HISTORY

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#3300FF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" ><B>VAN ZOR GROTTO</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B>    </B></FONT><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="VAN ZOR GROTTO"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MISSION STATEMENT"><U>MISSION STATEMENT</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE GRAND MONARCH OFFICERS"><U>THE GRAND MONARCH & OFFICERS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GROTTO OFFICERS"><U>GROTTO OFFICERS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PAST MONARCHS"><U>PAST MONARCHS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CONTACT US"><U>CONTACT US</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RELATED LINKS"><U>RELATED LINKS</U></A>   |   <B>HISTORY</B>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="REGALIA SYMBOLS"><U>REGALIA & SYMBOLS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12 COMANDMENTS"><U>12 COMANDMENTS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MONARCHS 2008 PLAN "><U>MONARCH'S 2008 PLAN </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NEWSLETTERS"><U>NEWSLETTERS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LADIES of VAN ZOR"><U>LADIES of VAN ZOR</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EVENT CALENDAR"><U>EVENT CALENDAR</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EVENTS"><U>EVENTS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NORTH WEST GROTTO ASSOCIATION "><U>NORTH WEST GROTTO ASSOCIATION </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SPECIAL ANOUNCEMENTS"><U>SPECIAL ANOUNCEMENTS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RECENT PICs"><U>RECENT PICs</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id64.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ARCHIVED PICs"><U>ARCHIVED PICs</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SADNESS IN THE REALM"><U>SADNESS  IN THE REALM</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FF0000" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <IMG SRC="054c4c80.jpg" border=0 width="196" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>MOKANNA</B></div> <div> <B>Ritualistic leader of the Order</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#00FF00" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b701900000ff00.png" HEIGHT="27" WIDTH="27" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">HISTORY</B></I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>HISTORY of VAN ZOR GROTTO</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Grotto is a charitable organization composed of Master Masons in good standing and the basic structure is erected upon Masonic precepts, with its origins dating from the 1890s.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Order established Grottoes in various cities in the U.S.A. and Canada, wherein Master Masons may meet and cultivate the cheerful side of life, with their main objective being the relief, support, treatment and research into the problems of the Cerebral Palsy Child, and includes dentistry for the handicapped child.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Grottos have been formed in the Pacific Northwest with Van Zor Grotto receiving its charter in 1958, with an active membership of over 200 in British Columbia, holding their monthly meetings in Vancouver.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Van Zor Grotto has been of great assistance to the Lower Fraser Valley Cerebral Palsy Association Treatment Center in Surrey B.C.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Our members erected the first and second phases of the Treatment Center with volunteer craftsmen starting in 1960. The original Center was supplied with equipment such as motorized wheelchairs, video cameras as tapes, chairs, special services as specific learning ability components and Van Zor has continued its financial support ever since.</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>The sign (in the photo below) is the original sign that came from the first Child Development Center projects and now enjoys a place of honor at the entrance of the present South Fraser Child Development Center located at  9460 - 140</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>th</I></FONT><I> Street, Surrey BC.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="06227640.png" border=0 width="551" height="356" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>VAN ZOR is proud to assist the Treatment Center providing leadership, Presidents, and Directors since its inauguration.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Vancouver based  VAN ZOR GROTTO is a member of the Northwest Grotto Association which includes Grottos from cities in Oregon, Washington, and B.C., all working on the  projects of Cerebral Palsy and Dentistry for the Handicapped, barring no race creed of religion.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>HISTORY OF THE GROTTO</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, whose subordinate bodies are the Grottos, is an organization by and for Master Masons.  While in no way connected with Masonry proper, its membership is restricted absolutely and exclusively to Master Masons in good standing in their individual Craft Lodges.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Although it is primarily an organization for good wholesome fun and frolic, it also has its serious side. Its slogan is GOOD FELLOWSHIP, and in contact with our fellow man, this principle is exemplified to a marked degree.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>For some years prior to 1889, several members of Hamilton Lodge #120, at Hamilton New York, sought relaxation from the sterner duties of life by holding occasional informal meetings for fun and good fellowship. The chief spirit in the fun was LeRoy Fairchild and in the summer of 1889, he and a devoted band of followers discovered the Enchanted Realm in which, upon entering with song and laughter, they and their successors have found a rich heritage. The first meeting of the organization was held on the 10th day of Sept. 1889, and was named for the leader, the "Fairchild Deviltry Committee." (F.D.C.).</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This explains the significance of the letters "F.D.C." in the Order. It was decided at the first meeting that the membership of the Organization should be confined to Master Masons in good standing.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The idea of the Order proved immediately attractive. Many distinguished Masons entered the Enchanted Realm and returned pleased and charmed by its brilliancy as the Red Light flashed aboard. The Order could no longer be confined to any one locality, and in response to imperative requests that were not to be denied, on the 13th of June, 1890, the "F.D.C." duly founded and established the Supreme Council of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>It is a social organization for the Master Mason and all such are welcome to our Enchanted Realm. It encourages renewed interest in the Masonic Craft Lodge and its activities and attendance. While it is not and makes no claim to be part of Symbolic Craft Masonry, we ever bear in mind that our membership is composed entirely and exclusively of Master Masons.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>In 1949, the members of the Supreme Council adopted as their International Humanitarian objective to aid the Cerebral Palsy child. A charitable trust known as the Humanitarian Foundation of the Supreme Council, M.O.V.P.E.R. with a board of five trustees that administers the fund of this Trust. Each and every Prophet throughout the Realm pays one dollar per year from their Grotto dues to this Humanitarian Foundation. There are bequeaths and wills to this fund as well as many other fund raising projects put on by the individual Grottos that also contribute to the fund.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>At present the Foundation has two important projects. First, they expend large sums of money annually through the United Palsy Research Foundation. This money is used exclusively for research purposes and through this research, much has been learned regarding the cause, effects and a partial cure of this dreaded affliction.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The second project of the Humanitarian Foundation is the Dentistry for the Handicapped Program. This program was instituted to provide the best dental care possible for the handicapped child. These children often require the special dental facilities, which the Illinois Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois of the Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio can provide. Transportation for the patient is provided by the sponsoring Grotto or through the Helwig Fund. When the patient is capable of some cooperation with the dentist and does not need surgery, the service can be rendered locally. The Humanitarian Foundation has made this possible through a unique partnership with qualified dentist through out the U.S.A. and Canada. This local program enables the Grotto to provide dental care to more children.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Among Grotto members are many Grand Masters and Past Grand Masters, Governors and ex Governors of various states, numerous other Government officials and Masonic civic leaders. Four Presidents of the U.S.A. have been members of the order: Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt,  Harry S. Truman and Gerald R. Ford.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Grotto extends the hand of Good Fellowship to all Master Masons, and invites them to become a part of this wonderful organization and its work as well as enjoy its social and fraternal activities.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>An Old Report Found By PM Rod Nelson</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>A HISTORY OF VAN ZOR GROTTO</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Although this story started during 1958, it is prudent to start with expressing the early thoughts and actions of the early members, those to whom we owe our present and our ever expanding future. I refer, of course, to the members of a few Lower Mainland Masonic Lodges, who, after many brief encounters with fellow Masons and Grotto members below the 49</B><B>th</B><B> parallel, became enamoured with the new found “freedom”, so obviously missing from today's Masonic work.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This “freedom”, soon to become apparent to all worthy fully-fledged Masons, who secretly wish to continue doing “the good work”, but want to enjoy a certain sense of “freedom”, is being expressed in the manner in which our Grotto Prophets today show everyone how to enjoy life whilst giving.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Now, the members of the Masonic Lodges to whom we, today's Grotto Prophets, owe this debt of gratitude are: - Bert Deverill, Bill Crodie, Bob Reeves, Bill Greveling, Stan Scanlon, Bill Dobbs, Jim Martinez, Tommy Lawence, Ian Miller, Gordie Spencer and Cliff Sparrow, and their story unfolds this way.</B></div> <div> <B>A few prophets from Angora Grotto, in Seattle crossed the line to visit with Bert Deverill in the Vancouver Hotel, and as the evening progressed, Bert was persuaded or had the foresight (Bert won't say) to start thinking about a Grotto in the Lower Mainland of B.C.. Those who came from Angora to help Bert Deverill think, were, Dave Swanson, Warren Boone and Wally Whalen, all of whom we in Van Zor know very well.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Now it seems that Bert and members of Progress Lodge #87 had to visit Angora Grotto and join there in Seattle before being allowed to form a Grotto in the Lower Mainland. This apparently is what did happen and when the number of Prophets from this part of the world was large enough, special dispensation was applied for and granted by the Supreme council. - This date is worth remembering - Feb 22 1958, when Stan Scanlon, one of the “original eleven”, became the first Prophet Monarch of Van Zor Grotto. Our first Charter eventually arrived early in 1959, after the Grotto Prophets  had decided upon our name - VAN ZOR.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>As With all Masonic orientated societies, the most important aim of the Society would be to determine which direction the efforts should travel. With our Grotto the way was set by Supreme Council aims in helping the cerebral palsy cause. So, contact having been made with the B.C.C.P. body, it was ascertained that a new center, within the Lower Fraser Valley area, would greatly alleviate excessive travel by those in need of C.P. care.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Now with all groups, societies, clubs etc. much diversified talent and expertise can be found in a variety of trades, professions and hobbies. Our Grotto was very fortunate at this time during the early formation years, in having a number of building trade orientated professionals as prophets of Van Zor. The Project, a new center for C.P., then took all of the efforts and energy that Van Zor could provide.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The site chosen for the center, happily had a large hospital close by, in fact on the same grounds, I refer of course to the Surrey Memorial Hospital property on 96</B><B>th</B><B> Ave in Surrey. Wonderful cooperation was provided by the Hospital, the Surrey Council and the Surrey School Board. Both the money, time and materials were provided by Van Zor Prophets and incidentally, much help given in time and money and effort by our Ladies of Van Zor.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This total effort attracted outside groups to assist where they could and included the Ladies Auxiliary of C.P., The Eagles. The Surrey Firemen, The Royal Purple, Beta Sigma Phi, The Lions etc., but in the main, it was the determined efforts of those Prophets of Van Zor that kept momentum going and the building of the center gradually took shape. During the very rainy January of 1961 and after much plowing through mud, the foundations were laid and sides of the building gradually rose. The official opening of the Center was made during Sept. 1961, by the B.C. Minister of Health, Eric Martin with the President of the C.P. Body, Frank Pearson helping.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Special mention should be made here of those who gave time, physical help and materials over many weekends, so that the project could be achieved and the following deserve our thanks:-Bulldozing by Hassell Bros.; General Contracting by Ben and Sid Hansen and by John Haupt and Ed Utterstrom; sewer and drain work by Ted Hammersley and Ed Ettinger; plumbing by Sid and Bob Reeves; electrical work by Stan Scanlon, Bob Black and Ted Vincent; painting by Bert Deverill and sons; drywall work by Dick Simmons; cement donations by Gilley Bros, and Ian Main; Lumber at cost by Valley Lumber. Our Ladies of Van Zor provided the food and refreshment and no doubt removed splinters from hands, repaired ripped clothing and probably kept all of the labour well in line and working hard especially with the liquid diet being provided by Labatts.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>During the year of 1961, Van Zor organized and was responsible for the successful circus of Rudy Bros. of Alhambra, California in presenting a circus show in Queens Park Arena, New Westminster, the profits of which helped to furnish and finish the C.P. Center. Archie Card was the committee chairman of Van Zor who should be given credit since with without his efforts the finish date of the center would probably have been well into 1962.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>It soon became apparent, due to the success of the completed building, its staff and the function the staff carried out, that an extension to the building would have to be built. So, once again Van Zor Grotto stepped into the breach and started planning. C. Coutts became the building chairman responsible for ways and means in raising funds for the extension, which incidentally, when completed, doubled the size of the C.P. Center.</B></div> <div> <B>Author unknown</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This is an old report that I received from PM Rod Nelson and I do not know who the author was, but by the look of the paper and handwriting it would appear to be done very early in the history of Van Zor. I have typed it from its original hand printed form and it is a bit difficult to read so there may be the odd type-o.</B></div> <div> <B>I have reproduced this report because I thought that it would be informative to our newer members of what Van Zor has done in the past and the reason for our continued dedication to assist and support this project. Also included on the back of this report is a list of items that Van Zor donated. This list is in different handwriting and pen and I do not know over what period that it occurred.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>                                   Your editor, Grant Thompson, PM</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>