What do you get when you mix Grotto Prophets from New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania? A howling good time! Throw in a Grotto Ceremonial and some Halloween festivities, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a party!
On October 27, 2013, members of five Grottoes – Azim, Delco, Islam, Zelmar, and Ubar – converged on the Spring Garden Conference Center, located in Middletown, PA, for the October meeting of Ubar Grotto. More than 50 Prophets were in attendance, all enjoying the Sympathy and Good Fellowship that Grotto brings. This being the annual October meeting of Ubar, Prophets were encouraged to attend in their best Halloween getup. Members were attired as vikings, gorillas, nuns, romans, pop stars, cowboys, and even a banana!
The event started at 6 PM with Ubar’s well known pre-meeting feast. Prophets enjoyed a fantastic meal prepared by Commonwealth Caterers, with many toasts and much rejoicing during the dinner. Around 7 PM, Pro. George Hindson, Potent Monarch, called the meeting to order and the business of the Grotto was transacted. Nominations for officers to serve the Grotto for the next year were received and are as follows:
- For the office of Monarch – Pro. Timothy R. Settlemyer
- For the office of Chief Justice – Pro. David A. Labagh
- For the office of Master of Ceremonies – Pro. Peter J. Ruggieri
- For the office of Venerable Prophet – Pro. Shaun Sponagle, Pro. Mark Mattern, Pro. Dave Werner, and Pro. Andrew Sterling
- For the office of Treasurer – Pro. Douglas R. Harms
- For the office of Secretary – Pro. Seth C. Anthony, PM
- For the office of Trustee – Pro. Tracy Bitner
With the business of the organization concluded, the Prophets assembled for the Ceremonial of the Order. Ubar Grotto was pleased to welcome 10 Prophets into the Realm. The Grotto was also pleased to confer the work on the Prophets from Zelmar Grotto, who had not yet seen a Ceremonial.
After the meeting concluded, Prophets continued to socialize, enjoying cigars in the gazebo outdoors.
It was a fine meeting and a fantastic last ceremonial for 2013. All Prophets are invited to join Ubar for its last meeting of the year, to be held on November 24, 2013. This will be the second Convivial Meeting of the year, so Ubar members do not need to pay for their meal. Come out and join us!
