December 5, 2011: Installation of Officers, Scio and Harrison Lodges

On Monday, Pam, the Grand Chaplain, and I visited the Brethren in the 23rd Masonic District and I had the pleasure of installing the officers of both Scio Lodge #587 (Scio, Ohio) and Harrison Lodge #219 (Cadiz, OH.) The open Installation ceremony was conducted at the lodge in Scio. The installation was followed by a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.

WM of Scio Lodge; Grand Master; WM of Harrison Lodge

New Officers of Harrison Lodge



New Officers of Scio Lodge with the Grand Master

December 3, 2011: Installation of Officers of Euclid Lodge #599

MWB Kevin Todd with WB Garrett McKrill and the new Officers of Euclid #599

The Brathren met at the Clevelande Masonic Center to conduct the 104th Installion of Officers of Euclid Lodge. The new Worshipful Master, WB Garrett McKrill, and several of his officers were installed by MWB Kevin Todd while wearing their kilts displaying the tartans of their various ancestral clans. Brother Don Willis piped in the officers; WB William Koeckert delivered the Flag Lecture, "Ode to the Flag" while wearing his 1776 army uniform. The retiring Master, WB Tony Constantine was installed as a lodge Trustee.

The 2012 Officers of Euclid Lodge #599

December 2, 2011: Installation of Officers of New Lisbon Lodge #65

New Lisbon Lodge (Lisbon, Ohio) held their 152^nd Annual Installation of Officers on Friday night. The Installing Officer was RWB Joseph Phillis, Past Grand Tyler, and WB Robert Ward was the Installing Marshal. In attendance was the Grand Master, an Honorary Member of New Lisbon Lodge. The new Worshipful Master, John T. Shulas, was pleased to see such a nice turnout for his Installation.

The Grand Master and the WB John Shulas with his two sons

December 1, 2011: Installation of Officers at Poland Lodge #766

The Brethren of Poland Lodge #766 Installed new officers on Thursday night. The Installation was preceded by a ham dinner. The new Worshipful Master, WB John B. Young and most of the officers were installed by the MWB Todd and the LEO was installed by WB David Moss, the District Education Officer.


The new Poland Lodge Offices with the Grand Master,
Grand Chaplain (RWB David Collins,) and the Grand Tyler (RWB Calvin Giusto) 



November 24, 2012: Ohio Masonic Home Thanksgiving

The Junior Grand Warden, RWB Steve Cokonougher and his daugher, Amy Fleck (and family;)
RWB David Collins and Mary Ann, Grand Chaplain; and MWB Kevin Todd and Pam were at the Springfield Campus of the Ohio Masonic Home to visit with the residents and to join them for a great Thanksgiving Dinner. The Grand Lodge Officers and their ladies greeted the residents and toured all areas of the Springfield Campus. The residents and staff of our Masonic Home were in a fine holiday spirit and a good meal and fellowship was enjoyed by all.

Pam and MWB Todd greeting residents at the Springfield Campus

Pam Todd, Residents Joy and MWB C. Rolland Lattanner, and MWB Todd

A beautiful stained glass window at the Ohio Masonic Home

November 22, 2011: Homeworth Lodge Installation of Officers

The Grand Master had the honor of installing the officers of Homeworth Lodge #499, Homeworth, Ohio. WB Matthew Hahlen was installed as the Worshipful Master. His father, WB Paul Hahlen, is his Chaplain. RWB James Hahlen (his Grandfather) was his Installing Marshal. That make three generations of Hahlen Past Masters at Homeworth Lodge.#499.

WB Matthew Hahlen and new Homeworth #499 officers

WB Matthew Hahlen (kneeling); L-R, RWB James Hahlen;
MWB Todd; WB Paul Hahlen

November 18, 2011: Grand Lodge of Maryland

On Friday, Kevin and Pam Todd traveled to Timonium, Maryland to attend the Grand Lodge of Maryland's Annual Communication. The visit started off with a Grand Masters Banquet on Friday night at the Grand Lodge of Maryland's headquarters with MWB Stephen J. Ponzillo and his wife, Marie. The headquarters building is situated on the same property as their Maryland Masonic Home. Maryland's Masonic Home is a beautiful facility built on a farm (also known as "Bonnie Blink") purchased by the Maryland Masons for use as a facility to care for their elder Masons, Masonic Widows and their children. The Grand Master shared the evening with many old and new friends. Ohio delegation was completed by MWB George and Marilyn Braatz (new head of M.S.A.)

MWB Todd with MWB Stephen J. Ponzillo, III, Grand Master of Maryland

On Saturday, November 19th, the Grand Lodge of Maryland Annual Communication started off with the introduction of many distinguished guests. The business of the Grand Lodge was very successful. The Brethren of Maryland approved over $5,000,000 to make improvements to their "Bonnie Blink" for the care of their Brethren in their Maryland Masonic Home. The day finished with a dinner to celebrate the installation of the 2012 Grand Lodge Officers. MWB Ponzillo was reinstalled as Grand Master because in Maryland the Grand Master serves a two-year term. RWB Gerald E. (Denise) Piepiora was installed for a second term as Deputy Grand Master.

WB George Hoffman (SW Mt. Moriah Lodge, Towson MD) and
RWB Robert W. Chase (Jr. Grand Warden, Maryland) and MWB Todd

MWB Garry Dowling, Grand Master of Canada, Ontario Province, with MWB Todd

MWB Richard Stewart (Grand Master of Massachusetts), MWB Todd,
and MWB Earl J. Washburn (PGM Vermont), Executive Director,
National Masonic Foundation for Children

November 17, 2011: Youngstown Shrine Club Annual Meeting

The Grand Master met with the Nobles of the Youngstown Shrine Club in North Lima, Ohio, during their Annual Meeting. Brother Jay Jones, President, presided over the meeting that elected his successor, Brother Hugh Davenport, to the Presidency of the Shrine Club for the ensuing year. The Nobles of the Youngstown Shrine Club have taken on the responsibility of hosting the Deputy Grand Masters Hospitality Suite in Cleveland last October and the Grand Masters Hospitality Suite in Akron, Ohio, October 2012. The hospitality suite in Cleveland was well done and received rave reviews.

October 25, 2011: Installation of WB Robert Ridzon, D.E.O., 24th Masonic District

Pam and I attended the Installation WB Robert Ridzon, Negley Lodge #565, as new District Education Officer in the 24th Masonic District. WB Ridzon expressed his excitement at beginning a new phase in his Masonic journey. WB Ridzon had many well wishers in attendance to help him get started. RWB James C. Feist, District Advisor of the 24th District, was the Installing Officer. Pam and I always enjoy going to Negley Lodge (not just because it's about 5 miles from our house) because the brethren know how to celebrate their Masonry and they have good food too.

Installation of WB Robert Ridzon, Negley Lodge #565

WB Ridzon with MWB Todd at Negley Lodge #565

October 22, 2011: Installation of RWB Manuel B. Garcia, DDGM 24th District

Saturday, October 22, 2011: Pam and I traveled to Smithfield Lodge #182, Smithfield, Ohio, to attend the open installation of RWB Manny Garcia as a District Deputy Grand Master. RWB James C. Feist, District Advisor for the 24th Masonic District, was the Installing Officer. RWB Jerry Clemens was the Installing Marshal. A nice meal was enjoyed by the guests after the ceremony.

RWB Manny Garcia and MWB Todd

October 20, 2011: Installing RWB Gary Wilms

On October 20th, as the Grand Master, I installed RWB Gary Wilms as a new District Deputy Grand Master in the 24th Masonic District, at Allen Lodge #276, Columbiana, Ohio. RWB Wilms is a 50 year member, current Master of the Allen Lodge, and a new DDGM. The event was well attended and enjoyed by all. Allen Lodge is my home lodge so it was indeed a pleasure to be the Installing Officer of one of my Past Masters at my home lodge. Pam enjoyed the homecoming to Allen Lodge as well.

RWB Gary Wilms installation at Allen Lodge #276 with his Installing Officers

October 16 - 17, 2011: Grand Lodge of Kentucky

   The new Grand Master, MWB Kevin B. Todd and the new Grand Chaplain, RWB David L. Collins, traveled to the Grand Lodge of Kentucky in Louisville, KY. After the Grand Masters Banquet on Sunday night, MWB Kevin and RWB Dave met with some of our Kentucky Brethren in the Grand Masters Hospitality Suite at the hotel.
   At the business session on Monday, many topics were discussed by the Kentucky Masons. The topic of using background checks as part of the petioning process was discussed. The Grand Master and the Grand Chaplain were joined by MWB Michael Himes, Past Grand Master of Ohio, at the business sesssion.

Ohio Gr. Chaplain Dave visits with Kentucky Assoc. Gr. Chaplain Gene Crady,
of PeeWee Valley, Kentucky. (perhaps sharing some Chaplain tips!)

The Grand Master and Grand Chaplain at
the Grand Lodge of Kentucky

The Ohio Grand Master with the Deputy Grand Master of
New Jersey, RWB Glenn R. Trautmann.

October 15, 2011: Installation of Ohio Grand Lodge Officers

   The Grand Lodge of Ohio held its 203rd Annual Installation of Grand Lodge Officers on October 15, 2011. The Grand Master Elect was piped into the ceremony by Brother Del Braund of Dayton. Ohio Commandery were well represented by 30 Sir Knights who formed an Arch of Steel over the Grand Master Elect and his Lady Pam. Most Worshipful Brother Jim S. Deyo was the Installing Officer; MWB Ronald L. Winnett, Installing Marshal; WB Rev. John R. Selders, Installing Chaplain; WB George Garrod, Pledge; and WB Alonzo Potts, Sang the Lord's Prayer.
   The new Grand Master, MWB Kevin B. Todd and his wife, Pam, were joined by their children, Morgan Todd and Sarah Whinnery; Ryan and Shannon (Todd) Mercer and their two children, Riley and Colin, (with twin boys on the way); Pam's Mother, M. Virginia Davies; Kevin's sister and brother-in-law, Cliff and Paula (Todd) Prehn; Kevin's brother and sister-in-law, Will and Melanie Todd.
   A luncheon was enjoyed after the Installation Ceremony at the Old Stone Church across the street from the hotel.

Grand Master Kevin Todd and Pam enter through an Arch of Steel

WB Alonzo Potts (PM of Allen Lodge) sings the Lord's Prayer

Amusing moment shared by the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary
while the Grand Chaplain offers a silent prayer for their salvation!

Bro. Del Braund, Piping in the Grand Master

Welcome the 2012 Grand Master's Blog

Well, this is how I look to get started. We'll see whether the this holds up for the rest of the year. Sort of a before and after.

We have finished four out of eight Deputy Grand Masters Rollout Programs. Akron, Youngstown, Columbus, and Middletown are complete. So far the reception seems to be good. I hope the Brethren are as excited about the next year as I am. Hopefully the all the planning pays off in the execution phase. There are still four more rollout programs to go. Next is Cambridge and Jackson. Then Findlay and Sidney. I am truly looking forward to meeting the rest of the Brethren along the way.

The next big event is the Installation of Grand Lodge Officers in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 15, 2011, 11:00AM. This is an open installation. So everyone is invited to see the new Grand Lodge officers being installed. Come out and welcome them to the 2012 Grand Lodge year.