e l i z a b e t h t o w n , p a Volume IV ISSUE V MAY 2016 The Pillar is the official publication of Ubar Grotto, MOVPER, located in Elizabethtown, PA. Constituted July 23, 2011. Stated Meetings held on the 4th Sunday of each month, beginning at 6 PM, except July, August, and December. Sympathy & Good Fellowship DIVISIONAL WINNER BEST GROTTO NEWSLETTER 2013 2014 2015 Monarch’s MESSAGE By Pro. “Evil” Pete Ruggieri, Potent Monarch Buenos Nachos Prophetos! Happy May to you all. I’m looking forward to my $20 breakfast. I’m expecting that Prophet Harley has caviar, crepes, and mimosas lined up for us, though it is quite possible it is just Lucky Charms and warm milk. Either way we’ll have a great evening because we have each other. awwwwww.... Hey, if it is nice out don’t forget to bring cigars, pipe, cigarettes or something else unhealthy to smoke outside afterwards. Petitions! We need to start thinking about the October Ceremonial so if you have any interested Master Masons get them to our website to fill out the application. THE BIG SIX IS IN THE HOUSE! Prophet Andrew Sterling, David Goss and Spooner went to B.F. Ohio to retrieve these uniforms and they are EPIC. On Saturday Prophets Sterling, Young, “Laser” and myself took inventory and we’re quite excited about these costumes. There are obviously 6 costumes for the Big Six, but also costumes for 4 banner carriers and flag carriers. Al Sirat Grotto used to use these in parades and in the installation of officers. We’ll have one on display at the next meeting and seeking members for this unit. Parades might be a year or so out, but this unit could use your help even if you don’t fit the size requirements. Speak with Prophet Sterling if you would like to be in the unit. I think we could use at least 10-15 men to properly staff the unit and support team. This will be a BIG commitment so don’t just say “Yeah I’ll do it” because you fit the uniforms. There will be unit practices, parades and travel. If you make the com- mitment you are expected to honor it. The whole “it is easier to say you are going to do something than actually doing something” thing. (Still cranky Monarch) The best way to make sure the practices and parades fit into your schedule is to be in on the forming of the Unit so that you have a say in those times and dates. (Adult-ing is tough). Speak to Mr. Sterling for more info on The Big Six. I’m now going to take off my Cranky Pants, put on my Happy Slacks, and have a cocktail. Or 3. Cheers El Guapo Monarchio.
Transcript
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Volume IV ISSUE V MAY 2016
The Pillar is the official publication of Ubar Grotto, MOVPER, located in Elizabethtown, PA. Constituted July 23, 2011. Stated Meetings held on the 4th Sunday of each month,
beginning at 6 PM, except July, August, and December.
Sympathy & Good Fellowship
DIVISIONALWINNER
BESTGROTTONEWSLETTER
201320142015
Monarch’s MESSAGEBy Pro. “Evil” Pete Ruggieri, Potent Monarch
Buenos Nachos Prophetos! Happy May to you all. I’m looking forward to my $20 breakfast. I’m expecting that Prophet Harley has caviar, crepes, and mimosas lined up for us, though it is quite possible it is just Lucky Charms and warm milk. Either way we’ll have a great evening because we have each other. awwwwww.... Hey, if it is nice out don’t forget to bring cigars, pipe, cigarettes or something else unhealthy to smoke outside afterwards.
Petitions! We need to start thinking about the October Ceremonial so if you have any interested Master Masons get them to our website to fill out the application.
THE BIG SIX IS IN THE HOUSE! Prophet Andrew Sterling, David Goss and Spooner went to B.F. Ohio to retrieve these uniforms and they are EPIC. On Saturday Prophets Sterling, Young, “Laser” and myself took inventory and we’re quite excited about these costumes. There are obviously 6 costumes for the Big Six, but also costumes for 4 banner carriers and flag carriers. Al Sirat Grotto used to use these in parades and in the installation of officers. We’ll have one on display at the next meeting and seeking members for this unit.
Parades might be a year or so out, but this unit could use your help even if you don’t fit the size requirements. Speak with Prophet Sterling if you would like to be in the unit. I think we could use at least 10-15 men to properly staff the unit and support team. This will be a BIG commitment so don’t just say “Yeah I’ll do it” because you fit the uniforms. There will be unit practices, parades and travel. If you make the com-mitment you are expected to honor it. The whole “it is easier to say you are going to do something than actually doing something” thing. (Still cranky Monarch) The best way to make sure the practices and parades fit into your schedule is to be in on the forming of the Unit so that you have a say in those times and dates. (Adult-ing is tough). Speak to Mr. Sterling for more info on The Big Six.
I’m now going to take off my Cranky Pants, put on my Happy Slacks, and have a cocktail. Or 3.
Cheers El Guapo Monarchio.
UBAR: ATLANTIS OF THE SANDSThe “Atlantis of the Sands” was a legendary lost city in the southern Arabian sands, claimed to have been de-
stroyed by a natural disaster or as a punishment by God. Various names have been given to this city. The most common being Ubar, Wabar and Iram.
Some Background
Built nearly 5,000 years ago in Oman, the fabled lost city of Ubar, celebrated in both the Koran and “A Thousand and One Arabian Nights”, was the center of the lucra-tive frankincense trade for 3,000 years before the birth of Christ. Ubar was a processing and shipping center for frankincense, an aromatic resin grown in the nearby Qara Mountains. Used in cremations and religious ceremonies, as well as in perfumes and medicines, frankincense was as valuable as gold.
Why Ubar is the Perfect Grotto Name
Ubar’s rulers became wealthy and powerful and its residents--according to Islamic legend--so wicked and debauched that eventually God destroyed the city, al-lowing it to be swallowed up by the restless desert. T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, called it “the Atlantis of the sands” and, like the undersea Atlantis, many scholars doubted that Ubar ever existed. However, in true Ubar fashion, the cause of the disappearance was not due to divine retribution for wickedness but rather poor planning!
Spoken of in the Quran, Ubar became known as Iram of the Pillars. It had a unique underground water system, supported by pillars which kept the city’s water supply clean. In building his “imitation of paradise,” the legend-ary King Shaddad ibn ‘Ad unknowingly constructed Ubar over a large limestone cavern. It was fueled by an under-ground spring and rested on the vast underground cav-ern. Ultimately, the weight of the city caused the cavern to collapse in a massive sinkhole, destroying much of the city and causing the rest to be abandoned.
Not So Lost Anymore
In 1992, using a combination of high-tech satellite im-agery and old-fashioned literary detective work, a Los Angeles-based team of amateur and professional ar-cheologists discovered the fortress city buried under the shifting sands of a section of Oman so barren that it is known as the Rub’al Khali or Empty Quarter.
TOTAL NEW MEMBERSHIP FEE: $206 (Pays through 2016)
TOTAL EXISTING MEMBER FEE: $105.00
CHARITY CORNERNUMBER OF MEMBERS WITH
ENCHANTED LANTERNS:
118 of 125ENCHANTED LANTERNS
PURCHASED SO FAR IN 2016:
0TOTAL 2016 HUMANITARIAN
FOUNDATION DONATIONS
$0
MEMBERSHIPAs of 3/1/16: ........................................125Demits since: .......................................-1Suspensions: .......................................-5Deaths since: .......................................0Initiations: ...............................................+14Affiliations: ..............................................+1Total Members: .........................128Goal for the Year: .............................20Petitions on File: ................................6Number to left to recruit to reach 2016 goal: ...................6
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NOTICE OF MEETING FAILED UNITSMAY: WE’RE DOING STUFF & TALKING ABOUT IT:A stated meeting of Ubar Grotto, MOVPER, will be held May 22, 2016, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Spring Garden Conference Center, 903 Spring Garden Road, Middletown, PA 17057. Please register in advance!http://tinyurl.com/UbarMay
PROGRAM: SHENANIGANSBY ORDER OF: EVILPETE, MONARCHATTEST: EVIL MINIONS
Wherein we imagine Grotto Units that failed to capture the attention of
the Prophets.
MENU FOR MAY
BREAKFAST! It’s What’s For Dinner!• Multiple Eggs• Probably some pork- based link or strip• Toast... I mean, it’s gotta be there, right?
