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ABACAGrotto..

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Next Monthly Grotto MEETING Thursday November 6, 2008
Dinner will be at 6:45. Abaca's Meeting starts at 7:30. More info HERE.



The End of the Year is upon us!
2008 has been a spectacular year for ABACA and it’s going to end with our second Costumed Ceremonial on November 6th. Please make it to our November 6th meeting and ceremonial as you will not be disappointed! So come on out to enjoy a dinner by Past Monarch John Sweton and our Second Costumed Ceremonial Initiation with multiple Neophytes! J

Ken Knight
Abaca Monarch 2008




Monarchs Message September 2008

Greetings Brother Prophets! The summer of 2008 has been a good one for ABACA Grotto and

YOUR Abaca Grotto is heading into the Fall season with just as much enthusiasm!

Events planned for the upcoming months of October and November are the following:

1)       Grotto meeting Thursday Oct. 2nd (also a practice for our upcoming second Ceremonial!)

2)       October Practice-session for the upcoming Costumed Ceremonial (to be announced at the Oct. meeting)

3)       November 6th Grotto meeting and second Costumed Initiation Ceremony!!!

 

I am declaring our November 6th Costumed Ceremonial OPEN to all Brother Prophets of Abaca Grotto as well as

Samis Grotto (who have already been initiated) to participate as a “Neophyte” just for the experience of being conducted

through the awesome ritual! Or, if you want a “speaking” part or wish to be a conductor, by all means come to our

October meeting or let myself or Dennis Berry know that you’d like to be a “Neophyte” in the November Costumed Ceremonial!

 

Then there will be the Christmas Party in December and another Fundraiser after Xmas but more on those events

will be forthcoming from the Brother Prophets spear-heading those outstanding events!

There will be no official Abaca Grotto participation in the Oct. 11th Parade at the Masonic Home because most of our

Brother Prophets who are attending that event are going to be marching with other Appendant Bodies this year.

 

Hope to see you all at our October 2nd meeting so that we can herald in the Fall season and the remainder of 2008

with Grotto fun, service, and fellowship! Let’s make the remainder of this year one to remember!!

 

 '“GROTTOBERFEST!!!!”'

 

-Ken Knight

August Monarch's Message

Greetings Brother Prophets!  Our August meeting went very well, and a big THANKS out to

Bro. Chip Palmer for the delicious chicken dinner that evening. We conducted business and have decided to try and attend the March at the Masonic Home near Richmond on October 11th.

(Attire is dark-colored blazer with tie and your Fez). More info by September meeting!

Also, we will be holding our second Costumed-Ceremonial-Inititation at our November 6th

Meeting night at Lodge #4 in Fredericksburg! All are welcome to attend and participate and I am opening the ceremony up to ANY Prophet in good standing who would like to be one of the “Neophytes” in the ceremony even if you’ve already long ago been obligated and inititated into Grotto! The experience of the Ceremony will astonish you I promise! 

A Toothbrush day will soon be announced as well.

FALL 2008 promises to be an actively FUN season for ABACA GROTTO MOVPER!!
-Monarch Ken Knight

July 08 MONARCH’S MESSAGE

Our July 5th 75Th Anniversary Picnic celebration was a smash hit!!

Over 20 in attendance on a beautiful, cool and clear afternoon where we dined on delicious Subway sandwiches then took the tour of the Washington Family home and plantation.

 We pulled of a great event to commemorate Abaca’s 75th year and celebrated Independence Day at George Washington’s Birthplace all at the same time! Thanks to all the Brother Prophets who showed up and helped with the ice, drinks, etc. yet again proving how “alive” the Grotto still is!!

 Our August 7th meeting is going to be one where we discuss the upcoming Fall events such as the proposed October 11th march at the Masonic Home as well as one more Costumed Initiation ceremony to possibly be held at Samis Grotto in Richmond on a Saturday in late October or early November!

So come out on August 7th so we all can plan-out the rest of this incredible year.

Don’t miss out on having a part of forthcoming Grotto fun!

Ken Knight
Monarch Abaca Grotto 2008

June 08 Monarchs Message

Summer of 2008 is upon us now and we are kicking it off with a great line-up

of events, one being our 75th Anniversary Celebration at George Washington’s Birthplace (Pope’s Creek) in

Westmoreland County on Saturday, July 5th. (We’ll be leaving Lodge #4 at 11am for those of you whom wish

to follow somebody to the location). Please call and let the Monarch know if you plan to attend this awesome

picnic and tour at George Washington’s Birthplace (540) 842-3375 before June 28th please.

You may view the National Park’s website at www.nps.gov/gewa/

Come to this picnic and tour to celebrate ABACA Grotto’s 75th Anniversary as well as Independence Weekend

and bring your family!

Also, Past Monarch John Sweton has invited us to his place on July 12th from 12 noon-on for a cookout ($10 each)

which is at his home down on Caroline Street! Let John Sweton know if you plan to attend that as well! J

I want to thank our new Prophet Jeff Mitchell for the awesome BBQ dinner at our June 5th meeting and our Secretary

Dennis Berry for representing ABACA Grotto at this year’s Supreme Council Convention in Arkansas this month!

Ken Knight Monarch of ABACA Grotto 2008n




May 08 Monarchs Message

IT’S GREAT TO BE A GROTTO MEMBER!! J

May 2008 has begun with great ideas and plans for the rest of this year concerning ABACA Grotto!
Special thanks to Ken Crampton for the delicious dinner served at our May 1st meeting and thanks to our
newly-initiated Brother-Prophets such as Jeffrey Mitchell, for immediately pitching in to help their Grotto!
Friday May 9th was “Appendant Bodies Night” at Lodge #4 and ABACA Grotto was well-represented.
Plans for visiting Colonial Beach Lodge and a Lodge near Staunton Va. are also on the launching pad.

 

Announced at the May 1st meeting, ABACA will be holding our 75TH ANNIVERSARY Celebration Event on JULY 5th 2008 (a Saturday) at GEORGE WASHINGTON’s BIRTHPLACE NATIONAL PARK located on Rt. 3 in Westmoreland County (a 45 min drive from Fredericksburg) where we will take the walking-tour of the Plantation, watch an indoor film, and then picnic outside on the Plantation grounds and break-bread in celebration of ABACA’s 75th Year as well as our Country’s Independence, all at the birthplace of our Illustrious Masonic Brother George Washington! You don’t even have to be a Mason to come join us for this event, so please invite your families, children, friends, and co-workers to this event on July 5th.

Notify the Monarch before June 20th so he may let the Park know how many of us are coming and plan for food, etc. Monarch Ken Knight may be reached at 540-842-3375 anytime day or evening.

 

-Ken Knight

Monarch of Abaca Grotto 2008e



ABACA MOVPER History was made on April 3, 2008!! 

We pulled it off…our very first COSTUMED CERMEMONIAL INITIATION was carried out with great success and awesome participation not to mention the outstanding special effects provide by our very own Abaca-

Past Monarchs Ken Crampton and John Sweton as well as assistance and participation from our Brother Prophets from SAMIS Grotto!

Five Candidates were initiated into ABACA Grotto during the one hour ceremony/play/obligation and all five were very pleased with the experience. All Prophets participating in the costumed roles did a spectacular job and it was a very fun time had by all, even for those Prophets sitting on the sidelines watching enjoyed it.

Kallipolis Grotto visited for this event and remarked how awesome the costumed ceremonial was.

We are GROWING (yes, at least four more candidates up for consideration next month! J) and inactive Grotto members are returning to ABACA with each meeting we have, so it’s safe to say that ABACA Grotto at Lodge #4 is alive and very well~!

I’d like to thank all of you who helped make our first Costumed Ceremonial a smashing success and we definitely want to hold one more Costumed Ceremonial this Fall! (twice per year would be terrific, hunh?)

We are considering a Grotto picnic July 4th weekend (a Saturday) at George Washington’s birthplace National Park in Westmoreland County Va. and I welcome any input or ideas for such.

What a way to celebrate ABACA’s 75th Anniversary!! 


March Monarch's Message

Our April 3rd meeting and Ceremonial-Initiation is just around the corner, and we have an opportunity to make Masonic/MOVPER History on that night with a ceremonial that hasn't been done in decades!! Being it is our 75th Anniversary, I daresay it's a time for ABACA to shine and show all those who may have thought we were going dark at one time, that ABACA GROTTO is alive and growing! With over 6 candidates being initiated on April 3rd, it is a glorious time for our Grotto to make a whole new name for ourselves and make ABACA the fun and charity it was meant to be, for another 75 years!!

*Prophets come out to see ABACA and SAMIS' full Ceremonial April 3rd at Lodge #4 at Fredericksburg Virgina. *

More information and directions  HERE

Febuary Monarch's Message

I’d first like to thank all of you whom came up with some ideas and sources for our 75th Anniversary Dinner and our April 3rd “Costume” Initiation Ritual! The March 6th meeting will be dinner and a quick meeting followed by a practice-session to prepare for our Ceremonial on April 3rd, as I have all the speaking parts ironed-out on slips of paper for each role to read during the ceremony and it will surely come out great! Also, mark your calendars~ March 15th (a Saturday) we have been given permission to conduct another Practice-session in Lodge #4 from 1pm-3pm! By then we should have all the costumes and roles mastered enough to initiate FOUR new Prophets into Abaca Grotto (Yes, I said four!) Also at the March 6th meeting I will announce the final decision as to where we will be holding our 75th Anniversary dinner on April 5th! This Spring has a lot in-store for Abaca Grotto and with your supportand participation Brother Prophets, ABACA GROTTO will grow and grow and continue it’s charitable missions well into the next 75 years!


Here’s the spring 2008 schedule at-a-glance>>>>>

Abaca Grotto March Meeting and Ritual Practice: March 6th at 6:30pm

Abaca Grotto Ritual Practice Session: March 15th from 1:00pm-3:00pm

Abaca Grotto April Meeting and Ceremonial-Initiation : April 3rd at 6:30pm

Abaca Grotto 75th Anniversary Celebration Dinner: April 5th

So come on out and support your Grotto as we mark Masonic History at Lodge # 4

In-Active Prophets are more than welcome to return home for this stellar occasion!h


Officers instalation for ABACA's 75th year 2008
2008 officers were installed at our December meeting. Monarch Ken Knight will lead Abaca in it's 75th year. His first Monarch's message will be posted soon. Abaca's Family Christmas party was a sucess with many children in attendance. Thanks to Prophet Chip Palmer for putting together a great event.

Monarchs Message for Abaca's December 
  We had a good turnout for our November meeting. I was happy to see so many of you come out. Officer elections and Installations will be held at our December 6th meeting. I encourage every Prophet to attend this meeting if it is within the length of their cabletow.
  At our December meeting we will be discussing Abaca’s December 26th fundraising event where we will vend a rock concert. Last year we did very well and expect to do a larger profit this year. It is great fun and a big help to the Grotto. Thanks to PM Ken Crampton for giving Abaca the opportunity to vend at this event again this year.

  Abaca’s Toothbrush Drive was held November 3rd at Ukrops. Thanks to the Prophets who came out.
 
  It has been a great honor serving as Abaca’s 2007 Monarch. This year has been filled with fun fellowship and sadness.
  Our Supreme Council trip to Niagara Falls was filled with joy and beauty. The bond between Prophets of the Realm is truly a fine thing to experience at one of these sessions. I remember getting some tips on making gumbo from more than one Prophet from New Orleans. Everyone was very accommodating to Abaca Prophets at the past 2 Supreme Council Sessions I have attended.
  Samis Grotto has been so supportive in coming to visit Abaca I believe they have had representatives at no less than 8 of our 12 meetings. I am very thankful to have our very supportive grotto neighbor to the South.
  Kallipolis grotto deserves thanks for taking the time to visit. It was great to have you here at Abaca.
  It was my honor to present the deserving Prophets (Gordon Byram, PM, Charles Sale, PM and  Boyd Green, PM) with Honorary Lifetime Memberships.
  Let us not forget our Sick And Distressed Prophets. One is Carl Anderson, PM he has been a vital part of Abaca grotto as long as I have been a Prophet. Carl is still battling the effects of his stroke he had just after we returned from Supreme Council this Summer. Best of luck to Carl and his family.
  I would like to thank Prophets who stepped up to help the grotto by cooking dinner, planning or helping at events. A BIG THANK YOU (in no particular order) to Abaca Prophets: Bob “Killer” Kane, Dennis Berry, PM, Chip Palmer, Ken Crampton, PM, Bob Hamner, PM, Martin  Smith, Carl Anderson, PM, Ken Knight, David Pompelio, George Arnold, Efrain Carrillo, PM, Mike Hayden, PM.

  As I become a has-been next month I look forward to our new Monarch and Officers proudly leading Abaca grotto in it’s 75th year.  I look forward to helping in whatever way I can. Good fortune to all Abaca Prophets.

Monarchs Message for Abaca's November 
  We had a good turnout for our November meeting. I was happy to see so many of you come out. Officer elections and Installations will be held at our December 6th meeting. I encourage every Prophet to attend this meeting if it is within the length of their cabletow.
  At our December meeting we will be discussing Abaca’s December 26th fundraising event where we will vend a rock concert. Last year we did very well and expect to do a larger profit this year. It is great fun and a big help to the Grotto. Thanks to PM Ken Crampton for giving Abaca the opportunity to vend at this event again this year. If you have not signed up to help and have fun please give me or Ken a call for more information.
 
  Abaca’s Toothbrush Drive was held November 3rd at Ukrops. Thanks to the Prophets who came out.
  
  It has been a great honor serving as Abaca’s 2007 Monarch. This year has been filled with fun fellowship and sadness.
  Our Supreme Council trip to Niagara Falls was filled with joy and beauty. The bond between Prophets of the Realm is truly a fine thing to experience at one of these sessions. I remember getting some tips on making gumbo from more than one Prophet from New Orleans. Everyone was very accommodating to Abaca Prophets at the past 2 Supreme Council Sessions I have attended.
  Samis Grotto has been so supportive in coming to visit Abaca I believe they have had representatives at no less than 8 of our 12 meetings. I am very thankful to have our very supportive grotto neighbor to the South.
  Kallipolis grotto deserves thanks for taking the time to visit. It was great to have you here at Abaca.
  It was my honor to present the deserving Prophets (Gordon Byram, PM, Charles Sale, PM and  Boyd Green, PM) with Honorary Lifetime Memberships.
  Let us not forget our Sick And Distressed Prophets. One is Carl Anderson, PM he has been a vital part of Abaca grotto as long as I have been a Prophet. Carl is still battling the effects of his stroke he had just after we returned from Supreme Council this Summer. Best of luck to Carl and his family.
 
 I would like to thank Prophets who stepped up to help the grotto by cooking dinner, planning or helping at events in 2007.

 A BIG THANK YOU (in no particular order) to Abaca Prophets: Bob “Killer” Kane, Dennis Berry, PM, Chip Palmer, Ken Crampton, PM, Bob Hamner, PM, Martin  Smith, Carl Anderson, PM, Ken Knight, David Pompelio, George Arnold, Efrain Carrillo, PM, Mike Hayden, PM.


  As I become a has-been next month I look forward to our new Monarch and Officers proudly leading Abaca grotto in it’s 75th year.  I look forward to helping in whatever way I can. Good fortune to all Abaca Prophets.

News for Abaca's October Meeting
  It was great to see so many ladies show up to our ladies night dinner which was prepared by PM Ken Crampton and his lovely wife Heather. Mrs. Gertie Adams Donated departed past Monarch’s and Secretary’s Joe Adams Abaca Fez for our show case display.
 PM Gordon Byrum was presented a certificate honoring him with a life membership to Abaca Grotto. It is always good to see Gordon. Thanks to Les Woods for giving PM Byrum a lift to the lodge.
 Chief Justice Ken Knight has been gearing up for next year as Abaca Monarch. If you have any suggestions I am sure he would be happy to listen.
 You should have received an invitation to Abaca’s Christmas time event. This is a family gathering to be held in the Baker Room of the Lodge. Please contact me 540 373 1053 if you need more information.
 Toothbrush day will be held November 3rd. Please Contact PM Ken Crampton Toothbrush Committee Chairman if you can help. 540 226 1300
 Prophets who are interested in helping us for our biggest fundraiser of the year please contact John Sweton 540 207 0768 or Ken Crampton 540 266 1300. This Fundraiser will be held December 26 the day after Christmas at night. The job will be serving refreshments to a crowd of concert goers. It is a high energy fun crowd and we can use all the help we can get.
I’ll see you at the meeting November 1st!

2007 Monarchs from Abaca, Samis and Kallipolis

It was great to have both Kallipolis and Samis Grottoes visit Abaca at our August meeting. Kallipolis, Samis and Abaca Grottoes are the only active Grottoes in our area. With Samis the oldest from Richmond Va. and Kallipolis Grotto our Prophet neighbors to the north, Abaca Grotto in Fredericksburg Va. is the ideal location for us to meet fellow Prophets from our region to the North and South. I would like to see this become an annual event here at Abaca. Martin Smith and his wife prepared the August dinner. Thanks to them for making a great buffet.

 Abaca's Dennis Berry has been appointed by the Supreme Council to head the Grottoes in our district. Although the Mid-Atlantic Grotto Association for our district has been dissolved, he will help to bring these Grottoes together. He appointed Prophets From Samis and Kallipolis Grotto to attend to the Grotto room at the National Masonic Memorial at our meeting. 

 PM Carl Anderson who has worked for many years in support of Abaca, who after a Stroke in June is in rehabilitation now he  is talking now. His right side is paralyzed and his recovery may be a long affair.  Please keep him in your thoughts as I will.


April 2007
Prophet Martin Smith takes a turn at ABACA's Fish Fry.
More pictures HERE

At our April 5th Meeting the annual fish fry was prepared by Carl Anderson with Bob Kaine and Martin Smith pitching in to make a great dinner.  Thank you Prophets. Samis Grotto was here. It is always great to see these Prophets from the only other grotto in Virginia.
 
A Masonic Mixer will be held Saturday April 21st beginning at 6pm at Ken Cramptons space at 620 Charlote St in Fredericksburg. This is our annual membership drive. All Abaca Prophets should attend in Fez. Dress is casual. Light fare, refreshments and live jazz.

Abaca’s May 3rd meeting is barbeque and Hawaiian shirt night. All Prophets are encouraged to wear their loudest Hawaiian Shirt. 

I would like to see more of the new Prophets at our meetings. If you are a Prophet who has not been to a meeting in a while please do your best to come out and support Abaca grotto. We need you.



March 2007
At Abaca's March meeting Abaca Honarary Member PM Dwight presented an Enchanted Lantern to Abaca Grotto.


Abaca's newest Prophet Larry Rodriguez
Samis Grotto visited to see us make a new Prophet. Monarch John Sweton cooked dinner and fun was had by all.



Febuary 2007

Presentation of Enchanted Lantern to PM Carl Pepmire by the ABACA Goodwill Committee.

Picture Page Updated HERE
Hello Abaca Prophets,
It was good to see so many of you brave the snowflakes to attend our February meeting. Thanks for coming out. A dinner of homemade beef vegetable soup and sandwiches was made by Prophet Martin Smith and his lovely wife. Thanks to you both.

We received a petition for membership to Abaca which was accepted. This Neophyte will be initiated into the Enchanted Realm in March. Please try to come to the March meeting and help welcome Abaca’s newest Prophet.

Membership Chairman Prophet Chip Palmer outlined his Christmas party plan. It sounds like a very nice event for Abaca and should draw new Prophets to the Realm.

Abaca will be making it’s annual official visit to Samis grotto in Richmond March 15th to invite them to our Annual Fish Fry at our April meeting (Please contact Dennis Berry if you would like to attend).

Honorary Lifetime Memberships  were given to P.M. Gordon Byram, P.M. Charley Sale and P.M. Boyd Green,  for years of dedication and service to Abaca grotto.

Abaca’s newly formed Goodwill Committee made it’s first visits this month. Recipients were informed about there Honorary Life Memberships. PM. Carl Pepmire was presented with an Enchanted Lantern. Prophet P.M. Pepmire was in good spirits during our visit and I didn’t hold it against him when he kept calling me Monica instead of Monarch.
Best Wishes,
Monarch John Sweton

  
January 2007

Hi fellow Prophets,

January was a good month for Abaca. We raised over $3000. at a fundraiser  run by P.M. Ken Crampton. I would like to thank Prophets P.M. Carl Anderson, Chip Palmer, David Pompilio, Bob Kane who worked hard to produce these funds.
Thanks to P.M. Dennis Berry for preparing dinner for Abaca in December.
February’s dinner will be prepared by Martin Smith and his Lady.
Best Wishes,
Monarch John Sweton


OCTOBER

ABACA's Newest Prophet
At the October meeting we brought the ABACA bylaws were updated to comply with the Supreme Council codes. A Neophite has was elected to become a Prophet. He will be inicated in November.


AUGUST

ABACA at Fredericksburg Lodge 4 Appended Bodies Night
We'll be voting on neophites who filled out petitions in August
There are a couple of pictures HERE


JUNE
ABACA Goes to the
Supreme Council Session Daytona Beach Florida
Pictures of ABACA at the 2006 Supreme Council Session are HERE

Click HERE for Supreme Council Business Session Information


!!!ABACA will NOT go DARK this SUMMER!!!


At ABACA's June meeting Prophet C.J. John Sweton did a fine job sitting in as Monarch for the vacationing Monarch Ken Crampton. we discussed Fredericksburg Lodge #4's cook-out July 15. ABACA will be cooking the grub as a fund raiser. All Prophets interested in helping please email for more information. We spoke about issues that we will be voting on at the Supreme Council Session this month. Prophets Paul and Sandy from SAMIS were on hand to invite ABACA Prophets to come to Richmond for the Special Olympics June 10. Contact Samis Grotto for information.

 May
At Our May meeting we initiated Prophet George Arnold. The Abaca Prophets dined on a great fried chicken dinner prepared by Francis Arnold. Everybody wore Aloha shirts. There were many Prophets in attendance. It was great to see Samis Grotto represented by their Chief Justice Paul Sholte. Super Fun!
There are some pictures HERE.


ABACA's Newest Prophet George Arnold

April
April was a busy month at ABACA. We kicked off this Months festivities on the first with a Masonic Mixer. Thanks to The Downtown Grill and Sammy T's for generous food donations. Jazz man Harry Wilson played to crowds of potential Prophets. SAMIS was in attendance and good fellowship ruled the night. What a great time! There are some pictures HERE.


ABACA's Annual Fish Fry click for larger jpeg and Past Monarch's Night was a big hit this year. Prophet Benny fried some great tasting trout and Prophet past Monarch Carl Anderson was on hand to help out. Some of the Prophets from Samis Grotto were visiting and much fun was had by all. There are some pictures HERE.


Prophet Benny Frying Fish

ABACA's Toothbrush Day informed people in Fredericksburg about the Philanthropic side of the Grotto. There are some pictures HERE.



ABACA grotto 2006 all rights reserved



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