Brothers & Companions today was the meeting of Western Reserve Masonic Community's finance committee. Jay Detorre, WRMC President and I meet with John Clime, committee chair, at his bank in Bucyrus. The purpose was to set the budget for next year, which was done. It appears that WRMC will continue to operate in the black without a draw on the Foundation.
Also at the the meeting was Tim Strawn from the Springfield campus. A major fund raiser is about to begin for the purpose of securing funds for dementia units at both Browning and WRMC. Today Tim explained how it will work. As the campaign gets under way some of you may be called upon to act as volunteers.
Brothers these dementia units are desperately needed at both campus. At present when a resident develops dementia it is usually only a matter of time before they are required to move to a different facility. This is predicated on a safety factor. Neither campus has proper facilities to insure the safety of the resident. When a resident is required to move from either campus, the spouse will move to be with the husband or wife. To the dementia patient this move is dramatic and stressful.
When you receive the literature concerning the campaign, please read it and consider helping by volunteering or donating whatever you can toward the goal that will be established.
Tomorrow there will be no posting as Julia and I have a family matter to attend to. Friday night is the installation of the 3rd District DDGHP and Saturday is the inspection of Sydney and St. Mary's Chapters. Maybe I'll see you at one of these inspections.
'till the next time.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Clinton Chapter #26 Inspection
Last night 5 Grand Officers attended the inspection of Clinton Chapter #26. This was the first degree done in the Chapter's new apartments at the O.E.S. Home in Mt. Vernon. They had a little concern about how things would go because of the unfamiliarity of the room. The inspection was in the Most Excellent Master and their worry was unfounded. The degree was done in a very fine manner.
The arrival of so many Grand Officer, unannounced, was a little unnerving for the High Priest Larry Cullison but he survived the opening. The degree team did a nice job in both sections and we now have a new Most Excellent Master.
I had the occasion to present the first MEC Steve Oliver pin to REC Edwin Jackson who portrayed King Solomon in a excellent manner.
The five Grand Officers attending were:
James Himmelright, GHP
Robert Blankenhorn, GRAC
Ralph Curtiss, GM2V
George Nockengost, GM
William Young, GG.
This is my second inspection of the year and I'm pleased to say both were done very well. I hope that this continues.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Grand Lodge
Grand Lodge was in Dayton and began for me on Thursday evening. Julia and I attended a banquet for the DDGMs and honored guests. MWB Posey introduced the entire room but very quickly. Entertainment for the evening was Randy Ruggles. Brother Ruggles is from PA and is a member of the Valley of Pittsburgh.
Friday morning Grand Lodge was opened promptly at 8:30 PM. After the introduction of honored out of state guests all York Rite bodies were introduced. For the first time in years all Grand Officers were introduced. The most notable part of the morning was when MWB Posey explained his actions resulting in West Virginia withdrawing fraternal relations with Ohio. After the explanation a motion was made supporting MWB Posey's actions. The motion passed unanimously. After the vote a standing ovation was given MWB to again show support for his actions. Voting for next years Grand Lodge officers was done just prior to lunch at 12:15. Grand Lodge was opened again at 1:30 PM and the results of the election were announced with RWB Brad Gobel being elect next years Grand Master. Various awards were presented and the meeting was closed at approximately 4:00 PM. A banquet with about 500 in attendance was held at the Dayton Masonic Temple. Again there were no speeches and minimal introductions.
Entertainment was WB Norm Crosby is is also a 33rd degree mason.
Saturday business was completed and the new officers installed.
All in all it was a very nice Grand Lodge. Every thing was done on time and the meetings meet the published agenda.
The only problem was the hotel. Registration was a nightmare with some people waiting up to 3 hours to get a room. Julia and I waited 2 hours. It took us 35 minutes just to get the car parked. There were only two elevators and part of the time one of them was inoperable. Once you got past these problems the rooms were very nice.
Last item. There were hospitality rooms galore. There were various hot foods, cookies, fudge, snack meat, cheese and crackers and soft drinks. There was also an abundant amount of adult beverages including margaritas available.
Friday morning Grand Lodge was opened promptly at 8:30 PM. After the introduction of honored out of state guests all York Rite bodies were introduced. For the first time in years all Grand Officers were introduced. The most notable part of the morning was when MWB Posey explained his actions resulting in West Virginia withdrawing fraternal relations with Ohio. After the explanation a motion was made supporting MWB Posey's actions. The motion passed unanimously. After the vote a standing ovation was given MWB to again show support for his actions. Voting for next years Grand Lodge officers was done just prior to lunch at 12:15. Grand Lodge was opened again at 1:30 PM and the results of the election were announced with RWB Brad Gobel being elect next years Grand Master. Various awards were presented and the meeting was closed at approximately 4:00 PM. A banquet with about 500 in attendance was held at the Dayton Masonic Temple. Again there were no speeches and minimal introductions.
Entertainment was WB Norm Crosby is is also a 33rd degree mason.
Saturday business was completed and the new officers installed.
All in all it was a very nice Grand Lodge. Every thing was done on time and the meetings meet the published agenda.
The only problem was the hotel. Registration was a nightmare with some people waiting up to 3 hours to get a room. Julia and I waited 2 hours. It took us 35 minutes just to get the car parked. There were only two elevators and part of the time one of them was inoperable. Once you got past these problems the rooms were very nice.
Last item. There were hospitality rooms galore. There were various hot foods, cookies, fudge, snack meat, cheese and crackers and soft drinks. There was also an abundant amount of adult beverages including margaritas available.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Just Catching Up
Monday night was my Commandery's, Medina #84, stated conclave. We have a pot-luck dinner with the ladies prior to the conclave. The most important item of the meeting was the reading of the General Orders and starting to set a schedule for inspection practices.
Tuesday night was O.E.S, Medina #266, stated meeting. Two new members were initiated with the officers doing a very nice degree. We may joke about the introductions that are done at a O.E.S. meeting but nobody can say that the degree work, when done properly, is not a beautiful thing to watch or participate in.
Wednesday night was the inspection of Chagrin Falls Chapter #152. Excellent Companion Gustav (Gus) Stern and his officers did a fine job in opening Royal Arch in full form and portraying the Past Master degree for two candidates. This was Right Excellent Companion Don Van Horn's first inspection and he had 7 Grand Officers present. GHP, GPS, GM3V, GM2V, GMarsh, GTreas. and Grand Parlimentarian. I can not say enough about how your Grand Chapter officers travel! After the meeting we had some of the best bar-b-que sandwichs I have ever had. Great meeting, great refreshment and most importantly great Companionship.
Later today Julia and I will leave for Grand Lodge. Hopefull I will get some time to let you know how things are going there.
Companions, if you have not looked at MWB Posey's blog, please do so. He has comments about Grand Council, Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery and includes a great number of pictures. This Grand Chapter could not ask for a better friend than Most Worshipful Brother Terry Posey.
Tuesday night was O.E.S, Medina #266, stated meeting. Two new members were initiated with the officers doing a very nice degree. We may joke about the introductions that are done at a O.E.S. meeting but nobody can say that the degree work, when done properly, is not a beautiful thing to watch or participate in.
Wednesday night was the inspection of Chagrin Falls Chapter #152. Excellent Companion Gustav (Gus) Stern and his officers did a fine job in opening Royal Arch in full form and portraying the Past Master degree for two candidates. This was Right Excellent Companion Don Van Horn's first inspection and he had 7 Grand Officers present. GHP, GPS, GM3V, GM2V, GMarsh, GTreas. and Grand Parlimentarian. I can not say enough about how your Grand Chapter officers travel! After the meeting we had some of the best bar-b-que sandwichs I have ever had. Great meeting, great refreshment and most importantly great Companionship.
Later today Julia and I will leave for Grand Lodge. Hopefull I will get some time to let you know how things are going there.
Companions, if you have not looked at MWB Posey's blog, please do so. He has comments about Grand Council, Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery and includes a great number of pictures. This Grand Chapter could not ask for a better friend than Most Worshipful Brother Terry Posey.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Hicksville #188 Rededication
Companions, today the Grand Officers had the honor of rededicating the apartments of Hicksville Chapter #188. Hicksville Chapter is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Lodge is upstairs over a hardware (I believe) and is beautifully maintained. The walls are painted with murals and and the furniture is excellent.
All of the Grand line, with the exception of the Grand Secretary and Tresurer were in attendance. We were informed that this was the most Grand Officers, Symbolic Lodge or Royal Arch, that had ever been in the Lodge at one time.
After the ceremony we were treated to refreshments of ham salad and home made vegetable soup. The ham salad was good but the vegetable soup was great.
Our Grand Guard, REC Bill Young, has never been in a vehicle that he could not sleep in and my van is no exception. Thankfully the seat belt kept him from falling out of his seat and hurting himself. According to Bill, he was just resting his eyes for a minute.
All in all it was a great day for a drive, a fine rededication and wonderful fellowship.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Adopt America Auction
Companions, on Friday night, October 8th, my wife and I had the opportunity to attend Adopt America's annual fund raising auction in Toledo. Also there with their wives were MECs Robert Crabbs, Wayne Dill and RECs George Shell and Robert Blankenhorn.
This is Adopt America's major fund raiser for the year and normally brings in $100 to $125,000. This year, for the first time, a car was raffled off. The auction was both a live auction and a silent auction with every thing from a black lab puppy to Ohio State/Michigan football game tickets for the high bidder.
Our purpose in attending was to present a check for $20,000 to Adopt America. On behalf of the Royal Arch Foundation, I wish to thank every Companion that donated to the Foundation and thus making our support of Adopt America such a great success.
This is Adopt America's major fund raiser for the year and normally brings in $100 to $125,000. This year, for the first time, a car was raffled off. The auction was both a live auction and a silent auction with every thing from a black lab puppy to Ohio State/Michigan football game tickets for the high bidder.
Our purpose in attending was to present a check for $20,000 to Adopt America. On behalf of the Royal Arch Foundation, I wish to thank every Companion that donated to the Foundation and thus making our support of Adopt America such a great success.
What a Week
This past week was Grand Council at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Grand Chapter at the Roberts Center in Wilmington and then Grand Commandery in Columbus.
Pat Lively was elected as Most Illustrious Master of Royal and Select Masons, and John Clime as Grand Commander.
To get the flavor of Grand Chapter I suggest that you go to the Grand Chapter Web site and look at the pictures taken by EC Tom Ziegler. There are over 400 of them. On page 14 of the pictures you will see my hat which got a lot of laughs.
The most stirring thing to come from Grand Chapter was making REC Companion Steve Oliver an Honorary Past Grand High Priest. I was privileged to make the motion for this to happen. However it was the second of the motion that was memorable. Most Worshipful Brother Terry Posey made the second. He and Steve had been in line together in the Valley of Dayton and had been a speaker at Steve's funeral. The motion passed unanimously. Steve Olive shall be shown on the records of the Grand Chapter of Ohio as an Honorary Past Grand High Priest and under the title of Most Excellent Companion. I am also happy to say the Sue Oliver did attend the session at at the Grand Banquet was afforded a standing ovation.
Pat Lively was elected as Most Illustrious Master of Royal and Select Masons, and John Clime as Grand Commander.
To get the flavor of Grand Chapter I suggest that you go to the Grand Chapter Web site and look at the pictures taken by EC Tom Ziegler. There are over 400 of them. On page 14 of the pictures you will see my hat which got a lot of laughs.
The most stirring thing to come from Grand Chapter was making REC Companion Steve Oliver an Honorary Past Grand High Priest. I was privileged to make the motion for this to happen. However it was the second of the motion that was memorable. Most Worshipful Brother Terry Posey made the second. He and Steve had been in line together in the Valley of Dayton and had been a speaker at Steve's funeral. The motion passed unanimously. Steve Olive shall be shown on the records of the Grand Chapter of Ohio as an Honorary Past Grand High Priest and under the title of Most Excellent Companion. I am also happy to say the Sue Oliver did attend the session at at the Grand Banquet was afforded a standing ovation.
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