Greetings
Prophets and Ladies.
I hope this newsletter finds you well and in good spirits.
Hello January 2011!!! Twenty, eleven? Sounds like
something you would have read about in a Popular Science magazine or something, doesn't
it? "In the year twenty eleven the average home will boast a landing pad on it's roof
to accommodate flying cars while all our dietary needs will be provided in a pill form to
be taken once a day". I bet you can almost envision the cover of the magazine now. Oh
well, it's probably for the best that the "average" consumer is not flying
around here and there, from place to place. From what I have witnessed, most of them can
hardly handle two dimensions, much less manage a third. However I must say, it would be
nice to be able to fly under the Evansville, Henderson Bridge like Ole' Marcia Yockey did.
Ooop's, there I go again, showing my age. I'm sure some of our younger members right about
here are going - "who's Marcia Yockey"? Oh,..... never mind. None the less and
as hard as it is to believe, 2011 is upon us, so let's make the most of it, flying cars or
not. Lori and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone at No-Ruz our very
best for this up and coming year. We hope it will be a good year for all our members and
I'm sure it will be for the Grotto. I'm very happy to say that I truly believe our
Grotto's future looks very bright. Our fraternity like many others, has had it's share of
adversities to overcome but, with the aid and support of many fine members both Prophets
and Auxiliary Ladies alike, we have successfully endeavored to place No-Ruz back on a
course of prosperity. And trust me, that has been quite an accomplishment in the
financially difficult times we have been living in these days. I consider this yet one
more testimonial to all our efforts. It is a dream of mine to one day witness our
organization become a trendsetter of charity in our community and one of the most
successful philanthropy within our society as well.
The Grotto's Kids Christmas party was a big success this
year. Our Ladies Auxiliary did an excellent job. I would like to thank "Uncle
Buck" and "Winnie the Pooh" for making an appearance along with good ole'
Santa Claus. I would also like to thank Michele Rohrer for having a professional
photographer friend of hers come down and take photos of the party for us. They, as well
as pictures of the Halloween party will be posted on the Grotto's website soon. Check them
out when you get a chance. I would like thank our Venerable Prophet,
Mr. Ron Davis and Mr. Moose Lewis for helping to obtain and install a new ice maker
for the Grotto. Most everyone knows what a tightwad I have always been with the Grotto's
finances but, the Grotto simply has to have a working ice machine. There is no telling how
many hours Ron and I had in trying to keep the old unit working but, enough was enough. It
was well overdue time for a new one. I must remark, it sure is nice to open the Grotto and
not wonder if you were going to have ice for the night or not.
I would also like to send out a big tip of the Fez to Mr.
Bob Giolitto and Mr. John Maier for installing new and repairing the existing exterior
lighting for the Grotto. We now have the ability to make the east side of the building
look about like three o'clock in the afternoon in the middle of July if need be. It's
really nice.
As most of you already know, our Election of Officers went off
without a hitch and all the nominees were elected to their corresponding offices. On
behalf of the No-Ruz Grotto, I would like to congratulate each and every one of these
gentlemen as well as thank them for their dedication and for their personal time they are
about to donate to our great Fraternity.
Gentleman-elect, I wish you my personal and fraternal best
and I encourage you (as I all too often had to do myself) to remember your oath not only
as a Prophet but, as a Master Mason as you execute the office in which you have so
honorably been entrusted. When you are at the Grotto, whether it be to help at the bar, in
the kitchen, with a function in the back hall or if you're just in for a visit, you are
not only representing yourself but, an officer of the Fez of Black. Trust me. This
will not always be easy but, if performed correctly, it can be rewarding.
This will be my last newsletter addressing you as your
Monarch. I must say it has been an honor and a privilege to serve you during my tenure.
For those of you who may not know, I had absolutely no aspirations to hold an office of
any kind when Mr. Rick Cory finally convinced me to join this organization, much less to
hold the office of Monarch; and even more so, as long as it required. My time as Monarch
has been an experience like no other and I can honestly say, it has left me with many
memories that I will not soon forget. I am very proud of the accomplishments that have
been made during my term and I'm even prouder yet of the individuals who assisted in
making the Grotto’s recent success possible. When I think back to all the changes and
improvements that have been made and all the Grotto functions that we were able to
perform, it kinda surprises me that we even managed to get it all in during the time
allotted. Of course there are always a few things you would have liked to have seen get
accomplished, but in truth, there is only so much time, so much money and most
importantly, so much help to get all the things achieved that one would like to see done.
I would like to say of all the things that I have enjoyed at the Grotto and of all
positive things that we did manage to get accomplished, hands down, second to none, my
personal proudest achievement has been all the good friends that I have made during my
time at No-Ruz. The Grotto's slogan is "The Fraternity That Friendship Built".
And so it has been for me, and for that I am truly most thankful.
One last time,
Fraternally Yours,
Scott A. Harris
Monarch
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