Cinema Grotto

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Prophets!

This time of year brings thoughts of celebration, gift giving, and joyful caroling! Of course with it brings bright new hopes for the New Year. Likewise, our Grotto has high hopes for another year of amazing fun and charity. Fortunately, we are already off to a good start having been led by such a strong and capable leader as now Past Monarch Armen Adzhemyan. I’ve learned that to be considered a successful leader one must strive towards two ideals. First, to fulfill all of the required duties of the office and second to bring added value to the organization – to go beyond what is expected or required. Armen, clearly fulfilled both of these objectives and I look forward to honoring him at our January meeting with the presentation of Cinema Grotto’s contribution toward his Past Monarch Fez.

I am truly humbled to be given this opportunity to serve as Monarch for our Grotto. I know it seems like it should be an easy job overseeing an organization that requires relatively little, expects essentially nothing and has as a mission to have fun and give charity but in looking to the future I see a few challenges and can only hope and pray that we can continue with the great work of our predecessor prophets. I’ll discuss the challenges more in next month’s message but as for now we are off to a great start.

By all accounts, the installation was a resounding success.

The Dinner featured a German theme following the Grotto tradition of honoring the heritage of the incoming Monarch. We played Oktoberfest music and imbibed in a few imported authentic German beverages. Originally, I was going to cater from a German restaurant. I knew that I would be out of town during the day so I asked my lovely wife Ingrid to receive the food assuring her that she would only need to be present after she got off work in the afternoon. She had a late night scheduled at work the day before and was scheduled to work during the day of the installation so I didn’t want to burden her with more work. But when it proved to be cost prohibitive my lovely wife stepped up and saved the day. She requested a day off work, ordered Bavarian style table cloths online, made center pieces for each of the tables and commissioned me to purchase needed items on her list. She home cooked bratwurst and sauerkraut, green beans and spätzle and featured potato salad, chocolate cake with Grotto logo and pretzels and German brown mustard for over 40 people. I had to ask her to stop cooking long enough to come into the installation for me thank her. Then when it came time to thank her, I was so overcome with emotion over her thoughtfulness that I choked up a bit and couldn’t thank her properly so I’m taking time to do it now. Thank you, Ingrid! I couldn’t do what little I do without all that you do.

The installation was well attended including several Past Monarchs, numerous Past Presidents of the Western Grotto Association some from as far as Arizona and Orange County and our very own Trustee of Grottos of North America – Jim Jarnagin, LA Commandery #9 performed the flag presentation, other dignitaries included Advisors from DeMolay including Past Master Doug Kelly, Officers from York Rite bodies, incoming Master of Old West Lodge Roger Puckett and Officers from other lodges. Past Monarch and Past District Director Joey Lamberti served as Installing Officer and did a tremendous job.

December has already been a busy month. Immediately following the installation the officers met outside of Saddle Ranch Chop House in Valencia to plan the year. We discussed the calendar, the budget, membership and goals for the year. More details to be shared next month.

Thank you Donald Gipson, Chief Justice for taking charge of Caroling at the five United Cerebral Palsy houses in Sylmar. His operatic voice and jolly presence illuminated the residents. Eduardo Gonzaga and his family carried the first night to new levels with their green elf shirts and happy spirited singing, and David Taylor and family followed on the second night with much enthusiasm. Cynthia Cunningham came through again with the wrapping of the gifts for the residents and staff.

Thank you to all and to all a good night.

Michael Schneider

Monarch – Cinema Grotto 2018

mschneider@cinemagrotto.com

661-644-9835 cell/text

Greetings Brother Prophets and Past Monarchs!

It saddens me to say that this will be my final Monarch’s Message.  I can’t believe how quickly the year moved and how much we’ve accomplished in this time!  From initiating over a dozen members, to the Brunch’s, the BBQ’s to new places to eat!  I certainly enjoyed my year as Monarch of Cinema Grotto M.O.V.P.E.R.  I could not have done it without my fellow Past Monarch’s and brother Prophets in regular attendance helping me along the way.

Unfortunately, I missed the last meeting on the 17^th of this month due to pre-existing plans that I had but my heart was there.  Hopefully one day, we can go back to our lovely Wednesday meetings as those were the best for a lot of people’s schedules!  The installation is upon us where Chief Justice Michael Schneider will take his place as the next Monarch of Cinema Grotto on December 2^nd at Old West Lodge.  I hope that I will see a lot of my Brethren present to see me hand off that purple tassel to Michael and show support for 2018’s line of officers!

I hosted my final Brunch (6 of 6) on November 12^th at The Odyssey where we had over eight people attend and break bread!  We had a great brunch and the Odyssey once again provided great food and a view!

The Grotto for me as been an outlet to let loose, have fun, assist in charity and bring people together!  I started this year out stating that we would make the Grotto Great again, and WE DID!  The Full Form Ceremonial was no doubt the biggest accomplishment we did this year along with 9 new members at once (First time in 25 years, performed) and we did it!  I know the coming year will bring even more greatness and change for the better and we will ride this hot streak as long as we can!

Thank you all for making the year so amazing and doing your part by attending and contributing to our fun and charity!  Definitely looking forward to the future!

Hoping to see many of the Prophets at the Installation on December 2^nd 7PM!  If anybody needs a ride to the installation, please do not hesitate to ask your fellow Prophets!

As always,

Shirts & Fez!

Armen Adzhemyan

Monarch of CINEMA GROTTO M.O.V.P.E.R.

Greetings Brother Prophets and Past Monarchs!

Our October meeting is on the 20^th at 7:30PM at Old West Lodge in Newhall, CA!  PLEASE ARRIVE WEARING A HALLOWEEN COSTUME WITH YOUR FEZ.  Looking forward to the best dressed Prophet!

As the meeting is a couple days away, I wanted to remind everyone to keep all those who recently suffered due to the fire, shooting, flood and such in your thoughts and offer assistance if you can.  Also, take a minute and appreciate all you have because within seconds, it could be lost at any time.

Our next brunch is going to be on Sunday, November 12^th 10AM  – location TBD at this coming meeting!  I am open to all suggestions and ideas!

I’d also like to take some time to organize another Magic Castle day with our wives to take place in November. We can discuss that during the meeting as well.

I was approached by several people outside of the MOVPER regarding our Ceremonial which means, we have attention which will hopefully lead to increased membership.  As always, please be mindful of who you refer to our Grotto and decide if they would be a good fit for our group and the good of the Order instead of just increasing our numbers.  Each and every Prophet and Past Monarch must always think about the good of the Grotto and the members before saying or doing something.  We are Masons first and must be role models for other Masons and non-Masons in public and within lodge.  Each Prophet took an Oath, in a friendly sort of way, to act and contribute toward our Grotto and make it a worthwhile Master Mason’s Playground all in good fun.

Chief Justice and I had a discussion to bring the Ritual back and limit initiations to twice a year.  It seems like a great idea as we will eventually become a finally-tuned Ceremonial Machine!

Hoping to see everyone including our newly initiated Prophet’s at this Friday’s meeting!  I have been attending regularly for many years now and always enjoy the company of my Brother Prophets, and our new Prophets will see exactly what that means during this coming meeting and ones following that.

North Hollywood Lodge’s Masquerade Ball has been cancelled unfortunately and will resume planning for 2018’s date (TBD).

If you can’t make it to the meeting, we will have our regular post-meeting fellowship at Toppers restaurant!  If anybody needs a ride to the meeting, please do not hesitate to ask your fellow Prophets!

As always,

Shirts & Fez!

Armen Adzhemyan,

Monarch of CINEMA GROTTO MOVPER

Greetings Brother Prophets and Past Monarchs!

What an amazing, action packed month we just successfully endured!  The Brunch at 94^th Aero was on September 10^th, the meeting was September 15^th  we went to the Magic Castle on September 16^th and for the first time in TWENTY-FIVE YEARS, the Prophets of Cinema Grotto successfully performed the Full Form Ritual Ceremonial in Palm Springs Lodge on  September 29^th 2017!

Our October meeting will be held on the 20^th at 7:30PM at Old West Lodge in Newhall, CA!  PLEASE ARRIVE WEARING A HALLOWEEN COSTUME WITH YOUR FEZ.  This will be the one and only meeting I would allow anything other than Grotto Shirts!

We successfully entered NINE new prophets into the MOVPER!  I am so proud that we performed such an amazing ritual in front of the Deputy Grand Monarch Rev. Matt Wissell 33^rd Degree.  Special thank yous and shout outs to Venerable Prophet Donald Gipson, Chief Justice Michael Schneider & Prophet Joshua Runyan for providing such amazing transportation and all the brethren who participated and attended!  I am honored to call myself Monarch of Cinema Grotto, and to be surrounded by such amazing people!

The brunch at 94^th aero was awesome and very well attended!  Next Brunch is going to be on November 12^th 10AM—Location TBD at the OCTOBER meeting!

Our meeting flowed rather well and was nicely attended as well!  I would love to see some of the Prophets that haven’t been attending show up also!  We were able to conduct a full on practice at lodge and Pizza was provided courtesy of the {Dave} Taylor family!

We attended The Magic Castle on the 16^th and thanks to M.C. Taylor’s acquaintances: Craig and Guy, we received an excellent VIP treatment at the Castle and a great time was had by all who were able to make it!  Hoping to schedule another Castle trip with our wives in the month of November!

The Ceremonial was put on perfectly with some socializing at PM Jarnagin’s hospitality suite at the Inn prior. The dinner was good at Palm Springs Lodge and we concluded 9 new prophets richer!  Everyone, including myself, were impressed and we were driven to and from the lodge safely!  Thank you to all that participated once again.

North Hollywood 542 (my Blue Lodge) will be holding a first ever Masquerade Ball featuring a silent auction and as a member, I am extending an invitation to my Grotto Family!  It will be held October 28^th 2017 at North Hollywood Lodge.  We will be having a silent auction during the Ball with the sales going directly to charity and I have asked my lodge to feature Cinema Grotto as one of the charities!!

Hoping to see many of you Prophets at the meeting October 20th and for post-meeting fellowship at Toppers restaurant!  If anybody needs a ride to the meeting, please do not hesitate to ask your fellow Prophets!

As always,

Shirts & Fez!

Armen Adzhemyan

Monarch of CINEMA GROTTO MOVPER