Fayette MKM Lodge Inspection

 

Tonight at Jeffersonville was the Mark Lodge Chapter Inspection in the 5th District. MEC Jean Justice and REC Keith O'Dell were both present in addition to the Grand High Priest Don Owens. Traveling with Don was Jim Brooks, Grand Aide, and Chester Burton, Grand Chaplain. They had two candidates for the Mark Master Degree and this is the fifth year this Mark lodge has been open. GHP Don Owens also passed out his first Ritual Excellence Award. Also Thursday there will be a change in my schedule as due to a work conflict I will be attending Delaware Chapter Inspection instead of Grand River.

My Travels Week of 10/29

While often my travels are dictated by my work schedule, I am going to try keep at a running two week schedule of potential Chapter related visits/events which I plan to post every Sunday or Monday. If anyone from my area is interested in traveling with me, contact me and we will see what we can do.

Week of 10/29

• Tuesday 30 5th Jeffersonville MkM Lodge Inspection
• Thursday 1 20th District Inspection Grand River Chapter
• Friday 2     10th District Inspection Mansfield Chapter
• Saturday 3  KYCH Meeting at Hamilton
• Sunday 4    Individual Planning Meetings Chapter

Week of 11/5

• Wednesday 7 1st District Inspection Wauseon Chapter
• Thursday 8  18th District Inspection Tuscarawas Chapter
 

Grand Family & Grand High Priest Reception

Today was the Grand Family Meeting in Loveland followed by the Statewide Grand High Priest Reception. Many items were covered during the Grand Family Meeting but the main topics which kept reoccurring were presenting the Peculiar Stone Degree and focusing on Chapter membership improvement. In addition, we got to see Dale Ray more enthusiastic than the past 20 years. I think it was contagious as he helped to get several persons pumped up about membership. The Grand High Priest featured the normal introductions, speeches and dinner but we had an added treat of the McGovern Irish Dancers performing tonight.

Miami Valley York Rite College

Tonight was the York Rite College meeting in Lebanon. The York Rite College is an invitational organization which requires membership in the Royal Arch Chapter. Our current Governor is Kermit Zimmerman who is a Past Grand High Priest. We brought in seven new members. The York Rite Colleges were just reinstituted in Ohio in 2000 when MWB Jack Allen approved them to be reestablished. Their purpose is to assist the York Rite and our College had established a list of ritual performers from the York Rite with the degrees they perform.

Sandusky Chapter Inspection

Sandusky 72 Chapter Inspection was held tonight in the Mark Master degree with two candidates. They did some good work on the evening and around 35 were in attendance. The High Priest seemed very enthusiastic about Chapter and there were several 50+ year members in attendance. It was also good to see several Chapters traveling many of which had their High Priest present. The part I liked best though was since I got there a little early I was able to go the two blocks north to the lake and watch the sunset.

Haly Chapter Inspection

Tonight was the Chapter Inspection for Haly Chapter in the First District. The Grand High Priest was present along with several of his traveling team. Ernie Longberry, the new District Deputy, had his first Inspection tonight. He is very enthusiastic about trying to "make something happen" in the First District. The degree was the PM degree so luckily it was a short degree since the drive was a long one and tomorrow will also be a long drive on my way to Sandusky for their Inspection.

4th District Meeting and DDGHP/DEO Installation

Tonight was the 4th District Installation of their new DEO, Dan Vinson, and new DDGHP, Ron Hart. Afterwards they conducted the business of the 4th District. They definitely had a good number of past leaders from the district present, I believe to show their support for the new Grand High Priest, Don Owens who they are very proud (As they should be!).

My Travels Week of 10/22

While often my travels are dictated by my work schedule, I am going to try keep at a running two week schedule of potential Chapter related visits/events which I plan to post every Sunday or Monday. If anyone from my area is interested in traveling with me, contact me and we will see what we can do.

Week of 10/22

• Monday 22 4th District Meeting and DDGHP Installation ... at Mariemont Lodge
• Tuesday 23 1st District Inspection Haley Chapter
• Wednesday 24 9th District Inspection Sandusky Chapter
• Thursday 25 York Rite College Meeting - Lebanon
• Saturday 27 Grand Family Meeting & Statewide Grand High Priest Reception ... at Loveland

Week of 10/29

• Tuesday 30 5th Jeffersonville MkM Lodge Inspection
• Thursday 1 20th District Inspection Grand River Chapter
• Friday 2 10th District Inspection Mansfield Chapter
• Saturday 3 KYCH Meeting at Hamilton
• Sunday 4 Individual Planning Meetings Chapter

Chapter Reaffirmation Day

Today I attended the 3rd District Reaffirmation Sunday where around 30 Companions and ladies attended a very nice service and there was a good donation amount collected for Adopt America. After the meeting, those in attendance enjoyed refreshments. As a reminder they announced some changes to the inspection schedule: Xenia at 2 PM, Lebanon now Jan 14th, Palmyra now April 11th.

Grand Lodge Ohio

Today I went to Grand Lodge to represent Grand Chapter at the Grand Lodge session in Akron, Ohio. As normally happens with Grand Lodge, there were a number of introductions and important pieces of legislation. Today we will also elect our new Grand Lodge officers. In talking to many at Grand Lodge there was definitely a central theme which I think all agree which is we love Masonry and realize to see it grow and prosper some changes are inevitable. While change is sometimes painful and often not popular with some, we all believe some of the best ideas anywhere can be found through Masonic discussions. While I will only be able to be at Grand Lodge today, I'm excited to be able to participate.