Cinema Grotto

Prophets,

I remember back in High School, when Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris were the toughest Martial Artists on the planet (yes, I am that old).  Their movies were very popular; their faces were on lunch boxes and their posters were everywhere.  Like all young men, I believed that once I studied Martial Arts, I too could be physically tough.  I took lessons for years; I became more physically fit, developed better mind-body coordination and gained more confidence.  But much to my surprise it wasn’t my physical toughness that evolved the most.  It was more of a mental realization or awareness that evolved.  I found the more I studied, the more there was to be learned.  That was the first time I recall understanding the idea that only through experience can we truly learn what knowledge is available to us.  Most recently, I had a similar realization while attending the Supreme Council Annual Convention.

The only thing I knew about the Supreme Council was that it was held every year in a different location and I assumed it was available primarily to District Officers, Grotto Association Officers, and National Officers.  The first thing I learned was similar to Blue Lodge, which requires the pillar officers to attend Annual Communication in San Francisco; we as local Grottoes are expected to send our elected officers to Supreme Council.  The registration form has check boxes for Monarch, Chief Justice, and other local offices that are not higher offices.  During the sessions, individual members and local Grottoes are called by name to receive awards for membership and other achievements by the Grand Monarch.  Our Grotto received a new member award suitable for framing, and a check for our membership efforts; I received a personal award as well and was glad that I was there to receive these honors on our behalf.  The rest of the awards will be mailed to you.

The next thing I realized was that many grottoes specialized in certain areas of interest, some of which were for the parade: clown units, bagpipes, swing band, mini bikes, Indian Chiefs, Flintstones re-enactment, antique cars, and more.  I thought how cool it would be for our Grotto being named Cinema and hailing from Los Angeles to be THE Grotto for Entertainment.  I think we are well on our way with Magic Castle, Ceremonial, Leprechaun, Cigar Dogs, Monte Carlo, and upcoming Murder Mystery, UCP Safari Dash, and Halloween Scary Night Costume Competition.  We also, picked up a few ideas from Supreme Council – that of the Feast of Adam’s Rib, which is the Grotto version of a Table Lodge and Order of the Water Buffalo, which is mirrored after the Flintstones.

The last things that were revealed to me that were very impactful were the following three:

1. Jim Jarnagin represents us well as a Grand Officer; he wears an entirely different color jewel and tassel that we never get to see. As you know, red tassels are new or regular prophets, Monarchs and Past Monarchs are represented by purple, Grand Officers wear grey, and Grand Monarchs wear yellow.  Jim knows everyone and everyone knows him.  It was an honor being introduced to the friendly fellow Prophets from around the country.  They all know the name Cinema Grotto.

2.   Every year the Newly-Installed Grand Monarch is crowned with his new fez by a Prophet and his wife from Cinema Grotto. Yes, it is true.  Chris and Michele Rothman Owners of LAFCO        and members of our Grotto proudly represent us to the entire Supreme Council.

3.  Lastly, in the year 1998, exactly twenty years ago, Cinema Grotto Prophet Donald A Horning, Sr. was the Grand Monarch for the Supreme Council.

I hope you were vicariously impressed by the significance of our role with the Supreme Council and the importance of making our best efforts to attend in the future. Every person I met treated me as if I was their best friend. They volunteered to taxi us around town as if we were visiting relatives. They get to reunite every year and reinforce their friendship from all over the nation and Canada. The next Supreme Council will be in Branson, Missouri. All are welcome. Start saving now.

Stay Thirsty,

Michael Schneider, Monarch

Prophets,

Over the years, I have observed the way we as human beings are often quick to judge and slow to forgive.  With politics, we seemingly condemn every statement, with sports we vociferously criticize every error, and with religion we self-righteously consider the hypocrisy of every notion. Now, I’m not a Psychologist so I can’t explain why we do this but I do find it curious. Although, I might personally be one of the first to analyze a situation or discuss a person’s actions, I trust that in my heart I am forgiving.  So what does this have to do with Cinema Grotto? Well, it is the essence of who we are. To truly enjoy ourselves we need to put aside the obstacles in our lives and focus on the vision. We are already half way through the year and we still have much FUN to accomplish.

Starting with our next meeting on Friday, June 15^th we will be launching our Cigar Dogs Event. Our Cigar Dog Master will be THE Prophet that on his Grotto Application listed his employment as “Man of Leisure”.  A  Prophet who sometimes drives two hours to attend our meetings and still finds time to smoke a cigar beforehand. Yes, he drinks his milk out of a dirty glass and doesn’t even wipe his mouth. He always stays thirsty, my friend. This Cigar Aficionado is Gary Sturm.  Gary has agreed to bring cigars and teach us novices how to not inhale cigar smoke while ingesting too many hot dogs. Yes, he knows a lot about dogs too.  He has taught old dogs a variety of new tricks. Freemasons strive to learn HIS secret handshake. He is the life of parties that he has never attended. It should be fun. Bring $15, the cost of cigars and hot dogs might be worth it but really the payment is just to meet him.

Some of the most interesting conversations in the world are had with cigars. It is not so much the cigars as it is the conversation. You won’t want to miss this even if you don’t care for cigars. I have been looking forward to this event for quite some time and hope to continue many times in the future. It turns out the Supreme Council is meeting that week and it is my obligation as your Monarch to attend. Rest assured our Worthy Chief Justice has the keys and is prepared to open the door to your Cinema Grotto Enjoyment. If any Prophets have any issues or ideas for me to share with Supreme Council of the Grottoes of North America please contact me.

As Prophets of the Mystic Order of the Veiled Prophets Enchanted Realm, let us continue to turn things upside down by striving to be Slow to judge and Quick to forgive.

Fez, Shirts and Quarters required at all meetings!

Stay Thirsty Prophets,

Michael Schneider

Monarch – Cinema Grotto 2018

Prophets,

The month of May reminds me of Mother’s Day and May Flowers.

I remember when I was but a wee little lad, my Great Grandmother told me about a May tradition. She shared that May 1^st used to be called May Day which involved the placing of baskets of flowers on friend’s porches and the children used to dance around a Maypole with ribbons attached to it. It sounded fun and carefree and to this day I still picture it when May comes around. I wish it was still continued, but in a way it reminds me of the carefree fun we still enjoy in the Grotto which is why I’m suggesting we each bring a flower to the meeting this Friday or at least draw a picture when you get there. I know it sounds silly and awkward but that is the fun of Grotto. It serves another purpose as well it reminds us of those that no longer have mothers. As you know, Dave Taylor will be chairing the meeting this Friday and he lost his mother this year so this was his first Mother’s Day without her. God rest her soul.

Last month was spectacular for Cinema Grotto. We held our 2^nd Ceremonial in 25 years initiating 9 new Prophets thanks to our amazing Ritual Director/Chief Justice and cast; also in attendance were our District Deputy, several Past Presidents and current President of the Western Grotto Association, Grand Trustee and Grand Chief Justice as well as Prophets from other Grottoes, and the Ladies of Mokanna. We raised money for the WGA and Cinema Grotto, reveled in great entertainment and savored tasty food.

Special thanks to Jim Jarnagin for cooking the food, the ladies that helped to clean up and the Prophets that brought additional food and drinks.  But most of all thank you Prophets, we enjoyed Good Fellowship – the comradery of everyone pulling together to help out and the congenial atmosphere with we interacted truly made this a special event.

Calendar:

18 May – Dave Taylor will be acting Monarch. It is the month of May Day and flowers. Try to bring Dave a flower. He will smell so good!

10 Jun – 17 Jun – Supreme Council Session – Indianapolis, Indiana

15 Jun – Cigars and Scotch after Meeting – Gary Sturm

14 Jul – UCP BBQ1 – Donald Gipson

20 Jul – Monte Carlo Night after Meeting – (Mystery Prophet)

17 Aug – Donald Gipson Acting Monarch – Karaoke

18 Aug – UCP BBQ2 – Donald Gipson

01 Sep – Houdini Room – Magic Castle – Prophets Only – Michael Schneider/Dave Taylor

17 Sep – Ceremonial Practice Meeting (Ceremonial TBD by Ritual Director)

19 Oct – Dave Taylor Acting Monarch – Annual Halloween Costume Competition

27 Oct – WGA Convention – Laughlin, NV

16 Nov – Elections

1 Dec – Cinema Grotto Installation

Dec – UCP Caroling (TBD by Chief Justice)

Laugh and feel better about yourself!

Fez, Shirts and Quarters required at all meetings!

Stay Thirsty Prophets,

Michael Schneider

Monarch – Cinema Grotto 2018

Prophets,

It is that beautiful time of year when the rain has turned the hills green again; the misty dew has refreshed the air and made us feel crisp and clean; and the spirit of the wind has blown the fallen leaves away and started life anew with tree blossoms and hope for new life in the year to come. The lawn mowers are buzzing and the children are playing. How sweet it is to be in Southern California in the springtime.

For the Grotto, this is a time of renewal as well; it is the time for us to start new life again; to bring in new members and reinvigorate our membership and forecast our future.  As prophets by definition we are visionaries. So let us look to the future and find those few good men worthy of our order. Fear not the naysayers for “they know not what they do”. We know the benefits of Sympathy and Good fellowship. This is your charge to go online and share our passion. Talk to your Masonic brethren and invite them to join our order, “compassionate their miseries and restore peace to their troubled minds”.  It is our duty as the social arm of masonry to reach out, embrace and share the joy and happiness of the Grotto to the masonic world.

As you know, our annual ceremonial will be on April 28^th. Practice will be at/or immediately following our April meeting on the 20^th. We need your help. I cannot recruit alone and our Chief Justice Donald Gipson cannot conduct the ceremonial by himself.  Let’s have fun and “cause true friendship to exist among those who might otherwise have remained at a perceptual distance”. Did you know that Supreme (Grotto HQ) rewards you for bringing in even one member? That to form you own unit it takes only 6 prophets and you will be rewarded with $500. How great is that? When brethren ask me what is the Grotto, I say to them that there has never been a meeting where I have not laughed and felt better about myself and closer to my prophet brethren.

In January we planned our year, in February we celebrated the Chinese New Year, in March we were treated to a Leprechaun initiation, in April we practice and conduct the most unique and celebrated ceremonial in Masonic Tradition. Here’s what is in store for the rest of the year…

18 May – Dave Taylor will be acting Monarch. It is the month of May Day and flowers. Try to bring Dave a flower. He will smell so good!

15 Jun – Cigars and Scotch after Meeting – Gary Sturm

16 Jun – Magic Castle Houdini Room – Michael Schneider/Dave Taylor

14 Jul – UCP BBQ1 – Donald Gipson

20 Jul – Monte Carlo Night after Meeting – (Mystery Prophet)

17 Aug – Donald Gipson Acting Monarch – Karaoke

18 Aug – UCP BBQ2 – Donald Gipson

17 Sep – Ceremonial Practice Meeting (Ceremonial TBD by Ritual Director)

19 Oct – Dave Taylor Acting Monarch – Annual Halloween Costume Competition

27 Oct – WGA Convention – Laughlin, NV

16 Nov – Elections

1 Dec – Cinema Grotto Installation

Dec – UCP Caroling (TBD by Chief Justice)

Laugh and feel better about yourself!

Fez, Shirts and Quarters required at all meetings!

Stay Thirsty Prophets,

Michael Schneider

Monarch – Cinema Grotto 2018