Ohio Grotto Association
40 Public Square Willoughby, Ohio 44094-7864
Telephone: (440) 946-2334

The Communicator

Grottos From • Ohio • Kentucky • Pennsylvania • West Virginia

Communication

Is the Backbone of Every Organization:

We Will Communicate to You Everything

That Is Communicated to Us:

This Is a Promise

From the

O.G.A.

To Your Grotto!

First off let me add a report that was not read at the February Zone. It was from the Man Miles Chairman, James H. Frederick, PM

Prophets, here is the report as of January 15, 2010

Ali Baba….. 3424

Achbar…… 3250

Ben Bey …..2908

Aut Mori… 2800

Amrou…… 2544

Caliph……. 2043

Khana Shahar…. 1342

Teheran…..1175

Singara…… 688

Ormus…….. 407

There you have it. Now all we have to do is wait for Timmy to start traveling and then watch Khana Shahar take off.

From the President of the Ohio Grotto Association, Max Pokorski;

Greetings my fellow Prophets & Ladies:

I trust by now you all have dug yourself out of the February snow banks, all I can say for it, is was good exercise.

Lady Nora and I had the pleasure of visiting twelve Grottoes open installations in December and January, we would have visited a thirteenth if a Grotto had scheduled theirs on January 23^rd.

A tip of the fez is in order to Aut Mori's Monarch Jay Kocak and his committee for the excellent job of hosting the OGA February Zone conference under the adverse weather conditions we experienced that weekend, however all that attended had an enjoyable time and their support was much appreciated. It was a pleasant surprise under these weather conditions to see three Prophets (two past Monarchs and a newly made Prophet) from Acacia Grotto in attendance for the Saturday luncheon meeting.

Saturday February 13^th Aut Mori Grotto sponsored a Valentine Day dance at the Youngstown Shrine club, an enjoyable evening was had by all, numerous comments were made that the Grottoes should hold more activities of this nature.

Achbar Grotto is celebrating its one hundredth anniversary with their Monarch's Ball April 10^th, 2010. OGA officers and Prophets, lets support this event and turn out in droves and make this an outstanding event that cannot be duplicated.

I assume all that attended the Tartan Ball in Erie had an enjoyable evening. It was my intention to comment on this event after the fact but Secretary grumpy decided to advance the article due date from March 17^th.

Prophets, Grand Captain of the Guard Mark McCombs has sent Secretary grumpy info for the OGA May zone conference which he has posted on the OGA Web Site. The price is right and includes meals, lodging, misc. activities, fishing in their private lake and entertainment. I am looking forward to a very pleasant and enjoyable weekend and I hope many Prophets and their Ladies see fit to join us to share this fun and fellowship

Prophet Secretary's, please post your Grottoes activities on the OGA Web Site so we know what you have planned so the Prophets in the realm can support you.

Lady Nora and I extend our best wishes to you and yours for a most happy and blessed Easter holiday.

Fraternally yours, in good fellowship,

Max.

Deputy President of the Ohio Grotto Association:Woodrow Sibley;

Congratulations to all the new Monarchs and officers into their new chairs. I'm sure everyone is going to do a great job.

The Grottoes that I have been to have welcomed me with a lot of good fellowship. I look forward to visiting more of you throughout the year.

What do you think about the power of the red tassels? Let's take a look at Islam Grotto. They all made up their minds and did something about rejoining the OGA. Just think what kind of power the red tassels have in the OGA now that they have a vote.

I have been asked "What does the OGA do for us? Nothing really. Just a get together for a day or two with some good friends and a meeting or two is about it." So we as officers have put a plan in place for the future. Each year we are going to start by having a break away for one hour so the top 4 of 5 Grotto officers can sit down with the officers of the OGA in different groups and share plans for the upcoming year. If we have most of the top officers of the Grottoes that are red tassels present, things in the OGA could change too... the Power of Red... hum things that make you go hummmmmmm.

February Zone conference. I still have snow in my suit case. Sherri and I still had a great time.

Fraternally yours, Woody

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

First Vice President of the Ohio Grotto Association: Michael Tomascin;

First I want to thank our President Max Pokorski and Lady Nora along with Aut Mori Grotto for a great February Zone Conference and from the talk around town so are a lot of other Prophets and Ladies.

If you have not heard Islam Grotto has sent the 2010 dues for the OGA. The question still arises on what the OGA does for the individual Grotto not just from Prophets of Islam Grotto but other Prophets. In the February 2008 Communicator I had written what the OGA does but over time it seems to have been forgotten. At the May Zone Conference we will be discussing this topic and put a document together that can be used when this question arises. I am hoping that this document could be sent to all Grottoes secretaries in our association. Remember there would not be a Grotto or Association without our members.

Tammy and I are looking forward to seeing you at the 2010 Supreme Council Convention held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to honor our own Grand Monarch Pierre Shawver. Islam Grotto is working hard to make this Convention a memorable one,

Hope to see everyone at the several Grotto functions. Be safe until our paths cross again, Mike and Tammy.

Second Vice President of the Ohio Grotto Association:Larry Budd

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had enough snow for this winter. It started the weekend of the February Zone conference and has continued to snow up until this week in Pittsburgh. My lady and I attended installations at Kismet, Aut Mori, and Ali Baba Grottoes.

We attended the February Zone Conference and had an enjoyable time in spite of the 14 inches of snow in Boardman, Ohio. The current officers had an enlightening conversation with a Past President from the 90's. We would like to change some of the current things, and bring back some of the old things. Hopefully this will be addressed at the May Zone Conference at Bear Creek Resorts in Bryant, Indiana. We have also attended several Friday fish fries at Islam Grotto, and the Tartan Ball in Erie during the month of March.

I would like to extend my congratulations to Achbar Grotto on their 100^th Anniversary. Sorry we can't attend this event, as it falls on the same weekend as the Pennsylvania, Grotto Association spring meeting in Warren, PA. I am a Past President of the PGA, and need to attend this meeting to give my input on merging with another association.

Larry Budd

2^nd Vice President

Sargeant at Arms of the Ohio Grotto Association:David Chambers,

Greetings Prophets and Ladies;

First of all let me say that it is my understanding that the Prophets of Islam Grotto have voted to pay their dues to the OGA and are now members in good standing, and to every Prophet of Islam Grotto I say WELCOME BACK BRETHREN. I am looking forward to the day I can say the same to the brethren of Yusef Kahn as well.

My last article in this publication met with reviews, some thought it too harsh, some thought it to be right on target and others thought I was too easy. Well as always you can not please everyone. But I believe that what I said made people think and brought the issue to light. We are all brothers and Prophets and therefore share a common bond. There is not a one of you that I would not welcome into my home and I hope that I would be welcome in your as well.

Now, lets move on to other business.

The OGA Winter Zone hosted by Aut Mori Grotto was not as well attended as hoped but with the near blizzard conditions was better attended than it might have been. We did not have the necessary Grottoes present to have a quorum as we were one Grotto short, but we did have a good time. The hospitality of Aut Mori and everyone that helped make the weekend possible.

Mike Dempsey, Past Monarch of Sahara Grotto was with for the weekend and as expected announced his candidacy for Grand Captain of the Guard. I believe Mike is an excellent candidate and is deserving of our support in his quest. He even helped us rescue a Past OGA President and his Lady. This reminds me....when you see Skip and Shorty Moerch ask them why they were in a car wash at Midnight in the middle of a blizzard.

Our Spring Zone will be held April 30^th and May 1^st at Bear Creek Resort and while different from what we normally do it should be an event to remember, and I am looking forward to it. The Prophets of Singara Grotto have been working hard so let us support their efforts with our attendance.

The OGA is hosting a Hospitality Room at the Supreme Council and we are asking that each Grotto assist as they can and to please donate 2 fifths or a half gallon of spirits. Past President Tim Brooks is coordinating this so please contact him at 937-390-1607 or 937-206-1041 to find out what is needed. Thank you in advance for your support

If your Grotto is interested in hosting a Zone Conference let me know as I am in need of a host for the 2014 Winter Zone Conference.

Fraternally

Dave Chambers and Lady Shari.

Sentinel for the Ohio Grotto Association:Martin Trent.

Past Monarch of Khana Shahar Grotto in Springfield, OH. (and a WHOLE LOT OF other titles.)

Fellow Prophets and Ladies!

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day and that you are staying warm and safe during this bitter winter! One of the things that is keeping my hopes high is our upcoming OGA Zone conference on April 30^th and May 1^st at the Bearcreek Farms Resort. I can't wait! This should be a fabulous time to get together as an Association!

I'm puzzled by those Prophets who continue to ask, "What does the OGA do for me or my Grotto?" The OGA helps Grottoes and Prophets from four States to communicate and enjoy good fellowship! This is critical for sharing ideas, mutually supporting one another, and even combining our strengths and talents to make the overall order stronger. Each of our Grottoes can not operate as an island. We need the shared communication and support from other Grottoes that the OGA helps promote.

Otherwise we become stale and isolated - a perfect recipe for failure.

Let's all start thinking positive about the OGA and how we can improve it instead of finding things to complain about. Remember that fortune cookie I mentioned last time, "Good things come to those who wait, but only the things left behind by those who hustle!!"

See you in May!

Copyright 2008 Ohio Grotto Association
Website Design by grumpy

Copyright 2008 Ohio Grotto Association
Website Design by grumpy