Twin Valley 70 Year Presentation

Tonight was the 70 year presentation for Earl V. Gorsuch presented by our Grand High Priest Keith O'Dell. Past Grand High Priests Steve Duncan and George shell were also present along with both District Deputies from the 3rd District. Earl is also a KYCH and the last remaining charter member of my Commandery Valley #80. What is also unique is while I was the youngest Commander ever in Valley, I appointed Earl to go through Valley Commandery to be Commander and he was the oldest Commander we ever had (He had become a dual member of Hillsboro...where the Grand High Priest is also a member ... and was Commander there many years before going through line at Valley).

Valley Commandery Stated Meeting

Tonight was the first stated meeting on the month for Valley Commandery. Due to Labor Day being on the first Monday in September and Grand Council normally being on the first Monday in October, a few years back we changed our stated meeting for these two months to the second Monday. The only bad part is several members are also a members of Friendship chapter which also meets on the second Monday so the turnout was a little light but some came down after the Friendship meeting which was their pre-inspection. We had a long discussion about setting up a fund to help out with the dues for members who might need a little financial help with their dues. It is obvious our current structure puts a financial burden on the Commandery when we remit dues and since we were around $2 per member short of covering expenses even after a significant dues increase, going back for another increase right now is not in the best interest of the Commandery right now. While everyone agreed the answer is to increase membership, we also realize that isn't happening at the pace we would like. I'm sure this similar debate is a constant in most Masonic bodies.

Scottish Rite Walk

Today was the Scottish Rite Dyslexia walk to raise funds to help support the Dyslexia Centers. Pam and I did the walk portion while Laura and her friend ran the course. Luckily the rain stayed away and the temperatures warmed up in time for the walk. The 5 K was a nice distance and despite the Dayton Riverwalk obsticles, we finshed the walk and then had some refreshments and everyone was off for the rest of their day by around noon.

Officially Closing the Door on 2013-2014

Travel totals for 2013-2014 were around 30,000 miles and 310 masonic related activities. Unfortunately this year an extremely bad winter cut down on my total visits but the mileage stayed about the same...(actually a little more). And since Grand Chapter is over as promised each year I am allowed to progress in the Grand Chapter line I plan to have a pin designed to provide to the travellers in my district and those traveling within the region I am assigned. My region for this next year will be District 14 & 19. As I mentioned each year the pin will alternate between a piece of Architecture and a mode of transportation through time. This next year will be the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse since Pam and I enjoy traveling to and photographing lighthouses... in our spare time.

Grand Commandery

Today I travelled to Columbus to finish out the Grand York Rite week and officially put to rest the Grand York Rite year for 2013-14. Dennis Hughes of my Commandery Division was the Grand Commander this past year and I think he is retiring to do the stand up comic circuit. Congrats Denny on a nice year.

Minerva Stated

Tonight I went to the stated meeting of my lodge after returning home from Grand Chapter in Cleveland. In fact, I was only home long enough to clean out my car before I had to leave for the meeting. It was nice to be able to sit back and fellowship with the members of my lodge and not have any work I was required to do. We covered several pieces of business and talked about one of those nice problems...how to get all the candidates raised we have waiting to be raised including two who returned their obligation tonight.

Ohio Grand Chapter

The last three days have been a whirlwind of activity and I was lucky enough to be elected to the Grand Royal Arch Captain station. As I menitoned, we stayed at the same hotel as Grand Council, which made it nice and Pam was able to join me for Grand Chapter. MEC Keith O'Dell is now the Grand High Priest as MEC Robert Thomas retired as Grand High Priest. Our new grand Master of the 1st Veil is Ronald C. Hart Sr. from the 4th District. The meetings moved right along and we probably went through the legislation about as efficiently as could be done. And as comes with a new year...I have a new pin for the upcoming year

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Ohio Grand Council

The past couple of days was the Grand Council session for Ohio where Lynn Alexander, from my Arch, was installed as Grand Illustrious Mater.I travelled all the way from Dayton to Independence Ohio near Cleveland but the good part is Grand Chapter will be held in the same spot over the next couple of days. I was also privileged to be recognized for travelling to all nine Arch's in the state over the past year. The only unfortunate part was Pam had to travel up separately today so she could stay back to take care of her mother. Since I'm on vacation all week to attend these sessions, I'm hoping to work some rest time in as well...hopefully before next week.

Reception for Doug Kaylor as Deputy for Ohio Scottish Rite

Sometimes best laid plans are no match for mother nature.... (or DP&L) as a nice reception was planned and held today for Doug Kaylor but without electricity as the power was out at the Dayton Masonic Center. The good part was the back-up generator kicked in and allowed for some lighting. I was happy to be able to attend this event as Illustrious Brother Kaylor served as Thrice Potent Master at the Valley of Dayton immediately after me and we have long known each other and travelled together (and not to forget was inspected as WM on the day my daughter was born).

Red Cross Statewide Meeting

Today was the statewide meeting for the Red Cross of Constantine at the the Ohio Masonic Home. Every Conclave was represented and over half of all the members in Ohio were present. I had a part in the degree work today for the first time since joining around 15 years ago. Our immediate Past Grand Sovereign, Burch Zehner, was present as was the current Grand Sovereign. I was a nice day with all present receiving some good degree work.