Third District Past District Deputy Grand High Priest Association

Tonight our PDDGHP association got together in Brookville at K's restaurant to meet as a group and discuss ideas to help out the 3rd district and make it better. The President REC Jim Stephens lead the meet and REC Harless Maynard took the minutes. All three of the PGHPs from our District MEC's Crawford, Duncan and Shell were present. We discussed items of concern and exchanged ideas on how to address various situations. Our Current DDGHP's Clatterbuck and Fair gave an update of the Statewide April 5th Grand Lodge/ Grand Chapter event our District is assisting with in the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th Masonic Districts.

Solomon #79 Council Inspection

Tonight was the Council Inspection for Solomon Council located in Portsmouth in the 6th Arch. They also briefly opened and closed the Chapter and Commandery as it is their stated meeting night as well. On the evening they had 6 new candidates who received the Select Master degree. In addition to the Arch Inspector and Arch Adjutant, the Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, Richard Amlung was present as was the District Deputy Grand High Priest for the 5th District Lloyd Eichenlaub and Grand King Keith O'Dell who as you can tell from the pictures helped them out with the work on the evening.

Scottish Rite Worshipful Master Recognition

Today ended up with the Worhsipful Master Recognition by the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Dayton. The entire Grand Lodge Line was present along with numerous distinguished guests. While the weather did probably slow some down from attending, several of the Worshipful Masters still made it out to receive their pins from the Grand Master Norm Mick. The weather caused the entertainment to cancel out but it was probably a good thing that we were able to finish early and hopefully allow everyone to travel safely back to their homes.

Portage Chapter #202 Inspection

Luckily I planned to stay overnight in Kent after the Council Inspection last evening as they had at least 6 inches of snow and even the 15 mile drive to get to Barberton Chapter in the 17th District via the highway was slow. This is the home chapter for MEC Dale Ray, who was present as was PGC David Snyder and Past Prior Bill Straton. The DDGHP Rick Memmer has told me the night before that no matter what they would have the Inspection in the morning in the Royal Arch degree and they did with almsot 30 in attendance. They had several new persons in the degree cast for the morning which is an encouraging sign. Ths inspection moved right along which I was happy as my next event for the day was to be in Columbus at Mt. Vernon #1 Commandery Inspection. Unfortuantely, the bad weather slowed my travel but a stopped highway traffic for over an hour due to several semis being involved in an accident caused me to change my plans but I was able to make a stop by the hospital in Columbus to see my friend Tom Schoff.

Tuscarawas Council #109 Inspection

Tonight I attended the Council Inspection for Tuscarawas Council in New Philadelphia in the 8th Arch. They did a nice job on the Select Master degree and despite the bitterly cold temperatures and snow had a nice crowd. As this is the home Council for MEC John Gartrell several Grand Chapter Officers and Past Grand Officers were present. REC DDGHP if the 14th District and REC Rick Memmer DDGHP of the 17th District were both present as was PGHP Alan Hart and Past Prior Bill Straton who did the Inspection. Grand Council had several Grand Officers present including Grand Illustrious Master Richard Rinerhart, Deputy Grand Master Lynn Alexander, and Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Richard Amlung.

Marshall Chapter #47 Inspection

Tonight I travelled north to Marshall Chapter Inspection in the Royal Arch Degree in Elyria Ohio. The weather was not the best but I can't complain since I made it safely up and back. The 9th District, where this Chapter is located, is part of my region this year. I was also happy to be able to say that after visiting this Chapter I had attended an event at all the Chapters in my Region (Districts 1, 8, & 9). To me, getting to travel around the state and meeting the various members at the various locations around the state is the best part of being a Mason. REC Ross Black, Grand Royal arch Captain, was also present. I was also glad to hear the District is making arrangements for the April 5th Grand Master's Class in which the 9th Capitular District will be working with the 16trh Masonic District to perform the Peculiar Stone Skit and the Mark Master Degree. After the Inspection they had a Chili cook off where several members brought various types of Chili to sample.

Viewing for EC Pelfrey

Tonight was the viewing for another long time Masonic Brother WB EC Pelfrey who passed away last week. He was a Past 2nd Masonic District Education Officer, Past Sovereign Price Valley of Dayton, 33rd, Knight York Cross of Honor and Past Prior for Ohio Priory KYCH. There was a nice turnout of Past Potentate's who stood Honor Guard and guests as his widow is Barb Pelfrey who was Grand Worthy Matron last year. EC was glad he had the opportunity to travel with her last year. EC was also the Potentate when I joined the Shrine in 1987 and I have know him since that time. Tonight I was able to stand honor guard for him. As was Jim Elliott who I attended the viewing for last night both were super active Masons for more than 60 years.

Viewing For Jim Elliott

Tonight was the viewing for Worshipful Brother Jim Elliott of Vandalia. Jim has been active in the PM Club at the Shrine for more than 40 years. He was the President in 1973 and was the Director for many years including in 2003 when I was the President of the Club. For the Masonic Services the PM Club were dressed in their formal dress with over 30 in attendance and nearly 50 in total. Anything you asked Jim to do for the PM Club he did it including times when he was not really in good enough physical condition to accomplish the task. He was equally active in his Lodge and in 2012 the Vandalia Temple was renamed the James Elliott Center. So long to a good man.

Valley Commandery #80 Inspection

This morning after the Lodge Inspection, I headed to Miamisburg to my Commandery Inspection. While I have been assisting on the stage crew for several years, today I was pushed back into duty and helped out in the active drill ranks. Despite their being a major Commandery Inspection just down the road in Middletown with the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment present, we still had a nice turnout. It was especially nice to see Earl Gorsuch at the Inspection who is a KYCH and Charter Member of Valley Commandery (1946). At 92, he was definitely getting around very well. Everyone was pleased with the outcome of the inspection which went much better than the practices and the Commandery passed their inspection. The roads were getting a little tricky as we left as the snow was coming down at a fairly steady clip.

Solar Lodge #730 Inspection

Today was Solar Lodge #730 inspection in Dayton in the EA degree. It was obvious that they had spent some time practicing for the inspection and the lodge did a good job on the work of the morning. RWB Doug Kaylor the Junior Grand Warden was present along with several Past District Deputies and the current Grand Officers from the Second Masonic District. Bob Deam who is a Past Potentate of Antioch is now the Senior Warden for Solar lodge. This is the home lodge of EC Pelfrey who passed away yesterday and was a Past District Education Officer, 33rd and Past Prior for Ohio Priory KYCH. A short moment of silence was held for him at the beginning of the meeting.