McCutchen Chapter No. 96 Inspection

Last night it was RECs Porter and Nockengost that joined me for the inspection of McCutchen Chapter No. 96.  This Chapter is located in Upper Sandusky about 92 miles southwest of Medina.  It is the home Chapter of MEC James McDonald.  It is about a 2 1//2 drive. It is almost all 4-lane highway which last night, must to our surprise, was clear and dry.

We got to the Lodge just in time for a very nice swiss steak dinner.   Now I did not need the dinner because Julia and I had eaten earlier so I just kind of picked at it.   It was good and it was served really hot.

Facing West

The Lodge is upstairs and it a nice room, somewhat eloquent and very well maintained.  I have to thank EC Tom Zeigler for taking the pictures as I forgot my camera,   The picture taken from the balcony is great shows the very well.   For those Companions viewing this site, you can tell the degree of the inspection fairly easily.

The numbers one seven six in the east are those of the Lodge.

Looking east from the balcony

The east with ritual paraphernalia

Above the east

The inspection was done in a fine manner.   Royal Arch had to be opened in short form since this was the Chapter's stated meeting nigh.    The Most Excellent Master was open well and the degree was conferred in fine form on one candidate.  The inspection officer was REC David Vasser as REC Joe Hickman work as King Solomon in the degree.

                                                                                  

MEC McDonald showing his best side

These are just some of the pictures that EC Tom took after the inspection.


Grand Officers, Candidate and DDGHP
















I meant to have EC Tom get a picture of the little lounge where you first come into the lodge but forgot to ask him to do so.   He did get me this one though.   I think it is a very nice little setting area just to talk and visit.

Another good night of dry roads, good food, good ritual and good fellowship.

'til the next time.

Ice Festival, Nothing to do with Masonry

This post is kind of a commercial for my home town. Here in Medina we have a park in the middle of the town square.   The park has a beautiful gazebo in the center.  The park is a bee hive of activity most of the year.   During the summer there are Friday night band concerts.   There are art shows and crafts shows several weekends during the summer.   One of the nicest festival is an ethnic diversity festival.  Several years ago the then police chief decided that the residences of Medina should have a ethnic mixer just to show the diversity in Medina.   It was a bigger success than he could have ever hoped for.  Now it is an annual affair.   Food and entertainment from the different ethnic groups that live here goes for the entire day.

Once gardens begin to produce,  there is a farmers market with fresh, locally grown produce.

In the winter it is a little harder to use the park but use it we do.   This weekend there is an ice craving festival.  As you can imagine ice craving is really weather dependant.   Yesterday was a beautiful sun shinny day with temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s.   One would have thought it a great day for ice craving but they would have been wrong.   The bright sun turns the ice milky white and obscures most of the detail work.  It also weakens the ice.  

.

Following are a few pictures of the many, many cravings.   The pineapple and the butterfly are examples of what I mean by the sun damaging the cravings.    I hope you enjoy the pictures.  Don't forget that clicking on them makes them bigger.

Canton Commandery Inspection

Yesterday Julia and I went to our first Commandery Inspection of the year.   Unfortunately I only have one other KT inspection that I can go to this year.   Saturdays are at a premium. 


The Canton Masonic Lodge is only about 44 miles from home.  It is LARGE building just out of downtown Canton.  It is a 3 story building with the Scottish Rite asylum on the top floor, York Rite on the 2nd and Lodge rooms on the 1st.   The Scottish Rite asylum is beautiful room and maybe one of these days I'll go the the Valley of Canton just to get a few pictures.

The dinning room is in the lower level and is, to say the least, big.   I have been to quite a few dinners here and the room holds 400 with ease.

The picture is taken from a small balcony that is often used by musicians during dinners.   The long white table is the head table.  The area you see is about 1/4 of the dinning room. 

I have had a good number of meals here and I think I can safely say they have all been pretty good and served very well.

Registration for the inspection was just outside the York Rite room.  I am guessing that there were about 50 - 55 Sir Knights in attendance for the inspection.











Look to the west

  The York Rite room is a beautiful, large room as can be seen in the pictures.  One thing that I can attest to is the ability to heat the room.   They had the heat turned up yesterday.   I guess somebody thought we were all octogenarians and wanted us to be warm.   If that was the case, they were successful.


Looking to the east




Looking west to give a better idea of the size of the room

 The Order of the Temple started at promptly 2:00 PM, was done in very fine form and Canton Commandery now has a new Sir Knight.  Past Grand Commander Richard Palm was the inspecting officer and complimented them on the Order of the Temple.  

As per normal there was a break with refreshments at 4:00 PM.
  
The full form opening, with introductions, commenced promptly at 4:30 PM. 

There was a dinner at 6:00 PM that Julia and I did not attend.   It is my understanding that it was that standard Masonic meal of Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and green beans. 

Past Illustrious Master Fred Boggs and I did have a problem just before we left.  Julia and Carol were playing a new game called "Slap Uno" and there was no way that we could get them to leave until the game was over.  We threatened to leave them and they didn't care.  

Another good day with dry roads, good ritual and fine fellowship.

'til the next time.

Stated Meetings, Valley of Akron & Harrisville Lodge

The last two day have kept me close to home with stated meetings of the Valley of Akron and Harrisville Lodge #137,

Valley of Akron

The Valley of Akron meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Cuyahoga Falls Masonic Temple which is about 24 miles east of Medina.  This year the 4 officers are trying something a little different.   In keeping with the Sovereign Grand Commanders edict the are trying very hard to make the meetings of the Valley Inspirational, Convenient & Enjoyable.   We have only 4 stated meetings this year with the other meetings with being a program or degree.   There has been a move night and a Christmas party.  Thursday was the annual portrayal of the 20th degree or as it is known, the George Washington Degree.   Akron does this degree every year at the February meeting.   Next month the 18th degree will be put on.   The last two degree nights have almost doubled our normal attendance.

The refreshments for the night are traditionally cherry pie and ice cream.

I wish I could post a few pictures of the Brothers in costume but that is not allowed by the Supreme Council.

Harrisville Lodge #137

Harrisville Lodge meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month and is located in Lodi which is in Harrisville Township, hence the lodge's name.  Lodi is about 12 miles from Medina.  This is my second Symbolic Lodge.  It is a small county type lodge with just over 100 members.   I'll get a few pictures at the next meeting.   Last night was just a typical business meeting with nothing special going on.   Practices were scheduled in preparation for our upcoming inspection and what meal was going to be served at the inspection were the big items of the night..

Shelby Chapter No. 178 Inspection

On Wednesday, 2.16, MEC Nockengost and I headed for Shelby and the inspection of Shelby Chapter #178 in the Royal Arch Degree.  Shelby is in my Symbolic Lodge District, the 20th, so I finally get to go somewhere without the aid of my Garmin.  It is about 60 miles or 1 hr and 10 minutes from Medina and just west of Mansfield on route 39.

Shelby Chapter is the home chapter of MEC Robert Crabbs and REC Darrel Porter, DDGHP of the 10th District.

We arrived just in time to join the Companions and Ladies in a pot luck dinner.  Unlike a lot of men, I enjoy pot luck dinners.   I love casseroles and a pot luck dinner brings on a variety of them.  Last night was no different.  There were two that I have to talk about.   The first was a meat loaf.   Now Julia will tell you that meat loaf is my favorite meal.  Put a meat loaf and bread on the table in front of me and I am going to have a sandwich!!  It doesn't matter what else comes with the meal, I am going to make a sandwich.  The meat loaf last night was great, but there was no bread so I had to suffer without a sandwich.    The second was ham loaf.  I had not had ham loaf in years.   Now I do not know which of the ladies brought the ham loaf but it had to be the best ham loaf I have ever eaten.  I have got to have Darrell get the recipe for me.

Added to the above was the dessert.   Home made pies and cakes.   Elderberry pie!!!  What a way to top off the meat loaf and ham loaf.   REC Bill Young arrived just in time to get the last piece of elderberry pie.

After dinner we struggled across the hall to the lodge room.



Looking east in Shelby Lodge



Now Shelby Lodge is on the third floor of a building downtown.  When you open the door to go in, you see the stairs.  They look like one continuous flight  up to the lodge and it looks like the lodge is on the 5th or 6th floor. Thank goodness there is a small landing about half way up.  I was going to take a picture of the stairs after I got upstairs but was too out of breath to operate my camera.



Looking west in Shelby Lodge

 Some of you may remember an earlier post with some pictures taken here.  It is relatively small room but quite nice.

There were two candidates for the Royal Arch degree and unfortunately neither was from Shelby Chapter.   This is the first time I have seen a borrowed or protem candidate this year.  This surely did not detract from a nicely done degree by the officers of Shelby Chapter and those helping.

I gave  out two of MEC Oliver's litte red crosses away.

First to the Principal Sojourner, 82 year old Bob Ellis, who did an great job on the Journey.  Second to Jeshua, EC Harry McClaren from Wooster Chapter.   Now Harry has just a little problem when it comes to doing ritual.  He is blind.  I would challenge any body to say they have seen a much better portrayal of Jeshua than was done by Harry.  Harry is a member of my Council, R.& S. M., and does a fine, fine job in all the ritual I have ever seen him do.  I apologize if I spelled Bob's or Harry's name incorrectly.

Here we go again!  Look at the Grand and Past Grand Officers in attendance.   No wonder some High Priests get nervous.

I keep saying no Grand Line travels better than this line and they just keep proving it.








Well, REC Nockengost and I had another night of dry roads, wonderful food, good degree work and warm companionship. 

'til the next time.

P.S.:  Hey Margaret, I'm caught up now.

Walnut Chapter No. 172 Inspection

Sorry about not being up to date, but I've been busier than a one armed paper hanger.   I even got the devil from Margaret Curtiss,  REC Curtiss's wife, for not being up to date.


Monday, 2.14,  REC Nockengost and I headed for Canal Winchester and the inspection of Walnut Chapter No. 172 in the Mark Master degree.  Canal Winchester is about 125 miles from Medina and just south of Columbus.  The lodge is about a mile from route 33.  It is about a 2hr and 20 minute drive.

 This is one of the few times that we could get away early enough to go to the dinner at the temple.   As it turns out I sure glad I did not miss the dinner.   We had spinach salad, beef stroganoff with buttered noodles, veggies and vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries.  Lord was it good.



the East in Walnut Chapter



After the dinner we went upstairs to the lodge room for the inspection. 

The lodge room in not fancy or elaborate but nice.  It is fairly large and there is plenty of room for degree work or the Commandery orders.

The Mark Master degree was conferred on two candidates in good form.

There is one absolutely unique thing about the degree.



the West in Walnut Chapter



When the candidates are put to work on the stone, it is not just any stone.  EC Don Forquer gave the Chapter a stone from the Berlin Wall to be used in the degree.  Not only does a candidate get a memento of the degree, he gets a piece of history.

Officers and Candidaates





Grand Officers, PGHP, DDGHP and Candidates

Companions count the Grand and Past Grand officers in attendance.  This has got to be the best travelling group of officers in the state of Ohio.

As REC Nockengost and I were leaving the lodge I noticed the ship "Yonder" on the wall.  Up our way you don't see that as often as you do in the southern part of the state.  I may have to get my lodge to put a "Yonder" by the door.

Well another good night of dry roads, excellent food, good degree work and warm Companionship is in the books.

'til the next time.

O.E.S. 1993 Worthy Matron's Gathering

Today was a day for Julia.   In 1990 she was elected Associate Conductress of Wadsworth Chapter # 102, O.E.S.  That year a few of the Associate Conductresses of District 4 got together, along with their husbands,  for a picnic at a city park in Ashland.   It was the beginning of a still standing tradition.   The next two years they met at two different homes.   In 1993 Sister Sally Wiley of Polk was appointed Deputy Grand Matron for District 4 and she became part of the group.   Then there were two meetings a year.   Each year on the Sunday before Valentine's Day Sister Salley has a dinner either at her home or at her Church.  Up until 7 years ago the summer picnic became a tradition at the Himmelright house.   We no longer have a summer picnic.  Each year there becomes less of us but I think as long as there are two mations left we will meet somewhere.                                                      

1993 Worthy Matrons, Grand Adah & District Deputy

1993 Worthy Matron & Patrons

In 1993, the first year Julia and I served as Worthy Matron and Patron, District 4 had twenty-one Chapters.   Today it has 10.   What a shame the way the beautiful order is losing members.

Medina County No. 243 Inspection.

Because of the Grand Family meeting prior to the inspection, a dinner was held at 5:30 P.M.   It has sort of become a tradition that we have stuffed hot peppers served with spaghetti as the meal at our inspection.  We also have spaghetti without the peppers.  Julia and I are normally the cooks but since we were just a tad busy the Senior Deacon of Wadsworth Lodge 385 prepared the meal.  There was a choice of stuffed hot peppers, stuffed green pepper, meat sauce or you could get the noodle with butter.   There was also green beans served with the meals.   No masonic meal is completed unless the infamous green beans are included. There were 78 at dinner.

After the dinner an announcement was made that is not normally done until around the first of May.   I announced that the Grand Officers and PGHPs were supporting REC Ross R. Black, II, DDGHP of the 17th District for the position of Grand Master of the !st Veil this October at Grand Chapter.

After the dinner the ladies had a program about the General Grand Order of the Eastern Star offices in Washington D.C.    This was a DVD furnished by Cecil Lawson, Secretary of Medina O.E.S.   Julia tells me that it was a very nice program.

The Companions went up to the Lodge room for the inspection in the Most Excellent Master degree.   There are no pictures of the Lodge because I posted pictures several days ago when Wadsworth had its inspection.  Believe me, there has been no change since Wednesday.

There was one picture that I had to take!  Take a look at the semi-circle of Grand Officers in attendance!!  Altogether we had 23 Grand Officers at the inspection.   I don't think I have ever seen that many together except at Grand Chapter.  My comment was that my pin says "Be Proud" and last night I told these Grand Officers that I was so proud of them that I was busting my buttons. No Grand High Priest could ask for better group of Companions to serve with.

The inspection went well and Medina County Chapter No. 243 now has a new Most Excellent Master.

It is now about 9:00 PM.  Julia is in the dinning room with the Ladies and we have both been at the temple since around 7:45 AM.  It is time to head north to Medina and home.

It has been a great day,   Wet roads because it snowed again this A.M., good meetings, good food, a good inspection and best of all warm Companionship.   It just doesn't get any better than today.

'til the next time.

Grand Family at the Wadsworth Masonic Temple

Yesterday was an all day meeting in Wadsworth.  Since Medina County Chapter No. 243 was having its inspection yesterday, the Grand Family meeting and other committee meetings were scheduled for the same day.

The day started at 8:00 AM with coffee and donuts and then at 9:00 AM the meetings started.

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE:
The new Investment Committee meet from 9:00 AM -- 9:45 AM.   Two representatives from Merrill Lynch gave a presentation on how they would handle investing for the Grand Chapter. The first thing would be to establish an Investment Profile, at no cost, to determine what they felt was in the best interest of the Grand Chapter.  Norm LoBell with be talking with them in the future to determine if we want to have the profile done.

The only other thing talked about was possible legislation to be introduced at Grand Chapter that would increase per capita a $1 per year for five years.  Last year the Grand Chapter had a deficit of about $3000 and this years it will be around the same.   Information about why a per capita increase may be necessary and how Ohio compares to other Grand Jurisdictions will be forthcoming.

FINANCE COMMITTEE --10:00 AM until 11:30 A.M.
As usual this meeting consisted mostly of looking at the budget and determining why we have overspent any line items.   At this time we are really in line with the budget.

The completion of the Proceedings was discussed.   MEC Way Dill is bring them up to date.  The Grand Chapter is making a $250 donation to the RA Foundation for each completed Proceeding.

The item causing the most discussion was purchase of a Past Grand High Priest's jewel.   The jewels that the PGHPs wear are owned by The Grand Chapter and upon the death of a PGHP are returned to the Grand Chapter.   At present there is no jewel in stock.   So it appears that a jewel will need to be purchased.  Major Problem!!!   There is over 3 ounces of gold in the present jewel.   With the stones and gold, the cost of a new jewel will be around $7,000.   Now let me tell you Companions, that is now going to happen!!  Quotes for less expensive jewels have been obtained.   There is one that is of nominal cost that a GHP could purchase and it would be his.  The family would keep it at his death.   One way or another the Grand Chapter will lower the cost to something reasonable.

GRAND FAMILY -- 1:00 P.M. until 3:15 P.M.

After lunch the Grand Family meeting commenced.   The Grand Family meeting consists of PGHPs, current Grand Line Officers and all DDGHPs.

I am not going to go into a great amount of detail about most of the meeting.  It consists of reports from the DDGHPs, and various committees or Grand Officers.

I am, however, going to write about discussion had about a the General Grand Chapter.

The first discussion centered around Royal Arch Research Assistance or R.A.R.A.   General Grand Chapter has supported research in  Central Auditory Perception (CAPD) for years.     MEC Dale Ray has been instructed to discontinue all R.A.R.A. payments to General Grand Chapter until they have resumed CAPD research or established a new philanthropy.  If research in CAPD is continued, payments to General Grand Chapter's R.A.R.A. will be resumed   If a new philanthropy is chosen, then the Grand Chapter of Ohio will have to vote on whether or not to support it.   This would be done in October.  MEC Ray has been instructed to get communications to all Chapters in regard to this situation.  Please note that the Grand Chapter of Ohio does not wish to discontinue support of General Grand Chapter's philanthropies.   However, if it changes from CAPD research, then that support must be approved by the members of the Grand Chapter of Ohio.

General Grand King Edmund D. Harrison was in attendance for another reason and he gave us an update on the search for a new CAPD research group.  It has been narrowed down to two colleges and hopefully one will prove suitable.

Right Excellent Companion Harrison, Past Grand High Priest of New York and General Grand King, was at the meeting to make a pitch for the Grand Chapter of Ohio rejoining the General Grand Chapter.  After he spoke he thanked the Grand Officers for giving him the chance to explain why Ohio should be a member of General Grand Chapter.

END of GRAND FAMILY

Portage Chapter No. 202

Portage Chapter No. 202 is in Barberton which is about 24 miles southeast of Medina.    On the way Julia and I stopped in Wadsworth and picked up Sharon & George Shell who were staying at the Roadway Inn for tomorrow's Grand Family meeting.

The Barberton Temple was built in the 20s and is on the shore of what Barbertonites call beautiful Lake Anna.  Lake Anna is a round, natural lake with a city park completely around it.   In the spring the town has a cherry blossom festival and in the fall a mum festival in the park.   Both are very nice with beautiful flowers.

The evening began with a pork loin dinner and all the normal trimmings.  The meal was catered by Kim and Mike Bailey.   Mike is a PHP of Portage Chapter. The dinning room is also a ball room with with a large stage as can be seen in the second picture.



















After dinner the Companions adjourned to the Lodge room and the Ladies received a visit from Mrs Ulysses Grant, wife of the President.   Now I did not get a picture of here but I did get a picture of two of her companions.

 The lady on the left is Louise Regenos, wife of the High Priest Terry Regenos and the lady on the right is Rory Wright, wife of Harold Wright.

Now what Julia tells me is that the visitation of Mrs. Grant went very well and was a very good program.

The East of the Lodge

The west of the Lodge

The east from the SW station.  Notice the balconies

The lodge room is a fairly plain room with very few frills.   It is home to National Lodge #568 (Sr. Grd Warden. James F. Easterling's home lodge), Barberton Lodge 750, Portage Chapter, Akron Council, Akron Commandery, Anna Dean Chapter O.E.S., Barberton Rainbow for Girls and Barberton Chapter of DeMolay.  With this many bodies, it is a busy building.

The inspection of Portage Chapter was in the Mark Master Degree.   The degree was done nicely and REC Black complimented them on the job done.  Portage Chapter now has another member.

Portage Officers, me , candidate on my left

Grand Officers and Candidate

Since the Grand Family is meeting tomorrow in Wadsworth a number of the Grand Officers were in attendance.   I took the picture which is why I'm not in it.  I can not say enough about how these Companions travel around the state.  Counting myself there were 11 Grand Officers in attendance.

Bill Stratton and me

The was one more special person in attendance tonight.   That was our Eminent Prior William "Billy Dan" Stratton, a very special friend.  As can you see he is wearing his new apron.  For those who don't know this is the first time that the Eminent Prior has an apron designed for him.   Double click on the picture and take a look.






Well it is time to get to bed because tomorrow is a busy day with Grand Family starting at 8:00 AM and the day not ending until around 8:30 PM. after Medina County No. 243's inspection.

'till the next time.

Wadsworth Lodge #385 Inspection

Last night was the inspection of Wadsworth Lodge #385, my mother Lodge, in the Entered apprentice degree.  Wadsworth is located 12 miles southeast of Medina.  I have been asked why, when I live 1 mile from the Medina Lodge, I joined Wadsworth.   Wadsworth was my father's lodge so that is where I joined.

The Lodge was built in the 50s and is a typical lodge of that era.   It is two stories with the dining room on the first floor and the lodge room on the second.   The building was constructed by the brethren and is a plain lodge with very few frills.  Presently the bodies meeting in the building are Wadsworth Lodge #385 and Medina County Chapter #243 Royal Arch Masons.   The lodge has seating for about 100.

The evening began at 6:00 PM when the Lodge opened in Master Mason degree.   The lodge went to refreshment and dinner was served at 6:30 PM.

Up until this year Julia and I have been the chief cooks for the building.  But this year we turned this over to the officer serving as Senior Deacon.   Since he is younger and works doing a dinner on a week night presented a problem for him.   Julia and I offered to do the dinner.

We got to the lodge around noon and started a dinner of salad, stuffed chicken breast, succotash, mashed potatoes and gravy.  When it came time to serve the dinner we had a problem.   There were 34 reservations and 50 came to eat.   Because we always make about 10% extra and feed the kitchen help we had made 42 chicken breasts.   Somebody was not going to eat!!   However since the chicken breasts were about 12 ounces before we stuffed them, brothers offered to only take half of a breast.   Problem solved because of the willingness of the brothers to help.

 If the dinning room looks a little stark it is because some of the Brothers are redoing the walls.   Old paneling is coming down and dry wall going up.   Since the work it is being done it their spare time it is taking a while to finish.

The above picture is the kitchen crew minus me.   Julia, Medina Rainbow assembly, the Mother Advisor, Worthy Matron and Patron of Medina O.E.S., Holly (WM girl friend) and Julia.  Julia and I were Rainbow advisers for a number of years and the girls have helped us on many occasions.   Most of the profits from the dinner will go to the girls.

At 7:00 PM the lodge was called back to labor. Introductions made and back to refreshment.

A Lodge of Entered Apprentices was immediately opened and the Fellowcraft Degree conferred on one candidate.

I am probably just a little prejudiced but the WM did one fine job during the entire degree.  The SW did just as well.  The SD did the lecture in a fine manner.  All in all my lodge had a great inspection and at the end of the night it had another Fellowcraft.

This is a picture of our officers, notice the youth, our two DDGMs, the candidate and James F. Easterling, Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.    REC Easterling was the installing officer for these officers and we were proud to have him in lodge for our inspection.   Thank you Right Worshipful.




Another great night.   We had 50 at dinner and 78 in lodge which is good attendance for both.  The roads were dry,  the dinner food went well, the degree went great and we saw old friends and made a few new ones.

'til the next time.