Another 70-yr Award

I almost missed the most important posting of all.   On Thursday, 9/8, Julia and I were off to Cincinnati to present a 70-yr award to Companion John Nullmeier of Cincinnati Chapter #1.

Before the meeting we had a nice dinner of fried or baked chicken with all the trimmings.  I got to meet our recipient and he told me something I found hard to believe.   In the 70 years he had been a member of the Grand Chapter of Ohio I was the first Grand High Priest he had ever shaken hands with.   I thanked him for giving me that honor and was just tickled by it.  He was having a hard time believing I drove from Medina to Cincinnati just to present him his award.  



The East

  After the dinner we went upstairs for the meeting.  It was Cincinnati's stated meeting so they had to open in the Royal Arch.   The Lodge Room is a nice room with what I think has an unique paintings in the east and west.   If you look about the chairs you will wee the sun rising and setting.









The West



After opening and introduction I presented Companion Nullmeier his 70-yr plaque.   He uses a walker to get around but believe me, he is as sharp as a tack and is 91years old.

This is my final presentation of the year and one I shall remember.   Nothing is more enjoyable for a Grand High Priest than giving out service awards, especially 65 and 70 year awards.

I excused myself after the presentation because the drive home was 3 hours and 30 minutes and got rained on most of the way to the meeting.   As luck would have it, we had dry roads all the way home for a change.

A great day.

'til the next time.

 





Wadsworth #385 Steak Fry, 9/10

Saturday afternoon, after the outdoor Mark Master, I headed for Wadsworth for a lodge steak fry.  It started in the morning with a corn-hole tournament.   Meals were served starting at noon and going to 4:00 PM.   The cost was $20.00 for all you could eat.

 The menu consisted of an 8 oz strip steak, baked potato, ear of sweet corn, pasta salad, potato salad, baked beans and cake.

This was the first dinner of this type that the lodge has done and must be considered a great success.  Approximately 75 dinners were served.  Everything but the steaks was donated by Brothers of the Lodge.

A great dinner, good fellowship and a dry place to set and eat unlike earlier today.

 'til the next time.

Outdoor Mark Master, 9/10

At 9:00 AM Saturday, 9/10, the 17th District held its annual Outdoor Mark Master degree in Shalersville and hosted by Silvercreek Chapter.   It has been held here for several years but never has it rained like it did yesterday. 

There is coffee and donuts from 8:00 AM until 9:00 AM when the degree is conferred. After the degree there is a lunch.  Take a look at the pictures of the cooks getting lunch ready.   If you look you can see the water standing in the area behind them.

Normally the degree is done totally outside but thank goodness there is a pavilion available.   It is rather small but we managed to make it do.   Otherwise we would have a had about 30 drowned Companions.   Now the pavilion roof did leak so most of us still got wet, just not soaked.


When all was said and done we had two new Mark Masters so getting wet as worth it.

'til the next time.

Portage Chater #202 Stated Meeting; 9/1

I was asked by the High Priest of Portage Chapter to attend the stated meeting.   Since it is just about 40 minutes to the Chapter, that was no problem.

It turns out that the reason was the Chapter had a presentation for me.   One of the members, EC Virgil Mick, belonged to Akron-Washington Chapter before it merged with Cuyahoga Falls Chapter.   After the merger he found the key stoned that was used in the Most Excellent Master degree.  He managed to have my mark entered in the center with the date of my year on the back.   It is really great.





I want to again thank EC Mick and the members of Portage Chapter for this special gift that I saw used many times at Akron-Washington Chapter.

'til the next time.

Supreme Council A.A.S.R.; August 27-31

On Saturday, 8/27, Julia and I boarded a bus at the Cuyahoga Falls Masonic Temple and we were off to Chicago for Supreme Council, A.A.S.R.    The bus trip was arranged by EC George Tilden of Cuyahoga Falls Chapter.   He and his wife Gloria and REC Richard McMasters and his wife Wilma saw too it that we ate all the way to Chicago.   Between stops to eat at McDonalds we had any type of snack you can imagine.
There were members of the Vallies of Akron, Canton and Youngstown on the bus.  We got to the Sheridan in Chicago around 3:30 PM Chicago time.  Saturday night you were on your own for dinner.

Unlike last year when I got my 33rd in Philadelphia, Julia and I had a some time for sight seeing.   We took a ride around town on one of the double deck buses, went to the aquarium and Navy Pier.  Julia and I were amazed at the number of people on the streets on Sunday.  I would suppose that it is because of the number of people that live in the city.

Sunday night the members of the Valley of Akron go out to dinner together.  This year it was to a restaurant called Sullivan's which is one of 8000, according to the tour bus guide, in the city.  I am embarrassed to say what I payed for my dinner but I will tell you I had the best steak I have ever had.   I had a 12 oz, bone-in, fillet.   I had never had a bone-in fillet and never a steak that will come close to the flavor and tenderness of this one.   Portions of the side dishes and desserts were extremely large and enough for two people.

Monday afternoon was the start of Supreme Council.   Sovereign Grand Commander McNaughton was everything done to have Inspiration, Convenience and Enjoyment.   He held to it at the meeting.   There was very little business conducted but rather entertainment.   There were some awards given out but that was about it.

Tuesday afternoon is the conferring of the 33rd degrees.  It was done in its normal exceptional manner with over 150 candidates.

Tuesday evening was the Ohio dinner where all those newly elected to receive the 33rd degree were announced.   The highlight of the evening is when those Brothers are called and informed of their election.

At 7:30 AM Wednesday morning we boarded the bus and headed home.   Nothing changed!   We ate our way from McDonald's to McDonald's on the way home.

A great trip.

'til the next time.

Update on my eye; August 24th

Well Companions since I told you about my eye earlier I guess I should update you on what is going on.

On August 24th I saw a new surgeon by the name of Dr. Marc Jones.   After checking my eye he agreed with the original diagnosis.   I see him again on September 28th when he will decide if surgery is necessary.  He gave me a 20% chance of not needing it.  The way the eye is acting I think the chance has dropped drastically. 

If I have surgery it works this way.   The doctor goes in through the white and removes a layer of cells from the back of the cornea.   He then transplants cells from a donor to the back of the cornea.   According to the surgeon the biggest problem is getting the transplanted cells to adhere to the cornea.   They do this by putting an air bubble in the eye that forces the transplanted cells up against the cornea.  Dr. Jones told me that I would start seeing sight improvement after about 3 weeks,  good improvement after 3 months and final improvement in about a year.   The eye will never be as good as new but will be pretty darned good.
That is about all I can tell you.

Ohio Priory #18, Springfield, August 20th

Well I finally got to go to Priory.  This was the first time I did not have a conflict with a Grand Chapter function.  The Eminent Prior William Stratton is  close friend and I felt really bad about not being able to support him.

There were two candidates that were knighted at the meeting.  Illustrious Grand Master Lively, Right Eminent Grand Commander Clime and I were all asked to speak for a moment.   EC Clime, a member of the Masonic Home Board,  used his time to talk about the proposed dementia units that are hopefully coming to Western Reserve and Browning Masonic Communities.

After the meeting we retired to the picnic pavilion for a cook-out that sure reminded me of the York Rite Tea cook-out.   We had burger, hot dogs, potato or macaroni salad, baked beans and cookies.     There were approximately 90 in attendance for the cook-out which is a really nice group.

Unlike the trip home from the York Rite tea, Julia and I got home without being rained on.  This was nice for a change.

'til the next time.

Grand Chapter of Michigan; August 17 & 18

The Grand Chapter of Michigan is part of York Rite week in Michigan.  Julia and I got to Lansing on Wednesday afternoon.   You can be proud of your Grand Chapter because in attendance were: Julia & myself; George & Sharon Shell; Bob & Donna Thomas; Keith and Cindy O'Dell.  This made us the largest out of state group in attendance.  Wednesday night we ate dinner at the hotel which is where all sessions were held   A really nice facility.    Now even though we were in a foreign country we could not have been made more welcome. 

There was a nice breakfast Thursday morning.   The session opened at 8:300 A.M. with almost all of the Grand Business being concluded prior to noon.  The only real business after noon was the installation of the Grand Officers.   Most of the Ohio delegation left just after noon because of other meetings on Friday.

I did receive an Honorary membership in the Grand Chapter of Michigan. 

All in all it was a nice trip and meeting that Julia and I both enjoyed.

'til the next time.

August 13, 2011; Grand Family in Middletown

This Grand Family meeting is presided over by the Grand King.   REC Shell had made arrangements with the Days Inn as the host hote.so we went down Friday for the Saturday meeting.

Saturday morning started with a Finance Committee meeting at 9:00 AM.   At 10:00 AM MECs Dill and McDonald held a school for the District Deputy Grand High Priests.   Lunch followed at about noon.

The Grand Family meeting was held in the afternoon.   Here is where the new DDGHPs are introduced and plans for the year are given by the different districts.

All in all it was a typical Grand Family with no surprises or earth shattering notices.

I want to congratulate REC Shell for running a nice meeting.

'til the next time.

I'm Back

Companions,

I apologize for not doing any posting for almost a month.   Past Grand High Priests warned me that I would get tired and I finally did.   I continued to visit but just did not post on my blog.   Now I am going to try to catch up.

York Rite Day at the Springfield Masonic Community

The past Sunday, 8.7.11, was a full day of York Rite activities at the Springfield Campus of the Ohio Masonic Home.    The day began with a York Rite Co-operation meeting at 10:00 A.M..   This meeting was chaired by John Clime, Eminent Grand Commander.   I have been going to these meeting for about 10 years and I believe this was the best attended meeting I have seen.   The topic of the day was "Membership" and brought about some very lively discussion.   We had two hours of reasons for the decline in membership and the same recommendations as how to stop the decline.   Probably the use of today's technology, such as Facebook and Twitter, received the most attention.  The meeting adjourned at approximately noon so that we could head for the chapel and the Divine service.

The Divine service was hosted by the Grand Chapter and the message given by REC Ray Sharritts.  Prior to the service, a few pictures were taken  and the Grand Lines introduced.  As can be seen from this picture, attendance was quite good.

We did introductions with Commandery, then Council and finally Chapter.   I took pictures of Commandery and Council but since I was doing Chapter introductions forgot to have a picture of the Grand Chapter Line.  Some times your Grand High Priest is not real smart and this was one of those times.

Council is usually the best represented at this function but this year Chapter had one more officer than they did.

When I introduced the Grand Chapter Officers, which included 7 District Deputies,  I informed Most Illustrious Grand Master Lively that he had introduced quantity and now I would introduce quality.  As it turned out Grand Chapter had both quantity and quality!  

It should be noted that any resident that wanted to come to this service was escorted by a Grand Chapter Officers.   If a resident want to attend the cook-out and needed assistance they were escorted by a Grand Chapter officers.

After the Divine service we retired to the pavilion for the cook-out.   I want to thank Right Excellent Companions Darrel Porter, Charles Bonecutter, George Nockengost and John Donahoo for working the grills.    A special thanks goes to our Eminent Prior and Right Excellent Companion William Stratton who was also part of the grill crew.  The did an excellent job.    I also want to thank the staff of the Home for setting up the food table.  We had hamburgs, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and cookies.   Any body that did not get enough to eat has no one to blame but themselves.   I did not take pictures of the cook-out because I did not want to publish pictures of the residents without their permission.

After we ate a 60 year service pin was presented by REC Darrel Porter and myself to Excellent Companion Jack Franklin Stickney.   The Companion was High Priest of Shelby Chapter #178 50 years ago.

What a wonderful day!   Even though it was hot there was a nice breeze and the pavilion was rather comfortable.   We had no rain and so residents could get back and forth without any problems.   I want to thank all the Grand Officers from Commandery, Council and Chapter for the support given this York Rite Tea.  

Now the day would not be a travel day for Julia and I without rain.   We took our van and had Right Excellent Companions Bill Young, Bill Stratton and George Nockengost along with his Lady Mary accompanying us.    On the way home rain came at about route 42 & I-70.    By the time we got to I-670 in Columbus it was pouring, or so I thought.  As we passed the state fair grounds God opened another valve.   At I-270 & I-71 He opened everything He had!   It rained from here until we were almost to the 151 exit about as hard as I have seen it rain.    We did mostly 35-40 miles per hour while both shoulders of I-71 became parking lots.    We finally got out of heavy rain around Mansfield. and by the time we were almost home we had dry roads.  Just another typical travel day for Julia and I!!

'til the next time.

Grand Chapter of Illinois, 7/28, 29 &30

On Thursday, 7.28, Julia and I headed for Springfield Illinois and the Grand Chapter of Illinois.   The meeting was held downtown at the Hilton Hotel.   This was a 504 mile drive during which we saw more corn and soy beans than I think I had ever seen. 

Thursday was only a travel day with Grand Chapter starting at 8:00 A.M. on Friday.   Registration started at 7:00 A.M. with guests being introduced at approximately 8:30 P.M.  It is always a learning experience to attend an out of state Grand Chapter and see the differences from home.  

• The first difference was introductions.   Guests were already seated in the room rather than escorted in after the opening
• Delegates do not wear aprons in a tiled Chapter.   Only the Grand Officers and guests were wearing aprons.
• Officers were elected from the Grand High Priest through the Royal Arch Captain unlike in Ohio where we elected the Veils.   Nominations for the Royal Arch Captain were taken from the floor.
• This Grand Chapter has about 5,200 members.

After the election of officers the next largest order of business was presentation of awards.  Like most Grand Chapters, the best secretary, the best Chapter and other such awards were given.   Since this Grand Chapter belongs to General Grand Chapter,  a Gold Star Award was given out.

The Grand Chapter session was closed at approximately 11:30 A.M.

A lunch of chicken salad sandwich and apple pie was served.  

The ladies had a brunch with a guest that should have been anticipated.   President Abraham Lincoln attended the lunch and spoke.

The Anointed High Priest degree was conferred Friday afternoon.   It was nice but still does not approached what we do here in Ohio.

The evenings banquet was at 6:00 P.M.    There was a theme for those wanting to dress in the fashion of the "Roaring 20s".   Where some of the Companions and Ladies got the suits and dress they were wearing is beyond me.   Some of the men were in costume complete with spats while some of the flapper dress were really unique.  Dinner was something I had never had at a banquet.   We where served chicken fried steak.  It was a good meal.

After dinner there was a live auction to raise money for the York Rite Charities.  The auctioneer was the Grand Master and he had a great time.   The only thing I can say for sure was that if you were a Grand Lodge officer, you were going to buy something.   At one time the Grand Master could not get the bid he wanted so he threatened to start pulling dues card and said he was sure there was a paper shredder some where in the hotel.  

I am now an "Honorary Medical Mason".     After the banquet a Chapter from Chicago portrayed the "Medical Mason" degree.   This degree is not a entertainment degree.   It comes from the College of Rites and has not been portrayed in over 100 years.   Originally it was conferred on doctors, surgeons and pharmacists.   The degree takes about 30 minutes and you receive a nice certificate and a pill box.

All in all the trip was quite pleasurable.   Meet some nice uneventfull drive, meet some nice people, had good food and got another degree.   There is not much more a Mason could ask for.

'til the next time.

Salvation Army, soup kitchen, 7.26.11

Wadsworth Lodge #385 works with the Salvation Army once a month to staff a "soup kitchen".   The last week of each month the kitchen is open every night.   The lodge serves the meal on Tuesday.  It takes about 5 brothers because we set up the dinning area and clean it after the meal.  The past week we served pasta with shrimp, salad and cake.  Attendance runs aroung 20-25 at a meal.   There are no pictures because did not think it was proper to take them at this type of activity.    This is a wonderful way for the lodge to help the community and we have been doing it for a good number of years.

'til the next time.

Sorry!

Companions and friends I am sorry that I have not been posting much the last few weeks.   I had a cataract removed from my right eye and things have not been going well.   When I had the one removed from my left eye I could see the next day.   It has now been a over a month and I still have essentially no vision in the right eye.   Yesterday I was told that I had lost vision in that eye but that it is reversible so more surgery is being contemplated and I should hear something today.   Not knowing what was going on with my eye and not wanting to drive at night have slowed my travels.   Yesterday, however, I did send reservations to 7 places so posting should start back up soon.

DeMolay Grand Conclave, 7.16.11

Ohio DeMolay held its Grand Conclave at Kent State University this past weekend.   Kent State is only about 50 miles from home so Julia and I were on our way about 8:30 AM.








The conclave was held in the Student Center which is very nice and works extremely well for the event.   The first conclave that I attended was here at Kent.   There was one major difference this year.   The first was also Freshman Orientation day.  What a crowd and no place to park.  This year there was plenty of parking and no crowding.

The day opened with the conferral of the Legion of Honor, both active and honorary.   This is one of the finest pieces of ritual that I have the pleasure of seeing.  Dad Jeff Shaw presided and did a fantastic job.  

The entire cast of the degree is to be commended for the good work that was done.








One of the nice things was that the heads of Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, Grand Council, Grand Commander and Priory were all in attendance.   I believe this is the only time it happened at a youth groups Grand Session this year.  It was great to see.







The new holders of the Legion of Honor, both active and honorary.










After the Legion of Honor ceremony there was a period of introduction.   All groups that were in attendance were introduced and the head of the body or her/his representative was asked to say a few words.  Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, Grand Council, Grand Commandery and Priory all gave monetary donations.

After all the introductions were adjourned to another room for lunch and a heck of a lunch it was.  We had a really nice salad, mashed red skin potatoes, peas and prime rib.   That is a heck of a lot more lunch than most of use needed.  Oh, I forgot the pie after dinner.

The day was very nice, every thing seemed to go as planned for the young men and I think everyone was impressed with this Youth Group.   I know I was.  

'til the next time.

Pictures are courtesy of Paula Lively.    Thank you Paula.

Lodi Sweet Corn Festival, 7.15.11

Harrisville Lodge #137 is in Lodi about 12 miles from home and is the second Symbolic Lodge I belong to.  It has a very active Ways and Means Committee and selling food at the Lodi Sweet Corn Festival is one of those activities.   The festival runs Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and there will be well over 100 dozen ears of corn sold.   The only day I could help was Friday so off I went.   Folks the last time I husked corn like I did was about 50 years ago when I was living next to Grandpa and Grandma on the farm.   WB Tom Crosky and I husked corn, along with a few others like we knew what we were doing.  Tom had even made husking pegs, which 99 out of 100 people who read this blog have never heard of..  I thought Tom and I were doing a pretty good job of getting the silk off the ears but the Brother running the show really wanted it all off.   I told one person if we left a little silk on each year it could be used for dental floss.   That idea was not received very well.

Next to the sweet corn booth the Lodi Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star was selling lemonade.   They had the biggest lemons I had ever seen.  They had an assembly line going.   One lady put ice in the cup, one put sugar in the cup, one squeezed a whole lemon in the cup and put 1/2 of the lemon in with the juice and finally a measured amount of water was added.   I had one cup while husking corn and took two home for Julia and I.

One of the Brothers from Harrisville Lodge was taking pictures and I hope to get some from him.   If I do, I'll add them to this post.

'til the next time.

The Third 70-Year Service Award, 6,11

Today I had the pleasure of presenting Companion Carl W. Anderson a 70-year award.   Carl also received a 65-year award form the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.



MEC Dale Ray, Grand Secretary & Ill. Bro. Dewey Jenkins



Carl is a member of Portage Chapter 202 in Barberton and the Valley of Akron.   He is living in a Senior Living Facility called "The Merriman" on Merriman road in Akron.  He is 97 years old and sharp as a tack.   He does have trouble walking and vision problems.   When I went up to him, he said he didn't know my name but that I was from Wadsworth Chapter.   As soon as I told him my last name he knew my first name.

  There was  a good number of friends and Brothers in attendance for the presentation.



Ill. Brother John Stevens and his wife





Ill. Bros. Easterling and Seabeck with Bro. Anderson

 The presentation of the Scottish Rite service award was by Ill. Brother James F. Easterling, Jr..   Ill. Bro. Easterling is the Deputy's Representative for the Valley of Akron and the Senior Grand Warden of Grand Lodge of Ohio.

After the A.A.S.R. presentation, I presented Carl with his 70-year Grand Chapter plaque.

 It was a hot, rainy day and look at the number of Brothers that were in attendance for the presentations!  It truly shows the respect that the Brothers have for Bro. Carl.

Presenting 50-plus service awards is one of the greatest joys you have as Grand High Priest.   Today was even a little bit more special as I have known Bro. Anderson ever since I joined the fraternity. 

'til the next time.

7th District GHP's Reception, 6.10

 Well the final Grand High Priest's Reception is over.   Sunday, 6.10, the 7th District had a pig roast at a farm just outside of Findlay.   This is the 4th time that I have attended this pig roast and it was just a much fun as the other three times.

It starts with a roast pig dinner that includes pork, baked beans, a couple of pasta salads, potato salad, veggie plate and dessert.    The dessert was a special treat.   Home made ice cream with red raspberries in it.  Really good!

 The dinner was served by Kohel's personnel as a charity function. They did a great job and there was more than enough to eat.  All of it was good.

After the dinner the District awards were given out.

REC Bob Blankenhorn was presented a check for the Royal Arch Foundation.  The Foundation and Grand Chapter thank the District for the support.

 A representative of Adopt American was in attendance alone with one of the family and their children.  

The District Ladies are putting together a cook book that will sell for $10.  This is a new fund raiser to go along with the sausage sales that they have been doing for years.

The District gave Julia two gifts.   First monetary gift that will go to Western Reserve Masonic Community's dementia unit fund and secondly a Santa Claus ornament.  Julia now has well over 100 Santas.  I was also given a monetary gift that will go Julia and the dementia fund.   Thanks to the generosity of the Districts Julia will give well over $1,000 to the fund.

After giving me a few minutes to talk we were on to the white elephant auction.    Bags and boxes were lined up with unknown contents for the auction.   It is fun to buy a "pig in a poke" with the money going to the District's charity.  I only bought one thing and it turned out to be a bag of golf balls.  Since I don't golf I put it back on the auction block and it brought another $40.

The auctioneer was MEC Jim McDonald.   Now Jim took his hat off and turned his back.   I got the hat and auctioned it off.   We got $13 for a slightly used and sweaty hat!


The last thing auctioned was a box wrapped in paper that had pictures from the year on it.   This is put together by Tom  Zeigler and is usually brings a pretty good price.   Unfortunately it was bought by my wife.



As I said, this was the last reception.   Julia and I have enjoyed them a great deal.   I honestly can say that we did not have a bad meal at any of them.   We meet a lot of new people and saw a lot of old friends.  Yes it was a lot of traveling but I have enjoyed every mile.  We wish to thank each District, every Companion and every Lady for the courtesies shown us and friendships made and strengthened.

'til the next time.

Rainbow for Girls Grand Assembly, 6.7.11

On Thursday, 6.7.11, Bill Stratton and I headed to Gambier, Ohio.   This is the home of Kenyon College and the site of this year's Grand Assembly of Rainbow for Girls.   It is just east of Mt. Vernon. We got there way too early so we went just north of Mt. Vernon on route 3 to an ice cream store that I started visiting in 1959.   Route 3 was the way from home to Columbus prior to I-71 and I found this place on one of my trips back to Ohio State.   I've been stopping there every time I go through Mt. Vernon ever since.

After our chocolate malts, Bill and I went on to Kenyon College.  It is a beautiful campus with some really wonderful buildings.   The Grand Assembly was held in the Athletic Center.    I have been here twice for Job's Daughters.    I took a couple pictures prior to Grand Assembly knowing that since the bible is open during the meeting no pictures would be permitted.

 This is the picture of the west.  I really like the theme.












This is the east and as you can see is really decorated nicely.











I'm not sure exactly what time Grand Assembly opened because they put all the "distinguished " guests together in an auditorium waiting to be introduced.   Rainbow Dignitaries were: Mrs Linda-Lee Morris, Supreme Worthy Advisor and Mrs. Janice Morris, Supreme Deputy in Ohio.  the heads of O.E.S. and all the York Rite bodies were in attendance along with a representative of Scottish Rite.   Most Worshipful Brother Bradford A. Goebel was also present.  

The Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star presented scholarships to approximately 10 young ladies and MWM Steve Krekus also presented a scholarship.  I am proud to say that Bethany MacMillian from Medina Rainbow Assembly,  received an O.E.S. scholarship as well as the one presented by MWB Krekus. Congratulations Bethany!

It should be noted that one service project was Honor Flight.  The girls collected over $23,000 which is enough for two flights of veterans going to Washington D.C. to visit the various veterans' memorials.

The floor work at the opening and closing could only be classified as excellent.   The girls in their white dress looked great and they knew precisely what to do.

Every girl in attendance should be proud to be a member of this beautiful order.

'til the next time.

Another 70-Year Service Award

Friday, 7.1, headed for Waverly to meet Excellent Companions Dale Exline and Brian Thompson.  From there we were off to, for me at least, parts unknown.  We first went to Portsmith which turns out to be the yellow barrel capitol of southern Ohio.   From there we went on the Wheelerburg to present a 70-Year Service Award to Companion Kellis G. Smith.   Now for those who don't know where Wheelerburg is, it is on the Ohio River 211 miles from Medina.   EC Smith is a member of Trowel Chapter #70 in Jackson but is presently staying at his son's.   He will be 93 in a couple of months.   He and EC Exline got into a discussion about people they both knew in Jackson and I believe both of them knew everybody!

Excellent Companion Smith was a joy to meet and talk to.   He told us about jobs he had held and places he had lived.  He also let us know that his son and daughter are twins but that the son was 16 minutes older. Julia took the attached pictures.

Companion Smith and me

 There are many enjoyable things about being Grand High Priest but presenting 50-year and up service awards is probably one of the highlights.  This one was no exception.  It is so nice to present 70-year award to a Companion as spry as EC Smith is.

EC Exline, Companion Smith and me



A Proud 70-year member.

I 

I can not close this post without telling a story.  EC Exline was raised in this neck of the woods so he told me to follow him and we would miss Portsmith and all the construction.   I followed him to Jackson.  From Wheelersburg to Jackson is probably 20 miles the way the crow flies but 40 miles by the way the road goes. Dale drives a van like he is in road race.   He straighten outs curves on roads that have 40 yard straight aways!   When he finally stopped to tell me the rest of the way to route 23, I told him the next time I followed him, I wanted to be the lead vehicle. 

This was a wonderful day.   Dry roads coming & going, met a grand gentleman, tried to be a NASCAR driver and had a nice meal on the way home.   I do want to thank Dale and Brian for setting up the presentation.

'til the next time.

17th District Awards Night

The 17th District held its Awards Night at the Cuyahoga Falls Masonic Temple on Wednesday, 6.29. 

 The 2010-2012 High Priest received their Past High Priest Certificates from REC Ross R. Black. Of the six, three were first time High Priests.

 The District Awards were handed out also.   This year the Awardee not only got a certificate, but received pen set with a keystone plaque as the base.

 It was not secret in the District, but REC Black did introduce both our new DDGHP and DEO.  In the picture form left to right are Fredrick "Rick" Memmer (new DDGHP to be) and Terry Regenos (DEO to be).

 There was a special award given at this meeting.  EC David A. Wiley, from Medina County Chapter #243, is the Governor of Cleveland York Rite College.   He and several other members of the College were in attendance ot present a "Gold Award.

The award went to Right Excellent Companion William Charles Young.  I believe this is the second time in the last month that I have seen Bill speechless and shocked.  The other was when Cuyahoga Falls Chapter made him an Honorary Member.  No Companion in the District is more deserving of this award that Bill.   Congratulations Bill!!!

The night ended with me receiving a pen set similar to that received by the Award recipients.   I was also given a large Keystone Plaque that the 17th District normally gives the Grand High Priest.   Mine was slightly different than the once given in previous years.    Companions of the 17th District signed the back.  I thanked the Companions for the gifts but especially for recognizing Julia a few minutes earlier.   Without her help and encouragement at times this past year would not have been nearly as enjoyable as it has been.   Thanks hon and I love you.

'til the next time.