Royal Arch Degree at Eaton Chapter No. 22

I'm back early!    This past Wednesday, 12/29, I received an email from the Secretary of Eaton Chapter stating that Eaton Chapter was doing the Royal Arch degree for 4, and maybe 6, candidates on 12/30 at a special convocation.   Well this was not good as I had earlier stated that there were to be no special meetings or conferring of degrees from Christmas Eve through New Year's day.  I attempted to contact Dist. 3 DDGHPs but to avail.  I finally reached EC Mike Stephenson, Secretary of Eaton Chapter, and told him they were violating my edict.  He immediately apologized, said he was unaware of the edict, and they would cancel the meeting.   To me canceling the meeting presented a few problems.   Eaton Chapter had a full cast committed to the degree, 4 Candidates committed to the meeting, and Preble Council and Jerusalem Commandery needed the Candidates for their inspections.  Since Eaton's next stated meeting was not until the 4th Wednesday of January it seemed reasonable that these 4 Candidates probably would not receive the RA until in February.  Canceling the meeting meant the Chapter looked bad to the Candidates and Council and Commandery could once again say we were holding up candidates that they needed.  It did not seem to me that my edict was worth causing all this grief.   So I told EC Stephenson to proceed with the degree.

Now thing go down hill!   Not only do I approve violation of my own edict,  REC Nockengost and I went to the convocation.     Heck it is only 209 miles each way which takes 3 1/4 hours.

We got to Eaton around 5:30 PM and got to join the Companions for "refreshments" prior to the meeting.  Now refreshments to me are coffee and pie or maybe a bowl of soup.   These refreshments were fried chicken, jo-jo potatoes, sub sandwiches, chips and cookies.   Needless to say, George and I had a good meal.

After refreshments we went to the third floor lodge room.   The Lodge is a small, but nice room.  It is rather long but narrow.   Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery all meet here and one of the members asked if I could imagine doing the full form opening of Commandery in the room.   It would be interesting to say the least.

One piece of furniture that I thought interesting was the easel used to hold the caulk board.   I have never seen one quite like it.  If you look closely you will see the "M" with the date 1885 below it. I assume this is when it was made.  It is quite unique and beautiful.

At 7:00 PM the Chapter was opened in the Royal Arch degree and the work proceeded.   Once again I saw fine, fine work. So far this year the worst degree I have seen is one that I would call adequate.   The rest have been good to exceptional.   I could not be prouder of the Chapters.

At the end of the work Eaton Chapter had 4 new Royal Arch Masons.   And to make matters even better, all four are going to continue the York Rite journey by joining Preble Council and Jerusalem Commandery.

After the degree work it was my honor to present a 50-year pin to Companion Raymond Jones.   Companion  Jones spoke about DeMolay and how proud he was to be a Mason.  He said he had enjoyed every minute of his membership.

He was thanked for his service to the Fraternity and given Grand Honors.





I may have allowed a Chapter to violate my own edict, but for a night like this it was well worth it.  Once again; good food, good degree work and great Companionship.

'til the next time.

Happy Holiday

Companions, Brothers and Friends,

For one of a very few times I am going to be politically correct.   I want to wish each of you and yours a Very Happy Holiday and a Very Properous New Year. 

This will probably be my last post for a while.   As most of you know I asked that there be only stated meetings from now until after the holiday.   I truly believe this time of the year is for the family so I have no scheduled meetings until 1.4.11.   

Jim

'til the next time.

Circleville No.20 Inspection

What you are reading is my second post about Circleville 20's inspection. I just managed to delete the first one.

George Nockengost and I left about 4:00 PM yesterday for Circleville which is about a 140 mile trip that took 2 hr and 15 minutes.


Circleville Lodge is located downtown and is on the third floor of the building. The Lodge room is very nice as can be seen in the pictures.


The ceiling has hand painted tiles around the border and the pipe organ in the west is very nice. I had been in the Lodge previously and knew something was missing but could not figure out what. Then it dawned on me. Murals. The last time I was there they had murals on the walls. As it turns out they needed repair and the cost was prohibitive and so they were painted over.

If you look in the left corner of the picture of the east you will see a white drop cloth. This is what the slides of the journey are shown on. If you look in the right side of the pipe organ picture you will see one of the old brass glass slide projectors. This is still used and the slides are quite nice. I was informed that the projector was modernized when they added electric to it.

The inspection degree was the Royal Arch and we saw another nice degree. There were two candidates with the third being REC Keith O'Dell who apparently needed a refresher course. I sill have yet to see a protem candidate and in fact I don't believe I have seen a Chapter have to "borrow" a candidate.

This picture shows REC O'Dell as a candidate, MEC Jean Justus as Jeshua, and PGC Tom Ramsey as the Principal Sojourner. It is nice to see Grand and Past Grand Officers helping do ritual work. It is especially nice to see PGC Ramsey doing actual degree work rather than something called an Order. Besides, he did a darn good job as Principal Sojourner.

The High Priest, EC Timothy Daulton, received one of MEC Oliver's Red Cross pins for good ritualistic work.

REC Adam, DDGHP for the 5th Dist., kept tell me about snow, freezing rain, wind and all kinds of inclement weather that was supposed to arrive around 11:00 PM. I think he was just trying to make sure my comments were short because there was none of that on the way home.

After the meeting we retired to the dining room for fellowship and refreshments. The refreshments were the normal sandwich, cookies and etc. The was one major difference and that was called home made chicken noodle soup. I mean to tell you we have a Companion who's wife can flat out make good soup. In fact that soup got me in trouble with my wife. She was still awake (really unusual) when I got home around 11:30 and asked how the the meeting went. I told her about the soup. I told her she made really good chicken noodle soup but not as good as what I had just had. You would think that after almost 50 years of being married to that woman I would have better sense that to say something like that. I will probably have to go back to Circleville if I ever want homemade chicken noodle soup again.
 
Oh well!   We had a easy ride down, saw a nice degree, had good soup and warm Companionship so what more could we ask for.
 
'til the next time.





Delivering Christmas Baskets.

Julia, our Grandson Dylan and I delivered Christmas Baskets today.   The pictures shows Dylan sitting in the back of our van with the boxes of groceries

I belong to to the Valley of Akron, A.A.S.R., and for many years the Valley has distributed baskets and grocery store gift cards.  The baskets are valued at around $50 and gift cards are for Acme or Giant Eagle.  Last year we distributed 123 baskets and gift cards and will do about the same this year.  The Valley calls this the Masonic Assistance Program and provides this to deserving people though out the year though it is primarily done at Christmas.  The money comes from donations made by Brothers, Lodges, Chapters, Councils, Commanderies, O.E.S. Chapters and individuals. 

The baskets and cards are not just given to members of the Masonic family, though these members are given first consideration, but to any deserving family in need.  Jewell Cardwell, columnist for the The Akron Beacon Journal has for a number of years contributed to us the names of needy families.

I have been doing this for 8 or 9 years now and let me tell you something.   Do it once and you are hooked.  Giving families food at Christmas is as good as it gets, especially when you see the smiles on the kids.   The messages on the Thank You cards received by the Valley make all the effort worth while.

Today Julia, Dylan and I made 4 families smile.   What a great day.


'til the next time.

State Master Councilor's Reception

Julia and I attended  State Master Councilor Robert Anderson's reception at the Cleveland Masonic Temple last night.

There were about 150 in attendance for a nice prime rib dinner.   The best thing about this function was that Julia and I got to see two young ladies that were Past Worthy Advisers of Medina Rainbow assembly of which we were on the Advisory Board for many years.  I was amazed how two cute little girls had grown up into such lovely young ladies.  It has not been long enough for that to happen!!!  Gosh, I'm getting old faster than I thought I was.

The only disappointment about last night was the lack of Grand Officers from the Masonic bodies.    There were two DDGMs, one DDGHP and myself  in attendance.    This was mostly due to lack of communications from DeMolay to the Masonic bodies.   I ask that if in the future we could please get some notice of receptions and other functions from all the youth groups.  After the dinner Rainbow's Grand Worthy Adviser came upto Julia and I and gave us her card with dates of two function on the back.  She definitely made sure I knw about Rainbow meetings.

The night was a very nice.   We saw a lot of people we knew, had a good dinner and saw a prime example of the good youth of our country.

'til the next time.

Lancaster No.11 Inspection

Right Excellent Companions Blankenhorn, Nockengost and Porter joined me Saturday for a trip to Lancaster.   The weather finally co-operated and we had dry roads and sunny skies all the way to and from Lancaster.

The Lodge building is a large brick structure and easiler recognizable as a Masonic Lodge.  We went into the back door and were in the dining room where there was coffee and donuts.

After visiting for a bit, I went upstairs and the first thing I see a wonderful libary.   It is absolutely as fantastic a library as I have seen in a small lodge.  If you look at the picture I think you will agree with me.

The lodge room is large and comfortable.   It is not what I would call fancy, but it is elegent and well maintained.

The inspection degree was in the Mark Master and was done with REC Ray Sharritts, Grand Chaplain, in the east.  When the degree was completed we had two new Mark Masters.  I have yet to see a protem candidate.

I gave the 9th Red Cross pin out.   The Chapter had a death and lost the Companion who normally did the Past Master Lecture and Charge.  A Companion stepped forward and learned bothe in just under a month.   This pin was presented not for ritualist work, but for dedication to Lancaster Chapter.

After the inspection, we retired to the dining room for home made vegetable soup.   Let me tell two things about the soup.  It was good!   And it was hot!
 

Another good day with a good trip, good Companionship, nice degree work and hot food.

'til the next time.

Grand Chapter Planning

Today John & Joyce Miller accompanied Julia and I to Columbus to visit the Crowne Plaza where this year's Grand Chapter will be held.   The purpose was just to ask questions and familiarize us with the facility.

Companions, I think you are going to like the facility.   MEC Steve Oliver got the contract and did a great job of getting good room rates and meal costs.

Everything is on one level and close to each other.  The rooms are being refurnished with entertainment centers that include flat screen TVs, new lighting and other amenities.  Parking is free and ample and lets you enter directly into the registration area.  All the rooms we are going to use are large and more than adequate for our purposes.   We even have a standard room that will be used as a changing room for the Ladies.

In March we will pick the menu for all the meals and I will post this soon thereafter.

We had a great meeting, got a lot of questions answered and feel real good about the success of our Grand Chapter session.

'til the next time.

Silvercreek No. 144 Inspection

Last night another tradition died in the 17th Capitular District.   Silvercreek Chapter #144 has always had a roast beef dinner prior to inspection.   Last night there were refreshments after the dinner.  It is a shame to see a dinner with the Ladies no longer being held.   This was a result of low attendance for the past several years.   The Ladies of Garrettsville O.E.S. served roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy and green bean casserole every year since I have been in Chapter and long before.   Last night we had sloppy joes, chips, cake or brownies.   Good, but not the same as the the dinner.

Silvercreek Chapter did a fine job of portraying the MEM degree on one candidate.   If you read the earlier post concerning the music from the tavern downstairs you will understand when I say the degree was done without the musical accompaniment.

Garrettsville is another town in the "snow belt" of Ohio and had a good deal of the white stuff on the ground but Kent had more. 

Another good night but without a good meal.

'til the next time.

Zanesville #9 Inspection Pictures Added

Companions, REC Charlie Paine sent me a few pictures from the Zanesville Chapter No. 9 Inspection.  I have added them to that posting.   Take a look and get the flavor of a spectacular York Rite room.

'til the next time.

Finally on the Road Again! Kent #192 Inspection

As I said in an earlier post 5 of us from Medina County Chapter #243 were off to Kent for Kent #192's Inspection. I thought we had snow here in Medina but when we got to Kent there was 18 - 24 inches on the ground. Fortunately the roads were pretty clean until we got almost into Kent.


The Kent Lodge is located in what was the home of the founder of Kent, Ohio. It is a beautiful old home as the pictures of the fire places demonstrate. The Lodge Room itself was the ball room for the Kent Family functions and is located on the third floor. The only problem is there is no elevator or chair left so some have a difficult time getting to the Lodge Room.
The Inspection Degree was the Past Master and it was portrayed in a fine manner as would be expected from Kent Chapter. We now have 3 new Past Masters in the 17th District

The RWM of Kent is William D. Stratton affectionately know as Billy Dan by the 17th District Companions. REC Stratton is Eminent Prior this year and it should be noted that he is wearing his brand new Eminent Prior's apron for Chapter. As GHP I saw no reason not to permit REC Stratton to wear it during Chapter meetings. Council is permitting it also.


After the meeting we retired to the dinning hall for coney dogs, chips and cookies or cake.


We left in more snow that we arrived in! It had began snowing again while the meeting was going and things were just a llittle slippery until we got to about Akron. Smooth sailing from that point on home

It is great to be back on the road and to see another fine degree and have great Companionship

'til the next time.







.

Still Sorry

Companions due to things beyond my control I'm still sitting here at home.   This past weekend we missed Pat Lively's reception.   My wife took ill and I ended up with 4 hours in the emergency room.  She is alright so we made plans for my stated KT meeting on Monday night for which Julia was the covered dish dinner hostess.   Now any of you who live in NE Ohio will know what I'm talking about.  Starting Sunday we got the dreaded "lake effect" snow!!   It is now 3:00 PM Tuesday and the dreaded stuff is still with us but finally tampering off.  It was predicted we would get about 12-16 inches of snow but we only got about 8.   It was the wind that caused problems.   We had consistent wind in excess of 20 mph and gusts over 40 mph.   The roads could not be kept clear so our Eminent Commander canceled last nights KT conclave.

Due to surgery, my wife and the snow, it has now been 9 days since I attended a Masonic meeting and I'm beginning to get withdrawal symptoms.  It ends tonight!   We have an inspection here in the 17th District, my home district, at Kent.  Five of us from my Chapter are taking a candidate for courtesy work.  I just hope I'm back on the road again.

'til the next time.

Sorry for the lack of posts

Companions, I'm sorry for the lack of posts but I have been a little under the weather. This past Tuesday I had my gall bladder removed. It is not a big deal but it sure slows down the traveling for a few days.

The surgeon did give Julia a picture of my gall bladder and liver.  I could post that.
Tomorrow I'm going back to work and then Saturday off Julia and I go again.

'til the next time.

LaGrange #68 Inspection

Some day maybe I'll learn how to schedule visitations! From Elyria, George and I were off to Ironton for LaGrange Chapter's inspection. Just a little 248 mile drive with snow for about 150 miles. The temperature was around 28F so the roads stayed mostly wet but boy were some of the bridges starting to ice over. A fun drive!

We got to Ironton just in time for dinner. The ladies there did their normal fine, fine job of having a spaghetti dinner, with salad, garlic bread and dessert. If you don't get enough to eat, shame on you.

The inspection degree was the PM and the Lodge opened at 7:00 PM. We saw another nice degree that resulted in 3 new Past Masters.

Ironton Chapter had a few problems at last year's inspection. I was the inspecting officers and told them what I saw said they could do good work when they put in the effort. I promised that I would be at this year's inspection and hoped to see continued improvement in their ritual work. I was not the slightest bit disappointed. The improvement was not only there, it was very obvious that there had been some practicing done. I congratulate the Chapter for the improvement in the work.

The fine dinner and the marked improvement in the Chapter made the drive down well worth it.

Now the drive home. The snow had let up, the roads were mostly wet and off we went. No problems until we hit freezing rain just south of Mansfield. It last for about 5 miles and then we had dry or damp roads the rest of the way home.

'til the next time.

Elyria, P.B. Morgan, Marshal and Oberlin Chapter Inspections

Yesterday George Nockengost and I started at 8:00 AM what was destined to be a long day.

We headed for a degree day at the Elyria Masonic Temple. This is a group of four Chapters doing their inspections. That morning we saw 4 candidates receive the MkM, PM and MEM degrees. All three degrees were done in a fine manner. This was my 4th time to attend the all Chapter degree day in Elyria and it was as well done and coordinated as each of the last. All the work is done in one room and there is almost no lost time. They take a 10 minute break between degrees and move on.

At about 12:30 PM the MEM concluded and there was a break for lunch. Lunch is always the same. They have a chile cook-off. The Companions bring in crock-pots of their chile. Every body gives each one a try and then votes on their favorite by putting a dollar in a basket in front of the crock-pot. The money goes to charity. Not only does this make for a nice lunch, it does not cost the Chapters much and 4 charities benefit from the collections.

After lunch George and I headed south to Ironton for LaGrange Chapter's inspection.

'til the next time.

Grand Chapter of PA

Wednesday morning, 12/1, at 6:00 AM, Julia and I headed for Philadelphia to attend the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania. We checked into the Marriott Courtyard 432 miles and 7 1/2 hours later. Driving was a little slow because we had snow most of the way. Just enough to slow you down but not enough to be problematic.

When I registered for the Grand session I was informed that the Chapter that meet in the Philadelphia Lodge was having a meeting that night. Since there was nothing else scheduled for the evening, I went to the meeting. What a treat!

When you entered the Philadelphia Masonic Temple you enter a fantasy building. I was told that I would marvel at what I would see but nothing can prepare you for that building. I posted a few of the pictures I took but what I recommend is that you go to the web site and do a virtual tour.

There a 6 halls, or lodge rooms, in the building and I don't think I can pick a favorite. Each is distinct and as breathtaking as the others. If I had to pick, I think it would be the Gothic Hall which is the Knights Templar meeting room. Julia got a guided tour with the Ladies and she loves the Egyptian Room as the picture shows.

Well back to the meeting. The Chapter is Royal Arch Chapter #3, instituted on June 8, 1758. This Chapter is the longest continuously operating Chapter in the world. They do a full form opening and I had no idea what was going on most of the time. The GHP of West Virginia was there and he was as lost as I was. The HP, King and Scribe are all covered while in the east and the HP stands for the entire meeting. As it turns out it was election of officers followed by their installation. Only the HP, King and Scribe were elected. The Secretary and Treasurer were continuing in their stations. Their installation was different with the outgoing officer installing the incoming officer. The incoming officer gives the obligation from memory and then is presented his "masonic clothing" of apron, jewel and covering. All in all the meeting was very educational for me as well as a lot of fun.

On Thursday the Grand Session opened with introductions at 10:30 AM. I believe there were 6 GHPs from other jurisdictions in attendance. Grand Council and Grand Commandery were very well represented. One very noticeable difference with Grand Commandery is the officers wear aprons with their uniforms. Prince Hall was very much in attendance with 25 members present. The Grand Master and most of the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge were in attendance. A small amount of business was discussed and the session was stopped until the 2:00 PM Officers Installation. There was a free lunch for all Companions at that time.

While this was going on with the men, Julia was getting a tour of the building. After the tour the Ladies returned to the Marriott, which was adjacent to the Temple, for their lunch.

The Installation of Officers was exactly like what I had seen the night before with exception that they elected a new Grand Secretary.

The Grand Banquet Thursday night was at the Marriott Courtyard and was one of the best banquet meals I have had. There was the normal salad followed with Tomato Florentine soup. Then we were given a glass of lemon sherbet topped with a frozen lemon slice. The main course was a fillet Mignon, salmon fillet, rice pilaf and green beans. The dessert was chocolate cake. Julia ask for her normal substitute for the chocolate cake and they brought her another lemon sherbet. Attendance at the dinner was approximately 175.

At 5:30 AM, Friday morning, we started home. Why so early? Having been in Philadelphia traffic on the way in, I had not desire to be in it on the way home.

The hospitality of everyone, the beautiful building and fine dinner gave us a wonderful time but we were glad to be on the way home.

'til the next time.

Zanesville #9 Inspection

Zanesville #9 Inspection On Monday, 11/29, George Nockengost, Bill Young and I headed out for Zanesville. Since George and I had been there for Priory just a few weeks earlier, I was not concerned that I had left my trustee GPS at home. As it turned out that was not a good thing. We got to the Zanesville Temple, the one that George and I knew about, just to find it dark. After a couple of phone calls we found out that the meeting was at the "old Temple" a few miles from where we where. After getting directions, off we went again only to get lost again. Another phone call tells us we are about 5 minutes from the Temple and we get more directions. Hurray, we finally find the the right Temple.

We are met by the elevator operator who takes us to the 6th floor York Rite room. What a gorgeous room. I'm going to take pictures galore. However, I forgot my camera! REC Paine has his and will email be pictures that he takes. I still don't have them so when I do get them I'll post them.


The inspection degree is the MEM. My string of Excellent inspections continued. One of the great things about traveling is that you get to see the same degree done so many different ways. The words are usually the same but the floor movements, costuming and floor work change. The floor work was different than I had ever seen and made for an interesting change. The Senior Warden had a key board at station and played the appropriate music during the degree. Not only did he play, he also sang. The music added tremendously to the the degree. Three new Most Excellent Masters received a beautiful degree.


After the inspection we were treated to a tour of the 4th floor Symbolic Lodge room. I am not even going to attempt to describe it! Hopefully a disk of pictures is being sent to me. When I get it, I will post pictures of what has to be one of the most elaborate Lodge rooms in the state of Ohio. Another thing that impressed my about the members of Zanesville Lodge and Chapter. They know the history of the building, their Lodge, their Chapter and of the many items that furnish the building.


Even though we got lost twice, we had a great visit with Zanesville Chapter.


'til the next time.