Medina County #243 Installation of Officers

My Chapter, which meets in the Wadsworth Masonic Temple, has its stated meeting the 4th Wednesday of the month.   This past Wed. we also had installation of Officers.   The installing officers was REC and Dr. Ross Black, DDGHP of the 17th District.   The installing Marshall was William Stratton, PDDGHP of the 17th District.
The officers of the Chapter are:
High Priest:                 Ronald Hart, II, PHP
King                           David Feller, PHP
Scribe                         Bruce Sours, PHP
Capt. of Hosts             David A. Wiley, PHP, KYCH
Prin. Sojourner            William Young, Grand Guard, PDEO
1st Veil                        David M. Snyder, DDGM of the 20th Dist, PGC, KYGCH, PHP
2nd Veil                       John I. Miller, PHP, KYCH
3rd Veil                        Dennis Lawson, PHP, PDDGM of the 20th Dist.
Treasurer                      Thomas Krepp, PHP, PDDGHP of the 17th Dist.
Secretary                      James Himmelright, PHP, GHP, KYGCH

After the installation we retired to the dinning room for refreshments.   You could either make an ice cream sunday on have a root beer float.  I didn't need either but the root beer float sure was good.

'til the next time.

70 Year Presentation, 6.21.11

On Tuesday, 6.21, I had the pleasure of presenting John R. Ball his 70-year membership plaque. Companion Ball is a member of Marysville Chapter #99.   Marysville Chapter joined Mt. Carmel Lodge #303 for an awards presentation.   The Lodge had 2 fifty-year and one sixty-year awards to present.

The evening started with a very nice meal cook by the Easter Star Chapter.   We had a nice salad, baked potato, green beans and pork loin that had been wrapped in bacon.   I don't believe I have ever had pork prepared this way but it was quite nice.   The bacon gave it distinct smokey flavor.



50-Yr. Award Presentation

  Immediately after dinner the lodge presented the three service awards.

50-Year Award Presentation

60-Year Award Presentation

 After the Lodge gave their awars Companion Bell was presented with his70-year plaque.  The picture to the right shows me with the Companions of Marysvlle Chapter.  Marysville Chapter is on of the smallest Chapters in the state with just under 40 members. Not counting Companion Bell there were 11 members present to honor him.  I think this was a wonderful showing for such a small Chapter.  The Companion to my left is EC Dave Balderson, High Priest of Marysville Chapter.   Davie and I worked for the same company in the 70s and it was nice to see him again.



And now the presentation of the plaque to Companion Bell.   You will note that he uses a walker.  I will tell you, however, he is one sharp gentleman. He told us that he joined Masonry in 1940 which I told him was a year before I was born.  Presentation of service awards is one of the best things about this office and this was one of the more memorable ones.

Well great food, good Companionship and the honor of presenting a 70-year plaque made for a good day.  Please note that I did not say anything about dry roads.   On the way home it stated raining lightly just about Delaware. By the time we reached Mansfield it was pouring and we were getting one heck of a lightning show.  I rained very hard with a lot of lightning the rest of the way to Medina.

'til the next time.

1st & 8th Districts joint Grand High Priest's Reception

Saturday, 6.18, Julia and I were a the Browning Masonic Community for the 1st & 8th Districts combined Grand High Priest's reception.  Browning is in Waterville which is just south of Toledo or about a 130 mile drive from Medina.

This was the first time I had visited Browning.  Now that I'm back on home ground, I took pictures.

Here is the Main Entrance to the facility.  It is a nice seating area.








Once inside you find a little fountain with running water and a coy pool.  On the other side of the aisle is a very nicely decorated area.

The two things made for a very pleasing and attractive  entrance.

The dinner was held in what I believe they called Dinning Room #3.  It was a nice size dinning room right off the kitchen.  Dinner was a nice salad, chicken or roast beef, mashed potatoes, veggies and pie.   It was served quickly and hot.  A very nice meal.

After dinner we moved on to the Harmony Room.  A very nice meeting room.  We started with the 1st District awards and then went to the 8th District awards.

REC King's wife made a white chocolate square and compasses to give the the awardees.  She could not find a Royal Arch Symbol mold so she made the Square and Compasses red.   These were really nice.   Since I got one,  in a few minutes I'm going to know how they taste.

REC King presented me a check for $520 that was raised at a fish fry.  The money is to go toward the dementia units.   Since it was raised by the 1st District I will see that it goes to the Browning facility.



After the District awards, Most Excellent Companion Wayne Dill was given the floor.  Having been a Trustee for Browning for quite some time he launched into a talk about the excellence of Browning and the proposed dementia unit.  This could not be allowed to continue.  Having been a Trustee for the Medina Western Reserve Masonic Community, I joined him in the pitch for the necessity of dementia units at both facilities.

After that MEC Dill presented another series of awards.  It seems that when he was a District Deputy he had an award that he called the "District Deputy Wayne Dill Award" or something like that.   He presented 5 of these awards.    Now Wayne is a man of high standards and went to no little expense to see that the awards where first quality.   He went to the upscale Dollar Store and purchased what he needed to make the awards.   This award consists of a small stuffed animal mounted on a jar of kosier dill pickles. I did receive on of Wayne's awards but was slighted when i discovered that mine did not have a squeaker like all the other ones.  Is it any wonder that MEC Dill was appointed the Grand Chapter comedian a few years ago.

After all the awards were presented Wayne actually gave me the floor.  I pretty much continued with the same speech I have given the last few receptions.

All in all this was a very good night.   Dry roads, no accident, good food, great companionship and the comedy of Most Excellent Companion Dill.    Except for the last item what more could one ask for.

'til the next time.

Grand Bethel, Job's Daughters 6.17.11

On Friday, 6.17, I picked up REC William Stratton, Eminent Prior of Ohio Priory, and we headed for Youngstown and the Grand Bethel of Ohio Job's Daughters.   Julia was going to attend but has a rather nasty cold.  Again I did not get any pictures because I'm just not sure what is allowed.

Bill and I got to Youngstown about 4:30 PM for the dinner which was held at a Presbyterian church next to the Youngstown Masonic Temple.  There were representatives from most Masonic bodies in attendance.   MWB Bradford Goebel, Ohio's Grand Master; Richard J. Brady, Eminent Grand Generalissimo, Knights Templar of Ohio; Phil R.Elliot, Deputy's Representative for the Valley of Youngstown; Pat Lively, Illustrious Grand Master of Royal and Select Masons of Ohio; William D. Stratton, Eminent Prior of Ohio Priory #18.   This was the first time in several years that the Grand Master had been able to attend.

The dinner was salad, stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, corn and pie.   It was a very nice meal in very nice room of the church.    After the meal we walked across the parking lot to the Masonic Temple.

I have been to this temple several time but found out something new.   It has no air conditioning!  We met on the second floor and when the room got full, it also got hot.

The meeting this year was ran a little bit different that the past two meetings.   There is a multitude of awards presented.   The last two years these have been presented at the end of the meeting.   This year they were presented at the start of the meeting.  Although the meeting started at 7:00 P.M., guests did not get presented until just after 8:00 P.M.

As soon as guests were presented, the installation of the new officers was done.   It is a very nice ceremony done in a fine manner.   After the installation of officers all the guest spoke for a bout 3 or 4 minutes each.  Bill and I left just after 9:00 P.M.  

Grand Chapter of Wisconsin, 6.15.11

On Tuesday, 6.14, Julia and I took off for Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the Grand Chapter of WI.   Door to door is 555 miles which took us about 10 1/2 hours.   The biggest problem was getting through Chicago.  Even though it was after 10 A.M. Chicago was its typical mess.  Express lanes were closed and there was construction.

We got to the Sierra hotel around 3:00 PM Wisconsin time.   Don & Theda Losasso, George & Sharon Shell and Keith and Cindy O'Dell were also at this Grand Chapter.

There only a couple of pictures from this Grand Session as I don't like to take them when visiting.

The Sierra Hotel is an outstanding venue to hold a Grand Session.

The first picture is looking from the balcony by our room toward the registration desk.

Every room has a bar with a microwave and refrigerator.  There are even two 1/2 bottles of wine in the room.  The are not free but cost $11.95 each.

There is a flat screen TV in both the sitting area and the bed room.

As you can see Julia made herself comfortable about 5 minutes after we got to our room.











The Grand Session started at 7:00 A.M. Wednesday with registration and breakfast.  The breakfast was part of the room cost and it was a real breakfast.  Eggs any way you wanted them, omelets, home fries, bacon, sausage, yogurt, pan cakes and assorted pastries.

The Grand Session started at 8:30 A.M. with Wisconsin's Grand Officers entering and then all distinguished guest following.  The business session was over at 12 noon.   I was honored at that session by receiving an honorary membership in the Grand Chapter of WI.   The Grand Chapter of WI has approximately 1300 members.

The order of Anointed High Priest was at 1:30 P.M.   Unlike Ohio it is not done in costume.

At 7:00 P.M. there was an informal dinner followed by the inevitable hospitality suite.

Julia and I headed home about 8:30 A.M. Wisconsin time.

Now a little note about the trip home.   We went through Chicago at 60-65 mph. It was fantastic.  Wen we got about 1/2 way across the Indiana turnpike the problems started.   There was a wreck some miles ahead of us and it had traffic stopped.   I found this out when I came over a small rise and a green Honda was setting where I was headed for.   Rather than hit the Honda I went on the shoulder.   The Honda truck behind me had to do the same.  Unfortunately I stopped quicker than he did.   Bang!  He pasted the back of my van.  Neither Julia or I was hurt BECAUSE WE WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS!  A third vehicle, pulling a utility trailer then got with the fun.  He came over the rise, saw the Honda and went for the shoulder.   Since it was already occupied by two cars he took to the ditch.  The ditch was deep, full of water and cat tails.  Watching all this action was a Indiana State Trooper  setting on the other shoulder directly across from us.
Nobody was hurt and only my van was hit.  They pulled the guy out of the ditch and he had no damage to his car at all.  They picked the mud and cat tails off the car, he paid the tow truck driver $300 and away he went..The trooper gave the both me and the driver an accident report that contained all the information either of us needed and after an hour and a half later I got to leave.  Damage estimate to my van is around $4500.

The saga continues.   When we got to the toll booth at the Ohio turnpike a car used the outside lane to pick up his ticket.   Well that lane is reserved for emergency vehicles and there is no ticket booth.  Well he jumped the barrier and got a ticket at the booth I was approaching.   That lifted the arm and now I can't get a ticket and traffic is backing up behind me.   The sign says blow horn for assistance so I did.  A lady came over, saw what happened and gave the guy a piece of her mind, took the ticket away from him and sent me on my way.

It turned out to be quite a day!  We finally got home at 8:00 P.M.

'til the next time.

Ohio Msonic Home Day in Springfield, 6.12.11

On Sunday, 6.12, Julia and I left Chillicothe and headed back to Springfield for Ohio Masonic Home Day.   This is about a 95 mile trip.

When we got to the OMH home the first thing we saw were the "Flags of Honor" in memory of our veterans.  It is a sobering sight.







This  is meant to be a day of fun and relaxation for the family.   There is food galore and some vendors.   There is also an entertainment tent.  The only introductions are the Grand Lodge Officers, Trustees of the Home and some of Home's staff.  It takes about 15 minutes.    Total of two speeches and they took about 10 minutes.    Then it is back to eating pulled pork, pork loin, fried baloney, hamburgs, hot dogs and all the nonfat things that go with them.  And when you are done with these you go get a piece of strawberry shortcake topped with ice cream, fresh strawberries and whipped cream.  All this eating is done while waiting on the Shrine parade.   The Shriners come from Aladdin in Dayton.

 

 

Just a few of the many pictures that were taken.  Mark your calander of the second Sunday in June, 1912, and come join the residents at your Masonic Home in Springfield.

'til the next time.

5th District GHP Reception in Chillicothe, 6.11.11

The morning after the GHP reception in Sidney, Julia and I were off to Chillicothe for the 5th Districts GHP Reception.  We had plenty of time so since Julia had never been to the U.S. Air Force museum at Wright Patterson A.F.B. we took a little side trip so she could see it.   We spend about 3+ hours looking at airplanes and bombs.   I had been there once before but I don't remember all the planes being there then.  

Next we headed for Chillicothe and the 5th Dist. Reception.  Since we were going to Ohio Masonic Home day on Saturday, we had reservations at a Comfort Inn for Saturday night.   We got to Chillicothe around 3:00 PM which gave us time to drive around the town.   It sure has some nice turn of the century homes.  

We found the lodge, but then Julia noticed
something I had not seen but one other time, an Order of the Eastern Star Temple.  It turns out that in the late 1920s the Lodge and the O.E.S. chapter had a misunderstanding that caused the separation of the two bodies.   Two Presbyterian churches had united the O.E.S. Chapter purchased the extra building.  Click on the picture and you will see that it still has the original stained glass windows.

Down the street and on the other side is the Masonic Temple.  Like all Masonic Temples of it era, it is hard to miss.

One of the first things you notice is the missing O.E.S. symbol on the sign.   There is Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery.

This is a plaque beside the door.  Just a little bit of history.












The dinning room is on the 4th floor and there are two lodge rooms, the Red Room and the Blue Room, on the third floor. While waiting for dinner to be served REC Curtiss and I were taken on a tour of the 2nd floor by REC Adams.   There are more room, closets and hidey holes than imaginable.   The armory is as big as some lodge rooms I've been in. There is a treasure trove of Masonic memorabilia in the building.

At 6:00 PM a dinner of salad, stuffed chicken breast, green beans, mashed potatoes and cake was served.   He was a very nice dinner but the dinning room was not air conditioned and that made it a little uncomfortable.  But it was only for a little time as we adjourned for the Red Room immediately after eating.

 The original Chillicothe Chapter Charter hangs on the wall.  I tried, but could not see the dates.

As you walk down the hall between the Red Room and Blue Room there are pictures of Past Grands.   There are more Past Grands than some lodge have Past Masters.

This is Past Grand Master Evans for the 1920s.

This beautiful old clock hangs just inside the door of the Blue Room. 



Looking east from the balcony

  I would like to thank REC Adams for the pictures of the inside of the Red Room.   I left my camera at the motel and Ryan was kind enough to email these to me.

As you can see the room is large and notice the flags.   These are the flags of all the states.  I have never seen this in a lodge before.

This room is air conditioned as was quite comfortable for the district awards presentations. 


Looking east from the floor

  After all the awards were presented I was given way to much time to talk.   I did actually keep it rather short.  


Looking west from the floor

 After I finished speaking the District presented Julia with a check for the Western Reserve Masonic Community dementia unit.   I got a basket of local food which I will enjoy after the banquet circuit is complete.

State Flags on North wall

Well Companions another good day of good food, good Companionship and no rain.

'til the next time.

2nd District GHP Reception in Sidney

Friday night Julia and I headed for Sidney and the 2nd District's GHP Reception.   Sidney is about 180 miles southwest of Medina about a 3 hour trip.  Since we were going on the Chillocothe the next day we had reservations at a local motel.   We got into Sidney around 4 PM which gave us time to clean-up and get ready for the reception.  The Lodge was only about 2 miles from the hotel.   This was our second visit to Sidney this year as we were also there for Sidney Chapter's inspection.

The reception started at 6:00 PM with a ham dinner served by O.E.S.   This has been the only ham dinner we have had this year.   With the ham we had apple sauce in stead of a salad, potatoes Au gratin, California blend veggies and cake for dessert.   This was also the first reception where the DDGHP priest walked around offering everybody chocolate milk.   Apparently REC Jonnie Dicke is know for his love of the stuff so they had it there for him.  If you don't count the chocolate milk, it was very nice meal served very nicely by the O.E.S sisters and brothers.  I do want to note that Sue Oliver was there for the reception.


The dinner was held in the first floor dinning room then we went to the Lodge room for presentation of awards.  I did not take many pictures of the Lodge room because some were posted at St. Mary's inspection.

 The awards presentations were the awards with a few additional District Awards but there is one that take must be mentioned.   The District as a "Sweetheart" award for one Lady in the District.  She received a certificate and a red rose.   Last year the award went to Sue Oliver who could not attend.   She received here rose and certificate Friday.   This year's award went to Ann Purdy, wife of PGHP John Purdy.   It is great to see a District do this type of award.

 After I spoke for too long, Julia and I both were presented gifts by the District.   She and I both thank the District for its generosity.

Now came the surprise.  I was made an honorary members of the District and the Chapters of the District.   The certificate that I was given will hold a special place in my heart and home because this was Steve's District.   I can not thank the Companions enough for this.

Usually protocol says nobody speaks after the Grand High Priest!     REC Dicke gave that no never mind and talked about how last year they passed the hat and the money received went to the Royal Arch Foundation in MEC Steven J. Oliver's name.    The hat was about to be passed and he really wanted to match or exceed last year's donation.   Now I saw what REC Dicky put in the hat so I put in $1 dollar more than he did.  Before the silliness ended he got me for another $9.00.   The hat ended up with $200.00 for the Royal Arch Foundation.   This matched last year's donations.  Thank you Companions

A great night.  Good food, great Companionship and a heart warming honor given to me.   What more could I ask for.

"til the next time>

P.S.   When we left the temple a storm hit.  Lightning, thunder and rain galore.  I'm beginning to think I bring rain with me where-ever I go.

Cuyahoga Falls Chapter #225, Officers' Installation

On Thursday, 6.9, Julia and I went to Cuyahoga Falls for Officers' Installation.   As it turned out more than just that.

This is the Chapter's stated meeting night so it opened and conducted what business was necessary before the "open" installation of Officers.

The installation went very well with REC Ross Black, II, the installing officer.  The picture on right shows Companion Kelly Toppin taking the obligation as the new High Priest.

REC George Tilden's wife had to be late so Julia hung the Principal Sojourners jewel on George.   REC Tilden has promised to learn the Journey this year.    Knowing how good of ritualist he is, I can not wait to see him do it.

REC Tilden's wife did get there in time to pin on his past High Priest's jewel.

 Now came a few surprises.   REC Irv Miner has been the Secretary for at least 20 years and is a main stay of this Chapter.   The Chapter honored him by naming their Companion of the Year Award the "Irv Miner Companion Year of the Award".  Now when Irv was called west of the altar he asked if he was going to be made to cry.  I'm not sure there was not a tear or two when the announcement was made.   No Companion in the Chapter is more worthy of any honor that can be bestowed upon him.   Right Excellent Companion Miner had a sidekick that passed away a few months ago.  That was Excellent Companion Clarence Martin who had been the Chapter's Treasure and C.E.O. for as long as I can remember.  It always seemed that if you found one of these Companions you also found the other.   The Chapter honored EC Martin by starting a scholarship fund in his name.   A $200.00 Scholarship will be awarded every year.   Companion Jim Brumbaugh immediately started the fund off with the first donation and challenged those present to add to it.  I'm sure that the first year's and maybe the second year's scholarships are covered.

Then came the final surprise of the evening.  REC William Young, Grand Guard of the Grand Chapter, was called west of the alter.   REC Tilden then read the certificate proclaiming REC Young an Honorary Member of Cuyahoga Falls Chapter.  This was presented to him for the help he had given Cuyahoga Falls, as a former D.E.O. , in the Chapter's educational programs.  I don't think I have ever seen anybody more surprised and honored that REC Young was.

All in all in was a great night.   Seeing Irv and Bill honored was fantastic.  Naming a scholarship fund after Clarence is truly an example of the respect that the Chapter had for him.

"til the next time"

A Few Pictures From O.C.D.

I told you that picture were coming!  Here are just a few.

This is all the new Meritorious Service Awardees after they received their caps and jewels.  Don Seeker and Dave Swartz, from the Valley of Akron, are the first two in line.

Illustrious Brother Jim Easterling in the middle.  James Booth on the left and Roy Turner on the right will be receiving their 33rd degree in August.

The Valley of Akron's new Meritorious Service Awardees enjoying a Hospitality room.

Don Seeker on the left and David Swartz on the right.

Three Brother that appear to be up to no good.

From left to right:  Ill. Bro. George Tilden from Akron, me and on the right Ill. Bro. Bill Stratton from Canton.

Wives doing what they patiently, at least normally, waiting on their husbands.   That is Julia on the left.

 Our table at the banquet was to have Ill. Master Pat Lively and Eminent Commander John Clime joining us but other commitments prevented it.   Mrs. Prior and Ill Brother and Doc. Prior were the others at our table.

The smiling couple on the end is Ill. Bro. Jim Easterling and his wife Jill.   He is the Deputy's Representative to Akron as well and the Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

The couple beside the Jim & Jill are Ill. Brother  Douglas Kaylor and his wife Diana from  the Valley of Dayton.  Ill. Brother Kayler is the Active for Dayton.

That is if for now.   I may have a few more to post later this week.

'til the next time.