, was present and did the Right Worshipful Master part in the degree work and they an actual new candidate who was joining as a courtesy from Warren Chapter in Newark Ohio.

Unity Chapter #16 Stated

Today was Unity Chapter #16 stated meeting and it would have been hard to tell today that just less than a year ago I was working with them to keep them from closing. We had 16 in attendance and around 5 of them where in attendance because we were meeting during the day and they can no longer drive at night. They received a new petition and were talking about practicing for Inspection. We also continued to work through a few challenges with only meeting officially 4 times per year but I think we are now in good shape to be able to handle those issues. I heard lots of optimism and folks who indicated they would ask some others to attend at the next meeting who they know can no longer get out at night.

Trinity Chapter #44 Inspection

Tonight was my Chapters Inspection in Miamisburg in the Past Master Degree. The DDGHP indicated that we had a very nice Inspection and despite some less than ideal weather conditions our Chapter had a nice turnout of our members with 18 present. MEC Steve Duncan was also in attendance. Now the York Rite in our temple can start focusing on the rest of the Inspections in the building. Once again my Chapter made me very proud to be a member.

Lebanon Chapter #5 Inspection

Tonight Lebanon Chapter was inspected in the Royal Arch degree. While the weather was much warmer, I'm not sure you could say it was much better as they are calling for a potential ice storm on the way home (luckily that held off). PGIM Lynn Alexander was present and helped them out with the work as he is a member of chapter here. They had several new persons helping out with the inspection and have many non Past High Priests in line. It was nice that this inspection was in my own District as it allowed me to get home at a reasonable hour.

Masonic Cooperation meeting

Today we started out with several of the Grand Chapter officers having lunch together and discussing some items within Grand Chapter. We then went over to the Delaware temple and met with the leaders from Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery and Scottish Rite. We discussed several items and Grand Master MWB Doug Kaylor, gave us some insight on the OMH 125 Anniversary and the Grand Masters class. We had lots of good discussions and headed home after a little more than 2 hours of discussions.

Wilmington #63 Chapter Inspection

Tonight was an inspection for Chapter in my District in the Past Master Degree. While I had planned to go this morning to a Lodge Inspection in my district that was cut short when I woke up and felt terrible. Luckily after taking some medicine, I felt well enough to head out tonight into the bitter cold. Wilmington is a Chapter which relies on a smaller number of persons to help with the degree work but always does a first class job. The High Priest, Ray Lewis, was a repeat but approached it as if it was his first time by doing one of the main parts in the work. MEC George Shell was present and once again Trinity Chapter won the travelling award with 8 present.

Masonic Rosecrutians

Well yesterday I had planned to attend an Inspection in Marion but Wednesday evening the heat went out at our second house and we had to get it fixed and they thought they could get the part Thursday and fix it but it was not to be as I waited until it was too late to go to Marion only to find out the part didn't come in and they couldn't fix it until Friday (which they did). Tonight we had a full program of socialization, dinner, induction, and a paper. I was had the lead part in the induction ceremony. The fact that up until this year we have only met once per year and never put on this order means I had never seen the grade work before doing it which was definitely a challenge. I think though that everything well off well and I was able to head home with the realization ... now I get to start work on my next part.

Trinity Stated Meeting

Tonight was the stated meeting for Trinity Chapter and while I have spent almost every waking moment over the past few weeks working on a part for a degree I have never seen and have to do Friday evening, I figured I need to take some breaks to make sure it is sinking in on the part I'm trying to learn. We had about five who where sick who normally attend but still had around 15 in attendance. We went over the final preparations for our Inspection next week and planned out our travels and activities for the next several weeks. As we finished early, several went downstairs and spent time working on the Chapter Resource Course.

Happy New Year

Well... last night was the end old an old year which was filled with challenges and several changes in my personal life including a couple of deaths from those closest to me, my only daughter moving away from home, the end of a career and even a very poorly played Ohio State game last night. But with every end of each year comes the hope of a better new year. Today, the daughter was home visiting for the weekend and the Bengals actually won a game to start things off right. In addition, I've figured out I only need to work if I chose and I think I might be starting to shake the terrible sinus issues I've been fighting for over a month. I'm planning to ramp back up my travels later this week after a few closer trips at the beginning of the week. Things in 2017 will probably not be all smooth sailing but hopefully with a positive attitude and lots of support it will progress in a productive and healthy direction.