Upper Sandusky #96 Chapter Insp

Tonight I headed up to Upper Sandusky and attended the inspection in the Mark Master degree. This is the home chapter of MEC Jim McDonald and he was present in addition to REC Ken Foy.  Their Secretary is MIC Ron Pool who helps to keep everything running smoothly. They did a good job with a little help from a couple Chapters. It was nice to be able to start back early as I was able to make it home by midnight.

Canton Chapter #84 Inspection

Tonight I learned something, whether you have gone to a place many times or not the GPS doesn't always help. I have been to the Canton temple probably 40 times and tonight the GPS failed me so I had to rely on myself to find the temple. I then had trouble trying to find out how to get into the building ... so much for trying to be early.  They were being inspected in the Most Excellent Master degree and the DDGHP reported that they did a fine good on the ritual work (which I thought was appropriate as well). MEC John Gartrell and REC Ross Black were also in attendance along with RIC Wesley Webber Grand Council Sentinel. The degree really moved along well and was finished at a good time which allowed me to go downstairs for some fellowship before hitting the road.

I Actually Do Things Outside of Masonry

What an exciting 3 days! Around 15 years ago, Laura met a girl from Pennsylvania at one of the competitions she entered at Pre-Teen America and they became immediate friends. When the other girls dad died unexpectedly shortly afterwards, she started calling me dad. We have been there with her and her family at all their major life events. She is about 5 years older than Laura and is ready to have a (second) baby. We decided to surprise her and show up at her baby shower this weekend. The drive over was about ten hours long so Laura was going to meet us at our house and we would go from here. Very late Thursday those plans changed as Laura's car had an issue and had to be taken into the shop so I got to drive 5 hours to Knoxville to pick her up and bring her back and then drive 10 hours over to the baby shower all on Friday, arriving at the party by 10AM Saturday. Needless to say we did surprise her but had a great day with her Saturday. Sunday we met for breakfast and then started the 10 hour track back to Dayton. Luckily we have a spare car that Laura will drive to Knoxville and use until her car is ready and we can pick it up from her at the end of March. Proof positive... I don't reserve my crazy driving habits just for Masonic events. 

Minerva Lodge #98 Inspection

Tonight was my Lodge's Inspection in the Master Mason Degree.  We were privileged to have the Grand Master, MWB Doug Kaylor in attendance. Also joining him was the Junior Grand Deacon RWB Paul Weglage and Grand Tyler RWB Walt Barner. It was obvious that they had practiced for the Inspection and overall per the DDGM did a good job on the work. Unfortunately with it being a stated meeting night it ran a little bit late. We had close to 50 of our members including 14 of our Past Masters in attendance and around 30 visitors.

Dwight Warehime MkM Lodge #3 Inspection

Last night, I had planned to head up by Youngstown for Ashlar's Inspection but some last minute Masonic work kept me busy at home until after the time I needed to leave to make it to the Inspection. Tonight, I headed over by Cambridge to Pleasant City for the Mark Master Lodge Annual Chapter Inspection. RIC Dave Mourer was present and we now have a special method for him to introduce me when he is doing the introductions in the 14th Capitular District. I won't elaborate here but let's just say it involves Grand Council... They did a nice job on an actual first time candidate. They also kept things moving and I was able to leave to get back home early enough to make it all the way back home by midnight.

Crystal Chapter #157 Inspection

Tonight I headed up north to Bowling Green Ohio to attend the Royal Arch Inspection. Our Grand King, Keith Green, was also in attendance and I learned will be presiding at the Inspection at Oak Harbor Thursday as their High Priest Larry Ellison passed away unexpectedly. One of their members is RIC Steve Hill who is in the Grand Council line.They had three candidates for the degree tonight and the Crystal Chapter High Priest had put together an all-star cast to ensure the candidates received the best degree possible. The evening moved along quite well and I was able to be headed home around 10 PM.

Not Exactly According to Plan

Well I had a big day planned today: Chapter School, Scottish Rite, Commandery Inspection and Lodge Inspection but all were cancelled not by them but by me. I first woke up this morning to head to the Chapter School and even got up to try to get ready but was so exhausted I just went back to lay down for a couple minutes. The next thing I knew it was 11:30. So much for Chapter and Scottish Rite. I then went outside and did a couple of things before I needed to get ready for Commandery Inspection. When I cane back in to get ready for Commandery Inspection in Norwood I sat down to rest a minute and fix some lunch but never got back up to fix lunch and must have fallen asleep again as I awoke after I would have needed to leave for the Lodge Inspection north of Columbus. As Pam said when she got home, sometimes maybe you just need to take a day to rest. 

Antioch Past Potentates Fish Fry

Tonight around 250 folks came down to Antioch to enjoy our first Fish Fry of the year. For the past couple years the Past Potentates have hosted this evening. The main issues was for folks was to find enough parking. They had plenty fixed for all in attendance and afterwards some went upstairs to play our own Antioch version of the newlyweds game. We had a tie for winners but one team was a brother sister twins. Maybe there is something to the wonder twin powers. The saddest part of the game was two guys who decided to be a couple for the game and have their wives sit on the sidelines who won the first round!

Silver Creek #144 Chapter Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection in Garrettsville in the Mark Master Degree in the 17th district. MEC John Gartrell was the visiting Inspector for  the evening and REC Ross Black was also present. For anyone who hasn't been here, it is a must to go to this Chapter as the business under them (in the next building over) is a saloon with a jukebox. Tonight as the candidate knelt at the alter and was then conducted around the room they played two back to back 80’s Rock hits “Another one bites the Dust” and “Highway to ...” oh well you know the rest. Ok no correlation....

Bucyrus Chapter #160 Inspection

Tonight I went to the Inspection in Bucyrus (yes I know it is Valentines Day but Pam was working so I got a free pass) in the Past Master Degree. This is in the 10th District which is part of my region. Due to several conflicts, the turnout was small and I got the opportunity to be the candidate for the evening. I was sweating all evening the question they would give to me but luckily they must have had pity on me as they gave me an easy question. It was also nice that I got to spend some time with the Companions after the Inspection and was still able to be on the road by 9:30.