Senca Chapter #42 & Clinton Council #47 Stated Meetings

Tonight I headed up to Tiffin Ohio and attended the stated meeting for their Chapter and Council. There is something special about randomly showing up at a stated meeting and getting to know the members. (It kind of reminded me of my old DeMolay days when we would randomly show up at stated meetings of other Chapters on a regular basis). It was obvious they are a working Chapter as they were setting up for both to meet in the Lodge room despite only having limited business for both groups. It was nice that after the meetings we could go downstairs and share refreshments and fellowship and be on the road back home by 9 PM.

2 more shows of parking at the Circus

Today we had two more shows of collecting money at the circus. We had plenty of help and the weather was fairly nice today. Per a couple of folks, yesterday while we were at the Grand Family meeting the weather was so nice they didn't have to wear coats. I guess that makes up for the times we have been collecting in weather below zero. The best part is that we are now done raising money for another year. I guess it also means I can meet up again with Willie Nelson and be "on the road again...."

Grand Family and Heights Chapter #206 Inspection

Today, we had two Chapter events at the Lyndhurst Temple near Cleveland. First we had the Grand Family meeting where we discussed several Grand Chapter items among the DDGHP's Grand Officers and PGHPs. We also worked between the DDGHPs and the Regional officers to help see if we could resolve some problems. After the meeting our GHP MEC Jeff Addis' Chapter held their inspection in the Past Master Degree. There were a number of distinguished guests in attendance and the DeMolay posted colors. Since Pam and I had to leave before 6AM and didn't return home until around 11 PM, it made for a very long day.

Circus Parking

Tonight was day one for our Shrine Circus parking effort for the 3rd District. This is our one and only fund raiser for the year our District has a Grand High Priest and to help our our District. We also have 2 shows tomorrow and 2 on Sunday. The weather was fairly nice tonight (nice as can be expected for February). Several brave souls from our District come out to help me out this evening. We had to dig a little deeper this year as around 25 I normally count on were tied up with a Council Inspection, at my Council. With the District officers out in force and a few others we made it through tonight. REC Greg Clatterbuck will be heading up the work crew on Saturday as I have to go to Cleveland for the day for a Grand Chapter meeting but will be back for more on Sunday for both shows.

Sidney Chapter and Council

Tonight we met to discuss the long term future of Sidney Chapter and Council. The Grand Illustrious Master along with Arch Inspector were present for Council and for Chapter we had the DDGHP, PGHP Keith O'Dell and myself as Regional Officer. Right away it went in a positive direction as the members thought if they could survive over the next 4-5 years, with several younger members joining the Lodge they could survive if they got them into the York Rite. We discussed several creative ideas outside of the traditional thoughts and finally they decide they would move the Chapter and Council meetings on the same night as Blue Lodge only starting at 6 PM for a while. They also discussed the possibility of having light refreshments and inviting the lodge. The good part with this would be at least 3 officers in Blue Lodge agreed they would start coming to Chapter if they met prior to the Lodge meeting. So we ended up that we will be trying out some new ideas and getting some help from the District and Arch to hopefully save both groups.

Unity Chapter Special & Wakeman #177 Chapter Inspection

Today was a busy day after heading to Knoxville Saturday after the OGA meeting to see and help out our daughter and just returning back to Dayton late last  night. Today Unity Chapter called a special meeting to vote on several petitions. Some were for Dual membership and some for Reinstatement along with a new petition but all noted meeting during the day was their reason for becoming a member of Unity Chapter. After our meeting today, I headed north to Wakeman Ohio which is up by Lake Erie. We had snow, which at times seemed like a blizzard it was blowing so hard, but I safely made it for their Royal Arch Degree on 3 candidates. REC Ross Black was the guest Inspector and a couple other appointed Grand Officers were also in attendance and traveling with our Grand High Priest MEC Jeff Addis. MIC Bill Laughlin was present as well. They did a nice job on the work and as always had some good refreshments afterwards. I tried to get started back as soon as possible as the snow was still blowing hard and the roads were icing over so I wanted to make it to the highway and home safely (which I did).

Ohio Grotto Association Meeting

Today I attended the Ohio Grotto Association Meeting in Springfield. As I am the new Secretary for our Grotto, I needed to attend to find out how to handle a few outstanding situations we have at our Grotto. I got some good advice and think we are now moving forward at our Grotto. They had a great turnout with almost 50 in attendance which is probably the greatest number at any State Association Meeting in the country. Since  most of our Grottos are 50 members or less, the attendance at most meetings is fairly limited. The Grand Monarch, Mark McCombs, who is from Ohio was present. We also had a second Past Monarch from Ormus in attendance which is great since most times I am the only one from our Grotto in attendance.

Mt. Olive #189 Chapter Inspection

Tonight was the final leg of the 3 day tour over by Mayfield Heights in Cleveland. During the day, I went over and MEC Robert Thomas gave me the $5 tour of the Grand Chapter office (don't worry I didn't take any souvenirs) after which we had lunch. Mt. Olive's Inspection included a visit from the Grand High Priest, MEC Jeff Addis, and few other Grand Officers and Past Grand Officers. This is the home Chapter for MIC John Hall, MEC Charles McCarty and REC Don Van Horn who were all in attendance. They did a really nice job on the Past Master degree (per the DDGHP ... I'm not there to Inspect rather just enjoy the fellowship and ritual work). After the Inspection, I started the 3+ hour journey back home. 

Grand River Chapter #106 Inspection

Tonight I headed up to the 20th District at Rock Creek which is almost to the lake and the Ohio Pennsylvania border. Since I stayed overnight, I had plenty of time during the day to do some exploring in the area and got some shots of the lake. (It was quite windy and the water was coming fairly heavily over the breakwater.) REC Jim Streeky come up tonight with some members of the 19th District and Jim helped them out with the Captain of the Host in the opening. MEC Robert Thomas was also present. The High Priest for the evening was the actual Chapter Scribe as the High Priest was out of town for work. For his first time sitting in the position, he did a very good job. This is the home Chapter for REC Doug Doolan. After finishing up here tonight, I headed west about an hour for the next overnight stay.

Toronto Chapter #221 Insp

Tonight was the start of something a little different. I decided to do a 3 day overnight trip up north in Ohio to attend three Inspections in 2 different districts but which were somewhat close. The first stop was to Toronto Ohio in the 14th District which you can't get to from most places in Ohio. It is only a few miles from both Pittsburg, PA and West Virginia. It took over 4 hours for me to get there but took the DDGHP almost 2+ hours as well.  They did the Mark Master degree and passed out two 50 year pins. After the meeting,they had their famous hot sausages which I had again and then started the trip up the road around an hour before stopping for the night.