Horeb No. 3 Inspection

DRY ROADS!!! For the first time in what seems like weeks I drove on dry roads.   RECs Nockengost and Young joined me on a drive to Westerville for the inspection of Horeb No.2 in the Mark Master Degree.  Westerville is straight south of Medina about 100 miles and is an easy 1 3/4 hour trip.

The Lodge is in the heart of town and is a large building, constructed in the 1930s, on the main street.  The first floor is the dinning hall and, like most lodges, the lodge room is on the second floor.   The ceiling and side walls turn a rather common room into a beautiful lodge room.    I was informed that the dome in the ceiling is meant to enhance the acoustics of the room.

The west has a unique feature.   Double click on the picture and you will see that there is keystone above the senior warden's station. 

For the first time this year we arrived late.  We arrived just as a Lodge of Mark Masters was being opened.  MEC Don Losasso was in attendance and made sure we knew we were late by pointing at his watch numerous times.

Introductions were a little different.   A large contingent of the York Rite Sovereign College of Columbus was in attendance and they all were introduced.    The only place I have seen this done is in the Columbus area.

Introductions were concluded at 8:00 PM and the Mark Master degree conferred on one candidate.   The degree was done exceptionally well.   For the first time I gave out 4 of MEC Oliver's little red crosses.  The RWM Max Bauman, Master Overseer Bob Simms and Sr. Deacon Jim Burgon received theirs for excellent ritual.   The fourth pin went to REC Steve Miller.   He gave the lecture very well and then READ the charge.  Now the ritual says that reading the charge is OK but I'm not used to that being done.  After the reading he throw me a curve.   He gave an educational talk on why it was permitted to be read.   I had never heard that particular explanation and it was really interesting.   Between the lecture and his educational talk, I felt he earned the little red cross.  What I really told him was "his educational talk saved his bacon."

REC Curtiss received Gold Award

Immediately after the degree the floor was given to the York Rite College for a few minutes.   REC Curtis Jackson spoke about the function of the College and then the floor was given to Past Governor Mark Bruns.  The College has an award called the Gold Award and last night it was presented to REC Ralph Curtiss.

This, I believe is the 3rd time that I have been in attendance when the College presented the award.   The first time I saw it was at a meeting in Delaware.



Members of Columbus York Rite Sovereign College




Grand Officers, Candidate and RWM



 After the Lodge was closed we retired to the dinning room for fellowship and refreshments of ham salad sandwiches, chips and beverage.

Another great evening.   Dry roads, great ritual, a new Mark Master and warm fellowship.   What more could you ask for?

'til the next time.